No, super-talented Benard Kerr's workhorse is not brand new, but it is still bang up to date. The bike comes rolling along with an elaborate high-pivot construction including double chain drive. Pivot calls the concept Mid-High-Pivot DW6. It is designed to strike a balance between fine response behaviour and good support. The Phoenix rolls on mullet tyres (29/27.5 inches). For this limited edition, the Arizona label has given the bike new and sophisticated components from Sram and Rockshox. Including the revised Sram Maven (here in the first test). The special model comes in Electric Red, a colour from RockShox history. Production is limited to 100 units worldwide.
The Pivot Phoenix looks stylish, but how does it ride? We have already tested the downhiller. Click here for the test: >> Test Pivot Phoenix Pro The workhorse of Bernard Kerr <<
The Pivot Phoenix rides as precisely as a razor blade. It is fast and develops massive propulsion. At the same time, it gives the rider clear feedback from the ground. That's cool, that's racigbut it is also quite exhausting.
Laurin Lehner, BIKE test editor (test impression from the 2024 test)
Fresh chassis
The brand new RockShox Boxxer Ultimate fork uses the LinearXL air spring. According to the manufacturer, this technology offers a response behaviour similar to that of a steel spring, with improved support in the mid-travel range. ButterWagonTech lubrication keeps the bushings constantly lubricated to reduce friction.
The Vivid Ultimate DH shock (which is also supposed to be new, but we can't reveal anything yet) works together with the fork. The system is designed to increase traction and keep the suspension stable when speed and terrain become demanding. The tuning was done specifically for the Phoenix frame.
Electrified drive
Sram developed the XX DH Transmission as a wireless shifting system for downhill racing. The shifting system works with AXS wireless technology and does away with cables on the handlebars. The system is designed to enable precise shifting under load.
The cassette offers seven gears with a range of 10 to 24 teeth. The closely stepped gear ratios are designed to improve power transmission in sprints and fast sections. The absence of additional gears reduces weight and complexity compared to conventional downhill cassettes.
Custom design and availability
The carbon frame shines in the same "Electric Red" colour as the Boxxer fork - nothing clashes, everything fits together as if from a single mould. If you don't immediately recognise the bike, which is limited to 100 units, by the new components, the striking frame colour will catch your eye. The dual chain design from Pivot also fits seamlessly into the overall picture.
The Phoenix XX DH Special Edition costs a whole 10,600 US dollars. Expensive, but Pivot customers are used to five-figure prices. The limited edition comprises 100 units for the global market.
Short & crisp
- Frame: Pivot Phoenix Carbon with dw-link suspension
- Fork: RockShox BoXXer Ultimate with LinearXL air spring, Electric Red
- Shock: RockShox Vivid Ultimate DH
- Drivetrain: SRAM XX DH Transmission, wireless with AXS
- Cassette: SRAM XX DH 7-speed, 10-24 teeth
- Edition: 100 units worldwide
- Price: 10,600 US dollars
Laurin Lehner
Editor
