PIVOT LAUNCHES THE ALL-NEW PHOENIX DOWNHILL BIKE

If you’ve been paying attention to downhill racing for the last two years, there’s no doubt you’ve seen Pivot’s striking lugged-carbon prototype downhill bike. Now, the final product has finally come to fruition. After two years of development and testing with the likes of Bernard Kerr, Ed Masters, Jakob Jewett, and Jenna Hastings, Pivot has completely reimagined the Phoenix downhill platform for 2024. With a mid-high pivot six-bar dw-link suspension design, a unique dual-chain/dual-idler layout, and 210mm of rear travel, the all-new downhill machine aims to seek out the gnarliest race tracks and make every millisecond count in a game that is often defined by inches and marginal advantages.

DUAL-CHAIN, DUAL-IDLER DESIGN

First things first, let’s dive into the unique dual-chain/dual-idler design. The chainring is connected to an idler directly above it via a short chain, and this idler rotates on an axle connected to the second idler, which uses a longer chain to connect to the rear wheel. According to Pivot, they went with this design to achieve similar benefits as traditional high-pivot bikes but in a package that is much more efficient and friction-free. The design allows the Phoenix to carry more speed through square-edged bumps like a high-pivot bike, yet chain growth is virtually non-existent thanks to using two different chains and dual idlers with adjustable tension. Chain retention is also improved, and the unique layout gives the bike better ground clearance while still running the equivalent of a 35t chainring. The chainring can not be swapped out for something of a different size, but Pivot is confident that the 35t equivalent will be sufficient for the vast majority of riders out there. The complex-looking design is also quite simple in practice to service and repair, and Pivot will be supplying replacement parts for the proprietary drive system on their website. It is important to note, however, that the new Phoenix uses a proprietary bottom bracket, chainring, and crankset made for Pivot by Praxis, and that the bottom bracket bearings are side-specific.

SUSPENSION DETAILS

Another striking feature of the new Phoenix is the suspension design. The new downhill sled uses what Pivot describes as a mid-high pivot six-bar dw-link to deliver 210mm of travel with a vertically oriented shock. They claim that the six-bar linkage design improves square-edge bump performance while giving the bike an increased rearward axle path, helping riders maintain speed and remain nimble through rough technical sections of trail. Anti-squat sits at roughly 120% for the first 140mm of travel or so to give the bike a balance of efficient power transfer and suspension compliance and then drops off as the bike gets deeper into its travel, while anti-rise remains consistent across the rear wheel’s travel at approximately 120% to give the bike a balance of braking control and suspension sensitivity. The new Phoenix is compatible with both air and coil shocks.

At the lower shock mount, there is a flip chip that adjusts the progressivity of the rear suspension. The more progressive setting is based on Bernard Kerr’s personal preferences and is designed to tackle the fastest, gnarliest downhill tracks, while the “standard” linear setting will be suitable for the majority of riders. The progressive setting results in 46.6% progressivity, and the linear setting results in 39.6%. As we mentioned above, it is compatible with both air and coil shocks to further tune the suspension feel.

FRAME DETAILS & GEOMETRY

The new Phoenix downhill bike is built around a dedicated mixed-wheel setup, which Pivot says was done to accommodate the increase in rear wheel travel and to give the bike an optimal balance of stability and maneuverability; the frame is not compatible with dual 29″ wheels. Looking at the geometry numbers, there is a 62.5-degree head tube angle paired with 443mm chainstays across the four frame sizes, and the reach numbers range from 435mm to 515mm. The wheelbase grows from 1,253mm on the S1 frame to 1,333mm on the S4 frame, while the stack interestingly remains consistent at 635mm across the size range. An iteration of the Pivot Flip Chip is located where the seat stay and suspension linkage meet, allowing for fine-tuning of the geometry, primarily raising the bottom bracket height by about 6mm and steepening the head tube angle by 0.5 degrees. The new Phoenix also incorporates reach-adjust headset cups to further refine the geometry and allow riders to adjust the reach by +/- 5mm, and it is compatible with aftermarket angle adjust headsets.

Other details include a universal derailleur hanger (UDH), durable rubber protection on the underside of the downtube to fend off rock strikes, and ample top and bottom chainstay protection to keep chain slap at bay and the bike as quiet as possible. There is also a durable rubber pad on the downtube to protect the frame from tailgate pads and ensure your bike stays blemish free, even on the roughest shuttle roads.

PROPRIETARY RIDE TUNING 

Pivot is using a new S-sizing scale with the Phoenix to accommodate riders from 5’1″ to 6’7″ and everything in between, with sizes ranging from S1 to S4. The brand realizes that riders have different amounts of strength at different heights, so the independent strength-to-weight analysis for each frame helps achieve consistent performance metrics, both in the lab and out on the trail. Each frame size has the carbon tuned differently, which scales the stiffness across all four sizes and helps ensure the bike has optimal ride characteristics for all rider profiles. It isn’t just the same frame in different sizes; the stiffness and compliance are tuned to align with the requirements of the rider for that particular size.

BUILD KITS

There are two complete build kits of the new Phoenix, along with a frame/shock combo for those wanting to brew up a dream build. The Pro Saint spec ($8,499) is built around a Fox Factory Float X2 shock and Factory 40 GRIP X2 fork, powerful Shimano Saint brakes with Galfer rotors, a Shimano Saint drivetrain, and durable DT Swiss FR 560 wheels. The more budget-focused Ride GX spec ($6,899) features a simple RockShox Vivid Base shock, Boxxer Base fork, a reliable SRAM GX DH 7-speed drivetrain, SRAM Maven Bronze brakes, and a set of DT Swiss F1900 wheels. Both of the complete builds come with Continental Kryptotal tires in their Super Soft compound and DH Casing. The frame kit ($4,799) comes with a Fox Factory Float X2 shock, proprietary Praxis DH-9 crankset and bottom bracket, and the full idler pully assembly and chain.

For all of the technical details on the new Phoenix downhill platform and to learn more, head on over to the Pivot Cycles website.