Pivot Cycles is “new” on the scene for 2008. I say “new” while doing finger quotes because the company is headed by industry veteran and Titus Cycles’ former founder, Chris Cocalis and is utilizing the proven DW-Link suspension design from Dave Weagle–these guys know bikes. Currently, Pivot has two bikes on the market for 2008: 1) 4-inch travel Pivot Mach 4 and 2) 5-inch travel Pivot Mach 5. While 4-inch travel bikes don’t particularly light my fire, once you get into 5+ inches, that sparks interest.
Pivot Mach 5 Mountain Bike
The all-new Pivot Mach 5 sports a sexy DW-Link frame with, as stated above, 5-inches of travel. The patented DW-Link suspension design is named for it’s inventor, Dave Weagle. His designs have previously been found primarily on Iron Horse is widely recognized as one of the top suspension designs on the market today. It is one of the three big dogs in patented suspension designs with Horst and VPP being the other two. You can read more about the 7 advantages of the DW-Link design.
Pivot Cycles owner, Chris Cocalis has used plenty of suspension designs over the years. He knows his stuff and has chosen to work with and refine the DW-Link for his new bike line. he has put his touch on the travel to ensure it rides just right.
Check out the following image, showing the intricate and downright sexy lower pivot axle with integrated bottom bracket and derailleur mount. Nice!
How does the Pivot Mach 5 Ride?
Though I didn’t get a chance to ride the Mach 5 at Interbike 2007, I can imagine that the Mach 5 will be a stellar all-mountain steed. Looking at the angles and overall design leads me to believe it will be a trusty trailbike that can handle all-day epics and whatever else–short of DH courses–you can throw at it. Hopefully I can swing a leg over one in the coming months and post my thoughts.
If anyone has any actual saddle-time on the new Pivot Mach 5, please chime in below!
I’ve also heard that a 6-inch travel version is in the works, so stay tuned.
Pivot Mach 5 Features
- Price: $1900 (frame only) to $5800 (XTR Complete)
- Sizes: XS (14.5), S (16.5), M (19), L (21)
- Colors: Blue or Black (Anodized) or White (Powdercoat)
- Refined wheel path that initiates slightly rearward to smooth square hits
- Integrated bottom bracket and front derailleur mount provides proper chainline
- Suspension linkages pivot on 8 HUGE bearings to provide smooth travel
- Fox Talas 32 forks (RLC or R)
- 140mm fork provides a 69-degree head angle
- Three all-mountain build kits: Shimano XTR, XT or SRAM X-9
- Visit www.pivotcycles.com for more details
Buy Now: Find a Pivot Cycles Dealer
8 Comments
Check out the all-new Pivot Mach 429 29-er mountain bike. Looks like an awesome ride.
Quoting Chris Cocalis:
I finally got some saddle-time on the Mach 5 at Interbike this year. I’ll post a quick review shortly.
I got the chance to demo both the Mach 5 and Mach 4 at the Scott 24 Hour in Canberra Oz-traylya. Ive tried a bunch of duallies to replace my hardtail as Im getting older and Australian trails are getting much more vicious.
This is on the Mach 5 – which I would not have been interested in at all had I needed to base my decision on the quick carpark-style roll around the transition area.
On tarmac – albeit not set up at all for my weight and on those obnoxious Kenda big block tyres – it felt sluggish, especially as I’d just jumped off my sub 11 kg hardtail.
Once the fork and shock were dialled and I was on the trail – it turned everything into one big bag of fun. Seriously. I smashed my fastest laps of the event. To my suprise (seeing Im ex-hardtail) the bike responded to pedal input without any mushiness the suspension rolled smoothly over any of the filthyness that the trail had to offer. One of the things I noticed was that I was all over Yeti ASR’s and Epics at the pointy end of the group on the climb and just completely dusted them on the decent. This is a biggie for me, as Im used to whiteknuckling my downhills just trying to keep my ride pointing forward – be it my hardtail or any duallie Ive ever ridden. Both the Mach 5 and Mach 4 were sublime under braking – something I found myself noticing as I climbed all over the riders in front of me, waiting for them and their skidding rear ends to get out of my way.
The odd technical switchback was a bit sketchy, (the Mach 4 was better here) especially with the Kendas being a bit skittish in the Australian dust/gravel and the more relaxed head angle – but in retrospect it was more down to the fact that I was carrying so much more speed into the turns than what I was used to.
As has been mentioned by proper reviewers, it feels a bit heavy to lift (about 12.5 kilos with the XTR build), but to ride, it felt super light and repsonsive, to the extent that I was passing team riders on hardtails at the top of climbs…which is nice.
In closing, Im keen on the Mach 5, super-impressed with its abiltiy to hold a strong railing line through rutted and rocky trails and by the way you still know what you’re riding over, even though you can hardly feel it. Its fast, and to me thats all that matters.
Never thought I would be, tried not to be, but now Im a fan-boi of the Mach 5. Damnit.
(Thanks to the Jet Black lads at the Scott. Ive got one on order.)
Thanks for your ride report on the Pivot Mach 5 all the way from Down Under! My saddle time on the Mach 5 at Interbike was also solid, but it seems like the shock was set up with too little air, so I didn’t get the full effect. I was blowing through the travel and bottoming out a lot.
However, the ride quality was still superb. I love DW-Link bikes. They are that much smoother than VPP designs. You pay for it though as DW bikes are more expensive than comparable VPP designs from Santa Cruz.
Still hoping to get on a Mach 5 here in Utah. We’ll see.
first time in moab. been riding since early 1980’s when no one had any thought of suspension. just got back into mtn biking last year with trip back to crested butte… here in moab rented a Mach 5 at Poison Spider Mtn Bike Shop and hit Porcupine Rim. I was lown away. the only limitation on the bike was this 46 year old out of practice. hitt’n again tomorrow!
Get after it, Scott! I’ve heard great things about the Mach 5 as well. The DW-Link is amazing!
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