Bikeradar gallery

Interbike outdoor demo 2: Pivot Firebird, Kona Dawg

A clever pivoting front derailleur mount tracks the movement of the rear end for better shifting throughout the travel range.

  • Pivot Cycles founder Chris Cocalis stands proud with his new Firebird.
  • The Firebird continues Pivot's use of Dave Weagle's dw-link suspension design but the shock is now fully floating between the upper and lower linkages for more finely tuned suspension rates.
  • The front derailleur mounts to a plate that virtually guarantees that you can never drop your chain to the inside.
  • A clever pivoting front derailleur mount tracks the movement of the rear end for better shifting throughout the travel range.
  • The small pin on the chainstay yoke contacts the black aluminum plate on the front derailleur mount and moves it up along with the rear swingarm.
  • This machined hunk of aluminum serves as the backbone for the Firebird.
  • The Firebird uses a 1 1/2
  • …but also the flexibility to run a 1 1/2
  • Even the cable routing seems well thought-out on the Firebird.
  • The women's-specific versions of the Pivot Mach 4 and Mach 5 use unique suspension layouts for lighter riders.
  • Ultra-short head tubes accommodate shorter riders.
  • This dune buggy isn't exactly a bad way to get around…
  • …along with your two bikes mounted on back, too!
  • For 2009 Kona's popular Dawg gets more travel, lighter parts and a cool green paint job
  • The Dawg has Kona-branded finishing parts, including this attractive stem…
  • …with four-bolt faceplate
  • The rocker link is now magnesium
  • The seat quick release gets the Konafication treatment too
  • The beefy new dropout incorporates the pivot

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A clever pivoting front derailleur mount tracks the movement of the rear end for better shifting throughout the travel range.

© James Huang