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The New Pivot LES Fat Might Be the Most Versatile Fat Bike Yet!

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Pivot LES Fat Bike carbon aaron chase single speed 29+ 27+ (2)

Pivot just recently announced the signing of Freeride star and pioneer Aaron Chase. So naturally, the first bike that Pivot has him introduces is…. a fat bike. The Pivot LES Fat is not just any fat bike though, it is what looks to be a category crushing jack of all trades that just happens to be fat.

Now, there are a number of bikes out there that make that claim to be versatile, but how many of those are built to adapt to 4 different wheel size standards? Better yet, Pivot claims that 26 X 3.8, 26 X 4.8, 27.5+ and 29+ wheels and tires can all be run on the LES Fat without compromises in geometry. Throw in the ability to run rigid or suspension for the front end, 1x, 2x, or even single speed drivetrains, and internal dropper posts and you have a serious contender for the new fat super bike.

And in case you’re wondering – yes, there are gratuitous (corked!) backflips on a fat bike after the jump…

2-LES FAT side copy

 

On paper, the LES Fat has just about everything you could want from an aggressive, trail oriented fat bike. Using Pivot’s proprietary Hollow Core internal molding technology, the LES Fat features a full carbon frame and rigid fork. Calling it the “largest downtube in the category” LES Fat has an aggressive stance that follows loosely from the LES hard tail. The top tube and seat stay profiles remain slim to aide in ride quality which is quite the contrast with the massive lower half of the bike.

 

Pivot LES Fat Bike carbon aaron chase single speed 29+ 27+ (14)

Pivot LES Fat Bike carbon aaron chase single speed 29+ 27+ (17) Pivot LES Fat Bike carbon aaron chase single speed 29+ 27+ (16)

Running multiple wheelsets on a fat bike isn’t exactly new, but having a bike truly designed with all those wheel sizes in mind is unique. In order to make the LES Fat compatible with the 4 different wheel sizes, one of the biggest features is the patented Swinger II dropout system. Most fat bikes will fit 29+ wheels and tires, but the larger diameter ends up raising the bottom bracket and front end. To counter that, as you pull the Swinger II dropouts back, the bottom bracket gets progressively lower. This indexed adjustment arc also allows for chainstay length adjustments for fat bike wheels, and the ability to run single speed.

After loosening two drive side anchor bolts and three non-drive anchor bolts, adjustments to the dropouts are easily made with adjustment screws on each side. Rear axle spacing is set at 197×12 and includes a non-quick release rear axle.

Pivot LES Fat Bike carbon aaron chase single speed 29+ 27+ (11)

Further adjustability is built into the front end of the bike, with each frameset and complete bike shipping with two separate lower head set cups. Again, 29+ wheels and tires or suspension forks with fat bike tires raise the front end of the bike. To allow for the taller set ups while still working with rigid forks and smaller wheels and tires, there is a Zero Stack and an 18mm cup option. The Zero Stack is used for the taller suspension forks and 29+ set ups, while everything else – rigid 26 x 3.8-4.8″ and 27.5+ will use the 18mm cup.

Fans of interchangeability will also be happy to see a 150mm spaced carbon fork from Pivot. Complete with a 150x15mm axle, the tapered steerer fork is fully compatible with the RockShox Bluto so riders will only need one wheel to swap back and forth.

Pivot LES Fat Bike carbon aaron chase single speed 29+ 27+ (7)

Pivot LES Fat Bike carbon aaron chase single speed 29+ 27+ (10) Pivot LES Fat Bike carbon aaron chase single speed 29+ 27+ (18)

Pivot LES Fat Bike carbon aaron chase single speed 29+ 27+ (9)

Further attention to detail is highlighted at the bottom bracket with a PF132 bottom bracket and a co-designed Pivot/e*thirteen crankset. We’re checking into the specifics, but the crankset which will ship with complete bikes has what Pivot is calling an “optimized Q-Factor.” Basically the 5″ tire compatible frame has a crankset designed with an ideal chainline, but the Q-factor of cranks meant for frames with 4″ tires only.

Using a Shimano Sideswing derailleur with the low profile 3-type mount, the frame is 2x compatible as well as 1x and SS. Full length internal cable routing for all derailleurs, brakes, and internally routed dropper posts are all managed with Pivot’s new Cable Port System that was recently introduced with the new Mach 4. Additional features include 3 water bottle cage mounts plus rear rack mounts, though mounts on the fork are lacking.

Pivot LES Fat Bike carbon aaron chase single speed 29+ 27+ (4)

Specs:

  • Fits all fat/plus wheel sizes (26 X 3.8, 26 X 4.8, 27.5+ and 29+) via Swinger II dropout system, without geometry compromises
  • Full carbon frame featuring proprietary hollow core internal molding technology
  • Optimized layup structure with svelte top tube and stay shaping for long ride and epic adventure comfort while featuring the largest downtube in the category
  • Full length internal cable routing via Pivot’s exclusive Cable Port System
  • Optimized narrow Q-factor design
  • Complete bikes include co-designed lower Q factor E-Thirteen fat bike-specific crankset
  • 132mm wide press fit bottom bracket for light weight, durability and ease of maintenance
  • 2x and 1x and singlespeed compatible
  • 197mm rear spacing and optimized design clears 5″ tires with massive clearance for unpacked snow, mud and sand
  • Pivot designed carbon fork with 150mm spacing
  • RockShox Bluto compatible
  • Ships with both 18mm and Zero Stack headset cups for correct geometry at any wheel size
  • Shimano Sideswing front derailleur compatible via a low profile e-type mount
  • Geared and singlespeed compatible
  • Rear rack mounts
  • Internal dropper post compatible
  • 3 bottle cage mounts
  • Highly durable rubberized leather chainstay protection
  • Sizes S, M, L for riders between 5’6″ and 6’4″
  • Available as a complete bike or as a frame/fork/headset

2-LES FAT side copy Pivot LES Fat Bike carbon aaron chase single speed 29+ 27+ (12)

Available as a frame/fork/headset or as a complete bike, LES Fats will be sold in S, M, and L frames to fit riders from 5’6″ – 6’4″. Frames will start at $2599 with both headset cups, while a complete bike with an X01 build slates in at $4699.

pivotcycles.com

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29 Comments
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Dave
Dave
9 years ago

This bike is awesome!!!!!!!!

Doug B
Doug B
9 years ago

So if you want to go with a slack head angle you keep the 18mm cup and go with 29+?
Like it lots.

buriedundersnow
buriedundersnow
9 years ago

Good show Pivot – some nice forward thinking there…..you guys covered a lot of bases.

Tad Dickman
Tad Dickman
9 years ago

Cool, but did they get Maxxis to make them special tires without the blaze yellow lettering, or is that just a photoshop job on the product photos. Still the yellow on the action shots. Trivial, I know… but the stand out lettering looks ridiculous on every bike i’ve seen running them.

Tad Dickman
Tad Dickman
9 years ago

Wow. The FRAMEset starts at $2599? Or get a very similar Framed bikes full carbon frame & fork with X1 11speed complete bike for $2400 with the exact same tires.

Doug
Doug
9 years ago

Looks cool. The only thing I’d change is to have a threaded BB, as opposed to press fit. Oh, yeah, and the price is high, but I think this kind of a bike has potential. I could go with a 170 rear end and max tire width of 3.8, but that is just me. I’d rather have a 100mm standard BB/crankset, then a special wider crankset with a narrow q factor

wheelz
wheelz
9 years ago

Looks amazing. They should probably provide an option to buy without the fork as well for people who for sure want a Bluto fork. Then the price would more competitive with other carbon hardtails such as the Jet 9 RDO (currently $2000 MSRP without a fork).

Dave
Dave
9 years ago

Tad,

What other companies are you comparing this bike to? Have you ever owned a PIVOT? You can always finds lots of bikes for less money but not much can compare to a PIVOT.

Doc vélo
Doc vélo
9 years ago

Looks like a rockymountain , but in carbon !

Dougal
Dougal
9 years ago

Looks a great frame but so fed up with raw flat black carbon frames.

JBikes
JBikes
9 years ago

I’d like to see front rack mounts on the fork for a real do-it-all (sans dedicated road/road touring) bike. I’d make a 29er version my commuter and save a set of 26 fatties for weekend fun. Would eliminate at least 2 of my bikes.

Sumskillz
Sumskillz
9 years ago

Pivot bikes are awesome, just hard to find dealers. Not sure I want to travel 100’s of KM’s just to test drive/buy one.

Matt
Matt
9 years ago

Sub 70 deg head angles should be mandatory on fat bikes. Kudos.

Ivan
Ivan
9 years ago

I second JBikes…

With rack mounting points on the forks it would be TRULY universal machine.

And I can even excuse them hated PF BB…

Cheers!
I.

pfs
pfs
9 years ago

Sweet, a custom crankset for a custom width BB? Hope you like it and it works, because its the only option!

mjw
mjw
9 years ago

(deleted)

Dave
Dave
9 years ago

Sumskillz,

So where do you live. can’t imagine that it’s hundred’s of km’s to the nearest dealer

holmslice
holmslice
9 years ago

they should call this comment section the “ARMCHAIR EXPERT BLAH BLAH BLAH YADA YADA REPORT.”

Lars
Lars
9 years ago

Awesome frame!!! Any chance for an XL frame?

Baz
Baz
9 years ago

I’m with @Lars. Great frame but there needs to be an XL with a 640mm top tube and 533mm seat tube (at least). Why are so many brands not making XL carbon fat bikes. Most of the Chinese ones are the same. Looks like the only real option for an XL carbon fat bike is the Salsa.

abc
abc
9 years ago

First the Phoenix and now this. Wow, Pivot is seriously stepping up its game.
I second the fact that it would have been perfect with a threaded BB.

Versatility and compatibility, this bike has it all!

Very good job Pivot.

Espen Wettre
Espen Wettre
9 years ago

Wow!

When/where can I get one?

E

Ol' Shel'
Ol' Shel'
9 years ago

Why would you want longer stays just to lower the BB? WHy lower the BB to tension the chain, even when you don’t want it low?

Caspar
Caspar
9 years ago

Wow , so much and yet it could have been more.
Dropper cabel exiting and reentering at the bb area , why not keep it internal all the way , should be plenty of room for routing it around the axel inside that huge downtube.Same for the rear mech and brake lines , looks like theres plenty room for keeping them inside around the toptube/seattube junction and them have them exit further down the seaststays.

Lancelot
Lancelot
9 years ago

I would plop down the cash if they made a XL.

lgreen
lgreen
9 years ago

Just so you guys know, they are making an XL frame. Not sure if it’s announced, but I think they’re getting started on it.

Royce
Royce
8 years ago

This bike has my name written all over it.. Versatile, light, fun.. But holy crap!!.. How do you warrant that price??.. FF or complete?.. Carbon FF no suspension etc for $4699 USD?!!..By my reckoning that’s approximately $1700 over priced.. Yep granted the work n research to create what is undoubtedly a great machine as are all Pivot cycles.. But Geez.. Really would love to purchase one but that prices me n a whole lotta people without enormous disposable income way out of the market.. Gutted.. Dream bike will stay just that.. A dream..

JasonDoubleU
JasonDoubleU
8 years ago

#pivotcycles – larger size please. 6’2″, 36 inch inseam means I can’t ride your bike!! Would love it, but apparently I’m too far out of the bell curve. Oh, well Fatboy it’ll have to be.

Eric
Eric
8 years ago

Could you use a angle set headset? It would be nice to have a steeper head angle (71-72) in the 29+ configuration for tighter summer single track.

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