Pivot recently unveiled the latest generation of its downhill race bike, the Phoenix. The new Phoenix features a full carbon frame and upsized, 650B (27.5in) wheels.
The new gravity rig takes a significant number of design cues from the 165mm-travel Mach 6 introduced last year. In many ways, the updated Phoenix can be thought of as a scaled-up version of its all-mountain brother. It uses a similar dw-link arrangement, with a clevis link mounted to the upper link driving the shock, rather than the rocker link used on the previous iteration. The Phoenix also gets full cable routing through the 8lb/3.6kg carbon frame as well — there’s even a port for a dropper seatpost for courses that require sustained pedaling.
The particular build on display weighed in a very respectable 33.8lb/15.3kg
The Phoenix is designed to be a true World Cup DH contender. It has a slack 62.5-degree head tube angle and a low 13.35in/339mm bottom bracket. Despite the increase in wheel diameter from 26 to 27.5in, company president Chris Cocalis sought to keep the chainstay length the same. The 17.2in/442mm chainstays keep the wheel tucked under the rider, but also present challenges to riders on smaller frames as the wheel moves through the full 204mm of rear suspension travel.
To ensure that the tire does not contact the saddle, Cocalis partnered with WTB to develop the Hightail, a saddle with a cutout to gain a few precious millimeters.
The short chainstays and larger, 650B wheels made it necessary to develop a saddle with a cutout to gain a few millimeters of rear wheel clearance on full bottom out
The Hightail will come stock on complete Phoenix builds, though Cocalis notes that riders on larger frames, as well as though who don’t run their saddles slammed down, are not likely to have any issues with the rear wheel contacting the saddle when the suspension bottoms out, regardless of saddle choice.
The Phoenix will be offered in four frame sizes. Complete bike pricing has yet to be announced, though the frame will retail for US$3,299 and will be available by late summer.
For more information visit www.pivotcycles.com.
