Puxatawney Phil says it’ll be a short winter and the MTB racing season is warming up, so it’s time for new bikes from Pivot and Scott, along with the announcement of a new Mondraker DH-focused squad.
New Scott Ransom
Engineered for maximum downhill performance and an all-time confidence inspiring ride, the Scott Ransom’s killer geometry is paired with a supernatural suspension kinematic resulting in a bike that doesn’t take “No” for an answer.
The frame has been reengineered for the increasing demands of enduro racing as well as park sessions, and the geometry has been dialed for an inspiring ride in the roughest and fastest terrain.
The design of the frame, with horizontal shock positioning that is enclosed within the carbon monocoque makes for a very clean look, but that’s not the only advantage. It also allow for even longer dropper posts to be specced – up to a 180mm drop on the size M frame.
Keeping up with current trends, the Ransom can be built up with 29″ wheels as standard, or run a mullet setup with a 27.5″ wheel in the back via a simple flip chip. Head tube angle can be adjusted as well.
Complete builds start at $5999 and go up to the SRAM XO AXS Transmission equipped 900 RC at $9999.
Mondraker Factory Team
After a decade of supporting MS-Mondraker, Mondraker announced in December that they were stepping away from the team. Now, Mondraker has announced the creation of their first factory DH race team with Mondraker Factory Racing. They say that this is “a 100% Mondraker project featuring some of the best riders in the world.”
Dakotah Norton, Ryan Pinkerton, and Rónán Dunne were recently announced as the squad for the newest premier World Cup Downhill team. With multiple World Cup podiums and wins as well as two U.S. National Championships, this crew is ready to brawl in 2024.
Mondraker Factory Racing will have the support of Shimano for drivetrain and brakes, Fox Racing Shox for suspension, Alpinestars for kit, E*thirteen for wheels, Maxxis for tires, X-Sauce for oils, maintenance and cleaning product, and Ergon for grips and saddles.
Mondraker says that Mondraker Factory Racing will also have the backing of the Engineering and Prototypes Department at Mondraker as well as support from the factory.
“We’re setting out on a new stage in competition with Mondraker Factory Racing. There’s no denying our passion for racing has always been inseparable from our roots as a brand. We’ve always aimed to develop the best tech available, taking it to the absolute limit on some of the toughest race tracks in the world, so it was inevitable that we ended up where we are, with the Mondraker Factory Racing team, because we just knew that we wanted a structure with all the resources of the factory behind it to best serve the needs and potential of some of the best riders in the world. Simply put, we want Mondraker to be back at the top of world class downhill racing. It’s a huge step in our history as a brand, making history in the Formula 1 of mountain biking.— Miguel Pina, CEO of Mondraker
Pivot Switchblade Gets Updates
Trail riding is becoming increasingly dynamic; influenced by the physicality of Enduro racing and the agility of park riding, the best trail bike nowadays has to excel across a wide span of terrain and riding styles. Adaptability and versatility are key. Bearing this in mind, Pivot set a simple design goal for the all new Switchblade: To build the best all-round mountain bike you can swing a leg over.
“The Switchblade makes big gains in its descending performance while improving traction in technical climbing situations,” says Chris Cocalis, founder and CEO of pivot. “With more capable geometry and updated dw-link kinematics, the new bike handles better, climbs better, and is more comfortable in a bike park setting but retains its standing as a bike you can ride anywhere. This new Switchblade improves upon every area of performance, and sets a new bar for how a 140-150mm travel Trail/Enduro bike should ride.”
Utilization of a slightly longer lower link infused the new Switchblade with Firebird DNA, allowing the 142mm of dw-Link suspension travel to provide better small bump compliance, more tractability and improved bottom out resistance. Geometry has stretched to suit contemporary needs with a slacker head angle, steeper seat angle, increased reach and longer wheelbase. Versatility is added to these refinements with size-specific chainstays and a flip-chip that can fine tune geometry as well as cater to mixed rear wheel configurations.
The Switchblade will be available in colors Blue Neptune, Stealth Mojave and limited edition Pink Neon and can be purchased in ten build options from Shimano and SRAM, with pricing from $6,399 to $11,599. Available now, in sizes XS through XL, at key Pivot dealers worldwide. For more information visit: https://global.pivotcycles.com/products/switchblade (after 2/6/2024, 12:01 AM PST)
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