Tech Archives - Pivot Cycles

The Shuttle Family

hello@twotonecreative.com — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 17:43:25 +0000

The Shuttle Family is the manifestation of that guilty pleasure that makes you feel like you are getting away with something.

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Pivot’s Quality Control

Tanner — Tue, 23 May 2023 19:46:00 +0000

Quality Control: A Pursuit of Perfection

At Pivot, our reputation for relentless quality has been a pillar on which our company stands.

So naturally, a stringent and thorough quality control (QC) process is mandatory for every bike that leaves our factory. From laser alignment to blemish checks, our QC is among the most stringent in the entire industry, and we do not shy away from that bold claim.

Industry-Leading QC Process

Overall, Pivot’s QC process is among the most rigorous in the entire mountain bike industry. By utilizing laser alignment, blemish checks, and a continual QC process, we ensure that each bike meets our high standards for performance and safety.

But what does this mean for the rider? It means that when you purchase a Pivot, you can trust that it has been thoroughly inspected and tested for optimal performance. You can hit the trails with confidence, knowing that your bike is ready to handle whatever you throw at it.

In an industry where many companies prioritize quantity over quality, we stand out as a company that values performance and quality above all else. Pivot’s commitment to excellence is reflected in our rigorous QC process, which sets a high standard for the entire mountain bike industry.

Laser Alignment

Speaking to our pursuit of perfection, we use proprietary laser alignment technology as a critical part of the QC process. This process includes our proprietary laser alignment check gauges to ensure we hold our strict alignment tolerances that are more than twice as stringent as the industry standards. Our rigidly tight standards allow us the ability to use ABEC 3 tolerances but with MAX style pivot bearings, which run smoother and last longer.

These technologies ensure that each frame is perfectly aligned, a crucial step for the bike’s overall performance. A misaligned frame can lead to issues with handling, stability and even safety.

Cosmetic Checks

Another critical aspect of Pivot’s QC process is our thorough cosmetic checks for paint blemishes and other possible cosmetic issues. While many might assume this is just to ensure you receive a clean, blemish-free frame, there is more to it than that. Blemishes, such as paint chips or scratches, may not seem like a big deal, but can lead to more cosmetic issues over time. Because of this, our team inspects each frame carefully for any signs of blemishes, ensuring that each bike is structurally sound and trail ready.

Thinner Than a Human Hair

It sounds crazy, but Pivot’s tolerance for passing a QC check is thinner than a human hair. This level of precision ensures that each bike that leaves our factories meets the highest standards for performance and safety. By setting such high standards, we guarantee that our bikes are among the best performing and consistent in the industry, and it is a big reason Pivot’s hold their value better than other brands.

Continual QC Process

Pivot’s QC process is continual, meaning it does not go through just one QC check and sign-off. In fact, our process continues at each step of the bike’s journey to your trails. This means that each bike undergoes multiple QC inspections and signoffs before it ships to your dealer. Ensuring each Pivot performs precisely as expected, so all you need to worry about is riding.

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Fox Live Valve: A Partnership in Pushing Performance

Tanner — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 20:21:04 +0000

Fox Live Valve:

A Partnership in Pushing Performance

At Pivot, we push the envelope and with a creed like Performance Redefined, we must.

So, when approached with the opportunity to be one of the first partners in Fox’s foray into electronic MTB suspension system, we jumped at the opportunity to push the industry’s conventional standards.

We are currently offering a complimentary upgrade to Fox Live Valve on any Pro or Team level builds. If you are interested in securing a complimentary upgrade, contact a dealer near you!

Find Your Dealer

Electrifyingly Innovative

The first of its kind, Fox Live Valve is a responsive electronic MTB suspension system that, in real–time, reads the trail and optimizes the suspension to best suit current conditions. Partnered with our proven dw-Link suspension platform, it creates a whole new way of experiencing the trail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_zn2IOSynQ

Where Innovation Meets the Trail

Fox Live Valve takes the work out of dialing your suspension, so whether at the bike park or on trail, you can focus on riding.

Fox Live Valve achieves this feat with built-in sensors that transmit terrain and rider inputs a thousand times per second. The on-frame controller then separately adjusts both fork and shock to the ideal settings for the terrain under the tires. These real-time adjustments create the most efficient combination of climbing and descending, ensuring your Pivot is as efficient as an XC bike climbing and descends like a fully opened downhill destroyer.

The Bikes

The Pivot models that are Live Valve Compatible are:

Proprietary Tuning

You might assume all Live Valve suspensions are tuned the same, however the tuning per model and intended use are radically different and done with painstaking attention to detail. For example, our engineers went through 16 different tunes, on the Trail 429, before finding the one that paired perfectly.

The Live Valve Technology

Controller: This is where the magic happens. The controller monitors terrain at a blazing rate of a thousand times per second and can adjust the suspension in less than the blink of an eye, or three milliseconds.

Battery: The battery for the Fox Live Valve system is mounted on the controller. This battery can be charged with a standard micro-USB and takes 1.5 to 2 hours to reach a full charge. Battery life may vary depending on terrain; however, the average battery life lasts between 16 to 20 hours.

Calibration: Ideally, your bike will be calibrated when it arrives to you to ensure all sensors are functioning properly. Calibration can be done anytime and should only need to be done once unless replacing any sensors, the controller, or changing the fork travel.

Set Up: The Live Valve system should be turned off during set up. Setting sag and rebound is identical to a standard fork and shock, with open mode low-speed compression damping being tuned via a 3mm hex on the fork and shock.

For more information and downloadable guides on Fox Live Valve technology, please visit the Fox Live Valve information page HERE.

WHAT MAKES A PIVOT A PIVOT?

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Patents and Proprietary Designs

hello@twotonecreative.com — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 20:21:59 +0000

Patents and Proprietary Designs

Imagination at Pivot exceeds “a spark,” most often it is a roaring blaze.

In order to improve the performance of bicycle technology, Pivot founders and engineers continually seek the realization of new concepts.

No bicycle detail is too small to warrant our consideration.

Exclusive research and development conducted on a daily basis produces the data, drawings, specifications, testing experiences, and know-how feeds Pivot’s deep well of intellectual property.

Iso Flex

Iso Flex, exclusive to our Vault and E-Vault bikes is a ride smoothing sleeve that provides a tuned flexed by creating space between the seat post and the frame.

The sleeve, which slides into the seat tube, is made up of rubber and a fiber-reinforced nylon inner sleeve to protect the frame while giving flexibility for a more comfortable ride in the alternative terrain favored by our drop-bar bikes.

View VaultView Vault

Flip Chip

Not all flip chips are made equally. Our Pivot Cycles flip chip was engineered for ease of use. Designed to allow on-trail adjustability, Pivot Cycles flip chips always feature two options: a “High” setting, and a “Low” setting.

Changing the flip chip position affects bottom bracket height, reach, headtube angle, seat-tube angle, chain stay length and wheelbase.

Super Boost+

Pivot Cycles introduced Super Boost+ in 2016 on the first version of our beloved Switchblade and has since become a standard on our mid and long travel bikes.

Boasting the benefits of stronger wheels, a stiffer frame and more tire clearance, the mountain biking industry is adopting Super Boost+ technology at an increasing rate.

View SwitchbladeView Switchblade

Swinger Dropouts

Our patented swinger dropout is exclusive to our LES series of hard tail bicycles. The swinger dropout enables riders to quickly and easily change the chain-stay length and the bottom bracket height, thereby accommodating a wide range of tire sizes, while simultaneously optimizing geometry for any size as well.

View LESView LES

What makes a Pivot a Pivot?

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Suspension Science

hello@twotonecreative.com — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 18:44:54 +0000

Suspension Science

Pedaling Efficiency

Square Edge Bump Compliance

Frame Alignment

Fully Active Braking

Suspension science at Pivot Cycles spans three decades of innovation and critical engineering partnerships.

Like layers of symphonic sound, Pivot suspension design blends a complex set of performance standards built around the dw-link to create the renowned Pivot ride quality.

DW-link

The pioneering days of suspension science were not always marked by easy collaboration. Dave Weagle and Chris Cocalis, two uncompromising perfectionists, came to the table with different sets of performance curves.

While Pivot engineers were innovating with chainstay length and fully active braking, Weagle was developing curves that would bring an entirely new design language to mountain biking: anti-squat.

"I’ve discovered my most perfect anti-squat curve.” - Dave Weagle

That “most perfect curve” became the first Pivot ever built – a Mach 4, which hangs in the lobby of our world headquarters. Together they achieved a balance that had never been achieved before.

Pedal Efficiency

Getting More for the Same

Pedaling efficiency and anti-squat go together hand in hand. Simply put, anti-squat is the reaction of the suspension when accelerating. Pivot’s anti-squat technology allows our bikes to be stiff when pushing the pedals uphill, without affecting your comfort in the descent.

Square Edge Bump Compliance

Square edge bump compliance, or variable Wheel Travel Path, refers to the path the wheel travels to maintain momentum while going over obstacles with square edges. The wheel moves slightly back, and then up and over to help displace the force of hitting the edge. This helps to maintain traction and momentum not only climbing over rocks and other obstacles, but also while flying downhill.

Frame Alignment

Our 1-piece rear triangles contribute heavily to frame alignment and stiffness in our bikes. The frame alignment is key to unifying the handling, tracking, and many moving parts on the bike. Pivot’s proprietary quality control measures set leading standards for alignment tolerances. Compact stiff linkages mean fewer moving parts on the frame, which translates not only to less maintenance, but also creates the precision handling Pivots are known for.

Fully Active Braking

Braking shouldn’t affect your suspension. With our fully active braking the suspension stays active, it doesn’t extend and buck the rider forward. This makes it possible for the bike to still eat the trail while braking, keeping a smooth ride braking over bumps or any terrain.

What makes a Pivot a Pivot?

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Fox Live Valve: A Partnership in Pushing Performance

Patents and Proprietary Designs

Suspension Science

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Design and Prototyping

hello@twotonecreative.com — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 16:53:13 +0000

Design & Prototyping

Our People, Our Process

Each new bike project is personal.

Whether it is a brand new model, a significant redesign, or a revision of key characteristics, each innovation comes from the minds of riders.

Our engineers have a passion for the sport of mountain biking.

More specifically, they have a relentless passion for improving mountain bikes. The people who design our bikes, ride our bikes, keeping innovation always at the forefront or our design and prototyping process.

Concept

Bringing a new bike to life, or solving a problem we want to solve, inspires Pivot innovation.

Our engineering team sets goals for what a new bike will achieve, including geometry, travel, and the general ride characteristics of the bike. To reach these goals, we begin with the location of the pivot points.

Curves

Close collaboration with Dave Weagle, the designer of DW-link, informs the early stages of the prototyping process.

Using mutually agreed upon pivot points from the concept phase, Pivot engineers produce a complex set of performance curves, each representing a uniquely desired ride characteristic.

These specific performance numbers are the key to developing our renowned suspension performance – the magic feel of a Pivot, our x-factor.

Suspension ScienceSuspension Science

Design

With approved numbers, engineers begin laying out real aluminum tube shapes and industrial designers begin their own work drawing the actual design for the carbon frame.

Finite element analysis creates a first aluminum prototype which mimics the feel of carbon and is built entirely in-house by Pivot’s expert machinists and welders.

Tooling, Machining & Lay-up Design

During the Industrial Design phase, engineers are also working on the lay-up; the process of designing how specific types and intentionally sized pieces of carbon fiber material are to be placed in a pre-determined pattern, thickness, and orientation on the frames’ internal mandrels (hollow core) in frame molds.

During this stage in-depth, size-by-size analysis of stiffness measurements creates uniquely “Ride-Tuned” carbon prototypes.

Testing

Pivot's South Mountain backyard figures prominently in the prototyping process.

Extensive test riding in some of the world’s most diverse and challenging terrain allows us to thoroughly evaluate whether a prototype has achieved the desired ride characteristics.

Riders of all sizes and abilities offer feedback during the testing phase, and final prototypes are tested by Pivot professional athletes around the globe in variable conditions and on all types of trails.

Teaching

Pivot engineers develop not only our bikes, but also the tools, gauges, and fixtures necessary to control the quality of our frames. Once a final design has been determined, we teach our manufacturing partners our proprietary methodologies for ensuring that an imperfect frame never leaves this building.

What makes a Pivot a Pivot?

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Tech

The Shuttle Family

Pivot’s Quality Control

Fox Live Valve: A Partnership in Pushing Performance

Patents and Proprietary Designs

Suspension Science

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About Pivot Cycles

hello@twotonecreative.com — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 17:33:38 +0000

Before mountain biking dominated the off-road cycling radar a young Chris Cocalis was constantly snapping BMX bottom brackets. Feeling a deficit of quality bikes and components to feed his passion, Chris designed his first bicycle parts.

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Carbon Innovation

hello@twotonecreative.com — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 17:28:23 +0000

Our Carbon Story...

Carbon is both lightweight and able to be highly engineered, making it an excellent choice for bikes.

By controlling the layering and orientation of the fibers, our engineers can achieve pre-determined levels of strength, torsional stiffness, and weight.

Our process

Our proprietary process for turning carbon fiber into the world’s finest bicycles is called Hollow Core Carbon Molding, and it begins with the inside of each bike. Utilizing Pivot’s internal molding technology and the best carbon fiber available, we create best-in-class frames that are stiff yet compliant.

Built from inside out

Though you will find nothing in the core of our bikes, care and precision are at the core of our process. Pivot frames are built by hand, one at a time.

Hollow Core

The hollow space of the bicycle frame is called “the core.” While all carbon bikes are hollow, the molding process used to achieve the core is different. Pivot carbon is laid up against a core, allowing each intricately cut piece of carbon fiber to be held in place with precision.

This process prevents wrinkles, voids and resin pooling resulting in lighter, stronger frames. Even minor imperfections on the inside of the bike can affect the frame’s integrity. Our process is mastered and refined to produce the strongest, lightest frames possible, from the inside out.

Ride Tuning

Ride Tuning customizes our bicycles according to frame size. This process lies behind our claim that Pivot builds human-specific bikes one at a time. In addition to determining best-fit geometry for each size of a particular model, we tailor the carbon lay-up for each size, ensuring optimal ride characteristics for all rider profiles. Torsional stiffness and vertical compliance should “feel,” the same whether you are a 5’2” rider on an X-Small, or a 6’5” rider on an X-Large.

By determining the orientation and location of carbon fibers independently for each size, we “tune” for ride quality, scaling the stiffness as well as geometry across the size range, and achieving consistent performance metrics. In other words, every size bicycle is the “Goldilocks”: not too stiff, not too noodly.

Quality Control

Quality control measures are integral to the Hollow Core Carbon Molding process. Our engineers design and build the tools and tests used to ensure our unique, stringent manufacturing tolerances are met.

Quality control tests are conducted twice for every frame: once prior to leaving the factory, and again upon arrival at our warehouses. Pivot engineers design not only our bicycle products, but also the systems and tools used to make sure only perfect frames are shipped to our dealers and customers.

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