2025 Pivot

FIREBIRD Pro XT/XTR

The changes to the Firebird all add up to create a capable enduro bike with impressive pedaling efficiency.

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Enduro efficiency. Today Pivot is launching a new Firebird, hot on the heels of the Trailcat SL and LT which dropped earlier this spring. While this latest Firebird has lots in common with the outgoing version, from its travel numbers to its basic silhouette, it’s got a lot of “new” going on as well, including slacker geometry, a slick chainstay length adjustment, internal frame storage, and a progressivity-adjusting flip chip. None of that changes the fact that the Firebird is still Pivot’s longest-travel pedalable bike, designed for gnarly terrain and racing enduros. So what do those changes add up to, and how does the Firebird stack up to the current crop of long-travel enduro bikes? Pivot Firebird Overview, Travel: 165 mm (rear) 170 mm (front), Wheel Size: 29” or Mixed 29”/27.5”, Size Tested: Large, Build Tested: Pro XO Transmission, Head Tube Angle: 63.8° (low setting, 29" rear wheel), Measured Weight: 35.61 lbs (16.15 kg), MSRP: $9,899

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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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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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