As one among the final remaining bikes in the Pivot lineup with out a vertical shock, you might guess that the Mach 5.5 was due for an replace. More than an replace although, the Mach 5.5 is on the method out–changed by the new Shadowcat. Like the identify itself, the Shadowcat is all about MTB fun, rolling on 27.5″ wheels with emphasis on agility, responsiveness, playfulness, and all-around functionality.
According to Pivot, the Shadowcat was all the time going to be 27.5″. Still a proponent of the smaller-than-29″ wheel measurement, Pivot touts their light-weight and sooner acceleration. Aside from the advantages of the wheel measurement itself, the selection for 27.5″ wheels additionally has some attention-grabbing affect on the design of the body.
Without the want for elevated tire clearance or stiffer wheels, Pivot has stored the Shadowcat as a Boost 148 x 12mm rear finish. No Super Boost right here. Because of that, the frames can use any 1x crankset with a 52mm chainline and their PF92 backside bracket.
They’ve additionally settled on a geometry that makes use of the identical size chainstays for every measurement, not like the newest Firebird which gets size-specific chainstay length. Pivot says this is because of the need to maintain the Shadowcat fun and poppy, together with the incontrovertible fact that they anticipate smaller riders gravitating to the Shadowcat.
Pivot Shadowcat 2022 Geometry
Along these strains, there are solely 4 sizes obtainable, from XS-L. Pivot figures that anybody who would want an XL body would slightly be on proportionally sized 29″ wheels. Mirroring the modernization of Pivot’s geometry, the Shadowcat runs a pretty steep 76º seat tube angle with a 65.8º head tube angle.
New Shock Layout
Built with the revised vertical shock, trunnion mounted format of different Pivots, the Shadowcat provides 140mm of journey from the rear dw-link system with a 160mm journey Fox 36 with a 44mm offset upfront. Pivot’s take is that this bike pedals extra consistent with 125-135mm journey path bikes, however has added suspension while you want it to make it extra versatile.
But with the journey firmly in the path and even AM class, the body weight edges nearer to XC territory with an ultra-light construct. Pivot claims that the entrance triangle is simply 45g heavier than a Mach 4SL, and the full body is lighter than their Trail 429 platform. This was achieved partly with continuous enhancements to their carbon layup and a size-specific body design. Other particulars like an built-in headset and Boost spacing assist drop weight as nicely.
Frame Details
Team AXS_LIVE
In spite of the weight discount, the Shadowcat body remains to be filled with options from the new SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger, to the Pivot Tool Dock, Fox Live Valve integration, and a number of bottle mounting choices–the XS has three mounting bolts on the downtube, S and M have 4, and the L has two.
These enable for positioning the bottle cages on varied body sizes to clear the shock, Fox Live Valve, Tool Dock, and extra.
Other customary Pivot options embrace the Pivot Cable Port system to maintain the internally routed cables quiet, a molded chainstay and downtube protector, ISCG 05 mounts, and a 31.6mm seat publish with loads of room for longer droppers.
Models, Pricing & Availability
Team XTR – Danger Fruit – $9,799
Team AXS_LIVE – $13,599
Available in Danger Fruit and Blue Mirage, every shall be provided in six completely different construct choices from Shimano and SRAM with optionally available Fox Live Valve and Carbon wheel upgrades. Pricing begins at $6,199 and tops out at $13,599. Available now.
