2021 Pivot Trail 429 Enduro - Is It Really Enduro?

[@jasonw3287]

Bar width is great. This isn’t a value bike. It’s a boutique that competes with ibis. 140 isn’t a downhill bike. It’s a trail bike even on their web site. I rode it in open for the enduro no problem maybe a little lean on steep sections. It took a long time to hear how awesome this bike is when it’s arguably the best trail bike on the market. I demoed yeti, ripley, switchblade, and trail 429. Went with the enduro 429.

[@brentswartzentruber5565]

I ride climb with mine fully open with the pre-load on the low side, and experience very little bobbing. Bobbing is effected by rider weight and pedaling style/efficiency. Same for going downhill.

[@LoamRoamer]

I am glad it works for you. On steep, technical trails it was not a good bike compared to the Optic for me.

[@jobytapia6388]

@@LoamRoamer​​ Your riding style lends more to a Switchblade or Firebird in the @Pivot Cycles line up. The T429 is an extremely competent chassis for most riders, but it's not a 'smasher' type of bike...more of a precision instrument. The Firebird (especially the newest version) climbs very well and eats up anything in your path on the downs. I've raced both at Downieville and while the T429 can handle it, the Firebird was in its element.

[@tlouie32]

False, we don’t slow down for sections of trail. That’s what warranties are for. Pinned all the time. All kidding aside great review. You mentioned the mid stroke in corners suffering a bit and also harsh bottoming while jumping. This leads me to believe that some of this could be changed with different volume reducers and air pressure changes. Just my thoughts. I bought the enduro build to add to my stable and I’m hoping to get her dialed in. Thanks for the review!

[@LoamRoamer]

You could, but the idea here is when taken on an actual steep trail with jumps where you come down from over 2 feet, it is not really the right bike. I was poking fun at them, calling it an Enduro build!! It is an awesome bike, I own one and will be racing Downieville on it. But when I want to shred I take out the Firebird. Thank you for replying and sharing!

[@tlouie32]

@@LoamRoamer oh, agree 100% on using a bigger bike for the intended purpose of bigger hits. I usually grab my SB160 for harder hitting trails and lift service. Most of my local trails are green/blue flow trails that are mostly smooth with some tech. Cheers and thanks again for the review.

[@dralexbrothers]

This bike is a great climber, even in enduro built, open in the technical climbs (best technical climber I have had, better than most XC bikes for the PNW). 2022 comes with the Fox Float X rear, that maybe make the difference. I come from XC background and the descending is great for me.

[@LoamRoamer]

I bet the float x will feel good here.

[@dariuszostrowski9201]

​@@LoamRoamer do you think Ohlins TTX1/TTX2 might suit Trail 429 ?

[@LoamRoamer]

@@dariuszostrowski9201 Yes, this 100%... I have a secret, I now own one and it has the TTX2 Air, what a massive improvement!!!!!

[@dariuszostrowski9201]

​@@LoamRoamer I saw you got Firebird, NICE ! I assume more linear TTX2 will be owesome for Firebird. For Trail429 I was advaised than more progresive TTX1 might be a better match.

[@mathewmccabe2658]

@@LoamRoamer I’d love to hear if you opinion of the bike has changed now that you own it. I’m probably picking on up on Friday on trade. A little nervous.

[@6point3ehl]

not a good climber? best climber i have ever ridden and i never lock out the shock. every other review on the bike says it’s an amazing climber. don’t find this review accurate. the pivot 429 could be 2021 trail bike of year

[@LoamRoamer]

Well you own one so you clearly are bias and want reviews that validate your purchase. I also said it was a good climber, but not in open mode for such a short travel bike. And it is barely a trail bike, it is really a long shocked xc bike. Now, it is a fantastic bike for what it is, but to add a fork and call it enduro, that is a total farse.

[@brentswartzentruber5565]

@@LoamRoamerPivot is not claiming that the 140/120 Trail 429 is an enduro bike......it's just a name to differentiate it from the other builds.

[@logi_e46project]

I completely agree with you Evan and I tried many many bikes. Trail 429 is probably one of the best climbers out there. Probably the best do it all bike actually.

[@terryhight1722]

I've had my new Trail 429 for a month and a half. Coming from a Santa Cruz 5010. I know the 27.5 wheel size and VPP of the SC lends itself to poppy/playfulness but, I'm really impressed how quick and responsive the Trail 429 is. I've demoed the Ibis Ripley multiple times. It was the bike I was after initially and it's really the closest bike I can determine to this Pivot. I honestly think the Trail 429 climbs better. Let's be brutally honest, for the cost this bike should do everything pretty damn well.

[@HointJits]

@@LoamRoamer That's pretty harsh to just assume that someone is biased just because they own one and that they want to "validate their purchase." Not cool at all man, not a good response especially from a channel like this, I expected more from you.

[@jayvee962]

I’m still getting comfortable with this bike. It’s very similar to my Spur but lacks the confidence.

[@LoamRoamer]

I have now ridden a SPUR built up, we called it Spurduro, and it was a way better bike IMO. The Spur is a ripper.

[@Badsneakers78]

​@LoamRoamer what is the spurduro build up?

[@Mot-Reuab]

What was this bikes weight?

[@LoamRoamer]

I think about 28lbs or so.

[@MrMcDaver]

@@LoamRoamer Do you happen to know the weight diff between the enduro and non-enduro 429? Thx.

[@LoamRoamer]

@@MrMcDaver It is nearly 2 pounds.

[@mtnbikerva1]

When will the FOX FLOAT X be put on the bikes vs the discontinued DPX2? Hav you ridden or know anything about the two?

[@LoamRoamer]

I am excited for the Float X, with the live valve 2.0 on the way also, and my speculation it will also be live valve. The float X in the past was a better shock than the dpx2 for sure....

[@ikharl328]

How does this stack up with ripley and tallboy?!

[@LoamRoamer]

I have not ridden the new versions, but I think it will be similar. Geo wise they look similar. And they are all neutral rider stance bikes so it would really be about preference. I am hoping to get on the new versions to do a real comparison.

[@vv2006]

I had a Ripley V4 prior to my SB130. The T429 climbs just as good on smoother trails but much better in tech. Descending the 429 is much better... its right there with the TB but the TB feels a little more bottomless. The TB is just too heavy for a 120 bike and it doesn't climb as well as the Ripley or T429. The new T429 is a perfect blend of climbing and descending. This is based off of the T429 non-enduro build. I have not ridden that bike.

[@ikharl328]

@@vv2006 tnX for the reply. Im lookin for a bike to complement my firebird29. SoUnds like its between ibis or pivot 😇

[@ikharl328]

Please try Revels!

[@LoamRoamer]

On my list!

[@mtnbikerva1]

How much do you weight? Height? Frame size?

[@LoamRoamer]

5'8. 185 medium

[@mtnbikerva1]

I Like bike fit information.

[@mtnbikerva1]

Anybody have a chance to compare the Trail 429 Enduro to non Enduro? Weight,trail type and type of rider you are?

[@LoamRoamer]

Hi, I rode the non-enduro one lap, it is very similar, just lighter. This is a down-country bike and a damn good one. I would likely prefer this bike in the non-enduro build if I were buying one. I am 5'8 185

[@mtnbikerva1]

Loam_Roamer thank you. So you feel this way due to steeper geo? Lightness? Not as plush and more like a hard tail? Would you say the non enduro is better for less than a hour ride in some chunk. enduro better for longer? Huge difference in climbing and tight corners? Or even descending.

[@LoamRoamer]

@@mtnbikerva1 Sorry, missed this response. Albeit for 10 months... I think just better overall. The weight penalty has no real benefit and the bike is a faster overall bike without the heavier parts. the 1/2 degree head tube change is near meaningless on this bike and in reality, they tried to make an XC bike a trail bike and it is really a stronger XC style bike. People keep claiming it is a great technical climber, I can only imagine they do not climb much, as it struggled fiercly in rocky loose climbing. Better to XC it up and spin to get over IMO.

[@mtnbikerva1]

Any statistics on frame failures of Yeti, ibis, Specialized, Norco, Trek... vs PIVOT TRAIL 429? Customer service or lack there of the manufacturers?

[@LoamRoamer]

This is a tricky topic, but I will try. The ones you listed have low failure rates from defects as I am aware. Customer service for most is pretty good. So far Norco has been the fastest to respond when I had a bolt I needed to replace. Pivot generally just sends you to a dealer so not likely getting much from the manufacturer direct, but when I did call for help with part numbers for my wife's mach 4 sl to get live valve electronics numbers they did get me that so they were great there. I wouldn't give any of these higher praise than the others.

[@mathewmccabe2658]

You are the only person I know that thinks this bike struggles to climb… 🤔

[@LoamRoamer]

In the comments, there are others who had this struggle. Also, I own a non-enduro, so I get the full experience often of the bike in the version that is a better climber. I am guessing when they moved from a DPX2 to a FLoat X the enduro got better, and by going to an Ohlins TTX Air, it will really improve.

[@mtnbikerva1]

Most manufacturers put garbage wheels on their bikes today! In my opinion it is a bad decision in safety, price for quality. Etc.

[@LoamRoamer]

If they stick to dtswiss 1700s that is a strong and good set. And Pivot did that. But many cheap out on the hubs and for the price point of these bikes I also just don't get that decidion.