Are Pivot Bikes Good Quality Brand?

Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, Pivot Cycles, the company behind Pivot bikes, is increasingly warming its way into the hearts of bike enthusiasts around the globe despite being a young brand. But are Pivot bikes good?

Pivot bikes are good because they employ innovative carbon frames that guarantee low weight, strength, and stiffness. Furthermore, the manufacturer uses DW-Link suspension and cutting-edge designs to promise better ride quality.      

Pivot bikes also come in a wide range of size-specific frames with progressive geometry to dominate the mountain bike sector. From cross country and trail bikes to enduro and downhill MTBs, there is no mountain bike that Pivot Cycles doesn’t make.   

The bicycles also come with good warranties to justify their build quality. This Pivot bike review will look at Pivot’s MTBs and gravel bikes. But first, let’s look at Pivot’s brand history.   

pivot bike review

In a rush? Check out our most recommended Pivot bicycles on the hotlist below!

6 Best Pivot Bikes

  1. Mach 5.5: Best Pivot Trail Bike
  2. Shuttle E-MTB: Best Pivot Electric Mountain Bike
  3. Pivot Vault: Best Pivot Gravel Bike
  4. Pivot E-Vault: Best Pivot Electric Gravel Bike
  5. Les Fat: Best Pivot Fat Bike
  6. Pivot Point: Best Pivot Dirt Jumper

About Pivot Cycles

Pivot Cycles is a leading mountain bike brand headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. The company was founded in 2007 by American innovator and mechanic Chris Cocalis.

Though Pivot Bicycles is pretty young, its founder Chris boasts of immense experience in bike design and manufacturing, having founded Titans Cycles back in the early 1990s before selling it in 2001.

Overall, Pivot’s success has been down to Cocalis’ industrial expertise and partnership with Dave Weagle. Pivot Cycles now has the right to employ Dave Weagle (DW) link suspension, which is one of the best mountain bike suspensions.

Pivot Cycles’ first successful bike release was the Mach 4 trail bike in 2008. They also made Mach 5, another trail bike, the same year, and more MTBs followed in the subsequent years.  

The company made its first dirt jumpers, the Pivot Point, in 2011 and its first fat bike, the Les Fat, in 2012. Today, the company makes all types of mountain bike types, including DH, trail, cross country, dirt jumper, enduro, and fat-tire mountain bikes. They also make gravel bikes.

Though its first bikes were made from aluminum, all its current bikes feature carbon fiber frames, apart from dirt jumpers, which feature Chromoly steel.

Where are pivot bikes made

Are Pivot Bikes Good or Bad? (Pivot Bikes Review!)

Let’s look at the pros and cons of Pivot bicycles to help you decide if this is the brand to go for.

The Pros – Why Pivot Bikes Are Good

We believe that Pivot bicycles are good because of these reasons:

1. Innovative Carbon Frames

Nowadays, Pivot Cycles employ carbon fiber on all bike frames except dirt jumpers. That clearly shows the manufacturer’s confidence in carbon.

According to them, the reason for sticking with carbon even though it’s expensive is because carbon is low-weight, thus a lightweight bike.

Carbon is also stronger to bear huge weights, tolerate rougher terrains, and aggressive riding. Unlike most manufacturers, Pivot invests in the latest carbon innovations to promise high-carbon frames.

For example, the manufacturer utilizes Hollow Core Carbon-Molding, a proprietary process that converts carbon into the most lightweight, stiffest, and most compliant bike frame.

Hollow Core also prevents wrinkles and other imperfections, which could ruin the integrity of the frames. The best bit is that the manufacturer runs quality control tests on all its frames to ensure they meet the market’s stringent manufacturing requirements.

Pivot Cycles has partnered with Dave Weagle to use their innovative DW-Link suspension, promoting better ride quality. DW-Link generally promises these advantages:

  • Pedaling Efficiency – DW suspension lets you pedal comfortably without using a lot of foot power. You get to cover more ground without sacrificing much energy.
  • Anti-Squat Performance – you don’t have to squat and strain your body when going uphill, as it’s often the case with most MTB suspensions. That’s owing to DW’s anti-squat power.
  • Bump Compliance – DW allows you to ride over bumps while maintaining your riding momentum. It also enables you to maintain traction while cruising downhill. That is part of the reason why Pivot Cycles excels in the downhill and enduro racing sector.
  • Active Braking – DW also allows you to brake smoothly without sacrificing comfort. The manufacturer understands that braking shouldn’t interfere with the performance of the suspension, and that’s what happens with DW-Link.
who makes pivot bikes

3. Cutting Edge Designs

Pivot Cycles is an innovative bike brand, and it’s not just because of carbon innovation and DW-Link. The manufacturer also employs component-specific designs that are unmatched.

The design process starts with a lay-up where carbon fiber’s pattern and orientations are determined. The manufacturer then applies machining technology to determine the correct frame sizes.

Here are some notable design technologies that set Pivot Cycles apart:

  • IsoFlex – IsoFlex is exclusive to Pivot gravel bike lines (Pivot Vault and E-Vault). The design gives the gravel bikes utmost flexibility when taking on less predictable trails.
  • Super Boost+ – Super Boost technology is present on all long-range and mid-range Pivot mountain bikes. It promises stronger wheels, better tire clearance, and stiffer frames.
  • Flip Chip – Flip Chip technology promises on-trail adjustability. With it, you can find your most comfortable riding position by slightly altering the seat tube, head tube, BB height, and reach.
  • Swinger Dropouts – Exclusive to Pivot’s Les Fat bike line, swinger dropouts allow you to adjust the BB height and chainstay length to ride comfortably. Moreover, the Les Fat Bike’s dropouts accommodate different tire sizes, making it an excellent all-terrain fat bike.

4. Size-Specific Frames with Progressive Geometry

Pivot Cycles customizes all its bicycles using Ride-Tuning technology to ensure the frames fit well and offer the best-fit progressive geometry. They tune each frame independently to ensure they are not too stiff or too relaxed.

That has seen the manufacturer come with a variety of MTB frame sizes, ranging from extra-small to extra-large, as shown in the table below:

Frame SizeRider’s Height
X-Small4’10”-5’4”
Small5’4”-5’8”
Medium5’8”-5’11”
Large5’11”-6’2”
X-Large6’2″ -6’7”

5. Good Warranties 

Pivot Cycles offers good warranties for all its bicycle frames and branded components. For example, carbon frames bought from 1st June 2017 come with a 10-year limited warranty, while those purchased before the timeline enjoy a 3-year coverage.

The paint, bike bearing, and finish all come with a one-year warranty, while Pivot-branded components (Phoenix components) come with a 5-year warranty.

It’s essential, however, to register your bike to confirm ownership and activate the warranty.

The Cons – Why Pivot Bikes May Not Be Good for You

As impressive as Pivot Cycles has been over the years, its bikes are highly-priced thus unaffordable by most users. On average, most Pivot mountain bikes retail at about $5,000-$9,000. You can, however, get a gravel bike for slightly under $5,000.

The dirt jumpers are the only cheaper options, which retail under $1,600. So, if you are on a budget, the best you can get is the Pivot Point dirt jumper. Consequently, Pivot MTBs may not be suitable for you.

The other downside is that there are limited options for non-mountain bikes. While you can get just about any mountain bike by Pivot Cycles, you are limited to only one line when it comes to fat bike (Les Fat), gravel bikes (Pivot Vault), and dirt jumpers (Pivot Point).

So, overall, Pivot is a fantastic choice for MTBs, but as far as the other bikes are concerned, you may have to look elsewhere or settle for a gravel bike.  

pivot mountain bikes

So, Are Pivot Bikes Worth the Money?

Pivot bicycles are undoubtedly expensive, which compels you to ask, why? But let’s face it, these bikes employ innovative carbon frames and DW-Link suspension to assure you of a better riding experience.

They come in unique designs for better performance and enjoy good warranties. So, yes, Pivot bicycles are worth the money.

Pivot Bike Range

Pivot Cycles makes two major bike categories:

  • Mountain bikes – Pivot mountain bikes include cross country, trail, fat-tire, downhill, enduro, dirt-jumping, and electric mountain bikes
  • Gravel bikes – Pivot makes motorized/electric gravel bikes and non-electric

Are Pivot Mountain Bikes Good?

All Pivot mountain bikes come with exceptional features and design elements that make them unbeatable on-trail.

Pivot cross-country bikes, for example, come in hardtail and full-suspension options and enjoy a lightweight build to promise comfort and speed.

Their trail bikes are equally comfortable and fast, but they only come in full suspension, unlike XC bikes. An option like Mach 5.5 promises to take all terrains due to its superior suspension and robust wheels, making it a fantastic all-terrain choice.

Pivot downhill, enduro, fat tire, and dirt jumpers promise to boss the off-road and take on all terrains. Their e-MTB line, Shuttle E-MTB, redefines mountain biking by offering you optimal pedaling assistance.

What’smore, Its DW-Link, and progressive geometry enable you to conquer all terrains.

Are Pivot Gravel Bikes Good?

As I mentioned, you can get a motorized Pivot gravel bike (E-Vault) or the non-motorized option (Pivot Vault). The main difference is the motor.

You can count on their super lightweight carbon frames, 700cc wheels, and top-tier Shimano groupsets for a fast-riding all-terrain adventure.

They come with a road racing saddle and handlebar to encourage fast riding and an IsoFlex seat post to soak up excess bumps. So, if you are looking for an elite gravel road bike, you cannot go wrong with a Pivot Vault or E-Vault.

How much is a pivot bike

People Also Ask

1. Where Are Pivot Bikes Made?

Pivot bicycles are made at the company’s headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

2. How Much Is a Pivot Bike?

Most Pivot mountain bikes average $5,000-$9,000, but a few top-end enduro options go for $11,000-13,000 while dirt jumpers average under $1,600.

3. Why Are Pivot Bikes So Expensive?

Pivot bicycles are expensive because they come with low-weigh but stiffer and stronger carbon frames. Plus, they use DW-Link suspension that promises a better riding experience and come in innovative designs to outperform most competitors.

4. Who Makes Pivot Bikes?

Pivot Cycles, an Arizona-based bike company, makes Pivot Bikes.

In Conclusion, Are Pivot Bikes Good?

Generally, Pivot bikes are top-quality bicycles with high-end specs and low-weight but quality bike frames. They are fast and can take on all terrains, thus worth the money.

Furthermore, these bikes employ DW-Link suspension, making them better climbers, racers, and all-terrain cruisers.

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