Pivot Mach 5.7 ..or.. Mach 429?

a.s.

a.s.

Mr. Chainring
I'm considering the possibility of purchasing a 29er (can't believe I just wrote that). Really my heart is set on a 26" Pivot Mach 5.7 but the 29" Mach 429 is starting to look good too. The bike would be used for trail riding the normal north Jersey stuff. My riding style is pretty aggressive and anyone who knows me knows I don't shy away from drops or techy downhill sections. I don't intend on "freeriding" this bike but it will take a fair amount of abuse. It's got to feel stable and smooth on the rockiest xc trails.

I know the Pivot Mach 5.7 is a perfect fit. I guess my question is do you think the Mach 429 would be an even better choice and why?
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2011-Black-Mach-429-XX-side.jpg

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2012-pivot-mach-5-7-carbon-fiber-mountain-bike.jpg
 
If you're more comfortable with a 26" and have never ridden a 29er at places where you normally ride then I would stick with 26" only because you wouldn't want to drope $4K+ on a bike you're not sure if you'll like at all much less like as much as a 26". Granted, a 29er will roll over rocks, roots, and logs easier but it is less responsive than a 26". FWIW, I have a 26" full squish and a 29er HT. As much as I love riding the 29er, my primary go to bike is my 26".
 
when I was looking for a new bike back in the spring on 2010, I was looking at the the Pivot Mach 4. I talked to someone in house at Pivot and he was really pushing the 429 as a great XC bike. I decided on a Top Fuel 8 over a Pivot and Jet 9 back then but have since added a 29er HT which I ride alot more than the Top Fuel. I would tell you to try and ride a full squish 29er before you buy, maybe you can borrow a friends for a lap or two. You'll be able to decend faster on a 29er unless there's alot of tight turns and the big wheels definately have the rollover factor going for it. I think geo wise Pivot makes great bikes so you really can't go wrong, you're just deciding on wheel size.
 
For your riding style, the Mach 5.7 hands down. It will handle the jumps and drops that you know you really want to do without missing a beat.
If you're considering getting into racing, then the Mach 429 geometry will have some advantages. But one could argue that for racing there are better choices out there anyway.

BTW, I also have a mix of 26ers and 29ers in my stable, so I'm not a fanboy of either wheel size.
 
Sometimes I wish I had a 29er FS on the techy dhs to fill the gaps. But then I would feel really awkward with 29 on the drops. So I'd rather not land horribly on a 29er and bust my face and just work harder on the techy dhs. Compromises...
 
THATmanMANNY said:
Sometimes I wish I had a 29er FS on the techy dhs to fill the gaps. But then I would feel really awkward with 29 on the drops. So I'd rather not land horribly on a 29er and bust my face and just work harder on the techy dhs. Compromises...
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650 :hmmm:
 
MikeP said:
650 :hmmm:
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dude, if it's anyone to preach 650b on this board it's me but the fs choices out are just horrible. And I don't wanna ride some 26 that fits 650b. I want exclusive 650b. It's the elbastardo or 2011 jamis sixfifty. The problem is finding them used is very rare.
 
a.s. said:
I'm considering the possibility of purchasing a 29er (can't believe I just wrote that). Really my heart is set on a 26" Pivot Mach 5.7 but the 29" Mach 429 is starting to look good too. The bike would be used for trail riding the normal north Jersey stuff. My riding style is pretty aggressive and anyone who knows me knows I don't shy away from drops or techy downhill sections. I don't intend on "freeriding" this bike but it will take a fair amount of abuse. It's got to feel stable and smooth on the rockiest xc trails.

I know the Pivot Mach 5.7 is a perfect fit. I guess my question is do you think the Mach 429 would be an even better choice and why?
.
.
2011-Black-Mach-429-XX-side.jpg

.
2012-pivot-mach-5-7-carbon-fiber-mountain-bike.jpg
Click to expand...

Did you actually try above mentioned bikes? I think you would change your mind if you try some more and there is a lot to chose from...
 
THATmanMANNY said:
dude, if it's anyone to preach 650b on this board it's me but the fs choices out are just horrible. And I don't wanna ride some 26 that fits 650b. I want exclusive 650b. It's the elbastardo or 2011 jamis sixfifty. The problem is finding them used is very rare.
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totally agree, I think a FS 650er would be very interesting and might be a near perfect bike for where and how I ride, would love to demo a Jamis sometime.
 
Robson said:
Did you actually try above mentioned bikes? I think you would change your mind if you try some more and there is a lot to chose from...
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Not yet but I would try a 429 before I bought one. I've done some research and I'm confident the Mach 5.7 is a bike I would love, based on reviews and bike spec. But you're right. I should at least do a parking lot test before dropping $5K. I've owned bikes with every imaginable suspension design ...except the DW Link.
 
Sounds like you are skilled, technical and prefer the challenges of technical riding over racing and timed laps. If true..Pivot 5.7 (26); unless your 6'2"+. I know they have made great strides on 29er geometry to accommodate bikers of all sizes but some times it just looks awkward when someone 5'4" and 110lbs in tight spandex is engulfed by the big wheels (and vice-versa tall folk just look so right on a 29er).

After spending a boatload of cash experimenting on both ht/fs 26/29ers over the last several years since I rekindled my interest in mountain biking I have drawn some conclusions.

29ers are stable and user-friendly for those requiring these traits. Their advantages are abundant for those who keep the wheels on the ground. This includes racers concerned about time always taking the most efficient line. It would also benefit the beginner who needs the advantages of the larger diameter wheel rolling (read not bunny hopping or jumping) over logs/obstacles. Long swooping trails where one can build momentum and maintain it will compliment a 29er. Tight, twisty, short uphill and downhill sections (read like I experience on my local trails in NJ) one may find the larger wheels a detriment in comparison in maneuvering and quickly peddling up to speed. Again....wheels on the ground 29ers are king. In comparison to a comparable 26 the 29ers additional weight plus size and gyroscopic effect of the wheels are a disadvantage in flicking, muscling the bike around, bunny hopping, jumping, etc. How do you ride? What is your goal? What do you enjoy?

I am immature when it comes to riding a bike. I purposely take the least efficient line for the technical challenge. If I hit a nice jump I will turn around and jump it again and possibly again...not worried about my lap time. For me fs 26" is fun! 29" is a crutch (which I one day will need) or for those with a focused intent. My 26" Fuel Ex was the best fit for me.

MBAction once made a good analogy to surfing, 29ers are like longboards...easy to paddle, catch waves easy, great to learn on, draw long lines, stable and hold their momentum. 26ers are like shortboards and under skilled feet will be capable of greater maneuvers, performance and manipulation from the rider. Are you Slater or Dora?

PS: I found the saying true "steel is real" for hardtails. Definitely something to it.
 
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I ride 29ers exclusively but tried Mach 5.7 at bike fest. I liked it a lot and if I were to buy 26er this would be my first choice.
 
Turner Sultan.

My friend is in the industry; demos all the latest and greatest at Interbike, has his choice of whatever he wants, and chose a Sultan (Pivot was the other bike he was considering.) To the envy of all of us, he is unstoppable on that bike; makes everything look easy and fast downhill. We ride the toughest stuff we can find; not far, not fast, just technical. Lumpy Bumpy, Rolie Polie kind of stuff. This week he came back after Interbike, now he wants an Ibis Mojo HD.
 
Andy said:
Turner Sultan.

My friend is in the industry; demos all the latest and greatest at Interbike, has his choice of whatever he wants, and chose a Sultan (Pivot was the other bike he was considering.) ...now he wants an Ibis Mojo HD.
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Now I'm really confused! 😉
 
glide said:
Sounds like you are skilled, technical and prefer the challenges of technical riding over racing and timed laps. If true..Pivot 5.7 (26); unless your 6'2"+. I know they have made great strides on 29er geometry to accommodate bikers of all sizes but some times it just looks awkward when someone 5'4" and 110lbs in tight spandex is engulfed by the big wheels (and vice-versa tall folk just look so right on a 29er).

After spending a boatload of cash experimenting on both ht/fs 26/29ers over the last several years since I rekindled my interest in mountain biking I have drawn some conclusions.

29ers are stable and user-friendly for those requiring these traits. Their advantages are abundant for those who keep the wheels on the ground. This includes racers concerned about time always taking the most efficient line. It would also benefit the beginner who needs the advantages of the larger diameter wheel rolling (read not bunny hopping or jumping) over logs/obstacles. Long swooping trails where one can build momentum and maintain it will compliment a 29er. Tight, twisty, short uphill and downhill sections (read like I experience on my local trails in NJ) one may find the larger wheels a detriment in comparison in maneuvering and quickly peddling up to speed. Again....wheels on the ground 29ers are king. In comparison to a comparable 26 the 29ers additional weight plus size and gyroscopic effect of the wheels are a disadvantage in flicking, muscling the bike around, bunny hopping, jumping, etc. How do you ride? What is your goal? What do you enjoy?

I am immature when it comes to riding a bike. I purposely take the least efficient line for the technical challenge. If I hit a nice jump I will turn around and jump it again and possibly again...not worried about my lap time. For me fs 26" is fun! 29" is a crutch (which I one day will need) or for those with a focused intent. My 26" Fuel Ex was the best fit for me.

MBAction once made a good analogy to surfing, 29ers are like longboards...easy to paddle, catch waves easy, great to learn on, draw long lines, stable and hold their momentum. 26ers are like shortboards and under skilled feet will be capable of greater maneuvers, performance and manipulation from the rider. Are you Slater or Dora?

PS: I found the saying true "steel is real" for hardtails. Definitely something to it.
Click to expand...

I find that I can climb better on my 29er HT than my Top Fuel. I am able to carry more momentum into the climb and the larger contact patch gives better traction. I'm not sure a 29er is a crutch but more the best tool for the job (for me anyway). I not even sure it's the wheelsize as much as HT vs FS. My back cannot handle the pounding of rocks and roots anymore. That's why I bought the Top Fuel, but I missed the feel of a hardtail. I think alot has to do with frame geometry, my Misfit feels very flickable, and when riding back to back with my Top Fuel, the Trek felt only slightly faster in tight turns and compared to the advantages of the bigger wheels that slight advantage doesn't add up. So for me the 29er HT is now my main ride. I like the surfboard analogy, but maybe the 29er is more like a 6'8 and a 26er is a 6'2
 
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