Pivot's all-new Firebird enduro bike has had an overhaul, with a new frame, tweaked geometry and suspension, and loads of adjustability. Alex Evans has ridden the bike ahead of its release and you'll find his initial impressions below.
The new Firebird feels impressively accurate on wild, rough terrain exuding a visceral, fun-to-ride vibe.
Tipping the scales at 15.58kg (large, without pedals), this 165mm-rear, 170mm-front travel rig is as light as some trail bikes, but has the appetite for bumps and high speeds of the best enduro bikes.
Its full carbon fibre frame now sports down tube storage, tweaked geometry – read longer, lower, slacker – that’s got three points of adjustment, and re-worked DW-Link suspension kinematics.
Each frame size has been tuned for its intended rider’s weight, so a shorter or smaller person riding the extra-small bike will get the same feel as a bigger person on the extra-large, according to Pivot.
Thanks to the multiple flip chips, it’s compatible with both 29in wheels and mixed-wheel setups (29in front, 27.5in rear). It can also run SRAM’s Transmission with its UDH-compatible driveside dropout.
In true Pivot style, prices start at £7,000 / $6,499 / €6,999 for the Firebird Ride SLX / XT and rise to a whopping £12,300 / $14,199 / €13,699 for the range-topping Firebird Team XX Eagle Transmission Neo. Wow.
Pivot Firebird Pro XT/XTR initial ride impressions – Alex Evans
Uphill, the Firebird has got a classic enduro bike winch-and-plummet riding position.
Your weight is focused through your sit bones and the bar stands tall. This helps reduce hand and shoulder fatigue, creating a relaxed cruise to the trailhead.
It’s comfortable and chilled-out rather than fast and aggressive, which is perfect for efficient fireroad or doubletrack winches on your favourite enduro laps.
The floating pivot point DW-Link suspension is characteristically taut on the gas, barely bobbing as you spin the cranks. Few of your legs' watts are lost to unwanted movement.
However, responding dutifully and smoothly, the rear suspension moves freely to absorb the ground’s imperfections, even on rubbly fire roads.
At 15.58kg, it’s impressively light, offering up climbing performance that's closer to a trail bike than the 165mm enduro monster it is.
Descending
Switch to descending – the bike’s bread and butter – and it’s impressively accurate over the roughest, fastest terrain.
Changing direction, cutting lines or hammering over the chop feels visceral, engaging and hyper-connected; you sense every compression and bump on the trail.
There’s a constant to-and-fro between rider and bike – inputs and outputs are matched in intensity and frequency.
But the more energy you put in, the more you get out; pump and push into the terrain and the bike accelerates with an addictive predictability.
Hammer the lip of a take-off and be prepared to boost skywards.
The frame’s taut carbon construction and super-progressive suspension combine to create a fun, high-paced ride.
It’s not a plough bike by any means, and will suit proactive rather than passive riders most.
But far from being harsh, the rear end feels free and willing to absorb bumps, as long as you’re in control. Slip into a lazy style and it can be unforgiving.
Dip your shoulder commandingly into a turn and the bike follows dutifully.
Linking up successive radii feels inspiring, and if you can muster the courage to pump the apex, you’ll generate free speed as you carve your way down the hill.
First impressions reveal the Pivot is best suited to riders who attack the trail, rather than ones who want to cruise down it. In this respect, it’s a true racer’s enduro bike.
Pivot Firebird details and specifications
Proprietary Ride Tuning
The new full-carbon frame features Proprietary Ride Tuning, which is Pivot's way of saying that each frame size has been developed to deliver the same ride characteristics.
Pivot says it has conducted independent strength and weight analysis for each frame to achieve consistent performance metrics.
Custom-tuned carbon fibre is used in the make-up to scale stiffness through the size range.
The brand says the bike fits riders from 4ft 11in to 6ft 5in+ across the XS to XL size range.
All the adjustability
The bike features an array of adjustability, with Pivot's Swinger Dropout System featuring on the rear end.
The system enables you to adjust the rear center by 8mm, while keeping the bike compatible with SRAM's Transmission derailleurs in either setting.
Unlike other solutions, this is done by replacing the driveside dropout, as well as moving a flip chip on the non-driveside.
Pivot has given the bike another flip chip in the linkage that allows for 'high' and 'low' geometry settings for more or less aggressive riding.
This flip chip also gives you the option of running a mullet, 27.5in rear wheel.
But wait, there's another flip chip to change the suspension progression, that's compatible with both air and coil shocks.
Toolshed
The new frame now features Pivot's Toolshed down tube storage system, enabling you to take spares, tools or food with you.
Pivot includes two bags with the Firebird that enable you to keep belongings together when stored in the Toolbox, keeping rattling to a minimum.
Alongside the Toolshed, Pivot has partnered with Topeak for its integrated Dock Tool System, which keeps a multitool handy in either the top tube or BB area of the bike.
More protection
The Firebird has been given full down tube protection to fend off loose rocks, as well as a tailgate pad should you be throwing your bike in the back of a pick-up.
There are also new cable ports, which allow for two cables (or hoses) to be run on either side of the head tube. These are said to make cable routing a lot easier.
Pivot Firebird spec and price
Pivot Firebird Ride SLX/XT
- Fork: Fox Performance 38, 170mm
- Shock: Fox Factory Float X2
- Drivetrain: Shimano SLX/XT
- Brakes: Shimano SLX M7120 4-piston
- Wheels: DT Swiss M1900
- Tyres: Continental Kyrptotal
- Price: £7,000 / $6,499 / €7,200
Pivot Firebird Pro XT/XTR
- Fork: Fox Factory 38, 170mm
- Shock: Fox Factory Float X2
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT/XTR
- Brakes: Shimano XT M8120 4-piston
- Wheels: DT Swiss XM1700
- Tyres: Continental Kyrptotal
- Price: £8,300 / $7,799 / €8,600
Pivot Firebird Pro X0
- Fork: Fox Factory 38, 170mm
- Shock: Fox Factory Float X2
- Drivetrain: SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Silver 4-piston
- Wheels: DT Swiss XM1700
- Tyres: Continental Kyrptotal
- Price: £9,200 / $8,699 / €9,500
Pivot Firebird Team XX
- Fork: Fox Factory 38, 170mm
- Shock: Fox Factory Float X2
- Drivetrain: SRAM XX Eagle Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Ultimate 4-piston
- Wheels: Reynolds Blacklabel Enduro Pro
- Tyres: Continental Kyrptotal
- Price: £11,700 / $11,499 / €12,300
