Pivot LES SL 29 Pro XT/XTR review

There’s a pun in its name, but the Pivot LES SL 29 Pro XT/XTR is no joke when the going gets tough.

The carbon race bike features clean lines and a host of Pivot-branded kit, along with Fox fork and Shimano stop-and-go.

Pivot claims size-small frames can weigh as little as 800g, which is feathery light. At the same time, compliance engineered into the frame should keep speeds high.

The provision of five sizes should mean there’s a bike to fit every rider, too.

Pivot LES SL 29 Pro XT/XTR frame

Pivot uses its ‘Hollow Core’ construction method during the production of the LES frameset. This method moulds the frames from the inside out, meaning there are fewer internal imperfections and reduces the chance of resin pooling in unseen areas.

The brand claims this leads to fewer areas of potential fatigue, more oversight into the quality of construction and lighter frames.

Pivot also says the way its frames are laid up takes into account the projected rider weight of that size frame – meaning a small rider on a small frame should get the same ride feel as a heavier rider on an XL frame.

The frame features all the usual XC hardtail accoutrements – an integrated headset, internal cable routing (including dropper routing, if you have a compatible 27.2mm-diameter dropper), a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger and multiple bottle mounts.

In addition to the two regular bottle mounts, there’s a set of bosses under the top tube, as well as another set under the bottom bracket.

These are mounted on a removable plate, to aid access for the internal cable routing, and also to double as a mounting point for co-branded Topeak tools. The plate is concave, helping your tool nestle into the down tube a touch.

The frame uses a press-fit bottom bracket, which generally speaking is less home-serviceable, requiring specialist tools.

Pivot LES SL 29 Pro XT/XTR geometry

In terms of geometry, there’s relatively little that stands out – the figures Pivot has built into the frames are pretty standard – though this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

The size-large bike has a moderately generous (for this style of bike) 460mm reach, while the quoted head angle is fairly steep at 68.5 degrees – I measured mine a touch slacker, at 68 degrees, though.

The seat angle was measured at 75.5 degrees with my 750mm saddle height. This is fairly steep for a bike of this type, and will only get steeper as the fork sags and pivots around the rear axle.

Pivot LES SL 29 Pro XT/XTR specifications

As the name suggests, this model (and it’s the only one currently listed as being brought into the UK) comes with a Shimano XT and XTR build. In effect, it’s a Shimano XT build, but with an XTR derailleur to bling it all up a bit, and an aluminium Race Face Aeffect crank.

These are joined by a pair of XT 2-piston brakes, interestingly with finned pads to keep temperatures down, and rotors with the heat-sink fins.

Up front is a Factory-level Fox 32 StepCast fork with remote lockout and the Fit4 damper.

The StepCast chassis is narrower than the standard chassis to save weight, and is noticeable via the stepped lower legs.

DT Swiss’ XR1700 wheels sit at either end, and are wrapped in Maxxis’ excellent Rekon Race tyres. These are the 2.4-inch Wide Trail versions, designed for wider rims, and contain a 120 TPI carcass – this is light and supple.

Pivot’s Phoenix finishing kit completes the build. One stand-out feature of this is the rubber bands that hold the saddle clamp’s nuts tight against the top plate of the clamp. It’s a small addition to the design, but one that makes fitting a saddle (one of the more frustrating jobs, in my experience) a little easier – chapeau!

Pivot LES SL 29 Pro XT/XTR ride impressions

My test rides have been as wide-ranging as I can make them.

I’ve sprinted across town to the local trails, embarked on epic singletrack missions in the hills, rallied them round woodland laps I’ve raced during the Welsh XC series and scared myself silly on red-graded trail centre laps.

My aim was to see if they can handle the heat when my heart rate was pounding through the roof.

Pivot LES SL 29 Pro XT/XTR climbing performance

The LES climbs well. Under power, the frame feels stiff, but not so much that it's harsh.

There’s just enough lateral twang in the frame, wheels and tyres that it feels planted as you pound the pedals while tackling rough, rocky or rooty climbs.

It doesn’t try to ping you off line, and while hardtail bikes are never going to absorb every bump, there’s just enough give within the system to mute harsh edges, enabling you to keep pedalling as long as possible.

On lumpy climbs, the seatpost does a good job of taking yet more sting out of the tail – also noticeable when you’re sat and pedalling hard along rougher fireroads. This boosts comfort on longer drags.

At the front of the bike, the remote lockout isn't particularly firm.

This is good on off-road climbs, because it helps the front tyre stay planted to the floor, boosts comfort and enables you to keep the fork locked out for longer than on the other forks, still soaking up some impacts as you go.

On the other hand, on smooth fire roads or tarmac, it bobs more than a firmer lockout would.

Leave the fork open and it’s probably more stable under pedalling loads than those forks, when not locked out.

On seated climbs, there’s reasonable room to shift your weight fore and aft to give out front-wheel directional control and rear-wheel traction.

When it comes to grip, the Rekon Race is a great tyre in many conditions.

The closely packed tread rolls well on tarmac, the supple carcass boosts grip and compliance on rougher surfaces, and the MaxxTerra compound grips far better than you’d expect on damp rocks and roots.

Obviously, though, with limited tread depth, the Rekon Race struggles in the mud.

Pivot LES SL 29 Pro XT/XTR descending performance

With its moderately long reach, average head angle and fairly stubby 60mm stem, the LES handles well on descents.

It’s fun to rail from corner to corner, being reactive to rider inputs, while still retaining a hint of high-speed stability so you know you can get off the brakes and let it run.

While feelings can be difficult to quantify, it’s a bike that you sit ‘in’ rather than on – likely thanks to the 64mm BB drop that gets your weight nice and low under the axles.

This gives it a playful nature, encouraging you to pick up the front wheel, or slam the rear into a berm’s support where your confidence allows.

The tyres really help on the descents, too. Their supple carcass and large internal volume noticeably boost comfort as well as control. Grip is ever-present, even when you drop the tyres onto their diminutive shoulder tread.

Bang the tyres through rocks and their jagged edges are softened by the volume, helping you carry speed through janky terrain, unlike some other XC hardtails.

At the same time, the tyres pick up speed easily, so when you jab at the pedals, you’re rewarded with sprightly forward motion.

I came away hugely impressed by Fox’s 32 StepCast, too.

The chassis of any 32mm-stanchion fork is not going to be the stoutest thing ever, but with 100mm of travel and everything bolted up tight, the fork doesn’t twist and twang as much as you might imagine.

It’s also wonderfully controlled. It’s not quite as active as a RockShox SID SL; instead, it gives off a calm, composed feel – dealing with big hits in a controlled manner, while finessing over the chatter to keep the front tyre stuck firmly to the ground.

Shimano’s mechanical groupsets at this level often impress, even if they aren’t as flashy as SRAM’s wireless offerings.

With fresh cables, shifting is light and accurate, with instant feedback through both the shifter’s paddles and your cranks. The chain moves smoothly up and down the cassette, even under power.

Likewise, Shimano’s 2-piston stoppers are more than ample for this bike. The finned pads seem almost like overkill, and can rattle, but heavier riders on those smaller rotors will appreciate their quicker cooling on long marathon-style descents.

How does the Pivot LES SL 29 Pro XT/XTR compare to the Lapierre Prorace 9.9 SL?

Both the Pivot and the Lapierre share a very similar frame shape, so the handling characteristics are generally similar – they’re fun, agile and efficient bikes to rally round an XC course.

Both frames are relatively compliant for a cross-country race bike, but the Lapierre’s triple-triangle style top tube/seat tube/seatstay arrangement takes top honours.

The RockShox SID on the Lapierre is slightly more active in use, not feeling quite as composed as the Fox 32SC on the Pivot.

Both feature the same Maxxis’ Reckon Race tyre treads, but the Pivot sees a slightly wider 2.4in Wide Trail version, rather than the 2.35in tyre on the Lapierre. However, there’s little in it.

While the Shimano shifting on the Pivot is super-smooth, changing gear on the Lapierre, with its SRAM AXS wireless drivetrain, takes ever so slightly less effort. It's quicker too – this might just make the difference when your heart rate is through the roof – so long as you charge the batteries.

Pivot LES SL 29 Pro XT/XTR bottom line

I really enjoyed riding the LES. It’s a fun bike to ride, with its ability to hold speed over the chatter, while seeming equally happy to thread a line through the trees.

Spec-wise, there’s nothing to complain about – decent gears, excellent tyres and a fantastic fork combine to help the frame perform at its best.

Taking value into account knocks the score a touch, though. I feel it’s comparatively expensive, even if the spec choices perform well – I’d like to see a full XTR groupset, or carbon hoops for the money.