Pivot Firebird 29 released
We met the Firebird 29 in Moab, near the Whole Enchilada Trail
What is it
Today Pivot made the case for long travel 29er bikes with the new Firebird 29 – a long travel 29er ideally suited for enduro racers, park riders or anyone looking for a bike that lets them do rad descents with minimal weight penalty or climbing inefficiency. Often, riders ponder what the downside of long travel is as it’s diminished over the years. The Firebird 29 features 162 millimeters of plush-yet-efficient dw-link rear suspension which bests the Evil Wreckoning’s 161mm and flanked only by the YT Capra 29er’s 170mm.
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The new Firebird 29 goes decidedly modern with one of the longest reach measurements in the sport with short, 16.96” (431mm) chainstays and a 13.9 in bb height. Those design elements give the new Pivot model both high-speed stability and a nimble, snappy ride quality in tighter conditions.
This chunky terrain is where the Firebird 29 excels
According to Cocalis
“The Firebird 29 is an absolutely amazing bike,” says Pivot Cycles President and CEO, Chris Cocalis. “In a technical enduro setting or in the bike park, it really has no equal. It has that trophy truck, crush-anything kind of capability, but it’s way more maneuverable than other long-travel 29ers. It has this poppy, lively feel that this category of bike hasn’t offered up until this point”.
The DW-Link rear suspension is clean, stiff and efficient
The frame
The Firebird 29’s complete carbon frame weighs a mere 7 pounds (with the burly Fox X2 shock) yet meets the same demanding strength and stiffness standards as Pivot’s World Cup DH race bike, the Phoenix. Standout features include adjustable geometry, a stout double-wishbone rear triangle, class-leading mud clearance, the ability to run both 29 and 27.5 wheel and tire combos, strength and stiffness-enhancing Super Boost Plus rear spacing, plus ultra-wide and durable suspension linkages and bearing assemblies. Firebird 29 models are equipped with 44mm offset 170mm- travel Fox 36 forks and Fox Float Float X2 (metric) or DPX2 rear shocks (depending on build kit).
The Fox X2 rear shock is efficiently tucked in to utilize the available space well.
The new Firebird 29 will be available in two color options—sandstorm with orange highlights or steel blue with yellow highlights.
Tire clearance for days
Pricing, Specifications, and Availability: The Firebird 29 is available as a complete bike in eight different configurations, ranging from $5,099 to $9,199 USD. The Firebird 29 is available now, in all sizes, at key Pivot Dealers worldwide. For more information, visit www.pivotcycles.com/bike/firebird-29
Reynolds carbon wheels finishes of the package.
The case for 44mm offset fork
Previously, 51mm offset forks were the norm with 29ers as this concept introduced in Trek’s G2 Geometry allowed bikes to steer quickly without requiring very steep head angles.
But now that geometry has caught up with 29ers and reach measurements have gotten longer, Fox wanted to allow bike makers the option of going with shorter offset 29er forks. The main issue is wheelbase as reach gets longer, the wheelbase gets longer and unwieldy on tight turns and switchbacks. The 44mm offset forks dials the wheelbase back down and slows down the steering a touch. The result is actually quite good in our experience. It totally complements the new bike’s long reach, short stem combos.
Cable routing is some of the best in the category
Highlights
• light—full carbon frame featuring leading edge carbon fiber materials and Pivot’s proprietary molding technology
• 162mm of supple-yet-efficient dw‐linkTM suspension
• Equipped with burly, 44mm offset 170mm-travel Fox 36 FIT Grip2 Factory forks*
• Ultra-adjustable Fox Float X2 (metric) shock*
• Long-and-low geometry for a confident, stable stance (our longest reach numbers to
date)
• Short, 431mm (16.96”) chainstays make easy work of the tightest trails
• Adjustable geometry with a flip-chip upper link mount and lower headset cup options
• Compatible with both 29 and 27.5+ wheel sizes without compromise thanks to the
adjustable geometry
The bike looks stunning in this color.
More Highlights
• Fits tires up to 29×2.6” or 27.5×2.8” wide
• 12 x 157mm Super Boost Plus rear spacing adds stiffness and control
• Hassle-free, full-length, internal cable routing
• Fits riders between 5’4″ and 6’7”
• Frame weight (W/shock) 7 lb. (3.2 KG)
• Complete bikes as light as 29.7 lb. (13.5 KG)
• 10-year warranty
Geometry
Geometry is a modern classic
Pricing
Pricing is very similar to Pivot’s other carbon offerings.
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