Trail 429

To ensure the best sizing, we recommend that you visit your local Pivot dealer to get a professional fit and refer to our geometry chart to check your measurements. However, we can provide a rough guideline: 

X-Small: 4'11" – 5'4"

Small: 5'4" – 5’9”

Medium: 5'8" – 5'11”

Large: 5'10" – 6’2”

X-Large: 6'2" +

We suggest that you pick your Trail 429 size based on your riding style. The Trail 429 features trail bike long and low geometry with both shorter seat tube and head tube measurements per size – this geometry means that most riders can go up or down a size and should base their choice on riding-style, reach and stem length preferences. Be sure to also consult our dropper post fit guide when making your selection. You can always reach out to us on Live Chat for additional guidance.

We make it easy to get the best ride out of your Pivot bike with a simple sag indicator already installed on your bike, and this follow-along video featuring our own Bernard Kerr:

https://vimeo.com/pivotcycles/sag

The flip chip is a simple way to adjust the geometry on your Trail 429. It allows you to either adjust the geometry for different trail conditions or riding style (using 29” wheels) or can allow for the use of 27.5” wheels with 2.6”-2.8” tires and a 27.5” rear/29” front “reverse mullet” setup as well. The chip comes set up in the lower BB setting.  This is perfect for riding fast, technical and steep terrain.

However, if your preference is for a little more crank clearance and slightly quicker handling for tighter terrain with more climbing and/or roots and rocks, you may prefer the low BB setting.  The higher setting will raise the bottom bracket and steepen the head angle by .5° degree giving the bike faster turn in. The higher setting is also a great starting point for running a 27.5” rear/29” front “mullet” setup. Additionally, if you want to run 27.5” wheels with 2.6”-2.8” tires, you would also need to run the bike in the low BB setting combined with our 17mm extended headset cup (sold separately). The combination of the low BB setting and the taller cup allow the smaller diameter wheels to be used while maintaining the same geometry and similar BB height to the bike set up with 29” wheels.

The Trail 429’s flip chip geometry adjustment system is super easy to use.  Simply loosen using a 6mm hex wrench (these are reverse, so you need to turn the wrench to the right to loosen).  Partially back out the bolts – there is no need to completely remove the bolts. Then pull the chips out and rotate them to your desired position, tighten the bolts to 35 Nm and enjoy your bike’s new handling and feel. Please see the geometry chart for the numbers associated with the different settings.  

The Trail 429 can run 29“ tires up to 2.6“ and Maxxis 27.5″ tires up to 2.8″ inches on 40 mm (inner)rims. For other tires in the market, most will fit, but rim width and tire manufacture sizing call outs and tire inconsistency can result in huge difference among both tire brands and individual tires. We suggest you check the fit with your chosen rim and tire combination to make sure it has proper clearance before riding if you choose to use something that is not our standard specification.

The 27.5+ wheels with Maxxis 2.8” tires have a slightly smaller diameter than the 29” wheels with 2.4 Minion DHR II’s. This difference results in a lower bottom bracket height when running 27.5+ wheels. To adjust the BB height, the Trail 429 comes with two different lower headset cups. One is our zero-stack version and the other is a 17mm cup. When running the 17mm cup with 27.5+ wheels, the BB height will be similar to that with the 29” wheels using the zero-stack cup. However, it is not mandatory that you use the 17mm cup with the 27.5+ wheels or the zero-stack version with the 29” wheels. Feel free to mix and match as you wish. If you like a lower BB height, you might find that you prefer the zero-stack with 27.5+ wheels. Some riders will just leave the 17mm cup in regardless of wheels size. Complete bikes ordered with 27.5+ wheels or with both wheelsets, will come equipped with the taller 17mm cup installed.  For 29er bikes the 17mm cup will be included with the bike but not installed.  If you ever intend to try this cup, you need to make sure that you use at least 20mm of headset spacers when you cut the fork so that there will be enough steer tube to be able to go back and forth as you wish. If the fork is pre-cut for the zero-stack cup and additional spacers are not installed, you will not have a long enough fork steer tube to run the 17mm cup option.

The Trail 429 uses a ZS (zero stack) 44mm top and (zero stack) 56mm bottom. If you are running the zero-stack option on the bottom (instead of Pivot’s extended cup) then a Chris King Inset 2 is compatible. If you are running the 17mm lower cup, then it needs to be run in conjunction with the Pivot headset. You cannot press another brand of zero stack headset into the 17mm cup as the 17mm cup is the lower headset cup.

Yes, you can mount a water bottle cage inside the front triangle and put a large water bottle in it on all sizes – even XS. There is also an additional water bottle mount under the base of the downtube for yet another bottle for long ride, pack free hydration.

The Trail 429 frame uses a 31.6mm seatpost.

The Trail 429 frame uses a 36.4mm seatpost clamp.

The Trail 429 has short seat tube lengths and deep insertion depths for compatibility with long travel dropper seatposts. Please see the dropper seatpost guide(can be found on the Tech Specs tab) for common dropper post model compatibility. You can check the maximum insertion depth of other seatposts per frame size below:

XS – 180mm

S – 248mm

M – 268mm

L – 289mm

XL – 308mm

Yes. The Trail 429 features ISCG05 mounts on the frame. Most upper guides on the market will fit.

The Trail 429 will fit a 180mm rotor without an adaptor. A 203mm rotor with an adaptor will fit.  

The Trail 429 was designed for either a 130 or 140mm travel fork and we offer complete builds with options in both travel lengths. The maximum travel length that can be used on the Trail 429 is 140mm travel.

The Trail 429’s metric shock has a trunnion style upper mount, 165mm eye to eye length and 45mm stroke.

The Trail 429 shock uses M8 through bolt hardware on the bottom mount. Shock spacer dimensions are 30mm wide on the bottom mount. We typically run medium valving on the compression side (depending on rider weight) and medium rebound damping.

You cannot run a coil-over on your Trail 429! The Trail 429 was designed to work with the progressiveness of an air spring. A coil-over shock (even one with separate bottoming control) does not offer the progressive spring curve that the Trail 429 requires. Running a coil-over shock on the Trail 429 will result in hard bottoming and damage to the frame.

Larger volume spacers will resist bottoming, allow the bike to ride higher in the stroke and generally make the bike feel more “poppy”.   If a rider is not getting full stroke or they feel that the bike is riding too high in its stroke, even with sag set properly, then they should go to a smaller volume spacer.    DPX2 and LIVE shocks share the same volume spacer sizes and part numbers.  DPS shocks use a different volume spacer to work with that shocks smaller shaft size.

The Trail 429 DPS shock uses a .95 cu in volume spacer.   This is the maximum size volume spacer that can be run in this shock.   For a more linear feel, a .8 cu in or .6 cu in volume spacer can be installed.  Please see the chart below for spacer P/N’s.  

The Trail 429 DPX2 shock on the Enduro build uses a .6 cu in volume spacer.   The DPX2 volume spacer on the Enduro build was selected for a really progressive feel.  Although the shock can handle one size larger, riders will not be able to get full stroke of the shock.  For a more linear feel, a .4 cu in volume spacer can be installed.  Please see the chart below for the spacer P/N.  

The Trail 429 LIVE shock uses a .86 cu in volume spacer.   The volume spacer on the LIVE shock was selected for a really progressive feel.  Although the shock can handle one size larger, riders will not be able to get full stroke of the shock.  For a more linear feel, a .6 cu in or .4 cu in volume spacer can be installed.   Please see the chart below for spacer P/N’s.  

The FOX 34 FIT4 X 130 mm fork comes stock with 3 spacers and can handle a maximum of 6 spacers.  The FOX 36 GRIP2 x 140 mm fork on the Enduro build comes stock with 4 volume spacers and can handle a maximum of 8 spacers.

The Trail 429 uses the new universal rear derailleur hanger standard developed by SRAM. This derailleur hanger is compatible with all derailleurs on the market – not just SRAM. We spec this hanger because it has some clever derailleur saving features and is more likely to be found at any shop as it becomes more widely adopted.

The Trail 429 uses an axle for a 157mm rear spacing designed for the new Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) standard.  The rear axle supplied with all frames is designed is a Pivot specific design using a 12mm X 1.0mm thread pitch.  SRAM also makes compatible 157mm UDH axles.   

Pressfit BB92 bottom bracket.

No, the Trail 429 is not Di2 compatible. It has a Di2 battery port and Pivot’s Cable Port System for simple routing, but it is missing the holes in between the front triangle and swingarm. Pivot does not endorse drilling holes in your frame. It is possible to externally route the wire to the rear derailleur, but it will not have the same level of integration as some of our other models.

The Trail 429 uses a 157mm rear hub spacing in a configuration called Super Boost Plus 157 (SB+). The rear hub spacing is the standard 157mm spacing available from every hub manufacturer in the world so any 12mm x 157mm hub is compatible with the Trail 429. 

Super Boost Plus 157 retains narrower Q factor and heal clearance while providing for more tire clearance, a stronger frame and a stronger rear wheel.   Super Boost Plus 157 builds on the idea of wider flange spacing pioneered by Boost 148 by spreading the flanges even wider (up to 14mm wider than a 142mm hub) which increases spoke bracing angle resulting in a huge wheel strength increase on 27.5” and 29” trail, enduro, all mountain, eMTB and trail category wheels. Most hub companies have already adopted the wider spoke flange to their DH 157mm hubs because of the added benefits. So, there is already a wide range of hub brands with optimized 157mm spacing available (even if they don’t specifically call it SB+)  some examples include: DT Swiss, Industry 9, Stan’s, Onyx, Chris King, White Industries, Race Face, SUNringlé, Shimano, Stealth, Tune and Hope.

Why is Super Boost Plus 157 the optimal hub spacing for the Trail 429?

* Short chainstays perfectly complement the Trail 429’s long and low stature allowing you to manual up and over even the gnarliest obstacles while keeping the wheelbase length in check so that you can still clean tight switchbacks and rail corners with confidence and agility like you’ve never experienced before.

* A massive increase in tire clearance for running up 2.8” X 27.5+ and 2.6” X 29” tires with incredible mud clearance: Who doesn’t like that!  You can run your racy 29” X 2.4WT tires in the summer and then step up to something much wider in bad weather to extend your riding season or just plow through the mud on your 29er wheels with confidence knowing that the Trail 429 can handle it all.

* Increased frame stiffness: A better performing bike allows you to push the limits even further and the Trail 429 has no weak links. This is the bike that allows you to set new boundaries. 

* Increased wheel stiffness: The Super Boost Plus specific hubs on all our Trail 429 builds increase the hub flange width and provide for more even (better) spoke tension and the results are incredible.  On a DT Swiss 29er alloy wheel with a 25mm inner width rim, the Super Boost Plus wheel is 46% stiffer than the same wheel built with a 142mm hub and 30% stiffer than the same wheel built with a Boost 148mm hub. Interestingly, the Super Boost Plus rear wheel and a standard Boost front wheel wind up being very similar in overall stiffness. What this means for the trail rider is that you get more evenly matched strength and stiffness between the front and rear wheels and the most durable wheelset possible.  

The Trail 429 will accept all cranks designed for the Super Boost Plus 157 system. The Super Boost Plus system is based on several standard cranks in the market. When you purchase your Trail 429 complete from Pivot, Pro XT/XTR and Race XT level builds will feature a SB+ specific Race Face Aeffect R or Ride crankset to optimize the chainline. Team XTR builds feature Race Face Next R crank with SB+ Cinch spindle. SRAM equipped Race and Pro build Trail 429’s from Pivot come equipped with SRAM DUB SB+ cranks with chainrings and/or spindles optimized for the 56.5mm Super Boost Plus chain line.  Team XX1 builds come equipped with the One Up Switch Spider and chainring system. 

The standard Race Face Turbine and Aeffect R cranks with the Cinch chainring flipped is also fully compatible with the Super Boost Plus 157 system (although flipped chainrings are not compatible with Shimano 12 speed systems). One Up (Switch Spider and chainring system) and Wolf Tooth both offer Super Boost Plus spiders and/or chainrings to make standard SRAM GXP and DUB cranks Super Boost Plus compatible. One Up information can be found below:

https://www.oneupcomponents.com/collections/switch/products/switch-sdm?variant=31481758337

Shimano has also added new Super Boost Plus specific crank options to their lineup. 

The Trail 429 will accept cranks with a standard Q factor measurement as low as 168mm and featuring a 55-57mm chainline.

The Trail 429 medium frame w/ Float DPS weighs approximately 5.9lbs (2.7kg).  Our complete, medium, Team XTR build comes in at approximately 26.5lbs (12kg).  Pivot bicycles are among the lightest available, but the weight is only one of many factors that make a great bicycle. Other aspects such as frame stiffness, strength, durability, and ride quality are just as important as weight to our engineers when designing our Hollow Core Carbon frames. Instead of comparing grams online, we suggest you visit your local Pivot dealer and see our attention to detail, smart, high value spec, and class leading features. Bring a scale if you’d like but take just one demo ride and you’ll feel why Pivot Cycles are the most well-rounded, highest performing bicycles on the market and in many cases, yes, it’s the lightest as well. 

A detailed PDF of the torque specs can be found under the "Tech Info" tab.

Have some questions about using Fox Live Valve on your Trail 429? We are here to help.

You set sag just as you would on regular suspension, but with the Live Valve system turned off so you get accurate readings. We make it easy to get the best ride out of your Pivot bike with a simple sag indicator already installed on your bike, and this follow-along video featuring our own Bernard Kerr:

https://vimeo.com/pivotcycles/sag

Battery life is highly dependent on Live Valve settings and terrain. Average life ranges between 16 and 26 hours. For most riders, that covers several weeks of riding.

Charge times range between 1.5-2 hours depending on the power source. If you forget to charge the system before a ride it only takes 15 minutes to get enough power for a 2-hour ride.

When the system detects a low battery, it goes into open mode and shuts down.

Yes. Riding Live Valve powered off is just like riding your bike with the suspension in the open mode. Pivot’s awesome dw-link suspension always offers class-leading performance with the system on or off and the LIVE Valve fork and shock feature a full range of low speed compression adjustability so you can still set your bike up for a wide range of conditions even with the system turned off.

Yes, within reason. Things like washing your bike, riding in the rain or normal puddles and small water crossings are fine. We do not recommend total submersion or a direct blast of water from a pressure washer – both could push water past seals and compromise the electronic system.

The Live battery can be charged on or off the bike and is charged using a standard micro-USB cable.

If you forget to turn the system off, Live Valve shuts off automatically if motion is not sensed for 1.5 hours. However, it is best to turn it off manually for battery charge preservation.

Yes, all Trail 429 frames are fully compatible, and Fox offers a complete preprogrammed system that is specific to the Trail 429. However, the system would need to replace your current Fork and Shock and is far more cost effective when purchased as part of a Trail 429 complete bike.  Please see your authorized Pivot dealer for information.