The innovative and best-selling Mach 4 just got better for 2011. We made it a 5/8ths of a pound lighter, yet stiffer for an even more efficient riding experience. Using the cutting-edge dw-link® suspension design, the Mach 4 accelerates instantly during hard, out of the saddle efforts and gives amazing traction while climbing and accelerating out of corners. It's downright snappy! The suspension soaks up the bumps in a smooth controlled manner that lets you go faster. The 92mm BB shell, carbon reinforced double row bearing lower dw-link®, high-modulus carbon fiber upper link and one-piece rear triangle make for a zero-flex bike.
Just another 5-chili rating for the Mach 4. I must say that this bike is just awesome. I call it "The Rocket." It accelerates quickly - just step on it and it GOES! The faster you go, the better the suspension works and the better it feels. It truly does climb like a XC hardtail but descend like a 5-inch trail bike. I find that I am significantly faster on this bike than the Stumpjumper, which is a fast, lightweight bike. The suspension is tuned to be efficient rather than plush. However, it is very stable and is comfortable to ride for long periods. It has never given me any maintenance issues whatsoever - it just works. I have ridden a 29er HT and a 29er FS, and find that I still prefer the Mach 4. Perhaps if I lived in the mountains I would prefer more travel, but then maybe not.
Mine weighs in at 26.5 lbs at the trailhead with pedals and computer. It can be built up really light but I have not felt the need to spend any extra cash. You won't notice it on the trail. I don't notice the extra 2.5 lbs over the Stumpjumper at all, and average maybe 2 mph faster on the Pivot. The frame on current models will be 10 oz. lighter than mine anyway. Rotating weight is the most important, so the lighter wheel option might be a good idea, but the 340s have the reputation of being bulletproof, and so far that has been the case.
The Pivot people are really nice and very helpful on the phone. Frank's build of this thing was just perfect as well. I had zero complaints.
If riding mountain bikes is your thing and you can hack the sticker price, I recommend it for anybody. Try it, you'll like it. It's everything I ever wanted.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Rockhopper and Stumpjumper HTs. Tested Giant Anthem X2 and Anthem X 29er, Cielo steel 29er HT.
Bike Setup: 2010 XT model with DT Swiss Custom 340 wheels. Stock except for Nobby Nic tires, Chris King headset, and Specialized Phenom saddle.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
sminniear
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn, CA
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2012
Strengths: DW-link; Fox Float RLC fork; frame / rear triangle stiffness; XX group; DT Swiss wheelset;
The greatest strength for this bike is it's versatility. It's light enough to race, but quite capable as an all day trail machine. There is very little, if any flex, I can detect and, while this is a 4 inch bike, it truly does feel like it has more travel than this. I find myself riding the Mach 4 in cases where I was riding my Blur LTc. The Blur, by comparison, has 6 inches of travel. The pedaling efficiency on this bike is the best of any bike I've ridden short of a hardtail single speed. That said, it the trail gets rough, the Mach 4 has the advantage there as well.
Weaknesses: I don't really see any major weaknesses. The blue anodized frame is harder to clean than a painted or powder coated frame. I've also found that it will scratch and chip. My heels occasionally come in contact with the rear triangle and that has scuffed and scratched the coating. However, this is more a weakness related to anodized frames in general and not unique to Pivot in my opinion.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike! I bought one of Pivot's "demo" bikes after test riding a Pivot at my LBS. I was super impressed with the pedaling efficiency. This bike is very versatile. I wouldn't hesitate racing the Downieville Classic on this and there are very few 4 inch bikes I'd say that about. With the XX build kit and medium frame, my bike weighs in at 24 lbs even.
With a change in saddle and tires, the bike will easily come in at 23.5 lbs and you could build up this bike under 23 if you went with the Rockshox XX fork and changed the wheelset but that would add $$$ and I don't see it as necessary. This bike absolutely flies on singletrack and you will find yourself grinning ear to ear and riding sections much faster than you thought possible.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic; Intense Spider, Intense 5.5; Santa Cruz Blur; Gary Fisher Sugar;
Bike Setup: Pivot Mach 4 blue anodized medium frame; Pivot's XX build kit; DT Swiss 240 wheelset; WTB saddle; Specialized Captain tubeless tires; Crank Brothers egg beater 2 ti
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
dontpanic
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2011
Strengths: Climbing ability, handling, nimbleness, fit
Weaknesses: It will reveal your shortcomings. If you suck on this bike, it's you.
Bottom Line:
Can't say much that others haven't already said. Just wanted to give another 5 to the Mach 4. I've got the bike at 27.65 lbs. When I get the cash and change out the parts I'm not happy with it will probably be around 26.5.
I don't use pro-pedal much on this bike. I feel some extra speed with it turned on over smooth trails, but it slows me down in the bumpy stuff.
I switched to this bike from a 6" travel AM rig because I started to think it was only a matter of time before I killed myself bombing rocky downhills at 30mph. The Mach 4 handles descents really well, but you certainly can't just point it straight downhill and let go of the brakes. If it's rocky, you have to have more brains than balls.
I like this bike. A lot. I'm not taking away a chili for value like some others have. The price is right in line with everything else out there.
Bike Setup: 2010 frame, Size M - Stan's ZTR Arch w/ Hope Pro II's - Reba Race Dual Air - 3x9 x.7/9 - Race Face Evolve XC bars/stem/seatpost/cranks
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
granola girl
a Cross Country Rider
from hunter, ny
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2011
Strengths: This bike flies!!!!super responsive- Climbs like a mountain goat,descends like my DH Glory, agile like a cat. no pedal bob, I mean none- instant acceleration.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
AWESOME bike!First ride on it started out feeling really wierd, like I was on top of it rather than in it, but quickly got used to it (different geometry ? I dunno!)and never looked back- Hopped back on my Anthem the other day and it felt like an old ladies beach cruiser. This bike is so much faster . Also customer support at pivot Cycles is great, I ordered an extra derailleur hanger, FedEx lost it and they called me back and sent another one out express mail within 10 minutes of receiving my email.Bottom line- I LOVE my Mach 4. This bike is so fast and so much fun to ride, I can't wait to race on it!
Similar Products Used: Giant Anthem, Kona Lisa DS, Specialized Stumpjumper
Bike Setup: Fox RL fork, Fox RP23 shock, Xt cranks, XTR deraillers,ZTR race rims, Avid elixer brakes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
DJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Southern California
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2011
Strengths: Light weight frame: 5.25 lbs in size small. Stiffness. Excellent suspension design: DW-Link with Fox RP23, no pedal bob/efficient pedaler, active suspension with right amount of plush. Fast. Climbs well with good traction. Good handling on descents. A+ Welds (the stack of coins look). Paint scheme of the white/black frame is nice.
Weaknesses: None that I can find but If Pivot comes up with a Carbon version of the Mach 4, I might find some weakness in my aluminum 2011 Pivot Mach 4.
The frame purchased itself (without build kit) comes with a Shimano XTR BB92 bottom bracket, it would be better if Pivot allowed customers the option of either Shimano XTR or Sram BB92 to come with the frame. I use a Truvativ Crankset, so I had to purchase the Sram bottom bracket separately. I guess I'll keep the Shimano XTR BB just in case I ever use a Shimano Crankset.
Bottom Line:
The 2011 Pivot Mach 4 performs as advertised and reviewed by many magazines, websites, and other cyclists who own a Pivot. I had the opportunity to Demo the 2011 Pivot Mach 4 twice in Nov and Dec of 2010 in Southern California. The 2nd Demo I did on the Mach 4 sold me when I rode the bike at Bonelli Park in San Dimas, CA. This bike handled very well on climbs and descents over rough and technical terrain, tight/narrow single track, fire roads, switch backs, berms, rock gardens, roots, hardpack, sand/loose gravel. It even rides fast, comfortable and smooth on pavement. No pedal bob/efficient pedaler, accelerates well, active suspension design, good lateral torsional stiffness, perfect geometry design, DW-Link works as advertised. The bike handles well with good traction and is stable on descents especially with a 120 mm travel fork. A good bike for cross country / trail riding where 4 inch rear suspension travel is all that is needed and can also do double duty as a xc race bike built with the right components.
Pivot Customer Service is excellent - everything from the Demo Rides, Emails, Phone Calls, etc.
Similar Products Used: GT Zaskar Hardtail, Specialized, Gary Fisher Sugar 1, GT I-Drive XC 1.0, Turner Flux, Titus Racer X, Everti Tirant Titanium Hardtail, Titus X. Demoed a Santa Cruz Carbon Blur.
I've owned/used Hardtails, Single Pivot Designs, GT I-Drives, FSR suspension, demoed VPP designs. For my type of riding xc/trail, the DW-Link on the Pivot Mach 4 works for me.
Bike Setup: Rock Shox Reba RLT 120 Travel, Mavic ST Wheelset, Truvativ Stylo OCT Crankset set up with 3x10 paired with Sram 1070 Cassette, Shimano XTR 10 speed rear derailleur, Shimano XT 10 speed right shifter, Sram X9 front derailleur, Sram X9 left shifter. Avid Elixir CR Disc Brakes, Easton EC 70 riser bar, Thompson Masterpiece seatpost, WTB Rocket V Ti Saddle, Specialized Captain Tubeless Tires, FSA Stem, Ergon GA1 grips, Crank Brother Pedals.
Bike Weight: 24 pounds.
Strengths: Where do I start...handling, stiff, light, DW Link, and looks of course...and I know I'm forgetting some!
Weaknesses: None yet!
Bottom Line:
Just another perfect rating for the Pivot Mach 4! This bike just "begs" to go fast...and it does! Climbs as good as any XC bike and handles the downhill and single track like the best 5" trail bikes! I haven't even had to use the propedal on the Fox shock for climbing yet...really don't need to except maybe for climbing/sprinting out of the saddle. Well done Pivot!!! BTW, the guys at Pivot were ALWAYS more than willing to help when I had a question while I was building the bike, and I really appreciated that!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic S works, Ellsworth Truth, Lightspeed, GT, etc...
Bike Setup: Fox F100 RLC, XO drivetrain, American Classic MTB 26 wheelset, Race Face Next bar, Ritchey WCS stem, Thomson post, Avid Elixir CR Mag brakes, XTR pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
wiwit_we
a Weekend Warrior
from nakhon sri thammarat,thailand
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2010
Strengths: eyecatching,DW-Link system, stiff, climb very well,
ride like hardtail
Weaknesses: not found yet
Bottom Line:
this bike is awesome!!!!! she look so sexy, fast, stiff, climb like a goat!! m4 is more havier than my old Anthem X
but feel stiff and faster when ride i forgot the anthem and never look back :)
Submitted by
Ozihotspudz
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunshine Beach, QLD, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2010
Strengths: Not to flashy, built to last, everything just works, light compared to most bikes that will last more than a season, stiff, great out of the saddle when climbing, Rides like a hardtail but much more comfortable.
Weaknesses: Hard to clean around the DW link, quite expensive in Australia.
Bottom Line:
This bike improved my riding out of sight. It has the ability to absorb any punishment I have thrown at it on rocky single track descents, wide open downhill fire trails with switchbacks, climbing super steep technical out of the saddle and free flowing single track with berms. It does everything well with great balance and confidence. Feels really stiff and solid. No creaks or groans. The XTR kit works beautifully on it and enhances the overall experience.
It is not flashy and thus doesn't stand out in the carbon high gloss crowd, which I prefer. Especially when I'm smashing past them on the track! People who know will come and ask about the bike as they recognize good kit when they see it.
I bought a bike for the long term (5-10 years) and I have no doubt that it will last that long. Would I buy this bike again? Without a shadow of a doubt. It has been so much superior to anything else I have owned or ridden....
Strengths: Super stiff all over and good geometry.
Weaknesses: The weight weenie in me wishes the frame were a little lighter BUT I don't find that it negatively affects the performance of the bike.
Bottom Line:
I am really liking this bike. Took me a little while to get the suspension set up/broken-in but this thing is getting better everytime I ride it. I run it with the Pro-Pedal turned "on" on setting number 3 which is the stiffest setting and I am never finding myself wishing for more cush. I've tried it with the propedal switched off and I get too much bob for my liking and I only weigh 163 pounds. All in all I am finding this bike to be a really fast XC race rig and the steering seems telepathic. Overall I'm really impressed with the Mach 4!
Bike Setup: XTR Crank, Stan's ZTR 355's w/Hope ProII hubs, Marta Magura Magnesium SL Brakes, Fox Fit RLC w/15QR, X0 Twistes/X0 Rer Der, XTR frt der, PG 990 cassette, Easton Monkey Lite Bar, Syntace Post/Stem, Larsen TT Rear and Racing Ralph Front.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
gadget1
a Weekend Warrior
from melbourne, victoria
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2010
Strengths: stiff frame, supple suspension, supple without being harsh, corners beautifully, feels indestructible
Weaknesses: comparatively heavy, black coat marks more easily than i believed.
Bottom Line:
rides beautifully. A way better bike than i am a rider.
feels great in corners, too.
I loved my old anthem, but it felt like a flying tractor compared to this. The pivot is smooth as butter, refined, even. and the bike's so stiff both wheels go where you put them. It rides beautifully on the flat, descends quickly over rough ground and braking ruts if you're way back. it climbs and grips well when climbing, however you do feel some slight loss of power when you stand to climb, but nothing like most other frames i've ridden. I notice this after i've ridden someone's hardtail.
I often ride a friend's mojo, which probably is a better allround bike. the mojo feels more balanced to me, and corners, jumps and descends more easily but loses out on overall and climbing speed.
I don't know if i've got the rear suspension quite dialled. I've played with it and the rebound quite a lot while keeping to the sag rating recommended. The RP23 shock bottoms out quite easily, and i weigh only about 70kg. and lockout would still be good for fire roads and the like. you still lose some power with this bike.
I feel its the SID forks, however, which really make this bike. They are truly superb, which puts me in a bit of a quandary...
120 mm forks may make the bike feel even more confident in descent.
Similar Products Used: anthem 2 2008, friend's mojo
Bike Setup: 2008 frame bought secondhand with new XT components, SID team forks, flat easton bars, crank bros pedals,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mtb_az
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2010
Strengths: Excellent climber - hooks up better than my Racer X. I love the way I feel more stable on this bike at speed and even on high-speed jumps. It instills confidence.
Weaknesses: It's not for weight-weenies, though it certainly isn't heavy. The cockpit seems a little short for the size, but that is easily fixed by going with a longer stem or angled seat tube.
Bottom Line:
Even though the geometry is VERY similar to that of the Titus Racer X (gee, I wonder why), it rides VERY differently. It took some time to get used to the different feel, but the more I ride it, the better it feels. Stability is the biggest thing I notice on this bike. It just begs to go fast, and rewards you when you do.
Bike Setup: SRAM X9, XT Cranks, Eggbeater Ti's, Stan's Olympic ZTR's with Chris King hubs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
bp
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2010
Strengths: Excellent climber - hooks up better than my Racer X. I love the way I feel more stable on this bike at speed and even on high-speed jumps. It instills confidence.
Weaknesses: It's not for weight-weenies, though it certainly isn't heavy. The cockpit seems a little short for the size, but that is easily fixed by going with a longer stem or angled seat tube.
Bottom Line:
Even though the geometry is VERY similar to that of the Titus Racer X (gee, I wonder why), it rides VERY differently. It took some time to get used to the different feel, but the more I ride it, the better it feels. Stability is the biggest thing I notice on this bike. It just begs to go fast, and rewards you when you do.
Bike Setup: SRAM X9, XT Cranks, Eggbeater Ti's, Stan's Olympic ZTR's with Chris King hubs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
sanders1977
a Cross Country Rider
from richmond va
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2010
Strengths: This bike does everything well. Great climber and really fast. Handles well (great geometry)
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I looked at bikes for months before i made the purchase. I was between the Titus Racer X and SC Blur and i called speedgoat and they recommended the Mach 4 so i went with it. Really glad i did, it is awsome. I came from a hardtail so i was a little worried what i might be giving up (weight, climbing, speed, etc.). Turns out this bike blows it away and has made me a much better rider. Entered my first race last year on it and finished 2nd in my class (i dont think i would have done that well on my ht). I also cant say enough about speedgoat and their customer service. At that point there were no local Pivot dealers yet and I was a little worried about buying a bike online. They fit me perfectly and got the bike into my price range. Their price actually went up while i thought about it but they honored the quoted price.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Stumpjumper HT, Klein Full Susp., and i have ridden my buddy's SC Blur XC a fair amount.
Bike Setup: FSA Afterburner MegaExo crankset, a SRAM PG-970 cassette, a SRAM PC971 chain, SRAM X.9 Trigger shifters, Avid Juicy 7 Hydraulic Disc brakes, DT Swiss Classic X1800 Mountain wheels, a Ritchey WCS ZS headset, Lizard Skins Charger grips, Continental Mountain King tires, a Easton EA70 seatpost, a WTB SST Race saddle, a TruVativ Stylo WC bar, a Fox 32 F100 RLC fork, a TruVativ Team stem, a SRAM X.9 rear derailleur, and a Shimano XT M770 E-Type front derailleur
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jacka55
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2010
Strengths: great geometery, fast, DW-link is very smart
Weaknesses: havent found any yet
Bottom Line:
amazing machine, DW-link smartness is really good. the bike is comfortable and will do what the rider wants...worth the money, every penny of it
Bike Setup: * Frame: 2010 Piovt Mach 4, M, Anodized Black
* Fork: 2010 Manitou R7 MRD Carbon Fork
* Groupset: XTR Groupset with XT Crank/Shifter
* Wheel: XTR Hubs + Wheelsmith Spoke + Sun Ringle EQ23
* Stem: Race Kore
* Bar: Answer Protaper Bar, Red
* Grip: Answer Fall Line XC Grip
* Seat: Kore Seat
* Seatpost: Kore Carbon I-beam Seatpost
* Pedal: Answer Rove FR Pedal, Red
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
rob mach4
a Weekend Warrior
from West Australia
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2010
Strengths: Pretty much everything, particularly happy with the bikes ability downhill through rough ground
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet
Bottom Line:
Had this bike ~3months now and am always surprised at its ability to go downhill though some real rough rocky surfaces without any problems. Can go faster and faster each time and the bike just soaks it up, amazing. Wouldn't dare dream of going this fast on a hard tail as the rear end would be bouncing around like crazy. Climbing is also amazing, once bike has correct set up there is no hint of pedal bob. I did a lot of research on bikes prior to buying and I can honestly say that this bike was worth every penny. Can't wait to see how it performs in the wet.
