2021 Pivot Mach 6 Pro XT/XTR Coil

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In aerospace definitions, Mach is the ratio of an object’s speed to the speed of sound. Pivot’s Mach 6 absolutely blitzes the trail with a sonic boom, falling somewhere within the hypersonic category of fun. With nothing to hide on smaller 27.5 wheels, the Pivot Mach 6 puts it all out on the table. This bike is not shy about holding a line in unpredictably loose, steep, and challenging terrain. We couldn’t find anything to slow down this rowdy trail-loving, downhill precision missile. It managed to hold decent speed when we slammed it into the occasional teeth-gritting uphill sprint that would typically bring your engine close to red-lining. Even then, if initiated with enough thrust and in full attack mode, the Mach 6’s downhill charging momentum carried surprising speed on those shorter stinted lung-burning uphills that many of us encounter here and there during a long descending singletrack trail or at an enduro race.

Highlights

• Full carbon frame
• Carbon or aluminum option 27.5-inch wheels
• 160mm (6.29-inches) travel front, 158mm (6.2-inches) travel frame
• Size-specific ride tuning geometry
• Phoenix DH inspired longer DW-link
• High and Low adjustability to increase head tube angle
• Flip-chip on high setting elects for mixed-wheel setup
• Pivot Tool Dock system beneath top tube
• Internally padded cable routing with covered cable ports
• All models equipped with 2.5-inch Maxxis Assegai front and rear
• Pro-level models available with FOX Live Valve suspension
• Step by step Suspension Setup Guide for FOX suspension models
• Sealed cartridge headset on most models
• Four-piston brakes on all models
• Pressfit BB92 bottom bracket
• 157mm rear spacing with Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH)
• Measured weight: (As tested, small, no pedals) 30 pounds 10 ounces / 13.89 kg
• MSRP $ 8,849, Pro XT/XTR - Coil w/Carbon Wheels

The full carbon frame of Pivot’s Mach 6 allows for it to be unbelievably playful. Mated to smaller wheels, we found it to be extremely flickable. One thing that we believe enables this bike to be so smooth and exhibit such precision control is the longer DW-link. The DW-link rear linkage has become an entity of Pivot Cycles and enables the frame to function more efficiently with anti-squat capabilities that help mitigate suspension bob during pedaling.

The vertical mounting of the shock allows for an ample amount of negative space situated beneath the top tube and down tube of the frame. This gives the rider customizability of both larger hydration bottles in combination with Pivot’s Tool Dock system. Pivot's attention to detail in the design of the rear triangle and chainstay was noted. How many times have you taken a look at rear triangles and saw scuff marks made by the sole of your mountain bike shoes? Pivot solved this by engineering the rear triangle and chainstay slightly concave without jeopardizing the structural capabilities or trail performance.

When discussing body lines and the flow of the frame, Pivot has created a beautiful cascade from the top tube to the seatstay. This has been accomplished in one continuous line from the top of the head tube all the way to the rear axle. We found this non-interruption of angles to be extremely clean and eye appealing. The sleek body lines, internal cable routing, and detailed frame decals of our matte black finish make the Mach 6 a show stopper. It will have people on the trails and at the bike park snapping their necks...in a good way.

Geometry

We exuberantly awaited the news of Pivot’s reckoning upon launching a 27.5-inch wheel size versus the ever-growing demand for a juicy new 29-inch wheel model. The truth is, our tester is a full-time 29er rider. However, the proof is in the pudding that Pivot nailed it with the progressive geometry of the Mach 6. They succeeded in giving it all the capabilities of an unambiguous climber that can descend like it’s nobody’s business.

The Mach 6 sports 160mm/158mm of travel and despite the smaller wheel size than the 29er Switchblade (160mm/142mm), has a longer wheelbase of 1174mm versus 1169mm. Our Mach 6 also runs one degree more slack at the head angle, respectively on our tested small frame. This puts it right in the middle of its slightly bigger travel brother, the Firebird, another 29-inch trail smasher with 170mm/162mm, and a wheelbase of claimed 1185mm on a small frame. It is quite possible that this can be attributed to all three bike frames being designed with a 431mm chainstay. Differences in measurements are attributed to front-end variances on the three distinctive frame designs.

Setup

Initial impressions of the Mach 6 out of the box exceeded our expectations. We knew this was going to be a stand-out ride and boy was it ever! Pivot did an extraordinary job at getting our tester’s numbers’ dialed in for optimum performance. The sag was set right at the company recommended 30 percent for maximum absorption of trail bumps and chunder. The FOX Factory 38 Float with Grip2 damper was set to 58psi for our 105-pound “pack a punch” tester. Our tester was extremely pleased with the plushness with regard to both small and large bump compliance of the fork. Pivot provides an extremely handy follow-along Vimeo video of how to properly adjust the correct specifications on sag in their “Engineer’s Corner” FAQ’s section on the Mach 6 web page.

Our 5’4” tester felt right at home with the spacious cockpit and geometry of the Mach 6’s small frame. The Phoenix Team low-rise carbon 780mm handlebars and zero-degree 40mm stem proved comfortable and aided handling while steering the bike through fast and technical sections of trail. The only thing that was changed out of the box was the positioning of the brake levers for a more aggressive down-turned stance. Both the claimed 430mm (low) and 435mm (high) reach on the small Mach 6 were excellent complements to our tester. Standover heights varied ever so slightly from 653mm (low) to 659 (high). Honestly, the difference of 6 millimeters was undetected when discussing reach and cockpit feel. However, that 6-millimeter difference made all the difference in climbing tricky technical rocky zones by steepening the seat tube angle by half a degree. This positioned the rider ever so slightly more forward over the BB allowing the rider that extra power to pedal ratio for making it up and over technical climbing sections.

On The Trail

We tried our absolute hardest and put our Mach 6 through the wringer. We wanted to get this thing to jump ship on the trails we took it down and it just wouldn’t budge. Our testers sought out the rowdiest trails they could find in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of the Lake Tahoe region. We wanted to see if they could scare the tires off the Mach 6. We had no such luck. We specifically cherry-picked some of the gnarliest rocky descents. If it was loose, off-camber decomposed granite (AKA DG) then we aimed right for it to push this bike’s limits. We were completely in awe at its outstanding performance.

The rowdier and steeper the trails got, the more this bike just laughed at us. The Pivot Mach 6 is truly a trail champion, willing to take on anything in its path. It is almost as if this bike had been designed specifically for these types of trails. Pivot absolutely nailed it on constructing a chassis that is so well suited to remain stable and planted on trails that normally can rattle your brains.

We noticed zero reverberation in the cranks while climbing. Especially when panic shifting into a gear that would hold an appropriate cadence up steeper sections. Additionally, we found the pedal bob to be remarkably minimal considering the fact that our Mach 6 came equipped with a FOX Factory DHX2 coil shock.

DH/Technical Performance/Fun Factor

This heavy artillery cannon shot down the trail with precision when we decided to unload it into the gnarly abyss. The more hectic the trail, the more the Mach 6 just locked in. We never once felt the bike drift out of its line, nor did we ever catch it stalling out. No matter how rough and bumpy the terrain got, the Mach 6 performed. Both small and large bump chatter was no match for this bike’s capacities. We consistently found its aggressive nature wanting to be unleashed during every descent. The box should come with a warning that states, “PASSIVE BRAKING WILL RESULT IN MORE FUN!”

For aggressive riders with the budget to afford it, the Mach 6 needs to be your muscle machine of choice.

What's The Bottom Line?

Simply stated, the Pivot Mach 6 is a champion trail beast. A truly remarkable performer in all categories. The engineers at Pivot Cycles have vivaciously designed a trail smashing contrivance that willingly takes on anything in its path while allowing the rider to be light and whimsical atop this beast. The lightweight feel of this bike will serve riders well on longer adventures. When it's time for gravity to take over, the Mach 6 holds a line like your downhill bike. Surprising to say the least at how precise and playful this bike gets once up to speed. For aggressive riders with the budget to afford it, the Mach 6 needs to be your muscle machine of choice.

Be sure to visit PivotCycles.com for more details on the 2021 Mach 6.

About The Reviewer

Tasha Thomas - Age: 42 // Years Riding: 22 // Height: 5'4" (1.63m) // Weight: 103-pounds (46.7kg)

Tasha never had training wheels. She watched helplessly as her dad removed them immediately after arriving home with her brand new bike when she was 5. Needless to say, nothing has stopped her from riding a bike since then and moving to the Tahoe area was the icing on the cake for her. Tasha likes to live large and ‘go big or go home’ tends to encompass her every activity. The rowdiness of the Sierra’s plunged her right into the racing arena which has paved the way for much of her knowledge and understanding of how a bike works and how to make a bike work for you. Geeking out on bikes has become somewhat of a pastime as a freelance product tester, recently targeting women specific mountain bikes. Her summers are now a trifecta of mountain bike coaching, racing, and just galavanting in the forest looking for new trails and terrain to explore. Looking for rewards and fun new lines with friends is something that she can’t get enough of.