Menu
THREAD+SPOKE
0
  • MEN'S
  • WOMEN'S
  • HOODIES
  • YOUTH
  • POSTERS
  • NEW
  • COLLECTIONS
    • MOUNTAIN BIKE
    • CYCLING COLLECTION
    • CYCLOCROSS
    • SPRING CLASSICS
    • BIKE WARS
    • THE TOUR COLLECTION
    • LIFESTYLE COLLECTION
    • LEGENDS COLLECTION
  • SUBMIT
  • JOURNAL
  • Sign in
  • Your Cart is Empty
THREAD+SPOKE
THREAD+SPOKE
  • MEN'S
  • WOMEN'S
  • HOODIES
  • YOUTH
  • POSTERS
  • NEW
  • COLLECTIONS
    • MOUNTAIN BIKE
    • CYCLING COLLECTION
    • CYCLOCROSS
    • SPRING CLASSICS
    • BIKE WARS
    • THE TOUR COLLECTION
    • LIFESTYLE COLLECTION
    • LEGENDS COLLECTION
  • SUBMIT
  • JOURNAL
  • 0 0

Bike Review: Pivot Switchblade 2021 - Thread + Spoke

July 22, 2021

Pivot Switchblade 2021

It's no surprise that finding the right bike in today's oversaturated trail bike market has become increasingly difficult. As a result, we set out to find the perfect do-it-all trail bike. Having recently got our hands on the new Pivot Switchblade, here are some of our thoughts on this versatile mountain bike.

Pivot switchblade review, Pivot switchblade 2021, mtb Pivot switchblade, mountain bike reviews, best mountain bike 2021, thread and spoke bike review

For aggressive trail riding, this bike would check all the boxes. It'll get you up the trail efficiently and back down with a smile on your face. The bike we rode was an XL Pivot Switchblade Race X01 Build. This build consists of a carbon frame, 160mm Fox Performance fork, 142mm Fox Performance Float DPX2, X01 drivetrain, 29" wheels, and SRAM Code brakes. For some more in-depth specs visit the Pivot Cycles store. We rode this bike in the Grande Tetons, Park City, and Southern Utah - we were not disappointed with its performance in the least.

The new Switchblade's frame design for 2020+ called for much more attention to detail than previous versions. The Switchblade handling is snappy, responsive, and fun! It brings trails to life while remaining very comfortable in and out of the saddle. The well-placed anti-squat valves effectively reduce pedal-bob in the saddle and out of the saddle. We left the DPX2 shock open for the entire day and never felt the need to lockout when pedaling. The DW Link provides a comfortable and efficient ride when pedaling and provides tons of traction. Its short chainstay makes for some of the best technicals climbs. We sessioned multiple techy climbs throughout the day, pushing this bike to its limits without showing any slowing signs. If you push this bike, the front end will mount over just about anything while sticking to the ground. The shorter chainstay has its negatives, especially if slouching on steep terrain which can easily lead to a wash out. Stay active on the pedals, and you won't stop smiling!

 

Pivot switchblade review, Pivot switchblade 2021, mtb Pivot switchblade, mountain bike reviews, best mountain bike 2021, thread and spoke bike review


Now for the fun part of the review, the descent! (The whole reason you pedaled up that damn mountain in the first place right?) To quickly sum up the descending capabilities, the Pivot Switchblade is incredibly capable, lively, and fun! The flow of this bike pushes you to pin berms and hit big features. While 142mm of rear travel may seem small to some, the combination of the DPX2 with the DW Link provides a great amount of bottom-out resistance and feels great in chunky tech trails or hitting big jumps. The high front end provides great feedback from the trail and gives the rider confidence when descending through rough terrain. It feels very balanced and keeps great traction on singletrack trails. The Switchblade is extremely versatile, making for a comfortable ride on just about any trail.

The revision of the Switch didn't just provide us with a great riding bike, but its new design is as beautiful as it is capable. You can really tell that Pivot's team had remarkable attention to detail and great workmanship when designing and prototyping this new bike. The shape of the tubes on this bike is eye-grabbing and screams high-quality. Pivot's chain stay protection provides a nice quiet ride and reduces scratches on the bike. It comes in three pleasant colors, including horizon blue, treeline green, and Mojave, which gives you plenty of options to choose from.

The Switchblade undoubtedly earns its name as the "quiver" mountain bike. It truly does it all, pushing the limits of what we would have expected from an aggressive trail bike. If you're in the market for a mountain bike that checks all the boxes, demo a Switchblade and let us know what you think. For more bike tips and tricks, visit the Thread + Spoke journal or browse our in-depth reviews of the YETI SB150 2021 and the 2021 SANTA CRUZ STIGMATA.

  • Share:


Also in Journal

Hayes Dominion A4 Brake Review | The Best Mountain Bike Brake | Thread+Spoke Journal | Santa Cruz Tallboy
Hayes Dominion A4 Brake Review | The Best MTB Brake?

August 31, 2022

As an avid mountain biker, it can seem that the quest to find the perfect brake can be a never-ending task. Too much bite sends you over the bars. Too little, and you’ll find yourself at the bottom of the cliff. Well, I think I may have found the perfect brake and it’s a bit out of the ordinary... In my opinion, the Hayes Dominions are the best mountain bike brake on the market. 

Read More

crazy tour de france moment, mont ventoux running club, chris froome, thread and spoke, tour de france
TOP 5 CRAZIEST TOUR DE FRANCE MOMENTS

June 30, 2022

While it is difficult to pick our favorite Tour de France moments, we narrowed it down to five crazy events! Thread + Spoke inspiration and history behind this year’s Tour Collection and race.  

Read More

2022 Paris Roubaix Race Preview: What to Expect & Race History
2022 Paris Roubaix Race Preview: What to Expect & Race History

April 12, 2022

Stay tuned for Paris- Roubaix, stamped as the 'Hell of the North'. A murderous one-day race from Compiègne to Roubaix, near the Belgium border set for April 17th, 2022.

Read More

Follow

Let's get social @threadandspoke

  • FAQ
  • Rewards
  • About us
  • Size Chart
  • Start a Return
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more…

© 2023 THREAD+SPOKE.

American Express Apple Pay Discover Meta Pay Mastercard PayPal Shop Pay Venmo Visa