A few years ago the American “boutique” brand was pretty easily recognizable when compared to many of the big brand offerings by the simple fact that domestic builders were literally building one-off frames in limited quantity and assembling them here on domestic soil. These days the world has gotten quite a bit smaller, figuratively speaking. Continue reading →
Submitted by
markokenya
a Weekend Warrior
from san francisco / marin
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2011
Strengths: Precise steering
Great descender
Great clibmer
Weaknesses: can be twitchy until you're used to it: let the bike roll, stay off the brakes;
chain clang quite a bit but who cares
Bottom Line:
This bike is the bomb! I'm getting more confident each ride. I had a Blur LT and loved it, but this climbs better, descends more precisely and handles switchbacks with nicer balance. All in all it's easier to have lots of confidence with this bike. Very stiff, very precise, very true.
I moved down from a large to a medium frame and also to a shorter stem, making the cockpit pretty cozy - but I'm already more used to it and able to make some stuff where I used to put a foot down on the BLT.
Bike Setup: Lyric U Turn 160 / XT / don't yet have my XT brakes
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Submitted by
Ride or Die
a Weekend Warrior
from Eugene, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2011
Strengths: Since I have only been riding this frame for a short while, I am still working on figuring out all of the true strengths it has. I can say that compared to my Enduro frame it is lighter, more efficient at pedaling and has to be one of the best all mountain bikes I have ever ridden. I do have it build a little more for aggressive riding with a Talas 36 on the front which adds a little extra weight, but really helps on the downhill.
Weaknesses: I can say this bike does not have too many weaknesses, but to be truly honest I really wish they designed it with a practical water bottle holder position. The bottom of the bottom down tube I feel is pretty useless. The new Carbon version fixes this issue by having 2 mounts. Unfortunately I could not afford the Carbon version.
Bottom Line:
I can say this bike lives up to all of the hype that many other riders have stated. The DW suspension is amazing with the use of the Fox RP23. The first time out on this bike was pretty amazing and re assuring that I made the right decision to switch from my Enduro to the Mach 5.7. Extremely efficient with the capability to rip the downhill. If you are reading this review and deciding if you should purchase a Mach 5.7, I would say go for it and don't think twice! Ride on. :-)
Similar Products Used: 2010 Specialized Enduro, Intense 5.5, Trek Ex 8, Yeti 575
Bike Setup: Aluminum Mach 5.7, Dity 747 bars, Ouri Grips, X9 Shifters, XO Rear Der., XT Front Der., SLX 2X9 cranks with Bash guard, Specialized Command Post, Rocky Mountain Carbon front hub with Maxis 317 Wheels, XT Rear Hub with Maxis 317 Wheels, Fox Talas 36, FSA 70mm +/- 6 degree stem.
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Submitted by
ags
a Weekend Warrior
from Ramapo, New York
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2011
Strengths: -Suspension design is fantastic. Nice job DW!
-Look and finish are top notch
Weaknesses: -Still looking
Bottom Line:
For the longest time I was a proponent of the Horst Link 4-bar (FSR) design. Then I got a Giant and thought their Maestro was almost as good and even climbed better. Now that I have a Pivot 5.7 I realize the DW Link is the best of both. Maybe even better! Of course a great bike design is crucial and Pivot has hit the mark. My Mach 5.7 climbs like a 4" travel XC bike and bombs down the trails like a 7" travel freeride bike. This bike is fantastic and worth every penny.
It's taken me 3 rides to dial in the sag and suspension settings but now it rides like nothing I've ever owned.
Bike Setup: 2X10 XT, XT brakes, XT wheels, KS950i seat post.
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Submitted by
mustleaveplanet
a Weekend Warrior
from Cairns, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2011
Strengths: Light, Stiff, DW Link makes square-edge hits feel non-existant, Amazing climber (Propedal really isn't even needed), Awesome descender too. The frame comes with Shimano XT bearings already pressed into the BB90 bottom bracket- nice!
Weaknesses: ISCG mounts for a chainguide would be nice (Pivot does sell a clamp on adapter) and If i was to be really finicky i'd say the cable routing is abit messy around the shock and swing arm? not really anywhere else it can go though!!
Bottom Line:
The first impression I had was that the Mach 5.7 sat really low in it's sag. Having said that, the Pivot doesn't blow through it's travel as much as one would expect- It's not a free-rider (Thats what the Firebird is for) but it's definately aggressive trail-ride capable. The DW Link suspension is so smooth over rocks and exposed roots that it makes even the most supple forks up front feel relatively harsh! Suspension is fully active under brakes (another DW link selling point). This bike LOVES to climb; The front stays planted and the traction is phenomenal. Virtually no bob- Propedal isn't needed unless you're riding on the road. Unlike Iron Horse's DW link, Pivot's link really ramps up at the end of it's travel on the Mach5.7 so it's still easy to bunnyhop without that "dead" feeling. The 67degree head angle inspires confidence on techical decents and makes for stable high speed cornering. Pivot's bikes tend to err on longer wheelbase per frame size but it feels perfect to me. It's pretty much bang-on all round! I got this as a frame to replace my trusty 08 SC Heckler and I'm not regretting it. I've always liked the simplicity of a single pivot, but now i'm sold on the virtues of a well designed linkage frame. Definately try one out if you're on the market for a new ride.
Favorite Trail: Black Snake, Caterpillar or anything fast and flowing
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At: The Bike Shed Mortda
Similar Products Used: Transition Covert, Specialized Pitch Pro, Santa Cruz Heckler
Bike Setup: Small frame (i'm 5'5), Rock Shox Revelation XX, Hope Hubs and Brakes, Shimano XT 1x10, Stans Arch Rims
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Submitted by
Vega77
a Weekend Warrior
from Golden, CO
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2011
Strengths: Amazing technical climber, incredible pedaling efficiency, very stable and plush descender, very stiff
Weaknesses: Rarely the chain drops off of the front in very rocky terrain
Bottom Line:
This is an incredible bike for those that want to be able to conquer long technical climbs, and more importantly, bomb steep technical descents. It's a perfect bike for the rocky trails of Colorado's front range. I had a float 140 on it for the first few months, which worked well, but I got the itch to slacken it out a little more. The float 150 has been even better. The 67.1 degree head angle with the 150 is a perfect balance. There is still no front end wander on even the steepest climbs and the slacker front has really allowed me to barrel through rock gardens with confidence. I came off of a Motolite most recently, and the 5.7 is a much better all around bike. I demoed the Ibis Mojo 3 times on my local trails and really wanted to pull the trigger, but it just wasn't as stable at speed and didn't climb technical ups as well. My only knock is the chain has dropped a few times (maybe 3 or 4) off of the front on fast rocky descents. I may have to look into a chain guide.
Similar Products Used: Titus Motolite, Ibis Mojo SL, Yeti 575, Santa Cruz Heckler, Cannondale Jekyll, Ellsworth Epiphany, Rocky Mountain Altitude
Bike Setup: Fox float 150 fork, XO 2x10 drive train and brakes, DT swiss Tricon 1700 wheels, Easton Haven carbon bar, Race Face Turbine 70 mm stem, KS i950 remote dropper post, Kenda Nevegals 2.35/2.1
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Submitted by
WaState
a Weekend Warrior
from Kirkland, WA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2011
Strengths: It's light, stiff, pedals well and has a much plusher suspension than the Mach 5.
Weaknesses: The color of the anodized bolts and lower link do not match. They are supposed to be red, but the link is not the same color as the bolts. They aren't radically different, but the colors don't match
Bottom Line:
I previously owned a Mach 5 and while it got great reviews from most people, I didn't like it. The extremely short head tube, steep head angle and stiff rear suspension didn't make the bike feel comfortable. It climbed really well, but it just felt like I was going over the handlebars every time I went downhill. It was a nice bike, but it wasn't built for me so I sold it.
I then purchased a Santa Cruz Carbon Blur LT and I liked it better than the Mach 5, but it still wasn't perfect. The Blur is stiff, great looking and I've had no issues with it, but the VPP2 isn't very plush. I was looking for a trail bike that had a slack head angle, plush rear suspension, yet still pedaled well.
The Mach 5.7 seems to meet those requirements. They lengthened the head tube, slackened the head angle, lowered the bottom bracket, gave it slightly more travel, made it plusher, yet it still pedals really well. Granted, I've only had one relatively long ride on the bike, but it was very impressive. The ride had steep climbs, roots, rocks and fun, fast descents and the Mach 5.7 handled the trail with ease.
Even Pivot calls it a trail bike, not an all-mountain bike, but unless you're a jumper or extreme freerider, this bike will handle most situations. Fully built up, the bike weighs in at 26.3 lbs.
Because I'm impressed with the bike, I'm selling my carbon Blur, so if anyone is interested, let me know.
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Carbon Blur LT, Santa Cruz Butcher, Santa Cruz Nomad, Ellsworth Moment, Titus Switchblade, Titus Quasi-Moto, Ventana LaBruja, Ventana El
Ciclon
Bike Setup: Rock Shox Revelation 150, SRAM XO shifters, rear derailleur, Shimano XTR front derailleur, cranks, pedals, Thomson stem and seatpost, Stan's Arch rims, Sapim C-Xray spokes, Hadley hubs
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Submitted by
MTBike911
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2011
Strengths: Quiet, solid, and just plain fun to ride. DW*Link!!
Weaknesses: None. Frame performs as advertised. Little Expensive, but other boutique frames cost more (Ellsworth, Turner, etc)
Bottom Line:
I was looking for a new ride after throughly enjoying my 04 Jekyll 1000. After taking a trip to California and demoing a Pivot Mach 429 from the guys at Topanga Creek, I was sold on a Pivot. I returned home to South Florida, gave the guys at Topanga Creek a call, and had them hook me up with a Mach 5.7.
After taking that first ride... all i can say is I have no regrets. The Mach 5.7 has to be the stiffest full suspension frame I have ever ridden. The trails here in South Florida are riddled with roots and rocks and this bike handles it all with ease.
After 6 solid months of riding almost 4-5 times a week, this frame has held up considerably well. The pivot points are nice and quite and other than cleaning out the seat tube area once or twice.. no creaks. Too bad i can't say the same for the Fox Float. I have already had to send it in for warranty issues (creaking crown).
If you are on the fence on whether or not to purchase a Pivot, the best advice I can give is go demo one... you will be glad you did.
Similar Products Used: Previous Bike: 2004 Cannondale Jekyll 1000.
Bike Setup: Large Mach 5.7 Frame (White), Fox Float FIT 150mm 15QR, Custom Mavic XM819 with Criss King front and DT Swiss 240s 10mm Rear, XT shifters, brakes, front and rear derailleur, SLX Crank, Candy 3 pedals. FSA KForce Bar, FSA SL-K Stem, Thompson Elite seat post, WTB Rocket V Race Saddle, ODI Rogue grips, WTB Wolverine 2.2 front UST, Specialized The Captain rear UST. Approx 28 lbs.
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Submitted by
k1rider
a Weekend Warrior
from Minneapolis, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2011
Strengths: This bike is incredibly responsive and agile. Like everyone else the climbing is superb, when you drive into the pedals you actually feel like you're on a hardtail. Coming from riding a Spesh Epic this is a no comparison step up in efficiency not to mention the huge addition to a plush ride that even soaks up minor trail noise like small roots and rocks. Last point, by siting in the suspension, I'm carving berms and corners better then I have in the past.
Weaknesses: At this point, nothing beyond cost. *Though I think the industry as a whole needs to move towards remote operated shocks and forks
Bottom Line:
Have never spent better money. Brought a whole new joy to riding.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic Expert (w/ brain)
Bike Setup: XX/XTR hybrid drivetrain, Spesh Command Seatpost (dropper), Crankbrothers Cobalt 3 XC wheelset, Magura Marta SL brakes, Kenda Neve's 2.35/2.1. 27.1 lbs on an XL frame with computer + dropper post.
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Submitted by
rpousman
a Weekend Warrior
from Malibu, CA USA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2011
Strengths: Climbs like a goat, descends like a warrior. Agile, tight and responsive
Weaknesses: Lots "o Links.
Bottom Line:
The best bike that I've ridden or owned. I love my Ellsworth but this bike excels in every department. I can't believe a bike with this much travel climbs like it does. All my fellow riders are on 9ers. They have gulped the Kool Aid I'm afraid to say. They are all so sketch descending on their wagon wheels.
This bike is the proverbial POOP Brothas!!!!
Weaknesses: None really..only a few setup things; very light front end required moving stem down one spacer, cable'housing routing requires a zip tie or two, it is pricey
Bottom Line:
WOW....was trying for the quiver of one bike and pretty much nailed it. Pedals like an XC race bike but has TONS of plush travel on the downhills. This bike could do pretty much anything short of aggro freeride and DH riding. REALLY light and fast. I live in the midwest but have a place in Salida, Colorado, and this bike is PERFECT for 4 hour plus epic mountain singletrack rides. I was a Specialized sales rep for many years, and while FSR based bikes are extremely good, this is at another level.
Similar Products Used: Trance X2, Specialized FSR, Santa Cruz Blur
Bike Setup: SRAM XX, Mavic Crossmax ST wheels, Candy 3 pedals, Noir Carbon bar, Easton Carbon post
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Submitted by
buell1450
a Weekend Warrior
from Caracas, Venezuela
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2011
Strengths: Best handling trail bike, V2.0 DW Link combined with a low bb a modern head angle of 68.7 really blew me away. I've owned/ridden losts of high end bikes, and this is it. The bike is light (25.2 pounds) and very rigid. This is a very capable trailbike, climbs anything, steep & technical to long grinds. Compared to the Mojo sl, it is 400 grams heavier, but pedals, climbs and descends better. The 5.7 is super stable on rough descents. Craftsmanship is impresive, a very high tech alum frame.
Weaknesses: Odd frame sizes, needs a bit more bottom out resistance, Water bottle hard to get at. Also, rear suspension sag setting is very critical, but pivot makes it easy withe a sag indicator.
Bottom Line:
Don't get confused by the 5.7" travel, this is not a AM bike, but it is a very very capable trailbike. The best I've ridden, one that can race XC and handle any Epic ride. It is impressively stiff, descend with lots of confidence, sprints, climbs, everything.
