The Pivot Phoenix Frameset is a World Cup-proven downhill machine engineered without compromise. Developed alongside the Pivot Factory Racing team on the most punishing circuits in the sport, every tube angle, linkage geometry, and design decision on the Phoenix exists for one reason: to go faster and stay in control when the trail turns savage. At $5,199, the Phoenix frameset gives serious DH riders access to the same platform that podiums are made of — in a package ready to build up exactly how you want it. With 210mm of rear travel managed by Pivot's advanced DW6 linkage and a 200mm-capable front end, the Phoenix is purpose-built for big-mountain descents, proper bike park laps, and race-day performance. It's not a trail bike that moonlights on steep terrain — it's a full-commitment downhill frame that happens to be ridden by some of the fastest people on earth. DW6 Suspension: Next-Level Linkage for Unmatched Control The heart of the Phoenix is Pivot's DW6 suspension platform — a cutting-edge 6-bar linkage design with a mid-high pivot that delivers 210mm of rear wheel travel with exceptional bump sensitivity and tracking. Where traditional single-pivot and horst-link designs struggle to manage the competing demands of pedaling efficiency and big-hit compliance, the DW6 excels at both. The mid-high pivot position keeps the chain path working in harmony with the suspension, reducing brake jack and keeping the rear wheel planted and active through rock gardens, compressions, and high-speed chatter that would unseat lesser designs. The result is a suspension feel that's progressive where you need it — resisting harsh bottom-outs on big landings — while staying plush and reactive in the small-bump range. Pair it with a quality coil or air shock and the Phoenix transforms rough terrain into something rideable and fast. Dual-Chain Drive: Quiet, Clean, and Chain-Retention Ready One of the most distinctive features of the Phoenix is its dual-chain drive system. Rather than routing a single long chain around the frame's high pivot, Pivot's engineers developed a dual-chain setup that splits the drivetrain path — dramatically reducing chain friction, improving drivetrain efficiency, and making the whole system quieter in operation. Riders who've spent time on high-pivot bikes know the drone of a long, tensioned chain. The Phoenix eliminates that entirely. Beyond acoustics, the dual-chain drive also improves clearance and chain retention on technical, rough terrain where a conventional chain line would be at greater risk of derailing or slapping. It's a system refined through thousands of kilometers of World Cup testing, and one that makes the Phoenix not just faster, but more reliable when it matters most. MX Wheel Setup and Adjustable Geometry The Phoenix runs a mixed-wheel (MX) configuration — 29-inch up front, 27.5-inch in the rear. This pairing is increasingly the choice of top DH racers because it delivers the rollover and momentum benefits of a 29er front wheel alongside the snappier, more flickable handling of a smaller 27.5 rear. The larger front wheel rolls through rocks and roots with authority; the rear wheel pivots and responds quickly to rider input. Together they create a bike that feels both stable and maneuverable at speed. Geometry is dialed via a Flip Chip system that lets you run the Phoenix in either a "high" or "low" position depending on terrain and rider preference. High suits more technical, slower-speed tracks where agility is key; low sharpens the geometry for speed-focused descents and open, high-velocity tracks. A second Flip Chip on the rear shock mount allows adjustment of coil-over progressivity, giving you fine control over how the suspension behaves through its travel. The Phoenix also ships with a reach-adjustable headset that spans 430mm to 525mm of effective reach in 5 to 10mm increments — one of the widest adjustment ranges in the DH category. Whether you're on the shorter side of a size or want to dial in your attack position within a given frame size, the headset lets you get fit right without compromising head angle or stack. Four frame sizes (S1–S4) cover a broad range of riders, and three color options — Black Gold, Red Mint, and White Cobalt Blue — mean you can build a rig that looks as sharp as it rides. Carbon Construction, Race-Tested Development The Phoenix frame is built from carbon fiber using a development process that started with carbon-lugged prototypes — a method that allowed Pivot's engineering team to iterate faster, testing real-world changes with Pivot Factory Racing before committing to final production tooling. The result is a frame that didn't just arrive from a design computer; it was shaped by actual race data, rider feedback, and World Cup course conditions across multiple seasons. That race heritage doesn't mean the Phoenix is fragile or precious. Downhill racing is brutally hard on equipment, and the Phoenix is built to absorb the kind of abuse that comes with repeated high-speed hits, rock strikes, and the occasional crash. This is a frame you can actually race on, travel with, and ride hard — not a show piece. If you're serious about downhill and want a frameset that starts where most bikes stop, the Pivot Phoenix is the answer. Available at RA Cycles in three colors and four sizes — get in touch if you need help selecting the right fit or building it up.
