Pivot Switchblade vs YT Jeffsy 27

[FredCook ✓ supporter]

Probably been asked before… but looking for real world consumer feedback…

Been looking at YT’s Jeffy 27 and Pivot’s Switchblade.  Absolutely love the Switchblade.  But, the Jeffsy has a great price point and thier neat “Flip” feature.  My 4-6 rides a week (year ’round) for me are a mix of quick smooth sweeping XC single track, to aggressive “trail/all mountain” climbs and descents with roots and rocks with 45 degrees+ not uncommon, although not very long.  Also do a few trips a year to the likes of South Tahoe, Vail, etc.  I don’t doubt the handling of both of these bikes, and components are right.  I’m staying with 27.5, as I like the nimbleness and tight control of my 26.  My primary concern is up hill… both longer grinds as well as short/steep techy climbs.  Any real world experience with either, or both?  Appreciate the feedback!

[Dr Sweets]

@fredcook: “Been looking at YT’s Jeffy 27 and Pivot’s Switchblade.  Absolutely love the Switchblade.  But, the Jeffsy has a great price point and thier neat “Flip” feature.  My 4-6 rides a week (year ’round) for me are a mix of quick smooth sweeping XC single track, to aggressive “trail/all mountain” climbs and descents with roots and rocks with 45 degrees+ not uncommon, although not very long.  Also do a few trips a year to the likes of South Tahoe, Vail, etc.  I don’t doubt the handling of both of these bikes, and components are right.  I’m staying with 27.5, as I like the nimbleness and tight control of my 26.  My primary concern is up hill… both longer grinds as well as short/steep techy climbs.  Any real world experience with either, or both?  Appreciate the feedback!”

Some things to note. First, the Pivot Switchblade is a 29er/27.5+ not a 27.5 bike. The least expensive model you can get has an MSRP of over $5K. Pivot’s comparable bike to the Jeffsy 27.5 is the Mach 6. The Jeffsy is in fact a 27.5 bike and for the money you’d spend on the base level Pivot you could buy the top end YT. Clearly the Jeffsy is a better deal. I’ve ridden several Pivots (Mach 6, 429 trail, Firebird) and none of them blew me away. They were all good, but not great especially for the cost. I’ve ridden the YT Capra which now is a bit dated in design, but it is a really nice pedaling bike and is a blast to mow over everything with. I suspect from reviews that the Jeffsy possesses similar traits in a more trail-friendly package and good lawdy you cannot beat the price. If you know your way around setting up/sizing your bike and don’t need to run to a lbs to have them mess with every adjustment (or don’t mind paying them to do so) then YT is the way to go.

Now if you really want the most badass 27.5 bike available today IMHO, get an Evil The Calling. A $5K price point will get you the well-spec’d GX Eagle model. This bike will blow away any 27.5 trail bike out there and many with way more travel. If you like to play when you ride, slashing and jumping everything, basically riding like a complete reprobate, this is your bike.

[FredCook ✓ supporter]

Thanks for the feedback.  Agree… Jeffsy seems to be more a Mach 6, especially in travel.  Some of the Jeffsy geometry leans toward Pivot’s Switchblade/Mach 4… like the shorter chain stay (addressing my climbing concern).  Jeffsy’s head tube angle falls between the Mach 5.5/Mach 6.  BB height is definitely in the Mach 6 range.  What I do find interesting is YT’s Flip Chip allowing some geometry adjustments in head tube angle, etc.  May or may not be significant.  Realistically… either would be more than I need 🙂  But with YT, you get a nice kit for the price.  Still looking into their frame warranty.  Pivot now goes 10 years on their frames.  I take a look at the Evil.

[Dr Sweets]

@fredcook: “I take a look at the Evil.”

There are tons of reviews out on The Calling (and everything Evil’s line up) without much of anything bad to say. I happen to be the information mentalist (kook) for my friend who has the Evil dealership for Georgia so ask any questions you want. We’ve put many people on them.

[Alvin Mullen]

I spent two years demoing every FS bike I could get my hands that had from 140mm to 160mm trying to decide on what to get. Plenty of great bikes out there and there were several I would have been happy with. But there were three bikes that I could not find anywhere do demo near me, that had great reviews and called to me. The YT Jeffsy, the Foes Racing Mixer, and the Evil Insurgent.

After talking to Dr S, I had him hook me up with his friend in GA. I got the Insurgent for Christmas. I am very happy with it. My riding buddy, who already had a Specialized Stumpjumper Carbon, took one ride on the Insurgent and ordered one himself. He is supposed to have it ready for our Ocala, FL, Santos trip this weekend.

[Dr Sweets]

@AlvinMullen: “After talking to Dr S, I had him hook me up with his friend in GA. I got the Insurgent for Christmas. I am very happy with it. My riding buddy, who already had a Specialized Stumpjumper Carbon, took one ride on the Insurgent and ordered one himself. He is supposed to have it ready for our Ocala, FL, Santos trip this weekend.”

^^^What this guy said. I’ve warned people that if you demo an Evil be prepared to buy one as more than 80% of the people we’ve had demo make the purchase.

[rmap01 ✓ supporter]

Dr. S – given the OP’s original question, what’s your take on the climbing capabilities of these bikes?

[Dr Sweets]

@rmap01: “Dr. S – given the OP’s original question, what’s your take on the climbing capabilities of these bikes?”

Nothing Evil makes is designed to have XC-like climbing abilities, but no one looks at Evil for that anyway. All of their bikes climb similar, which is very good for what they are…absolute hell-raising trail-crushers. You are not likely to nab any KOM’s with them, but they will get you to the top efficiently and without coughing up a lung. Then when you do descend you’ll drop/destroy everyone around you. That said, my absolute fastest Strava (the shame) times both up and down are on Evils (I have ridden/owned/demoed almost anything you can think of in my 30+ years of riding with 20 on full suspension bikes). The Calling is exceptionally fast, but my Wreckoning has been the fastest all around* bike I’ve ever ridden. However, if you want the fastest climber in Evil’s stable, I’d go for the new Following MB followed (see what I did there?) by the Calling. The Wreckoning and The Insurgent both climb well, but the aforementioned will be a wee bit more spirited.

*all around: In my 8 mos with my Wrecker, I have ridden multiple 3-5 hr mountain rides, weekly local sub 2 hr blasts, CO, NC and UT all day rides and back to back bike park days. It has handled all of them with aplomb and I never felt out-gunned or like it was overkill anywhere. I can’t think of too many other bikes I’d want in it’s place.

One final point: I may be getting better at maintenance in my advancing years, but I think bikes are also built/designed better too. I built the Wreckoning mostly myself with some help from my dealership pal. It has remained absolutely silent with nary a squeak, creak and nothing more than the roar of my freehub. Considering my Clydesdale size and angry bear riding style this is pretty impressive.

 

[rmap01 ✓ supporter]

Thanks Dr S.  I appreciate the insights.  I demo’ed the Following when I rode DuPont and it was a blast.  I haven’t (yet) had an opportunity to ride the Calling.

Strava (the shame)

I feel your shame… lol

[Dr Sweets]

@rmap01: “Thanks Dr S.  I appreciate the insights.  I demo’ed the Following when I rode DuPont and it was a blast.  I haven’t (yet) had an opportunity to ride the Calling.”

The Calling is the apex predator of all modern trail bikes. If you to jib, jump and generally ride like a complete hooligan, this is your bike. I nearly bought one instead of my Wrecker and I would not be too upset aboard one. In the “X-Low” setting it shreds like nothing else out there. The Wreckoning does this too, but has more ability to mow over everything if you like.

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