Introducing the NEW Pivot Firebird: The Egg Didn’t Fall Far from the Carbon Coop

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Introducing: the all new Pivot Firebird, live from Italia!

There’s something magical about the first few pedal strokes on a fresh bike. That moment when anticipation meets reality, and you discover whether the marketing hype withstands the ruthless scrutiny of actual trail time. When Pivot invited me to test their redesigned Firebird, I was more than curious – I was invested. After all, that glacial green metallic Firebird you saw on my channel back in 2022 was a faithful companion across the rugged Northwest trails I call home.

Fast forward a few seasons, and here we are – a new bird is hatching from its shell. But rather than a complete revolution, what we have here is a thoughtful evolution that addresses rider demands while staying true to what made the Firebird special in the first place.

Editor’s Note:
These articles are adapted by Savannah from Jeff Kendall-Weed’s YouTube videos for riders who prefer reading over watching. They’re written in Jeff’s first-person voice to stay true to the style and storytelling of the original content.

A quick note of gratitude, because these videos and articles wouldn’t be possible without your support. Jenson USA has been awesome enough to support this product launch, with Pivot supplying the Firebird for review. They’re not just another online bike shop – these folks really know their stuff. If you’re looking to pick up this mountain bike or any other mountain bike gear, their online store is legit. If you buy anything through any of these links, you’ll be helping support my channel. Whether it’s the Firebird, another complete bike, or even just some chain lube, every purchase helps keep these reviews coming.

Big thanks to Jenson USA, and an even bigger thanks to you for watching, reading, and supporting the channel. Let’s get back to talking about this bike.

Il Viaggio Per Incontrare L’uccello

… The Journey to Meet the Bird

When Pivot says they listen to their riders, they mean it. 

You asked, and Pivot listened. When Pivot asked their factory racers… they listened.

And when I asked, well… Pivot was kind enough to include me in the presentation of this new bike in the land of margheritas.

With my buddy Logan in tow (cheery as always), we escaped the Pacific Northwest rain, hopped on a couple of planes, and found ourselves in the international home of both fine gelato and enduro racing: Finale Ligure, Italy. Three days of Italian racing trails would reveal whether this new Firebird could soar or if it would simply flap its wings in a flaccid breeze.

But first, let’s talk about what makes this new bird different from its predecessor.

Novità: Evoluzione, Non Rivoluzione

… What’s New: Evolution, Not Revolution

The 2025 Pivot Firebird strikes an interesting balance – retaining the soul of its predecessor while addressing key rider feedback. The changes are thoughtful rather than radical, with Pivot focusing on refinement rather than reinvention.

Here’s what’s changed:

Pivot deliberately chose not to implement the new DW6 suspension, explaining that it would compromise climbing efficiency too much. For a bike meant to be a true all-rounder, that makes perfect sense. When you’re eight hours into a big day in the mountains, that pedaling efficiency really matters.

I Colori del Volo

The Colors of Flight

The new Firebird comes in a couple of tasty colors: White Gold (which in reality, is missing a common between the two words) and YOLO. And for those who want something truly special, there’s a limited-edition Purple Galaxy finish – hand-painted and limited to just 200 units.

If you ask me, there was a major marketing snafu when Pivot failed to come up with a clever acronym for “YOLO.” What do you think it ought to stand for? “Your Old Light is Out” might make sense, considering how bright the bike is. That, or “Yeet Over Loose Obstacles,” to represent how much the Firebirds love to fly.

I started riding the YOLO with SRAM components, but quickly migrated on days 2 and 3 to White Gold, so I could enjoy the Shimano XT brakes. Coming from someone who’s ridden it all, trust me when I say those XT stoppers are worth their weight in… well, white gold.

Prime Impressioni: Test di Finale Ligure

… First Impressions: Finale Ligure Testing

My initial few days on the Firebird were spent navigating the high-speed bike park wonderland of Finale Ligure – a far cry from the tighter, more technical trails of the Pacific Northwest. This context is important because bikes can feel radically different depending on terrain – especially flying through exploding snow, as seen below!

Setting up the bike required some tweaking. I immediately added more volume reducers than stock to the rear shock, as I tend to ride… let’s say, enthusiastically. I also had to shim down the 200mm seat post to prevent seat/tire buzz at bottom out – a common issue for those of us who like to send it.

Working with Alex from Fox (who absolutely rips, by the way), we eventually settled on about 50% of available volume reduction. After half a day, I backed off the HSC quite significantly which made for a more playful rear end.

Interestingly, the bike initially felt long for me. I can’t quite put a finger on it, because these trails are unfamiliar territory. Despite having similar measurements to my previous Firebird, something felt different. The super high speeds of Finale’s trails had me feeling more nervous than I expected, and I found myself wanting the bike both shorter AND slacker… but definitely not any lower. That 5mm lower bottom bracket resulted in numerous pedal strikes, and even back home in the PNW, I’m still wishing for that lost clearance.

The solution came through suspension adjustments. I added more low-speed compression and a touch more air to the fork for a higher ride height. Combined with the more open rear suspension, I jokingly called this my “hydraulic angle set.” Whatever it was, it transformed the feel of the bike. Or maybe the focaccia and pasta was making me feel a bit more at home.

La Variabile del Pneumatico Della Bici

… The Rubber Variable

I have to mention the Continental enduro casing tires that came stock on the test bike. They were… not my favorite. Any substantial hit had me feeling the rim connecting with terra firma, and the rubber compound felt significantly firmer than the Maxx Grip or High Grip compounds I typically run.

When I finally got to try a Schwalbe 2.6 tire with a softer compound, the difference was night and day. For aggressive riders in wetter climates (hello, PNW fam!), I’d absolutely recommend going with softer compounds and sturdier sidewalls than what came stock.

Il Ritorno a Casa: La Vera Prova

… Bringing It Home: The Real Test

Yes, the Italian trails were a blast. But, wanting to avoid any broken helmets or compound fractured body parts like prior European trips have involved, I did my best to tone it down and limit the adrenaline. I was eager to get home where the real testing would happen, and wanted to do so in one piece.

Once back in the familiar territory of the Pacific Northwest, I made some key changes to better suit my riding style:

USA Riding: i Sentieri di Casa Rivelano la Verità

… USA Riding: Home Trails Reveal the Truth

Back in familiar territory, I immediately remembered just why I was so keen on the bird in the first place. Yes, it’s labeled as an enduro bike – and it absolutely is – but it’s significantly easier to ride than many of its competitors in the category. I don’t mind pedaling this bike across town, as the 29″ rear wheel rolls efficiently, and the suspension pedals, if anything, better than I need it to.

On tighter climbs, the Firebird is definitely big, but it’s not that much bigger than shorter travel, trail-oriented bikes. This is where the steeper seat tube angle and efficient suspension really shine, allowing you to navigate technical features without excessive energy expenditure.

One place where the Firebird really shines is on more mellow terrain. Unlike some other enduro bikes that feel bored and sluggish unless they’re being pushed to the limit, the Firebird maintains its playful character even on less demanding trails. But make no mistake – when you want to pull and gap something substantial, the solid, confident feel of the bike has your back.

This versatility is what sets the Firebird apart in an increasingly specialized market. While it’s absolutely capable of race-day performance, it doesn’t demand race-day terrain to feel at home. For riders who want one bike to handle everything from after-work trail rides to weekend bike park laps, this balance is (white-) golden.

Opzioni di Costruzione e Valore

… Build Options and Value

Pivot offers the Firebird in several build configurations, from the basic “Ride” version at $6,499 (featuring DT wheels and SLX components) all the way up to the full-bling builds with XX electronic shifting, DHX Neo shock, and AXS dropper for $14,199.

One thing I appreciate about Pivot is their commitment to quality across all price points. Even the “Ride” level uses old overstock X2 shocks rather than cutting corners with lesser dampers. The option for coil with LiveValve Neo shows they’re thinking about riders who want maximum sensitivity without sacrificing pedaling performance.

La Strada da Percorrere: i Test Continuano

… The Road Ahead: The Testing Continues

I’m far from done with this bike. While my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive, there’s still much to explore with the Firebird‘s adjustable platform. I plan to ride a bunch more here in the Northwest, trying all the various settings to see how they influence the bike’s character.

The long chainstay mode should feel similar to the Orbea Occam and GT Sensor trail bikes I’ve been riding, while still being shorter than the Haro Daley trail bike. This adjustment could make for interesting comparisons and might better suit certain types of terrain or riding styles.

I’m also keen to experiment with the linear suspension setting, which could feel quite nice on more traditional downhill-style tracks as it’ll provide a plusher feel throughout the travel. The higher BB mode is another adjustment I’m eager to try, especially given my experience with pedal strikes in the lower setting. The low BB is definitely not a deal breaker, but I want to be transparent that for all-around riding, I tend to enjoy a slightly higher BB. I should probably try some shorter cranks!

While I haven’t yet ordered a reach adjust headset, it’s definitely on my wish list. The ability to fine-tune the fit without affecting other geometry aspects could be the final piece in dialing this bike in perfectly for my riding style.

The beauty of modern mountain bikes – especially one with as many adjustment options as the Firebird – is that they’re not one-size-fits-all machines. They’re platforms that can be tuned and tweaked to match both the rider and the terrain. That’s exactly what I intend to explore in the coming months.

La Filosofia di Pivot

… The Pivot Philosophy

Throughout my time with the Firebird, one thing kept standing out – Pivot’s commitment to rider experience over marketing hype. Never once did I hear “you’re the only one who rides like that” or “ordinary people won’t notice the difference.” While Pivot bikes certainly command premium prices, the quality and attention to detail justify the investment.

A few months ago, I had the chance to ride with Chris Cocalis, Pivot’s founder and owner. Not only does Chris absolutely rip, but his passion for creating the best possible bikes is evident in every conversation. In an industry where many CEOs might casually ride but don’t truly push their products to the limit, Chris’s approach is refreshing.

During tough times in the bike industry, Chris was refreshingly transparent: “It was a bit scary, but it’s ok now.” That kind of honesty speaks volumes about the company culture.

I’ve also been riding with Bryan, Pivot’s president who I’ve known since my days with Ibis and Kali helmets. His excitement about leading such an innovative brand is contagious, and his journey from Kali Protectives to Pivot demonstrates the industry’s recognition of his talent.

Between Chris, Bryan, Kevin from engineering, and the entire Pivot team, there’s an unwavering focus on performance at the absolute limit. These bikes may be expensive, but there’s no cutting corners in the pursuit of excellence.

Considerazioni Finali: Carbonio e Coraggio

… Final Thoughts: Carbon and Courage

The new Pivot Firebird lives up to its namesake – rising from the ashes of its predecessor with renewed purpose. It’s not a revolutionary redesign, but rather a thoughtful evolution that addresses rider feedback while maintaining the character that made the original so beloved.

For riders seeking pure enduro race performance, there might be more singularly focused options. But for those who want a bike that can handle race day and still be enjoyable on everyday trails, the Firebird strikes a balance. With the adjustable chainstay length and suspension progression, it offers a level of customization that few competitors can match.

So if you’re in the market for a long-travel bike that doesn’t demand extreme terrain to shine, the new Firebird deserves a spot on your shortlist. Just do yourself a favor and spring for some grippier rubber if you ride in the wet stuff.

 Grazie Mille, Peace & Wheelies!

As always, thanks to Jenson USA for making it possible to live the dream. Your purchase helps support the channel, and I genuinely appreciate it.

Craving more? Subscribe to the blog, YouTube Channel, and like and comment below whenever your heart desires!

Those white shoes are the new 5.10 Freeriders: find them here at Jenson USA.

Extra thanks to Endura for supplying me with a few of my favorite riding kits, which you can find over here.

And thanks to LMNT for keeping my hydrated with plenty of electrolytes! Get a free sample pack with your purchase here.