FIREBIRD

To ensure the best sizing, we recommend that you visit your local Pivot dealer to get a professional fit and refer to our geometry chart to check your measurements. However, we can provide a rough guideline. These recommendations are based on our experience, athlete preference and customer feedback:

Small: 5‘2“ – 5‘8“

Medium: 5‘9“ – 6‘

Large: 6‘ – 6‘4‘

 X-Large: 6‘3“ – 6’9”

 We suggest that you pick your Firebird size based on your riding style. The Firebird features very progressive long reach geome- try with both short seat tube and head tube measurements per size – this geometry means that most riders can go up or down a size and should base their choice on riding-style, reach and stem length preferences. Be sure to also consult our dropper post fit guide when making your selection.

We make it easy to get the best ride out of your Pivot bike with a simple sag indicator already installed on your shock, and this follow-along video featuring our own Bernard Kerr: https://vimeo.com/pivotcycles/sag

Then refer to our suspension setup guide, found in Tech Specs, for our recommended settings for your compression and re- bound adjustments. Firebird builds with coil-over shocks do not have sag indicators. Refer to our suspension setup guide, found in Tech Specs, on how to measure sag for coil shocks.

The flip chip is a simple way to adjust the geometry on your Firebird. It allows you to either adjust the geometry for different trail conditions (using 29” wheels) or can allow for the use of 27.5” wheels and a 27.5” rear/29” front mixed wheel setup as well. The chip comes set up in the low BB setting. This is perfect for riding fast, technical and steep terrain. However, if your pre- ference is for a little more crank clearance and slightly quicker handling for tighter terrain with more climbing and/or roots and rocks, you may prefer the high BB setting. The high BB setting will raise the bottom bracket and steepen the head angle by 1⁄2 degree giving the bike faster turn in. The high setting is also a great starting point for running a 27.5” rear/29” front mixed wheel setups. Additionally, if you want to run 27.5” wheels, you would also need to run the bike in the High BB setting combined with our 17mm extended headset cup (more on that below). The combination of the higher BB setting and the taller cup allow the smaller diameter wheels to be used while maintaining the same geometry and a slightly lower BB height to the bike set up with 29” wheels.

The Firebird’s flip chip geometry adjustment system is super easy to use. Simply loosen using a 6mm hex wrench (these are reverse, so you need to turn the wrench to the right to loosen). Partially back out the bolts – there is no need to completely remove the bolts. Then pull the chips out and rotate them to your desired position, tighten the bolts to 35 Nm and enjoy your bike’s new handling and feel. Please see the geometry chart for the numbers associated with the different settings. 

No, all sizes of the Firebird use the same rear triangle design. The adjustments to chainstay length and pivot location optimization for each size are all handled in the front triangle so changing a rear triangle from one size bike to another will not result in any changes to the geometry or overall chainstay length.  

The Firebird can run 29“ tires up to 2.6“ and Maxxis 27.5′′ tires up to 2.8′′ inches on 40 mm (inner)rims. 

Yes, the Firebird can run 27.5” wheels in the high setting and using our 17mm extended cup. If you are running 2.4”-2.5” Maxxis tires, the BB will be lower compared to the set up with 29” wheels which may be perfect for riders looking for additional standover. If you are running 2.6”-2.8” (Maxxis) tires on wider rims, then the BB height will be similar to running the bike with 29” wheels. For other tires in the market, most will fit, but rim width and tire manufacture sizing call outs and tire inconsistency can result in huge difference among both tire brands and individual tires. We suggest you check the fit with your chosen rim and tire combination to make sure it has proper clearance before riding if you choose to use something that is not our standard specification.

The 27.5” wheels with Maxxis 2.8” tires have a smaller diameter than the 29” wheels with 2.4” and 2.5” wide trail tires used on the Firebird. This difference results in a lower bottom bracket height when running 27.5” wheels. To adjust the BB height, the Firebird comes with a flip-chip upper link mount with high and low settings. Pivot also sells an optional 17mm lower headset cup that when used in conjunction with the high flip chip setting brings the bottom bracket back to the same height as when using 29er wheels in the low chip setting. Some riders will just leave the 17mm cup regardless of the wheel size. Please note that we ship all complete bikes with enough spacers to allow for the addition of a 17mm cup. If the fork is pre-cut for the zero-stack cup and additional spacers are not installed, you will not have a long enough fork steer tube to run the 17mm cup option.

The Firebird uses a ZS (zero stack) 49.6mm top and can also accept a standard 1.5 external top cup. The lower (bottom) cup is a (zero stack) 56mm size. If you are running the zero stack option on the bottom (instead of Pivot’s extended cup) then a Chris King Inset 2 is compatible. If you are running the 17mm lower cup then it needs to be run in conjunction with the Pivot headset. You cannot press another brand of zero stack headset into the 17mm cup as the 17mm cup is the lower headset cup.

Yes, you can mount a water bottle cage inside the front triangle and put a large water bottle in it on all sizes - even the Small. There is also an additional water bottle cage mount under the base of the downtube for a second bottle for long rides, or a great location for a Pivot Dock Tool.  

Yes. The Firebird features ISCG05 mounts on the frame and all Firebirds from Pivot come with a front chainguide. Most upper guides on the market will fit but compatibility is dependent on the Q factor of the crank. Narrow 168mm Q Factor cranks will have clearance issues with some of the more popular guides on the market. 

The Firebird is built with 203mm rotors front and rear. The Firebird will fit a 180mm rotor without an adapter. 

The Firebird was designed for a 170mm travel fork. We use a 170mm fork in all our complete bike builds. The maximum travel length that can be used on the Firebird is 180mm travel.

No. Although the Firebird is a longer travel bike capable descending the steepest and roughest trails, it is only designed for use with single crown forks.

44mm

Yes, the Firebird features a rising-rate design that functions well with coil-over shocks. Pivot offers a range of Firebird builds that come stock with a coil-over shock. We recommend and spec Fox DHX2 for their best in class performance, reliability, and adjustability.

The following sizes come with these spring rates standard: Small: 400 lb. Medium: 450lb. Large: 500lb. XL: 550lb.

Standard spec springs cover the average rider weight for the frame size but some riders may need a lighter or heaver spring to achieve the recommended 30% sag. Listed below are the recommended spring rates based on rider weight as well as coil length and spring stroke specifications for the spring required to run on FOX shocks used on the Firebird. Refer to our suspension setup guide for how to set sag.

The Firebird’s metric shock has a trunnion style upper mount, 205mm eye-to-eye length, and 65mm stroke. 

The Firebird shock uses M8 through bolt hardware on the bottom mount. Shock spacer dimensions are 30mm wide on the bottom mount. We typically run medium valving on the com- pression side (depending on rider weight) and medium rebound damping.

While we wish we could, we can’t test every shock on the market and therefore we cannot guarantee that they will all fit our frames. If you decide to use a different shock than the original specification, please ensure that you have proper clearance as it moves through the travel as well as the appropriate amount of damping and bottom out control. Frame damage caused by an unsupported model or brand of suspension will not be warrantable. 

Larger volume spacers will resist bottoming, allow the bike to ride higher in the stroke and generally make the bike feel more “poppy”. If a rider is not getting full stroke or they feel that the bike is riding too high in its stroke, even with sag set properly, then they should go to a smaller volume spacer.   

The Firebird builds with a Float X shock use a .4 cu in volume spacer. The Firebird’s Float X will fit volume spacers from 0.1 - 0.8cu in in 0.1cu inch increments. The Float X uses a primary volume spacer that comes in 0.2cu inch increments like normal, and you can also “piggyback” a small 0.1cu in spacer to make smaller adjustments. The shock can handle larger spacers for a more progressive feel or smaller spacers for a more linear feel. For a more linear feel, a .2-.3 cu in volume spacer can be installed. For a more progressive feel, a .5-.6 cu in volume spacer can be installed. Please see the chart below for spacer P/N’s.  

The Firebird X2 shock comes without any volume spacers installed. The X2 uses 0.25 cu in volume spacers. The maximum number of volume spacer that can be run in this shock are 2. The spring curve of the Firebird is progressive, but you want an even more progressive end stroke you can and up to 2 volume spacers. Please see the chart below for spacer P/N’s.  

The Firebird LIVE shock uses a .2 cu in volume spacer. The maxium size volume spacer for this shock is 0.6 cu in. The shock can handle larger spacers for a more progressive feel or a smaller spacer for a more linear feel. Please see the chart below for spacer P/N’s. 

The FOX 38 Grip 2 170 mm fork comes stock with 2 spacers and can handle a maximum of 5 spacers.  

The Firebird frame uses a 31.6mm seatpost.

The Firebird frame uses a 36.4mm or 36.5mm (as some manufacturers call it) seatpost clamp.

The Firebird has short seat tube lengths and deep insertion depths for compatibility with long travel dropper seatposts. Please see the dropper seatpost guide for common dropper post model compatibility. You can check the maximum insertion depth of other seatposts per frame size below:

S – 280mm
M – 320mm
L – 320mm
XL – 320mm

The Firebird uses the new universal rear derailleur hanger standard developed by SRAM. This derailleur hanger is compatible with all derailleurs on the market – not just SRAM. We spec this hanger because it has some clever derailleur saving features and is more likely to be found at any shop as it becomes more widely adopted.

The Firebird uses an axle for a 157mm rear spacing designed for the new Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) standard. The rear axle supplied with all frames is designed is a Pivot specific design using a 12mm X 1.0mm thread pitch. SRAM also makes compatible 157mm UDH axles. 

Pressfit BB92 bottom bracket

The Firebird uses a 157mm rear hub spacing in a configuration called Super Boost Plus 157 (SB+). The rear hub spacing is the standard 157mm spacing available from every hub manufacturer in the world so any 12mm x 157mm hub is compatible with the Firebird.

Super Boost Plus 157 retains narrower Q factor and heal clearance while providing for more tire clearance, a stronger frame and a stronger rear wheel. Super Boost Plus 157 builds on the idea of wider flange spacing pioneered by Boost 148 by spreading the flanges even wider (up to 14mm wider than a 142mm hub) which increases spoke bracing angle resulting in a huge wheel strength increase on 27.5” and 29” trail, enduro, all mountain, eMTB and trail category wheels. Most hub companies have already adopted the wider spoke flange to their DH 157mm hubs because of the added benefits. So, there is already a wide range of hub brands with optimized 157mm spacing available (even if they don’t specifically call it SB+) some examples include: DT Swiss, Industry 9, Stan’s, Onyx, Chris King, White Industries, Race Face, SUNringlé, Shimano, Stealth, Tune, Newmen and Hope.

* Short chainstays perfectly complement the Firebird’s long and low stature allowing you to manual up and over even the gnarliest obstacles while keeping the wheelbase length in check so that you can still clean tight switchbacks and rail corners with confidence and agility like you’ve never experienced before.

* A massive increase in tire clearance for running up 2.8” X 27.5+ and 2.6” X 29” tires with incredible mud clearance: Who doesn’t like that! You can run your racy 29” X 2.4WT tires in the summer and then step up to something much wider in bad weather to extend your riding season or just plow through the mud on your 29er wheels with confidence knowing that the Firebird can handle it all.

* Increased frame stiffness: A better performing bike allows you to push the limits even further and the Firebird has no weak links. This is the bike that allows you to set new boundaries. 

* Increased wheel stiffness: The Super Boost Plus specific hubs on all our Firebird builds increase the hub flange width and provide for more even (better) spoke tension and the results are incredible. On a DT Swiss 29er alloy wheel with a 25mm inner width rim, the Super Boost Plus wheel is 46% stiffer than the same wheel built with a 142mm hub and 30% stiffer than the same wheel built with a Boost 148mm hub. Interestingly, the Super Boost Plus rear wheel and a standard Boost front wheel wind up being very similar in overall stiffness. What this means for the trail rider is that you get more evenly matched strength and stiffness between the front and rear wheels and the most durable wheelset possible.  

The Firebird will accept all cranks designed for the Super Boost Plus 157 system and compatible with a press fit 92mm bottom bracket. The Super Boost Plus system is based on several standard cranks in the market. When you purchase your Firebird complete from Pivot, PRO XT/XTR and RACE XT level builds will feature a custom spindle Race Face Aeffect SL or Ride crankset to optimize the chainline. TEAM XTR builds feature a special Race Face Next R crank with Cinch spindle. SRAM equipped Firebirds from Pivot come equipped with SRAM cranks with chainrings and/or spindles optimized for the 56.5mm Super Boost Plus chain line.

The standard Race Face Turbine and Aeffect SL cranks with the Cinch chainring flipped is also fully compatible with the Super Boost Plus 157 system (although the chainline will be approximately 1mm outboard compared to the custom configurations provided with our complete bike offerings). One Up (Switch Spider and chainring system) and Wolf Tooth both offer Super Boost Plus spiders and/or chainrings to make standard SRAM GXP and DUB cranks Super Boost Plus compatible. One Up information can be found at: https://www.oneupcomponents.com/collections/switch/products/switch-sdm?variant=31481758337

SRAM and Shimano both offer Super Boost Plus specific crank options with 56.5mm chainline in their line-ups

The Firebird will accept cranks with a standard Q factor measurement as low as 168mm and featuring a 56-57mm chainline. Several other crank manufacturers are working on compatible designs that will be available in the market in the very near future.

Absolutely not! All Pivot bikes with Super Boost Plus 157 spacing are highly optimized to achieve even better heel clearance than our previous generation 142mm spaced XC bikes. Some of our designers and engineers at Pivot have abnormally large feet, and we all know what they say about large feet. Yep…Bad heel clearance. So, with that in mind, we made sure that our heel clearance is best in class. If it clears our abnormally large clown feet (which it does), it will clear yours.   

No, the Firebird is only 1x drivetrain compatible. To achieve the stiffness goals that make this a class-leading all mountain bike, we designed a new wider lower link that’s leaving no room for a front derailleur. 

No, the Firebird is not Di2 compatible. It is possible to externally route the wire to the rear derailleur but it will not have the same level of integration as some of our other models. The frame does not feature the Di2 wiring holes between the front triangle and swingarm. Pivot does not endorse drilling holes in your frame. 

A detailed PDF of the torque specs can be found under the "Tech Specs" tab in the small parts schematic.

Variables in frame size, discrepancies in scale calibrations, and method of weighing (with or without pedals and such) all lead to inaccurate comparisons, so we choose not to publish our bike weights. Pivot bicycles are among the lightest available, but the weight is only one of many factors that make a great bicycle. Other aspects such as frame stiffness, strength, durability, and ride quality are just as important as weight to our engineers when designing our Hollow Core Carbon and aluminum frames. Instead of comparing grams online, we suggest you visit your local Pivot dealer and see our attention to detail, smart, high-value spec, and class-leading features. Bring a scale if you’d like, but take just one demo ride and you’ll feel why Pivot Cycles are the most well-rounded, highest performing bicycles on the market and in many cases, yes, it’s the lightest as well.

Most people think of Fox Live Valve for XC racing. Having the suspension track the terrain for the most efficient power transfer and pedaling without fussing with flipping levers. On the Firebird the approach is to make the system more open and achieve an even more plush suspension than possible without the system. The transisition from closed to open is minimal allowing lots of free bleed keeping the fork and shock able to soak up any bump in the trail. This system is like tuning the suspension with two layers to allow for the open mode to provide and even plusher feel and the closed to be supple yet supportive.

You set sag just as you would on regular suspension, but with the Live Valve system turned off so you get accurate readings. We make it easy to get the best ride out of your Pivot bike with a simple sag indicator already installed on your bike, and this follow-along video featuring our own Bernard Kerr: https://vimeo.com/pivotcycles/sag

Battery life is highly dependent on Live Valve settings and terrain. Average life ranges between 16 and 26 hours. For most riders, that covers several weeks of riding.

Charge times range between 1.5-2 hours depending on the power source. If you forget to charge the system before a ride it only takes 15 minutes to get enough power for a 2-hour ride.

When the system detects a low battery it goes into open mode and shuts down.

Yes. Riding Live Valve powered off is just like riding your bike with the suspension in the open mode. Both the front and rear shock feature a full range off compression adjustability which enables you to adjust the suspension the same as you would for a non-Live Valve equipped bike. Additionally Pivot’s awesome dw-link suspension always offers class-leading pedalling performance with the system on or off.

No, the Live Valve system requires an accelerometer integrated near the rear axle, system mounting, and suspension tuning specific to the bike design.

Yes, within reason. Things like washing your bike, riding in the rain or normal puddles and small water crossings are fine. We do not recommend total submersion or a direct blast of water from a pressure washer – both could push water past seals and compromise the electronic system.

The Live battery can be charged on or off the bike and is charged using a standard micro-USB cable.

If you forget to turn the system off, Live Valve shuts off automatically if motion is not sensed for 1.5 hours. However, it is best to turn it off manually for battery charge preservation.

Yes, all Firebird frames are fully compatible, and Fox offers a complete preprogrammed system that is specific to the Firebird. However, the system would need to replace your current Fork and Shock and is far more cost effective when purchased as part of a Firebird complete bike. Please see your authorized Pivot dealer for information. Earlier Firebird models (2020 and before) are not compatible with Fox Live.