With the Firebird, Pivot has created the antithesis to the extremely long and flat Canyon Strive in the comparison. Because even though the reach of 465 millimetres in size M is comparable to its competitors in size L (Yeti and Specialized), the Firebird has the shortest wheelbase. The reason for this is the 64.6 degree steep head angle and the 431 millimetre short chainstays. Dimensions that would otherwise also look good on all-mountain bikes or even trail bikes. There is no question that Pivot's interpretation of a race enduro bike works. After all, Matthew Walker claimed his first World Cup victory on the Firebird in Canazei. But the bike also came out on top in our test.
Thanks to the low front end and the steep steering angle, the Pivot Firebird can be steered precisely and intuitively through the terrain with a lot of pressure on the front wheel - perfect for unpredictable trails. The short rear end and compact wheelbase make quick changes of direction and tight corners a breeze. Also good: despite the longest suspension travel, the rear suspension offers plenty of support, pumping effortlessly over bumps and providing assistance when the rider starts to fly. On rough high-speed sections, the confident suspension and long reach still provide sufficient riding confidence.
Thanks to this symbiosis of smoothness and manoeuvrability, the Pivot Enduro seems to be made for racing in Canazei and secures victory in the downhill classification. The lightweight full carbon frame and the lightest wheels in the test also keep the weight in check. This benefits racers on sprint sections and makes it easier to use your body on undulating trails. Nevertheless, the Pivot Firebird only managed third place on the climbs. Due to the moderate seat angle and short chainstays, you have to actively fight against the rising front wheel even on moderate climbs. This makes control more difficult. In addition, the rear suspension tends to bob in open mode and the platform could be more efficient.
Conclusion from Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
Even if other enduro bikes can handle more speed in extreme cases, the Pivot Firebird offers the most harmonious overall package for the requirements in Canazei: the enduro bike can be brought up to speed quickly, is easy to handle and still offers sufficient reserves for tough trail sections.
Technical data and grades Pivot Firebird Team
Manufacturer information
- Price: 10099 Euro
- Available from specialised dealers
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame size: S,M, L, XL(tested size M, 41 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 14.67 kg
- Frame weight without shock: 2832 g
- Weight of wheels: 5144 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 4422 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 800 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 48 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Reynold Pivot system wheels
- Tyres: Continental Kryptotal Fr / Kryptotal Re; Downhill Super Soft 29 x 2.40
- Fork: Fox 38 Float Factory Grip2
- Shock: Fox Float X2 Factory
- Front/rear suspension travel: 165/160 mm
- Brakes: Shimano XTR BR-M 9120 / 203/203
- Gear system: Shimano XTR 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-51 / 510 %
- Telescopic post / stroke: Fox Transfer Factory / 170 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 16 from 20
- Chassis efficiency: 15 out of 20
- Rolling resistance: 8 out of 10
- Weight: 4.5 out of 15
- Inertia impellers: 3 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 2.5 out of 5
- Driving behaviour downhill: 38 from 40
- Front suspension: 25 out of 25
- Rear suspension: 23.75 out of 25
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes: 14.25 out of 15
- Tyre grip: 15 out of 15
- Driving stability: 4 out of 10
TOTAL UPHILL: 49 OF 80
TOTAL DOWNHILL: 130 OF 140
- Other: 24.5 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: weak
BIKE test rating*: very good - 203.5 out of 250 points
*The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price.
BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.). The weighting of the points in the individual assessment criteria varies depending on the bike category.
Max Fuchs
Editor
