LOL, I just finished comparing this Trail 429 geometry against my Switchblade and I'm amazed by how close to almost identical they are. I'm renewed in love with my Pivot 27+!
Haha. Dude I just demo’d that Trail 429 in XL July 15 at Dirtfest WV and felt same way you did. I fell in love with it. And WV trails were pretty chunk and it handled them so well. It is such a fun bike- reacts immediately to rider input and the backend is such a hoot to whip around, while still feeling really stable on downhills and pedaling well uphill. Im waiting til next season when I hope they will offer it with the new XTR 51 tooth chainring setup and then I’m buying. Im getting 27.5 Plus bc of the chunky gnar in mountains in western MD, PA and WV, plus want to put on 3.25s for late fall/winter.
KT is one of the premier mountain bike destinations on the eastcoast. The riding is world class, and the quaint little town of Burke, Vermont the community is very welcoming to cyclists.
When I've got a shot like that 3:15 I take a short 3-sec video and slowly move from left to right keeping the bike centered - it seems to add the 3D depth factor.
Ok, just when I have decided my next bike is going to be an Ibis Ripley, I get a chance to buy a new Pivot Trail 429 XO Pro build for $4900! I’ve yet to ride one and the bike is located 3 hours away. Do you think it’s a good deal or is the Ripley worth the extra $1250 ? From all reviews I’ve seen, the bikes seem very similar. Thanks in advance for your reply.
Nice ride ! I went to the Nembafest too this year, on the Saturday the guys at the Pivot tent didn’t want us to demo the bikes for hours because they were affraid or potential rain... same for Yeti... I ended up trying 3 Evil bikes as these guys didn’t care about the rain. I liked them so much that I ended up buying an Evil Calling. Do you feel it is as capable as the Evil Following?
Spent a weekend on both before deciding. The pivot is a little better on the ups. Heading down however (for me), the Following was more confident and wanted to play more. I ended up with a Following MB. Stiffness was about the same (I sit in at approx 200 lbs, 6ft).
Of all the bikes you've enjoyed riding, and forgetting the numbers (geometry, price, travel, etc. ) which one stands out as the best steering, most intuitive handling and FUN bike of all?
Great video JC. I’ve been waiting for this one. Buffed trails or not for a short trail bike this thing sure can handle itself. Overall did you like the pivot T429 more than your old yeti 45?
Bill T both great bikes, if you are going to ride technical trails I would go with the Carbine. I would say Pivot if your riding trails similar to the ones in the video. With that said I could of rode the Pivot down Burke Mtn just would not of been as comfortable.
JC, Great reviews! They have been very helpful in my new bike search. Any chance you could comment on how this bike compares to the Yeti SB100? Particularity technical climbing.
I like that they do all the demos at nemba fest.....but I think the kingdom trails are so buffed and smooth compared to the rest of real trail riding that people will do on a regular basis. The trails are great but I dont think it is an accurate representation of New England riding, I mean there are almost no rocks or roots in the darling hill trails. But...great video as usual. 🤘🏻
Completely agree. When I demod there this year I made it a point to avoid the smooth sections In Favor of the ruts, rocks and roots I could find. I learnt how much I liked the trek fuel reaktiv suspension that way. If I went with overall fun experience on those trails I may of ended up with a sb5.5 lunch ride lol
A Devinci Django maybe my next build. As much as I like my Santa Cruz Bronson CC. It is a 2015 model and A Devinci Django maybe an option. From my understanding they also offer lifetime warranties on their frames. The SC frames are great. Just real expensive as I build my own bikes.
Wondering how the 429 stacks up to the SC Hightower. You were pretty high on that bike. I rode one in SC yesterday and really liked it but not sure how either of these bikes translate to Long Island NY
Hey Peter the HT is a more capable on rough terrain. The 429 pedals better and climbs better, so if you local trails require a lot of pedaling I would go with the 429.
SC Hightower is definitely longer travel. SC HT is a great climber for the travel but the pivot climbs like a cross country bike and feels longer than a 120 rear on the downhills. Definitely demo both. I consider a different class of bikes. Pivot 429 is between tall boy and HT.
I own a Following, and demo'd the 429 (model from a year ago). The 429 is easier climbing, but not by much. The Following is *much* more confidence inspiring going down, and suprisingly good going up. It is also more poppy, maybe due to the short chainstays and the weird suspension with the firm/progressive bottom end. For where I ride Socal, rocky, steep) the Following is a much better all-around bike for me. If you're more XC on smoother trails, the 429 may be better. As always, depends what you want and how you ride..
Did those same trails 2 years ago at nembafest and let me tell you an ebike would be perfect for that section. That climb sucked the life out of me before noon. But unfortunately no ebikes on the kingdom trails. Please tell me you did sidewinder trail...that was pretty cool! Oh and by the way, The pivot trail 429 was the best bike I rode that weekend back then
Pivot bikes are great, but they have one big problem: they are really, really expensive! I ride Rocky Mountain (since 1996) and always thought: RMB is expensive. But compared they are really cheaper...
well, for me it is ok to not have that frame only option. but in sum they are a little bit too expensive for me... the only thing you know for sure is that in my area no one is riding any pivot bike ;-) but that can not be thee purpose of buying such a brand...
well, if brought to Rocky Mountain Bikes (because you said "these ... brands"), I would not say that RMB is a "boutique brand": they build bikes since 1981! santa cruz startet 1993 and pivot even at 2007. so... RMB has a history in bike building and are often early adopters of new technology or bike types. who started race face? RMB. who started the "trail bike category"? RMB. who build the 1st e-bike (i live in europe where lots of such bike types are sold...) which had the same (normal bike) geometry and feels like it's non "e" partner? RMB. all that can be found in the internet... yes, there are cheaper bikes out there like YT, canyon, cube, giant, and many, many more, but they all do not have that history like that brand. the only ones which have the same status are yeti, specialized and a few more. most other brands of that time (means when they started in the 80s) are gone or now part of a big consortium and lost their spirit. yes, RMB does belong to procycle since 1997 but still they are on their own and lost nothing... besides all of that you named it "boutique brands" have to stem (hope the right word?) against all of that way cheaper sender bike brands which do not support local bike shops. my opinion...
Martin Nigg No I just mean for many people buying these uber high end bikes they need to factor frame only options.. Many of us slowly build our bikes over the years and eventually end up with a plethora of high end componentry. Last thing we need is another complete!
I fell in love with my Pivot once again, after watching this awesome review
Haha it’s s great bike!
LOL, I just finished comparing this Trail 429 geometry against my Switchblade and I'm amazed by how close to almost identical they are. I'm renewed in love with my Pivot 27+!
JAFO that’s because there’s only a few factories in Taiwan that make ALL the bikes sold in America
Look who made it to the Wall St Journal! Congrats!
bj dunne thanks man!
Haha. Dude I just demo’d that Trail 429 in XL July 15 at Dirtfest WV and felt same way you did. I fell in love with it. And WV trails were pretty chunk and it handled them so well. It is such a fun bike- reacts immediately to rider input and the backend is such a hoot to whip around, while still feeling really stable on downhills and pedaling well uphill. Im waiting til next season when I hope they will offer it with the new XTR 51 tooth chainring setup and then I’m buying. Im getting 27.5 Plus bc of the chunky gnar in mountains in western MD, PA and WV, plus want to put on 3.25s for late fall/winter.
DADventureTV that new XTR 12 speed will be a great edition to the bike and some fat tires.
And the dude with the beard gave me the bike. They also had the sweetest dog.
JC TRAILS those trails looked sweet. I gotta get up to New England sometime- looks awesome up there.
DADventureTV it’s sweet!
KT is one of the premier mountain bike destinations on the eastcoast. The riding is world class, and the quaint little town of Burke, Vermont the community is very welcoming to cyclists.
When I've got a shot like that 3:15 I take a short 3-sec video and slowly move from left to right keeping the bike centered - it seems to add the 3D depth factor.
Ok, just when I have decided my next bike is going to be an Ibis Ripley, I get a chance to buy a new Pivot Trail 429 XO Pro build for $4900! I’ve yet to ride one and the bike is located 3 hours away. Do you think it’s a good deal or is the Ripley worth the extra $1250 ? From all reviews I’ve seen, the bikes seem very similar. Thanks in advance for your reply.
Is like riding in paradise!!!!
Tito Real yes it is!
That was an awesome fakey riding at the beginning of the video!!!!!!!!!!!
philrc1 I try 😜
Nice ride ! I went to the Nembafest too this year, on the Saturday the guys at the Pivot tent didn’t want us to demo the bikes for hours because they were affraid or potential rain... same for Yeti... I ended up trying 3 Evil bikes as these guys didn’t care about the rain. I liked them so much that I ended up buying an Evil Calling. Do you feel it is as capable as the Evil Following?
Alexandre Asselin they are very both very stiff and capable bikes, but the Pivot pedals a little better.
Spent a weekend on both before deciding. The pivot is a little better on the ups. Heading down however (for me), the Following was more confident and wanted to play more. I ended up with a Following MB. Stiffness was about the same (I sit in at approx 200 lbs, 6ft).
That's an interesting bike. Went to a pivot demo and they didn't have any of the new bikes yet.
Brian Vaughn this would be a great bike for your Minneapolis trails.
I agree...just not the bike for me.
Awesome feedback.
SundayRidesOver thanks!
Of all the bikes you've enjoyed riding, and forgetting the numbers (geometry, price, travel, etc. ) which one stands out as the best steering, most intuitive handling and FUN bike of all?
Great video JC. I’ve been waiting for this one. Buffed trails or not for a short trail bike this thing sure can handle itself. Overall did you like the pivot T429 more than your old yeti 45?
Marko I actually do prefer the Pivot it feels more capable on the descents but climbs just as well as the 4.5.
While not quite an apples to apples comparison, what did you think of the Pivot vs the Intense from your last video?
Bill T both great bikes, if you are going to ride technical trails I would go with the Carbine. I would say Pivot if your riding trails similar to the ones in the video. With that said I could of rode the Pivot down Burke Mtn just would not of been as comfortable.
JC I would like to see a review of a Devinci Django.
Chris West me too.
Devinci Troy 29!
JC, Great reviews! They have been very helpful in my new bike search. Any chance you could comment on how this bike compares to the Yeti SB100? Particularity technical climbing.
You need to make a “ how to “ video of your forearms bro haha
Calvin Sebring haha pick it up and put it down💪
Calvin Sebring I do need some experience with Devinci brand
I like that they do all the demos at nemba fest.....but I think the kingdom trails are so buffed and smooth compared to the rest of real trail riding that people will do on a regular basis. The trails are great but I dont think it is an accurate representation of New England riding, I mean there are almost no rocks or roots in the darling hill trails. But...great video as usual. 🤘🏻
LiveFreeandShred thanks brotha. The trails are wicked smooth, I wish I had more time on the bike to rip it down Burke.
Completely agree. When I demod there this year I made it a point to avoid the smooth sections In Favor of the ruts, rocks and roots I could find. I learnt how much I liked the trek fuel reaktiv suspension that way. If I went with overall fun experience on those trails I may of ended up with a sb5.5 lunch ride lol
dude I gotta try one awesome review
10 a C e bikes Jody Bennett II thanks man, you won’t be disappointed.
A Devinci Django maybe my next build. As much as I like my Santa Cruz Bronson CC. It is a 2015 model and A Devinci Django maybe an option. From my understanding they also offer lifetime warranties on their frames. The SC frames are great. Just real expensive as I build my own bikes.
Wondering how the 429 stacks up to the SC Hightower. You were pretty high on that bike. I rode one in SC yesterday and really liked it but not sure how either of these bikes translate to Long Island NY
Hey Peter the HT is a more capable on rough terrain. The 429 pedals better and climbs better, so if you local trails require a lot of pedaling I would go with the 429.
SC Hightower is definitely longer travel. SC HT is a great climber for the travel but the pivot climbs like a cross country bike and feels longer than a 120 rear on the downhills. Definitely demo both. I consider a different class of bikes. Pivot 429 is between tall boy and HT.
@@velvetmidget spot on
nice looking riding area
Jiminy Cricket kingdom trails are awesome!
Pivot trail 429 vs Evil following mb?
Robert Markus I’m going with the Pivot, because of its climbing capabilities.
I own a Following, and demo'd the 429 (model from a year ago). The 429 is easier climbing, but not by much. The Following is *much* more confidence inspiring going down, and suprisingly good going up. It is also more poppy, maybe due to the short chainstays and the weird suspension with the firm/progressive bottom end. For where I ride Socal, rocky, steep) the Following is a much better all-around bike for me. If you're more XC on smoother trails, the 429 may be better. As always, depends what you want and how you ride..
Did those same trails 2 years ago at nembafest and let me tell you an ebike would be perfect for that section. That climb sucked the life out of me before noon. But unfortunately no ebikes on the kingdom trails. Please tell me you did sidewinder trail...that was pretty cool! Oh and by the way, The pivot trail 429 was the best bike I rode that weekend back then
Trailjunkie I definitely hit Sidewinder it's one of favs.
Yow bro I just tried the handsup discount JCTRAILS and they didn’t give me the 10%!
Hey Andrew thanks for your support. I just checked the promo code it seems to be working, type Jctrails as one word hpoefully that works.
Trail 429 vs Santa Cruz tallboy?
Umm I dunno. they are so similar. I'dprobably go with the one that they sale at my local shop.
@@jctrails I think the extra travel and stiffness makes the Pivot more capable on more technical terrain, while the TB gets the edge on tamer trails
Also curious on this
That s à good bike with this Red it s wonderfull
LEVOT I prefer the red over the blue.
JC TRAILS yes me too
How’d you like this vs the SB 130?
Never rode the 130
Love this bike though
JC TRAILS it’s getting great reviews except it’s press fit ? And I really am not well versed in that
Pivot bikes are great, but they have one big problem: they are really, really expensive!
I ride Rocky Mountain (since 1996) and always thought: RMB is expensive. But compared they are really cheaper...
well, for me it is ok to not have that frame only option. but in sum they are a little bit too expensive for me... the only thing you know for sure is that in my area no one is riding any pivot bike ;-) but that can not be thee purpose of buying such a brand...
well, if brought to Rocky Mountain Bikes (because you said "these ... brands"), I would not say that RMB is a "boutique brand": they build bikes since 1981! santa cruz startet 1993 and pivot even at 2007. so...
RMB has a history in bike building and are often early adopters of new technology or bike types. who started race face? RMB.
who started the "trail bike category"? RMB.
who build the 1st e-bike (i live in europe where lots of such bike types are sold...) which had the same (normal bike) geometry and feels like it's non "e" partner? RMB.
all that can be found in the internet...
yes, there are cheaper bikes out there like YT, canyon, cube, giant, and many, many more, but they all do not have that history like that brand. the only ones which have the same status are yeti, specialized and a few more. most other brands of that time (means when they started in the 80s) are gone or now part of a big consortium and lost their spirit. yes, RMB does belong to procycle since 1997 but still they are on their own and lost nothing...
besides all of that you named it "boutique brands" have to stem (hope the right word?) against all of that way cheaper sender bike brands which do not support local bike shops.
my opinion...
Martin Nigg No I just mean for many people buying these uber high end bikes they need to factor frame only options.. Many of us slowly build our bikes over the years and eventually end up with a plethora of high end componentry. Last thing we need is another complete!
I hate doing bike demos at KT only because everything feels decent there.
👍🏼👍🏼👌🏼
Steven H 🤘🏼🤘🏼
Seems like a 29er 5010.
Kinda
Be