High-Pivot Heaven: Deviate Claymore Review | 2022 Enduro Field Test

[@kennywallace1]

Separated at Birth: Mike Kazimer & Alex Honnold. Mannerisms and speech patterns are spot on.

[@pinkbike]

I agree. I really, really want to get out on a ride with him someday. - Mike K.

[@kennywallace1]

@@pinkbike What an awesome idea for a video. Ride out to climb, do the climb and ride back.

[@thicccboyztv]

I mean besides being levy's identical twin

[@Zahava]

@@thicccboyztv Madchild, wildin' nonidentical

[@thicccboyztv]

I guaranteed if you facemelded all 3 presenters without hair they would all look indistinguishable

[@phrides]

The Claymore gives Alicia new bike grin. I sense N+1 in her near future.

[@davemathers8954]

We need a high pivot battle: highlander vs range vs claymore vs force vs others ;)

[@CoderShare]

Enduro: Spartan, Jekyll, Starling Spur & Dreadnought DH: Session, Commencal prototype, Intense prototype, Canfield, Antidote Darkmatter, GT prototype

[@MagnumoftheMountains]

@@CoderShare bang on man mentioning the Jekyll, getting one of those myself (the issue has oddly been Cannondale having difficulty delivering frames)

[@onawave]

this is the way

[@javisst44]

And Kazimers Kavenz vhp16

[@CoderShare]

@@javisst44 And the Crestline VHP prototype

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Definitely a good frame and design for the money. Once again showing how overpriced and underwhelming Santa Cruz is

[@ricodvorsky3844]

Habe you ever ridden a Santa Cruz? I'm not saying you should pay full price because they are very expensive but they are very good bikes.

[@PeterCPRail8748]

@@ricodvorsky3844 yes I have and I would I put many bikes that are as low as half the price before I would ride another.

[@driver_18]

As much as I wanna agree with you. And yes, SC does charge a premium which is annoying (I wish they were more practical with pricing). But we can't deny the amount of warranty support SC gives. They'd change your cracked frame, replace bearings for free, etc.

[@PeterCPRail8748]

@@driver_18 that's why you pay so much because you pay upfront for multiple frames. Sorry to tell you this but a few other top bike companies also give you hassle free life time warranty on frames for half the price. As for bearings those are rather cheap, not a big deal braker for me. Let's face it, does SC make beautiful bikes. Yes. But SC, Pivot, and Yeti have become the Apple of MTB. Beautiful eye candy, middle of the pack performance for top dollar. IBIS used to be much the same before they started dropping pricing and making more entry minded bikes with a solid warranty. But then again can't fault SC or other manufacturers if they have willing customers overpaying for what they can get somewhere else for cheaper. It's capitalism after all.

[@driver_18]

@@PeterCPRail8748 I agree with you on that. It's an annoying trend unfortunately. It became an "automotive" like industry. They're like the Italian bikes(Ducati, Agusta) vs he reasonable and even outperforming Japanese bikes.

[@taylorklein2378]

You guys are killing me with your video release schedule for this field test!

[@WesMacaulay]

One thing that's nice about this bike is that the shock pivot doesn't come below the chainwheel. On the new Range this mechanism protrudes below the chainwheel a lot - and probably gets hit too often. Great review PB!

[@weekendbikingwarrior360]

Well done Ben and the Deviate team!

[@nickskates09]

Having just bought a Deviate Highlander 150, I’m already debating selling my downhill bike to move up to a Claymore after this review.

[@rmurphyandco]

Love the brand. Also a big fan of their trail bike the highlander!

[@2strokenut]

I built up my Xl claymore the day before the Brian Head BME this last weekend. Definitely lives up to hype. The backcountry stages were a joy to pedal except for the fact I could barely breathe at 10k ft. The bike eats up the downhills and still feels nimble and balanced. This bike does it all.

[@seb5995]

Very curious on a comparison between the claymore and the dreadnought. Maybe even some other high pivot competitors to see how different they are.

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

hmm, would have been better compared against it's predecessor, the Highlander, to contrast differences/improvements, and maybe also a Forbidden high-pivot for contrast

[@scottmtb122]

@@RicardoPetrazzi the dreadnought is a forbidden bike

[@daverotors]

Sure glad I got my order in just before this review dropped 😁

[@lukasbormann4830]

Looks like we have our winner this year!

[@CoderShare]

Knew it would be right from the list announcement.

[@nobody617]

***weiner

[@LookasMTB]

We've just demo'ed Claumore and Highlander at Ardrock ...I'm very impressed ! My test bike was equipped with Ohlins suspension (air) and I loved how the bike rides.

[@Gavlister]

Get well soon Alicia. Hope you are healing well and back riding!!

[@honzakrcil7454]

It looks like we have another Henry and the Spire situation :D

[@finlayD853]

Deviate now offers you to build up a bike on there website with Loads of different brands including ohlins

[@tercerotress2582]

Matt Fairbrother is bikepacking on one of those between almost every stage of the EWS, so I kind of saw coming that pedalling wouldn't be a problem.

[@pietrocampanocruz5071]

that kid's a beast, been following the stravas and they are absolutely bonkers

[@ethancrown6875]

Maybe I missed it but can you give some details on rider sizing and also what frame size was tested. You talked a fair bit about the playfulness but surely that changed if you at the bottom end of large sizing and on a large frame vs the top end etc etc?

[@anthonymayr2857]

Would have liked a comment on the effect of braking on the high pivot suspension performance...

[@PocketRocket101]

Check out the Loam Wolfs review of the Claymore! I’m surprised Pinkbike didn’t notice or mention it.

[@ioulianosmarakis]

Do the High pivot bikes have problem under braking?

[@farzon5169]

i know im a little late, i have ridden a supreme wiht an ext coil shock at the bikepark opening in schladming this year (loads of braking bumps and because of the bad weather before opening there were sometimes even ruts beautifying the corners) but i was never lacking traction and had no problems with slipping a pedal when braking(was running flats)

[@CM9999999999]

I want to try the highlander, its baby brother

[@PhilipProchazka]

This sounds and looks like a bike I would love to have a opportunity to try ride !!

[@jzdyrko]

Claymore Frame has been ordered!

[@teephud369]

Another great and entertaining review of what looks like a very interesting bike. As for the Santa Cruz price comparison, I think their prices have increased ridiculously since they sold their soul to Pon Holdings. They still make good bikes, but they are gouging their customers. I have owned three over the years, but will unlikely ever buy one again.

[@slide_drexler]

Alicia! ❤️

[@ericthatcher]

The paint job look pretty sweet

[@rip.tear.]

Is there any reason why they didn't talk about the Forbidden Dreadnought, I would've thought that'd be a good comparison?

[@inspectorrex351]

watching these makes me feel like im at a job interview

[@jordanmackay3568]

I seen on loam wolfs review that the rear suspension firms up a lot under rear brake dragging. Did you find this to be a problem?

[@Michael_11]

it's not so much that it firms up, the fairly high anti-rise means the rear brake compresses the rear suspension a little, leaving you with less remaining travel than normal therefore feels firmer, but the trade off is it sits lower at the back when braking to give you more balanced geometry as it counters the front end dive.

[@BurnsRubber]

Alicia’s in love 😍

[@sham8723]

Compare the Claymore to the Norco Range, please.

[@followthegnar]

Is there a link to the graph for bikes tested and the times for each?

[@ziggym104]

What is the issue with Shimano XT rear brake? I have not experienced a problem in fact I think they work great. What problems have Pink Bike riders had?

[@Windband1]

I have run XT for years and have zero problems! I will say TRP are also very good.

[@thingswelike]

It's called 'wandering bike point' You'll see lots of references to it throughout the internet. I have Deore calipers because they don't use ceramic pistons (which I wondered if caused it) and have had zero issues.

[@Windband1]

@@thingswelike A couple of years ago (not too long), I saw a good vid of Minnaar's mech show how he bleeds brakes. He uses a "three angle" process. It's where you don't just put the lever in a level position and bleed. You also angle the levers down and bleed, then angle up and bleed. If you use this process you won't have any issues with your brakes. I NEVER have bite problems with my XTs. I use the same process on all brakes I work on.

[@peaslaker]

Some small proportion of Shimano brakes have a problem where the amount of lever pull until the pads make contact varies from one application to the next. This can be very disconcerting when you are riding on the limit and you need your brakes to be consistent. People who have not had it lecture those who report it: "you are a moron who doesn't know how to bleed brakes and my brakes are always perfect because I am better than you at bleeding brakes and, by extension, everything else in life."

[@BurnsRubber]

I experience wondering bite point periodically. All you need to do is top off the mineral oil and it goes away. Bleeding in new fluid once per year is also a good idea.

[@stephenbrown3760]

How does this compare to the norco Range and the Dreadnaught?

[@sookesofhazzard5747]

is there going to be a DH bike feild test this year?

[@kuugeli]

As an european them wondering how something can be cheaper than santa cruz is just funny. How can something NOT be cheaper than santa cruz?

[@ejnavarro]

Pinkbike any reason why this bike has different spec Continental Tires. From what I’ve seen so far all the other bikes have Kryptotal front and rear. The Claymore has an Argotal up front with Kryptotal rear.

[@skylermurphy1609]

do you know if the 165mm.on the Claymore is vertical movement? Or is this the diagonal with the rearward path?

[@huntergibson9359]

That would be a great question to ask Deviate themselves.

[@rmack611]

Did they ever say what size they are riding? I’m assuming a large I missed it if they did

[@jakebleazard3354]

What is the song in the intro?

[@falkyn06]

Anyone comment on a spire vs this? On the Spire now... Loving it but this review is intriguing... Did Matt ride this one?

[@brettmeikle]

Made in Scotland, fae girders (well, carbon girders).

[@Zahava]

Did both Mike & Alicia ride a size large test bike?

[@quitemountainous2528]

They are the same height pretty much

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

hmm, would have been better compared against it's predecessor, the Highlander, to contrast differences/improvements, and maybe also a Forbidden high-pivot for contrast as well

[@mkrj2576]

External cable routing…. I’d almost buy this bike for that alone.

[@TheDavidjakeson]

What do I think of the Claymore? Well, I just bought one, so...

[@scottmtb122]

I'm torn between this bike n dreadnought, what size frame did you order? I think I'm medium at 5 foot 9! The chainstay same length on all sizes and Hope the medium will be able to manual maneuvere as good as dreadnought! Had a demo on dreadnought and it felt so poppy etc and bottomless on everything. Just trying to decide!

[@TheDavidjakeson]

@@scottmtb122 got a medium. I don't have it yet, so no word on how it maneuvers!

[@davidrogers4066]

Where is the contra?

[@hannes6114]

I think their smaller travel bike had problems with increased friction, still present? Seems like not.

[@Michael_11]

I got the shorter travel Highlander not too long ago and any problems they had with friction have been fixed, all pivots and idler run friction free and super smooth. They did update some seals which i believe is what fixed it, probably just working out the right balance with sealing and the friction that can add, never seen any other bike with better bearing sealing though, gives me great peice of mind in scottish winters.

[@danieljay8009]

I just bought this bike.... Literally this exact bike hahahahha

[@DM-hw4cr]

So when you replace the chain on these high pivots you basically need to buy two chains due to length?

[@ChewyWookiee]

Probably need to buy 2 the first time but I'd imagine that extra chain would then last you for the lifetime of the bike. Probably won't be long until you can start buying longer chains also.

[@williammichaelmartineau3923]

Nope a single chan fits just fine

[@jmj_designs]

Standard chain on these, no need to join two . 👍

[@2strokenut]

uses a 126 link normal chain

[@Wiroe]

Wonder why there are much less Claymores on the trails… maybe because it’s brand new?

[@daverotors]

I think the first ones just started shipping in July

[@toxicsnail4197]

If this is sold as a frame only, who built it up and why did they choose the components they did?

[@chaotictattoo]

All the rave yet I have never seen one person with one anywhere with all the places I ride

[@daverotors]

It's literally been out less than two months. They're also not a big brand like Trek, Scott or Giant

[@andrewpm2]

Deviate Claymore all day long. Great review and I have to agree that internal cable routing is overrated. This or an ebike are on my shortlist

[@alldecentnamestaken]

"the high pivot life" lol

[@jason83ok]

Shame its a frame only option...

[@CM9999999999]

It’s cheaper than the SC because you arent paying for the marketing and warranty spend SC has

[@quitemountainous2528]

And their sponsored riders salaries, World Cup team costs, office staff and so on.

[@trentvlak]

Lots of hands in the Pon Pie with SC.

[@fpeter01]

They are really pushing those high pivot bikes. The bike industry must be struggling.

[@jules9094]

Or…they might just be that good. I’ve never ridden one but mates that have them rate them highly

[@pnwdrifter5680]

If Alicia likes it...its good enough for me.

[@ridemx323]

You guys are really dragging out this field test

[@wildriders4496]

Op

[@tb4326]

If I had a nickel for every Millennial’s tattoo I’d be the wealthiest human on earth!

[@quitemountainous2528]

What is your point? Seems like a pointless statement.....

[@chindian3603]

Wow 1 million dollars for a bike these days 😳 guess u think everyone is rich, NOT lol 😆

[@anthonywalters7434]

There are great options at around or under $3000 usd if you know where to look. You’ll just never see them get coverage from larger publications.

[@Windband1]

@@anthonywalters7434 Vitus.

[@anthonywalters7434]

@@Windband1 Vitus, GT, Nukeproof, even Canyon to an extent. All offer great bikes that won’t break the bank. Especially near the end of that model year(s) run. I got $300 off of a GT Force 29 alloy Expert when the carbon models came out.

[@jarnold1789]

@@anthonywalters7434 Canyon Spectral is amazing bang for buck. Loving my Specialized Status right now as well that sells for $3000 with really solid components. It’s dummy slack lol but it’s a lot of fun

[@anthonywalters7434]

@@jarnold1789 that’s a killer bike. I got a GT Force Expert for $3500 last October and it rips

[@MachuDidgeridoo]

Now I remember why I don't like PinkBike.... uncharismatic presenters. With all the $$$$ flowing from mtb sponsors, ya'll could atleast act engaging

[@slapperdinky]

Chill out man. Not everyone's a fucking game show host.

[@cellphonenut]

Always respect PB’s field tests 👏👏💵💵