Pivot up to date its tremendous XC race bike, the Mach 4 SL (beforehand referred to as the Mach 429 SL), in 2023 (learn the complete tech piece right here), ushering within the third iteration of this distinctive off-road machine. In a nutshell, the latest mannequin is 300-400g lighter (relying on measurement) than the earlier model. It now features a flip chip to regulate rear journey barely. Giving riders 4 completely different journey choices, multi functional body.
The Double Lifetime of Pivot’s Mach 4 SL
The Pivot Mach 4 SL is a race bike, but it surely’s additionally a pleasant cross-country machine. The up to date geometry of the Mach 4 SL goals to realize most climbing effectivity (it’s mountain biking, in spite of everything) and a well-rounded dealing with profile. The bike appeals to the aspiring (and real-life) skilled mountain bikers of the world and the leisure rider trying to finest their buddies on the native KOM.
Select Your Weapon
Pivot gives completely different builds that lean into the varied kinds of racing and driving. There’s a World Cup brief journey construct for these searching for most pace, with journey starting from 95mm to 103mm.
For these searching for extra fashionable cross nation (as many of the world is), the Workforce, Professional, and Journey stage construct get 106mm or 115mm of journey. Riders can select 100 or 120mm fork journey for his or her Mach 4 SL journey — additional dialing within the particular use for this shred machine.
Pivot Mach 4 SL – Body Particulars
Pivot’s Gen 3 Mach 4 SL showcases size-specific tuning for each body measurement. Meaning Pivot employs distinctive carbon layups for every measurement to make sure the steadiness of stiffness and compliance, it doesn’t matter what measurement you trip.
The bike’s aesthetics additionally inform a narrative—its smaller-diameter tubing and extra compact entrance and rear triangles depart from the bulkier profiles seen on different Pivot mountain bikes.
Bigger bottles! Each measurement matches a big water bottle in the primary triangle, whereas sizes M-XL can maintain two bottles. Pivot added two accent bosses below the downtube and three below the highest tube, giving riders loads of gear mounts or storage choices.
Why Flight Attendant?
In the event you’re going to launch a race bike, it is advisable have the most recent and best accessible. Proper now, for many, which means Rock Shox Flight Attendant suspension. (You possibly can learn the tech particulars of the brand new FA Right here). In a nutshell, the addition of Rock Shox Flight Attendant to the Pivot Mach 4 SL takes numerous cable muddle away from the cockpit and frees the rider from considering… it’s additionally adjustable, programmable, barely heavier, and requires extra batteries.
Nonetheless, for some (most), this replace is price the additional charging, and we are inclined to agree. It lets the rider think about the path and efficiency fairly than suspension wants. As for its impact on the Pivot Mach 4 SL, the Flight Attendant places a high-quality level on the bike’s efficiency in all cross-country wants.
Geometry – Pivot Mach SL4
Pivot’s revamped Mach 4 SL comes with two distinct fork choices—100mm or 120mm journey—every bringing notable geometry variations to the desk. Throughout the board, all fashions boast a slacker head angle, steeper seat tube angle, and longer attain in comparison with the earlier era. Choosing the 120mm fork will get you a trail-ready 66.7° head angle, whereas the 100mm model steepens issues as much as 68°. That additional steepness provides about 13mm of attain, giving riders the power to fine-tune match and dealing with relying on their preferences.
The seat tube angle follows swimsuit, sitting at 74.7° with the 120mm fork and steepening to 76° with the 100mm spec. The chainstays, nonetheless, keep constant throughout the board at 432mm, holding the rear finish snappy irrespective of the construct.
Pivot’s sizing recreation is on level, too, with the Mach 4 SL supplied in XS by XL frames. Pivot says this five-size lineup covers riders from 4’10” to six’7″. That’s most, if not all, of the mountain biking world.
Full assessment trip Spec – Workforce XX SL Eagle Transmission Flight Attendant Package
- Wheel Measurement: 29″
- Body: Mach 4 SL
- Wheel Materials: Carbon
- Sizes accessible: XS-XL, Medium examined
- Weight: 25.5 lbs.
- MSRP: $13,499
Suspension
- Rear Shock: Rock Shox SIDLuxe Final Flight Attendant
- Fork: Rock Shox SID Final Flight Attendant 29″, 44mm offset, 120mm
Drivetrain
- Rear Derailleur: Sram XX SL Eagle AXS 12-Velocity
- Cassette: Sram XX SL 1299, 10-52t
- Shifter: Sram AXS Pod Final Controller
- Crankset:
- Sram XX SL Eagle Energy Meter DUB, 34t
- Handlebar:
- Phoenix Workforce Carbon – 760mm
- Stem: Phoenix Workforce XC/Path – 40mm
- Seatpost:
- Rock Shox Reverb AXS: 125mm
- Saddle: Phoenix WTB World Cup Volt Carbon, Medium Width
- Wheels: Reynolds Blacklabel 309/289 XC with Trade 9 Hydra hubs (30mm F / 28mm R) Hub Spacing: 15×110 F / 12×148 R
- Tires:
- Entrance: Maxxis Rekon 29″ x 2.4″, 3C TR, EXO, 120 TPI
- Rear: Maxxis Rekon Race 29″ x 2.4″, TR, EXO, 120 TPI
- Brakes: Sram Degree Final Stealth, 2-piston
- Rotors:
- Entrance: Sram Centerline CenterLock – 180mm
- Rear: Sram Centerline CenterLock – 160mm
- Chain: Sram XX SL Eagle, 12-Velocity Flat High
Journey Overview: Pivot Mach 4 SL Flight Attendant
When the Pivot Mach 4 SL arrived, it was in a smaller field than anticipated. After I began to unpack, I famous every part was packed to perfection and beforehand dialed in for my specs. Since that is my first assessment trip from Pivot, I didn’t know what to anticipate, however small particulars just like the packing and a spotlight to element made me really feel taken care of earlier than ever stepping foot on the Mach 4 SL.
Constructing and setup have been fast and pain-free. Every part went collectively with out a problem, and components have been packed in a method that helped me circulate although the construct simply. The SRAM AXS and Flight Attendant bits have been paired and labored properly. I added them to my SRAM AXS app and ensured every part was working the latest firmware. Past that, the bike was trail-ready from the field, all I wanted to do was set fork, shock, and tire stress.
On the paths
Earlier than I hit the paths, I arrange my suspension sag at 20% and let the Flight Attendant do its factor. Our assessment Mach 4 SL got here with the 120mm SIDLuxe Final Flight Attendant, a fork with which I’m acquainted (not less than the non-FA model). After the primary trip (an excellent brief path exploratory one), I adjusted the bias barely however was considerably dialed from the inventory setup. To study extra concerning the Flight Attendant setup – I counsel this fundamental setup information from SRAM.
On the paths, the Flight Attendant shines. It’s not as quick to react as a cable-actuated lockout energy by a rider, but it surely doesn’t neglect (like me). The SidLuxe shock has three modes, open, pedal, and locked. Having the suspension float out and in of the pedal and full open mode whereas going all out is one thing I particularly loved. I wouldn’t have accomplished this on my XC bike with a 3-position cable lockout. I have a tendency to modify between absolutely locked and pedal, not often absolutely open – that modified after extra rides on the Mach 4 SL with FA.
It was liberating to free the a part of my mind that was fascinated with when to lock out and when not. I simply rode and listened for the little servo sounds of the lock and open (you do hear it), realizing my suspension was doing its factor, and all I wanted to fret about was the bike’s driving.
Maximal descending confidence
Whenever you pair the Mach 4 SL up to date geometry with a 120mm fork, the rider will get a novel enhance of persuade. The geometry adjustments barely, and it’s extra laid again for certain. But when that interprets into just a few seconds on the downhills, it’s price it. The marginally greater place enabled me to push extra on the chunky path bits with nonetheless an excessive amount of confidence within the bike’s climbing skill. The shorter-than-usual-for-me stem (I often trip an 80mm/-12) performed into this, as did the 35mm clamp. This barely tweaked spec and enhance in stiffness paired properly with the Mach 4 SL unifying mission to go quick in any respect prices.
Climbs Nicely Too
The Mach 4 SL balanced ascent is first rate, accentuated by including a Rock Shox Flight Attendant. The geometry of the bike and the steeper seat tube angle provide an incredible perch to pedal arduous and really feel such as you’re over the underside bracket getting leverage. Whereas the suspension is biking out and in of locked and pedal. The rider will get the most effective grip and talent to climb. As talked about above, if I have been on my bike, I’d have been locked out many of the climb, solely opening to pedal when it crested barely. However now, after driving the Flight Attendant, I’m rethinking my method.
Skilled Spec
Every part (and I imply every part) on the Pivot Mach 4 SL is professional-spec. There may be nothing on this bike {that a} skilled rider would wish to replace. For me, the specs have been proper on, and I couldn’t ask for extra (properly, OK… one factor). Off the bat, you’ve gotten an influence meter, SRAM XX Transmission shifting, and SRAM Degree Final Stealth, 2-piston brakes.
The wheels are Pivot branded Reynolds Blacklabel 309/289 XC with Trade 9 Hydra hubs. The edges are various, with a 30mm Entrance width and a 28mm Rear, and are available wrapped in Maxxis Rekon and Rekon Race tires, simply sufficient to race and get gnarly when wanted.
The one factor I’d change if pressed is the shifter buttons on the AXS Transmission. Regardless of how a lot I trip it, I lament for the times of the older paddle. I discover the latest model too tightly tucked into bars, and it’s made much more notable with a lock-on grip – just like the grips included on the Mach 4 SL. This can be a frequent criticism for lots of riders on the brand new Transmission teams, so we wouldn’t be stunned to see one thing new supplied quickly.
Nitpicking…
This can be a $13k bike, in spite of everything, so it’s truthful to name out any problem irrespective of how petty. What left me a little bit bummed was that the Pivot wheel decals fell off of the Reynolds rims after just a few washes. Not all the decals fell off, however just a few letters making the wheels say “Pivot.” If it was my bike, I might see going decal-less and embracing the matte-black carbon look.
So. Many. Batteries.
One needed evil of SRAM transmission and Flight Attendant suspension is the variety of batteries. There are LOTS of batteries on this bike, and as somebody who usually forgets to cost every part… it frightens me barely.
On the Pivot Mach 4 SL, there are two SRAM AXS batteries for the suspension, one for the AXS dropper seatpost, and one for the SRAM AXS Transmission rear derailleur. There may be one CR2032 coin-type battery within the AXS shifter, one within the AXS dropper, and one within the AXS energy meter. That brings the entire variety of batteries on the bike to seven. Do you belief your self to cost, or have replacements readily available?
Would you race the Pivot Mach 4 SL with a Flight Attendant? This can be a dumb query as a result of the reply is apparent: YES.
Is SRAM Flight Attendant the most effective spec for the bike? In an ideal world, I’d like to see what a 100mm Flight Attendant spec would really feel like. However within the wake of contemporary XCO programs and longer marathon-style races. That is the most effective spec for the Mach 4 SL, so long as you’re a Rock Shox suspension fan. Those that reside the FOX life will most undoubtedly must trip the 2 choices to find out the most effective one for them.
Last Ideas
You’d suppose that reviewing a $13,500 race/marathon-focused mountain bike can be simple. In fact, it’s implausible and enjoyable, and we might all prefer to have one in our storage.
However is it definitely worth the asking value? Nicely, for that one, I’d ask what’s most essential to you as a rider. The Pivot Mach 4 SL body is a wonderful canvas for constructing a hell of a race bike. Digital suspension is newer to the market and is consistently being reworked. I wouldn’t be stunned to see new fashions yearly. I counsel this construct to any rider who likes to expertise the most recent and best that the mountain bike world has to supply. You might be driving as near what the world’s most distinguished skilled riders are utilizing. You probably have the means and wish to expertise Pivot’s finest, that is it.
In the event you’re trying to get probably the most bang in your buck on a race bike whereas nonetheless with the ability to pay rising race entry charges… and keep within the Pivot ecosystem, I’d say look into the Mach 4 SL Workforce and Professional model that makes use of the identical body, solely with completely different elements.