See all the specs, geo, and pricing on the new Pivot Trail Cat SL and LT models over at Jenson USA here: https://jenson.sjv.io/PivotCyclesJKW Not only did Jenson USA sponsor this video, but anything you purchase from that link will help support my channel. Thanks to ALL of you for the support!
Pivot was kind enough to loan me this Trail Cat LT, and they also brought Logan and me down to Phoenix, AZ, for a few days to hang out, ride the new bikes, and enjoy some of Chris’ favorite dining establishments.
If you’re not aware, I worked at Ibis Cycles from 2008 until 2015. At the time, Pivot was a smaller company than Ibis, though we certainly held them in very high regard. Today, Pivot is actually larger than Ibis, and is organized and ran in a slightly different manner. Both are excellent, but it’s really neat seeing how they differ! I have a ton of respect for both Hans at Ibis, as well as for Chris at Pivot. Seeing the inner workings of Pivot on this trip, I learned about a lot more than just bikes.
The TrailCat replaces the Trail 429 as Pivot’s all around short travel trail bike. The Mach 4 is lighter, and more XC race purpose built, and the Switchblade is slightly bigger, built for a 160mm fork.
Trail Cat SL is a 120/140mm travel bike, using a Fox 34 fork and 165mm Float shock.
Trail Cat LT is a 135/150mm travel bike, using a Fox 36 fork and 185mm Float X shock.
Pivot uses different upper links and lower shock mounts to alter the suspension and geometry for each configuration. It’s the same carbon bits for both bikes, and the same two color combos are available for each variant.
I preferred the LT (over the SL) by a large margin. This bike felt right between the Ibis Ripmo V3 and Ripley V5. It’s not a “point and shoot” enduro slayer, but instead it’s a nimble bike that can be ridden with an aggressive hand. It responds great to pumping, and it’s a VERY predictable jumper. The re-working of the rear suspension was a HUGE improvement! I focused on the LT version for most of the video, and the new rear suspension is so much better that I really, really dug the short back end.
I hardly made any parts swaps. I did have to switch out tires: the Stock EXO and EXO+ tires needed 30+ psi to avoid flatting in Arizona. Double Down tires from Maxxis, High Roller III MaxxGrip up front and a 2.4WT DHRII MaxxGrip in back. https://jenson.sjv.io/MaxxisEnduroTiresJKW
I also installed ODI Elite Pro grips: https://jenson.sjv.io/ODIEliteProGripsJKW
Head to http://www.DrinkLMNT.com/Jeff to get your free sample pack with any purchase.
Big thanks to Reilly for helping edit this! And filming our PNW riding: https://www.instagram.com/reillykintzele/
Also big thanks to Logan for helping to film this! Logan just launched his own YouTube effort, give him a follow here: https://www.youtube.com/@loganpatricknelson
Big thanks to Shimano for sponsoring me in 2024! Check out the XT groups I use here: https://jenson.sjv.io/ShimanoMTBjkw
Big thanks to Endura! In much of this footage, I’m riding in the Singletrack jersey and MT500 pant: https://jenson.sjv.io/EnduraJKW
And finally, a big thank you to all the local mountain bike advocacy groups:
https://www.wmbcmtb.org/
https://www.fvmba.com/welcome/
https://nsmba.ca/
https://www.sorca.ca/
https://www.worca.com/
My personal socials:
https://www.instagram.com/jeffkendallweed/
https://www.facebook.com/jeffkendallweedMTB/
Did you know I post a new riding tutorial every month? These are ONLY posted to my Patreon page (https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed), so join now to see these rad videos! Here’s the full list of my riding tutorials posted through September 2024:
Pro bike setup tips: https://www.patreon.com/posts/pro-bike-set-up-119068243
How to Lanual: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-lanual-117038654
Teaching Reilly and Savannah to wheelie: https://www.patreon.com/posts/teaching-and-see-115105302
How to WHEELIE! https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-wheelie-113121216
Effective braking: https://www.patreon.com/posts/teaching-braking-111172475
How to Drop: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-drop-109195363
Corner Workshop with Reilly: https://www.patreon.com/posts/cornering-with-107184577
How to: Flat Corners https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-flat-104821486
How to Boost Jumps: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-boost-is-103378303
How to Ride Rigid (and not die): https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-ride-and-101461266
Get Low, Get Pro: https://www.patreon.com/posts/get-low-get-pro-99481858
Avoid a Case of the MTB Mondays: https://www.patreon.com/posts/avoid-case-of-95625880
And over 60 more videos ONLY posted to my page here: https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed
00:00 Chapters
0:39 Intro
2:15 What is the Trail Cat?
3:38 Why this matters
5:15 Gorgeous lugged prototypes
5:53 Trail Cat SL
8:12 Trail Cat LT (the one I prefer)
11:06 Trail Cat LT in the PNW
13:42 Conclusion