Inside Look: Pivot Cycles LES Fat do-it-all fat bike
Editor’s Note: This content is courtesy of Pivot Cycles and is not an independent review by Mtbr.
The 2016 Pivot Cycles LES Fat is one of the most versatile bikes to hit the market this year, fat or otherwise. For a better understanding of all it can do, check out this video to hear Pivot frontman Chris Cocalis explain the pertinent details of this go-anywhere-anytime two-wheeled fun machine.
Pivot’s Chris Cocalis calls the LES Fat one of the most exciting and fun bikes his company has ever created. That’s primarily due to its near limitless applications. Thanks to a newly patented Swinger drop out system, you can quickly and easily alter chainstay length and bottom bracket height to accommodate everything from 26×4” or 5” fat bike tires, to more summertime friendly 27.5+ and 29+ wheel sizes. Indeed the LES Fat is essentially four bikes in one.
With all the options in the rear end, Cocalis also addressed the front of the bike thanks to a pair of swappable lower headset cups that maintain proper front end handling by perfectly balancing geometry to the rider’s chosen wheel size. The LES Fat also comes with full carbon rigid fork that, you guessed it, will accommodate nearly any wheel size. And if you want a little more squish, the fork’s 150mm dropout spacing matches the popular RockShox Bluto fat bike suspension fork, so you’ll only need one wheelset to toggle back and forth between the two.
Additional frame features include minimized Q-factor expansion for a more natural pedal stroke, massive downtube and chainstays for optimal efficient power transfer, and the ability to spec 1x or 2x drivetrain systems for maximum gearing choice. Even cable routing offers options, assuring the cleanest possible installation and finished look. Dropper post routing and three water bottle mounts open up even more doors to adventure.
But don’t just take our word for it. Witness first hand the LES Fat’s versatility (not to mention durability), as freeride superstar Aaron Chase goes where few fat bike riders have gone before in this jaw-dropping edit from a day of ripping around New Hampshire’s Highland Mountain Bike Park.
Click here to view the embedded video.
The Pivot LES Fat comes in two great build options: SRAM XX1 and a more budget friendly SRAM XO1.
The XX1 kit features SRAM’s best-in-class 1×11 drivetrain, top-end SRAM Guide Ultimate hydraulic disc brakes, Phoenix bar, stem, seatpost and grips, 100mm RockShox Bluto RCT suspension fork, and DT Swiss 26” 350/2250 XD wheels shod with trail/snow taming Maxxis Mammoth 26×4.0” tires.
The XO1 build swaps the Bluto in favor Pivot’s LES Fat rigid carbon disc fork, SRAM Guide R hydraulic disc brakes, Race Face bars, Phoenix stem, post and grips, and Sun Ringle Mulefut 80mm rims with Salsa hubs and the same Maxxis Mammoth 26×4.0” tires.
Both complete bikes are available now at a Pivot dealer near you. For more info visit www.pivotcycles.com and check out the expansive photo gallery below.
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