The Pivot Vault gets several updates for 2017 to update its looks and compatibility with the latest components and trends, namely bigger tires. The key changes are increased tire clearance up to 700×48 (up front), a switch to flat mount brakes, and an all new fork with 12mm thru axle (down from the original’s 15mm one). These sit atop the original’s BB386EVO, arching top tube and mountain bike inspired geometry. Paint is also updated, with a brighter blue over the full carbon frame.
I rode the prior edition throughout the 2015/16 cyclocross season, even testing it with the Lauf Grit fork, and found it to be a very stable bike, favoring long sweeping corners and high speeds, which lends itself well to their claims that it’s the only drop bar bike you’ll need…
The switch to flat mounts not only improve appearances and help future-proof the bike, it also means you can now run a 140mm rotor. Or stick with a 160mm rotor like the original.
Internal cable routing also keeps it clean looking. And just plain clean, preventing contamination from gumming up shifting. It’s also electronic shifting compatible, and oversized cable ports make it easy to change things up.
The BB386EVO offer the widest, fattest stance for stiffer cranks and better power transfer. It’s set low, with short chainstays, helping to keep it nimble.
The new fork uses a full 1.5″ taper with a massive opening through the oversized crown. Throw in a 700×48 for the worst gravel roads, or even a 27.5×2.0 for real back road scrambling. The frame, however, retains its 700×38 max for optimum clearance.
The 2017 Pivot Vault is designed as a race bike, so there’s no rack or fender mounts. It’s available in a single complete build with Shimano Ultegra, FSA Gossamer Pro 46/36 cranks, 3T cockpit, Stan’s Grail wheels & Maxxis Mud Wrestler tires for $3,999. Frameset with FSA headset is $2,399, and it’s begging for a 1x build if you go this route. Available now.
