Pivot Switchblade V6 Pro X0 Eagle Transmission Bike w/Carbon Wheel Upgrade

The Pivot Switchblade V6 Pro X0 Eagle Transmission Bike with Carbon Wheel Upgrade is what happens when you refuse to choose between a capable climber and a committed descender. Pivot's sixth-generation Switchblade chassis runs 160mm of front travel and 142mm in the rear, a travel range that puts it squarely in all-mountain territory — light enough to pedal hard all day, composed enough to handle whatever the trail throws at you on the way back down. The V6 geometry leans into the modern playbook: slacker head angle for descending confidence, a steeper seat angle for efficient climbing position, and longer reach across all sizes for a more centered, planted feel at speed.

The engine driving the rear end is Pivot's dw-link suspension — a four-bar linkage designed by legendary suspension engineer Dave Weagle that separates braking forces from suspension movement, keeping the wheel tracking cleanly through rough sections whether you're on the gas or hauling on the brakes. The rear suspension tune on the Switchblade deliberately blends the snappy pedaling character of Pivot's shorter-travel trail bikes with the composed, progressive feel needed for EWS-caliber terrain. It pedals efficiently without sacrifice, descends confidently without feeling like a slack-angled slog back to the trailhead. Size-specific chainstay lengths fine-tune the balance across the size run — shorter on smaller frames for agility, incrementally longer on larger sizes for stability.

The Pro build is equipped with a Fox Factory 36 fork running a 44mm offset and the GRIP2 damper — one of the most adjustable fork dampers available, with independent high- and low-speed compression and rebound circuits that let you dial the fork precisely to your trail and riding style. The rear shock is the Fox Factory Float X, matched to the dw-link tune for the Switchblade's travel and leverage curve. Both ends of the suspension are Kashima-coated and Fox Factory spec — not a marketing tier, but genuinely the top of the Fox lineup. The Fox Factory Transfer dropper post rounds out the Fox package, sized to the frame: 125mm travel on XS, 150mm on S, 175mm on Medium, and 200mm on L and XL.

The drivetrain is SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission — SRAM's wireless 12-speed system that integrates the derailleur, pod controller, and cassette into a sealed, cable-free drivetrain. The X0 Transmission rear derailleur connects directly to the AXS Pod Controller with no housing to route or tension, and the clutch mechanism engages automatically. The SRAM X0 Eagle DUB 32T crank pairs with the X0 1295 cassette in a 10-52 range, giving you both the gearing to spin up long sustained climbs and the top-end to push big speeds on fast, open descents. Stopping is handled by SRAM Code RSC 4-piston calipers with 200mm rotors up front and 180mm in the rear — the Code RSC is SRAM's gravity-oriented brake, built for heat management and sustained power on long descents.

The carbon wheel upgrade replaces the standard alloy option with the DT Swiss XMC 1501 wheelset — a carbon cross-country race wheel mounted on DT Swiss 240 hubs. The front hub runs a 15x110mm Boost axle; the rear pairs with the DT Swiss 240 EXP featuring a 36-tooth Star Ratchet and 12x157mm Super Boost spacing. Both wheels use 30mm internal rim width, which pairs well with the Maxxis Minion DHF 29x2.5 up front and Minion DHRII 29x2.4 in the rear. The weight savings and stiffer carbon rim construction sharpen steering response and acceleration compared to the base alloy build — a meaningful upgrade on a bike in this price range and with this much geometry to work with.

Design Benefits

1. dw-link suspension delivers a platform that climbs and descends without compromise. By separating braking inputs from suspension movement, the dw-link keeps the rear wheel tracking the ground cleanly under braking, acceleration, and pedaling forces simultaneously. The Switchblade's rear suspension tune draws directly from Pivot's longer-travel Firebird, giving the bike a progressive, confidence-inspiring feel on steep, technical terrain while still snapping out of corners like a trail bike.
2. Full Fox Factory suspension front and rear. The Fox Factory 36 with GRIP2 damper and the Fox Factory Float X shock are top-spec components, not mid-range parts with a Factory badge. Independent high- and low-speed compression and rebound adjustment let you tune both ends precisely — for your weight, your riding style, and your local terrain.
3. SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission removes mechanical shifting complexity entirely. No cables, no housing, no barrel adjusters. The wireless X0 Transmission derailleur pairs with the AXS Pod Controller for crisp, consistent shifts under load that don't degrade as the drivetrain wears. The 10-52T cassette handles everything from steep fire roads to technical singletrack.
4. DT Swiss XMC 1501 carbon wheels sharpen the ride feel significantly. Carbon rims and DT Swiss 240 hubs upgrade the rotational weight and stiffness profile over the standard alloy build. The DT Swiss 240 rear hub uses the EXP Star Ratchet engagement system — fast pickup, low friction, and field-serviceable without specialty tools.
5. SRAM Code RSC brakes are built for sustained, high-heat descents. Four-piston calipers with 200mm front and 180mm rear rotors provide the stopping power and heat management needed for the kind of all-mountain terrain the Switchblade is designed to handle.

Final Take

The Pivot Switchblade V6 Pro with X0 Eagle Transmission and the carbon wheel upgrade is the right build for the rider who uses one bike for everything. It's not a trail bike that tolerates big terrain — it's an all-mountain machine that still pedals like a trail bike, with the component spec and geometry to handle whatever you ride it into. At $9,899, you're getting Fox Factory suspension at both ends, SRAM's top-tier wireless drivetrain, lightweight DT Swiss carbon wheels, and Pivot's most versatile chassis. For riders who want to do it all without swapping bikes, the Switchblade V6 Pro answers the question before you finish asking it.