Inside Line: Pivot updates the Mach 6 with new carbon and aluminum frames

In the rapidly moving world of all-mountain bikes, the Mach 6 was far from old or outdated, but Pivot isn’t a company to sit on its laurels (whatever the hell that means).

Mach 6 Carbon

Instead, it updated the carbon bike, and released an aluminum version of the well received frame. Both bikes use a new linkage that claims to be 150 percent stiffer, has larger bearings and lighter linkages. Sounds good to me. The rear end gets Boost 148 spacing, because that is what’s happening, like it or not, and there are solid reasons to make the change. For those with the cheese, you can get your Di2 on with Pivot’s Cable Port System, a first for long travel bikes.

Frame details

• Full carbon frame featuring leading edge carbon fiber materials and Pivot’s proprietary hollow core internal molding technology.
• 155mm (6.1 inches) of renowned dw-link suspension
• 27.5 wheels for the fastest descents and superior rollover in technical terrain
• Pivot’s new ultra-stiff, DH-inspired, double-wishbone rear triangle design
• All new, cold-forged wider and stiffer upper and lower linkage design with Enduro Max Cartridge Bearings
• New 12 x 148 mm Boost rear spacing for maximum stiffness and control.
• Custom-tuned Fox Factory Kashima Float X shock with EVOL air sleeve.
• Designed to work with forks from 150-160 mm in travel
• All new internal cable routing, featuring Pivot’s Cable Port System and full Di2 integration
• Internal stealth dropper post compatible
• New Pivot removable front derailleur mount for a clean frame design with 1X and perfect front shifting with Shimano’s side-swing 2X system.
• Post mount disc brake mounts for precision and weight savings
• PF92 bottom bracket for light weight, durability and ease of maintenance
• Rubberized leather chainstay, inner seat stay, and down tube protectors for a quiet ride and higher impact resistance
• Medium frame weight: 6.5 pounds including shock.
• Available in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL for riders between 4’10″ and 6’2″+

 

Mach 6 Aluminum

And much as we love carbon bikes, our kid’s college accounts, or our microbrew beer funds often prefer metal frames. The aluminum version of the Mach 6 is far from cheap, but at $2,000, it undercuts the carbon frame ($3,000) by a cool grand. Fully built up, the Mach 3 Aluminum starts at $3,500 while the Mach 6 Carbon completes start at $4,700. The metal frame is claimed to be as stiff as the carbon, but weight is where the penalty is paid, with a 7.4 pound frame and shock in size medium, which isn’t heavy, but it does tip the scales at almost a pound heavier than the 6.5 pound carbon frame.

Another nice touch is a full size range, from extra small through extra large, which covers a lot of heights, something that can be missing in some smaller brands S, M, L sizing.

Pivot’s newest aluminum frameset utilizes next-generation, variable wall thickness hydro-forming – bringing carbon-level strength, stiffness, precision, and control to produce the ultimate aluminum frame design

 

Availability

Carbon frames and compete bikes are shipping to dealers as I type. I’d pick a blue frame with the new XT.

 

Aluminum will follow in September. I like the orange, also with XT, although the new SRAM GX would be swell as well.

 

In action