Which cranks work with your bb?
Our Mach 4, Mach 5 and Mach 429 frames use a press in Shimano XTR bb that will work with any of the 2-piece mountain cranks from Shimano, FSA and Race Face. TruVativ cranks will not work with our press-in system at this time. However, we are working with TruVativ on a press in version of their GXP bottom bracket which should be available in the very near future.
The Firebird uses a standard thread in BB so that we can accommodate ISCG05 (international standard chain guide system 05 version).
Are there any other bb's that will work with Pivot? Can you upgrade to ceramic bearings?
We designed the bb in conjunction with Shimano to interface with our frame. It is an XTR bb bearing with special composite resin cups. This system is now used by other manufacturers. The XTR bearing is very good, spins freely and is sealed well – it comes with a 3 year warranty.
Aftermarket bottom brackets are becoming available for our integrated system. However, we have not tested any of them at this time and cannot give any useful data on fit, function or service life. We can tell you that it is hard to beat the weight savings of the XTR BB. For instance, some aftermarket ceramic versions weigh up to 32 grams more then the XTR BB.
What size seatpost do you use?
All Pivot frames use a 30.9 seatpost with a 34.9 seatpost clamp.
Do I need a special front derailleur?
Pivot uses e-type Shimano front derailleurs that are readily available from any shop or parts distributor. We simply unbolt the derailleur from the plate and mount them directly to the precision machined tabs on our frame. This gives all Pivot frames the perfect derailleur height, angle, and location, and a super rigid mounting surface for the most precise and positive front shifting possible.
I want to run a 22-36 Saint Crank on my Firebird. Will an e-type derailleur work?
If you are using a 22-36 double chainring setup on your Firebird, Shimano makes a new (for 2009) SLX derailleur (M-665E) specifically for 2 ring set ups which is designed for a maximum 36 large ring. However, even a standard 3 ring E-type front derailleur will work fine with a 2-ring set up.
Why do you use a zero stack headset? Where can I get them?
We use a zero-stack headset designed to fit into a 44mm ID headtube. ZS headsets press in just like a standard headset, but the entire headset, bearings and all, fit inside the headtube. This allows us to accommodate the taller forks, tires and riser bars that are prevalent on today's market, without jacking up your handlebar height. Zero Stack headsets are available from major suppliers like Ritchey, FSA and Cane Creek. Chris King headsets will be available summer 2009.
I've heard multi-link bikes are flexy.
We've heard also heard that single pivot bikes, and 4-bar bikes are flexy. All in all, one of the shining traits of a dual link design is the ability to make the bikes more rigid because of the one piece rear triangle, no pivots near the dropouts, and the ability to so closely tie the upper and lower links. We won't speak about the competition here, but only scream from the top of the mountain that Pivot frames are the most rigid, flex free frames made. We designed every Pivot frame for maximum stiffness so that all your power gets to the ground and your pivot bearing live a long and worry free life. Every detail on the bike was scrutinized to achieve a frame that won't twist under extreme riding conditions. The 92mm bb shell adds stiffness. The CNC'd widestance bb yolk/pivot mount adds stiffness. The one piece rear triangle adds stiffness. The oversized main pivot with 8 bearings adds stiffness and durability. Even the one piece carbon rocker adds stiffness. Pivot bikes, including the Mach 429, are the most laterally stiff suspension bikes on the planet.
What kind of warranty does Pivot offer?
Pivot offers a 3 year warranty against manufacturer defects on all of its frames to the original owner. Linkages on the frame are also warranted for 3 years. The Shimano XTR bb has a 3 year warranty through Shimano. The components sold on Pivot frames are warranted by the individual parts makers. Outside of the standard warranty, we want to let our customers know that we stand behind our products. If you have an issue with your frame beyond the 3 years, please let us know. If you are the original owner, and an issue comes up that we feel is a legitimate warranty situation and not abuse or wear and tear, we will do our best to come up with a solution that gets you back on the trail.
What size bike should I get?
There are a lot of theories on bike fit out there, to the point that it can get very confusing. The reality is that each rider has a different physiology, different riding style and different needs from a bike. That said, when comparing our bikes with those of other companies, sometimes our medium may compare to another companies large. Also, all our bikes are designed with class leading stand-over at each frame size so look closely at the top tube length, because this is the measurement that really matters most. As a starting point, our medium frames are designed around an average 5'11" (180.34cm) rider with a 33-34" inseam. You can use that as a baseline. Finally, All of our Pivot retailers are bike experts and that includes bike fit. Spend some time with your Pivot dealer to get the perfect fit on your new Pivot.