Pivot Shadowcat: suspension setup & specs

Manufacturer data retrieved on 26 September 2026 · 4 builds · Bike type: Hardtail MTB

The Pivot Shadowcat is a trail bike with 160 mm of fork travel. This page lists the 4 current builds with fork and gives matching starting values for SAG and tyre pressure.

Calculate the setup for your Pivot Shadowcat →

All builds

Fork, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 27.5.

Build	Fork	Weight	RRP	Calculator
Brunch Ride	Fox Performance 36 (160 mm)	–	–	Setup →
Pro X0 Eagle Transmission	Fox Factory 36 (160 mm)	–	–	Setup →
Ride GX Eagle Transmission	Fox Performance 36 (160 mm)	–	–	Setup →
Team XX Eagle Transmission	Fox Factory 36 (160 mm)	–	–	Setup →

How it compares

With 160 mm at the fork, the Pivot Shadowcat sits above average: across the 44 bikes in the “trail bike” category in our database, the median is 140 mm. Within Pivot’s mountain bikes, it sits between the Pivot Trailcat LT and the Pivot Firebird on travel. Pivot builds the frame from carbon.

Every build uses a FOX fork. In total, 2 different forks are used, from the Fox Performance 36 to the Fox Factory 36.

Setup notes for this spec

Fork (Fox Performance 36): air goes in through the valve on top of the left leg. After every change, compress the fork firmly a few times before measuring SAG.
Rebound: on FOX suspension the rebound adjuster is red. Always count clicks from fully closed (clockwise to the stop) so you can return to any setting.
Hardtail: without rear suspension, rear tyre pressure largely decides comfort and traction – it is worth testing in 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) steps.

Target SAG for the Pivot Shadowcat

The table converts the recommended SAG percentages into millimetres, so you can check them with the O-ring directly on the stanchion. Adjust the air pressure until the value is right. If Pivot specifies its own target SAG for your model, that takes priority.

160 mm fork (all builds)

Riding style	Fork SAG
XC / touring	17 % = 27 mm
Trail	20 % = 32 mm
Enduro / rough	22 % = 35 mm
Bike park	20 % = 32 mm

How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.

Tyre pressure starting values

Basis: 2.40″ tyre width, tubeless, trail casing. If you run tubes, add about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi); with an insert, about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) less is enough. Stock tyres: Maxxis Dissector 27.5" x 2.4" TR, EXO Maxxis Dissector 27.5" x 2.4" TR, EXO.

Ready-to-ride weight	Front	Rear
60 kg	1.43 bar (21 psi)	1.63 bar (24 psi)
70 kg	1.55 bar (22 psi)	1.75 bar (25 psi)
80 kg	1.67 bar (24 psi)	1.87 bar (27 psi)
90 kg	1.79 bar (26 psi)	1.99 bar (29 psi)
100 kg	1.91 bar (28 psi)	2.11 bar (31 psi)
110 kg	2.03 bar (29 psi)	2.23 bar (32 psi)
120 kg	2.15 bar (31 psi)	2.35 bar (34 psi)

Air pressure in the fork

You will find a suitable starting pressure on the sticker on the fork stanchion or in the suspension manufacturers’ setup charts. Our calculator gives you a starting value including rebound for your weight and riding style. What matters afterwards is the measured SAG from the table above.

Note: all information without guarantee. Specs can differ by model year, frame size and market – the type plate, the owner’s manual and Pivot’s information are authoritative. Never exceed the maximum pressures of fork, shock, tyres and rims.