{"id":69777,"date":"2024-10-04T09:01:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T07:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/773950d4-75fe-4c0e-86fa-ac27fa199390"},"modified":"2024-10-04T10:25:24","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T08:25:24","slug":"new-pivot-phoenix-is-proof-we-shouldnt-overlook-downhill-bikes","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/new-pivot-phoenix-is-proof-we-shouldnt-overlook-downhill-bikes\/","title":{"rendered":"New Pivot Phoenix is proof we shouldn’t overlook downhill bikes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Newly unveiled DH bike features a high pivot, two chains and a serious amount of prototyping <\/p>

By Robin Weaver\n <\/p>

Published: Friday, 04 October 2024 at 07:01 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Downhill mountain biking (DH) might be niche, and brands may only sell a handful of their very specific bikes, but I believe bikes such as the new Pivot Phoenix underline why their design and development are so important.<\/p>

We\u2019ve watched the Phoenix evolve over the last two years, at first under Pivot’s headline rider and team owner, Bernard Kerr, who has had his fair share of success aboard it.<\/p>

With CNC-machined lugs, carbon tubes, a high pivot<\/a> and two chains, the Phoenix prototype<\/a> was a thing to behold and caused quite the stir in the pits.<\/p>

When the world first spotted Bernard Kerr aboard this prototype Phoenix in early 2023, social media exploded and it quickly became one of the most talked about and photographed bikes in the pits. Pivot Cycles<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

After all that research and development time, Pivot has now launched the new Phoenix. It may lack some of those prototype elements that garnered all the attention early on, but the full-carbon frame<\/a> shares the key aspects of that full-factory machine.<\/p>

\"Prototype
The same system featured on the prototype bike and has played a key role in the team’s impressive results throughout the past season. Pivot Cycles<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

There\u2019s 210mm of travel<\/a> delivered via Pivot\u2019s \u2018mid-high pivot\u2019, six-bar dw-link suspension system, a dual-chain drive system, plus adjustable geometry and suspension kinematics.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Downhill-optimised suspension performance<\/h2>
\"Lugs
The CNC lugs took many hours to machine. Pivot Cycles<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

The new frame isn\u2019t built using the time-consuming, expensive to produce CNC alloy lugs (rumour has it, these took something like 90 hours of machine time to produce) and carbon tubes. <\/p>

It is carbon, however, and shares the same shape and suspension layout as the prototype steeds the Pivot Factory race team have been riding.<\/p>

Like the prototype bike, the new Phoenix is designed to run mixed wheels<\/a> as standard.<\/p>

\"Lugged
Carbon tubes are bonded into the alloy lugs. This helps speed up the prototype process, allowing for quick geometry changes without the need for an expensive carbon mould. Pivot Cycles<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Pivot refers to the main pivot placement on the new Phoenix as \u2018mid-high\u2019. The idea here is to create a rearward axle path, enabling the suspension to more competently swallow square-edge hits.<\/p>

According to the graphs, the rear axle moves back around 22mm when it\u2019s about 140mm into its 210mm of travel. <\/p>

\"Lugs
Even on their own, the machined lugs are a thing of beauty. Pivot Cycles<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

From that point, it continues to arc forwards and upwards until bottom-out, finishing at around 15mm behind its starting point.<\/p>

This is all controlled via Dave Weagle\u2019s six-bar dw-link suspension system, which gives the brand masses of control over every element of the suspension kinematics.<\/p>

\"Pivot
The six-bar dw-link suspension system controls the 210mm of rear-wheel travel. Pivot Cycles<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Both the anti-squat (how much the bike resists pedal bob) and anti-rise (a measure to counteract load transfer under braking, preventing the shock extending\/rising) are said to have been tailored to ensure the Phoenix remains reactive and responsive when you put the power down, and stays stable and controlled under braking when tackling a steep, technical descent.<\/p>

A flip chip<\/a> at the base of the shock enables riders to change the level of progressivity, too, switching between 46.6 per cent (progressive setting) and 39.6 per cent (linear setting) when measured across the full 210mm travel range.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Two chains are better than one\u2026 apparently<\/h2>
\"Drivetrain
A dual-chain drive system helps improve chain retention, reduce friction and increase ground clearance. It looks cool too. Pivot Cycles<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

The most striking feature of the Phoenix is the dual-chain drive system.<\/p>

This sees a short chain running from the crankset and chainring to a large sprocket that sits higher up, close to the main pivot location. Pivot says adding tension to this short chain is a very simple and easy process.<\/p>

While we\u2019re used to seeing high-pivot bikes<\/a> route chains up and over an idler (to help mitigate pedal kickback \u2013 something common with a suspension design such as this), they tend to use one long chain, rather than two.<\/p>

\"Drivetrain
While adding another chain into the system adds weight, Pivot clearly thinks the trade-off in performance is well worth it. Pivot Cycles<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Pivot has taken this approach for a number of reasons. For a start, the chainline can be made smoother, limiting friction\/drag. <\/p>

You also get better chain wrap, which helps with chain retention and boosts durability, as well as creating more clearance thanks to being able to run a smaller main chainring. Pivot says the gearing used is the equivalent of a 37t chainring on a regular system. <\/p>

That extra clearance is a real plus when you\u2019re close to fully bottoming out the rear suspension in a pile of rocks and could be the make or break of a race run.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Making it fit like a glove<\/h2>
\"Pivot
While the new Phoenix might not feature the machined lugs of the prototype, it still includes all the key aspects of that bike, from the geometry to the suspension platform. Pivot Cycles<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Pivot offers the Phoenix in four frame sizes (S1\u2013S4), with reaches ranging from 435mm all the way up to 515mm.<\/p>

Each frame size uses a different carbon layup, better tuning it to the size of rider (the smaller sizes will offer a little more compliance for lighter riders, while bigger riders will get a stiffer frame).<\/p>

Thanks to their reach-adjust headsets, though, you can increase or decrease these measurements by 5mm either way to better suit your needs.<\/p>

All frames have the same length seat tube (410mm), so it really is all about finding the right length bike for you.<\/p>

\"Flip
A flip chip in the seatstay pivot enables riders to access the two geometry settings. There’s also a reach-adjust headset. Pivot Cycles<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

The head angle is suitably slack for high-speed stability, at 62.5 degrees (in the low setting). This can be steepened to 62.93 degrees by using the flip chip located in the seatstay pivot, as well as raising the bottom bracket by 6mm (from 349mm to 355mm).<\/p>

Wheelbases range from 1,253mm (S1) to 1,333mm (S4), while the rear centre is the same across all sizes at 443mm (but remember, this will grow in length due to the rearward axle path).<\/p>

Stack height remains the same at 635mm across all sizes, too.<\/p>

<\/colgroup>
\ufeff<\/th>S1<\/th>S2<\/th>S3<\/th>S4<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Low\/High<\/td>Low\/High<\/td>Low\/High<\/td>Low\/High<\/td><\/tr>
Seat tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>77.3 \/ 77.73<\/td>77.3 \/ 77.73<\/td>77.3 \/ 77.73<\/td>77.3 \/ 77.73<\/td><\/tr>
Head tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>62.5 \/ 62.93<\/td>62.5 \/ 62.93<\/td>62.5 \/ 62.93<\/td>62.5 \/ 62.93<\/td><\/tr>
Chainstay<\/b> (mm)<\/td>443 \/ 440<\/td>443 \/ 440<\/td>443 \/ 440<\/td>443 \/ 440<\/td><\/tr>
Seat tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>410 \/ 410<\/td>410 \/ 410<\/td>410 \/ 410<\/td>410 \/ 410<\/td><\/tr>
Top tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>578 \/ 577<\/td>603 \/ 602<\/td>623 \/ 622<\/td>658 \/ 657<\/td><\/tr>
Head tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>106 \/ 106<\/td>106 \/ 106<\/td>106 \/ 106<\/td>106 \/ 106<\/td><\/tr>
Bottom bracket height<\/b> (mm)<\/td>349 \/ 355<\/td>349 \/ 355<\/td>349 \/ 355<\/td>349 \/ 355<\/td><\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td>1253 \/ 1250<\/td>1278 \/ 1275<\/td>1298 \/ 1295<\/td>1333 \/ 1330<\/td><\/tr>
Standover<\/b> (mm)<\/td>697 \/ 702<\/td>702 \/ 707<\/td>702 \/ 707<\/td>702 \/ 707<\/td><\/tr>
Stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td>635 \/ 631<\/td>635 \/ 631<\/td>635 \/ 631<\/td>635 \/ 631<\/td><\/tr>
Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td>435 \/ 440<\/td>460 \/ 465<\/td>480 \/ 485<\/td>515 \/ 520<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody>

<\/p><\/table>