On my trip from Durango to Moab my buddy Nate rode a Pivot Mach 5 and LOVED it so I decided to see what the fuss was about. I knew from Nate’s bike that the Mach 5 was lightweight for a 5-inch travel bike and that it climbed well thanks to the DW-link suspension design.

After waiting on two different occasions for a Mach 5 demo bike in my size, I found out the Mach 5 was being phased out in favor of the Mach 5.7 with an extra 0.7-inches of travel and a lower bottom bracket (among other changes). So I hopped on a Mach 5.7 and hit the trail!

Full suspension mountain bikes (even XC bikes) have never been my thing for a number of reasons: they’re heavier, more complicated, less efficient for climbing, and in some ways not as responsive as hardtail bikes. But after riding the Mach 5.7 I can honestly say this is a bike I could see myself owning.

First off, just like Nate’s Mach 5, this bike feels light. I don’t know if it’s the components or the frame but the Pivot Mach 5.7 is almost as light as many of the hardtails I’ve ridden. I think they must be filling the frames with helium or something.

The demo loop at Interbike starts off with a fire road climb and the Mach 5.7 climbed as well or better than any of the other FS bikes I’ve ridden over the past 3 years. That’s saying a lot too because remember – this bike has nearly 6-inches of travel! Much of that efficiency is thanks to the DW-link suspension, which is really hard to beat.

Thanks to the expert mechanics at Pivot, the Mach 5.7 I demoed was completely dialed to a tee. Flowy ups and downs were pure bliss as the suspension shifted nearly instantaneously. Descending over rocks and drops was a cinch and even over fast, washboard sections the bike reacted quickly and precisely.

Pivot Firebird

Pivot Firebird freeride bike.

While I was waiting to demo the Mach 5.7 I also got a chance to take out the Pivot Firebird, a freeride-style bike with a bit more travel. The Firebird was a great ride, though admittedly I’m probably not the best person to put this bike through its paces. It’s a beautiful bike though and wasn’t terribly painful on the climbs.

Pivot Firebird rear suspension set-up.

Based on the lines at Outdoor Demo and my experience with the Mach 5.7 I gotta say Pivot is onto something here. It’s hard to argue with more travel, especially when the bike still climbs and rides like a sleek cross-country machine. And despite the fact this bike isn’t a 29er, I might just have to pick one of these up for myself.

Check out pivotcycles.com for more product info.

Suvacrew mentioned that he wanted to hear about the Pivot Mach 429 and on Thursday I got a chance to talk to a Pivot rep about the newest addition to the Mach lineup. The Pivot 429 has been on the scene for about a year now and there haven’t been any major changes outside of new colors and paint options – which means Pivot got this FS 29er right the first time.

The Pivot naming system is pretty easy to wrap your head around: the Mach 4 gets 4-inches of travel while the Mach 5 rocks 5″. The Mach 429 is a 29er with 4-inches of rear travel and is currently the only 29er Pivot sells. I asked if we can expect a Mach 529 anytime soon and the rep I spoke with didn’t think so. Of course there’s some argument about how well the geometry will work for 5″+ rear travel 29ers and the fact is there still aren’t many on the market today.

For 2010 the Mach 429 will be offered in 3 annodized colors (red, black, and white) and a painted version in blue and white. The cool thing is that all the Mach 429 parts are compatible with the other Mach bikes so you can purchase the Pivot “lunchbox” to trick out your linkages, headset, etc. in one of several color combinations. The Mach 429 comes configured your choice of with several component groups including the new SRAM XX (but expect to pay big $$ for this one).

The Mach 429 also sports the signature Pivot curved seat tube and although I didn’t get a chance to test ride one it looks like a pretty agile bike. Like the other Mach bikes, the 429 makes use of a patented DW-link which many riders prefer (minimal pedal bob, great climbing traction, and a smooth vertical path).