Pivot Mach 6 Aluminum joins new Carbon version

Pivot Mach 6 Aluminum joins new Carbon version

Two new material options for the 155mm enduro ride

The Pivot Mach 6 Aluminum is all new for 2016 and is based on the updated Mach 6 Carbon. Pictured is a Pro 2x build at 13.7kg

David Rome / Immediate Media

David Rome

Published: September 20, 2015 at 11:00 pm
The Pivot Mach 6 Aluminum is all new for 2016 and is based on the updated Mach 6 Carbon. Pictured is a Pro 2x build at 13.7kg - David Rome / Immediate Media
The 2016 Mach 6 Carbon gets a few key updates. Wondering why this one is so small? That's because Pivot offer the Mach 6 in five sizes to suit riders from 4'11" to 6'2" - David Rome / Immediate Media
The Mach 6 Carbon now features Pivot's 'Cable Port System' for complete compatability - David Rome / Immediate Media
The new upper linkage is said to be 40 percent wider and 150-percent stiffer. Add in some larger Enduro MAX bearings and the Mach 6 is one stiff frame - David Rome / Immediate Media
Following the upper link, Pivot redesigned the lower link too - David Rome / Immediate Media
Borrowed from the Phoenix DH, there's now a double wishbone rear end - David Rome / Immediate Media
Asymmetric chainstays wrapped in moulded protection is seen at back - David Rome / Immediate Media
The new Cable Port System offers wide compatability with all current and perhaps future standards. Pivot told us it was designed in conjunction with Shimano - David Rome / Immediate Media
Boost 148 rear axle widths appears on both the carbon and metal frame versions - David Rome / Immediate Media
Why isn't this more common? Pivot have found a rather clever way to attach the shock eyelet - David Rome / Immediate Media
Purely for comparisons sake, this is the extremely similar Phoenix DH linkage - David Rome / Immediate Media
The Mach 6 Aluminum uses the same linkage design as the Carbon - David Rome / Immediate Media
A close look at the oversized bearings being used in the dw-link - David Rome / Immediate Media
Some nice detail on this metal frame - David Rome / Immediate Media
Pivot isn't ignoring those that still want front shifting. The new frames use Shimano's new Side-Swing design - David Rome / Immediate Media
A closer look at that removable front derailleur tab found on both the Carbon and Aluminum - David Rome / Immediate Media
Yset another angle of that linkage - David Rome / Immediate Media
Boost 148 and a new linkage has allowed for generous rubber clearance out back - David Rome / Immediate Media
Not all the cable routing on the Aluminum is external, note the neat rear deraileur housing routing through the chainstay - David Rome / Immediate Media
Where the Carbon has internal cable routing, the Aluminum uses external - David Rome / Immediate Media
From a distance the swoopy Aluminum frame looks much like the carbon, but a closer look reveals the welds - David Rome / Immediate Media
Where many of the Carbon models come with a FOX Float X rear shock, the Aluminum use the lighter FOX Float DPS Kashima - David Rome / Immediate Media

Pivot’s 155mm travel enduro bike, the Mach 6 Carbon, gets some notable updates for 2016, but the big story is the new and more affordable Mach 6 Aluminum.

Mach 6 Carbon

The 2016 mach 6 carbon is a similar bike of years past, but with a few key updates. wondering why this one is so small? that's because pivot offer the mach 6 in five sizes to suit riders from 4'11

The Carbon Mach 6 is available in tiny Extra-Small frame size

Built for the aggressive trail or enduro rider, the 27.5in Mach 6 Carbon has been a popular bike over the past few years. While plenty has changed, the geometry remains the same. The 430mm chainstays and 66-degree head angle are little to complain of, but the top tube lengths oppose the growing trend toward longer top tubes and shorter stems. The Mach 6 is no doubt on the shorter side for a bike aimed at the enduro rider, but Pivot is confident in the geometry, saying you can still enjoy taking it uphill.

Also continuing is Pivot’s long-standing use of the Dave Weagle designed dw-link suspension design, which aims to provide efficient and traction-filled climbing with a bottomless feel on the descents. Sitting within the linkage is FOX’s new Float X rear shock with Kashima coat and EVOL air sleeve (Float DPS given on two lowest models). This is matched with FOX’s popular 160mm Float 36 fork on all complete bike models.

Borrowed from the phoenix dh, there's now a double wishbone rear end : borrowed from the phoenix dh, there's now a double wishbone rear end

The new linkage design is all about improved stiffness and durability

Moving to what is new, Pivot borrowed design aspects from its Phoenix downhill bike, such as the double wishbone rear triangle, improved lower linkage and large suspension-specific Enduro MAX bearings. In addition to this, there’s a new upper linkage that boasts a 150-percent increase in stiffness over the old and the rear wheel spacing has gone to Boost 148. This is done for the purpose of increased frame stiffness, improved pivot durability and expanded clearance.

All of these stiffness improvements do come at a slight weight penalty to the old, with Pivot claiming the new frame to sit a shy over 2.75kg / 6lbs.

The new cable port system offers wide compatability with all current and perhaps future standards. pivot told us it was designed in conjunction with shimano : the new cable port system offers wide compatability with all current and perhaps future standards. pivot told us it was designed in conjunction with shimano

New internal cable routing system has been built with Di2 compatability in mind

Attempting to future proof the Mach 6 Carbon in a market full of new drivetrain and seatpost concepts, Pivot has equipped its internal ‘Cable Port System’. Simply put, these are interchangeable port covers that allow for a wide range of compatibility and routing options. As a result, the Mach 6 Carbon is ready for Di2 gearing while keeping all the wires, battery and junction boxes hidden and secure. It’s a concept Pivot firmly believe is the future for performance-focused riders.

Keeping those options wide open is a removable front derailleur mount, something Pivot designed to provide for a seamless look if run with a single ring up front. For those looking to put a double ring up front, Shimano’s new low-profile Side Swing standard is used. For those wanting a chainguide, ISCG05 mounts sit around the PF92 bottom bracket shell.

A Carbon frame will cost $2,999, with multiple complete bikes ranging from $4,699 all the to $9,799 for an XTR Di2 build.

Mach 6 Aluminum

xx: xx

Mach 6 goes Alloy for 2016

Where the Carbon tells the story of what’s different, the Mach 6 Aluminum is totally new for 2016 and comes as a result in advancements in hydroforming techniques. Much like is common in a carbon frame, Pivot has been able to finely control material wall thicknesses in non-cylindrical components that was not previously possible in aluminum just a few years ago.

Carrying an approximate 400g-weight penalty over the Carbon, the Aluminum has been built to the same stiffness and suspension performance standards. All Aluminum models feature the new FOX Float DPS rear shock, most in Kashima coat.

Where the carbon has internal cable routing, the aluminum uses external :

The hole visible hole is a for a stealth-type dropper seatpost

Beyond the weight and price, the only other key frame difference is seen in the cable routing. The Aluminum features external cable routing that runs beneath the down tube and lower linkage. Stealth dropper compatibility remains, but the ability to cleanly run Di2 is lost.

We managed a brief spin on the Mach 6 Aluminum with a ‘Pro 2x’ build consisting of Kashima-coat FOX suspension front and rear, Shimano XT 11-speed groupset with XTR rear derailleur and DT Swiss Spline-Two M1700 wheels. All up, this $4,999 bike weighed a respectable 13.7kg / 30.2lb. We’ll save the ride impressions for when we get it onto our local trails.

Aluminum frames with a Kashima coat rear shock are $1,999, with complete bikes from $3,499 to $7,499.

Both the Mach 6 Carbon and Aluminum are available in frames sizes XS through to XL.

David Rome

Former Australian editor

Dave Rome is the former Australian editor for BikeRadar. He was later the senior technical editor at CyclingTips and now works for Escape Collective.
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