Today, Pivot released its new Trail 429 model, the latest iteration of the bike formerly known as the Mach 429 Trail, which was the slightly burlier version of the Mach 429 XC bike. Over the last few years, Pivot has shown a pattern of taking some of the tried and true models in its lineup and modernizing them, which has generally meant making them longer, lower, and slacker. We saw this in the Firebird, the Mach 6, and now in the Trail 429.
It’ll be a bit before we get a chance to swing a leg over one, but here we’ll go over a few noteworthy impressions from the press release.
First, the Trail 429 comes in an Extra Small size (and goes up to an Extra Large), but given that the bike has been modernized and it’s gotten longer, the XS Trail 429 is around the same size as the older Mach 429 Trail size Small.
Like the Pivot Switchblade, the Trail 429 can run either 29” or 27.5+ wheels, and also like the Switchblade, Pivot includes a headset spacer on the Plus-wheeled build of the Trail 429 to keep the geometry where they want it, even when switching wheels.
Like most Pivots, the Trail 429 is situated at the higher end of comparable bikes — the least expensive build for the Trail 429 comes in at $4,699. The Trail 429 is only available in a carbon frame, but if Pivot’s past practices are any indicator, it seems possible that we’ll see an aluminum version down the line.
Also, Pivot appears to be going all in on their wide SuperBoost rear hub spacing, which makes sense since it’s a large part of the reason that Pivot is able to cram Plus size tires into the Trail 429’s relatively short 430 mm chainstays.
Here’s the full press release from Pivot:
Pheonix, AZ — Pivot’s new Trail 429 retains the versatility of its predecessor the popular Mach 429 Trail and introduces an even higher level of stability and control over technical terrain with innovative frame design and progressive geometry.
When it debuted, Pivot Cycles original Mach 429 Trail quickly earned praise from media and riders around the world. No small feat. Today, Pivot introduces the next generation of trail bike the Trail 429. Like its predecessor, this is a bike that offers world-class power transfer, acceleration and nimble handling. The Trail 429, however, was reshaped to make Pivot’s trail model even more stable and confident at high speeds and in rough terrain. The Trail 429 remains a jack of all trades that excels on a wide range of trails, but Pivot upped the ante on the bike’s descending abilities without sacrificing the agile ride and lively quality that made the original Mach 429 Trail so popular.
The Trail 429’s geometry has evolved: Chainstays are shorter, reach is longer, head angle is slacker and the seat angle is steeper.
“We shortened up the bike’s rear end while increasing its reach,” explains Pivot Cycles President and CEO, Chris Cocalis. “The overall wheelbase grew in length, which adds stability, but it’s not so long that it takes away the bike’s versatility. The shorter chainstays actually add to the Trail 429’s ability to quickly accelerate and keep the bike nimble in tight conditions.”
The frame also benefits from many of the same stiffness and strength-enhancing features found on Pivot’s longer-travel models, including a double-wishbone rear triangle, Super Boost Plus rear spacing, and ultra-wide suspension linkages and burly bearing assemblies. The bike boasts 120 millimeters of dw-link™ rear suspension, paired with a 130-millimeter travel Fox 34 fork. The Trail 429 is available in both 29 and 27.5+ options.
“Versatility is what made the original Mach 429 Trail our most popular bike,” says Cocalis. “Our goal here was to retain that awesome range while improving the bike’s descending abilities. People are pushing trail bikes harder and harder. The Trail 429 hits that sweet spot.”
The new Trail 429 will be available in two color options steel blue with sky blue accents and crimson with bright red accents.
Pricing, Specifications, and Availability: The Trail 429 is available as a complete bike in six different configurations, ranging from $4,699 to $8,699 USD. The Trail 429 is available now, in all sizes, at key Pivot Dealers worldwide. For more information, visit www.pivotcycles.com/bike/Trail-429
Any reviews of this bike in the werks?