Pivot Trailcat Review – A Vision of Trail Bike Excellence

Pivot’s bread and butter has been trailbikes since its inception, nearly 20 years ago. When the first Pivot graced the pages of Mountain Bike Action, it was for the test of the new Mach 4, a bike we predicted would only be the tip of the spear, and founder Chris Cocalis had some big ideas for bike design. The Mach 4 has been a heritage bike in the Pivot lineup for many years, has been through many iterations, and has most recently been offered in several different versions.

The Mach 4SL remains Pivot’s cross-country race platform, but the 429 Trail, a bike that Pivot has long offered as a lightweight XC bike with a bit more travel, may be on the way out to make way for the all-new Trailcat.

Pivot’s most recent version of their 429 was offered in a version Pivot dubbed the “Enduro,” which featured a slightly longer travel fork, and a more capable than-ever build kit. This build was only meant to be a limited edition, but when Pivot released the bike, it quickly became the most popular version of the Mach 429 and proved that this type of bike is one that riders are asking for. Pivot’s answer to that call is the all-new Trailcat. A bike with the travel to handle rugged trails without the weight penalty or overly aggressive handling of a bike designed for enduro racing.

The Trailcat is a trail bike that’s designed for everything from long climbs to technical singletrack descents. It is built as the ideal ride companion for those who need a bike that can do it all. The Trailcat SL and LT share Pivot’s heritage of high-performance handling and versatility but cater to two different sides of the same coin. The SL is the tool for those who crave swift, snappy efficiency, while the LT brings longer-travel confidence for those who seek bigger thrills and steeper trails. Whichever you choose, the Trailcat is engineered to be the ideal fit for your style of adventure, helping you go further, faster, and bolder.

The Trailcat LS features 120 millimeters of travel, while the LT configuration has 135mm. The DW-Link design utilizes its anti-squat to optimize pedaling efficiency, while the slightly rearward axle path keeps the rear wheel moving over square-edged bumps and trail chatter. The suspension also feels effective and controlled on chunkier terrain and feels active, able, and more than willing to gobble trail obstacles.

The Trailcat is available in extra small through extra large sizes, with size-specific tube profiles for each size, and rear ends for smaller and larger sizes. The cable routing is internal, with a series of internal clips that work in conjunction with the ToolShed door to keep them from rattling. This simplistic solution saves a claimed 30 grams per routing and eliminates the possibility of a hose corroding and becoming stuck inside the sleeve, or breaking during maintenance. There is room for a full-size water bottle on the downtube mount, there are also mounts under the downtube and top tube for another bottle, or to use Pivot’s Dock on-bike storage system. There is a lightweight chainstay guard, and downtube protection included. The bottom bracket is press fit, and the rear wheel spacing is SuperBoost 157mm.

The Trailcat SL and LT utilize the same front and rear triangles, which are built entirely from carbon. and use a similar construction to the Mach 4SL. Pivot only uses the highest-grade carbon fiber in all of its frames and doesn’t offer a lower-cost version. Their dw-link suspension designs also share a lower link, but achieve different suspension travel and geometry using distinct upper links, flipped shock tabs, and different length shocks.

The in-frame storage uses Pivot’s ToolShed door, which is sealed from the elements, and features an easy-to-use lever, integrated magnet, and place for a strap to keep things organized. The storage also comes with two Toolshed bags, which will fit an inner tube, essential tools, and a bit of storage for a snack. Storage space varies by frame size since the carbon tube shapes are selected for ride characteristics, and not just for storage real estate. We found plenty of space on our size large test bikes, and have been told the smaller sizes have enough for the essentials too.

Either version of the Trailcat can be configured with several different build kits that range in price from $5999 to $13,200 and in Dr. Purple and Green Meadow Mist colors. Within that range, riders will find options with both SRAM and Shimano drivetrains, but all currently with Fox suspension. Fox Live Valve Neo Air shock and dropper upgrade available for $2,000.

ON THE TRAIL

The Trailcat is built to ascend with only the rider’s energy as fuel. The SL configuration puts the rider in a powerful-feeling riding position, with a relatively steep seat angle that moves the weight more forward on the bike. The LT has a slightly more rearward position, thanks in part to the slight slackening of the geo, including relaxing the steepness of the seat angle.

While both bikes feel as though they take advantage of the lightest build, stiffness, and excellent anti-squat characteristics of the bike, the SL feels like it actually wants to go uphill, not just to make it to the descent.

While both versions take advantage of the lightweight construction and efficient-feeling anti-squat suspension, the SL feels like it’s extra-dialed for the climbs with the slightly forward body position. Both these bikes held their own on long smooth climbs, where we felt the use of the climb switch on the shock kept things firm but was not necessary. Keeping the suspensions active improves traction, making both versions of the Trailcat very good technical climbers, as well.

When the trail points down, both the Trailcat SL and LT are packing enough travel to handle chunky terrain. The LT version is more forgiving and confidence-inspiring, while the SL has a more precise and spry feel. Which one will behttps://www.pivotcycles.com/en/ more capable is entirely up to the rider. Watch for the long term review in the pages of Mountain Bike Action magazine.

For more information, please visit https://www.pivotcycles.com/en/