Pivot has announced the release of its new Trailcat trail bike, with the model coming in two travel options and featuring a refined DW-link suspension system.
The all-new frame is shared between a 120mm SL model and a more aggressive 135mm LT model for those looking to tackle steeper terrain.
The brand says it has built the new trail bike with versatility in mind, with its director of engineering, Kevin Tisue, stating: “Whether you’re pushing limits on the tech or putting in miles on an all-day adventure, there’s a Trailcat that’s perfect for your ride.”
Pivot refuses to call the SL a downcountry bike despite its 120mm of suspension travel, a figure that many brands have typically used to define the category, instead opting to call it a short-travel trail bike.
With cross-country bikes now creeping into similar travel territory, it looks as though the sub-category could be on its way out.
Three different build options will be available at launch, with the SL starting at £6,600 / $5,999 / €6,399 and the LT at £ 6,900 / €6,599 for the Ride series.
Prices top out at £9,400 / €8,799 and £9,600 / €8,999 for the top-of-the-range Pro SL and Pro LT models.
Two birds, one cat
The new frame is constructed from carbon fibre and is available in two colourways, Green Meadow Mist and Dr Purple.
Sharing a frame between two travel options is something we’ve become accustomed to in the trail category, with Orbea, Specialized and Yeti all offering their trail bikes in short-travel and long-travel configurations.
The 120mm SL model has 140mm up front, while the 135mm LT model is fixed to a 150mm fork.
Pivot says offering two travel options enables you to pick a bike better suited to your riding style, with the SL positioned for those looking for a lightweight and capable trail bike and the LT for those looking to push harder on more challenging terrain.
Both bikes make use of a DW-link suspension system that is said to maximise pedalling efficiency and traction while maintaining a plush, bottomless feel when charging through chunky descents.
We’ve seen the design rolled out to several Pivot models and a similar approach has been adopted by Atherton’s S-range aluminium bikes.
The frame features Pivot’s Toolshed internal frame storage on the down tube, enabling you to carry tools and spares.
There's more storage under the top tube, where a system co-developed with Topeak enables you to carry a multi-tool or CO2 cartridges should you run into trouble on the trails
Cable ports feature near the headset, with large openings said to provide an easier and more efficient routing process, while clips in the Toolshed should keep rattles at bay.
Custom-tuned tubing
As with many modern mountain bikes, the Trailcat features adjustable geometry in the shape of 'High' and 'Low' settings enabling you to tailor the bike to your preferred needs and run a 27.5in rear wheel for a mullet setup.
The bike comes in five sizes, ranging from XS to XL, with the brand saying its sizing covers heights from 4ft11in to beyond 6ft5in.
Pivot says it has used independent strength-to-weight analysis of the frame sizes to achieve a consistent ride feel through the range, with custom-tuned weight-scale stiffness ensuring an optimum ride feel for all riders.
Not all brands choose this approach, which can often mean smaller frames feel less compliant than larger ones.
The SL model has a head tube angle of 65.8 degrees in the Low setting, which steepens to 66.3 degrees in the High setting, while the LT is 65.3 degrees in Low and 65.6 degrees in High.
Up-to-date reach measurements of 465mm (Low) and 470mm (High) are seen on the SL model, with the LT slightly shorter at 460mm (Low) and 465mm (High) for a medium-sized frame.
Pivot Trailcat spec and pricing
Trailcat SL Ride SLX/XT
- Fork: Fox 34 Float Performance, 140mm
- Shock: Fox Float Performance
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT
- Brakes: Shimano SLX
- Wheels: DT Swiss M1900
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHI 2.4 (f), Maxxis Dissector 2.4in (r)
- Price: £6,600 / $5,999 / €6,399
Trailcat LT Ride SLX/XT
- Fork: Fox 36 Float Performance, 150mm
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT
- Brakes: Shimano SLX
- Wheels: DT Swiss M1900
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHI 2.4 (f), Maxxis Dissector 2.4in (r)
- Price: £6,900 / €6,599
Trailcat SL Pro XT/XTR
- Fork: Fox 34 Float Factory, 140mm
- Shock: Fox Float Factory
- Drivetrain: Shimano XTR
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Wheels: DT Swiss XM1700
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHI 2.4 (f), Maxxis Dissector 2.4in (r)
- Price: £8,200 / €7,899
Trailcat LT Pro XT/XTR
- Fork: Fox 36 Float Factory, 150mm
- Shock: Fox Float X Factory
- Drivetrain: Shimano XTR
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Wheels: DT Swiss M1900
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHI 2.4 (f), Maxxis Dissector 2.4in (r)
- Price: £8,400 / €8,099
Trailcat SL Pro X0 Eagle Transmission
- Fork: Fox 34 Float Factory, 140mm
- Shock: Fox Float X Factory
- Drivetrain: SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Silver
- Wheels: DT Swiss M1900
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHI 2.4 (f), Maxxis Dissector 2.4in (r)
- Price: £9,400 / €8,799
Trailcat LT Pro X0 Eagle Transmission
- Fork: Fox 36 Float Factory, 150mm
- Shock: Fox Float X Factory
- Drivetrain: SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Silver
- Wheels: DT Swiss M1900
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHI 2.4 (f), Maxxis Dissector 2.4in (r)
- Price: £9,600 / €8,999
