Pivot Mach 4 Carbon - Review

Jun 15, 2015
by Richard Cunningham  



Pivot's inaugural model was the Mach 4, a cross-country oriented 100-millimeter-travel dual suspension bike. Its aluminum chassis incorporated a number of innovations, like rockers and bottom bracket assemblies that were welded together from two halves to form lightweight hollow structures, and Pivot also was one of the first bike brands to commit to Dave Weagle's anti-squat suspension technology. Much has changed since then, most notably the public's perception of the basic cross-country trail bike. Unless one happens to be an XC racer, most trail riders are choosing suspension travel in the neighborhood of 120 to 140 millimeters, largely because there is little if any weight penalty for moving up to a more capable chassis, and also because suspension no longer is a pedaling efficiency issue. Pivot, however, believes that many hard-core riders and racers out there long for the snappy acceleration and razor-sharp handling that the Mach 4 was born to deliver, and that the role of the short-travel dual-suspension bike is more valid than ever, so much so that they threw every trick they knew into this week's featured test bike: the Mach 4 Carbon.




Details:

• Carbon frame and swingarm, four-bar dw-link suspension, PressFit 92 bottom bracket, 115mm rear travel, 27.5" wheels
• Internal cable routing, Shimano Di2 compatible, with Pivot cable-port system
• Dropper post compatible with internal or external routing
• Shock: Fox Float CTD Kashima
• Fork: Fox Factory Series Float 32 CTD, 120mm, Kashima
• Enduro Max cartridge bearings at suspension pivot locations
• Stainless steel chain protection plates and rubberized leather frame protection pads.
• Bottle mounts above and below the down tube
• Direct-mount front derailleur bosses
• Clearance for tires up to 2.35"
• Sizes: X-small, small, medium (tested) large, and X-large
• Colors: grey/green, carbon/blue, carbon/red, carbon/pink
• Weight: 5.1 pounds (medium frame) with complete builds beginning at 22.pounds (10kg)
• Weight as tested: 27.1 pounds (12.32kg)
• MSRP: frame only - $2899, estimated price as tested, $10.000 (Pivot offers complete bikes, outfitted with either SRAM or Shimano components, ranging from $4499, to $10,249 USD.
• Contact: Pivot Cycles


Pivot Mach 4 Carbon Shimano Di2 custom build 2015


Meet the Mach 4 Carbon

Improved numbers: Pivot founder and designer Chris Cocalis upgraded the Mach 4 from 26 to 27.5-inch wheels when he decided to release a carbon fiber version, which required all new geometry and gave him an opportunity to upgrade its numbers to reflect current trends. Rear suspension travel has been increased from 100 millimeters to 115, which seems like an unusual number, but those who know Cocalis will tell you that the man wouldn't have chosen 115 without an extensive evaluation of travel numbers between 100 and 120. The dw-link suspension was reconfigured to drive the shock with a lower leverage rate, which increases the effectiveness of damping and tuning adjustments, as well as extends the range of rider weights that an air-sprung shock can handle. Up front, the Mach 4 is configured for either 100 or 120-millimeter-stroke forks (a 120 is preferred).

The carbon Mach 4's geometry is slightly slacker, with a 68.2-degree head angle and a 72-degree seat angle. Pivot offers the newest Mach 4 in a five sizes, from X-small (which has been especially designed with 100 millimeters of travel, a lower stack and an impossibly low, 26.61 inch standover height), to X-large. Complete Pivot Mach 4s range from the $10,249 Shimano Di2 build, to a far more affordable, $4,499 Shimano SLX-based build. The frame-only option runs $2,899 USD.

Pivot Mach 4 Carbon Shimano Di2 custom build 2015
Very few straight lines on the Mach 4 Carbon. The down tube swings low to make room for a full sized bottle inside the frame, its seat tube and lower suspension rocker is offset to the left, and the triangulated swingarm is asymmetrical to make room for a front derailleur.


Carbon construction: The Mach 4 is a complicated frame design and Pivot is justifiably proud of the carbon construction methods used to manufacture it. While some of the techniques used are trade secrets, what we do know is that the carbon layups are wrapped around rigid forms which are molded into the final shapes of the frame and swingarm. This sizes the many layers of the flexible carbon layup to closely match the inside of the molds which produce the frame parts. That in turn assures that the carbon is compressed evenly as it is cured using heat and internal pressure. When the parts are removed from their curing molds, they look ready to ride. Their precise layup and molding protocol allows Pivot to use less carbon, and as such, they can put higher strength (read, more expensive) material in key places without wasting the material's properties, because the maker can assure optimum compaction and fiber orientation in those critical areas during the manufacturing process. Just because the frame is built with "high modulus carbon" doesn't guarantee that it is any stronger. The entire process must be optimized to take advantage of it. Pivot seems to have done it right, because the Mach 4 is as beautiful to look at as it is to ride. In case you wondered, the weight of a medium Mach 4 frame is said to be 5.1 pounds (2.3kg).

Pivot Mach 4 Carbon Shimano Di2 custom build 2015
The rear brake hose and dropper seatpost housing enter into the left side of the frame.

Pivot Mach 4 Carbon Shimano Di2 custom build 2015
Rubberized leather protects the chainstay, while a stainless steel guard keeps an errant chain from grinding on the carbon swingarm.
Pivot Mach 4 Carbon Shimano Di2 custom build 2015
Small plates mark access holes where housings exit to operate mechanical front mechs. The Di2 battery is under the large hatch.

Pivot Mach 4 Carbon Shimano Di2 custom build 2015
The frame is offset to the left to make room for a front mech. Wiring is integrated for the direct-mount Di2 derailleur


Versatile features: Because many customers order Pivots as frames only, and also because Pivot offers the Mach 4 Carbon in a variety of Shimano and SRAM build options, there is a direct-mount provision for a front derailleur, and cable and hose routings are strategically placed to ensure that any popular component will be compatible, from droppers to disc brakes. Most of the cable and hose routing is internal. We picked up our Mach 4 in conjunction with Shimano's release of its electric shifting Di2 XTR drivetrain because it was the first production MTB chassis to be designed to work directly with Di2. The battery is screwed into a special port below the downtube and there are sealed wire ports where necessary in the frame. At the head tube, special screw-down hatches allow the right-side cable access ports to be converted from standard hose and housings to Di2's e-tube wiring. Pivot's internal routing assures that all the bits inside are secured and protected, and that the chassis looks cleaner and less complicated

Suspension: The latest Mach 4's suspension has been reconfigured with a reduced leverage rate that pencils out to 2.59:1. The idea is to reduce pressure levels required to maintain proper sag, and to boost the sensitivity of the shock's damping in both directions. Cocalis says the short rockers and one-piece swingarm design provides much more stiffness than a single-pivot or Horst-Link suspension. Long-wearing Enduro Max ball bearings are used at all pivot locations, and the lower rocker is offset to the left to add width to the rocker and to maximize the lateral stiffness of the chassis. Like all Pivots, the Mach 4 is configured with dw-link anti-squat kinematics, which means that you'll probably never have to use the shock's CTD lever to boost its pedaling effectiveness. Dw-link designs, however, seem to be sensitive to compression damping, so the Fox Float CTD damper and air-can are custom tuned, and while that is what we would expect from all good bike designs, it is essential to the Mach 4.
Mach 4 Carbon Geometry 2015

Pivot Mach 4 Carbon Shimano Di2 custom build 2015
Pivot Mach 4 Carbon Shimano Di2 custom build 2015
Oft overlooked, the Fox D.O.S.S. dropper post was well suited to the Mach 4's performance. The positive feeling mechanical action offers three positions: up, down and trail. We found the middle position to be perfect for techy, fast-paced trails where we wanted a bit more control.


Component Notes

Normal reviews call for testing models outfitted with standard, production-line components, but our Mach 4, was sent to Shimano to be outfitted with its house-brand Pro cockpit items, XTR carbon wheels and a Di2 XTR component ensemble. Pivot offers their own version based upon Shimano Di2 XTR, but it features different cockpit items and a Reynolds carbon wheelset which result in a slightly lighter overall weight figure and nearly the same MSRP. Our test bike also featured a Fox D.O.S.S. dropper post, which is not available from Pivot. The test was conducted using a 2.25-inch Maxxis High Roller II front tire, with a 2.2-inch Maxxis Ardent rear tire - both converted to tubeless. (The High Roller II and the Ardent are standard options for the Mach 4.)

Because we are going to post a long-term review of the Di2 ensemble shortly, we will avoid covering the performance of individual components beyond their relevance to this particular review. For the drivetrain, we used the two-by eleven Di2 option, programed in the synchronous mode. The right-side shifter buttons control both the front and rear derailleurs, providing 13 evenly spaced, pre-determined gear selections. The Mach 4 frame is literally built around Di2, and the installation was so seamless that most observers were unaware of its presence until they heard the servo motors at work.






bigquotesThe Mach 4's cross-country roots are not lost in its modernized suspension and geometry - it feels speedy and efficient, and it requires its rider to be engaged.

Reviewing a top-food-chain version of the classic short-travel cross-country trail bike asks more questions than it answers. On one hand, Pivot's Mach 4 Carbon represents near perfection of that genre. Its chassis has evolved from a single-purpose racing machine to become a race-oriented, but far more capable tool for backcountry fitness junkies who talk heart rate, log ride distances, and preach Strava. On the other hand, the Mach 4 Carbon has reached a point in its development where it can neither turn back to its racing roots, nor progress forward to join the super-slack enduro-bro genre which has recently captured the imaginations of riders who deem themselves to possess greater technical skills than the average Joe or Jane and thus require uber capable mounts. Its lightweight carbon chassis is remarkably stiff under power and, combined with its anti-squat suspension, the Mach 4 Carbon can be powered up in an instant from a seated or a standing position. Get it rolling fast, and its compact wheelbase and minimal suspension communicate a clear picture of what's going on beneath the wheels. Its cross-country roots are not lost in its modernized suspension and geometry - it feels speedy and efficient, and it requires its rider to be engaged.

Initial setup: Long-travel trail bikes require far more attention to get their suspension right because the more travel you have, the more it affects the outcome of your ride. By contrast, the Mach 4's paltry 115 millimeters needs only to be sagged in correctly (a built-in sag-o-meter assures that you can't get that wrong), and that you have cranked in the low-speed rebound sufficiently to prevent the tail end from bouncing after singletrack-pace G-outs. Fox's 32 Float CTD fork is equally easy to dial in, although, using the 20-percent sag rule allowed the front end to devour its travel when descending steeps, so we changed that to the 15-percent rule.

Like all short-travel (or no-travel) cross-country oriented trail bikes, fine tuning the suspension is done primarily with tire selection and pressure settings. The Mach 4 performed remarkably different when we experimented with various tires. It prefers a fast-rolling, high-volume tread like the Schwalbe Rocket Ron or the Maxxis Ardent, but unless you are planning a 100 kilometer trail ride or entering a marathon XC event, you will happily give up their faster roll and dexterous feel for a grippier tread that is more predictable in the turns. Ultimately, we settled upon a compromise, with a 2.2-inch Maxxis Ardent in the rear and the industry standard, 2.25-inch Maxxis High Roller II up front. Paradoxically, the exact tire combination that Pivot specs on its complete builds. Running tubeless, the best tire pressures were 28psi up front and 30psi (apx. 2 bar) in the rear with rider weights between 160 and 170 pounds (apx. 70 kg).

Pivot Mach 4 2015

bigquotesThe rider's position over the Mach 4 Carbon makes for a seamless transition to and from the saddle.

Climbing and acceleration: Inexplicably, Pivot's blend of new and old-school geometry produces a bike that lacks some of the explosive pop that the original Mach 4 had out of the starting gate and up short, steep climbs. The Mach 4 Carbon can get moving in a hurry, but where it shines best, is its ability to carry speed on the flats and to maintain a strong pace uphill. Some of that tendency could be attributed to the fact that the rider's position over the Mach 4 Carbon makes for a seamless transition to and from the saddle. We'd chalk up the rest to anti-squat and its lightweight, rigid chassis.

Technical climbing was hindered slightly by the Mach 4's lower-than-necessary bottom bracket location, which botched some possible first ascents when I slammed a pedal or a chainring at the most inopportune moments. Pivot pegs the Mach 4's bottom bracket height at 12.8 inches with a 100mm fork and 13.25 inches with a 120mm slider. Our test bike, with a 120mm Fox 32 fork, measured 13 inches, shod with huge, 2.35-inch tires. That said, if you can avoid banging the cranks and pedals, the Mach 4 Carbon can claw its way up some serious gnar. I used the Pivot to explore some lung-bursting technical ascents that featured relentless boulder and switchback problems, and can report that the bike helped me pull off some improbable moves. Its rear suspension seems to dig into the terrain with each power pulse. Technical climbers should know that Di2 absolutely rocks. I never had to worry about a shift. I learned I could push the button, trust the computer, and concentrate entirely on bike-handling skills.

Pivot Mach 4 2015


Cornering and Steering: While the Mach 4 is quite capable of the "look at me drift" that has become the defining slack-head-angle move, its steeper geometry and shorter wheelbase gives it more bite in the turns and it tends to carve a tighter arc with a slight tendency for the rear wheel to slide before the front tire breaks traction. When the Mach 4 does break into a drift, it keeps searching for traction, which maintains momentum and improves exit speeds. Those familiar with the Maxxis Ardent 2.2-inch tire, however, will agree that it grips until it doesn't grip, after which, it lets loose with a suddenness that put me on the ground at least once. Those who favor predictable cornering over lower rolling resistance should probably choose a gripper tread like the High Roller II for its tail end.

Steering is light feeling and predictable, but after riding head angles in the vicinity of 66 to 67-degrees for a season, it took some time to adjust to the Mach 4's quicker feeling, 68-degree number. The steeper angle makes the Pivot extremely agile mid-corner, and it presents many more options when it is necessary to scribe a precise line down a rock garden. But, all that goodness comes at a price when you get up a head of speed and the best approach is to straight-line the boulders, and line choices are limited to one. If it strays off line in the heat of battle, it will be up to you to coax it back to safety. In the hands of a competent rider, the Mach 4 can rip, and it can handle a lot of punishment - but you'll have to look and plan ahead.

Pivot Mach 4 2015

bigquotesIts steeper geometry and shorter wheelbase gives it more bite in the turns and it tends to carve a tighter arc...

Technical skills: Shimano XTR brakes, paired with a 160/180-millimeter rotor combination provided more than enough stopping power for precise control on the downs, and their feel was better than I remember, with just-right modulation. The Mach 4 can handle steep and technical descending as long as its pilot doesn't go in too hot. There seems to be a fine demarcation between the Mach 4's thrilling-but-in-control speed and its Hail Mary threshold. You will not forget the lesson, I can assure you. Within its envelope, which reaches well into, but does not fully encompass the domain of all-mountain, Pivot's Mach 4 Carbon is a trustworthy and very enjoyable partner, so much so, that I often would choose it for rides that would put it well out of its comfort zone, because I knew that it would be more rewarding for the lion's share of the chosen route.

Like most XC-oriented designs, the Mach 4's rear wheel tends to lift when jumping unless you exaggerate the pull-up slightly. Otherwise, it flies pretty well. Its limited suspension travel makes it skip around a bit under braking at speed, and it will do the same while rounding fast, rough corners. Happily, the chassis is laterally rigid to the point where none of that bouncing seems to throw it off line. I found the medium size to be just right for me, which means that riders nearer to six feet tall should probably choose a large size. I found that I was up against the handlebar when I was climbing up steep rock faces or launching up steps on the trail, and I am fairly short (five-foot, seven inches/170cm). In its favor, the Mach 4 requires very little fore/aft movement to weight the wheels when maneuvering the bike, and it can be had in five sizes, so most riders are assured a good fit and a proper handling bike.

Issues: Looking back at the Mach 4 Carbon review, I would probably choose a longer stroke fork if I were to make the bike my daily rider. A 130mm or 140mm fork would raise the bottom bracket slightly and kick the head angle out to about 67 degrees, both of which would extend its comfort zone in the technical type trails which I ride most often. Of course, that pushes a bike which is clearly intended to be a lightweight XC trail machine into the realm of all-mountain. While the 32-millimeter Fox fork is considered to be taboo by hard core riders, it puts in a sufficient performance in the shorter, 120-millimeter length. I learned to use the "Trail" option to add support when I was descending in earnest, which worked out well. I blew up the shock in about two months, however, which may have been another reminder of the bike's intended purpose. Failures of Float CTD shocks are few and far between in the true realm of XC/trail riding, but mine leaked some fluid and sucked some air. Evidently, the Mach 4's 115 millimeters of travel are not negotiable. Other than that, the only problems I had were snapping a carbon XTR brake lever and losing the retaining screw for Pivot's through-axle nut at the rear dropout. The derailleur hanger is integrated into that part, so when I pulled the rear wheel out, the rear derailleur fell off - more of an annoyance than a serious problem.

Pivot Mach 4 2015


Technical Notes:

Overall the Mach 4 Carbon was a trouble free, quiet running trail bike that took a beating and was always waiting for another go. As mentioned earlier, the Pivot's build kit was intended to showcase Shimano XTR M900 and Di2 XTR M9050 components which will be covered in a future review. That said, we did have some positive and negative experiences with the bike's components worth mention.

Carbon brake levers: Shimano XTR carbon brake levers are not immune to failure. We snapped one on the last day of the review period. Who would have guessed that, after crashing and bashing for three months, the tip of the lever blade would pop off when the bike fell over by itself in soft dirt? I sanded it smooth with a rock and called it good

Fox D.O.S.S. dropper post: It's heavier than the Reverb, it only has three positions, and it has an external housing. And you know, I couldn't care less. The Fox dropper was the perfect mate to the Mach 4's performance - the middle position was the ticket for long, fast-paced descents or anywhere I anticipated trouble and, unlike the infinitely adjustable Reverb, I could flick the Fox's black lever and find the same location - every time. Turns out, I like it.

Di2 Synchronous shifting: Awesome. If you are going to have a front derailleur, then you should have one that shifts by itself. The difference between electric shifting and manual is that you must hold onto the manual lever until the shift is complete. With Di2, you press and forget. Small deal? Try it before you pass judgement. Di2 only offers one gear higher and one lower than SRAM XX1. I found that I liked the extra low and rarely used the taller option - still, having two extra gears in the bank turned out to be a good thing.
Pivot Mach 4 Carbon Shimano Di2 custom build 2015



Pinkbike's Take:
bigquotesThe frame alone of Pivot's Mach 4 Carbon costs as much as a good quality, entry-level, dual-suspension trail bike and it would take over three times that sum to duplicate our test bike. The message here is that you should be absolutely sure of what you want before laying down that kind of cash for a mountain bike. The good news is that Pivot makes that task easy. The Mach 4 Carbon is beautifully designed and executed to fulfill a specific role: a no-compromise cross-country trail bike, built tough enough to last a lifetime, and light enough to ensure that its owner need not wish for something else a few years down the road. If you own an elite level XC bike, have a few bib shorts hiding in the closet, collect KOMs on Strava, and have a burning desire to get rowdier than the rest of the boys and girls on your weekend cross-country rides, the Mach 4 Carbon will show you a whole new world. - RC




View more photos and larger images in the review gallery.




MENTIONS: @pivotcycles, @shimano, @foxracingshox, @Maxxis

Author Info:
RichardCunningham avatar

Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

142 Comments
  • 127 7
 Someone hand a chainless one to Gwin, he'd probably win an XC race on it.
  • 16 60
flag freeride-forever (Jun 15, 2015 at 21:37) (Below Threshold)
 He doesn't win 'em fvcker, Jesus does. Wink
  • 18 2
 What?
  • 25 23
 "Okay. Dear, 8-pound, 6-ounce, newborn infant Jesus, don't even know a word yet, just a little infant and so cuddly, but still omnipotent, we just thank you for all the races I've won and the 21.2 millios dollars-- Whoo!"
  • 73 13
 $10,000? No thanks. Take note, bike industry......
  • 17 14
 Yeah 10 000 is alot, but for that you pretty much get world cup level race bike and for that price, it is, although hard to imagine, reasonable.
  • 36 5
 wait 2 years and the weekend warrior super dads will be selling theirs for half the price.
  • 5 6
 BAAAAAAAH!!! IKR? Especially for sump'm that messy lookin'. O.o
  • 16 2
 No take note Pinkbike, do bikes around the average bike consumers price range. A good portion of people on this website cant afford this bike. Please Pinkbike review more bikes that are like in the 4,000$ range. or just any bike with 4 digits in it.
  • 27 2
 10,000 and it weighs over 27 pounds. That's a lot considering it's a 4 inch travel cross country bike.
  • 11 10
 Clearly you are all reading impaired or simply trolling for props.

"MSRP: frame only - $2899, estimated price as tested, $10.000 (Pivot offers complete bikes, outfitted with either SRAM or Shimano components, ranging from $4499, to $10,249 USD"

$10k is chump change compared to where top end road bikes are, which haven't got any suspension at all.
  • 7 1
 How is my reading impaired? It says that the estimated price as tested is 10k and the weight as tested is 27.1. That may be inaccurate info but that's what the article says. I'd hope that 10k would get you a lighter cross country bike than that. It isn't the fact that a bike could cost 10k that surprises me, it surprises me that a 10k bike isn't competitive (by weight) to other similarly priced bikes in its class.
  • 3 0
 I built one up in my shop last week with an XT build and Ardent Race tires that weighed a hair over 25lbs.
  • 4 0
 My SB5 weighs in at 25.6lbs (lg frame) and I have $3000 less in it than this... Just saying I feel like they sort of missed the mark here. That's with my KS LEV Integra 150mm dropper too..
  • 2 2
 deeeeight tried comparing mountain bikes to road bikes. your e-pinion is not valid sir.
  • 1 0
 Pricing wise they can be compared, though in terms of total sales 700C road/cross/hybrid/touring bikes far exceed mountain bikes still and more money is spent on road cycling teams, racing, and R&D than mountain bikes.
  • 1 2
 exactly. the road market is much larger compared to the mtb market. its not a fair comparison, IMO
  • 1 2
 Yes...and that's why road bikes are more expensive... the market will clearly pay those prices to get the top stuff.
  • 3 2
 Not to mention other sports... GOLF for example.. top end clubs... you can easily break into 5 digit pricing for pro replica stuff. A single Titlest Scotty Cameron limited production (500 made each year) Tiger Woods putter is about $20k.
  • 3 0
 Wait wait, why are we talking about golf clubs?
  • 74 19
 I'm sorry, but it looks like a female Walmart bike.
  • 6 0
 Hmmm.
  • 10 0
 Pro Tip-O-the-Day...don't look at females at Walmart. There's an entire website dedicated to proving the point... Razz
  • 3 1
 It looks like it melted and the tubes have started to sag.
  • 2 0
 I would like the shorter wheelbase but not the low bottom bracket. On the positive side ,Richards review temped me to look at the other Pivot models.
  • 3 0
 i wouldnt say walmart, but definitively girly somehow.
  • 28 5
 Pivot are getting sued by Gilette.....
  • 4 2
 It's a joke, whoever negged this...
  • 5 1
 I was also joking, it looks like it was chiseled out of cottage cheese.
  • 20 4
 Why I'm always surprised to read the cry babies on price, should be used to it on Pinkbike. The only thing you twits read was 10k, probably didn't notice that was a DI2 equipped bike or all the models that didn't cost that. There plenty of 10k bikes that don't even come with DI2, which is a $2800 groupset.
  • 16 1
 The bike looks like it has droopy butt. Its ugly
  • 9 0
 All hail RICHARD CUNNINGHAM

It's so great to see one of the true legends of mtb innovation hucking and drifting like a teenager. Check out his Mantis Full Floater from 1995 - twenty f'n years ago!

reviews.mtbr.com/ex-mountain-bike-action-editor-richard-cunningham-joins-pinkbike/mantis

As an old man (well...44), I gave up downhill and all forms of MTB 8 years ago after 3 ACL replacements. Last summer I got off the couch, picked up a new stumpy and got back on the team - "I'm just gonna ride slow and chill" I told my wife.

Just got back from my second day at Highland and cannot stop grinning. Thanks RC for all you do for our sport and the inspiration.
  • 12 0
 Different looking frame.. not sure if it's good different or bad different.. but different..
  • 10 1
 swooping lines of the main frame and angular lines of the sub-frame looks weird to me.
  • 9 0
 with the slx build its not "overpriced" in my opinion, but knowing you can get some 6" travel bikes down to around 28lbs makes this seem worthless to me.
  • 11 1
 Not sure id get this but would take the Mach 6 in a heartbeat
  • 2 0
 Dream bike
  • 8 2
 30 psi in in your Minions Smile Ok, well 28 psi in your HRII at 160lbs... seriously?

The Pivot sounds like a great bike but I can't help thinking the tester wasn't ideal for the type of bike it is to get a fair review. I'd be very surprised if anyone else is thinking High Rollers front and rear on this bike. It is a Marathon rider's dream bike not a mini DH bike. Maybe its versatility is its downfall here but hey
  • 7 0
 Not to worry, Beardless in Marin: I was once an XC and Marathon racer (although I try to keep that on the down-low here on PB). I threw the sticky tires on late in the review to boost the fun factor. Glad I did ;-)
  • 2 0
 Which ones were the sticky tires? I see Vittoria Morsa tires on the bike, but the review mentions High Rollers and Ardents.
  • 5 0
 I reviewed the bike with the Ardent (R) and HRII (F). Using an Ardent on the front where I do most of my riding would require much courage. I threw on the Vittorias afterwards to evaluate them. The ones I have are team issue only - super sticky. The weather was deteriorating and we were pressed for time, so I left them on when we shot the bike. Morsa tires are pretty rare... I was curious if the PB detectives would recognize them. Nothing gets past them, it seems.
  • 1 0
 Thanks. I've had good luck with GEAX / Vittoria tires and did not recognize the Morsa's until I researched them. I ride mostly National Trail in South Mountain AZ, which is very hard on tires so I am always interested in new designs.
  • 1 0
 South Mountain is very much like my home trails. Morsas should work well there.
  • 1 0
 At 30psi too? Wink I jest, I jest
  • 7 1
 Also. If a bike is priced as tested at $10,000 the review better be positive and say everything is great.
If that much money is spent on a bike, everything better be flawless.
  • 9 1
 $10,000 for 27 lbs?!! What the heck does the 22 lb option cost?????
  • 8 1
 for that weight and $, I'll take the S-Works enduro instead, thanks.
  • 4 2
 Or a Camber!
  • 7 2
 I'll take a brand new dirtbike and still have at least $2000 to spare.
  • 1 0
 Yeah that is really heavy at that price point when compared to say Nino's 120mm 19.6lb Spark.
  • 4 0
 Thinking the same thing... 27lbs is probably a typo, as I don't see where/how to knock-off 5lbs from that full XTR-Di2-carbon-everything wonderbike.

My 5.7c weight a bit over 27lbs
  • 1 0
 Well, that front tire is 1300g, and dropper adds weight. Rear tire could knock off another 100g.
  • 1 0
 Yea, something doesn't add up. My 2lb heavier M4X frame weighs 27.6lbs built up with a 34 talas, Lev post, and Vigilantes.
  • 1 0
 Can't remember, how do the carbon/alloy XTR wheels compare with those reynolds wheels? that could be a chunk of weight there as well.

That said, yes, tires probably have a lot to do with it.
  • 1 0
 ... not sure how the managed to get to 27 and change but the dropper post alone adds a pound, the "upgrade" 650b wheels and tires at least another 200-300 grams.

But besides the weight (and the messy looks) what is funny is the admission that we have "a bike that lacks some of the explosive pop that the original Mach 4 had out of the starting gate and up short, steep climbs". And you can be sure that some of that is due to the switch away from the venerable 26 wheels!
  • 5 0
 I've been running a couple of Fox DOSS for two years on my trail bikes and I think this is the first bike I've seen spec'd with one, They are very reliable, surprised they haven't really caught on.
  • 2 0
 I think its because the dont offer a 150mm drop only 125 as their max
  • 1 0
 Yeah, I bought a LEV 150 for that reason, but even with the infinite adjustment it still kinda sucks. It gets stuck a lot and when your charging through rough stuff it wont drop.
The DOSS is made for my kind of riding. They do need a 150 or even a 180 for sure.

I was looking at the Vecnum 200mm posts for my Canfield One AM/FR/DH bike, but I do not think there would be any service here in the USA.
  • 1 0
 Another satisfied DOSS owner here as well. Being short has few advantages, but 100mm droppers are one of those few.

That said, I still want them to come up with a better lever. I switched to a front shifter for a while, but honestly, I like that black paddle, I just want something that looks better(& has I-spec/matchmaker compatibility.)
  • 5 0
 You guys are hilarious with the complaints about cost. Take that Yeti C-26 they have up, $1200 hardtail frame in 1989. If you adjust that for inflation, it would be a $2300 hard tail frame.
  • 2 0
 In my opinion they should test bikes from the baseline. I mean that if you test bike for 10 000$ it is almost sure that you will not find so much weak points. But how many bikers afford bike for 10 000$? The whole 90% (or even more) have bikes from beseline and middle price range.
  • 5 0
 Definitely does NOT look like a session.
  • 2 1
 5.1lbs (2.3kg) carbon XC/trail frame?
First to pop in mind is the Canyon Spectral CF : 1.95kg (2.6 for Al) that withstands enduro. Complete build also isn't so light.
I don't see the point, if you're willing to pay that amount of money, why would you chose this bike ? (except if you life the aesthetics)
  • 2 0
 Need to add the weight of the shock to the Spectral and the funky link if you want to run that too. 2.3kg for a frame and shock like this isn't too bad.
  • 10 8
 10k for a bike thats 27+ lbs...no thanks. there's plenty other bikes out there that are more capable for the same weight and half the price.
  • 2 0
 Seems they chucked on a silly build list, e.g. Highrollers. I'd build it in to a 20-22lb marathon bike not whatever weird thing was reviewed here.
  • 1 1
 This is pretty bad way to waste your money on wrong parts for great frame.
While the Mach 4 can easily build 21lb for the same price, you guys choose to built it like it was Mach 6 - My Mach 6 weigh just under 27lb with XX1 and for $2,000 less (Minion DHF front and back).
The Mach 4 race built should be with XX1, Rocket Ron EVO, NirWheels 27CF or Stan's Valor, and stock carbon seat post - you'll have over $1,000 change to cover your costs of two seasons of racing.
For 27lb just go with the mid price pivot Mach 4 stock package, which won't cost more than $5,000.
  • 5 0
 Vittoria Morsa tires?
  • 3 0
 Yeah I want to hear more about these tires as well.
  • 1 0
 Morsa's might replace my ardents. Might.
  • 3 0
 IT is TEN GRAND and it has FOX CTD, just saying, No wait, It has FOXCTD WTF!!!
  • 1 0
 Why does the test bike have white forks? I got one of these last week (x1 build so it didn't cost a kidney) and it doesn't look anywhere near as bad as these pictures make out. It also rides good.
  • 1 0
 My Medium with XX1, TALAS 110-130 fork, and Lev Integra dropper is 25 pounds and WAY less than 10 grand. And a blast to ride...
  • 3 0
 Is it just me or does it look like one of those "women specific bikes"?
  • 3 0
 To quote Arnold, circa Predator, "you're one ugly motherfvcker!"
  • 2 0
 A comparative test of the Di2 and the SLX version would be interesting
  • 2 2
 the bike looks great, im sure it rides sweet too. But really a WHITE fork? big bike mfg get custom colored forks, Pivot step it up guys!
  • 8 0
 This was a spec set up by the tester and Shimano - our build kits offer internal droppers, color matched forks and a wide range of component options in both 1x and 2x set-ups for varying budgets. See our website for a sample of the color matched fork: www.pivotcycles.com/bike/mach-4-carbon

Actual MSRP for a complete Mach 4 Carbon starts at $4,499.
  • 4 0
 I call shenanigans on this review. I don't think it was fair that the reviewer didn't want to ride the bike the way it was intended, as well as presenting a weird custom build with heavy all-mountain tires to represent the cost and weight.
  • 1 0
 I agree on the white fork, it looks out of place. I love black forks, I have one on my black Scott Scale and it looks dope. I recently put a black fork on my white framed Spark and that looks dope.
  • 6 0
 Mecabeat^^^ Good point and point taken. I wasn't born yesterday, however, and I would not have run this review if I had any reservations about the custom build. Beyond being lighter weight, the standard Pivot Di2 build (www.pivotcycles.com/bike/mach-4-carbon/#kits) is not going to produce significantly different results. The key differences would be its Reynolds carbon wheels (a Pivot upgrade), lack of a dropper post, a Maxxis Ardent tire up front, and some different cockpit items. To put the review in perspective, I also have extensive time on the original Mach 4 and all of the components in the standard Di2 build. I am a veteran 24-hour racer and as such, have a firm grasp on the performance and purpose of the Mach 4. The PB audience is heavily biased towards the technical side of the sport and as such, I wrote this piece in the hope that readers would appreciate that Pivot's showcase XC/trailbike could fulfill both roles at the highest level.
  • 1 0
 I figured that it was a frame review, and thought it was strange to see a white fork on a completely black frame... the Mach4 carbon is a pretty sweet looking bike either way!
  • 1 0
 I really enjoyed this review and I think it translates really well the spirit of the bike. I ride a Mach 6 and found a lot of similarities between what Richard described and how my bike feels, adjusting for differences in purposes of both rigs. I personally don't find the shape of the top tube on the Mach 4 very attractive...but sure as hell that Pivot was more interested in lowering the COG and thus making it better at cornering than focusing on what would be more aesthetically pleasing to the majority of the crowd.
  • 1 0
 Please tell me the location of the testing! Looks very familiar but I can't put my finger on it. Looks fun too!
  • 1 0
 I'm thinking Tapia Canyon in LA...
  • 6 0
 We shot it at Sycamore Canyon in Santee
  • 2 1
 Candygram and Mongo. There's an entire area out there with Mel Brooks names - High Anxiety leads to a super fun trail - No/Mid Flow. Off in the background is one of the best beginner to intermediate 'jump'? lines with wooden features - Mojo and MojoX. One of San Diego's last un-molested, un-contested, un-patrolled areas. Hopefully for another year or two.

That area has done as much for my progression as reading pinkbike! Smile
  • 1 0
 High modulus carbon is less strong than a standard carbon fiber like a T700. Stiff and strong are two different things...
  • 2 0
 Im just enjoying the pics of my local trail Big Grin
  • 2 0
 ditto!
  • 1 0
 @bcamapgnolo I think that was you I saw on backdoor near that first gap jump, didnt click till afterwards.
  • 2 0
 @ktmrider173 Cool! I'm always back there working on my jumping. I can clear all the stuff on backdoor and even though I helped put in the new hip on upper mojo and rode it that first day, I can't mentally clear it any more and can't do the last ladder on lower MojoX or the final sand bag gap. . . My brain knows the distance on the gap on backdoor is the same. . . goals, goals..
If you see me out there yell at me. I like doing repeats on the final table and upper mojo to backdoor.
I think I have your Strava name now!
  • 1 0
 Yup you found me! I try to head out there like once a week, I will keep an eye out for you, next time you see me i will probably be on a pretty easy to spot dvo tracer Big Grin
  • 2 0
 Looks wicked fun. I'm drooling.
  • 1 0
 Looks like the big brother and more capable version of a specialized sx. With a proper build, this thing could shred anything.
  • 1 0
 I hate it but I have to say that-at first sight it looks completely like Specialized SX trail
  • 2 1
 I have yet to read a great review of these bikes.
  • 1 0
 Looks like your momma sat on the top tube
  • 4 5
 It's hard to get behind review articles anymore when the as tested price is a five figure number. One of the reasons I am moving towards BMX to get my speed fix.
  • 9 1
 There are literally tons of amazing bikes half the price. But if there were no 'overpriced' bikes, what would people with 'too much' money ride?
  • 2 0
 The price just adds to the components, it doesn't really change anything relating to how the bike actually is. He's not saying things like: "It brakes really well", because that's something that has pretty much nothing to do with the frame.

I guess the only exception would be the fork/shock, which I'm assuming are still fox offerings that would perform almost exactly the same on the ~$4000 option.
  • 6 5
 WOW! The frame is ONLY $2899!!! Sign me up! Its such a great deal! Woop!
  • 1 0
 Lol smartass!
  • 4 0
 To be honest, I have never rode a $10k bike. I am still rocking a 2010 Enduro that I bought for $2100. Is a $10k bike that much better? Is it funner than my old Enduro? I have a wife + 2 kids, no mortgage, the cars are paid off, but I can't comprehend a $10k bike. But, I still ride my dinosaur every single day. Sigh.. I guess I am the dinosaur at 35 years of age...
  • 2 0
 I'm not sure if a 10k bike is that much better, but there are differences in ride between a bike from 2010 and today. I'm borrowing a friends 26" 2004? Specialized Enduro and in addition to being AL, it's light years different than my 2014 Niner RIP9 RDO. My Niner is not 10k or even that close, but there is a difference in that bike he's loaning me and his 2014 Enduro carbon for sure. Cost isn't the big deal as much as geometry and materials, and generally that sort of modern stuff costs money.
I was an S-Works fan boy, saving all my spare change and hoping to one day soon get an enduro s-works, and then I discovered the direct model - YT Industries; and was that much closer to my goal due to the cost being about 1/2. So, I'd say you don't have to spend 10k to have a sweet bike, but you may have to spend occasionally to update components and materials. The article here on pinkbike discussing the innovations to the industry was pretty eye opening.
  • 1 0
 Hmmm... It must be gravity who has distorted those tubes!
  • 1 0
 ...ya, but it still looks like a girl's bike.
  • 1 0
 As a trail side mechanic RC rocks !
  • 1 0
 Frame is something only its mother could like.
  • 1 0
 Ugly like novembers night
  • 4 4
 The swooping lines and muscular haunches of this bike look good.
  • 1 0
 how much is it to buy
  • 1 0
 uglyyyyyyyy
  • 4 4
 So much prettier than they used to be. Good work on the aesthetics pivot.
  • 1 1
 Did they test the medium or the large? pretty hard to tell in the text :/
  • 1 0
 He did an excellent job listing the size and how he felt about it-
"I found the medium size to be just right for me, which means that riders nearer to six feet tall should probably choose a large size. I found that I was up against the handlebar when I was climbing up steep rock faces or launching up steps on the trail, and I am fairly short (five-foot, seven inches/170cm)."
  • 1 0
 In the details it said "• Sizes: X-small, small, medium (tested) large, and X-large" missed that paragraph where he told about what he thought about the size tho
  • 1 2
 Cool....(as I walkaway anticipating Trek's new rig).
  • 6 8
 Bloody front mechs!! When is everyone going to realise that 1x is all you ever need!!
  • 1 1
 Ugly
  • 4 0
 Like your mum.
(Sorry, couldn't resist that one!)
  • 1 1
 @bigtim never mind bcoz yours ugliest
Sorry, couldn't resist that one
  • 5 7
 10k... Little over priced
  • 19 3
 Complete builds range from underr $5000. Di2 pushes the price way up.
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