Just when it looked like 29in wheels might take over, along comes 650B wheels (or 27.5in as the Americans are insisting on calling it) with such rapid support that it looks like it might wipe out long-travel 29ers completely. Latest to jump onboard is Pivot Cycles with the launch of their new Mach 6 Carbon.

In essence the Mach 6 is based on the 26in-wheeled Mach 5.7 that has been in the company’s range for a few short years. Pivot claim it’s been in development for two years, and they say they’ve started with a blank sheet of paper, building the new bike from the ground up around the 650B wheels.

It does share the Dave Weagle-developed DW-Link that features throughout the Pivot range, which comprises two short linkages separating the main triangle and swingarm. Central to the DW-Link design is the combating of squat that can occur under acceleration. Most manufacturers tackle this with the suspension tune, using low speed platform damping to prevent the suspension squatting down. The DW Link does this mechanically.

The linkages have been updated on this bike however, there’s now a wishbone lower shock mount that wraps around the seat tube and attaches to the top linkage at the end of the seatstays. This is a change to improve the suspension performance, focused on giving them more control over the shock rate. There’s a custom-tuned Fox CTD shock. Another change is the elimination of the rear shock bushing, replaced with two Enduro Max bearings, which should not only improve suspension feel but also better durability.

The bike packs 155mm travel with a 13.6in bottom bracket, longer top tube, 66 degree head angle and 430mm chainstays. Numbers that speak of a bike that should handle pretty sweetly, with a clear focus on railing the descents and providing stability at high speed. Or the ideal ‘enduro’ bike if you like your bikes neatly pigeonholed. To me it looks like the perfect bike for just having a lot of fun on, and which will work on most UK trails quite happily.

The frame is made from carbon fibre and features ISCG 05 tabs that you can slap a chainguide on for hitting the mountains or enduro races. It’s a smart looking bike and the cables are internally routed to continue the clean lines. It accepts a RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post and there’s clearance for 2.35in tyres. The rear axle is the 142mm x 12mm thru-axle standard, the bottom bracket is a PressFit BB92 and it has a direct mount front mech.

A rubber-type material is applied to the chainstay and inside of the seat stays to prevent the chain noisily slapping against them, and there’s a downtube protector to ward off stones and rocks.

There are some really nice looking 650B bikes hitting the trails this year, including the Santa Cruz Bronson and GT Force. The argument for long-travel 29ers just got a little more difficult.

More information available at PivotCycles.co.uk

As a side-note, there’s no word on pricing or availability at the time of writing.