Pivot Trail 429 Race XT 2019 Review

Photo: Jenna Ammerman

Should I Buy This Bike?

Pivot states the Trail 429 is "brilliant just about everywhere. It accelerates and climbs like a cross-country bike yet more than holds its own on tough terrain." We find this to be a somewhat accurate assessment. While it certainly pedals like a cross-country bike, saying that it is "brilliant just about everywhere" is a stretch. It can hold its own on rougher and technical downhills, but it is far from brilliant in that situation. The 429 is a great bike for the right buyer. Cross country minded riders who value stellar climbing and sharp handling will love this bike. This bike is best suited for flowy to moderate trails with few big rock gardens. Oh yeah, it is fast too.

Those interested in a short-travel 29er that is more well rounded should check out the new and improved Ibis Ripley. The Ripley got a complete redesign that brought its geometry into the modern age. It still has most of the fun-loving and playful attitude of the previous version with greatly improved stability at speed, downhill confidence, and climbing abilities. It climbs with similar efficiency to the Trail 429, in a much more versatile package. The Ripley is available in carbon fiber only with prices starting at $4099.

Photo: Jenna Ammerman

Frame Design

The Trail 429 uses DW-Link suspension and has 120mm of rear-wheel travel. The DW-Link design is a dual-link system that uses one link just above the bottom bracket and another link about ¾ of the way up the seat tube. As the travel activates, both links rotate in the same direction. This design offers an excellent climbing platform and nice performance under braking forces. One of the downfalls is that the small bump compliance can be mediocre.

Photo: Jenna Ammerman

We measured our medium Trail 429. We measured a 612mm effective top tube and 442mm reach measurement. The chainstays came out to 431 and the wheelbase was found to be 1166mm. The head tube angle was 67.2-degrees while the effective seat tube angle was measured to be 74.2-degrees.

Our test bike hit the scales and came in at 29 lbs 14 oz without pedals and set up tubeless.

Design Highlights

• Accommodates 29-inch (tested) and 27.5+ wheels

• Designed around 130mm fork. Also accepts 140mm fork.

• Carbon fiber only

• 1x drivetrains only

• 10-year warranty

• Runs metric shocks

Photo: Jenna Ammerman

Downhill Performance

The Trail 429 offers a reliable and sharp-handling downhill experience. This bike can ride some rocky and rough trails, but you need to use a good deal of finesse and dial the speed back a few notches. The Pivot is far more fun carving down flowy trails with intermittent rock gardens. The component grouping worked fairly well given this bike's intended application.

This bike descends quite well if we consider its intended use. This 120mm trail bike undoubtedly leans more towards the cross country application rather than trying to hang with the mid-travel crowd. If we keep that in mind, the 429 holds its own on the descent. While this is not the best for carrying speed through chunder, it can always make it through. The rear suspension could be described as sporty and tight rather than plush. This description of the suspension feel may sound like a criticism. That said, when you're hammering out of a corner and getting on the gas, the tighter suspension is beneficial to supreme power transfer. It shouldn't be a surprise that this bike isn't meant to plow through rocks.

Photo: Jenna Ammerman

The 67.2-degree head tube angle is slack enough to be stable at moderate to high speeds on most terrain. The reasonable head tube angle allows the 429 to steer quite well in most situations. At slow to mid speeds, this bike operates with excellent precision. Rider input immediately transfers to the bike. At high to very high speeds this super quick steering can feel a little twitchy. It takes a dose of speed to feel that way, but the 429 isn't one of those bikes that feels better at a blazing pace.

The component grouping was decent. Given this trail bike's cross-country attitude, it makes sense to run a mid-width pairing of a 2.4-inch Maxxis DHR/Rekon. If you are using this bike as a trail bike with no intention of racing, a meatier tire combination would be beneficial. The added grip and extra damping provided by a 2.5 or even 2.6-inch rubber would be beneficial. The 130mm Fox 34 Performance fork was serviceable but felt a little flimsy when pushed hard.

Photo: Jenna Ammerman

Climbing Performance

The Trail 429 is an excellent climber. This bike offers a firm and ultra-efficient pedal platform that has plenty of pep. This bike crawls up technical climbs very effectively, but we wouldn't necessarily call the 429 comfortable over rocks and roots. The geometry is spot-on despite a slightly cramped top tube. The component grouping is effective on the climb.

The 429 sets you up for success. When perched in the saddle, you are smack dab on top of the cranks. With your hips right above the bottom bracket, your pedal stroke is very direct. Testers found the top tube on our medium test bike to be on the lighter side of the spectrum. It is by no means debilitating and the 442mm reach number seems about average for a medium frame. That said, all three testers stated that the bike felt short.

Photo: Jenna Ammerman

The Pivot is very impressive when scurrying uphill. There essentially no energy wasted into the suspension. The 429 along with the Yeti SB4.5 are the most efficient climbers we have ridden in the past year. With the climb switch open this bike does just fine. Standing or seated, there is just enough suspension movement to maintain traction without bobbing. With the climb switch in the middle position, the pedal platform is even more impressive. The shock stays high in its stroke and doesn't settle into a low, geometry-killing, sag point.

Climbing over rough and technical terrain is fast and confident but the trail surface is significantly translated to the rider. This isn't necessarily a negative as the rider looking into a short travel bike should not be expecting an especially plush ride. The suspension remains active enough to offer great traction on rough and rocky trails, but be prepared to feel it.

The 429's uphill handling is impressive. The direct steering and shorter wheelbase allow this bike to change direction relatively quickly. The measured 431mm chainstays can be a curse and a blessing. While they create a nice, stiff, rear end, they can be problematic on steeper turns where the rider is seated. A quick punch of power can cause the front end to lift and loop out. The short chainstay pulls the rear axle inward to the bottom bracket and provides a little less stability in this situation. This is by no means a crippling problem, but you need to pay attention when your seated and powering through a technical uphill turn.

Photo: Jenna Ammerman

Value

The Trail 429 is a perfect example of a bike that does what it does very well. It is a fantastic climber, offers sharp handling, and is serviceable on the descent. Our test bike retailed for $4799 with a solid build kit featuring a Shimano XT 1x11 drivetrain, SLX brakes, and Fox Performance suspension. While this bike carries a sizeable price tag, it delivers stellar performance and could be a fantastic choice for the right rider. It is easy to call this bike a solid value.

Conclusion

The Pivot Trail 429 offers impressive climbing abilities, quick-handling and a personality that leans towards the cross country side of the trail bike spectrum. When aimed downhill, this bike is capable, but it shies away from rough trails and super high speeds. The Trail 429 operates very well within its comfort level. This is a stellar option for the rider who wants a cross-country weapon with a little bit of extra travel and more relaxed angles.

We don't test true XC bikes. Short travel trail bikes like the Pivot Trail 429 are about as close as we get.

Photo: Jenna Ammerman