Updated Trail Line-up: Pivot introduces Trailcat SL and LT, replacing the 429 Trail Bike. Notable features include integrated down-tube storage, adjustable flip-chips, and premium cost structures.
Redesigned, Refined: Pivot Trailcat SL and LT Set to Redefine Your Trail Experience
Get ready for a rollercoaster of thrills, people! Pivot Cycles has just dropped two new trail beasts on us - the Trailcat SL and the Trailcat LT. Replacing the Trail 429 and 429 Enduro, these bad boys are here to shake things up. Let's dive right into it!
Pivot Trailcat SL side by side
Pivot Trailcat: The Latest Additions to the StablePivot has unveiled its brand-new pair of trail bikes: the SL and the LT. Priced from £6,600 for the SL 29in Ride to £6,900 for the LT 29in Ride models, these bikes feature a fresh, modern aesthetic and cutting-edge tech.
Brand new looks, along with tools like the In-frame storage, are just the beginning of the story. So let's take a closer look!
The SL model, distinct with 120mm rear and 140mm front travel
Pivot Trailcat: What You Should Know
- Two fresh models: SL and LT
- SL sports 120mm rear and 140mm front travel, while LT boasts 135mm rear and 150mm front travel
- Both bikes share the same front and rear triangles, lower link, and DW-Link suspension
- SL and LT differ in upper links, shock lengths, and the flippable lower shock tab mount
- Starting prices range from £6,600 for the SL to £6,900 for the LT
- Rider compatibility range covers 4'10" to 6'5" with sizes ranging from XS to XL
- Option to upgrade to Fox Live Valve Neo and carbon wheels
- Lifetime frame warranty for original owner
The new Pivot Trailcat draws inspiration from its short-travel siblings while serving as a direct descendant of the Trail 429 platform.
Trail 429 - Saying Goodbye to a Classic
The Pivot Trail 429 models first appeared in the '10s, with the Enduro build designed to mimic the setup preferences of Pivot employees and racers. The Enduro model featured 120mm rear and 140mm front suspension, utilizing Dave Weagle's iconic DW-Link suspension, something that Pivot has continued with in this spanking new revamp.
Back in 2023, our review of the Pivot Trail 429 Pro XT/XTR praised its stellar climbing ability and "polished, comfortable ride." The only stumbling blocks were the missing suspension support and a dose of aggression, as Guy pointed out. The Trailcat SL takes over where the 429 left off, and the LT takes the place of the 429 Enduro. Has Pivot managed to address these concerns without compromising the bike's climbing prowess?
The Trailcat takes a cue from various lightweight models, like the Shadowcat, Switchblade, and Shuttle SL, with Pivot highlighting these two new models' impressive pedigree in the trail bike world.
Pivot Trailcat SL - Your Agile, Efficient Mountain Companion
The Trailcat SL is the lighter, climbing-friendly option, perfect for those craving a lively and efficient trail experience. It comes equipped with 120mm rear and 140mm front travel, stretching its legs as an all-day, fast trail bike compared to the sturdier LT. But don't let that fool you - it can still handle its fair share of gnarly terrain.
The dw-link suspension remains on the new trail bikes, offering a plush, bottomless feel that allows the short-travel bike to sweep down trails better than any 120mm bike has the right to.
The Trailcat SL kicks off at £6,600 for the 29in Ride SLX/XT configuration.
Pivot Trailcat LT - More Capable, Still Agile
The Trailcat LT, however, sports 135mm of rear and 150mm of front travel for those seeking more versatility in a relatively short-travel bike. It's the 429 Enduro replacement, so it's better equipped to handle a good deal of thrashing around, but Pivot claims this doesn't come at the expense of efficient pedaling and power transfer.
With the DW-Link setup, the LT pedals like a short-travel trail bike while descending with the capability of an enduro race bike. That's quite a claim, so stay tuned as our review is on the way now that the bike has arrived at our playground!
The Trailcat LT starts at £6,900 for the 29in Ride SLX/XT build.
What's New with the Pivot Trailcat?
Both bikes share the same front and rear triangles and lower DW-Link, but there are some noticeable differences between the two models, beyond travel. They feature different upper links, a flippable lower shock tab mount, and distinct shock lengths, allowing Pivot to fine-tune the riding characteristics of both bikes.
Both bikes also come equipped with the handy Tool Shed in-frame storage, which employs a magnetic hinge to keep your tools and snacks secure. Two Toolshed bags are in the box, which can store an inner tube and other essentials. The frames can also work with Pivot and Topeak's Dock Tool collaboration, an on-bike tool system designed for easy storage of essential items like hydration packs and tools under the top tube or BB.
Pivot has updated its cable port design to make it easier to run cables at the head tube. The cable port can now accommodate two hoses through the same port, and integrated cable clips inside the Tool Shed remove unwanted rattling.
Fox suspension is utilized across the entire range, with the option to upgrade to the Fox Live Valve Neo for an additional £1,500.
Flip-chip adjustability has become commonplace on mountain bikes, and Pivot's option will allow riders to steepen or slacken the head-tube angle by 0.5 degrees, while the MX setup is supported across all sizes and both SL and LT bikes.
The effective seat tube angle remains the same as the Trail 429 on all sizes, except for XL, where it increases slightly to 76.5 degrees. The head angle is slightly slacker throughout all sizes, at 65.8 degrees compared to 66 and 66.4 degrees on the Trail 429.
Even the colors are getting a fresh, modern makeover, with Dr Purple and Green Meadow Mist bound to turn heads on the trail!
Taking a Closer Look at the Builds
Each model will utilize Fox suspension, and there are various specs to choose from. These aren't exactly cheap bikes, with prices starting at £6,600 for an SLX/XT SL build, though the ride quality just might be worth it. Customers can also opt for carbon wheels (£1,200) and the Fox Live Valve Neo (£1,500).
Here are the builds and prices available in the UK:
Trailcat LT
- Trailcat LT 29in Pro X0 Eagle Transmission - £9,600
- Trailcat LT 29in Pro XT/XTR - £8,400
- Trailcat LT 29in Ride SLX/XT - £6,900
Trailcat SL
- Trailcat SL 29in Pro X0 Eagle Transmission - £9,400
- Trailcat SL 29in Pro XT/XTR - £8,200
- Trailcat SL 29in Ride SLX/XT - £6,600
Visit pivotcycles.com/en to learn more!
The Trailcat LT showcasing its modern, bold hues
So there you have it, folks! Both the Trailcat SL and LT are ready to reshape your trail experiences, delivering agility, pedaling efficiency, and the perfect blend of climbing prowess and downhill prowess. Choose the one that best suits your riding style and get ready to conquer the trails like never before!
- Pivot's new Trailcat SL and LT models come with cutting-edge technology and features, including the new Tool Shed in-frame storage for easy access to tools and snacks, as well as compatibility with Pivot and Topeak's Dock Tool collaboration for additional storage of hydration packs and tools.
- These trail bikes are designed with sports enthusiasts in mind, boasting advanced DW-Link suspension for a plush, bottomless feel that allows both short-travel bikes to sweep down trails better than any 120mm bike has the right to. The SL and LT models are equipped with either 120mm rear and 140mm front travel for the SL, or 135mm rear and 150mm front travel for the LT.
