There’s something special about revisiting a bike after time apart. Like reconnecting with an old friend, you notice things you missed the first time around. That’s exactly what happened when I found myself back aboard the Pivot Firebird in 2024 – a bike that had already impressed me during our first dance back in 2022, both terrestrially and amphibiously.
Before we dive in, I want to give a huge shoutout to Jenson USA, who made this Firebird Pivot review possible through their sponsorship! As one of the premier online bike retailers and an official Pivot dealer in the USA, Jenson makes getting your hands on an Pivot incredibly convenient.
What’s great about ordering a complete bike from Jenson USA is their hassle-free delivery process. Your bike arrives in their custom packaging, nearly fully assembled – typically you’ll just need to attach the handlebars and front wheel before hitting the trails.
By the way, using any of the Jenson USA links in this post helps keep our channel running. Your purchases through these links contribute significantly to our ability to create content like this review. A sincere thank you to everyone who supports us this way, and special thanks to Jenson USA for backing this video!
I can’t say I’m a fan of cliff jumping, unless a bike is involved – and that’s exactly what I did during the hot, sweaty summer to cool off: drop right in at Whatcom Falls.
But even before diving in to explore the watery depths with a rare drop that bridged the elements of earth to water, I jumped into Canada with a fully pimped out Firebird (thanks Fox!). Before you could say “bear spray,” I filled my hydration pack and pedaled up up up into the alpine to test the live valve neo suspension and transfer neo seatpost.
Life is good, but it’s even better dodging grizzlies above the treeline.
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.
Riding up above 5,000 feet elevation feels a little spicy when you’re accustomed to riding just above sea level on daily rides. On the way up the trail, rangers notified me that there was a grizzly sighting somewhere above, and to take caution: be bear aware. Safety first, kids!
On cue with the warning, I did in fact come across the lone grizzly foraging for tasty alpine snacks. One of the biggest indicators that it is in fact a grizzly is the large hump you’ll see on its back – these are well developed shoulder muscles built for digging and turning over hefty rocks. I left it alone, and he did the same. I ain’t no Disney princess (and neither are you).
What an epic ride! And not just because of the breathtaking alpine views from the top of the world. I couldn’t believe how good the Firebird felt – how could I have forgotten what it feels like to ride such a unique rig? I floated my way through views that many people only dream of, back down to the reality of taxes and gas prices – but fully immersed in the present moment, feeling so privileged to be cruising through the wilderness.
What’s unique about it? Though it’s branded as an enduro race bike, it is much more welcoming to the everyday rider than most of its newer, gnarlier competition.
Well that’s cool and all, but what does that really mean? Let’s get back to the basics.
The Evolution of Long-Travel
Before we dive deep into the nuances of this green, long-travel machine, let’s get something straight: the mountain bike industry has been chasing its tail trying to create the perfect “do-it-all” enduro bike. Some have grown into monsters, while others have maintained their agility. And the Firebird? It’s found an interesting sweet spot.
Key Specifications
- 165mm rear travel
- 29-inch wheels (27.5 compatible, but I prefer traction and predictability)
- 64.6-degree head angle
- 473mm reach (size medium)
- DW-link suspension design (for great support and maximum pedaling efficiency)
- Super Boost 157×12 rear spacing
The package is complete with a few of Pivot’s marquee design traits: a long top tube, long reach, very short rear end, and the typical lightweight carbon build.
Since our first rendezvous in 2022, I can’t say that a ton has changed – but I see that as a good thing. The bike is designed to be future proof – wouldn’t it be wonderful if the apple charging ports were made with the same consideration in mind?
Featuring a universal derailleur hanger, a headtube with angle adjust headset compatibility, ISCG tabs, both water bottle mounts and under top tube accessory mounts, I consider the bike: SOLID. The ownership experience of a Pivot is nothing less than top notch.
Many of you know me as a big fan of Ibis bikes, and to this day, my loyalty to the brand still remains. Let’s rewind back to the time when MTV still played music.
When we were fully sold out with no bikes available at Ibis, the first brand we would recommend customers to would be Pivot. We knew that anyone who bought a Pivot would not only have a great bike, but a fantastic overall riding experience. Fast forward years beyond the pure MTV music experience, my sentiments from those sales days hold true.
One thing I appreciate about Pivot’s Firebird is that it features a superboost 157×12 rear wheel. Why? Well, at 175lbs, I usually feel like I’m a heavier rider than what many brands build their ideal bike for. Because of that heavier weight, I often complain about flexy or overly soft frames. This is not the case with Pivot – I love a torsionally stiff bike, and Pivot bikes always deliver.
2022 with the Firebird Pivot
Back during my initial run with The ‘Bird back in 2022, I got to know it well enough that it was as consistent as my favorite cup of Earl Grey – just as tasty, predictable, but never monotonous. Unfortunately for my cup of morning tea routine, Pivot needed the bike back. But in the interim, that opened up the opportunity to ride a variety of other big travel bikes – namely, the Yeti SB160, Transition Spire, Ibis HD6, and the updated Rocky Mountain Altitude.
Speaking of which, check out my 2024 review of ALL the bikes I rode in 12 months – I’ll give ya a hint… it was more than one bike a month!
Riding all these enduro bikes was great, but it led me to the question: is there such a thing as a bike being too great? My hot take is a yes – often too big and bulky for the trails we most frequently ride on the daily and closest to home.
I wholeheartedly love enduro rigs, but I also need to highlight what’s realistic for the average rider.
I mean, I love the look of the Hummer cruising down the road like the civilian tank it is, but in reality? I only tow a tiny trailer behind my car to collect firewood once a year. Through this lens, it’s hard to validate such an intense rig as anything more than compensation.
What made this time around on the Firebird so different from the last time?
There I was in 2024, bouncing and bee-bopping my way down a plethora of mountains on the silver fox of a Firebird. The bike was even more capable on the descents as I remembered, but I learned something significant on this second go-round…
The Shock Discovery That Changed Everything
Here’s where things got interesting, which led to a big motivator behind making this video. During my initial 2022 review, I tested both the DHX2 coil and Float X2 air shocks with Pivot’s own custom damping tune. But, I didn’t realize this until later. They worked well enough and provided plenty of pedaling support – but something was missing.
Fast forward to 2024, when I got to ride the updated Float X – not a stock shock, but a general aftermarket tune. The aftermarket tuned Float X Live Valve Neo Shock completely transformed the Firebird.
During my first ride, I took a breather at the 16 mile mark to reflect on how the shock was performing, and I had to admit: it was more legit than I wanted to give it credit for. Kudos to Fox. Call me a pessimist, but I do tend to complain – more batteries, more apps – can’t we go back to the basics where we don’t have to remember to charge everything and stare at our phone screens in the midst of enjoying the outdoors?
That being said, as a purist, I have to say: this shock has been great. If you too are tired of technology, I want to encourage you: don’t get too hung up on the fact that it has a battery. Because when you remove the battery from a live valve neo shock, it simply reverts the shock back to being a standard shock. Basically, that means that when the live valve neo shock is turned off, it feels the same as a standard, off the shelf Float X.
In summary? For most riding, the aftermarket tuned Float X real shock is significantly better than the stock X2. Even when you have Live Valve turned off, the bike performed noticeably better. The difference truly was night and day. With the aftermarket Float X:
- Better small bump compliance
- More playful character
- Improved traction
- Lighter overall feel
- Enhanced bottom-out support
I don’t have access to Pivot’s valving specs for the stock X2 or the stock DHX2, but with my 20 years of mountain bike experience, I feel confident in saying that the stock Pivot shocks are valved more firmly than the standard, aftermarket tune of the Float X.
What exactly does that mean? Simply that the aftermarket Float X is a more open shock. It’s easier to get it cycling, because it will remove less energy from each impact. It also had more mechanical bottom-out support, and the overall ride feel was just better – leading to a more fun riding experience!
If I wanted to compress the bike to preload for a jump, I could get the Float X to cycle as I wanted, and when it came to a big slapper of a landing, the more rampy feel of the Float X inspired more confidence. Speaking of jumping, the Float X was easier to get off the ground with less damping.
All of this combined to make the Firebird a more approachable, more fun bike that I ever remembered.
With live valve enabled, the bike kept a more predictable geometry on the climbs, and did feel more supportive on the descents. Yes, live valve is better- but on the Firebird in particular, it’s not a different world. I tried to explain this in my video about Live Valve: when bikes start to be designed specifically to have a much lower anti-squat, the Live Valve will be a complete game changer. For now, it’s a sweet improvement and it works way better than you’d ever suspect… but we’ve barely begun to realize Live Valve’s potential.
All in all, this doesn’t just come down to your shock choice – it’s about understanding how a bike’s character can be dramatically altered by your uniquely chosen suspension setup. The stock Pivot tune, while capable, seems to lean toward a firmer feel that might not suit every rider.
Real World Riding Character: The Long and Short of It
Pedal on over to the video as we ride through the Cascades in search (possibly unsuccessfully) for larches.
Moving on to geometry… and my only complaint. At 5’8″ (174cm), I rode the medium frame, which has a 473mm reach – right at the edge of what I’d consider comfortable. So, I rode the bike in the slacker, lower suspension setting – shortening the reach down to a more comfortable 468. With my riding style as of 2024, my ideal reach measurement sits around 460, and this comes close enough.
Let’s take a pause on talking enduro, and switch gears into looking at how the Firebird performs as a trail bike – you know, how we’re riding most of the time.
Now, here’s a question for you, and I would love to hear what you have to say in the comments. 👇
Would you rather be underbiked, or overbiked?
The achilles heel of the Firebird has always been the shorter rear-end. I struggle a bit to land long distance manuals on the bike, as the twitchy feel of a super short chainstay does, in fact, have some drawbacks. Short chainstays are not my cup of tea, but I do love moderate chainstays.
But, with the Float X involved, the Firebird felt more balanced – and dare I say, one of the best trail bikes out there. With the shock feeling more open, the suspension began working a little easier, helping to balance out the ride feel. Once getting onto the rear wheel to nail that wheelie or manual, the open nature of the suspension worked better, allowing the bike to cycle more easily and be more forgiving over bumps.
Compared to proper trail bikes, like a Ripmo, Switchblade, or prior gen Hightower, the length of the Firebird is a slight hindrance on tighter climbs, making it feel less efficient than it is. But the bike isn’t built to race up – that same length is a superpower when smashing down mountains. Combined with the short back end, and the somewhat less aggressive 64.6 head angle, the bike definitely isn’t monster truck long. It’s big for a trail bike, but that usage is NOT out of the question.
Overall, the Firebird presents an interesting contradiction: it’s long up front but maintains an almost playfully short rear end. This combination creates a unique riding experience that sets it apart from competitors like the Yeti SB160 or Ibis HD6.
What Makes It Special
- Balanced suspension feel despite travel differences
- Short chainstays for agile handling
- Torsionally stiff frame thanks to Super Boost spacing
- Capable climber for its category
- Future-proof features (universal derailleur hanger, angle-adjust headset compatibility)
Sending It: Jump Performance & Build Details
Unlike some enduro bikes that demand gnarly terrain to shine, the Firebird maintains a level of versatility that’s refreshing. Yes, it’s built for sending down mountains, but it doesn’t feel like overkill on more moderate trails – something I can’t say about some of its competitors.
The Firebird prefers bigger jumps over random obstacle hucks, as the long front end compromises the rider’s ability to physically muscle the bike into the air. I had a few sketchy landings, which all worked out fine, but the shorter back end does require more precision than some other bikes.
For parts, I went down to a shorter stem, and a slightly higher rise set of bars. This helped with the fit, but I will say that handling was slightly better with the stock long stem – I think the longer stem helped balance the shorter stays. Regardless, the easier pulls of the shorter stem were preferable for jumping.
I swapped on a Shimano Pro saddle, and most importantly, heavier duty Maxxis double down tires. For pedals, I ran the new Race Face Chester.
When it comes to parts, almost everything was incredible. The Shimano XTR brakes are my favorite: great modulation, precise lever feel, and heaps of power. The XT/XTR drivetrain is another favorite choice.
The Reynolds wheels worked well, not as predictable as the aluminum I9 spokes, but still satisfactory.
The stock, cable-actuated Fox Transfer post was awful, and often got stuck down on me – not exactly what you want mid-ride. If it were my own bike, I would swap it out for a PNW Loam dropper post or One up 180.
Component Highlights
- XTR brakes deliver precise modulation
- XT/XTR drivetrain remains reliable
- Reynolds wheels perform well but not as predictable as aluminum I9s
- Stock Fox Transfer post could use an upgrade
Pivot Introduces the Brunch Ride: A Game-Changing Build
Perhaps the most exciting development in the Firebird lineup is the new Brunch Ride build. At under $5k, you’re getting:
This build kit hits a sweet spot of performance and value that’s hard to ignore in today’s market. Honestly, I have a hard time telling you that I need something more expensive than this.
We Came, We Saw, We Larched: A High Alpine Perspective
With a bike review work trip paired with a search for the highly sought after golden larches, we headed off into the Cascades – racing both gravity and the changing seasons, squeezing in one more high alpine view before the mountains nuzzled into their white blanket of snow for the next several months.
It’s that perfect moment of in-between, when nature holds her breath between summer and winter. I had to ask myself in the midst of larch madness: how would most people experience life differently if you couldn’t post it on social media? What would you see, hear, feel, do? Where would you go if you couldn’t brag about it to the world? Who would you hold close? Who would you let drift away, without an audience to judge your actions? Thoughts that feel ironic considering the whole point of this trip is to film for exactly that: an audience.
As always, I turn those questions back on myself, always in search mode for a more purposeful, intentional life experience. I wouldn’t do much differently, and this trip serves as a great example. Yes, the end result is a video published in front of a six-figure audience, but the prestige of the larches was largely absent from this particular expedition. There isn’t any attachment, for any of us, to do something based on expectations out of our control.
My introduction to e-bikes is a new one, and in the last month alone, I’ve gone on three of the longest mountain bike rides of my life (which isn’t necessarily saying a ton, having been doing it for a year and a half). Each ride has reminded me how much I love suffering – this time, the chilliest of the season. Crystallized frost shimmered in blanketed fragments near the highest point, just over 6,000 ft.
For the Firebird review, I pedaled along behind two e-bikes with heavy, burning quads. With scenic views played across valleys below in every direction, I wondered: what is the difference between happiness and contentment?
People talk about striving for happiness – a smile smeared across the face with sparkles in the eyes. But here, in this moment, with frozen hands and tired legs… well, I can’t say I was bubbling with energy – but a tired contentment pulsed through me, infused with an appreciation for the adventure, expansive beauty, good company, and the stubborn determination to do hard things.
Contentment, then, is the goal. Not happiness. For happiness is as elusive and fleeting as a butterfly carried away by a breeze. Contentment, on the other hand, is a thread that’s always there… so long as we choose it. Unlike happiness, contentment can co-exist with less desirable feelings. It glows from our heart, even in the midst of sadness, exhaustion, and frustration. So long as we are aligned in purpose and make the conscious choice to feel good, contentment hums at our foundation of Self.
When we choose to see the contentment in our life – even (and especially) when in the midst of challenge – sends ripples of positivity not only though our own lives, but through those around us.
Yes, athleticism is important to keep up in the backcountry. But equally important is a positive attitude, laced with resilience (or positive mental attitude – PMA as Jeff shared during a break enjoying the scenery and catching drone shots over a massive swiss cheese rock – my favourite view of the ride).
Backcountry moments like these are a reminder that the most potent beauty exists when woven with challenges that push our limits. It’s a reminder of the importance to do the work on yourself, so that you can show up as a resource rather than a liability in the teams that make up your life. When you’re climbing – climbing – climbing through cold temperatures for an entire day, it’s easy to lose your cool when faced with fatigue. And when you’re in a team environment… Well, no one wants that.
Bike reviews, while necessarily technical, are really about the experiences they enable. The Firebird, with its capability to tackle both local trails and high alpine adventures, serves as a vessel for these moments of clarity. Speaking of which, let’s dive into how it compares to its competitors…
vs. Ibis HD6
- HD6 is more race-focused
- More bike than I needed for my trail-riding focus
- Requires more aggressive riding to feel fun
- Less efficient climber
vs. Yeti SB160
- SB160 demands higher speeds
- Firebird feels more versatile
- Similar climbing efficiency
- Similar wheelbase despite category differences
- Firebird has better pedaling performance
- Hightower feels more confident and forgiving in rough terrain
To learn more about the Ibis HD6, Yeti SB160, and Santa Cruz Hightower 4, check out these other review videos we did!
The Bottom Line
The Pivot Firebird represents something increasingly rare in today’s enduro category: balance. While other bikes have grown more extreme, the Firebird maintains a sweet spot between capability and accessibility. With the right shock setup, it’s a bike that can handle bike park laps while still making your local trails engaging.
Is it perfect? No bike is. The short rear end can be twitchy in certain situations, and the stock shock tune might not be for everyone. But these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise an impressively well-rounded package.
Whether you’re looking at the premium builds or the new Brunch Ride option, the Firebird offers something special: a big bike that doesn’t always need big terrain to shine. In a world where enduro bikes keep getting more extreme, that’s something worth celebrating.
Thank you to Pivot for loaning the Firebird to make this video possible!
Peace & Wheelies, Jeff
Looking to pick up your own Firebird? Check out the full range at Jenson USA by clicking over here. Your purchase helps support the channel, and I genuinely appreciate it.
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[…] two bike trips I joined were to the east side of the Cascades in the autumn, creating content for a Pivot Firebird and Orbea Rise review. I am admittedly still fresh to understanding the world of bikes, embargos, […]