Pivot's all-new Trailcat is two mountain bikes in one
Short-travel and even shorter travel with brand-new colourways.
More News
The Trail 429 gets an all-new flip chip, a geometry tweak and a vertically mounted shock
Updates include a revised suspension platform and all new bike - The THRON
The Jeht gets updated tubing and better rider fit
Carbon and aluminium bikes designed for enduro
Pivot is always updating its mountain bikes, and with the Switchblade taking on a more enduro flavour, the brand noticed a gap forming in its range. Today, Pivot aims to fill that gap with not one, but technically, two new mountain bikes. Meet the Pivot Trailcat SL and LT.
- Pivot Shuttle LT Pro XO e-MTB review
- New Pivot Phoenix finally breaks cover
- Pivot introduces PFR limited edition Firebird
Taking the place of the Trail 429 and Trail 429 Enduro models, the new Trailcat comes in two guises to please two types of riders. The Trailcat SL comes equipped with 140mm of travel up front with 120mm at the rear whereas the Trailcat LT comes with 150mm of suspension at the front, and 135mm at the rear. Both bikes share the same frame.
In the shorter-travel SL version, the Trailcat is designed to be mega-versatile, lightweight and fun. Primed for all-day adventures while balancing efficiency and agility with composure through the rough stuff.
2025 pivot trailcat N lt hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The LT model of the Trailcat fits into the typical trail category and is built to bring a similar level of efficiency as its small travel sibling but up the capability factor.
As both bikes use the same frame, they utilise specific upper links and a flippable lower shock mount to accommodate four different shock lengths. This also tunes the ride character. Of course, front suspension travel differences are achieved through running different forks.
New for Pivot and found on the Trailcat is the Toolshed in-frame storage system. Pivot has put a lot of effort into the design of its door, using an integrated magnet that can hold quick links. There's a strap-loop built into the underside of the door. Two Toolshed bags are included.
2025 pivot trailcat N LT h.jpg, by Liam Mercer
As usual, the Trailcat benefits from Pivot's Dock Tool System made in collaboration with Topeak. Essentially, it's an accessory mount that sits under the top tube. It's also flippable, with the female components of the door's locking mechanism being removable. Pop them in the opposite orientation and that'll lower the bottle mount, lowering the bottle overall when riding the bike without a piggyback shock.
Like every current Pivot mountain bike, the Trailcat boasts a dw-link suspension design. Pivot promises that it's all about traction and efficiency on the climbs while opening up on the descents, feeling plush and bottomless, says the brand. With that, Pivot mentions that the Trailcat SL pedals like a cross-country bike, while the Trailcat LT pedals like a short-travel trail bike but can descend like an enduro bike.
2025 trailcat tool shed.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Bringing geometry adjustments and rear wheel size options is a flip chip. Flipping it into the high position steepens the head angle by half a degree and raises the BB. It also allows a 650b wheel to sit at the rear without affecting the geometry.
Speaking of geometry, in the low position the Trailcat SL gets a 65.8-degree head angle, a 76-degree effective seat tube and a 432mm chainstay. A large frame comes with a 480mm reach. As for the Trailcat LT, it's a little more aggressive with a 65.3-degree head angle, a 75.6-degree seat tube angle and a 433mm chainstay. The reach on a large LT bike is 475mm.
With that geometry, the brand brings its proprietary ride turning, so each frame receives a carbon layup tuned for the average weight of a person who would ride a certain size. This is to provide what the brand believes is the ride balance of stiffness, compliance, and ride character for all rider profiles. There are also size-specific chainstays.
2025 pivot trailcat N riding.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Both versions get a raft of build options all featuring components from Shimano's SLX, XT and XTR range and SRAM's Eagle Transmission ecosystem from GX up to XX. The Trailcat SL gets a Fox 34 fork at varying levels across the range, and a Float shock.
As its name suggests the Trailcat LT dials things up a notch with a Fox 36 fork and Float X shock. This model range follows a similar style to the Trailcat SL, but no SLX/XT build.
If a new Pivot trail bike sounds like your next bike, expect to spend £6,600 up to £9,600. Pivot also offers a carbon wheel upgrade for £1,200, which swaps the DT Swiss hoops for Reynolds Black Label Trail 329s, and a Fox Live Valve Neo upgrade for an extra £1,500.
For some ride impressions, head over to the Pivot Trailcat LT Pro X0 first ride review.
You might also like:
Author block
