Pivot

Mach 6 XT M8000 11 Speed Complete Mountain Bike - 2015

The industry media, reviewers, and race results are all in agreement about the frame at the heart of Pivot's Mach 6 Carbon XT M8000 11 Speed Complete Mountain Bike. The publications claim it's a winner, the reviewers write that it's a winner, and professional podiums the world over silently affirm that it is, in fact, a winner.

When the bike was initially released, we concurred—with one caveat. The 10-speed drivetrain of the original 2015 Mach 6 XT models felt antiquated in this brave new world of 11 cogs. With the advent of Shimano's XT M8000 group, this reservation was effectively addressed, and the Mach 6's lightweight carbon fiber frame and enduro-tuned DW-Link suspension provide everything that you could ask for to haul the mail on gnarly trails.

Other than the build kit, the Mach 6 is relatively unchanged in the new year, so the myriad benefits over other manufacturers' rush-to-production 27.5in all-mountain bikes are all intact. Given the length of the list, we'll only take the time to focus on a few elements of the Mach 6's geometry that really set it apart from the also-rans. First, its bottom bracket height is low, settling the center of gravity within the rolling stock (like 29ers) and not on top (like 26ers and rush-job 27.5s). Second, the top tube is around an inch longer and the chainstays are around a half-inch shorter than comparable machines, so you'll enjoy all the benefits in stability and handling of the larger frame/short stem/wide bar trend in enduro bikes without the usual penalty of a longer wheelbase.

The key to this win/win/win situation is Pivot's use of a new clevis to connect the rear shock to the rear triangle. This keeps the suspension linkage compact to avoid seat tube interference, so your stays stay stubby. It also eliminates the failure-prone rear shock bushing while taking full advantage of the DW-Link suspension's ability to balance travel with chain tension for a consistent, stable pedaling platform that's anti-squat, climbs like a goat, and descends with authority. A specially-tuned FOX DPS Kashima shock guarantees that the Mach 6's two carbon triangles will play nicely together while keeping unruly changes in grade and terrain in check with its three-position damper toggling.