Lightweight Full Suspension Bike for Trail and Enduro Riding

Pivot LES SL Ride SLX/XT – Blue Ribbon

The Pivot LES SL Ride SLX/XT – Blue Ribbon is a lightweight, performance-focused 29-inch hardtail mountain bike built for cross-country racing, fast trail riding, and long-distance adventures. Its carbon frame combines low weight with a modern, confidence-inspiring geometry, while the 100 mm FOX Performance fork helps smooth out rough sections without sacrificing climbing efficiency.

The Ride SLX/XT build pairs a Shimano SLX/XT 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano SLX hydraulic brakes, a Race Face Ride crankset, and a wide-range 10–51T cassette. With fast-rolling 29-inch tires and a rigid aluminum seatpost, the LES SL is designed around efficient power transfer and responsive handling.

The Blue Ribbon finish gives this race-oriented hardtail a distinctive appearance while retaining the clean, purposeful design expected from Pivot's LES platform.

Key Features

• Lightweight LES SL carbon hardtail frame

• 29-inch wheels

• 100 mm front suspension

• FOX Performance Step-Cast 32 fork

• 44 mm fork offset

• Shimano XT M8100 rear derailleur

• Shimano SLX M7100 12-speed shifter

• Race Face Ride 32T crankset

• Shimano SLX 10–51T cassette

• Shimano SLX two-piston hydraulic disc brakes

• DT Swiss X1900 / DT Swiss 370 wheelset on the 2024 configuration

• Maxxis Ardent Race 29 × 2.2-inch tires on the 2024 configuration

• Phoenix Race Low Rise aluminum handlebar

• 780 mm handlebar width

• Phoenix Race aluminum seatpost

• Pivot Precision Sealed Integrated Cartridge headset

• Internal cable routing

• UDH rear derailleur hanger

• Multiple bottle and accessory mounting points

• Blue Ribbon finish

Lightweight Carbon LES SL Frame

At the heart of the bike is the LES SL carbon frame, engineered specifically around the requirements of a fast XC hardtail.

Rather than relying on rear suspension, the LES SL uses the stiffness and carefully tuned compliance of its carbon chassis to provide efficient power transfer while helping take some harshness out of rough terrain. Pivot developed the frame around modern XC geometry, giving the bike a longer, more capable feel than traditional race hardtails.

The frame includes several practical features:

• Carbon construction

• Internal cable routing

• Pivot Cable Port System

• Integrated chainstay protection

• UDH rear derailleur hanger

• Multiple bottle/tool mounting points

• 29-inch wheel compatibility

• Boost-style 15 × 110 mm front and 12 × 148 mm rear spacing

The LES SL is also notably lightweight. Pivot's updated LES SL frame has been documented at approximately 800 g for a size Medium frame, excluding the fork and other components.

FOX Performance Step-Cast 32 Fork

The front suspension is handled by a FOX Performance Step-Cast 32 fork designed specifically for 29-inch XC bikes.

With 100 mm of travel and a 44 mm offset, the fork provides enough movement to absorb roots, rocks, braking bumps, and other trail irregularities while maintaining the efficient character expected from an XC hardtail.

Fork Specifications

• FOX Performance Step-Cast 32

• 29-inch wheel compatibility

• 100 mm travel

• 44 mm offset

• Air spring

• GRIP damper on the later documented specification

Some retailer listings identify the fork with a FIT4 damper instead, illustrating a model-year or component-supply difference. The individual bike's build sheet should therefore be used for final inventory-level identification.

Shimano XT / SLX 12-Speed Drivetrain

The Ride SLX/XT configuration uses a combination of Shimano's XT and SLX components to provide a broad gear range without moving into the higher price of a full top-tier drivetrain.

The Shimano XT M8100 SGS 12-speed rear derailleur handles shifting at the rear, while the Shimano SLX M7100 I-SPEC EV shifter controls the drivetrain from the handlebar.

Drivetrain Components

• Shimano XT M8100 SGS rear derailleur

• Shimano SLX M7100 I-SPEC EV shifter

• Race Face Ride 32T crankset

• Shimano SLX M7100 10–51T cassette

• Shimano CN-M7100 12-speed chain

• 1 × 12-speed drivetrain

The 10–51T cassette provides a wide range of gears, giving the LES SL a useful low gear for steep climbs while maintaining higher gears for faster XC sections.

Shimano SLX Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Stopping power comes from Shimano SLX M7100 two-piston hydraulic disc brakes.

These brakes provide controlled braking performance while keeping the system relatively lightweight, making them well suited to the bike's XC-oriented design.

The documented 2024 configuration uses 160 mm six-bolt rotors, with some listings identifying Galfer rotors depending on the build.

29-Inch Wheelset

The 2024 Ride SLX/XT specification uses DT Swiss X1900 wheels with DT Swiss 370 hubs.

The wheelset combines durability with a relatively lightweight construction suited to XC riding. The documented setup uses a 25 mm rim width, with 15 × 110 mm front and 12 × 148 mm rear axle spacing.

Wheel Specifications

• DT Swiss X1900 rims

• DT Swiss 370 hubs

• 29-inch wheels

• 25 mm rim width

• 15 × 110 mm front spacing

• 12 × 148 mm rear spacing

Maxxis Ardent Race Tires

The 2024 specification is equipped with Maxxis Ardent Race 29 × 2.2-inch tires.

The Ardent Race is designed to provide a balance between rolling speed and trail traction. Its EXO casing helps improve protection against cuts and punctures, while the 120 TPI construction keeps the tire relatively supple.

Tire Specifications

• Maxxis Ardent Race

• 29 × 2.2 inches

• Tubeless Ready

• EXO casing

• 120 TPI

A later 2025 listing shows the LES SL Ride SLX/XT with Maxxis Rekon Race 29 × 2.4-inch tires and Newmen Performance 30 mm wheels instead, so those components should not be substituted into a 2024 configuration without verifying the actual bike.

Phoenix Cockpit

The LES SL uses a Phoenix cockpit designed around responsive XC handling.

Cockpit Components

• Phoenix Race Low Rise Aluminum handlebar

• 780 mm width

• Phoenix Team XC/Trail stem

• 60 mm stem

• Phoenix Factory Lock-On grips

• Phoenix WTB Race Volt narrow saddle

The relatively wide 780 mm handlebar gives the rider useful steering leverage while maintaining the direct handling expected from a lightweight XC hardtail.

Rigid Phoenix Race Aluminum Seatpost

Unlike a full-suspension trail bike, the Ride SLX/XT build uses a Phoenix Race aluminum rigid seatpost.

The rigid post keeps the setup simple and lightweight and supports the LES SL's emphasis on efficient pedaling and race-oriented performance.

Frame Mounting and Practical Features

The LES SL is designed to be more than a stripped-down race machine.

The frame incorporates:

• Internal cable routing

• Pivot Cable Port System

• Integrated chainstay protector

• UDH rear derailleur hanger

• Multiple bottle mounts

• Tool/accessory mounting provisions

• 29-inch wheel compatibility

The multiple mounting points make the bike useful for longer XC rides where additional hydration, tools, or equipment may be required.

Technical Specifications

*These components correspond to the documented 2024 Ride SLX/XT configuration. The 2025 listing changes the wheelset to Newmen Performance 30 mm wheels and the tires to Maxxis Rekon Race 29 × 2.4-inch tires.

Available Sizes

The LES SL is offered in:

• X-Small

• Small

• Medium

• Large

• X-Large

Published geometry information lists approximate rider-height ranges from 4'9" to 6'8", although actual fit should be determined from rider proportions and preferred riding position.

Ideal Applications

The Pivot LES SL Ride SLX/XT is well suited for:

• Cross-country racing

• XC training

• Marathon mountain biking

• Fast singletrack

• Long-distance trail rides

• Fitness riding

• Technical XC courses

• Riders who prioritize low weight and efficient pedaling

• Riders who prefer the simplicity of a hardtail

Why Choose the LES SL Ride SLX/XT?

The Pivot LES SL Ride SLX/XT is built around a straightforward idea: maximize speed and efficiency without making the bike unnecessarily complicated.

Its lightweight carbon frame provides a responsive foundation, while the 100 mm FOX fork adds control over rough terrain. The Shimano XT/SLX 12-speed drivetrain offers a wide 10–51T range for both steep climbs and faster sections, and Shimano SLX hydraulic brakes provide dependable stopping power.

The 29-inch wheel platform helps maintain momentum over roots, rocks, and trail obstacles, while the relatively fast-rolling Maxxis tires keep the bike lively on climbs and flatter XC terrain.

Finished in Blue Ribbon, the LES SL Ride SLX/XT is a strong choice for riders who want a lightweight, efficient, capable carbon hardtail that can be raced competitively while remaining practical for everyday trail riding.

Package / Bike Configuration

The documented Ride SLX/XT configuration includes:

• Pivot LES SL carbon frame

• FOX Performance Step-Cast 32 fork

• Shimano XT M8100 SGS 12-speed rear derailleur

• Shimano SLX M7100 I-SPEC EV shifter

• Race Face Ride 32T crankset

• Shimano SLX M7100 10–51T cassette

• Shimano CN-M7100 12-speed chain

• Shimano SLX M7100 two-piston hydraulic brakes

• DT Swiss X1900 / DT Swiss 370 wheelset on the 2024 build

• Maxxis Ardent Race 29 × 2.2-inch tires on the 2024 build

• Phoenix Race Low Rise Aluminum 780 mm handlebar

• Phoenix Team XC/Trail 60 mm stem

• Phoenix Factory Lock-On grips

• Phoenix WTB Race Volt narrow saddle

• Phoenix Race Aluminum rigid seatpost

• Pivot Precision Sealed Integrated Cartridge headset

• Blue Ribbon finish

Pedals are not included unless specifically stated by the seller.

Model-Year Specification Note

The LES SL Ride SLX/XT has been offered with different component configurations over its production run. The 2024 specification documented above uses DT Swiss X1900 wheels, Maxxis Ardent Race 29 × 2.2 tires, and Galfer/160 mm six-bolt rotor configurations.

The later 2025 listing retains the same core carbon hardtail, 100 mm FOX fork, Shimano XT/SLX 12-speed drivetrain, and SLX brakes but lists Newmen Performance 30 mm wheels and Maxxis Rekon Race 29 × 2.4 tires.

For an individual inventory unit, the manufacturer's or dealer's build sheet should take precedence over generic model-year specifications.