Description
2018 Pivot Mach 5.5 Carbon Race Race XT 1x Complete Mountain Bike
In a vacuum, it’s easy to classify a mountain bike: measure the head tube angle, check the reach, and check the depth of travel. But vacuums suck, and Pivot’s re-imagined Mach 5.5 Carbon Race XT 1x Complete Mountain Bike refuses to so easily be classified. It’s titular 5.5in of DW Link travel and Switchblade-esque reach may suggest pure all-mountain bike at first, but the head tube angle rides the boundary of what we’d consider enduro slack. The bike is finished with a selection of kit from Shimano and Race Face. The build may lack the golden sheen of current one-by royalty, but makes up for the absence of shiny bling with the kind of bullheaded durability that better survives the occasional digger.
The slack head tube and surprisingly deep-feeling travel reward aggression in chunky stuff, but our favorite part of the bike may be the rear triangle. Or rather, it’s what’s happening between the rear and front triangles; DW-Link may never have shined brighter than on the Mach 5.5. It combines the same pivot cartridge bearing featured on models like the Phoenix, but it ditches the clevis altogether. That makes for less weight, a tighter back end, and a light-off-the-top feel that stays glued to the trail—a trait only enhanced by the addition of mid-plus tires and a steep seat tube. We expect a bike with such a long cockpit and a 66.5-degree head tube angle to leave us giddy on descents, but the suspension and 2.6in tires mean that it makes us just as happy while earning our laps on climbs.
2018 Pivot Mach 5.5 Carbon Race Race XT 1x Complete Mountain Bike
A climb-happy trail bike that drops in with bad intentions
5in of DW-Link suspension with light-off-the-top DH pedigree
Removable front derailleur mount tidies up a one-by
Longer, lower geometry than the previous version
Steep seat tube and stubby stays keep climbing on point
Boost spacing stiffens the rear wheel and allows truncated stays
Pivot’s carbon expertise protected by rubber frame guards
Workhorse build kit shrugs off trail abuse
2018 Pivot Mach 5.5 Carbon Race Race XT 1x Complete Mountain Bike
Frame Material:
carbon fiber
Suspension:
DW-Link
Rear Shock:
FOX Float Perfomance DPS EVOL
Rear Travel:
140mm
Fork:
FOX 36 Performance
Front Travel:
160mm
Headset:
Pivot
Shifters:
Shimano SLX M7000
Front Derailleur:
n/a
Rear Derailleur:
Shimano XT M8000
ISCG Tabs:
ISCG 05
Crankset:
30t Race Face Aeffect SL
Bottom Bracket:
PF92
Cassette:
11-46t Shimano SLX M7000
Brakeset:
Shimano M615
Brake Type:
hydraulic disc
Handlebar:
Phoenix Race Aluminum
Handlebar Width:
750mm
Grips:
Phoenix Team Padloc
Stem:
Phoenix Team Enduro
Stem Length:
[XS, S] 45mm, [M – XL] 55mm
Saddle:
Phoenix WTB Vigo Race
Seatpost:
[XS] LEV Integra 100mm, [S – XL] FOX Transfer
Seatpost Diameter:
30.9mm
Wheelset:
Sun Ringle Duroc 40
Front Axle:
15 x 110mm Boost
Rear Axle:
12 x 148mm Boost
Tires:
[front] Maxxis Minion DHF, [rear] Maxxis Rekon
Tire Size:
27.5 x 2.6in
Pedals:
not included
Extras:
rubberized frame guards
Recommended Use:
trail
Manufacturer Warranty:
3 years on frame