The bigger picture here is that even though we found flex in the system and had to adjust the shock to get more support to alleviate the rearward bias, the Firebird moved through rough terrain rapidly. Like really rapidly. Yet it’s the low fatigue levels on the Firebird that are remarkable, so even though we had what might be considered negative sensations the ride comfort back to back with other 170mm bikes was markedly better. How much this has to do with the frame, versus the wheels, or indeed the materials we’ll never now. All I can say is it works.

The speed of this bike across the ground is phenomenal. In corners, pushing through breakers, popping off lips, gripping cambers, this bike is superb. That’s two big words in two sentences. But phenomenal and superb is what this bike is.

On paper the bottom bracket is a shade too high, but at 170mm travel its easy to run a bit more sag and get away with it. However, compared to the Radon Swoop it has not quite got the rip roaring stability in corners, but everywhere else, in headtube angle, wheelbase and reach this bike is thoroughly up to date and on the money. Oh shit yes, the money. £3300 for the frame and less than £8K for the complete is about right for a non-direct sales full carbon bike.

So there you have it the most uncomprehensive bike review ever. And the reason for this is that we reckon this could well be favourite for 2017 and that we’ll be spending more time on it as a reference point to other similar bikes. So even though we never talked about the bars or the gears or the tyres or grips so what… we love it and consider it to be the leading carbon 170mm travel bike at the moment. Its also nice to ride a bike in large and know there’s one more size in the tank for riders over 6 foot. We look forward to some extended time on it with different wheels and against our top ali’ 170mm bike, the Radon Swoop.

In the meantime if 170mm carbon is on your shopping list do not hesitate for one minute.

SECOND OPINION. BY IEUAN WILLIAMS

Prom queen looks and street fighter capability the Pivot Firebird shocked me on many levels.
For the first time in a long while here’s a bike that looks that delivers a ride as good as its looks. From the first run there was no doubt that this bike was built for one thing and that’s going fast everywhere. And remember this is a 170mm travel bike that weights in around 30lb. Mental.

The DW link suspension platform worked a peach complimented by the Fox X2 damper delivering a planted yet playful ride with a silence only broken by the freewheel.

There is some flex in the rear end mostly from Reynolds wheels due to the spoke lace up to give more compliance on the carbon rim. It certainly reduced the amount of fatigue and when coupled together with the insane Maxxis Minion Wide Track 2.5 tyres the grip was almost endless. Take into account I’m 12 stone so it could be an issue if you are 15.

After only two runs on the Firebird I decided to race it the following day and managed second at an extreme enduro on what can only be described as ‘proper tracks.’ There is a serious bike here under all the face paint and carbon.

No bike is perfect though and the 30 tooth chainring on a SRAM Eagle setup it’s just pointless, you will spend most of the time in the bottom third of the cassette, it needs 32T at least but a 34 would be optimum. We also look forward to testing the durability of the bearings over winter.

As a round up then is the Pivot worth the bread and butter? Totally. Yes seven thousand pounds is a massive sum of money but man you are getting a great bike here. A boutique bike that works for a change. Nice.