The Pivot Mach 429 Carbon was already a favorite among racers and anyone looking for a light weight, fast, full suspension bike with 29 inch wheels. So why mess with success? To make it lighter of course! That, and to add functionality going forward to make it compatible with Shimano’s XTR Di2 drivetrain.
Through advances in their carbon fiber technology and the proprietary hollow-core internal molding process, Pivot was able to remove more than 226g per frame. The resulting frames start at just 5.3 lbs (2.4kg) with sub 23lb (10.4 kg) complete builds which includes the Fox Float Kashima Factory rear shock. Lighter weight is always exciting, but thanks to Pivot’s new Cable Port System the Mach 429SL frame is ready to take on just about any drive train you could want, all with clean, easy access to the internal routing.
Details, pricing, and more next…
While the weight and cable management system are new, the rest of the frame is still the Pivot Mach 429 you know and love. Running 100mm of travel through the DW-Link system, the frame is meant for 100-120mm travel forks. A tapered head tube joins a PF92 bottom bracket, 12x142mm rear thru axle, direct mount front derailleur, and post mount rear brakes to round out the frame details.
You can’t talk about the Mach 429SL without covering the fact that it is di2 compatible. With the impending release of official Di2 for dirt, mountain bike frame design is where road bikes were years ago. Either you’re going to have external batteries and wires all over your frame, or you will need something with internal routing capability for the electronic wizardry.
First shown on the new Mach 4, Pivot’s Cable Port System is a clean way to integrate the Di2 system into the frame while keeping the added weight as low as possible for a better center of gravity. The battery resides in a compartment made in the seat tube that is accessed through a door on the down tube for a few key advantages – you can still run dropper seat posts, remove your post easily for travel, and run whatever stem/bar combo you’d like. Obviously the separation of the swing arm from the front triangle adds in a bit of complexity compared to a road bike, but the Pivot routing feeds the rear derailleur wire just above the lower link.
Di2 routing isn’t the only complication current mountain bike designers face as there are now multiple mechanical routing options to contend with. Fortunately, the new Pivot design incorporates all of the possibilities including the new Shimano Sideswing front derailleur standard and all 1x and 2x drivetrain options.
Available in three different colors, the Mach 429SL carbon frame will sell for $2,999 with complete XTR builds going for $8,849 with XTR 2x and Reynolds carbon wheels, and $10,400 with XTR Di2 and Reynolds carbon wheels. More modest builds start with the $4599 (XT/SLX) 429SL Carbon.
Frame Specs:
- 1/2lb (226g) weight savings: Frame weight from 5.3lbs (2.4Kg) and sub 23lb (10.4kg) complete.
- 100mm of dw-link® suspension
- Full carbon frame featuring proprietary hollow core internal molding technology
- 29 inch wheels
- Full length internal cable routing and Shimano Di2 integration via Pivot’s exclusive Cable Port System
- Internal dropper post compatible
- Cold forged alloy linkages with Enduro Max Cartridge Bearings
- Fox Float Kashima Factory shock tuned for the Mach 429SL
- Rubberized leather downtube and swingarm protection
