Pivot Trail 429 Review

Pivot bikes are awesome, but damn expensive. However, with the introduction of the new Pivot Trailcat, the prices for its predecessor have plummeted dramatically. Is the supposedly old Pivot Trail 429 now a trail bike deal you can’t refuse?

The Pivot Trail 429 features a carbon frame with vertical shock configuration—a proven design also used in the Mach 4 SL, Switchblade, and Mach 6 models.

The shock’s trunnion mount ensures a compact design, more room for long dropper posts, and increased frame stiffness. Pivot uses high-modulus carbon, resulting in a frame set (including the shock) weighing only 2.7 kg.

The DW-Link rear suspension system emphasizes the bike’s high stiffness with its large-diameter bearings. The rear provides 120 mm of travel, while the front is equipped with either a 130-mm or 140-mm fork, depending on the variant. This places the Trail 429 in direct competition with bikes like the Santa Cruz Tallboy comparison , Cube Stereo One22 2025 review , or the Rocky Mountain Element 2025 review . Bikes like the current Specialized Stumpjumper 15 review or the Canyon Spectral CF 2024 review have significantly more travel with 150-mm forks.

The acronym DW in the rear suspension designation reveals: Developer legend Dave Weagle had a hand in this. Since rising to legend status among developers with his Ironhorse bikes in the 2000s, a DW-Link rear suspension has become something of a seal of approval for full-suspension bikes. The man has repeatedly proven that he knows what he’s doing. We can confirm the same after testing the Trail 429.

The rear suspension compensates for its nominally short travel with a strong progression. Even with large impacts, it doesn’t bottom out. The pedal influence remains minimal around the sag point. This practical impression is confirmed by an anti-squat value of well over 100%.

The high anti-rise value, on the other hand, ensures that the geometry remains stable while braking. There are bikes, especially with more rear suspension travel, that feel plusher. However, the Trail 429 manages its modest rear travel well. The rear suspension never sinks completely into its travel and still feels like more than the 120 mm travel that Pivot claims.

The geometry specs align with what you’d expect from other bikes in this travel category:

A unique feature is the adjustable rear triangle, which can accommodate both 29-inch and 27.5-plus wheels. Additionally, the bike can be ridden as a mullet setup (29″ front, 27.5″ rear).

Thanks to the flip chip, the geometry can be further adjusted: in the “low” setting, the bike sits lower and is more stable, while in the “high” setting, the bottom bracket is raised by 6 mm, making the head angle 0.5° steeper.

Our test bike weighed in at a smooth 13 kg without pedals. This makes it significantly heavier than the Cube Stereo One22 2025 in test and the Rocky Mountain Element 2025 in test . However, it features Maxxis Dissector tires and a Shimano 4-piston brake system, offering a more downhill-oriented setup. In this regard, the extra weight is justified, but it is, of course, noticeable on the climbs.

Even though the rear suspension works efficiently, the Pivot has to let sportier 130-mm trail bikes pass uphill. Those considering entering a marathon race might find happiness elsewhere or should at least opt for lighter, better rolling tires. On the downhill, however, the tide turns for Pivot’s Trail 429.

With its long reach and modern geometry, the Trail 429 offers plenty of confidence on fast and technical trails. Despite weighing only 13 kg, the bike remains stable and tracks true. The progressive rear suspension provides controlled damping and prevents bottom-outs.

The Fox 34 fork is well-suited for its purpose, handling the impacts from the terrain perfectly. Thanks to the short rear end, the bike stays nimble and playful. This is where it differs significantly from current bikes with more travel. The combination of a short rear end, low weight, and limited travel makes even tame trails a lot of fun. In contrast, the riding enjoyment of current all-mountains often gets lost in excessive travel.