Pivot Firebird

79/100
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Experts (1 review)
80
Pivot Firebird
Where to buy
$9,498.99 Gravity Coalition See it $9,499.00 Comp­etitive Cyclist See it $9,499.00 Back­country See it $9,499.00 Mike's Bikes See it
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Facts

Gender
Men, Women
Type
Enduro, Mountain, Non-Electric
Release Year
2018
Brand
Pivot
Wheel Size
27.5”, 29”
Number of Gears
12 (1x12)
Gearing Type
External Derailleur
Weight
29.76 lb
Suspension
Full
Brake Type
Disc: Hydraulic
Frame Material
Carbon Fiber

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Pivot Firebird. In summary, this is what cyclists think. Published Dec 28, 2020 by Becky Vordermann.

18 reasons to buy

  • The Pivot Firebird is designed to tackle enduro and downhill terrain, with 162mm of travel in the rear and a massive 170mm of travel in its Fox fork.
  • Short chainstays are responsible for the bike’s agility through corners.
  • Pivot specs the Firebird with 800mm wide carbon Phoenix bars, providing riders with comfort over chattery terrain and stability on descents.
  • The curved seat stays on the bike allow riders clearance for a 27.5+ wheel and tire set up.
  • Flip chip geometry adjustments allow riders to fine-tune the length of the bottom bracket, the seat tube angle and the head tube angle on the Pivot Firebird.
  • The bike’s frame is constructed out of high-quality, durable carbon.
  • With a short seat tube, the Firebird has room for a longer dropper post.
  • Experts were pleased to find that the bike can climb sufficiently, in order to reach the breathtaking descents it is designed for.
  • Pivot allows for a 17mm headset extender to be utilized by riders that desire a 27.5+ setup on the Firebird.
  • Eight different options allow riders to pick a build that best meets their component and budget preferences.
  • The Firebird has Super Boost Plus spacing in the rear, providing riders with stiffness and a greater tire clearance.
  • Weighing in at under 30 lbs, the Firebird is one of the lighter bikes in its category.
  • Experts found the bike visually appealing and noted they received several compliments on its appearance during test rides.
  • Pivot’s use of the DW-Link suspension on the Firebird provides riders with a composed and controlled ride through rocky trail descents.
  • Test riders were impressed with the level of adjustment available in the Firebird’s suspension.
  • The bike has a climbing mode that is easy to engage with a lever.
  • With loads of travel, the Firebird is forgiving at the bike park and on drops.
  • The bike is available in sizes small through XL, allowing riders of all sizes to shred on it.

5 reasons not to buy

  • The Pivot Firebird is expensive.
  • The seat tube angle is slack, at 74.5°. This hinders the bike’s climbing ability. Testers found the front of the bike is prone to wander on steep climbs.
  • With Super Boost Plus spacing in the bike's rear axle, it is difficult to swap wheels on it.
  • The bike’s Maxxis Minions have an EXO casing. This is not the most durable and fast-rolling tire available to riders. Experts suggest upgrading the Firebird's tires.
  • Experts were disappointed that the Pivot Firebird does not have room for a water bottle.

Bottom line

The Pivot Firebird offers loads of travel to riders looking to compete in enduro races or shred lift-served trails. The Fox fork up front has 170mm of travel and the DW-Link suspension offers 162mm of travel in the rear. Experts found the bike’s Super Boost Plus spacing creates a stiff and efficient ride. Unfortunately, this spacing limits wheel swaps and the bike is expensive. Its high price comes with a 10-year frame warranty. Its wide bars and short chainstays provide riders with a playful yet easy to control mountain bike, that excels at descents. Overall, experts found it to be a durable and quality bike.

Expert Reviews

80/100 based on 1 scored review (16 reviews in total)
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80
Mountain Bike Rider
Level 5 expert

Pivot Firebird 29 Pro Review

Level 5 expert

The Pivot Firebird 29 is one of those big-wheelers where you have to check it is actually a 29er. And not because you can fit 27.5in Plus wheels to it. It’s compact without being small, and the short back end and relatively high BB make it super easy to dart around trees and slam corners.

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Singletracks
Level 5 expert

Review: Pivot Firebird 29 Enduro Bike Turns Big Rocks into Little Rocks

Level 5 expert

The Firebird isn’t an all-rounder. The Switchblade or Mach 5.5 are much more versatile Pivots that can handle anything from trail rides to enduro races.

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Will to Ride
Level 1 expert

The Firebird 29 Bike Check and Review

Level 1 expert

It’s a fantastic bike overall, I’d say. I’d say if you’re looking for a big travel bike that’s easy to maneuver and throw around, Firebird 29 is a great option. It’s a fantastic bike but I think the short chainstays, you know, give it a little less stability when you’re bombing down steeps and rough.

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Bike Magazine
Level 5 expert

Tested: Pivot Firebird 29 Team XTR

Level 5 expert

The faster and rougher the trail becomes, the happier the Firebird 29 becomes. It’s an enabling relationship, almost more of a challenge to see if you can find its limit as successive hits only seem to strengthen its countenance. It’s happiest at speed, low-speed descending requires a bit more planning ahead, thinking over maneuvering but being a light bike, it’s easy to throw the Firebird 29 around.

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Pinkbike
Level 5 expert

Field Test: Pivot Firebird 29

Level 5 expert

The Firebird 29″ was designed with enduro racing and bike park laps in mind, with 170 mm of travel up front and 162 mm at the rear. Similar geometry is available in a 27.5″ Firebird if big wheels aren’t for you.

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MTB yumyum
Level 5 expert

2019 Pivot Cycles Firebird 29 Test Ride & Review

Level 5 expert

It’s a big bike though. It’s going to be made for more tracks that are high speed, you know, just hauling. So you know for me, I’d have a hard time maybe having this be my only bike.

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Flow Mountain Bike
Level 5 expert

Tested: Pivot Firebird 29

Level 5 expert

While the Firebird 29 is more bike than we can justify for day-to-day riding, if you’re after an out-and-out enduro race bike, that just gets better and better the faster you go, well this one is close to perfect.

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MILTONATOR
Level 1 expert

Overbiked? My New (to Me) 2019 Pivot Firebird 29 First Impressions Review

Level 1 expert

This bike is pretty darn amazing. It’s very firm up top and then when it needs to sink into travel, it does so very well.

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Mountain Bike Action
Level 5 expert

Bike Test: Pivot Cycles Firebird 29

Level 5 expert

The Firebird 29 suits a wide range of riders—from enduro racers to park rats to trail riders looking for a highly capable bike. It’s built tough and would likely hang with most downhill rigs, while its efficient dw-link suspension makes its 162mm of travel manageable during climbs.

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MTB MAG
Level 5 expert

[Test] Pivot Firebird 29

Level 5 expert

Pivot has created a bike with an exemplary balance between geometry, suspension behavior and frame stiffness. Born for enduro racing, but able to emulate the performance of a DH bike in the bike park, it’s ready to devour long trails in the mountains.

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Descend mountainbike
Level 1 expert

Pivot Firebird 29 – BikeTest

Level 1 expert

The Pivot really comes out swinging when it comes down to the ride. It’s all well and good a bike looking the part, but when it performs too then it’s a thing to behold. Grip, poise, fun and fast are just a few terms that can describe the Firebird 29.

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SPOKE Magazine
Level 1 expert

Review: Pivot Firebird 29

Level 1 expert

Who is it for? Anyone, really. You can build it light as a trail bike or burly as a shuttle/DH bike.

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BikeRadar
Level 5 expert

Pivot Firebird 29 Pro XT/XTR First Ride Review

Level 5 expert

Riding it was a tale of contrasts, but in a good way. It’s relatively light and rides with an eager, playful style. On the other hand, it felt supremely confident like a heavier, more smash and straight line type of bike.

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IMB | International Mountainbike Magazine
Level 5 expert

Pivot Cycles Firebird 29 2019

Level 5 expert

Combining both big wheels and big travel led to the birth of what should surely have been called the Fireblade but ended up with the slightly less catchy Firebird 29. The result is a thoroughly modern machine with big wheels and huge travel, capable of being all things to all riders. Light and nimble on the climbs yet descending like a downhill bike.

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ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine
Level 5 expert

Pivot Firebird 29 Review: Hellishly Fast

Level 5 expert

The Pivot Firebird 29 is a high-end enduro bullet that only really blossoms at high speeds and on rough trails. The potent suspension paired with large wheels and a long front triangle offers enormous composure. However, it’s not a bike for everyone. Especially in corners, the bike requires a very active riding style.

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The Loam Wolf
Level 5 expert

Pivot Firebird 29

Level 5 expert

The Firebird 29 isn’t the bike I’d recommend for someone doing trail rides in Michigan. If your typical riding involves DH terrain or lots of raw, tech trails in bike parks, the Firebird 29 is one of the best LT 29ers on the market and will get you to the top and back down in a blur.

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User Ratings

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Rankings

Compared to other bikes
#27 Best Enduro Bike
Bottom 30%
#107 Best Mountain Bike
Bottom 20%
#6 Best Pivot Bike
Bottom 20%
#600 Best of All Bikes
Bottom 40%

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Bike Comparison

Pivot Firebird in comparison to averages
Pivot Firebird
79
Average All Bikes
82
Average Pivot Bike
90
Average Enduro Bike
85

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