PIVOT MACH 429/SHIMANO XT/SLX COMPLETE BIKE

The Pivot Mach 429/Shimano XT/SLX Complete Bike has a 100mm (4") dw-link rear suspension, and its big wheels make it versatile enough to function as a race bike or a backwoods adventurer. Any day, any trail. That's the way we see it.

The Mach 429 is a super-efficient race machine because it pedals well without inducing strange or wasted motion in the rear suspension. At the same time, it has deceptively plush travel that just makes it a fun bike to ride. Though these characteristics might seem to be mutually exclusive, the dw-link suspension makes it all possible because of its anti-squat characteristics. By virtue of Newton's Third Law of Motion, when something accelerates, its mass is transferred rearward. The dw-link counteracts this transfer to minimize your impact on the rear suspension. This is why Pivot is able to get such a lightly damped tune on the 7. 5" x 2.0" Kashima Coated RP23 rear shock from Fox. With the dw-link controlling unwanted suspension squat, the lightly damped shock can respond with ultra-sensitivity to the demands of the trail. As a result, the Mach 429 delivers a comfortable ride and awesome climbing traction. It floats over rocks, roots and ruts, yet it still remains firm while hammering out of the saddle. In short, the Mach 429 adapts to virtually any situation you throw it in.

While many 29ers are too flexy, Pivot made it a point to improve this aspect of the frame. Pivot builds the Mach 429 frame from hydroformed 6000 series aluminum tubing and 3D hollow aluminum forgings. The production processes for these raw materials both help to align and strengthen the grain structure of the alloy. Compared to the Mach 4, the tubes in the front triangle are bigger around, though also shaped differently, to add torsional stiffness. The rear triangle also gets a new structure. It does without a brake bridge on the seat stays, and it gets a vertical strut on both sides between the links. This gives the Mach 429 the same kind of stability and precision as the 26" bike.

There are a few other details that emphasize the efforts towards optimizing frame stiffness. One of the easiest to see is the BB92 pressfit style bottom bracket. The extra width in the shell does two things -- 1) It allows the frame designers to spread the forged lower seat tube yoke and increase the width of the lower dw-link, increasing stiffness and resistance to torsional flex in the link. All this comes without sacrificing front derailleur functionality. 2) It also provides better support for the bottom bracket bearings. Speaking of sealed cartridge bearings, the forged and CNC machined aluminum lower link contains eight of them -- two at each corner. This increases the durability of this workhorse component, stretches service life, and optimizes suspension function. The upper link is made of carbon fiber for strength and light weight, and since it sees less stress than its lower counterpart, Pivot relies on four bearings here to do the job of keeping the suspension operating smoothly.

We have it here with parts from Shimano's XT and SLX groups. SLX gets the nod for the cranks, shifters, and front derailleur, and an XT rear derailleur handles shifting duties out back. You'll get rolling on Sun Ringlé Charger Comp wheels and Kenda Slant 6/Nevegal tires, and Magura MT2 brakes get you stopped. FSA supplies the Comet Alloy Handlebar, OS-150 Stem, and XC225 Seatpost. Phoenix Lock-on Grips and a WTB Rocket V Sport Saddle top it all off.

The Pivot Mach 429/Shimano XT/SLX Complete Bike is available in anodized Black or Blue. It comes in four sizes from Small to X-Large.

Mach 429/Shimano XT/SLX Complete Bike Price:  $4199.00