When the Pivot Switchblade was released in 2016, the model name was inspired by its ability to change between 29-inch and 27.5+ wheels and tires. Pivot updated the Switchblade last month, and although it’s likely fewer people will be putting plus-tires on the bike, it’s still as versatile as ever, and can take on mild trails, or scary drop-ins with ease. The Switchblade’s versatility has added a new dimension this time around; it is now capable of becoming a mullet bike with a 27.5″ wheel in the rear and a 29″ in the front.
The travel was upped from 135mm in the rear to 142mm, and there is now ten millimeters of additional travel up front, making for a 160mm fork. Gone again, are the swoopy tubes of the previous Switchblade, making way for top and downtubes that are straight as an arrow, keeping up with the times and its siblings, the Firebird and Mach 4 SL. Like the Mach 4 SL, the Switchblade has switched to a vertical shock layout for improved kinematics, making it more progressive, as most brands are doing with their suspension these days.
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