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Pivot bikes
Im contemplating upgrading from my current ride (a Giant Trance 29er) to a Pivot - I particularly like the idea of the long suspension travel, whilst maintaining rideability on hills they claim on the Firebird and Mach 5.7 models.
Is this fan fare media / advert hype or does the quality and build reflect what I assume would be a hefty price tag?
Im yet to check one out in store, but I was wondering if anyone can give feedback if they ride one, what LBS are Pivot dealers on the Norther Beaches, and an indication as to their RRP? They look expensive, but id be prepared to drop some coin - around the 5k mark...
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Cheers!
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I own a Firebird and Mach 429.
I have owned a number of boutique bikes before including a Niner RIP9 and Intense 6.6.
I believe Pivot has the most efficient suspension platform in terms of climbing efficiency.
Many people who like big travel bikes believe they're not as plush as other bikes out there and thats probably the trade off.
This is all personal opinion though. Many will disagree with me.
If you're a medium then go buy one - awesome fun machine and climb really well for the travel. I test rode a medium but bought a large 5,7c - nice and stable but not as flickable as the medium for me(6'1"). Based on my current ride I would buy a Mach 429 carbon as my race bike in a heartbeat if I didn't have a tallboy in the garage. As long as you service the linkage you will have a blast with the Dw link.
I ride a PIVOT 5.7- I love it! I have owned and ridden numerous makes and models of dual sus bikes, and test ridden many more, and the PIVOT has been by far my favourite. It is confidence inspiring- it corners, descends, climbs well despite being 'long travel', and my alloy model is not too heavy either at 11kg.
Get one - you will love it!
I don't know if any LBS in north selling pivot. All i know Atelier de Vélo on clarence street is one of dealers. Saw 429 is on sale 2/3 weeks back and around 3.8k from over 5k. They have demo bike but need to order from jet black. Btw, some coverage in amb magazine march issue about 429 if interested. U may consider to recycle your component apart from the wheelsets as frame can be sold separately. Pls pm if u try.
I own a Pivot Firebird and a Mach 5. The Firebird is very versatile. I found the stock Fox DHX Air rear shock to be satisfactory, but set up with a CCDB coil it was a much better ride, and it set it further apart from the more xc style of the Mach 5. The Firebird set up with a Manitou Evolver ISX6 shock had a higher ride and more xc feel. Different wheels and tyres will make a huge difference too, but do you want to be swapping parts around depending on what style of ride you are doing with your mates? The Firebird will climb everything, but it's not a quick climber. I think a travel adjustable fork is a waste of time, it isn't needed on the Firebird.
The Pivots are nice bikes, but I bought a Liteville 301 140mm travel to replace the Mach 5 and it is a better bike in all respects. It is lighter, climbs better, pedals better, is more efficient, has better geometry, descents better. I think it is a better bike than the 5.7 as well.
I replaced my Firebird with a Nicolai Helius AC Pinion. A little less travel (167 vs 150), but it handles everything as well as the Firebird going down and does everything else better.
I don't won a Pivot but I do have a DW link bike and as has been mentioned they pedal VERY well.
BTW if you're looking at a bit more oomph in your next bike there is the Mach 6 with 6" of travel and BandWagon wheels!!!
Check out the Bike Shed Mortdale and I think St Ives cycles.
I've owned two Piv's now - a 26" and now a 429. Wonderful, climb like anything and seriously steady pivot DW-link suspension. I've never looked back!
I just got my first dually a Pivot Mach 6 from Cycles Bespoke (Sorry midgey but these guys are in Bayswater WA) great service and an awesome bike. may be a bit more than 5k but money well spent with all the fruit and bling.
St Ives are are the only dealer I know of in North Sydney, but I don't believe they carry anything in stock so aren't the best choice if you're looking to demo anything.
I'd also suggest keeping an eye on the second hand market, as you may be able to pick up a nice tidy Pivot that hasn't seen many miles. That's how I got my 5.7, which I couldn't be happier with, and saved a few K in the process!
are the importers / distributors.
They might be able to point you in the right direction.
That said, TBSM also flog them.
You will be very impressed if you get one and also the warranty guy is a member on this site too he will steer you in the right direction
I havn't really heard a bad thing about them from any of the riders i know who have one.
A good solid bike that works well.
Now if they only did an XC race bike......
I think they do Gazza. Was on the phone to my brother over Christmas and he's ordered a PIVOT LES which he said is a 27.5" carbon hardtail running XX1. Sounds like a race bike...
I would consider the 429 carbon a very capable race bike.
Sub 10kg dually.
The old back ain't what it used to be.
I can't handle hardtails these days!
I bought the Mach 5.7 after having had a long break from mtb'ing. I didnt want to go down the 29" wheel size for an all round trail bike and I'm glad I made that decision.
The Mach 5.7 is an awesome bike; it climbs with ease and is confidence inspiring on the descents. I started competing in XC events on it and it performs very competitively as a race bike as well.
I love the Pivot so much I bought s Les for next seasons racing.
I'm sure you will not regret buying the 5.7.
Hey Gazza,
Jason English used to ride the Pivot Mach 4 - that's their XC dually!
It's a bit heavy for my liking without unobtanium bits, although reported to be really stiff and of course excellent pedalling with the DW sus.
Maybe they'll do a carbon version soon. the mach 4 is due for an update, but given how 'everyone' is trying to sell 650b bikes, perhaps their energy will go in that direction.
An interesting article on the 429 setup more like what Gazza's after
http://pivotcycles.com/mediapdf/MBAmach429c%282%...
10.5kg with pedals for a 29er dually isn't too shabby but not quite up with the best these days. Would make a great alrounder though as you could use it a lot more than pure racing
Cheers Dan.
Nice bike but you're right, not a bad weight but not quite up there with the new generation of lightweight xc bikes.
Worth a look though!
Black Flash is the resident expert on pivots. He's added more pivot points to more frames than anyone I know. Those lightweight XC bikes are a fave.