{"id":37214,"date":"2022-06-02T11:00:57","date_gmt":"2022-06-02T09:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=682669"},"modified":"2022-06-02T11:18:13","modified_gmt":"2022-06-02T09:18:13","slug":"pro-bike-check-ews-winner-morgane-charres-pivot-firebird-enduro-race-bike","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/pro-bike-check-ews-winner-morgane-charres-pivot-firebird-enduro-race-bike\/","title":{"rendered":"Pro bike check | EWS winner Morgane Charre\u2019s Pivot Firebird enduro race bike"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Alex Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 02 June 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

French enduro racer Morgane Charre is tipped as one of the top contenders to win the opening round of the 2022 Enduro World Series (EWS) in Scotland\u2019s Tweed Valley.<\/p>\n

Charre\u2019s racing career took off in 2012, when she won the UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Championships in Leogang, Austria. After competing for seven years on the downhill world cup circuit, Charre made the switch to full-time enduro racing<\/a> in 2019 after competing in both DH and enduro disciplines in 2018.<\/p>\n

Joining UK racer Bernard Kerr\u2019s Pivot Factory Racing team alongside Kiwi riders Ed Masters and Matt Walker in 2019, Charre built on previous success, finishing second in the 2021 EWS rankings after winning the Italian round, and not finishing outside the top five at the other races.<\/p>\n

Thanks to a BMX background, Charre has always ridden flat pedals<\/a> rather than clips on her bikes. This makes her one of the few riders \u2013 along with fellow World Champion Sam Hill \u2013 at the sharp end of the EWS field who choose not to clip in.<\/p>\n

Charre\u2019s bike of choice for racing is Pivot\u2019s Firebird<\/a>, the US-based brand\u2019s 29in-wheeled enduro bike<\/a> that boasts 165mm of rear-wheel travel and size-specific, adjustable geometry.<\/p>\n

Small size, big performance<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Charre\u2019s Firebird is a size small.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

At 163cm tall, Charre rides a size small carbon fibre Firebird in the Glacial Green Metallic colour.<\/p>\n

The bike uses Pivot\u2019s hollow-core carbon fibre manufacturing processes, where each piece and layer of carbon is laid against a core mould. This is said to help prevent wrinkles and voids to improve strength and decrease weight.<\/p>\n

The brand has also tuned the feel of each of the Firebird\u2019s frames depending on its size. The idea behind this is that a 100kg-plus rider on a size extra-large bike will get the same \u2018ride feel\u2019 as a 50kg rider on a size small bike.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Firebird is made from carbon fibre.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Charre has set her bike to the low geometry position, which has a 445mm reach figure, 431mm chainstays and a 1,207mm wheelbase.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Charre is running her bike in the low geometry setting.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Those figures are combined with a 76-degree seat tube angle and a 64-degree head tube angle; both plenty steep and slack enough for the ascending and descending demands of the EWS.<\/p>\n

Inside the front triangle is space for a 630ml water bottle (even on the small frame), while cables are routed internally.<\/p>\n

Dialling in the damping<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A Fox Float X2 controls the rear suspension\u2019s damping.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Like all of Pivot\u2019s full-suspension bikes, the Firebird uses twin co-rotating links to drive the shock and join the front and rear triangles together.<\/p>\n

This system was created by Dave Weagle<\/a> \u2013 a legendary suspension guru who was thrust into the limelight thanks to his DW-Link design, as featured on the Iron Horse Sunday<\/a> downhill bike, ridden by the aforementioned Sam Hill.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Dave Weagle designed the DW-Link.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Firebird has 165mm of rear-wheel travel, which on Charre\u2019s bike is damped by a Fox Float X2 Factory<\/a> rear shock that she\u2019s chosen to run for the EWS Tweed Valley.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe air shock makes the bike feel really dynamic, so I\u2019ve chosen it for this race. I might race the coil [Fox\u2019s DHX2<\/a>] at some point in the season but I\u2019m really happy with the air at the moment,\u201d Charre tells BikeRadar.<\/p>\n

In terms of setup, Charre runs 148psi with her compression adjustment fully open and her rebound set to taste, which, she tells us, is fast. She\u2019s currently using one volume-reducer spacer in the rear shock to provide additional bottom-out resistance.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The DW-Link system uses two co-rotating links.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

On her setup, Charre says: \u201cI feel like less compression damping and faster rebound helps keep my feet on the pedals well.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rear suspension is matched with Fox\u2019s 38 Factory<\/a> fork.<\/p>\n

\u201cI chose the 38 as it makes me feel like the bike can handle anything on the descents, giving me confidence. And coming from a downhill racing background, I really like how it feels.\u201d We\u2019d agree with Charre, and have found the Fox 38 to be one of the best mountain bike suspension forks<\/a> out there in our own testing.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Fox\u2019s venerable 38 fork features up front.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Charre is currently running 76psi with her low- and high-speed compression damping adjustments fully open. For the rebound, she has seven clicks from open of high-speed and four clicks from open of low-speed rebound.<\/p>\n

She runs one or two volume-reducer spacers, depending on how gnarly or fast the race tracks are, increasing the number the gnarlier they get.<\/p>\n

Flat pedals win medals<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Nukeproof MC2 custom pedals stand out.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Although that phrase is a bit of a misnomer \u2013 seeing as most of the top EWS racers race with clipless pedals \u2013 for Charre it\u2019s true, having topped the podium on flats.<\/p>\n

The French racer\u2019s MC2 Nukeproof Horizon Pro pedals are custom-coloured just for her.<\/p>\n

Charre explains, \u201cComing from a BMX background I\u2019ve pretty much always been riding flats and feel most comfortable on them. I\u2019ve tried clips but it changes my riding style too much and I enjoy it less.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Charre is one of the few pro-level flat pedal riders on the EWS circuit.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cI used to have issues keeping my feet on the pedals on really rough tracks when I first started downhill, but bike suspension and the pedals and shoes are so good now, there really is no reason not to ride flats.\u201d<\/p>\n

The only pressure is in the tyres<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Charre\u2019s running the DH casing SuperSoft compound versions of Continental\u2019s Kryptotal tyres.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Charre is running Continental\u2019s newest Kryptotal tyres<\/a> both front and rear.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s using the front- and rear-specific versions both in a downhill casing and both in their SuperSoft compound.<\/p>\n

In terms of tyre pressure<\/a>, Charre has 18psi in the front and 20psi out back.<\/p>\n

For the EWS Tweed Valley, she has decided not to run tyre inserts<\/a>, but sometimes runs a Panzer insert in the rear.<\/p>\n

Speccing it up<\/h2>\n
\""Morgane\"<\/picture><\/div>
For the EWS in the Tweed Valley, Charre has cut her bars down to 740mm.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Morgane\"<\/picture><\/div>
Charre\u2019s running a short 40mm Renthal Apex stem.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Morgane\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Renthal grips are seriously tacky.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Charre\u2019s cockpit is supplied by Renthal, another of her team\u2019s sponsors.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s chosen the aluminium Renthal Fatbar 35<\/a> with a 30mm rise. Usually, her bars are 750mm wide, but thanks to the famously tight trees on the trails in the Tweed Valley, she\u2019s cut them down to 740mm for extra clearance.<\/p>\n

These are paired with a 40mm-long Renthal Apex stem and Renthal\u2019s Traction Lock-On UltraTacky grips.<\/p>\n

\""Morgane\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Fox Transfer Factory seatpost has 175mm of travel.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Morgane\"<\/picture><\/div>
Charre chooses to sit on a WTB SL8 saddle.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Charre\u2019s 175mm-travel Fox Transfer Factory seatpost<\/a> has a WTB SL8 Ti saddle fitted to it.<\/p>\n

Braking is taken care of by Shimano\u2019s XTR M8120 four-piston brakes with Ice Technologies finned pads and 200mm rotors.<\/p>\n

\""Morgane\"<\/picture><\/div>
The XTR cranks have a Sahmurai puncture repair kit stashed within the axle.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Morgane\"<\/picture><\/div>
She has an XTR M9100 drivetrain.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Morgane\"<\/picture><\/div>
There\u2019s an XTR 12-speed mechanical shifter.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Morgane\"<\/picture><\/div>
XTR M9120 four-piston brakes provide plenty of stopping power.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Charre\u2019s running 170mm-long XTR M9100<\/a> cranks \u2013 with a Sahmurai tubeless repair kit stashed inside the axle \u2013 and a 32t chainring.<\/p>\n

Following the XTR theme, she\u2019s got an XTR shifter and derailleur.<\/p>\n

\""Morgane\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Reynolds Black Label rims are chunky.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Morgane\"<\/picture><\/div>
Charre\u2019s Reynolds wheels are built on Industry Nine Hydra hubs.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Finally, she\u2019s running Reynolds Black Label wheels laced to Industry Nine Hydra hubs.<\/p>\n

BikeRadar wishes Charre and all the other Enduro World Series racers the best of luck this season.<\/p>\n

Morgane Charre\u2019s Pivot Firebird enduro race bike full specs<\/h3>\n
  • Frame:<\/strong> Pivot Firebird, small<\/li>\n
  • Shock:<\/strong> Fox Float X2 Factory<\/li>\n
  • Fork:<\/strong> Fox Float 38 Factory<\/li>\n
  • Cockpit:<\/strong> Renthal Fatbar 35, 740mm wide, 30mm rise; Renthal Apex stem 40mm long; Renthal Traction Lock-On UltraTacky grips<\/li>\n
  • Brakes:<\/strong> Shimano XTR M9120 with 200m rotors<\/li>\n
  • Drivetrain:\u00a0<\/strong>Shimano XTR M9100 12-speed, 10-51t cassette<\/li>\n
  • Crankset:<\/strong> Shimano XTR M9100 170mm long, 32t chainring<\/li>\n
  • Wheels\/tyres:<\/strong> Reynolds Black Label rims on Industry Nine Hydra hubs \/ Continental Kryptotal DH casing, SuperSoft compound 29\u00d72.4in<\/li>\n
  • Seatpost\/saddle:<\/strong> Fox Transfer Factory 175mm travel dropper \/ WTB SL8 Ti<\/li>\n
  • Pedals:<\/strong> Custom MC2 Nukeproof Horizon Pro<\/li>\n<\/ul>

    <\/p><\/div> <\/section>

    \u00a0<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n

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    By Alex Evans Published: Thursday, 02 June 2022 at 12:00 am French enduro racer Morgane Charre is tipped as one of the top contenders to win the opening round of the 2022 Enduro World Series (EWS) in Scotland\u2019s Tweed Valley. Charre\u2019s racing career took off in 2012, when she won the UCI Downhill Mountain Bike […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":37215,"template":"","categories":[1,36],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"9"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/06\/pro-bike-check-ews-winner-morgane-charres-pivot-firebird-enduro-race-bike.jpg",2400,1600,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/06\/pro-bike-check-ews-winner-morgane-charres-pivot-firebird-enduro-race-bike-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/06\/pro-bike-check-ews-winner-morgane-charres-pivot-firebird-enduro-race-bike-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/06\/pro-bike-check-ews-winner-morgane-charres-pivot-firebird-enduro-race-bike-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/06\/pro-bike-check-ews-winner-morgane-charres-pivot-firebird-enduro-race-bike-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/06\/pro-bike-check-ews-winner-morgane-charres-pivot-firebird-enduro-race-bike-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/06\/pro-bike-check-ews-winner-morgane-charres-pivot-firebird-enduro-race-bike-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Alex Evans Published: Thursday, 02 June 2022 at 12:00 am French enduro racer Morgane Charre is tipped as one of the top contenders to win the opening round of the 2022 Enduro World Series (EWS) in Scotland\u2019s Tweed Valley. Charre\u2019s racing career took off in 2012, when she won the UCI Downhill Mountain Bike…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/37214"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}