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The Pivot Cycles Mach 4 is a short-travel cross-country bike that you don't have to baby(Image credit: James Huang)
The press-fit bottom bracket cups allow for a monstrously burly bottom end. Flex? Not a problem here(Image credit: James Huang)
Compared with earlier Hayes brakes, the Stroker features larger pads for less heat build-up and more power(Image credit: James Huang)
The Hayes Stroker Carbon features a handy tool-free reach adjust dial (Image credit: James Huang)
The Arundel Dave-O carbon bottle cage is road bike light but still provides mountain bike grip(Image credit: James Huang)
The SRAM PG-990 11-34T cassette provided the wide-range gearing we were looking for(Image credit: James Huang)
Easton's Monkeylite SL riser bar strikes a near-perfect combination of weight, width, rise and sweep for cross-country applications(Image credit: James Huang)
Don't be fooled by the FSA K-Force Light's carbon construction; it handled rock hits and scrapes with aplomb while also delivering excellent rigidity and shifting performance(Image credit: James Huang)
The direct-mount front derailleur tracks the chain as the suspension moves through its travel for better shifts and it also shaves a few grams(Image credit: James Huang)
The straight-pull stainless steel spokes are doubled up on the disc brake side for more even tension(Image credit: James Huang)
RockShox's superb new SID handled the suspension duties up front(Image credit: James Huang)
The Specialized Roval Contrôle XC Race Disc wheelset was fast and light though not particularly rigid(Image credit: James Huang)
Even the replaceable derailleur hanger is far burlier-looking than we're used to seeing(Image credit: James Huang)
The oversized head tube continues the beefy theme with internal headset cups that allow for a lower bar height if needed(Image credit: James Huang)
A pair of stout links carefully controls the movement of the rear end and keeps rear end flex in check(Image credit: James Huang)
Shimano XTR pedals aren't the lightest around but they're among the most bulletproof and consistent on the market(Image credit: James Huang)
We had to flip our PushLoc remote lever upside-down for a better fit with our selected components but the lever was still easy to access on the fly(Image credit: James Huang)
SRAM's X.0 rear derailleur continues to be one of the best gear changers in the industry(Image credit: James Huang)
The key to the Mach 4's performance is its well-executed dw-link rear end(Image credit: James Huang)
fi'zi:k's new Tundra Carbon saddle is certainly light but make sure its shape suits you as the shell is unyieldingly rigid and it doesn't break in much(Image credit: James Huang)
The upper link is carbon fibre and all of the pivot hardware is anodized aluminum. A Fox Racing Shox RP23 ties it all together(Image credit: James Huang)
The Easton EA90 stem is quickly shaping up to be one of our favorites thanks to its combination of stiffness and light weight(Image credit: James Huang)
The Continental Mountain King 2.4 was a supremely versatile tire that also rolled faster than its appearance would suggest. Best to mount it on a wider rim, though(Image credit: James Huang)
The top tube transitions from a square profile up front to a round profile at the seat tube(Image credit: James Huang)
Pivot Cycles’ Mach 4 is somewhat of an odd
Thankfully for Pivot, the Mach 4 nails just
Ride & handling: solid and predictable, but surprisingly capable on the ups
The frame’s bomber overall stiffness
Likewise, the Mach 4’s dw-link rear end results in a surprisingly capable ascender with a firm and efficient overall feel. Lay down the power and the Pivot rewards you
