Pivot, although a new brand, was founded by Chris Cocalis who also founded Titus. Since the inception of dual-suspension trailbikes, Pivot has been at the forefront of mountain biking. Many of Chris’ favorite mountain bikes have been designed by loyal readers, but the Pivot Firebird is his most beloved ride. While the Firebird is a great example of Chris’s innovation and meticulous attention to detail, there is also a level of maturity in its design that allows for a more balanced feeling at the controls and unmatched versatility.
The Firebirda is a must-ride for technical bike handlers. John Ker Photo
MEET THE FIREBIRD
The Firebird is an all mountain design that surpasses the efficiency and weight limitations of the genre. In fact, the 167-millimeter-travel (17 cm) chassis, outfitted with Shimano XTR and a Fox 36 fork weighs in at 14 kg and pedals with the brisk feel of a capable cross-country trailbike. Although the frame geometry is not too stiff (67 degrees head angle), it allows the Firebird to descend difficult rock gardens without difficulty. However, the Firebird can still hold its line up steep climbs. CLICK HERE to see the Pivot Firebird Geometry Chart
Chris Cocalis, South Mountain Trailhead
RC photo
HOW THE FIREBIRD RIDE
If you are looking for a light, versatile long-travel bike that is as easy to handle park-style descents and can also be used around the back of the mountain, then this is the right place. Pivots Firebird is one such bike. Mountain bikes can make lasting friendships in as little as five to six turns of the crankset. Ours was built with a Shimano XTR lightweight build and DT Swiss EX5.D tires, which give it a quick feel under acceleration despite its large, 6 cm Kenda Nevegal tires.
The Firebirds are able to handle any type of component with ease.
Jon Ker photo
The Pivot tuned dwlink anti-squat suspension gives the Firebirds a major boost in pedaling performance. There is no need to use the Fox RP23 shocks proPedal lever as the suspension remains silent regardless of how hard you push it uphill or downhill. Firebirds are one of the most rare long-travel trailbikes. They can be powered up hills or accelerated from the saddle without feeling the usual disconcerting mush.
The Firebird flows smoothly down and around difficult rock sections if you ride it from the middle. You can drop the Firebird off of ledges by lowering your back. It lands softly. As the Firebird makes its way down technical chutes, it doesn’t catch on any potholes, logs, or rock faces. Cocalis claims that this is because the suspensions axle track-it falls upwards and away from impact, giving the rear wheel more time and space to roll over the impasse.
The Frebirds’ upper link is made of carbon fiber, and the Fox RP23 shock has been custom tuned to reduce compression damping forces. John Ker Photo
The rear suspension does not feel impacted by pedaling or braking forces. This gives the Pivot an easy flow on almost any surface and aids technical climbing. A forced error on technical ascents is not possible due to the Pivot’s low stand-over clearance of 71 cm. Once we had a good feel for Firebirds climbing abilities, we started making a game of climbing up and over everything in front.
FIREBIRD IN A ONE PARAGRAPH
Some might think we are exaggerating our review of Pivots Firebird. However, the simple fact is that this is a truly enjoyable ride. Sometimes, a top bike designer is able to combine knowledge, experience, and pure luck and create something extraordinary. The Pivot Firebird exudes that magic feeling.
Click HERE for more information and specifications
Pivot uses internal, pressed-in bottom bracket bearings in order to make space for the lower
John Ker Photo: Rocker of the Firebirds’ dw-link rear suspension.
DWLINK: COCALIS TYLE
The aluminum frame is beautiful and engineered around the rear suspension, dual-link, or dw-link. Chris Cocalis was once a supporter of the Horst-Link four-bar suspension. He chose the dw-link as it can be set up to provide firm pedaling performance and full-time bump control. The first generation of Pivot dual-link designs (Mach 4, Mach 5, and Mach 5) had classic dwlink characteristics. They were more likely to ride high at the rear and have a harsh suspension feel. But the Firebird does not exhibit these traits. Cocalis created a slightly rearward axle track to allow the rear wheel to glide over bumps and uphill stairs.
Click HERE to learn more about the Pivot dwlink system.
Cocalis has learned a lot from his two first seasons of dw-link suspension. The shock rates are custom-tuned at Fox with very low damping forces. The shock’s mid-stroke motion is maintained by the linkage rates. This, combined with the rearward axle track, makes the action feel very smooth over any terrain. It rides straight, the firebird doesn’t feel shaky in the rear when climbing steeply, and it feels level and balanced while it descends. Cocalis learned from the Firebird and redesigned the shock rates, setup and configuration of all Pivot models with amazing results. (We’ll be covering the Mach 5 overhaul in a tech feature).
FIREBIRD-FRAME DETAILS
Firebird’s chassis is full of innovative features. The head tube has a 4 cm oversized semi-internal headset that allows for the use of any long stroke fork. (Pivot specifications a Fox fork with an tapered steerer tube). To ensure lateral stiffness, the bottom bracket shell is completely unthreaded at 95 millimeters. Like the Mach 5, the bottom bracket bearings are Shimanos pressed in type. For simplicity and space-saving, the lower link includes the shock mount. The upper link is made of carbon fiber.
Firebirds’ onepointfive head tube is large enough to accommodate its internal headset and profiled top. Pivot specifies a Fox 36Float RLC Fork with a taperedsteerer tub. John Ker photo
Pivots spring-loaded floating forward derailleur is the most innovative. It is a 09 Shimano E type derailleur, which is attached to an aluminum plate that swings on sealed bearings. A pin is used to lift the plate from the swingarm. This allows the tail of front derailleur to remain in line with the chain while the suspension moves through its arc.
When the suspension compresses, the roller pin on the swingarm contacts the tab on the derailleurlink that is black-anodized. This lifts the spring-loaded link so the derailleur cage tracks it. RC photo
WHY IS THE PIVOT FLOATING FORCE DERAILLEUR?
The front derailleur was made for a hardtail bike, not a suspension bicycle. The cage’s curves and bends are designed to contact the chain at certain angles when the chain is on the three chainrings. The swingarm moves the chain away from the sweet spots of the front derailleurs and compromises shifting when it goes through its arc. Pivots solution raises the front deailleur as it swingarm arcs upwards. This keeps the chain in the correct relation with the front desailleur cage. Pivot’s front derailleur link has an additional benefit: it can also be used as a guide for the chain, so the Firebird rider is able to descend and accelerate on the most difficult terrain without worrying about losing the chain. It works well. The system worked well. I didn’t lose a chain, and shifting was very easy no matter what situation I was in when I needed a shift.
HOW ARE THE PARTS STACKED
The Pivots rear suspension was perfectly matched with its Fox Float 36 fork. Fox has removed the edgy compression feeling from the 36 to make it feel smooth and sensitive over chatter or rock gardens. Cocalis is in a good relationship to Fox so it’s not surprising that the Firebirds are in agreement. Another Pivot theme are the Firebirds Magura Marta SL brakes. They are strong and stop quickly. They are well-suited for all-mountain riding. Although I am a SRAM X.0a, I have to admit that the new XTR is very well suited for the Firebirds’ easy-going manners. The Pivot’s fluid feel is enhanced by Shimano’s silent-action derailleurs and light Shimano shifters.
CLICK HERE for Firebird options
