Pivot Mach 429 - 29er: Ride Impression
The Pivot Mach 429 is a very nice looking bike and the Code Red anodization is a pleasant color, just the right amount of subtlety. Even with all the strange swooping lines it all seems to fit well together. Where did they come up with the 429 name? Well, it’s a Mach 4 re-engineered as a 29er. First impressions on the bike seemed like it was a more XC oriented than I thought. However, that was deceiving as this was a very interesting design.
The Mach 429 just flew down the Bootleg Canyon trails like it was on rails. On the steep drops, the bike literally felt like it dropped out from under you with it’s quickness. I felt just a bit of harshness from the bike, but it wasn’t much. This bike was FUN to the max. I found myself sort of humming (literally and figuratively) along and not really paying attention much, just sort of enjoying the ride. The bike also liked to fly off little berms and jumps, doing weenie wheelie and catching air was a hoot. Did I just say hoot? The drivetrain was giving me a strange noise that I couldn’t quite figure out, but other than that it was a fun ride.
The demo Mach 429 t was tricked out to the maximum with the latest bling. It had the brand new 09 Magura Marta SL brakes, a Fox F29 100 fork, XTR drivetrain, DT Swiss 240 hubs with their X470 rims, Kenda Nevagals, Syntace seatpost, stem and bars. Very sweet build!
4 inch travel 29er with DW Link suspension
Aluminum frame with Fox RP23 shock
Frame Sizes: 17, 18.5, 20 and 22 inches
Colors: Code Red and Silver Bullet
Info: http://www.pivotcycles.com/mach429.php
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November 22nd, 2008 at 9:45 am
Ride report on the 429 sounds interesting. I rode one and liked it much, but found the suspension hard to dial in. If the shock sag was 25% then the ride was fifm, but at 35% you went through the travel quickly. The overal steering and handling was quick and confident. The Pivot dw does seem noisy. I noticed that if you stand over rocky trails the sus stiffens a bit. What do you think.
January 10th, 2009 at 4:04 am
Would like a bit more of a technical analysis on these bike reviews from Interbike. I mean come on, this is MTBR, not Bicycling Mag !
I would advise reading some of the more technical reviews posted by Derby on mtbr forums prior to reviewing these bikes next year.
Thanks though. Maybe next time.