This was the video that helped me decide on laying the $ down to buy the Mach 5.5- excellent review! Live and ride in SNE and this is the terrain for all my riding... Thanks for the quality content
I have been riding my 5.5 for a year now, and I find your review spot on. Looks big but feels light. Stock 2.6 tires roll great but give lots of grip when the tire pressure is tuned in. Efficient climber. I demo'd the 429 and the Switchblade but the 5.5 was the one perfect for my type of riding. (Old and cautious rider on Phoenix South Mountain.)
My primary bike is a V1 Ripmo. I recently found a deal on a Mach 5.5 that is too good to pass up. In the past I rode a SB5 and loved it despite preferring 29" wheels. I wonder if the Mach 5.5 is similar to the SB5? Would the Mach 5.5 make a good backup bike to my Ripmo?
Think you nailed it. I ride the 5.5 for the same reasons. Poppy and fun. I'm not the fastest down, but prefer tecky trails. Often these days, when people say technical, they just refer to downhill tho. Coming from Alaska, a lot of Technical means making sections on flat or UPHILL slow. Bike is a nice balance of the two for me.
Ever since I demoed the 5.5 carbon before I bought my Kona, I've been dying to have enough money to buy one. It looks so good and it made me feel so confident in my riding.
Have you looked at the Geo on both this & the Switchblade? The 5.5 is actually a little longer (10mm) with a slacker HTA, so I'd expect the Switchblade to be the more lively of the two, plus it has a slightly shorter chainstay than the 5.5.
Have a Trail 429 and got to ride a 5.5 & Switchblade at one of my regular trails during a demo event this summer. The 5.5 was fun and has had me wondering if i bought the wrong bike. Switchblade was awesome but too much bike for me.
Awesome review man! You need to try the Mach 5.5 with a dpx2 and an aggressor 2.5 on the rear Makes it even better still poopy and playful but takes the bigger hits better and grips better in the rear Such an underrated bike that does everything so well
Great climbing skills there and that bike shows some amazing ability--I have a 2018 Canyon Spectral, came with 2.6 tires but newer ones come with 2.4, I love the 2.6 myself so I wont be changing --Does that have Shimano 11 speed or 12?
Funny...I ride similar stuff in Western Maryland and West Virginia and got the 2019 Santa Cruz Bronson and say the same things about it, and why I got it, as you say about the 5.5. To me the Bronson felt a little poppier and at the same time ployed a little better (I know, kind of a contradiction right) but a lot of that is probably just down to personal preferences. Both bikes fill a similar role and I really liked the 5.5 when I demoed it. Amazing how well bikes with this much travel climb isn’t it- man mountain bikes have come a long a way!
Im on a 16 Bronson C now but have been looking at 5.5 after a buddy got one. Is the 5.5 a better daily rider overall? Im in Maine. Curious your thoughts as your have been on both bikes.
Will you try a Giant Trance 29? If not no biGgy... But i'd love to know how much travel will do most jobs...I love ,my ReignSX 27.5 2018 bike.. but want a XC/capable all mountain do "most" things bike! Let me know!?!
I’m so in between the mach 6 and the 5.5 being I ride mostly the same terrain as you (north east tech) I want a trail bike for some park duty also.... being I have 429 I’m leaning towards the mach 6
So, is it good for climbing?. I have a rocky altitude 750 and to be honest I struggle a lot climbing. I also have a specialized camber 29r and obusly is better on climbing. So... I like 5.5 but not sure if its going to be more like my rocky than my specialized.... Can you help me?
It's very good for climbing. It's a light bike for how much travel it has and DW-link bikes are always efficient climbers. I'm coming off a Rocky Altitude and while it's awesome at technical climbing, it definitely isn't as efficient on non-technical stuff as the 5.5. Try one out if you can.
I really wanted a Pivot Mach 5.5 but settled for a Remedy 9.8, which I was able to get a much better deal on. Based on your review, I'm guessing they are very similar. My everyday bike is an Intense Primer 29er, which is great for the rocky tech terrain and punchy climbs that I am accustomed to. With a couple of more gravity oriented trail systems here in Centex now though, I felt the need for something in the 150mm/160mm range. Dude you should really come visit Austin, TX. The riding here is very much in line with what you love to ride. Very rocky technical terrain here, and at least a dozen riding venues within 1.5 hours of Austin.
Hey, so what would be your choice for an only bike for the trails you ride? Mach 5.5 or the 429? I guess what I'm asking is, do you prefer something more nimble and playful like the 5.5 or the rollover of 29er wheels? Thanks.
For what I ride, 5.5 for sure. I really don't think the diameter of a 27.5 X 2.6 is that far off of a 29 X 2.35. I definitely don't find that I'm getting hung up on stuff like I might on a smaller 27.5 tire. 429 is a little too all-business for me.
This was the video that helped me decide on laying the $ down to buy the Mach 5.5- excellent review! Live and ride in SNE and this is the terrain for all my riding... Thanks for the quality content
excellent review / description I was really surprised by how nimble, playful, and easy this bike was to throw around.
Man you were killing those rock gardens. Nice bike and excellent riding!
I'm very new to mountain bike (thousand of miles of road cycling); this was a very helpful review for a 'newbie'.
Great review and fun to watch. Cheers!
I have been riding my 5.5 for a year now, and I find your review spot on. Looks big but feels light. Stock 2.6 tires roll great but give lots of grip when the tire pressure is tuned in. Efficient climber. I demo'd the 429 and the Switchblade but the 5.5 was the one perfect for my type of riding. (Old and cautious rider on Phoenix South Mountain.)
Cannot wait to demo it!
My primary bike is a V1 Ripmo. I recently found a deal on a Mach 5.5 that is too good to pass up. In the past I rode a SB5 and loved it despite preferring 29" wheels. I wonder if the Mach 5.5 is similar to the SB5? Would the Mach 5.5 make a good backup bike to my Ripmo?
The Bill Burr of youtube mtn biking
Riding not writing. Excellent review really enjoy your channel keep up the great work ✌️
Excellent vid - excellent riding - cheers brother 🍻
Great content!
I’m working with my LBS to get my hands on two of these. Father and son. Hopefully I’ll have them in hand soon.
Think you nailed it. I ride the 5.5 for the same reasons. Poppy and fun. I'm not the fastest down, but prefer tecky trails. Often these days, when people say technical, they just refer to downhill tho. Coming from Alaska, a lot of Technical means making sections on flat or UPHILL slow. Bike is a nice balance of the two for me.
I just bought a used Mach6 and I love it!
Ever since I demoed the 5.5 carbon before I bought my Kona, I've been dying to have enough money to buy one. It looks so good and it made me feel so confident in my riding.
Having a lower bb improves stability. 2.6 rubber will give back some clearance. Some of my best jumpers had slightly lower bb’s.
Great review and love your dog! The Switchblade you were comparing this to is not the new 2020 one is it?
0:48 - How I felt after that Adalberto's mystery meat burrito yesterday.
Have you looked at the Geo on both this & the Switchblade? The 5.5 is actually a little longer (10mm) with a slacker HTA, so I'd expect the Switchblade to be the more lively of the two, plus it has a slightly shorter chainstay than the 5.5.
Have a Trail 429 and got to ride a 5.5 & Switchblade at one of my regular trails during a demo event this summer. The 5.5 was fun and has had me wondering if i bought the wrong bike. Switchblade was awesome but too much bike for me.
Have a pivot 429 it has improved my Writing
Awesome review man!
You need to try the Mach 5.5 with a dpx2 and an aggressor 2.5 on the rear
Makes it even better still poopy and playful but takes the bigger hits better and grips better in the rear
Such an underrated bike that does everything so well
Great climbing skills there and that bike shows some amazing ability--I have a 2018 Canyon Spectral, came with 2.6 tires but newer ones come with 2.4, I love the 2.6 myself so I wont be changing --Does that have Shimano 11 speed or 12?
Firebird 29 vs Mach 5.5 for North East East Coast riding... which would you buy? I was all about the 5.5 until I rode the firebird 29.
Funny...I ride similar stuff in Western Maryland and West Virginia and got the 2019 Santa Cruz Bronson and say the same things about it, and why I got it, as you say about the 5.5. To me the Bronson felt a little poppier and at the same time ployed a little better (I know, kind of a contradiction right) but a lot of that is probably just down to personal preferences. Both bikes fill a similar role and I really liked the 5.5 when I demoed it. Amazing how well bikes with this much travel climb isn’t it- man mountain bikes have come a long a way!
Im on a 16 Bronson C now but have been looking at 5.5 after a buddy got one. Is the 5.5 a better daily rider overall? Im in Maine. Curious your thoughts as your have been on both bikes.
Will you try a Giant Trance 29? If not no biGgy... But i'd love to know how much travel will do most jobs...I love ,my ReignSX 27.5 2018 bike.. but want a XC/capable all mountain do "most" things bike! Let me know!?!
Have you ridden this bike at highland? Do you think you could use as your daily driver with some occasional park use? Thanks
I didn't get a chance to take it to Highland or Thunder but I wouldn't hesitate to.
I’m with you on the BB height. My first ride out on the 5.5 at Vietnam it was pedal strike city. I got used to it quickly though.
Is that the Blue Hills khed?
How does the mach 5.5. compare to the Bronson?
I’m so in between the mach 6 and the 5.5 being I ride mostly the same terrain as you (north east tech) I want a trail bike for some park duty also.... being I have 429 I’m leaning towards the mach 6
That's probably a good call. Pivot doesn't make a bike that sucks.
DirtWireTV that’s my logic also
RavenShield78 thanks bro that was very helpful for me
So, is it good for climbing?. I have a rocky altitude 750 and to be honest I struggle a lot climbing. I also have a specialized camber 29r and obusly is better on climbing. So... I like 5.5 but not sure if its going to be more like my rocky than my specialized.... Can you help me?
It's very good for climbing. It's a light bike for how much travel it has and DW-link bikes are always efficient climbers. I'm coming off a Rocky Altitude and while it's awesome at technical climbing, it definitely isn't as efficient on non-technical stuff as the 5.5. Try one out if you can.
I really wanted a Pivot Mach 5.5 but settled for a Remedy 9.8, which I was able to get a much better deal on. Based on your review, I'm guessing they are very similar. My everyday bike is an Intense Primer 29er, which is great for the rocky tech terrain and punchy climbs that I am accustomed to. With a couple of more gravity oriented trail systems here in Centex now though, I felt the need for something in the 150mm/160mm range. Dude you should really come visit Austin, TX. The riding here is very much in line with what you love to ride. Very rocky technical terrain here, and at least a dozen riding venues within 1.5 hours of Austin.
Hey, so what would be your choice for an only bike for the trails you ride? Mach 5.5 or the 429? I guess what I'm asking is, do you prefer something more nimble and playful like the 5.5 or the rollover of 29er wheels? Thanks.
For what I ride, 5.5 for sure. I really don't think the diameter of a 27.5 X 2.6 is that far off of a 29 X 2.35. I definitely don't find that I'm getting hung up on stuff like I might on a smaller 27.5 tire. 429 is a little too all-business for me.
Bro u riding M or L?
Love the tee shirt 😀