Barreling down singletrack without second thought might be some rider's cup of tea, but some of us prefer a little more finesse, picking our lines with deliberate precision, biting off what we know we can chew, and cleaning rock gardens using more skill and a little less suspension--only to turn around and power back to the top with more speed than the longer-travel steeds can muster. The 2018 Pivot Mach 4 V2 Carbon Race X01 Eagle Complete Mountain Bike is a bike for just that --precision, deliberate choices, and conquering miles of rolling singletrack with speed usually delegated to just the hardtails. Its short and snappy chainstays pair with 4-inches of DW-link squish that feels near bottomless to offer you just the perfect balance of quick power and float over rocks for a ride that craves race-day podiums, with a mix of SRAM Eagle components to give you the crispy shifting you want and massive gear range that keeps you pedaling through the punchiest of climbs. The Mach 4 Carbon V2 stays true to its roots, keeping the geometry nearly identical to its most recent predecessor. That isn't to say it remains unchanged though, as it makes space for bigger tires and more versatility, the Mach 4 was boost-ified in the rear, stretching the rear axle out to 148mm for a stiffer, more responsive wheel, up to date with new hub standards, and allowing for the clearance needed for running up to a 2. 6-inch tire. The bigger space, and wider tire, means you can run lower PSI in the large volume, keeping your tread locked to the ground through loose and wily corners, and giving you just a little bit more squish when you roll into rock gardens that buck you a little bit more wild than you were expecting. Hard corners and off-camber landings don't have to sketch you out on this XC machine--its built to be stiff and hold up to it all. It may come in as a lightweight, weighing in at only 5. 1lb for the frame alone, but its meticulous carbon layup doesn't compromise on stiffness. Wit..