All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

Killer deal on the Offering V2.

https://www.evil-bikes.com/collections/closeout-bikes/products/offering?variant=40436767391809

 

Speaking of both the Offering and the Switchblade. I have a deal on a Switchblade through one of the LBS’s down here for $5800 (retail $7699 or 25% off) on a Pro XT/XTR, Fox Factory build. The Offering GX build with RS Ultimate is $4100 (retail $6299 or 35% off). Both seem very similar on paper. I’m leaning Switchblade because I prefer XT groupset and Fox Suspension, plus it’s supporting an LBS. On the other hand, the Offering is $1700 cheaper and $1700 is a substantial price difference. This would also be my second bike, but in reality would probably become my primary bike. What say you?

 

oooh. they're not both dw link. Pivot is DW Link.
Evil is DELTA. both made by Dave Weagle. IMO, I think the pivot is a better fit-finish bike. feels more thought through and reliable. my evil isn't unreliable it's just not as refined as a whole. the suspension, however, is something else entirely. the delta suspension feels unreal. bottomless and punches WAY above its size class.

 

I should have stated that better in regards to the rear linkage. I know they’re different. Good looking out. Thank you for your insight on both! I appreciate it!

 

This is so weird because it's basically just a single-pivot design. The unique thing is how it links to the shock, which apparently just changes the leverage on the shock in different parts of the travel. Pretty cool to be able to do that, and keeps it simple. Honestly, on a mountain bike, I don't feel like a fancy suspension with multiple links and a fancy wheel path really make that much of a difference. As long as it is relatively stable and predictable (and feels right to the rider), it's good. I've had an Iron Horse with DW-link and coil shock and loved it. I tried a horst link bike (Specialized), but it was way too smushy and linear, making it unpredictable to my small brain. I keep going back to a Fuel, which is basically a single-pivot, but what it does is what my brain expects it to do.

 

Kinda sorta. Not new new, but newish.

https://m.pinkbike.com/news/first-ride-2024-pivot-switchblade.html

 

Personally, no brainer. Evil.
Aside from the DELTA suspension, which really is brilliant, $1700 is a shit-ton of savings.
I’d swap to a xx1 cassette, shifter, and chain or transmission and call it good. That bike is awesome.

 

Anyone have any good gravel fender recommendations?

 

I've got these: Speedrocker Fender Set – SKS USA (sks-us.com)

They are fairly light, easy to put on and decent coverage. I've been riding in some soggy gravel the last couple weeks and they have done their job. I plan on taking them off once it warms up haha.

They are somewhat flimsy so if you lean your bike against a wall and your fender touches it, it will move and possible bend the supports but it seems like those supports are meant to bend for universal fitment. Just give it a tap and it will go back in its place no problem. I don't feel like they are going to break or anything though.

I will say that they look goofy as hell but I got them for function not style haha

 

Looking goofy is half of the fun of winter riding! Thanks

 

Or you could just buy 2 GX Ripmos.

I know Pivot makes a quality product, they're just not for me. I don't do short rear ends, superboost, or 76deg seat tubes. Performance Fox on 7k+ bike.

 

I'm curious, is it 25% off a V5 Switchblade (the brand new one) or a V4? If it's the V4...negotiate! There are shops up here in SLC selling the V4 for $4800. If it's the V5, that's a pretty good deal!

I've ridden a lot of Pivot bikes over the years, including every version of the Switchblade. Never rode the Offering. They do seem similar on paper. I absolutely love the Switchblade. It is an amazing bike that keeps getting better & better (the geo also keeps creeping up on the Firebird's little by little). I can give you some personal comparisons of bikes I have ridden:
(1) Firebird vs Wreckoning - I'd take the Firebird all day (and is my current full suspension bike).
(2) Trail 429 vs Following - both are nice but the Following would win.

If money didn't matter, what parts group would you truly want? What suspension do you prefer? Those are the two things that really make a difference in my opinion. The same parts & suspension will feel similar on those frames. Pick your parts & suspension and there's your decision. Good luck and let us know what you end up with!

 

And one other thing...I'm not dismissing the money. $1700 is a big difference. I can almost guarantee that you will love either of your choices.

 

I mean, when you're between Evil and Pivot, I feel like there really aren't any wrong answers here...

 

yeah, both of these comments. i don't think there's "wrong" answer per se. both are amazing bikes.

 

V4. You can get the “brunch ride” model for $4999. It’s a mis-match of parts. SLX/XT drivetrain with Code R brakes. I hate Code R brakes and the fact Pivot couldn’t come up with a more unique name for this build. Let’s just ripoff Yeti, lame. So that build is out. To be honest, I’m not sold on anything right now. Switchblade that the LBS spec’d is XT/XTR drivetrain and XT brakes, Fox Factory. Offering is GX, Code RSC with RS Ultimate. Better wheelset on the Evil. I prefer XT and Fox. Probably just going to keep riding the Spire. I love it and can’t justify another bike when I enjoy riding it so much. Does it struggle in certain areas? Yeah, but I don’t like that kind of riding anyway. I’ll just keep lapping the rocky, gnarly stuff like I do now. If I were to pull the trigger on something right now it would have to be a bigger gap from the Spire, like a Following or 429.

 

Also, I appreciate everyone’s input. Not doubting they’re both solid options, just not sure what, if any, direction I want to go.

 

I think a shorter travel bike in the 120mm range is a perfect complement to the spire. I’m kind of the opposite where I don’t ride the spire as much as my Ripley but it’s an easy choice one way or the other.

I’ve tossed around the idea of replacing the two bikes with something in the middle to save on space but idk if I want that right now when I’m pretty happy with my gravel, xc and enduro bike quiver haha

 

I’m always tossing ideas around because of boredom and my constant need to make bad decisions.

 

I did an upgrade. Stock brakes weren’t cutting it anymore.