2022 Pivot

FIREBIRD Race XT

Most riders like to begin a relationship with a new bike on local trails, taking the time to ease into things while feeling out the lay of the land. Not me. The Firebird and I started our time together with what can only be described as a baptism by fire. I picked up the bike from Saddleback HQ on a Thursday and drove straight to the Alps the following day. Pivot Firebird Pro XT/XTR need to know 29er enduro race bike with 165mm travel at the rear married to a 170mm fork Four frame sizes, all with proportional chainstay lengths: 430mm, 433mm, 437mm and 444mm Flip chip and an angleset friendly 1.5in headtube offer lots of adjustability, including MX wheel compatibility Ready to race EWS Pro spec with Fox Factory suspension, alloy DT Swiss wheels and Maxxis EXO+ Assegai tyres This in-at-the-deep-end approach really opened my eyes to just how defined and refined the Firebird’s capabilities are. But before I get to those, let’s take a closer look at the bike. The Firebird platform is designed around being fast, capable and efficient; all desirable characteristics in any contender looking to compete with the best enduro race bikes. Like all of Pivot’s full suspension bikes, it runs a DW-Link design, albeit a version that features longer links and a change of pivot position that’s shared with the Phoenix DH bike. Previous experience has led me to really rate this design for its ability to provide an efficient pedalling platform without too much compromise to suspension performance – I’m hoping the Firebird will only back-up that opinion.  On the latest version of the Firebird, travel has been upped from 162mm on the previous version to 165mm. Geometry is designed around a 170mm fork (although you could fit a 180mm if you wanted). The biggest change, other than the increase in reach and size specific chainstay lengths, is the shock position. It now features a vertical shock orientation that opens up the front triangle for a full size water bottle. The shock is trunnion mounted, and as per the previous version the design is rated for both air and coil shocks. What attracted you to the Pivot? I’ve long been a fan of the brand, ever since owning and racing a Pivot Les (hardtail) way back in 2011. Despite going through a phase where its frames were a shade on the ugly side, the new crop of models are some of the most well-proportioned and beautiful bikes on the market. I’m also a DW-Link aficionado, as I love pedalling up hills, and the Firebird looked to offer a great mix of long-travel fun and all-day pedalling efficiency. Did you change anything straightaway? The day after I picked up the Firebird I went straight to the Alps for two weeks, so I didn’t have time to change anything. I had to just go with the chef’s choice of the standard spec. Luckily for me, every component of the bike work without any faults or …Continue reading »

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The Pivot Firebird 29 utilises DW-link suspension offering 165mm of travel, and is paired with a 170mm travel Fox 38 Performance fork.

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The Pivot Firebird has had my eye since 2021 when, in its launch video, the Tempe, Arizona-based company teased their hot new long-travel 29’er by way of Eddie Masters calmly licking an orange ice cream cone during an FBI interrogation. Orange, it became clear, would be a defining aesthetic of the bike across all colorways. After thoroughly testing, another thing is now clear: This bird can fly. After riding other Pivot bikes such as the Switchblade and the Trail 429, I was curious how the Firebird, with its similar suspension platform, would feel with more travel. I debated on sizing (this model runs very large), and eventually decided on a medium. My longstanding desire is to find the ultimate one-bike quiver—a bike that can climb efficiently while still inspiring confidence and comfort down steep, unforgiving terrain. From the first ride, I’ll admit that I was fully smitten by the Firebird. Climbing aboard the Firebird feels as though it has 140 millimeters of rear suspension, as opposed to the true 165 millimeters it boasts. The brilliant design of the DW link suspension employs a startling amount of anti-squat, using the chain’s force to prop up the bike's rear end. The steeper the climb and the more torque through the pedals, the more the Firebird supports you. This sensation is especially impressive when taking into account how incredibly supple the Fox Factory DHX2 rear shock is off the top of its stroke. Drop the bike onto the ground from just 12 inches and watch the coil dive into its travel. Still, in what seems like magic, the Firebird feels snappy and taught while slogging uphill.

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