Pivot

Mach 429 Trail 29 Pro X01 Eagle Mountain Bike - 2018

The 2018 Pivot Mach 429 Trail X01 Eagle Complete Mountain Bike brings back the award-winning versatility we loved, plus the added stiffness and snappy power of Boost spacing that graced the frame in 2017. Outfitted with SRAM's trend-setting Eagle drivetrain and 4.5in of smooth, responsive DW-Link suspension, this Mach 429 Trail bridges the gap between XC and enduro to bring blazing speed, big hit durability, and all out fun to any day on the trail. This build comes with fast-rolling 29in wheels, but the boost axles also make room for 27.5+ compatibility so you can trade out hoops for extra-plush off-season adventuring.

The 429 Trail's DW-Link suspension owes its capabilities to a handful of cues taken from the Mach 6 and Phoenix, teasing a virtual depth out of the 116mm travel that feels closer to a proper five-inch 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 first made us fall in love with the 429 line.

The wide PF92 bottom bracket is flanked by 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 and also lower the bar for entry by reducing the manufacturing cost.