I think I have narrowed it down to these two. Both 2024 year, both online so I cant check ahead of time). Very close in price.
Pivot has a little bit better components – like factory fox fork and shock, while the santa has float. But I’m asking more about the feel of the bike itself.
The pivot is a full 29, nomad is a mullet. I’m currently riding an old strive 27.5. I’m leaning more towards a mullet, but am I just scared of a full 29 bike? Like will my ass be touching the tire? I have pretty long legs tho. 6”, long legs, short torso.
Geometry wise – I thought the strive was planted and really stable, but both of these bikes have a longer wheelbase and a chainstay. Does it mean it will be even more stable than the strive? The strive has a little bigger ETT length but both of these bikes are shorter with a similar reach.
Trails – I used to race enduro (amateur), I might get back to it. I like technical, rough trails. Not very good on jumps (trying to get better). I will go down a good flow trail but it’s not my preference. I used to never go to a park, therefore I did a lot of climbs (not cause I love them) to get to the downs. Now I’m closer to bike parks with lift, so that might change.
Really just can’t decide which one to go with… has anyone rode them both? The Reddit’s opinion seems to be “mullet every day”, but would I benefit on the 29 being 6”?
by k1k3rs
13 Comments
personally I’d take the Pivot hands down because I’m a bigger fan of DW-link than VPP for rear suspension
Where do you ride? Some people feel like some bikes ride best in the area they were designed in or a similar terrain
I’ve been on a full 29″ bike for the last 6 years and love it. I never rode a mullet so can’t compare either. I’m 6′ also and the only issue I have with full 29 is if it’s a very tight lower speed turn, then it’s a little extra effort but other than that I really enjoy how it rides and feels.
I’m 6’ and only ride 29”. I pretty much only ride shorter travel bikes and do fairly aggressive trail riding with big climbs and long downhills. I would maybe consider a mullet for park days if I was doing that more.
mullet is so much more fun than full 29 on long travel bikes imo, I would get the nomad
I have nothing meaningful to add here but the pivot is way better looking IMO and that will do more for your riding than the other differences between them. At least if you’re not insanely good. I’d much rather ride a sexy bike with 98% of the performance since I could never identify a 2% difference.
They’re both sick though
I’m a SC fanboy, love my Nomad but I’ve always wanted a Firebird. Couldn’t go wrong either way.
Here’s a Vote for pivot. I went through every suspension platform out there (literally 12 bikes- marketplace was awesome after covid) I ride central tx singletrack, brutal technical climbs and nasty limestone ledges, drops etc. The dw link and the amount of research that pivot and Chris cocalis puts into developing their bikes is fuggin INSANE. I can’t compare it to the evo, spectral cf9, sentinel, hightower (was badass just not this), evil following was killer but then I rode a pivot… watch some of pivots factory videos. They make the highest quality bikes I’ve ever ridden. Fwiw. Santa cruz is great, but look into pivot on YouTube before you pull the trigger- this is a win win though, cheers!
https://preview.redd.it/4qa8hqd82ath1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e05c75e499fe22743060583ae64e15f7e3dc5e30
That firebird is sick
The Firebird directly compares with the Mega Tower. Both are good bikes so it’s which fits you the best and whether you want a mullet or not. I switched to a mullet this year and really like it because it seems more fun and playfull, but if I were racing enduro, I would go with the full 29 Firebird.
One thing to consider might be Super Boost Plus on the Pivot – it will not be as easy to switch wheels with other bikes or get a replacement wheel if you need one on short notice.
Nomad. Mullet is the way to go.
As a Nomad 6 owner I‘d get the Pivot.
My Nomad is a great bike, but so fucking noisy; a lot of cable rattle, even worse than the Megatower I had before, because there are no exit ports and there’s not enough space for cable liners.
Pretty disappointing at that price point. I had a YT with better cable routing.