pivot mach 6 travel

2021 Pivot Mach 6

Wheel Size: 27.5”

Travel: 158 mm rear / 160 mm front

Frame Material: Carbon Fiber

Build Overview: See Below

Price: $5,599 to $12,099

The Mach 6 is one of the longest-running models in Pivot’s lineup, and they’ve just unveiled the 4th generation.

In keeping with prior versions of the Mach 6, the new bike uses DW Link suspension with roughly 6 inches of travel (160 mm front / 158 mm rear) and — in what feels like an increasingly rare move these days, and one we’re glad to see — sticks with 27.5” wheels.

So is the new Mach 6 a mild refresh of the outgoing model, or something entirely different? And how does it stack up against the rest of the market?

Several of the basic elements of the Mach 6 V4 are quite similar to the outgoing third generation — rear travel grew a modest 3 mm, from 155 to 158 mm while the carbon-only frame option and DW Link suspension carry over, as do 27.5” wheels. That said, the frame layout has been substantially reconfigured, with very different design language. Gone are the horizontally mounted shock and swoopy tubes, in favor of a vertically oriented shock and a new frame design with straighter tubes and sharper lines. It’s a good looking frame, and matches the aesthetic of the Switchblade that we tested earlier this year.

The new Mach 6 features many of the standard niceties one can expect from a high-end, modern frame — molded rubber chainstay protection, space for a water bottle inside the front triangle, and a second set of mounts underneath the top tube designed for use with Pivot’s Dock tool holder system. There’s then a third set of mounts underneath the downtube as a different mount option for a bottle or to attach some tools, and all cables are routed internally through the downtube, with bolt-on ports for ease of service. Stated tire clearance goes up to 27.5 x 2.6”.

In a world where 29ers seem to dominate the mountain bike landscape, we’re quite excited to see Pivot putting out a new, high-end 27.5” Trail / Enduro bike. Big wheels undeniably do some things well — particularly roll over stuff — but there’s a lot to be said for the snappier handling of 27.5” wheels, too. Indeed, Pivot makes a point of emphasizing the “fun” factor of the new Mach 6. Like most brands are doing with their bikes in this sort of travel range, Pivot says the Mach 6 is up for everything from bike park laps to long days in the saddle, but Pivot’s press release talks a lot more about things like “sharp handling” and “maximum fun” than it does about stability and outright speed — though those do come up too. That makes a lot of sense, given the geometry (more on that in a bit), wheel size, DW Link’s notoriously efficient pedaling performance, and the parts that Pivot is speccing the Mach 6 with. Plus, Pivot also makes their 29er Enduro race bike, the Firebird 29 , which seems designed more for flat-out speed.

Pivot is offering a huge number of build specs on the Mach 6 — fourteen in total, not counting wheel options in many of them — broken down into three basic tiers. The full list of builds, with pricing, is as follows:

Race XT and Race X01

• Race XT: $5,599
• Race X01: $5,999

The starting tier for the Mach 6’s build kits is the “Race” level, with Shimano XT and SRAM X01 builds on offer. Both feature Marzocchi Bomber Z1 forks (160 mm travel, 44 mm offset) and Bomber CR Coil rear shocks. They also get you Fox Transfer Performance dropper posts (125 mm drop on the XS, 150 mm on the S, and 175 mm on the M and L) and DT Swiss M1900 wheels. Where they diverge is the eponymous drivetrain options, plus brakes — the Race XT gets what is actually a Shimano SLX drivetrain and brakes, but with an XT derailleur and Race Face Ride crankset, and the Race X01 build gets a mix of SRAM GX and X01 drivetrain parts, with SRAM Code R brakes.

Pro XT/XTR and Pro X01

Things get a bit more complicated with the “Pro” builds. As with the other build levels, riders can have their choice of Shimano or SRAM drivetrains and brakes, but Pivot combines those options with three separate suspension packages, for a total of six different build kits.

The Pro XT/XTR kits get a Shimano XT cassette and brakes with an XTR shifter and derailleur and a RaceFace Aeffect crankset, while the Pro X01 gets SRAM X01 throughout, with SRAM Code RSC brakes . Both come with a Fox Transfer Factory dropper post in the same size configurations as the Race builds (125 mm drop on the XS, 150 mm on the S, and 175 mm on the M and L), and DT Swiss XM1700 wheels.

Both the Pro XT/XTR and Pro X01 get Fox Factory suspension at both ends, but both come with the same three options for how that suspension is configured. The Pro Coil builds come with a Fox 38 Factory Grip 2 (with a Float air spring, since Fox doesn’t offer a coil 38) with 160 mm of travel and 44 mm offset and a Fox DHX2 Factory rear shock. The Pro Air builds come with the same 38 Factory Grip 2, but instead pair it with a Fox Float X2 Factory rear shock . And finally, Fox Live Valve suspension — Fox’s wild electronically controlled suspension package — is also on offer. The Pro Live builds come with a Fox 36 Factory Live Valve fork, again with 160 mm of travel and 44 mm offset (Fox doesn’t currently offer a 38 Live Valve) and the matching Factory Live Valve rear shock. Got all that? Pricing is as follows:

• Pro XT/XTR Air: $6,899
• Pro X01 Air: $7,499
• Pro XT/XTR Coil: $7,099
• Pro X01 Coil: $7,699
• Pro XT/XTR Live: $8,599
• Pro X01 Live: $9,199

In case that wasn’t enough, Reynolds Blacklabel Enduro Wild Trail 34 mm wheels with Industry Nine Hydra hubs can be swapped in for a $1,300 upcharge on any of the Pro level builds.

Team XTR and Team XX1 AXS

At the top end of the Mach 6 build kits are the Team XTR and XX1 AXS options. As you’d expect, they’re Shimano XTR (with a RaceFace Next R crankset and XTR brakes) and SRAM XX1 AXS builds (Code RSC brakes), respectively. Both include Reynolds Blacklabel Enduro Wild Trail 34 mm wheels with Industry Nine Hydra hubs as standard, and come with the same three options for suspension packages as the Pro builds. Here’s the pricing for the Team builds:

• Team XTR Air: $8,999
• Team XX1 AXS Air: $10,399
• Team XTR Coil: $9,199
• Team XX1 AXS Air: $10,599
• Team XTR Live: $10,699
• Team XX1 AXS Air: $12,099

These are unapologetically high-end builds, and priced as such. And while Pivot’s pricing for the Mach 6 isn’t particularly out of line with what’s on offer from other traditionally “boutique” brands (e.g. Yeti), it is notably higher than, for example, the Canyon Spectral 29 than was recently released (which we lauded for having a notably modest price for its top-tier build).

Fit and Geometry

Compared to the outgoing model, the new Mach 6 gets a dose of the longer / lower / slacker treatment, but it’s a modest one. The headtube angle is adjustable via flip chip, which lets you switch between 65.5° and 65° (from 65.8° on the V3 bike), and the reach grows between 20 and 45 mm, depending on size and flip-chip orientation. In the higher setting, the size Medium Mach 6 has a 465 mm reach (the lower setting drops it to 460 mm), compared to 440 mm on the outgoing model.

Speaking of sizing, the XL Mach 6 is no more. There are now four sizes on offer, from XS through L. The new L bike does match the old XL model in terms of reach, at 485 mm (again in the high setting) and adds a few mm of wheelbase, but very tall riders may be left wanting for a bigger option. Pivot’s recommended sizing for the L frame goes up through 6’2” (188 cm).

Pivot has steepened the seat tube angle significantly on the new Mach 6 (to 76° effective, in the high position, from 73°) and that steeper effective angle is achieved with considerably less offset at the bottom bracket — meaning that the actual seat tube angle has steepened even more, though its measurement isn’t stated. The Mach 6’s chainstays are a moderate 431 mm on all sizes, all of which adds up to a fairly middle-of-the-road wheelbase, at 1208 mm for a Medium. For reference, here’s the whole geo chart:

Perhaps the most standout line of the geometry chart is the bottom bracket height. At 353 mm in the low position, it’s notably high. For reference, that’s 10 mm higher than the Guerrilla Gravity Megatrail in that bike’s high position, and also 10 mm higher than the Nicolai G16 — both 27.5 bikes with very similar amounts of suspension travel. We’d expect that to make for a bike that’s a bit more manageable when pedaling through technical climbs, but perhaps doesn’t feel quite as adept at carving through higher-speed corners, but we’re looking forward to getting on the new Mach 6 and finding out.

The Bottom Line (For Now)

The Pivot Mach 6 is a bit of a rare breed these days — a high-end, 27.5” wheeled Trail / Enduro bike, and we’re excited to see Pivot carrying that particular torch. We’re expecting the Mach 6 to be a nimble, quick-handling ride, but are curious to see just how much it manages to blend that with high-speed stability and confidence in steep, technical terrain. It sounds like a lot of fun on the right terrain, and we’re looking forward to riding one and finding out more.

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• Rider Notes

2023 Pivot Mach 6

A 27.5″ carbon frame full suspension enduro bike with ultra high-end components.

Backcountry

Mach 6 Pro X01 Eagle Air

In Stock: LG

Competitive

Mach 6 Pro X01 Eagle Coil

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Pivot's enduro mountain bike starts to grow up with a new 29er front end, but you can still order it with 27.5" on both ends if you want.

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Jul 2021 · Tasha Thomas

This 27.5-inch wheel trail punishing bike will have wagon wheelers shaking in their boots.

Aggressive geometry

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Reliable Made in the USA I9 hubs on carbon wheel models

Super Boost Plus 157mm (SB+) provides increased rear wheel strength, side to side stiffness, and better spoke tension

High BB/high Slack champion climber

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Softer compound tires make for slower climbing

Dec 2020 · Daniel Sapp

The Mach 6 gets an update, but don't worry, those 27.5" wheels haven't gone anywhere.

Flow Tests The 2021 Pivot Mach 6 The end of the calendar year might not be the typical time to launch a new bike, but then 2020 hasn't exactly been a

Elegant and well-engineered carbon frame

Supportive and hugely tuneable suspension

Excellent cornering performance

Loves to manual, pop, jump and play on the trail

Premium no-hassle spec

Not as stable at speed as its big-wheeled siblings

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Last updated November 4 Not listed for 167 days

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Bike Test: Pivot Mach 6 Carbon

The Mach 6 is Pivot’s second-generation enduro bike, which “on paper” seems to fit comfortably somewhere between Pivot’s downhill-specific Phoenix and the cross-country Mach 429. When we tested the original Mach 6, we found it truly capable of taking down either one of those bikes. It was lightweight, had long travel and it loved to go fast. It also ticked all the necessary boxes: carbon frame, 27.5-inch wheels and enduro-ready. This is the second Mach 6 we’ve brought in for testing. While the first one impressed our testers, we wanted to see if the designers at Pivot could outdo themselves. This is the Mach 6 version 2.0 test.

WHO IS IT MADE FOR?

The Mach 6 Carbon is designed for trail riders and enduro racers who are looking to blitz the trail both up and down; however, the bike is not limited to battling the clock between the course tape. It is just as much at home underneath the ordinary rider looking for an ultra-versatile and aggressive trailbike.

WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?

Pivot went with the same “hollow box,” high-compression, internal-molding carbon manufacturing process used to make its other carbon offerings. In a nutshell, this process creates very dense and uniform frame walls (internally and externally) that can handle impacts while being both laterally stiff and lightweight. The frame features a PressFit BB92 bottom bracket, tapered head tube, redesigned internal cable routing, new Boost 148-millimeter rear-axle spacing, and rubberized leather frame protectors on the downtube, chainstay and inner seatstay.

The Mach 6 uses a dw-Link suspension design with 6.1 inches of rear-wheel travel. Impressively, Pivot was able to keep the chainstays to a very short 16.9 inches, thanks to a clever linkage design that uses an ultra-compact lower link. Along with helping to tune the suspension curve, the upper linkage design eliminates the need for the standard DU bushing and instead transfers the load to two large cartridge bearings at the seatstay junction. Pivot claims this design is especially helpful in boosting compliance in small and mid-sized hits.

WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?

The Mach 6 is available with several different build kits priced between $4700 and roughly $10,000. Our test bike came with the top-shelf SRAM XX1 build combined with Fox suspension and an upgraded DT Swiss XMC1200 carbon wheelset. It’s the type of build kit we simply can’t poke any holes in. This level of componentry keeps the weight well short of 30 pounds, which makes this great and versatile bike even better; however, we’re willing to bet that the more value-based SRAM X1 and Shimano SLX/XT kits don’t give up much performance. Bottom line: it’s the frame that stands out on this bike.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM?

Setup: The Mach 6 is a serious bike that doesn’t require serious setup time. The Float X shock uses an air spring, and Pivot throws in a helpful setup guide clipped to the shock to make finding the recommended sag a breeze. We followed the directions, set the bike to 30-percent matched sag front and rear, put the compression and rebound adjustments in the middle of their ranges and hit the trail.

Initial impressions: The Mach 6’s riding position is fairly upright, but it has a lengthy cockpit that allows for the use of a short stem without making the rider feel cramped. Our bike came with a 50-millimeter stem that will work perfectly for most riders. Riders between sizes can also lengthen the stem up to about 70 millimeters without compromising handling much.

Pedaling: The Mach 6 is not designed with efficiency as its first concern; however, Pivot has manipulated the dw-link suspension to ensure the pedal power is put to the ground. The Mach 6 has an efficient feel with a bit of natural anti-squat built in to the design. With the shock set to the “Open” setting, the bike sports a nice bit of supple travel to smooth trail chatter, yet offers solid support to keep the rider from feeling like he or she is on a hammock. In the “Trail” or “Climb” settings, the pedaling efficiency is almost cross-country firm and fast.

Climbing: The Mach 6 is no slug when it comes to climbing. It’s not the lightest bike in Pivot’s lineup, but the ultra-efficient suspension design, paired with the very stiff chassis, provides a bike that will float up any hill with a strong rider at the controls. Thanks to the lightweight build, our test bike could actually out-climb many bikes with less travel.

The low and slack geometry might seem like it would cause the bike to be a handful climbing, but this was not the case. Keeping the wheels planted on even the steepest ascents was a breeze, thanks to a weight distribution that felt just right. The suspension also helps on technical ascents, providing enough travel to keep the rubber connected to the dirt and enough support to aid pedaling.

Cornering: The long front end pairs with the short chainstays and short stem to make for a bike that rips through corners. The Mach 6 is as comfortable on a hairpin switchback as it is in a high-speed, chundery turn. The weight distribution feels spot-on, with the low bottom bracket keeping your center of gravity low as you rally though the corners. Pivot also chose Maxxis High Roller 2 tires that have a squared-off profile that makes the dry, loose over-hardpack trails we test on most frequently feel like “hero dirt.”

Descending: The efficiency and climbing prowess of the Mach 6 is impressive, but it’s the descending ability that keeps this bike in heavy rotation for the Mountain Bike Action test crew. The bike sports a lively trailbike feel, with travel and geometry more than capable of handling the steepest chutes and gnarliest lines. The Mach 6 loves to find the fastest lines on any enduro course when it’s race day. It also loves to seek out the most fun lines when the rider isn’t racing against the clock. The combination of the dialed geometry, dw-link suspension design, and top-notch Fox fork and shock make for a bike that’s chomping at the bit to be pointed downhill.

TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS

When we tested the original version of the Mach 6, our only real complaint was the cable routing. The first-generation internal routing had an exposed section above the shock that would bow as the bike went through its travel. Not only did this create an annoying ticking sound, it also put wear marks on the shock air sleeve. We’re happy to report Pivot remedied this issue by routing the cable and hoses internally farther down the top tube. Problem solved.

While the shifter and brake hose issue are resolved, we did experience noise from the internally routed dropper-post cable, which is routed through the downtube. Pivot is working on a solution for this in the form of bolt-on cable guides that will hold the cables in place. We were actually able to solve the issue by using a few wraps of electrical tape on the cable to keep it from moving.

If the carbon version of this bike is a little too rich for your blood, Pivot also offers an aluminum Mach 6 with the identical geometry and suspension kinematics. The aluminum version will save you $1100, meaning you can have a Mach 6 for as little as $3600 with the far-from-entry-level SLX/XT build kit.

BUYING ADVICE

Long-travel trailbikes have progressed leaps and bounds over the past few years, and the Mach 6 is a prime example of a bike that’s ridden that wave of innovation. With the Mach 6 , Pivot took everything we look for in a fun and aggressive trailbike and amplified it. The impressive pedaling efficiency is only eclipsed by the capable suspension and geometry. It’s every bit as versatile as a mid-travel trailbike, with extra suspension chops to make up for any mistakes you may make on the trail. When we tested the original, we said, “From this point on, any bike that claims to be the most versatile, capable and fun will have to beat the Mach 6.” The newest-generation Mach 6 improves on its predecessor. So yes, it’s even better.

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Tested: Pivot Mach 6 Carbon

The not-so-minor details.

Pivot Mach 6 Carbon

JetBlack Products

Frame price

Sram x1 build, shimano xt 1x11 build, sram xx1 build.

One of the best all-mountain bikes around. Mixes enduro race ability with trail riding efficiency. DW-Link suspension. Smooth ride.

Cable Routing. Lots of coin.

The best laid plans of mice and men. Our original plan for this gorgeous Pivot Mach 6 was to race it at the first round of this year’s EWS  series in Rotorua; we had the frame kitted out with Shimano’s finest, we’d done the training, we’d colour matched our gloves and helmet… but it wasn’t to be.

Some rather ordinary riding during the very first day of practice led to a free trip in an ambulance to rotorua er, a busted wrist, wounded pride and the world’s cheapest paracetamol..

Riders will need to be careful to ensure cables and carbon do not meet.

Riders will be divided about water bottle mount placement under the downtube. You can run a bottle, but expect a mouth full of grit, otherwise use a pack, which is what most riders will do. Geometry: Pivot have taken an approach to the Mach 6’s geometry that is not common in mountain biking – the head angle of their frame actually varies across the frame sizes, getting steeper in the bigger sizes. Our large test bike has a 66.25 degree head angle, while the seat tube is a very relaxed 72.3 degrees, a couple of degrees slacker than many bikes in this category. We needed to shunt the seat rails right forward in the post clamp to get a comfy climbing position.

At 607mm, the top tube length is shorter than the most recent crop of bikes in this category. By way of comparison the Giant Reign measures up a full 33mm longer, the Norco Range 13mm longer.

All these figures paint the picture of a bike that is much more of an all-round trail machine than an hell for leather Enduro descending machine. Suspension: This is an area where Pivots have always shone, and the Mach 6 doesn’t so much react to the terrain as float above it.

The DW Link system found on the Mach 6 is used on all Pivot dual suspension bikes, and its hallmark pedalling efficiency really shines in a longer travel application like this.

The way the suspension is configured, it stays lively and light, not simply steamrolling the trail.

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Team Tested: The Pivot Mach 6 Carbon Review

Last year the cult brand PIVOT Cycles from Arizona presented their Enduro flagship for the 2014 season, the Mach 6 Carbon. A high-quality carbon frame paired with 27.5″ wheels and 155mm of travel promises a lot of fun! Would the Mach 6 impress us on the trails, find out here.

In July last year, after a two-year development phase, Pivot founder Chris Cocalis presented the Pivot Mach 6 carbon. The heart of the frame is the DW-link suspension concept. It combines good response in the downhill, with high efficiency on the climbs. With the Mach 6 the suspension offers 155mm of travel. Already on paper it becomes clear that the Pivot Mach 6 is not a thoroughbred race bike, but a bike for maximum fun on the trail. This is evidenced by the relatively short reach (415mm)for a size large, which in combination with the short 430mm chainstays results in a short wheelbase (1154mm). Agile handling should therefore be guaranteed.

The frame convinced us with an extremely high quality workmanship and lots of small, thoughtful details, such as the integrated downtube- and chainstay protector made ​​of carbon, and the SAG-Indicator on the shock, which simplifies the setup of the bike.

We had one criticism, the untidy-looking cable routing, which in combination with the missing chain guide result in a high noise level over rough ground.

The Pivot Mach 6 Carbon Build

Pivot offers the Mach 6 in seven different spec versions and as frameset (incl. Damper) for a price of €3,300. The model we tested comes closest to the model Mach 6 Carbon XT / XTR PRO (€6,710). But, our test model had some different parts to the standard bike. These included the ZTR Flow wheels and the Kind Shock LEV telescopic seatpost. In addition, we changed the mounted Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires for some Onza Ibex and the 80mm FSA SLK stem for a 60mm Race Face model.

The Handling of the Pivot Mach 6 Carbon

Enough with the theory: How does the Pivot Mach 6 carbon perform on the trail? Once you sit on the bike you immediately recognize the above mentioned short Rreach. As a 180cm tall rider the position is compact on the Mach 6 carbon in size L. Despite this rather relaxed seating position the bike accelerate very well.

With the Fox Float X shock in the open mode, you can still feel that the bike does not eliminate pedal feedback efficiently, but this ends when the climb mode is engaged. The rear offers a great combination of lots of efficiency, with very high levels of traction​​. In steep technical climbs the rear wheel always has sufficient grip, when it gets really steep the rider has to move forward on the saddle to prevent a rise of the front wheel.

In the downhill sections the Mach 6 shows what it is made for. The rear suspension in combination with the Fox Float X shock is sensitive over even the smallest bumps, and provides a lot of support in the middle range of suspension. Thus it feels like way more than the official 155mm of travel. The suspension always gives good feedback from the ground and despite to the plush response, encourages a very active riding style. Whether if you like to jump over the root section, or hit it with full throttle, the rear works perfectly in both cases – respect!

The compact geometry is also reflected in downhill ability. The handling of the Pivot Mach 6 can best be described as agile and playful. The bike masters tight successive curves with brilliant ease. If the trail gets more open, rougher and the speeds get higher, the bike acts slightly nervously. Racers want more smoothness on the hunt for seconds.

Thanks to the relatively high front, the slack head angle and low standover height, the Mach 6 handles very confidently, even on steep terrain. The Fox 34 fork stands high in its travel and keeps the geometry of the bike stable and balanced.

Conclusion:

Anyone who is looking for an agile bike with top suspension, will find one with the Pivot Mach 6 carbon, a sweet ride! The American bike convinced with very good handling, superb suspension and fine workmanship. It is just perfect for the funny Trail Tour with friends. On the other hand racers may wish for slacker and longer geometry. But the high build quality has its price: €3.300 for the frameset (incl. shock) or €6,710 for the model which we had tested, are far from being a bargain.

For more information visit: www.pivotcycles.com

Words: Christoph Bayer Picturs: Vinzenz Bader / Christoph Bayer

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Pivot Mach 6 Carbon - Reviewed

Cool Features

Fully Loaded - Pivot's All-New Mach 6 9

Pivot's revised 27.5 enduro machine comes in a staggering 14 different build options..

B ike park ripper? Backcountry fun hog? Enduro all-star? Yes. Yes. And yes. Dressed to kill and ready to party, the new Mach 6 is a shot of backcountry adrenaline, a bike park dream ride and a lively handling enduro weapon, all rolled into a single high-performance package.

Pivot is pulling back the curtains today on the freshly redesigned Mach 6. Right out of the gate, you’ll notice it has 27.5-inch wheels. Why? Because 27.5-inch wheels, when incorporated into a bicycle designed to capitalize on their potential, are more fun. The Mach 6 is a serious enduro race weapon and a totally capable backcountry tool, but above all else, it’s a whole lotta fun. We optimized our renowned Hollow Core carbon frame construction to provide unparalleled strength with just the right amount of ride stiffness, refined the geometry to deliver a playful yet planted ride, and tweaked the kinematics of our dw-link suspension to make the most of the wheel size while yielding 158mm of the plushest, most capable travel you’ll find anywhere.

Says Pivot Founder Chris Cocalis, “Everyone knows that 27.5-inch wheels are more fun, and the new Mach 6 pegs the fun meter at a new level. We don’t just spend our days slaving away designing bikes so our World Cup riders can set their fastest time (although we do a lot of that). More often than not, we’re looking for bikes to make us feel like superheroes and put the biggest smile on our faces. The Mach 6 does that and then some, making it my new favorite bike. The Mach 6 is fundamentally designed to be super fun and poppy, giving everyone the magic carpet ride with maximum performance and maximum fun.”

Every Mach 6 build option is biased toward getting loose and going hard, but also making sure that your bike stays in one piece while you test your limits. Our Race level builds pair supremely durable Marzocchi Bomber coil shocks with Bomber Z1 air forks. Pro and Team builds feature FOX DHX2 coil shocks and FOX 38 GRIP2 forks; ideal setups for attacking technical terrain and banging out big days at the park. And for riders seeking to balance out the adrenaline surge with equal amounts of sweat equity, we offer FOX Live Valve suspension on our lightweight Air builds for unmatched climbing performance and all-conditions trail composure.

The new Mach 6 uses a Phoenix DH inspired longer dw-link to maximize the rearward wheel-path for erasing square edge bumps and maximizing control. Pivot gave the Mach 6 158mm rear suspension travel and its revised, vertically mounted trunnion shock. Up front is 160mm travel for unrivaled suspension performance.

Dig into details with Pivot's tech talk.

Say hello to aggressive geometry for the ultimate in all-mountain, enduro, bike park and extreme trail performance.

Pivot’s full carbon frame feature size-specific ride tuning, leading edge carbon fiber materials and Pivot’s proprietary hollow core molding technology to ensure that every rider from 4-foot 10-inches to 6-foot 2-inches has a bike that feels perfect and performs at the optimum level for their size.

The Mach 6 fits tires up to 27.5x2.6-inch wide and comes stock with Maxxis Assegai 2.5-inch tires front and rear.

Pivot Tool Dock system compatible with mounts under the top tube and integrated into underside of the frame.

Race Build Options

Pro Build Options

Team Build Options

Head to Pivotcycles.com for more information.

View specs, compare bikes, and rate the  Pivot Mach 6  in the Vital MTB Product Guide.

View replies to: Fully Loaded - Pivot's All-New Mach 6

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PIVOT CYCLES 27.5 MACH 6 AND SHADOWCAT

More than fun.

Words by Drew Rohde | Photos by Max Rhulen Video by Brian Niles/Treeline Cinematics

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Typically, Loam Wolf Dissected features showcase our take on the newest tech and latest releases in the bike industry, but in this installment, we’ll be taking a closer look at two mountain bikes that have been out in the wild but had eluded us until now. Today we’ll be dissecting the 27.5-inch wheeled Pivot Mach 6 and Pivot Shadowcat bikes and the intended riders who may benefit from these slightly anti-trendy bikes. Pivot Cycles offers plenty of purpose-built race bikes, but that is not what these 27.5-inch wheeled models are about. Instead, these bikes are designed for fun, nimbleness and in some scenarios, being faster than their wagon-wheeled siblings. Make no mistake though, these bikes ooze every bit of refinement and steeze as their 29er counterparts, they just like to roll up their sleeves and party a bit more.

For many riders, it may feel weird to ‘revert’ back to a 27.5-inch wheeled bike after being sold on the benefits, speed, and capabilities of larger 29-inch wheeled mountain bikes, us included. So, when Pivot asked, “What do Loam Wolf readers think about 27.5 bikes?” We replied with a let’s find out , sort of attitude! And while we haven’t found out what our readers think just yet, the experience thus far has certainly changed what we think about 27.5 bikes. Before we get too deep into that, let’s learn about these two bikes.

PIVOT MACH 6

Pivot shadowcat, their similarities.

Pivot’s exclusive on-the-bike tool mounting system has multiple options depending on what you prioritize for on-bike-essentials. It was developed with Topeak and allows users to store tools, flat repair items or anything else that fits in the Dock Mountainbox or Toolbox containers. The system does mount to a standard bottle cage boss too, for consumers looking for a neat method of external frame storage.

Although both bikes sit in different categories thanks to travel and geometry, the two models share quite a few features along with that Pivot Cycles DNA. The Pivot Shadowcat is a 140mm rear travel trail shredder with a 160mm 36 fork while the Mach 6 is a 158mm/160mm bike park or backcountry machine with a burlier frame, a 38mm fork chassis, and a penchant for going downhill fast. What carries over is Pivot’s use of the DW-Link suspension platform; premium Hollow Core carbon frame construction; the Tool Dock system; full-length guided internal routing, and size-specific design and Pivot’s carbon ride tuning construction.

SIZE-SPECIFIC DESIGN AND RIDE TUNE

While Pivot isn’t alone in offering size-specific geometry on their bikes, something they offer that is a bit less common is Pivot’s Ride Tune carbon construction process. Each size frame receives independent strength (and stiffness) to weight analysis, so that the ride performance and quality will be even across a wide range of sizes. In short, a rider who’s 5’2 and weighs 130lbs won’t be rattled off the trail with the same carbon layup and thicknesses used to create an XL size bike designed to handle the loads of a 6’3 210lb rider. This is a neat process, and as riders who appreciate a comfortable and compliant ride with optimally placed stiffness, we give Pivot thumbs up for that endeavor and would love to see more companies follow.

PIVOT MACH 6 GEO

160mm Fork | Low-Position

PIVOT SHADOWCAT GEO

Looking at the geometry of both the Pivot Shadowcat and Mach 6, you begin to see the differences and where the bikes are designed to thrive. When you look at numbers like bottom bracket drop, chainstay length and overall wheelbase of the bikes, it’s easier to see why these bikes are so much livelier on the trail.

B I K E    I N T E N T I O N S

Many would consider the Shadowcat the 27.5 version of the crowd-pleasing Pivot Switchblade, and before we sat down to talk with Pivot’s team to learn more about these bikes, we did too. I was surprised to learn that the Shadowcat was in fact, more of a replacement to the top-selling Mach 5.5. Pivot’s Shadowcat is a 140/160mm trail bike with a frame weight that’s lighter than the Trail 429 and only 45grams heavier than the impressively light Mach 4SL. So, don’t think that just ‘cuz this bike doesn’t have 29-inch wheels that it can’t hang on the climbs or XC loops. It is an absolute rocket ship to accelerate and snap around corners. Pivot tuned the DW-Link platform to have position-sensitive anti-squat to ensure the performance is there when you need it, but the progressivity and suppleness are on tap for the bumps.

Accoesing to Pivot, the Mach 6 is at home “From peak to park,” and from our limited time aboard it so far, that seems to be the case. More of a direct translation to 27.5 than the Shadowcat, the Mach 6 takes strong queues from the Pivot Firebird but makes it a more well-rounded and fun-ready mountain bike. The Firebird is a bike that has had some great results on the track but has also been a handful for mere mortals to handle on their local terrain. It’s a beast with very specific intentions and if you’re not riding in that mindset or terrain, it could bite you. The Mach 6 is the bike for everyone else.

With smaller wheels, a shorter wheelbase and a livelier and in-control feel, the Pivot Mach 6 is absolutely the bike for the riders who prioritize fun and want the confidence and speed a longer travel bike affords. The Mach 6 uses a longer, Phoenix DH-inspired DW-Link to maximize the rearward wheel path for increased roll-over performance and composure. Of course, being that it is a DW-equipped Pivot, you know it’s going to pedal well too, so riders who are looking for more than just a playful enduro bike will enjoy finding the techy grinds back to the top a little less brutal.

“Not only is 27.5 not dead,

It may be making a comeback”, the wolf’s first impression.

If we’re being totally honest, before we were asked by Pivot if we wanted to try some 27.5 bikes out, we didn’t really have any interest in riding smaller wheeled bikes. Sure, we like Mullet setups on our eMTBs and some DH bikes, but at this point we believed that 29ers had gotten so good that we would never want to give up that speed and efficiency through the rough. We also didn’t really think that there would that big of a difference in how the bikes would handle or accelerate, and we certainly didn’t think there’d be gains made to the climbing performance by going down in wheel size. Alas, we were wrong, at least in some instances. And, while our Dissected features are far from product reviews, what we did quickly realize is that it’s been too long since we’ve ridden a 27.5” bike, because hot damn are they a lot of fun! On top of that, the acceleration and climbing power on technical climbs was noticeable in a way we didn’t think would be.

Now, we’re not saying we’re gonna sell all our 29ers and make the switch, but so far, we’re definitely excited to spend more time on these bikes and enjoy all the smiles they bring. What has stood out so far is the ability to accelerate the bike in climbing scenarios, whether it’s between ledges and steps up in terrain or out of a corner to build up momentum for a feature, both of our riders dismissed how big of a difference it would be to “spin up” those smaller wheels, but it was one of the easiest things to decipher on the trail. Other big standouts were clearance over the bike and tires for playing around on the bike or moving the bike in weird ways beneath us. Whether it was styling a jump, tire taps or any other creative jib, the smaller wheelsize makes direction changes (on or off the ground) much snappier. Finally, we noticed increased speeds when it came to riding old-school trails, you know, the type where modern bikes and riders say, “There’s no flow on the trail.” Flat, awkward corners and switchbacks that were made decades ago by animals or hikers who didn’t know 63-degree head tube angles and 495mm reaches were optimal for MTB performance became a lot more fun! Instead of coming to near stops we were able to drop the outside foot and exit those corners with speed and a smile.

Over the next few months we’ll continue to put time aboard Pivot’s 27.5 bikes as we work on a long-term review focused more on the performance of the particular model, how they stack up to the field and what we think of them individually, but at this point, we can walk away from this experience saying, not only is 27.5 not dead, it may be making a comeback!

Put-in tours

Original tour agency in moscow and st petersburg..

Onboard a Soviet van!

Welcome to Russia!

We are Sergey and Simon, a Russian and a Frenchman, both  passionate about Moscow, Saint-Petersburg and classic cars. Together, we have created Put-in tours. Our goal is to help you experience Russian culture off the beaten path. Join us onboard our classic Soviet van and let’s get rolling!

In Moscow we offer you a city tour to discover most of the city in an original way as well as a night tour to admire the lights. Our pubcrawl is ideal to explore Moscow’s night-life and have fun. If you are craving to discover Russian culture, come impress your senses during our monastery diner or join our 100% Russian Banya Excursion . The latest will also bring you to Sergiyev Posad and it’s famous monastery!

For the most extreme travellers, our shooting tour will deliver your daily dose of adrenaline whereas our tank excursion will let you ride a real tank and shoot a bazooka.

We also offer help to receive your visa , safe and multilingual airport transfers , as well as organisation services for team-building events or bachelor parties .

All our excursions (but the monastery diner) happen onboard our Soviet military vans and can be covered by our  professionnal photographer or videographer.

In Saint Petersburg

We welcome you in Saint Petersburg onboard our Soviet van to discover the imperial city with our city tour and night tour .

Continue your discovery in style! The adrenaline lovers will like our shooting tour  which brings 3 Russian weapons to the tip of your trigger finger.

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At Put-in tours, we put you in our classic Soviet vans to go explore Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Russian culture off the beaten path. Discover our Moscow city guided tour, visit Moscow by night, join our banya & Sergiyev Posad excursion, visit and dine in one of Moscow's oldest monastery or even Luzhniki stadium, before you party on our famous pubcrawl! Original and atypical tours : Shoot AK47 and a bazooka after riding on a tank with our tank & bazooka excursion ! Extreme tours: Fly a fighter jet in Moscow onboard a L-29 or L-39 aircraft!

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Moscow Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + More [2023]

· everything to know about visiting moscow, including the best things to do and how to get around. ·.

Moscow is Russia’s vibrant capital city, and it also happens to be the largest city in all of Europe. The city’s long and infamous history makes it one of the most unique places we have ever visited.

The architecture ranges from centuries-old palaces to uniform, gray concrete buildings. The people range from cold and private to warm and welcoming. Moscow is a city is strong juxtapositions, and we learned a lot during our time there.

This post will break down all you need to know about visiting Moscow, including the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

The Best Things to Do in Moscow

1. explore the red square.

The Red Square is the heart of Moscow. Most of the city’s top attractions can be found here, including just about everything on this list. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are all located here, and the State Historical Museum and GUM are not far from here, either.

The Red Square is a common home for parades, protests, and seasonal celebrations. There are massive Christmas celebrations here, with food vendors and carnival rides set up in numbers.

2. Check Out the Ziferblat

The Ziferblat is a café in Moscow that is unlike any café we have ever been to. While most cafes charge you for your drinks and food, the Ziferblat charges you for your time.

Upon arrival, you are given a clock. When you leave, the barista calculates how much time you spent in the café and charges you accordingly. This concept was created to help visitors to be more intentional with their time, and the cafe itself is incredibly charming.

For a detailed look at everything you need to know before you visit, make sure you read my post about visiting the Ziferblat Cafe in Moscow .

3. Marvel at St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in the world, and it was the single thing we were most excited to see while in Moscow. Built almost 500 years ago, St. Basil’s Cathedral is recognized by its colorful domes and whimsical style. The church is of the Russian Orthodox faith, and the inside is just as wondrous as the outside.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the edge of the Red Square, making it incredibly convenient to visit. Entrance for non-worshippers costs 800 rubles, and tickets can be bought at the church

4. Explore the Kremlin

The Kremlin is the largest active fortress in Europe, and it is the site of most of Russia’s government affairs. In addition to government buildings, the Kremlin Complex is filled with courtyards, towers, and museums that are open to the public. If you have the time, you could spend a couple of days fully exploring all that there is to see in the Kremlin.

5. Walk Through Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin is one of the most important figures in Russian history, and his body is located perfectly embalmed in a mausoleum in the Red Square. The Mausoleum is open to the public to visit, and as long as you are willing to go through a few security checks, it is easily one of the best things to do in Moscow. Its convenient location in the Red Square makes it a can’t miss attraction.

There is absolutely no photography allowed inside the Mausoleum. Do not test this rule.

6. Wander Along Arbat Street

The Arbat is a very popular street in Moscow that is lined with stores, cafes, and other touristy attractions. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating back to the 1400s. This street is both quaint and trendy, and there are many walking tours that introduce tourists to the neighborhood’s wonders and highlights.

7. Catch a Show at the Bolshoi Theatre

As a lover of the arts, it is hard to think of Moscow and not think of ballet. Russia has always been a top dog in the world of fine arts, and Bolshoi Theater is one of the best places to catch a performance. We were lucky enough to attend an Opera here, and it is a venue that you don’t want to miss out on if you enjoy opera, ballet, or orchestral performances.

8. Visit the State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is one of the most respected museums in Moscow. Despite its name, it is not really focused on the history of Russia as a nation. Rather, it contains a collection of artifacts from all throughout Russia’s history.

The museum’s collection is very broad in nature. It houses some items from indigenous tribes that used to occupy the region, pieces collected by the Romanov family, and more.

9. Wander Around GUM

GUM is an absolutely massive mall within walking distance of the Red Square. It isn’t just the size that draws visitors here; it’s the sense of luxury. The mall is so beautiful inside, much like the metro stations.

While visiting a mall might not sound like it belongs on a bucket list, this mall does. You will not want to miss out on visiting GUM while in Moscow.

10. Admire the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

While St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most iconic church in Moscow, it isn’t the only one. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absolutely stunning, with massive golden domes. It is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, and it is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow.

It is located just about a mile from the Red Square, just south of the Kremlin Complex. You can walk to it from the Red Square in about 20 minutes.

How to Get to Moscow

Flying to moscow.

Moscow has three major international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO) , Domodedovo (DMO) , and Vnukovo (VKO) . All three of them are directly connected to downtown Moscow by the Aeroexpress trains, which leave every 30 minutes throughout the day. By Aeroexpress train, you can expect to get to the city center in 25-45 minutes depending on the airport that you fly into.

Sheremetyevo is the biggest and busiest of the three airports, and it is the one you are most likely to fly into – especially if you are coming from outside of Europe or the Caucus region. We flew into Sheremetyevo on a direct flight from New York City.

I usually provide backup airport options, because flying right into the city isn’t always the cheapest way to get where you’re going. Unfortunately, when it comes to Moscow, don’t really have a choice other than to fly right into Moscow. It is a very remote city, and it is usually the cheapest place to fly into in Russia as a whole.

Since Sheremetyevo is so busy, you will probably find a great flight option anyway. I wrote in  my post about finding cheap flights  that using hub airports will lead to more affordable airfare, and the same logic applies here. Even though Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, is no longer a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Moscow is still a major hub connecting passengers from all over the world.

READ OUR CHEAT SHEET

Train or Bus to Moscow

Trains and buses are one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. However, they’re of very little use when you’re trying to get to Moscow.

Moscow is hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities. The only major European city that can even be reached within 8 hours on the ground is St. Petersburg, and even the Baltic capitals of Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn are over 12 hours away.

If you want to get to Moscow, the best option is almost always to fly. While the train routes to Moscow are scenic, they simply take forever.

How to Get Around Moscow

METRO | TROLLEYS | TRAMS | BUSES

Moscow has one of the most memorable metro systems in the world. Its metro lines are very deep underground, and the stations are absolutely stunning. Each station has its own unique style, but all of them contain escalators that seem to go on forever.

The system was built in an effort to showcase the power of the Soviet Union and its bright future. The plans were a form of propaganda, but they resulted in what is still one of the most visually appealing subway systems on earth.

Moscow’s metro system isn’t just pretty. It is also very useful and accessible. The system has 17 lines that connect the city and its surrounding area.

But wait; there’s more!

The Moscow metro system is also incredibly affordable, with each ride costing less than a dollar. The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow, as it is almost impossible to beat the connection times and the low cost to ride.

Tickets can be bought at electronic, English-speaking kiosks in stations, or directly from ticket counters at certain larger stations. There are also day passes available, which are a very solid option if you plan on riding the metro several times per day.

The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow.

In addition to the metro system, Moscow also has a network of buses, trams, and trolleys. This system is nowhere near as convenient or well-connected as the metro, though, and is likely of little use to you during your trip. There is no Uber in Moscow, but a similar app named Yandex is available if you need a ride in a pinch.

How Many Days Do You Need in Moscow?

Moscow is the biggest city in all of Europe, and it is absolutely loaded with things to do. You could spend weeks in Moscow and still find new things to do. Of course, most travelers don’t have that kind of time to spend in one place!

I recommend spending no less than three full days in Moscow, and ideally closer to five or seven.

Moscow is very spread out, and it can take some time to get from one major point to another. There are also so many places that are nice to just sit back and relax, which is hard to do when you’re in a hurry trying to cram activities into just a few days.

If you only have a week to visit Russia, I’d advise spending all of the time in one city. If you decide to split your time between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I recommend not trying to squeeze in any day trips beyond those two cities.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Moscow?

There are two different ways to approach this question. Personally, I think the best time to visit Moscow is around Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the weather will be absolutely freezing, Moscow is a surreal winter wonderland in December and January.

We were in Moscow right before Christmas. While it was very cold, you can always bundle up. Exploring the Christmas markets and pop-up ice skating rinks throughout Moscow is one of my favorite memories from anywhere I’ve traveled, and I dream of going back to do it again.

If you aren’t fond of the cold, Moscow is beautiful in the summer. It tends to get pretty cold in the shoulder seasons, so if you want warm weather, you should plan to visit in the summer. Moscow actually gets pretty warm in July and August, and there are a bunch of fantastic places to soak up the sun within the city.

The best time to visit Moscow is either around Christmas or from late May to August.

Is Moscow Safe to Visit?

While Moscow is a truly wonderful city, there’s no denying that visiting Russia comes with risks. As the country is run by an infamous communist dictator, concerns about visiting are valid. While we didn’t experience any sort of threat or negative treatment during our time in Moscow, we visited in a peaceful time.

In our experience, Russia doesn’t seem to detain normal Americans or Westerners to use as pawns. As a regular person, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, there is a slim chance you will run into any issues. However, Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

To make matters worse, Russia has a bad reputation for gang violence. While the Russian mafia has very little interest in normal Western tourists, they won’t hesitate to pick a fight with anyone who ventures into their sphere of influence. If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

Finally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, things are all very different. Russia is currently at war, and there are battles raging within 8 hours of Moscow. While it is still relatively safe to visit, that could change at any time as the war with Ukraine continues.

Is Moscow Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt, Moscow is worth visiting. It is one of the most unique major cities we have ever visited, and we hope to make it back one day. The Russian Orthodox churches are stunning, the city’s history is unlike any other, and the food is to die for.

While many visitors prefer St. Petersburg to Moscow, I think Moscow deserves a lot of hype of its own. Moscow is the beating heart of Russian culture and history, and it’s a place I highly recommend checking out if you have the chance.

That’s all we have for you about Moscow! I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Russia’s capital.

Have you been to Moscow? Or is this your first time visiting? Comment below if you have anything to add to our travel guide!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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