Today, Pivot announced an updated Phoenix DH frame. The “old” – like two years old – Phoenix was already one of the lightest DH frames available thanks in part to its full carbon construction. For 2016, Phoenix managed to shave another 300g (0.66 lbs.), off the frame, an impressive feat.
Interestingly, Pivot is speccing the Phoenix with Fox’s Float X2 air shock. You can still run a coil shock on the frame if that’s your preference, but the Pivot Factory Team was unanimous in choosing the air can. While it’s not uncommon to see riders use air shocks for certain DH tracks, the fact that the team will be running the air shock for the entire World Cup season is noteworthy. Air shocks have made huge advancements in just the past couple years.
Other updates include much improved tire clearance in the rear triangle and more robust frame protection.
Here are the full frame details, from Pivot:
- Full carbon frame featuring leading edge carbon fiber materials and Pivot’s proprietary hollow core internal molding technology
- 27.5-inch wheels for the fastest runs, bigger tire contact patch, increased stability and steering quality
- 204mm dw-link® suspension
- Fox Float X2 shock with Evol
- 157mm X 12mm rear end
- Designed to work with forks from 200mm in travel.
- Full length internal cable routing with Pivot’s exclusive cable port system
- Adjustable +/- .75 degree headset option
- Internal dropper post compatible
- Cold forged alloy linkages with Enduro Max Cartridge Bearings
- Extensive, highly durable, rubberized molded downtube and swingarm protection
- 180mm rear carbon post mounts disc brake mounts for precision and weight savings.
- Carbon ISCG-05 tabs
- 107mm full carbon BB shell
- Available in sizes S, M, L, XL for riders between 5’4″ and 6’7″
In terms of geometry, the Phoenix is at the lowest, slackest, longest end of the spectrum, no surprise considering this bike’s intentions. The head tube angle is 62.5-degrees, but can be adjusted in either direction by .75-degrees. Chain stays are a stubby 440mm, and the top tube is sprawling at 654.1mm for a size large, making it one of the longest available. Pivot suggests sizing down for a more playful, park-oriented ride, or going up if the bike is going to be used mainly for racing.
Pivot will offer the Phoenix as a frame and shock for $3,300 and then two build kits. The more affordable of the two ($5,500) uses a Shimano Zee drivetrain and a RockShox Boxxer fork. The more expensive ($7,600) Shimano Saint build adds goodies like Kashima coating on the Float X2, a Kashima Fox 40 fork, carbon Race Face cranks, and Pivot’s own carbon bar and seat post. Two color ways – a stealth black and a glossy team blue – are available. If you still have $900 laying around after all that, you can upgrade to the same swanky carbon Reynolds wheels that the Factory Team rides. That’s a ton of money, but it starts to look like a good value when comparing it to Specialized’s and Trek’s top DH offerings, both of which are over $9,000 without carbon wheels.
To see the new bike in action, check out the video below!
The New Pivot Phoenix DH Carbon from Pivot Cycles on Vimeo.
