Introducing the 2016 Pivot Mach 6 - Aluminum

Pivot Cycles is no stranger to aluminum construction. Owner/designer Chris Cocalis is one of the most accomplished aluminum frame makers in the business. Beginning with the Mach 4, Pivot's first five models were wrought from the stuff, and they featured a number of innovative construction techniques that set stiffness-to-weight standards which approached the best carbon frames of their day.

That said, even Chris admits that carbon composites have all but eliminated the demand for metal mountain bikes, which explains why when Pivot launched its Mach 6 into the ultra-competitive all-mountain/enduro category, it was carbon fiber from head to tail. Like most bike makers, Pivot's first carbon offerings had evolved from existing aluminum-framed models - so the Mach 6 was a bold statement: Pivot was playing the carbon game for keeps. Or so it seemed.


Mach 6 Aluminum

With sales of his carbon XC, DH and trail bikes setting new records for Pivot, why would Cocalis backtrack to make an aluminum Mach 6? The official answer is that some hydro-forming techniques have emerged that can produce variable wall thicknesses which can be prescribed at almost any location along the tube's length. At the same time, those frame members can be profiled and tapered to add stiffness where necessary, or slimmed to reduce weight. Cocalis figured that by employing those forming techniques, Pivot could once again challenge the strength-to-weight values of elite carbon fiber frames with an aluminum chassis. Another motivating factor (no surprise here), was that an aluminum chassis could substantially undercut the sticker price of a comparably equipped Mach 6 Carbon. Finally, a large number of elite level riders have not warmed up to carbon and would prefer a metal mountain bike. Enter, the Mach 6 Aluminum.



According to Pivot's press release, both the Mach 6 carbon and the new aluminum model have been designed to incorporate the new 148mm "Boost" rear hub spacing, which adds plenty of room for tires up to 2.4 inches wide, without lengthening the chainstays. Additional benefits of Boost are more symmetrical spoke lacing for the rear wheel and a better chain line for one-by drivetrains. Pivot states that most Shimano cranksets will operate with Boost spacing (all narrow Q-factor cranks fail the test), and some Race Face cranksets can adapt, but SRAM customers will need the extra three-millimeter-spaced Boost cranksets to get the proper chain line. In the back, Pivot says that only a Boost hub will work in order to obtain proper brake rotor and hub flange spacing. Boost forks, however, are not required.

Both the Mach 6 Aluminum and Carbon models share an all new linkage and yoke arrangement, which is said to dramatically increase the frame's lateral stiffness and shock stability. The suspension rocks on Duramax bearings which are cageless, with extra balls added to enhance their load carrying capacity at low rotational speeds. Here is the official word from the Pivot Press release:




Pivot's new hydro-forming and variable wall thickness technology is less apparent in the curving top and down tubes, but is definitely showcased by the lower section of the seat tube, where it bulges to reinforce the dw-link rocker pivots - and by the swingarm, which uses a wildly formed central strut that widens to pick up the asymmetrical chainstays and then tapers to brace the seatstay assembly from the left side of the junction. All of the cable housing runs are full-length and external, with the exception of the internally routed right chain stay and a seat-tube port for a Stealth-style dropper post.

Suspension is specifically tuned for the Mach 6's dw-link suspension, as it uses a variable leverage rate that requires an air-sprung shock. The standard damper is a Fox Kashima Float shock with the DPS damping system. Pivot explains it like this:


Pivot also warns that the Mach 6 Aluminum (and the 2016 carbon Mach 6) was designed to work with the progressiveness of an air spring. and that coil shocks cannot provide the necessary spring curve, and will result in excessive bottoming. That should not be a huge issue, as the performance of air-sprung shocks has been elevated to near-perfection by pro-level enduro competition. Another possible concern is the yoke type rear shock attachment, which Pivot has designed to work with conventional shock eyes. The good news is that Pivot's yoke is compatible with most popular shocks, including the Cane Creek DB InLine.


The new Mach 6 Aluminum is available in five sizes, from X-small through X-large, to fit riders from 4-foot, eleven inches (150cm ) to well over six feet tall (+190cm ). Beyond the switch to Boost hub spacing, the Mach 6's geometry is the same as the 2015 carbon version, which is a good thing. Pivot will offer a wide range of builds, from pro-level Shimano XTR and SRAM XX1, to more attainable Shimano SLX and SRAM X1-based ensembles. Pricing and weights of all build options have not been released, but complete builds will start at $3499 and Mach 6 Aluminum frames with the Fox Kashima Float Evol shock wil retail for $1999 USD. Watch PB for an upcoming review of Pivot's latest long-travel trailbike and in the meantime, enjoy their video edit on both the 2016 Mach 6 Aluminum, and the Boost-updated Mach 6 Carbon:



Videographer: Cameron Sylvester, Nomadik Motion

"The most versatile enduro bike in the world just got stronger, stiffer and now offers two frame material options for the ultimate in rider choice. Pivot is proud to introduce the new Mach 6 Carbon and Mach 6 Aluminum - choice of Bernard Kerr, Aaron Chase and the Pivot-Vittoria Pro Enduro Team. - Pivot Cycles"


And, Here's the 2016 Mach 6 Carbon:

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