P
PivotShadowcat
mtb
01
Origin
The Shadowcat arrived in 2021 as Pivot's uncompromising celebration of the 27.5" wheel — a counter-argument to the industry-wide shift to 29". While most brands moved to larger hoops, Pivot doubled down on 650b for riders who prioritise technical precision, playful handling, and quick-turning aggression over straight-line roll speed. With 140 mm of DW-link travel and a 160 mm fork, it sits squarely in the trail-enduro overlap, aimed at riders who love tight singletrack and technical features.
02
Specifications
- Frame
- Hollow-core carbon fiber, size-specific layups, molded downtube/seatstay/chainstay protection, SRAM UDH; frame weight ~2.3 kg (5 lb) size MD
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- 1x12 — SRAM X01/GX Eagle or Shimano XTR/XT/SLX (build-dependent)
- Brakes
- Hydraulic disc — SRAM Code / Level or Shimano XTR/XT (build-dependent)
- Wheels
- 27.5" (650b) tubeless-ready, carbon or alloy (build-dependent)
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The verdict
+Strengths
- Exceptional playful handling and technical precision on tight singletrack
- 27.5" keeps bike weight down without sacrificing carbon quality
- DW-link efficiency makes 140 mm feel fast for its travel
−Weaknesses
- 27.5" rolls slower than 29" on smooth, flat terrain
- Limited to 4 sizes — not ideal for very tall riders
- Niche choice as mainstream market has largely moved to 29"
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Tags
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Related models
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