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Pivot revises its Mach 5.7

Ludwig Döhl

 · 17.05.2017

Pivot revises its Mach 5.7Photo: Boris Beyer
Pivot revises its Mach 5.7
The new Pivot Mach 5.5 remains true to the American mountain bike line with its DW-Link rear triangle. However, the wide wheels and in-house components are new.

Mach 1 is the scientific term for the speed of sound. If there is more to the name than pure marketing, then that is Pivot Mach 5.5 damn fast. With 140 millimetres of suspension travel at the rear and a 160 millimetre fork, the successor to the Pivot Mach 5.7 somewhere between an all-mountain and enduro bike. Thanks to the potent DW-Link rear triangle the difference in suspension travel is barely noticeable on the trail. The frame has a high-quality finish and impresses above all with details such as well-integrated frame protectors on the down tube and chainstay and a clean look thanks to internally routed cables. Although 29er tyres are becoming increasingly popular on downhill-oriented bikes, Pivot continues to rely on smaller 27.5-inch wheels for the Mach 5.5. Combined with 35 millimetre wide rims, even wide 2.6 mm tyres fit in the rear triangle. According to Pivot, plus-size tyres cannot be used. The frameset (frame incl. shock) costs 3699 euros and is now available in five sizes between XS and XL. Various build kits are available for complete bikes on the Pivot website available.

According to Pivot, the frame of the Mach 5.5 without shock weighs 2350 grams (size medium) and costs 3699 euros. According to the manufacturer, the complete bike pictured weighs just 12.2 kilos and costs 7299 euros with Shimano XT equipment.Photo: Boris Beyer According to Pivot, the frame of the Mach 5.5 without shock weighs 2350 grams (size medium) and costs 3699 euros. According to the manufacturer, the complete bike pictured weighs just 12.2 kilos and costs 7299 euros with Shimano XT equipment. The sag indicator is extremely helpful during setup. Also recognisable: The rear shock mount is mounted on ball bearings. Most other bikes use conventional bushings (plain bearings) here.Photo: Boris Beyer The sag indicator is extremely helpful during setup. Also recognisable: The rear shock mount is mounted on ball bearings. Most other bikes use conventional bushings (plain bearings) here. To make life easier for mechanics, the cable outlets for the internally routed shift and brake cables are relatively large, but fit snugly against the frame.Photo: Boris Beyer To make life easier for mechanics, the cable outlets for the internally routed shift and brake cables are relatively large, but fit snugly against the frame. The new Pivot Mach 5.5 is available in five frame sizes from XS to XL. According to the manufacturer, even the smallest frame fits a large water bottle.Photo: Boris Beyer The new Pivot Mach 5.5 is available in five frame sizes from XS to XL. According to the manufacturer, even the smallest frame fits a large water bottle. The new Pivot Mach 5.5 is prepared with numerous openings for Fox's new electronic suspension system. We are curious to see when Fox will present the Live Valve?Photo: Boris Beyer The new Pivot Mach 5.5 is prepared with numerous openings for Fox's new electronic suspension system. We are curious to see when Fox will present the Live Valve? The frame features the new Boost standard (148 mm rear axle) and a Direct Mount brake mount for 180 mm brake discs. Larger discs cannot be fitted to the rear wheel for space reasons.Photo: Boris Beyer The frame features the new Boost standard (148 mm rear axle) and a Direct Mount brake mount for 180 mm brake discs. Larger discs cannot be fitted to the rear wheel for space reasons. With Phoenix Components, Pivot is launching its own brand for handlebars, stems, saddles, grips and seatposts, which are mainly fitted to Pivot complete bikes, but are also available on the aftermarket. The grips feature the Padlock system and, like the saddles, were developed in collaboration with WTB.Photo: Boris Beyer With Phoenix Components, Pivot is launching its own brand for handlebars, stems, saddles, grips and seatposts, which are mainly fitted to Pivot complete bikes, but are also available on the aftermarket. The grips feature the Padlock system and, like the saddles, were developed in collaboration with WTB. The Mach 5.5 is delivered from the factory with 27.5x2.6 inch tyres and 35 millimetre (rim width) wide rims. Narrower tyres can be fitted at any time, plus or 29er tyres do not fit the Pivot.Photo: Boris Beyer The Mach 5.5 is delivered from the factory with 27.5x2.6 inch tyres and 35 millimetre (rim width) wide rims. Narrower tyres can be fitted at any time, plus or 29er tyres do not fit the Pivot.
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The Mach 5.5 has an ISCG mount for chain guides as well as the option of mounting an E-Type front derailleur for 2x drivetrains. The frame is also compatible with Shimano's electronic Di2 drivetrain with space for an integrated battery under the bottom bracket and prepared cable exits.Photo: Boris Beyer The Mach 5.5 has an ISCG mount for chain guides as well as the option of mounting an E-Type front derailleur for 2x drivetrains. The frame is also compatible with Shimano's electronic Di2 drivetrain with space for an integrated battery under the bottom bracket and prepared cable exits. With the XS frame, Pivot also offers the Mach 5.5 suitable for smaller riders or women. Striking: The seat tube is always kept relatively short so that smaller riders can also choose a larger frame depending on their preference.Photo: Hersteller With the XS frame, Pivot also offers the Mach 5.5 suitable for smaller riders or women. Striking: The seat tube is always kept relatively short so that smaller riders can also choose a larger frame depending on their preference. The new Oberammergau bike park offered numerous test tracks to get a first impression of the new Pivot Mach 5.5.Photo: Boris Beyer The new Oberammergau bike park offered numerous test tracks to get a first impression of the new Pivot Mach 5.5.

First ride impression of the new Pivot Mach 5.5

On the trails in the Oberammergau Bike Park we were able to get a first ride impression of the new Pivot Mach 5.5. The DW-Link rear suspension impresses when pedalling uphill with little influence from the drivetrain and remains relatively stable even without a platform. On the test tracks in the bike park, the difference between the suspension travel (160 millimetres at the front, 140 millimetres at the rear) was barely noticeable. The rear suspension does not give the feeling that it is lagging behind the potent fork. The Mach 5.5 really comes into its own on the twisty sections of the MTB trails. Short chainstays and a steering angle that is not too slack give the bike a lot of playfulness. The wide 2.6 mm Maxxis tyres struggled on muddy ground, but they made a good impression on the hard crushed sand track, especially because they didn't give the "spongy" feeling of the plus-size tyres. A detailed test of the Pivot Mach 5.5 will soon be available in BIKE.

We rode the Pivot in the Oberammergau bike park on the Flowline, but also on rooty trails like the Hobbit or the new downhill track.Photo: Boris Beyer We rode the Pivot in the Oberammergau bike park on the Flowline, but also on rooty trails like the Hobbit or the new downhill track.

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