Ed Masters Signs With Pivot Factory Racing For Downhill And Enduro In 2018

Already at the forefront of World Cup DH Racing, Pivot Factory Racing is making a strong commitment to the Enduro World Series in 2018 with the signing of Eddie Masters. Masters will be racing both EWS and UCI DH events for the squad, alongside fellow New Zealander, Rupert Chapman. In addition to a full downhill and Crankworx schedule, the team plans to make at least six Enduro World Series (EWS) stops next season.

Said Masters, “I’m really excited for this opportunity, I'm so stoked to join the team and I can’t wait to get racing under the Pivot banner in 2018!” Team leader Bernard Kerr is equally happy with the new addition, saying “Pivot is such an awesome company to ride for and the team is really fun – I’ve built great relationships with Chris and everyone at Pivot over the past eight years and I know Eddie’s character is going to fit right in on the squad.”

Masters is already well known on the gravity scene, placing 3rd at the 2017 EWS stop in Rotorua, New Zealand, and as a consistent top rider in UCI Downhill World Cup and Crankworx events. Masters and Chapman have their choice of Pivot’s strong gravity and enduro range of models, and will be riding Pivot Cycles' new Mach 6 Carbon and Firebird in enduro events and the Phoenix DH Carbon in downhill events. 

In addition to Masters, Pivot Factory Racing is comprised of riders Bernard Kerr, Emilie Siegenthaler, and Rupert Chapman. The team is sponsored by Shimano (drivetrain), Fox Suspension, Maxxis Tires, Reynolds Wheels, Renthal (cockpit) Fly Racing (clothing, helmets and accessories), Jet Black (trainers), WTB (saddles), MRP (chainguides) and Industry Nine (hubs).

Find Pivot Cycles at www.pivotcycles.com, Facebook: PivotCycles, Twitter: @PivotCyclesUSA, Instagram: pivot_cyclesusa. About Pivot Cycles: Pivot Cycles builds the best-performing, best-handling and most versatile mountain bikes available and have been raced to top World Cup, Pan American and National Championship finishes.. Models include the Phoenix Carbon, Firebird, Mach 5.5 Carbon, Mach 4 Carbon, Mach 6 Carbon, Mach 429SL Carbon, Mach 429 Trail, Switchblade, Vault, M4X, LES Fat and LES. The Pivot Cycles line is composed of bikes that enable their riders to establish new benchmarks of speed, control, fun and enjoyment. For more information, please visit www.pivotcycles.com.

Pivot Mach 5.5 Carbon Announced

Mach 5.5 Carbon Features

• 140mm dw-link™ rear suspension with Pivot’s mid-travel specific linkage design

• Designed for forks up to 160mm travel. All Pivot complete builds come with a 160mm travel fork

• 27.5” wheels with extra clearance for larger tire sizes

• Designed to fit 27.5 X 2.1” to 2.6” tires. Complete bikes spec’d with new Maxxis 2.6 Wide Trail Tires on 35mm wide rims

• Features Pivot’s new long and low geometry

• Short 430mm (16.9”) chainstays

• 12 x 148mm Boost rear spacing for maximum stiffness and control.

• 180mm rear post mount disk brake

• Every size clears a full size water bottle inside the front triangle

• Available in 5 sizes from X-Small to X-large

• Pivot Cable Port system for easy internal routing of shifters, brakes and droppers and full Di2 Integration

• Front derailleur compatible with Pivot’s stealth E-Type mounting system

• New ultra quiet low durometer rubberized frame protection

The New Mach 5.5 Carbon builds on the legacy of our renowned Mach 5.7 Carbon as the quintessential trail bike. With 140mm of dw-link™ rear travel, it sticks to and claws up just about anything, with unparalleled pedaling efficiency. On descents, the Mach 5.5 Carbon’s incredible square edge bump performance and 160mm travel Fox 36 fork enables you to conquer terrain that makes other bikes cower. It’s a bike that inspires you to climb while looking forward to the descents and that begs you to push your limits while putting a smile on your face.

FRAME DESIGN

There are several things that make the new Mach 5.5 Carbon truly exceptional. We’ve evolved our mid-travel link design, by utilizing the same rear shock pivot cartridge bearing design found in our longer travel clevis designs (such as the Firebird and Phoenix), to give the Mach 5.5 Carbon the unmatched small bump compliance and traction that Pivot is known for in a lighter weight and more compact design.

When engineering the ultimate trail bike chassis, weight matters. The Mach 5.5 Carbon matches Mach 6 Carbon durability while achieving Mach 429 SL Carbon weights and the perfect balance of frame stiffness and ride feel that Pivot frames are known for. The frame’s carbon structure features our proprietary hollow core internal molding process combined with a highly optimized lay-up design, utilizing lighter weight, high modulus materials that save up to a pound (.45kg) over other trail/enduro bike designs. The Mach 5.5 Carbon is available as a complete bike, with builds weighing under 27lbs (12.2kg) complete with dropper, and with frame weights as low as 5.2lbs(2.35kg).

TRAIL GEOMETRY

The geometry of the Mach 5.5 Carbon is tuned to support its well-rounded trail bike personality – the optimized long and low geometry with a 66.5-degree head angle provides high-speed stability, contributing to its amazing descending capabilities. Combined with short 430mm chainstays and relatively steep 73.5-degree seat angle, it absolutely crushes the steepest of climbs. The Mach 5.5 Carbon’s overall balanced geometry makes it the ultimate trail bike weapon.

We’ve taken this ultimate trail bike idea one step further by combining it with Maxxis’ new Wide Trail 2.6” Minion DHF/Rekon tire combination mounted on 35mm wide rims for maximum control and maximum fun in a wide variety of conditions. This wider 2.6” tire option gives you incredible traction and rollover advantages with nearly the speed of a full on enduro race tire set up. The Mach 5.5 Carbon can run any 27.5 tire combination, from 2.1-2.6, so your options are nearly unlimited.

Pivot Mach 5.5 Geometry Chart

ALL THE RIGHT DETAILS

Featured on the Mach 5.5 Carbon is Pivot’s ultra-clean, removable front derailleur mount. For riders that want to run two chainrings, this precisely engineered mount offers the best shifting performance you can get, utilizing Shimano’s new side-swing front derailleur system. For those who love the simple functionality of 1x systems, the removable front derailleur mount offers an incredibly sleek, clean installation with almost no evidence of the un-needed hardware.

The Mach 5.5 Carbon offers full Di2 electronic integration and easy, clean internal routing of shifters, brakes and droppers via the Pivot Cable Port system.

Other essential details include ultra-quiet, low durometer, rubberized frame protection in all the key places, 180mm rear post mount disc brake, and Enduro Max cartridge bearings throughout.

The Mach 5.5 Carbon is available in five sizes to fit riders from 4’11” to 6’7”+ from XS to XL. Every size clears a full size water bottle inside the front triangle.

PERFECT BUILDS FROM PIVOT

Pivot complete bikes are more than the sum of their parts - every single component is selected to give you the best experience on the trail:

Tires: For each of our bikes, we include the best version of every Maxxis tire model for each application – choosing rubber compounds, tubeless and sidewall technologies that are perfect for your specific Pivot.

Cockpit: Custom designed Phoenix Components work as a system to enhance cockpit comfort and control on every Pivot bike. To learn more about how these components enhance the quality of your ride, see here.

Wheels: Pivot bikes include the best wheel technologies available. DT wheels include the 36-tooth Star Ratchet hubs for immediate engagement off the line and the friendliest, most reliable tubeless system in the sport, with easy setup and inflation. Reynolds Carbon wheels feature industry leading composite materials and proprietary resins that give Reynolds rims the perfect balance of stiffness and ride-feel. Combined with the nearly instantaneous engagement and jewelry-like finish of the Industry Nine hubs and Reynolds’ new lifetime warranty, these Pivot-exclusive 36mm Reynolds wheels are the ultimate wheel upgrade for your new Mach 5.5 Carbon.

Saddle: Pivot bikes feature WTB saddles that are specially made with the best, most durable, memory foam and feature a special hidden cutout for long ride comfort.

We take quality and workmanship seriously at Pivot, and know that the details are what make a great rider experience. Every Pivot Cycles frame undergoes a 28-step assembly and quality control check to ensure that every ride on the Mach 5.5 Carbon exceeds your expectations.

FAQ

Which size bike should I purchase?

To ensure the best sizing, we recommend that you visit your local Pivot dealer to get a professional fit and refer to our geometry chart to check your measurements. We can, however, provide a rough guideline to get you started. These recommendations are based on our experience, athlete preference and customer feedback:

• X-Small: 4'11" – 5'4"
• Small: 5'4" – 5'8"
• Medium: 5'8" – 5'11"
• Large: 5'11" – 6'3'
• X-Large: 6'2" +

We suggest that you pick your Mach 5.5 Carbon size based on your riding style. The Mach 5.5 Carbon features trail bike long and low geometry with both shorter seat tube and head tube measurements per size – this geometry means that most riders can go up or down a size and should base their choice on riding-style, reach and stem length preferences. Be sure to also consult our dropper post fit guide when making your selection. You can always reach out to us on Live Chat for additional guidance.

What dropper post length should I use on my Mach 5.5 Carbon?

The Mach 5.5 Carbon features a low stand-over height and short seat tubes to allow the use of longer travel dropper posts and/or more flexibility for a wider range of rider sizes.

There are some limitations that each dropper post can accommodate for each frame size based on the individual rider’s saddle height, so it is important to check fit before choosing the travel and model of dropper post for your Mach 5.5 Carbon. Use the linked guide to find the right post for your bike:

http://www.pivotcycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Mach55Carbon-Dropper-Fit-Guide.pdf

How do I set the sag on my Mach 5.5 Carbon?

We make it easy to get the best ride out of your Pivot bike with a simple sag indicator already installed on your bike, and this follow-along video featuring our own Bernard Kerr: https://vimeo.com/pivotcycles/sag

Can I run a water bottle on the Mach 5.5 Carbon?

Yes, the Mach 5.5 Carbon features 2 sets of bottle mounts on the Small to X-Large frame sizes. One mount is on the top of the down tube and the other bottle mount is underneath the down tube. Every size clears a full size water bottle inside the front triangle.

What hub/wheel spacing does the Mach 5.5 Carbon use?

The Mach 5.5 Carbon uses the Boost 148mm X 12mm hub/wheel spacing. This is a hub design with wider flanges so you cannot take a current 135mm, 142mm, 150mm, or 157mm hub and change end caps to convert an existing hub.

What is the thread pitch on the rear axle?

Pivot uses a 1.5 thread pitch on the rear thru axle. You can order one through our online store here:

http://www.pivotcycles.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=60&product_id=132

This is also the same thread pitch and axle length as the Shimano Boost 148mm X 12mm through axle so most Shimano compatible axle should work as well if you somehow manage to lose your Pivot or DT Swiss rear axle and need something compatible to keep you going.

What size seatpost does the Mach 5.5 Carbon use?

The Mach 5.5 Carbon frame uses a 30.9mm seatpost.

What size seat clamp does the Mach 5.5 Carbon use?

The Mach 5.5 Carbon frame uses a 34.9mm or 35mm (as some manufacturers call it) seatpost clamp.

Can I mount a chain guide on my Mach 5.5 Carbon?

Yes. The Mach 5.5 Carbon features ISCG05 mounts on the frame. Most upper guides on the market will fit and you can either use the ISCG05 mounts or some of the more compact versions that attach to an E-Type front derailleur mount. For full upper and lower guides, we recommend the MRP AMG for the Mach 5.5 Carbon.

What front derailleur does the Mach 5.5 Carbon use?

The Mach 5.5 Carbon uses an e-type Shimano side-swing style front derailleur only. Shimano produces the new e-type side-swing front derailleur in Deore and SLX for 10 speed drivetrains and XT and XTR for 11 speed drivetrains.

What travel fork can I use on my Mach 5.5 Carbon?

The Mach 5.5 Carbon was designed for either a 150mm or 160mm fork. The maximum travel length that can be used on the Mach 5.5 Carbon is 160mm travel.

What is the fork offset on the Mach 5.5 Carbon?

The fork offset on the Mach 5.5 Carbon is 51mm.

How wide of a tire can I run on the Mach 5.5 Carbon?

The Mach 5.5 Carbon can run 27.5” tires up to 2.6” inches.

How large of a rotor will fit on the Mach 5.5 Carbon?

The Mach 5.5 Carbon was designed for a 180mm rotor and features a 180mm post mount design so you cannot fit a 160mm rotor on the Mach 5.5 Carbon.

What type of rear brake adapter do I need?

No brake adapter is needed for a 180mm rotor. However, many manufacturers make adapters for larger rotor sizes, in which case you would need a 180mm direct mount/post to post adapter.

What cranks will the Mach 5.5 Carbon accept?

The Mach 5.5 Carbon will accept all cranks designed for the BOOST system and compatible with a press fit 92mm bottom bracket. BOOST system means that the rear hub spacing is 148mm and the chain-rings have been shifted out approximately 3mm from where a tradition crank designed for a 142mm rear hub would be so that the chainrings will line up properly with the new position of the cassette on the 148mm rear hub.

Can I run non-Boost™ cranks on my Mach 5.5 Carbon?

In some cases you can run a conventional non-BOOST 1X or 2X crank. The Race Face NEXT 1X and other Cinch system 1X cranks are dual compatible between standard 142mm and 148mm Boost rear ends. Some smaller chainring combination 1X (30 and 32T) Shimano XT and XTR 11 will also work. In some cases 2X standard cranks may also work with 24/34, 26/36 and 22/36 combinations. Shimano’s new 11 Speed XTR and XT standard cranks feature both 24/34 and 26/36 chainring options which work perfectly with the Mach 5.5 Carbon frame as Shimano’s chainline dimensions already tend to run wider than others in the market. There may be other 2X non- boost cranks available that will work although it is dependent on specific chainline and chainring size. If the chainline is not out far enough, the front derailleur clearance may be tight when shifting into the small ring as the front derailleur mount on the Mach 5.5 Carbon is also shifted outwards to accommodate the BOOST design.

Additionally, you cannot run cranks designed specifically with a narrower Q Factor such as XTR Race 158mm Q factor crank and the SRAM XX1 156Q crank (In fact, for any SRAM 1X cranks, you need to run their specific BOOST version of the crank).

What is the narrowest Q factor crank that the Mach 5.5 Carbon will accept?

The Mach 5.5 Carbon will accept cranks with a standard Q factor measurement as low as 163mm. You cannot run cranks designed specifically with a narrower Q Factor such as XTR Race 158mm Q factor crank and the SRAM XX1 156Q crank

What bottom bracket is used on the Mach 5.5 Carbon?

The Mach 5.5 Carbon uses a Press Fit 92mm BB. Some bottom bracket manufacturers may refer to it as BB92 of PF92 as well. Every crank manufacture offers Press Fit 92mm BB options.

What is the eye-to- eye shock length and stroke length on the Mach 5.5 Carbon?

The eye-to- eye shock length is 7.875 inches (200mm) and the stroke length is 2 inches (50.8mm).

If I want to run a different brand of shock on my Mach 5.5 Carbon, what else do I need to know?

The Mach 5.5 Carbon shock uses M8 through bolt hardware on the front and no hardware on the rear. Shock spacer dimensions are 36mm wide front. On the rear of the shock, the spacer hardware and bushing will need to be removed as the rocker mounts directly to the shock body. Some shocks may have a different spec then the Fox shock (that the Mach 5.5 Carbon is designed for) and may not fit properly. Also, as we cannot test every shock on the market, riders assume some risk if they choose a shock that does not fit properly or is not tuned correctly for the bike. The frame is designed around a large volume air can. We run medium compression valving and medium rebound damping.

Can I run a Cane Creek Double Barrel Air shock on my Mach 5.5 Carbon?

Yes, as long as you order the correct eyelet size (15mm eyelet).

Can I put a coil-over shock on my Mach 5.5 Carbon?

You cannot run a coil-over on your Mach 5.5 Carbon! The Mach 5.5 Carbon was designed to work with the progressiveness of an air spring. A coil-over shock (even one with separate bottoming control) does not offer the progressive spring curve that the Mach 5.5 Carbon requires. Running a coil-over shock on the Mach 5.5 Carbon will result in hard bottoming and damage to the frame.

What are the torque specs?

A detailed PDF of the torque specs can be found under the "Tech Specs" tab.

Pivot Cycles owner and head of engineering, Chris Cocalis, and the legendary Aaron Chase took the new Pivot Mach 5.5 Carbon for a spin on Phoenix's famous South Mountain trail system. Renowned for its technical challenges, this is the perfect place to learn about what the Mach 5.5 Carbon has to offer. Riders looking for the ultimate high performance trail bike need to check this one out!

“The original Mach 5.7 Carbon was the most popular, best loved bike we’ve ever produced. We wanted to update the design, and knew that it had to be absolutely perfect for all the riders out there waiting for the next generation,” said Pivot Cycles President and CEO, Chris Cocalis. “The Mach 5.5 Carbon embodies everything that made the original rise above the competition, with key updates to make it a true next-generation trail bike – it features our trail-adapted long and low geometry, an evolved mid-travel linkage for incredible small bump compliance, an all-new carbon layup with lighter weight, higher modulus materials, and clearance for up to 2.6” wide tires.”

http://www.pivotcycles.com/bike/mach-5-5-carbon

RUPERT CHAPMAN JOINS PIVOT FACTORY RACING FOR 2017 AND BEYOND

TEMPE, AZ – For Immediate release, January 30, 2017 – Rupert Chapman, current New Zealand National Downhill Champion, joins the Pivot Factory Racing team for the 2017 UCI Downhill World Cup season and beyond.

Pivot Cycles and Pivot Factory Racing are pleased to announce the addition of Rupert Chapman to the team roster, effective immediately. Chapman, 24, from Christchurch, New Zealand, is no stranger to international competition – he has been racing downhill for 12 years, beginning as a junior. Chapman has multiple World Cup Seasons under his belt, both in youth and pro competition, including numerous strong finishes on the professional circuit. Chapman is also the current New Zealand national downhill champion.

“I'm really pumped about representing Pivot Factory Racing in 2017 and beyond. I've always admired Pivot bikes around the pits and now that I’ve finally started riding them, can say that they exceed my expectations.” said Chapman.

A true working man’s athlete, Chapman has spent the last several years working construction in the off-season to pay for his international program. This will be his first season with full support. “Not having to slave away on the building site while trying to fit in training will be really good for my racing!” he said. Chapman has signed a multi-year deal with the team. Carla McCord, Marketing Manager at Pivot Cycles, said “Rupert is a great fit for our team. We really enjoy working with young, talented athletes. Helping them to make the next leap in competitive achievement through supporting them with incredible equipment is what we do best. Rupert is already successful, and we think that he has a strong future in World Cup Downhill racing.” Chapman joins Bernard Kerr, 2017 Red Bull Hardline winner, and Emilie Siegenthaler, a regular visitor to the World Cup podium, on the Pivot Factory Racing team. All three riders will be competing on the Pivot Phoenix DH and Pivot Firebird models at World Cup and Crankworx events. For training they will utilize the Pivot Vault and Pivot Switchblade bikes. All bikes will be equipped by a roster of incredible sponsors, including Fox Factory suspension, Shimano components, Reynolds wheels, Maxxis tires, Industry 9, Jet Black Products, WTB and MRP. The team will wear clothing, helmets and protection from Fly Racing. Follow Rupert on instagram at @rupertchap, and on Facebook.

Get more info on the entire team and their sponsors: http://www.pivotcycles.com/team/pivotfactoryracing/

Pivot Cycles Announces The Switchblade

Purpose-built to meet the demands of enduro and aggressive trail riding, Pivot’s Switchblade is a versatile ripper with a huge advantage no matter where you shred. As a long travel 29er, the Switchblade is a next-level enduro bike that begs for fast, steep and technical trails. As a 27.5+ machine, the Switchblade combines spider-man traction with the shortest chainstays in the category for the ultimate all-terrain, all-conditions ride.

Pivot Switchblade Features

• Compatible with both 29 and 27.5+ wheelsizes
• Fits 27.5+ tires up to 3.25” wide
• Fits 29er tires up to 2.5” wide
• Features Pivots new long and low geometry
• Ultra short 428mm (16.85”) chainstays beat every other bike in the category
• Front derailleur compatible with Pivot’s stealth E-Type mounting system
• 135mm dw-link rear suspension with upper clevis and linkage and double wishbone rear triangle
• Designed for a 150mm fork, fits forks up to 160mm
• 27.5+ spec’d with either 40mm inner width DT alloy or Reynolds carbon wheels and aggressive new Maxxis REKON 2.8 tires
• 29” spec’d with 25mm inner width DT rims or 28mm inner width Reynolds Enduro carbon rims and aggressive Maxxis High Roller II 2.3” tires
• Pivot Cable Port system for easy internal routing of shifters, brakes and droppers and full Di2 Integration
• New ultra quiet low durometer rubberized frame protection

Pivot Switchblade Geometry

 

Purpose-built to meet the demands of enduro and aggressive trail riding, Pivot’s Switchblade is a versatile ripper with a huge advantage no matter where you shred. As a long travel 29er, the Switchblade is a next-level enduro bike that begs for fast, steep and technical trails. As a 27.5+ machine, the Switchblade combines spider-man traction with the shortest chainstays in the category for the ultimate all-terrain, all-conditions ride.

http://www.pivotcycles.com/bike/switchblade

Aaron Chase and Mason Bond get the first ride on the Pivot Switchblade in Sedona, AZ.The 29 configuration is perfect for fast shredding, and they test the incredible traction of 27.5+ on one of the sketchiest trails in the world...