Pivot

Mach 6 Carbon X01 Complete Mountain Bike - 2014

With both mid-sized wheels and enduro being the buzz-worthy topics of the year, it comes with little surprise that the Pivot Mach 6 has garnered so much attention. With a lightweight carbon fiber frame, and enduro-tuned DW-Link suspension, it has everything that you could ask for to haul the mail on gnarly trails. And, even better, the Mach 6 X01 Complete Mountain Bike takes the same awe-inspiring frame and adds in a SRAM X01 11-speed drivetrain and FOX suspension to make short work of rocky descents and hairpin turns.

When it came time to design a new enduro racing shred machine, Pivot took its time. Taking lessons from the development of the venerable Mach 5.7 Carbon, the Mach 6 Carbon was built from fully compacted carbon fiber in order to maximize both the stiffness and strength. And, of course, this also sheds every last unnecessary gram. Naturally, the short aluminum links connecting the rear triangle contribute greatly to the stiffness, as do the 12x142mm thru-axle and massive tapered head tube. The 92mm bottom bracket shell is the widest shell available and accommodates a press-fit bottom bracket, saving weight and improving stiffness over a standard 73mm threaded shell. Details like custom molded stay guards and an impact resistant down tube guard clearly illustrate just how seriously Pivot took the development of the Mach 6.

Its DW-Link suspension platform was designed, then refined, by suspension super-guru Dave Weagle. And while you'd be wise to trust the string of World Cup wins and podium appearances by Weagle's suspension designs, it's the first ride that'll truly drive home the advantage that the DW-Link provides. Far from being exclusively advantageous to the world's fastest racers, this enduro-optimized version of the DW-Link provides unreal climbing grip and incredibly smooth descents, which you'll appreciate whether you're contending for a podium spot at the highest levels of racing or just chasing some grins after a day at the office. These characteristics are a product of hundreds of hours of fine tuning wheel path and leverage curves in order to neutralize the effect of your body's movement. The low leverage ratio provided by this dual-link suspension design enables lower spring rates and lighter damping, which creates an incredibly supple ride that doesn't sacrifice the snappy, inspired feel when you get on the pedals.

The build kit starts with a SRAM drivetrain and brakes. The X0 Trail brakes are an obvious choice, as the four piston calipers provide the extra braking bite that you'll need for control at the high speeds that the Mach 6 loves. The drivetrain consists of X01 11-speed shifters, a 10-42t cassette, a 30t crankset, and a Type 2 rear derailleur. The combination of the Type 2 derailleur and narrow-wide tooth profiles on the chainring make a chain guide unnecessary, thereby reducing both weight and drag. Suspension duties are handled by FOX units, specifically a 34 FLOAT CTD fork and FLOAT CTD rear shock. And while they forgo the Kashima coating of the Factory Series components, you're still looking at a stiff, lightweight chassis that'll gladly keep up with the DW-Link back end. The cockpit is comprised of a FSA SL-K stem, a SL-K carbon seatpost, and a Phoenix 740mm-wide carbon handlebar. It rolls on a DT Swiss 27.5 350 Spline One XM XD Tubeless wheelset that's been wrapped in Kenda with a Kenda Nevegal 2.35in front tire and a 2.2in Honey Badger rear tire.

The Pivot Mach 6 X01 Complete Mountain Bike is available in four sizes from Small to X-Large, and in the colors Electric Blue, Matte Carbon/green, and Stealth Carbon.