Pivot

Mach 429 Trail 27.5+ X01 Eagle Mountain Bike

The 2017 Pivot Mach 429 Trail 27.5+ X01 Eagle Complete Mountain Bike pairs all the versatility we loved in the 2016 version and adds 27.5+ wheels for an even smoother, more confident ride. Kitted out with SRAM's X01 Eagle one-by 12-speed drivetrain, Shimano XT hydraulic brakes, FOX's trail suspension kit, and smooth rolling DT Swiss XM 551 hoops, this rig straddles the worlds of XC and enduro to bring big hit durability and blazing speed to any trail.

The 429 Trail's DW-Link suspension owes its capabilities to a handful of queues taken from the Mach 6 and Phoenix, teasing a virtual depth out of the 4.5in of travel that feels closer to a proper 5in trail bike. The canny cyclist may spot elements of Pivot's DH clevis and enduro lower linkage in this model, but the new upper linkage translates those big-hit designs to the traction-focused language of a trail bike. By bringing the 429SL's small-bump compliance and race-worthy trail-contact into conversation with the Mach 6's terrain-erasing capabilities, the 429 Trail defines the crossroads where XC speed meets fearless enduro aggression.

The frame itself begins life with Pivot's hollow-core internal molding process for uniform, controlled wall thicknesses and material distribution. This process virtually eliminates inconsistencies and resin pooling, increasing structural integrity while targeting areas for weight loss. The frame rises from the mold with a 67.5-degree head tube angle and relatively stubby chainstays, making it slack enough to challenge lines across rock gardens but nimble enough to pick its way through enduro-grade terrain—all while sticking climbs and roosting berms in the manner that made us fall in love with its immediate predecessor, the 429SL.

The wide PF92 bottom bracket anchors the stiff Boost axles, accommodating wider pivot placement for longer life in the suspension's bearings and a stiffer rear triangle. We suspect that the PF92/Boost 148 collaboration is also responsible for the room to slam the rear wheel up and shorten the chainstays, making for even more power-transferring efficiency and the nimbleness described above. The externally routed cables make for easy maintenance, which we like, and also lower the bar for entry by reducing the manufacturing cost, which we like even more.