Tags content

Filter
1-30 of 37 Posts
original ProXTXTR
2020 Pivot Switchblade Pro XT/XTR 29
Vital Review

Bike of the Year Contender? All-New Pivot Switchblade REVIEWED (Product Review)

Overall Review
V ital MTB's 2016 Bike of the Year went to the previous Pivot Switchblade . How do you improve on that? Give it a few years and some fresh ideas. With 142mm of rear travel and 160mm up front, this all-new 2020 version one-ups its predecessor pretty much across the board. Join Vital MTB's Product Editor, Brandon Turman, in the video above for a look at everything that's been updated and his in-depth ride impressions. Strengths Weaknesses Direct, snappy attitude at the cranks Excellent traction Custom shock tune improves support without hindering high-speed bump absorption Great manners on...
Posted by bturman on 2/3/2020 3:47pm
Related:
Pivot
Tested
29er
Insta Hub
Plus
original 2019 Pivot Trail 429 Pro XT XTR 1X 29 with DT Swiss wheels steel blue.png?VersionId=r9FThCTeo8
2019 Pivot Trail 429 Pro XT/XTR 1X
Vital Review

The All-New 2019 Pivot Trail 429 Takes on One of Moab's Hardest Rides (Product Review)

Overall Review
P ivot's Mach 429 Trail was born from cross-country roots with a hint of some big bike influence. During a previous Vital MTB Test Sessions it wowed us with its incredible sense of efficiency and playful, spritely, rocket ship feel, but it often fell behind when trail conditions got hairy. New for 2019, Pivot has redesigned the frame with a ground-up approach and a clear focus on making the bike more capable. They've tweaked the name as well, and it's now simply referred to as the Trail 429. So, what's different? What's better? We break down the details and give our impressions from an...
Posted by bturman on 5/16/2018 6:20pm
Related:
Pivot
29er
Plus
Moab, Utah
Trail / All-Mountain
original 2017 Santa Cruz Hightower C S Bike Sriracha Red.jpeg?VersionId=was
2017 Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon C S 29
Vital Review

Review - 2017 Santa Cruz Hightower from Vital MTB Test Sessions (Product Review)

Overall Review
S anta Cruz’s Hightower was just released a year ago, benefiting from the company's continued refinement of the VPP suspension system. It combines 135mm of travel with 29-inch or 27.5+ wheels to create a bike that can take on a wide variety of terrain while keeping up speed and staying as efficient as possible. With the most travel of any 29/27.5+ bike in their lineup, the Hightower is more than just an efficiency sled with some travel – it is truly a do-it-all bike. Santa Cruz has some of the most trusted carbon frames in the business and relatively affordable pricing on some models as well...
Posted by bturman on 4/6/2017 12:27pm
Related:
Santa Cruz
Tested
Test Sessions
29er
Plus
original Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol
2017 Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol Race with Pistola Setup
Vital Review

Review - 2017 Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol from Vital MTB Test Sessions (Product Review)

Overall Review
"Why does the guerrilla fighter fight? We must come to the inevitable conclusion that the guerrilla fighter is a social reformer, that he takes up arms responding to the angry protest of the people against their oppressors, and that he fights in order to change the social system that keeps all his unarmed brothers in ignominy and misery." - Che Guevara Debatably the tactics of guerrilla warfare were originally penned by Sun Tzu in The Art of War around 600 B.C. At its heart it is a series of tactics that a small army employs to fight against a much larger army. Guerrilla warfare is an agent of...
Posted by bturman on 3/1/2017 10:33pm
Related:
Guerrilla Gravity
Tested
Test Sessions
29er
Plus
original switchblade 29 carbon blue XTR
2017 Pivot Switchblade Team 29/27.5+ XTR 1x
Vital Review

First Look, First Ride: 2017 Pivot Switchblade 29/27.5+ (Product Review)

Overall Review
Feature by Brandon Turman // Photos by Lear Miller and Brandon Turman Chris Cocalis, the President and CEO of Pivot Cycles, was once described to us as having the ability to see the matrix before his eyes while looking at any new bike. From his humble roots as a college kid making hodgepodge frames with a wobbly drill press to the creation of his first bike company, Titus, the man has decades of experience in a constantly evolving industry. His creations and ideas make him one of the most respected names in the bike world, and his detail-oriented approach is paying off. Today, despite Pivot's...
Posted by bturman on 5/28/2016 8:20am
Related:
Pivot
29er
Plus
First Look
First Ride