Equipment

Ruchti Cycles offers the bike as a "Swiss Custom" model and installs many high-quality parts from its own sales department. Be it the HT pedals or the handlebars and hubs from Super Cycle, the stem from 77 Design or an oval chainring from Wolf Tooth. Otherwise, the gears are shifted with the SRAM "X0 Eagle" groupset and the brakes with Shimano's tried-and-tested XT 4-piston brakes. No savings are made on the suspension either, with a "Fox 36-Fit-Grip-2" fork and a Fox "Float X2" shock.

Processing & details

In terms of quality, there is nothing to complain about with the Pivot. The workmanship of the frame is beautiful and details such as the cable routing are attractive and well designed. The down tube is protected by robust plastic. There is a small compartment at the bottom of the bottom bracket for storing a Shimano Di2 battery

On the flat

The high overall weight is noticeable with a somewhat sluggish initial acceleration. The slight bobbing of the rear end doesn't bother you at all, as the bike is very comfortable to pedal. The riding position is central

Up the mountain

There are few bikes with as much suspension travel (170 millimetres at the front and 160 millimetres at the rear) that allow you to pedal uphill as smoothly as the Firebird. Only very steep ramps are a challenge. You are well advised to position the handlebars as low as possible, remove the spacers and you're good to go.

Down the mountain

This is where the Firebird is at home. Even downhill sections don't upset it, the rear end really likes to dig in. Nevertheless, the suspension behaves very sensitively and responds well. The steering is direct and the bike is very playful despite its length. Every hill, no matter how small, tempts you to pull away and you soon know where the "Firebird" got its name from. With this bike you are, as Rob Warner likes to say, "on fire"!

Conclusion

The rear suspension with DW-Link is potent and therefore the Pivot Firebird is well suited for the racetrack, because you are always one step too fast. Thanks to the powerful 4-piston brakes from Shi-mano, the speed can be controlled efficiently. The equipment is second to none and knows how to please.

Recommendation

If you like going fast and are looking for a powerful bike, the Firebird is the bike for you. But it's not just racers who will get their money's worth: thanks to its good handling, the bike has a wide range of uses. This means that even every day of touring without track support is a day of joy.

Specifications

Manufacturer/distributor

www.pivotcycles.com / http://www.r-cycles.ch

Test report published in issue 01/2019 of Ride Magazine