American brand, Pivot, have been focussed on producing mountain bikes since 2007, developing Trail and All-Mountain bikes with a strong following in the mountain bike world.
Early Days
Brand founder, Chris Cocalis, started Pivot in 2007 in Phoenix, Arizona. However, Chris had gleaned many years of experience through Bmx in the 1980’s and also working as a US Team mechanic Chris’s background and experience led him to develop bike products since the mid 1980’s.
Crank it Out
During his years in College, Chris developed his first mountain bike frame, the Sun Eagle Bicycle Works Talon. At this time he also developed a new crank and bottom bracket design – these were stronger than many available at the time. Diamondback signed up to license the Cyborg crank.
Time for Titus
Titus bikes, a successful brand Cocalis founded in 1991, he ran until he sold it in 2006. Chris brought the same innovative attitude and focus on customer service he learned working in bike shops to Pivot.
Pivot
The first Pivot bike was the Mach 4. Chris decided to produce the Mach 4 in aluminium because, at that time, Aluminium was stronger, just as light and also cheaper than carbon fibre. The following years saw carbon fibre technology improve and costs reduce, at this point Pivot decided it was time to start utilising the material. Their first carbon fibre bike was the Mach 5.7. From this point onwards, all Pivot models came in carbon fibre with a few also produced in aluminum.
Bottom Bracket
Cocalis and Pivot continued to develop new component interfaces. These helped make frames stiffer for improved riding. He also worked with Shimano to design the PF92 BB standard, and also FSA on the oversize BB386 EVO. More recently, Pivot developed an advanced version of the 157mm rear-hub spacing, they called this Super Boost Plus, for some of its 29ers and other long-travel bikes.
