2021 Pivot

Firebird 29 Race XT

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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If you’ve been keeping your eyes on [R]evolution of late you would have seen our introduction to this new, all-out enduro shredder a little while back. We were a little tight lipped back then about this bikes performance as we just hadn’t spent enough time on this beast to give all you cool cats our insights into the performance of this new bike from Pivot. So, let’s back track a little shall we, and start from the beginning. Words // […]

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Eclectic bruiser or one-day wonder? We probably don't have to tell you what the Pivot Firebird XT/XTR is capable of, but is it really as fast as it looks? In our big “Best Enduro Bike of 2022” group test, we pitted the Pivot Firebird XT/XTR against 10 of the hottest enduro bruisers of the year. Read our full review to find out how the mythical carbon bird stacks up against the competition. Hit the link in our bio for the full review.

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