2022 Pivot

Mach 4 SL Pro XT/XTR

A crazy light XC bike with real suspension.

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Depending on the shock stroke used, the Pivot Mach 4 SL delivers either 100 mm or 120 mm of travel at the rear. Both models rely on the same frame platform and retail for the same price. What are the differences?

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‘Challenge the threshold’ is the concept under which Pivot’s new Mach 4 SL has been designed. It’s unashamedly an XC and marathon race platform, but to call it just a race bike is to do it a complete disservice as the new Mach 4 SL with its adjustable travel/progression is truly a genre crossing tour de force. Need to know: All new full carbon 29in XC/Marathon/Downcountry platform Available in two travel versions where DW-Link suspension offers on-the-trail swappable travel from 95-103mm or 106-115mm depending on the shock stroke. Bikes are matched with either 100mm or 120mm travel forks Frame weight is reduced by up to 400g compared to previous Mach 4 SL 4 models plus frame only option for the UK, bikes start at £8,500 But before we get to the suspension, let’s talk weight. Because, in the world of XC racing, weight is still the number one priority.  As such, weight reduction over the incumbent Mach 4 SL was a key part of the development process. Pivot’s designers and engineers achieved their goal with a new carbon frame that’s 400 grams lighter than the old model – impressive, given that the outgoing Mach 4 SL wasn’t exactly on the portly side. Now for the complicated part. The old bike had 100mm travel, but the new version comes in two opinions: one short travel XC race focussed version with a 100mm fork and 95mm or 103mm of rear travel. Then there’s the downcountry/marathon option with 106mm or 115mm rear travel and 120mm fork. Where both bikes share the same frame and it’s the shock stroke that changes. The ability to adjust the travel on each option comes from the new forged aluminium upper rocker link, which now features flip chips to alter the leverage ratio of the suspension kinematics which changes the progression rate effectively allowing more or less travel to be achieved from the shock. It’s interesting to note that this feature does not alter the geometry of the frame at all. Like all Pivot frames the bearing seats (frame, headset and bottom bracket) on the Mach 4 SL are machined directly into the carbon, which not only saves weight, but also provides far better tolerances than aluminum inserts, ensuring extended bearing life in all areas. Pivot does things differently with the cable routing too, forgoing the common tube-in-tube design, preferring open ports to save 30g per guide. This approach also provides better brake hose routing regardless of which side you route the hose – handy for us contrarian Brits. Interestingly there’s no Fox Live Valve routing or mounts on the new frame, which could indicate a switch to wireless or Pivot moving away from this technology. What you can’t see by simply looking at the new frame is that each frame size benefits from a specific carbon layup, as tubing and frame stiffness requirements are not uniform across all five frame sizes. And it’s worth noting that even the XS size is specced with 29in wheels. There’s space …Continue reading »

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