Pivot Cycles, one of the first to use the world renowned DW-Link suspension design, is really stepping up to the plate for 2009.

Pivot Firebird

This new big travel bike…named the Firebird…from Pivot will bring them into the aggressive trailbike category. Many Pivot riders have been waiting for a stronger bike out of the Pivot line that will directly compete with bikes like the Turner RFX, Santa Cruz Nomad and others.

Some of the features:

• 167mm Rear Travel
• 1.5 to 1-1/8 tapered headtube
• Full-floating rear shock (it’s not attached to the front or rear triangle) features a constantly variable shock rate.
• Patent pending variable position floating front derailleur mount is another piece of engineering mastery translating into even further performance gains.

This should be a very interesting ride. I can’t wait to get my leg over a demo ride. I am still on the fence with the tapered steerer tube design even though…on paper…it should be a stronger junction between the fork and frame.

Woman’s Models

For 2009, Pivot is introducing woman specific models of the Mach 4 and Mach 5. Woman require different geometry tweeks (and somtimes colors!) to really fit correctly. Specialized has made great strides with their woman specific lines and it is great to see Pivot jump on the bandwagon. These bikes will bring the DW-Link to woman specific rides. No one can argue that the pink makes for a great looking bike as well.

Website

Pivot Cycles also launched a new website just before Interbike 2009. Check it out at PivotCycles.com.