Pivot Cycles has used the Sea Otter Classic race this weekend to launch its new 2016 LES hardtail. Designed as a fast race, training and XC-hooning hardtail, it’s an evolution of the bike that Mike Hall used to race the Tour Divide in 2013 in a bonkers-quick time.
For this year, the bare frame has dropped 50g and Pivot reckons that geared bike builds under 20lbs are definitely do-able. Like the Pivot Mach4 (as reviewed in the next issue of Singletrack Magazine) the LES is pretty future-proof with swappable cable ports for either gear cables or Di2 wires. There’s also the same battery hatch on the downtube that will fit a Di2 battery inside.
Out back, as they say in Australia, things get interesting with Pivot’s Swinger II dropouts. These can either be set solid with a chip that fills the arc of the adjustable dropout for solid wheel engagement when racing, or a smaller chip swap allows for the chainstay length to be varied to either suit rider preferences or to tension a singlespeed setup. The rear end is now Boost 148mm and the bike is designed for 29in wheels or 27.5+
UK prices remain unchanged at £1600 frame only. Medium and Large frames available to order now through your shop (via distributor Upgrade Bikes). Other sizes expected 4-6 weeks. We hear that team Pivot-Boompods racing will be running a few, and you’ll see the ever-charismatic Rory Hitchens racing one in 27Plus guise at Mountain Mayhem in June…
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