Stick a (New) Fork in It: Pivot Updates the Vault Carbon Cyclocross Bike

Pivot first introduced its carbon cyclocross bike, the Vault, for the 2014 model year. reviewed in Issue 24 in print and digital. Since that time, multiple updates have been made to the frame, including the addition of thru axles, flat mount compatibility and increased tire clearance.  For 2017, the brand has turned its attention to the fork, which sees several updates that make it a more suitable match to the pre-existing frame.

The fork retains its 1.5” tapered carbon steerer tube, but sees the addition of flat mount compatibility to accept the new standard of brake caliper. Last year's Vault had a flat mount caliper on the frame, but the update failed to make it to the fork, which still utilized a post mount caliper. Sure, this is not necessarily a mechanical disadvantage, but having matching caliper styles makes for a more cohesive bike.

In addition to updated caliper compatibility, the fork sees increased tire clearance as well, with room to run up to 48c tires in the front. This means the bike should be capable of running a similar setup to our Santa Cruz Stigmata test bike, which managed to clear a 29x1.8" Specialized Renegade tire up front, or close to a Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie, which has a fork that can engulf a 29x2.0" tire. Business in the back, party in the front?

’Cross riders who also spend time on a mountain bike might be disappointed with the next update. While the rear end is still spaced at 142mm, Pivot has forsaken the 15x100mm thru-axle at the fork in favor of the slimmed down 12mm standard. This may fit in with the trends of many modern ’cross bikes, but it makes things more difficult for riders looking to run their MTB wheelsets on the Vault. The final update to the fork is internal routing for the brake hose which further polishes the bike’s aesthetic appearance.

The build spec is pretty similar to last year's offering, with Shimano Ultegra 6800 derailleurs, Stan’s Grail wheels and a 3T cockpit. The bike made the jump from TRP HY/RD mechanical/hydraulic disc brakes to 105-grade Shimano hydraulic calipers. Flat mount calipers enable riders to run down to a 140mm rotor size, though the Vault is equipped with 160mm Shimano Ice Tech rotors front and rear. The frame can accommodate two water bottles for gravel adventures or training rides.

Although the bike is labelled as the Pro Ultegra build, that title appears to be exclusive to the derailleurs. The Vault features the bulbous 105-grade Shimano hydraulic STI levers and an FSA Gossamer Pro crankset. The Vault utilizes the BB386EVO bottom bracket, which offers a wider shell that increases the stiffness of the frame and spreads the chainstays a bit for better tire clearance.

Geometry highlights include a 71°-72° head tube angle and 42.5cm chainstays across the size range.

Internal cable routing keeps the housing out of sight from the down tube to the rear dropouts, and a color matched bottom bracket plate makes for easier access to cables or Di2 wires. The demo bike shown here was rolling on a set of 700x33c Maxxis Mud Wrestler Tires, although the stock bike will come with larger just-released 38c Maxxis Rambler tubeless clinchers for drier conditions. The 38c Rambler spec may be an indicator that a true 40c tire may not fit out back, as the 40c Rambler measures narrower than most 40c tires.

Since the Vault is Pivot’s only drop bar bike, the tire spec and double chainring setup is a nod towards ’cross and gravel riding.

The 2017 Vault is available now through authorized Pivot dealers, and has a sticker price of $3,999 USD. Sizes range from XS to Large, or, in metric terms, from a 50cm up to a 58cm. The Ultegra Pro build is the only spec offered on the Vault for 2017.

More info: pivotcycles.com

 

2017 Pivot Vault Pro Ultegra Spec Highlights:

Frame: Pivot Vault Carbon
Fork: Pivot Vault Carbon, 1.5” tapered
Shifter/Brake Levers: Shimano RS505 hydraulic
Brake Calipers: Shimano RS505 flat mount
Rotors: Shimano Ice Tech 160mm
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 6800
Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 6800
Crankset: FSA Gossamer Pro, BB386 bottom bracket
Chainring(s): FSA 46/36t
Cassette: Shimano 105 11-28 11-speed
Pedals: N/A
Stem: 3T ARX II
Handlebar: 3T Ergonova
Seatpost: 3T Stilo
Saddle: Pivot WTB Volt Race
Wheels: Stan’s NoTubes Grail
Hubs: Stan’s Neo12x142mm, 12x100mm
Tires: Maxxis Mud Wrestler 700x33c (not spec), Rambler 38c tubeless (official spec)

See our ever-growing collection of new product news from Interbike 2016 here.

2017 Pivot Vault ’Cross/Gravel Bike Photo Gallery: