If you’ve been paying attention to Pivot’s latest bikes, you might have seen this coming. First, it was the Switchblade. Then, the Mach 6. Now, it’s the Trail 429’s turn for a sharp new frame with updated performance…
Like the two models before it, the Trail 429 moves to Pivot’s new DW-link suspension layout with a vertical trunnion mounted rear shock. Other than looking good, the new vertical shock position allows for a more compact and therefore, lighter and stiffer frame design as well as improved integration of Fox Live Valve, better standover height, and increased room for water bottles.
Flip Chip for flipping wheel sizes
Still running 120mm of rear travel, the more progressive dw-link suspension linkage includes a flip chip at the upper pivot for “Low and Lower” settings. The bike comes stock in the Lowest setting at 340mm, and flipping the chip raises the BB height to 347mm.
This allows for you to tune the ride of the stock components, but it also provides some options in terms of wheel and tire packages that you can run.
Just like the previous Trail 429, the new model uses a Super Boost Plus 157 x 12mm rear hub. That’s an important detail when discussing wheel and tire options for the new frame because Pivot claims it allows them to keep the chainstays at 430mm with plenty of room for large volume tires.
With the stock 29″ wheels, you can fit up to a 2.6″ wide tire. There’s even more room for 27.5″ tires, with those maxing out at 2.8″ on 40mm rims. If you want to run 27.5+ wheels and tires on the Trail 429, Pivot recommends using of their +17mm lower headset cup which raises the front end of the bike and keeps the BB height similar to that of the 29″ wheel build with the Zero-stack lower headset cup.
Combined with the different flip-chip settings, you can get the right geometry for 29rr/29ft, 27.5rr/29ft, and 27.5+rr/27.5+ft. As usual, there are a lot of ways that you can set up your Pivot to make it the bike of your dreams.
Enduro Suspension Option?
Even though the suspension travel at the rear of the bike is just 120mm, Pivot claims that the bike is far more capable than that number would suggest – and our experience with Pivots leads us to believe that (we haven’t had a chance to ride this one yet).
As a result, Pivot offers the standard Pro and Team builds with a 130mm Fox 34 fork mated to a Fox DPS or Live Valve rear shock offering 120mm of travel. For those that want to get a bit more rowdy, there’s also an optional Enduro build which bumps up to a 140mm Fox 36 fork with a Fox DPX2 rear shock handling the 120mm of travel.
Room for accessories
Both of those shock options still offer plenty of room for a water bottle inside the front triangle as well as the Pivot Tool Dock System mount under the top tube. An additional bottle cage is located on the bottom of the down tube for big days on the bike.
Evolved Carbon
Pivot cites continued evolution of their proprietary Hollow Core carbon molding tech as the reason the new Trail 429 is able to clock in at near XC weight with All Mountain level frame stiffness. According to Pivot, a Trail 429 medium frame w/ Float DPS weighs approximately 5.9lbs (2.7kg), with a complete medium, Team XTR build weighing approximately 26.5lbs (12kg).
You’re also getting size-specific ride tuning through changes in carbon layup to ensure that the XS offers the same characteristics of the XL.
Frame Details
At this point, you kind of know what to expect from a Pivot – in a good way. The Pivot Cable Port System makes internal routing easy and quiet. Molded rubber frame guards again help keep things quiet and protect the frame from damage. A PF92 bottom bracket is still there, with ISCG 05 mounting tabs for chainguides. There’s plenty of room for long dropper posts in 31.6mm diameter, and the frame can support up to 200mm brake rotors with the correct adapter.
Pricing & Availability
All that’s left is to pick a color and a build – which may take awhile. The color choice is pretty easy, you get Pacific Blue or Metallic Silver. It’s the build where a ton of options may make it a tough choice. There are six stock complete bike configurations ranging from $5,599 to $12,499, along with options for the Enduro suspension, carbon wheel upgrades, and the Fox Live Valve upgrade. You can also pick up a frame with the proper carbon cranks for $3,949. The bikes are available now in all sizes from key Pivot dealers worldwide.
