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Pivot revises the Phoenix DH bike, makes it even lighter with more tire clearance

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Pivot Phoenix carbon dh bike new 2016-4At the Sea Otter classic in 2014, the big news from Pivot was that the Phoenix had risen again. Gone were its 26″ wheels in favor of 27.5″ hoops along with a much, much lighter frame. Now, an even newer version of the Phoenix 27.5″ DH bike is here, and it’s even lighter still. Thanks largely in part to their work with the Pivot Factory DH race team, changes have been made to the frame that make it lighter, stiffer, and better for beating your friends or competition to the bottom…

Pivot Phoenix carbon dh bike new 2016-13 Pivot Phoenix carbon dh bike new 2016-6

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As we hopefully illustrated on our recent factory tour, Pivot’s Chris Cocalis is obsessive when it comes to the design of his bikes. If it can be made lighter, better, stronger, it will – just give him time. That seems to be the case with the new Phoenix. While nothing is radically new, the bike sees a number of improvements to make it even faster.

By use of some sort of hollow core internal carbon molding magic, the new frame is 300g lighter than the previous incarnation. Pivot says this should allow the new bike to be built sub 31 lbs! Helping achieve that low build weight is the choice to spec the Phoenix with the new Fox Float X2 air shock which is lighter but also offers more tuning than you’ll be able to easily achieve with a coil. The shock choice comes from the factory DH team and provides the Phoenix with 204mm of rear travel to match 200mm travel forks.

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Continuing with 27.5″ wheels, one of the biggest changes you’ll find on the frame comes in the form of greater tire clearance.Pivot was able to not only add more mud and tire clearance but they did so while keeping the chain stays to a short 440mm while allowing plenty of room for the proven DW Link suspension. The frame also includes increased protection built into the seat stay on the drive side with double the length of the rubber frame protector as well as a new protector built into the front upright on the swing arm. These are in addition to the chain stay and downtube protection that carry over from the previous frame.

Likewise, the frame carries forward their Pivot Cable Port System which utilized full length housing routed through large openings in the frame, held in place with bolt on clamps. The system makes use of integrated rubber fork bumpers which double as the cable entry points at the head tube.

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To make frame size an additional way of “ride tuning” the Phoenix makes use of a single head tube and seat tube length for the S, M, L, and XL frames. The only difference is the length of the top tube which Pivot says allowed team rider Elliot Jackson to size up one size for gnarlier tracks. The 62.5º head angle can be adjusted +/-0.75º with the optional adjustable headset cups as well.

The rest of the details remain mostly the same with a 107mm full carbon PF bottom bracket shell with carbon ISCG05 tabs, a 157x12mm rear axle, and 180mm carbon post mount rear brakes.

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Features:

  • Full carbon frame featuring leading edge carbon fiber materials and Pivot’s proprietary hollow core internal molding technology
  • 27.5-inch wheels for the fastest runs, bigger tire contact patch, increased stability and steering quality
  • 204mm dw-link® suspension
  • Fox Float X2 shock with Evol
  • 157mm X 12mm rear end
  • Designed to work with forks from 200mm in travel.
  • Full length internal cable routing with Pivot’s exclusive cable port system
  • Adjustable +/- .75 degree headset option
  • Internal dropper post compatible
  • Cold forged alloy linkages with Enduro Max Cartridge Bearings
  • Extensive, highly durable, rubberized molded downtube and swingarm protection
  • 180mm rear carbon post mounts disc brake mounts for precision and weight savings.
  • Carbon ISCG-05 tabs
  • 107mm full carbon BB shell
  • Available in sizes S, M, L, XL for riders between 5’4″ and 6’7″

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Available in Team Blue or black, the Phoenix will be offered in framesets with the Fox X2 Evol air shock for $3,299, and in two complete builds – with Shimano Zee ($5,499) or Saint ($7,599). The Saint build can also be upgraded to Reynolds carbon DH wheels which would bring the price to $8,499. Everything is in stock and ready to ship now, with the exception of XL frames which will ship in about 4 weeks.

The New Pivot Phoenix DH Carbon from Pivot Cycles on Vimeo.

pivotcycles.com

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Zoso
Zoso
8 years ago

“5-inch wheels for the fastest runs, bigger tire contact patch, increased stability and steering quality”

5″ wheels aye? Is there a hidden button that transforms it into a fat bike? Interesting concept.

Daniel
8 years ago
Reply to  Zoso

Zoe – it’s a type-O on the site it lists the same comment as 27.5″ So, however copied and pasted the comments for this didn’t pay attention to that.

Chader09
Chader09
8 years ago
Reply to  Daniel

“however” = whoever

Criticizing one error while making your own = irony.

nsajf
nsajf
8 years ago

So its a FULL carbon frame, except for the linkages huh?

Andy
Andy
8 years ago

Look at this, a bunch of sour faces searching for ways to be snarky. By the way that bike looks sweet, managing to look burly AND light at the same time.

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