
Pistons & Pivots
Pistons & Pivots - McLovin's 2003 4x4 Chevy Astro and Transition Spire
Pistons and Pivots features cool vehicles with character, and a little about their owners and the bikes they ride.
If you've got a vehicle and bike that fit the series, we'd love to help you share them with a wider audience.
You can submit your vehicle in one of two ways:
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- Or simply post a few vehicle and bike photos and details to Instagram and use the hashtags #pistonsandpivots and #nsmb.
We'll pick a few winning submissions and get in touch to work on featuring them on the site.

Look at that beauty - that seemed to be originally designed by a 4 year old. Well done kid!
Matt "Mclovin" Livingston's Chevy Astro AWD
Pistons and Pivots takes me on a poetic journey through the leaky, creaky, sometimes shiny sometimes whiny vehicles of Mountain Biking Communities. I am smitten if the purchase was accidental, ironic and I love hearing about a good deal. I prefer my four wheeled transporters as mechanical as possible. Electronics are best reserved for rear derailleurs if you ask me and I will get shamed for this opinion, but I don't care. I only ran out of battery once on a ride.
Matt is a sweet guy who gets the prioritizing simplicity behind a daily driver in these parts. There is a certain cost of living on the West Coast that demands six figure income for a slightly above average lifestyle. But there is a ton of peace and riches to be found in the woods that no money can buy and all you need is a stable of reliable tools to get you in and play all day long.
The 2003 4x4 Chevy Astro and the Transition Bikes Spire Alloy fit in this category very well for a laid back, low stress life on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast.

The classic bowtie and four square lights
Hi Matt, aka McLovin, please briefly introduce yourself and your riding background.
My real name is Matt Livingston, however everyone calls me McLovin and over the years I've come to embrace it. I love bikes of all kinds but really identify as an obsessed mountain biker these days. I grew up in Ontario skateboarding with a mix of dirt jumping thrown in, however my bike got stolen when I was at summer school (double bummer) and I just went full skateboarder from that point. After moving to Vancouver from Toronto I realized I was in the mecca and bikes quickly re-entered and took over my life. Ive been a creature of the North Shore (dumpsters) and Sea 2 Sky ever since. I'm now living on the Sunshine Coast fulfilling all my best rider / builder dreams.

As aerodynamic as a house

Step Bumper and that sweet 4x4 Conversion

The manual transfer case out of Chevy S10
So the Astro 4x4.. not an AWD. Can you give us the rundown on the beast?
(purchase story, failures, rebuilds, mods)
Theo* as I lovingly call it is a 2003 AWD Chevrolet Astro, It has a 4" lift from Journeys Offroad and its on 29" Falken Wild Peaks so it sits about 6" taller than stock. It also has a 4x4 Transfer case from an S10 with manually selectable 4hi and 4low and new suspension all around.
I knew I wanted to get a AWD Van to use as a weekender for MTB and Ski Touring and was on a limited budget. I eventually settled on an AWD Astro or Safari mostly because AWD Sprinters and Delicas are too expensive. I found this one while policing craigslist and hit the guy up 30 minutes after he posted it which landed me 2nd in line. Luckily he called me and said the first guy flaked and I showed up and managed to snag it. It was all stock at the time that I bought it. ItTs a rare version of the Astro as it has the G80 locking diff in the rear. I was pumped but not long after there was a misfire and turned out the cam shaft was rubbing and throwing metal shavings into the oil. It needed a new engine and I decided it was time to double down and got a remanufactured engine put into it. After that I got the lift, tires and new suspension all around. The swap to the 4x4 transfer case is a great but long story involving a cracked transfer case thanks to Mr. Lube resulting in some insurance wrangling but coming out the other side with the 4x4 transfer case at no charge to me.
*I call the van "Theo" which is short for "Theseus" in reference to the "ship of Theseus" ( in reference to the philosophical question of whether an object which has had all of its original components replaced remains the same object). Almost everything mechanically seems to have needed to have been replaced since I've owned it. I still love it so much and it functions so well as a little weekender style offroad camper MTB shuttle extrordinaire. At least when its running well....

29" Falken Wildpeak A/Ts

That S10 4x4 badge

Wildpeaks are one of the better modern A/T tires

Full size spare under the tail
The last time I saw your van on the North Shore it had a camping setup. I see that's gone now. Whats changed after your move to the SSC?
I used to have a little plywood bed setup in there which I still actually own, however living on the coast now I seem to be picking up people and bikes from the ferry as well as shuttling more than weekend overnighters. I do plan to do a full interior camper build on it eventually and have lots of interior dreams. I already have the Swivel on the front seat which was a key upgrade. I keep saying to myself "I'll build the interior out when I feel like it's mechanically solid." However 3 years later and I still haven't done it so maybe it's time to accept the situation and do it soon. It's nice in the meantime to have the option of the bench and seatbelts as well as the bed when needed.

Mom and Dad's Seats

Sweet ceramic cup. made locally, Matt got for his Birthday
Any memorable trips in the Van?
Lots! Shes been across the rockies to Alberta and back and driven through many good snowstorms on the duffy. However I'd say most of the memorable trips are just weekends around the sea 2 sky shuttling various FSRs with friends and posting up for a lovely nights sleep on my comfy bed!

Theo is always cruisin' for greens

Matt and his sweet ride are a reflection of each other

Awnings are mandatory for any outdoor living

The rear wiper and the summer head syndrome

Those Dutch Barn-doors are a treat when you want to tailgate
Any future plans for the build?
Always planning for the future, usually its more the money thats the problem! I definitely need to get some beefier leaf springs in the rear which will also help raise the bike rack height a bit. Im also dreaming of a skid plate as the lowest part of the vehicle happens to be the oil pan which can be a recipe for disaster offroad. Otherwise most of my dreams are interior builds and prayers that no more major issues arise along the way.

Chevy S10 transfercase

Simple knobs and dials and a newer deck for road trip tunes

Love the overhead console for storing shades, tools, and whetever

The tool case is tidy and ready to deploy at any given moment

Size Large Transition Spire Alloy
Tell us about your bike and how you two met. :)
My bike is a 2022 Transition Spire which was built up from the frame with my parts after I snapped a chainstay on my previous Instinct. All of the parts have been bought second hand off buy/sell or friend deals slowly as I have broken things. I don't identify as a bike nerd and generally have little understanding or patience for suspension settings and so on.

Sweet bike that suits Matt's riding style

SLX>XT>XTR in Matt's life

Maxxis DHF in EXO but protected by Cushcore

Deore crank is the last crank you'll ever need

Tall stack for riding steeps and hitting booters
I have always looked for simple and durable parts hence the Bomber Z1 fork and Fox Float X in the rear. I have 29" Crankbrothers Synthesis Wheels on Project 321 Hubs, Code RSC Brakes and 220 & 200mm rotors. I am running Deore cranks and an SLX 12spd along with double Maxxis DHF for grip. I used to have an XTR deraillieur which I broke, then downgraded to XT which I also broke and now im quite happy with my cheap to replace SLX. I have a firm believe that "ignorance is bliss" when it comes to bike parts, I think the more you know about the tech the more you feel it plays into your riding. I try to remain blissfully unaware and this bike and setup just feel great to me.
Well said! Thanks McLovin'!

Code RSC brakes to scrub some speed

Marzocchi Z1 for simplicity

Front and rear-specific rim profiles for Crankbrothers Synthesis Wheels

tunes for either side of the bike

Sweet Matt Livingstone

Matt guinea pigging the jump he built on his new trail "Superbad"

5'8"
162lbs
Playful, lively riding style
Photographer and Story Teller
Lenticular Aesthetician
Comments
Mike Ferrentino
1 year, 7 months ago
This is the most awesome Pistons'n'Pivots yet. Astro/Safari S10 4x4 conversions are what Sprinters dream of being.
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Deniz Merdano
1 year, 7 months ago
Glad to have your stamp of approval Mike! I am Astro curious more and more everyday and if one at a right price comes alog, I may experiement.
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Mammal
1 year, 7 months ago
Sweet whips! You'll be completely comfortable with your eventual downgrade to a Deore deraileur (they're great).
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Deniz Merdano
1 year, 7 months ago
It's a downgrade worth prioritizing!
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ClydeRide
1 year, 7 months ago
Nice piece, but I’m worried… my van has no name, Greek or otherwise. It’s just “the van”. Am i a bad person?
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Burgess Langshaw Power
1 year, 7 months ago
Van Wilder. Obviously.
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Deniz Merdano
1 year, 7 months ago
DiVan
Thats a good name for your van..
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Velocipedestrian
1 year, 7 months ago
Vangelis? Gough? Halen?
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A.Ron Burgundy
1 year, 7 months ago
Vandervan?
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JVP
1 year, 7 months ago
I might have to steal that one...
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Kyle Dixon
1 year, 7 months ago
All Van names should be Rush references... Krieger was on the right track with 'Exit Van Left'
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Justin White
1 year, 7 months ago
Pretty sure that pic labeled "transfer case" is actually the front differential.
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Deniz Merdano
1 year, 7 months ago
Im pretty sure, you maybe right..
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ShawMac
1 year, 7 months ago
Front Diff to the right, engine oil pan in the middle.
Now I am googling Astro Vans again. Didn't even think about an S10 transfer case swap. Nice.
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Justin White
1 year, 7 months ago
Those rub marks on the fork crown and head-tube really aren't inspiring me to ever be looking an upright rack like that NSR. Yuck. It's often in the comments on reviews of those style racks, but almost always dismissed as "not a real issue". I think this is evidence that it can be an issue.
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IslandLife
1 year, 7 months ago
I've been using one for 5 years now on a multitude of bikes and no rub marks. Maybe it's because I flip bikes fairly quickly, or don't ride as much, or am almost never on rough roads... not sure, but think it depends on the bike and use. One thing many people don't bother with is adjusting the tines to fit your bike.
Also just realized he's using the older gen. The newer version has re-worked tines that accommodate larger headtubes and crowns better.
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Mammal
1 year, 7 months ago
I've been using mine for about 4 years now. Some rub marks, but that's seems to be powder coating, there's no noticeable material removal.
When it comes to quick-loading 4 dudes in a shuttle scenario, it's a great design.
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Deniz Merdano
1 year, 7 months ago
I am definitely not a fan of NSR design and what it does to the bikes. It does have certain offroading benefits to it especially at water ditch crossings. But I've never been a fan of scratched up fork crowns and loading, unloading procedures.
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Cooper Quinn
1 year, 7 months ago
Disagree re: offroad. The only way to prevent your rear wheel hitting the ground (and possibly dislodging your bike entirely) is to mount an NSR style rack so high that you can't reach it to load bikes, and it hits trees...
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Deniz Merdano
1 year, 7 months ago
Turns out, dislodging your bike off the prongs may not be a bad thing. There are a couple of instances where a non-dislodged bike would have resulted in a snapped frame where the dislodged bike just rolled away with a few scratches.
If the front wheel is secured aka Khyber racks, it better be high enough that the rear tires DO NOT make contact with the dirt.
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earle.b
1 year, 7 months ago
Are people baja racing through these water bars to cause a snapped frame? Crawl slow through them water bars if you know the bike hangs a bit low. Reset the bike if it nudges, a bungy cord over the top is good to as it's got some give.
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earle.b
1 year, 7 months ago
Or tray style...sticking 12 feet off the back and also needs to be up high in order to not ruin all departure angle.
What 4 bike rack doesn't have some compromise?
Regarding fork marks, I'd be willing to bet the rubber tube on the tangs of this rack are worn through, spin em to a fresh spot and it greatly lowers the potential for rubbing the anno on the crown.
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BarryW
1 year, 7 months ago
Exactly, I see those marks and read those comments and think: "that's why I'm going to end up with a Velocirax vertical rack."
Not a fan of any of the fork crown type hanging racks.
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Morgan Heater
1 year, 7 months ago
I like it a lot better than the ones that hold the wheel. Watching the fork flex on a bumpy road gives me the heebyjeebies.
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Justin White
1 year, 7 months ago
Better not look at your fork while riding...
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BarryW
1 year, 7 months ago
Great Pivots and Pistons! Always love these rigs and the discussion with the owners.
I really should have taken more pics of my 91 Econoline and my setup in it before I sold it. That thing was amazing, even hauled a pile of people to Sea Otter last spring and back! (From Gig Harbor WA) And it's embarrassed a fair few 4wd rigs on logging roads. Ha!
Maybe once I get the new rig setup I'll send in some pics for a P&P feature.
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dano91
1 year, 7 months ago
If you play your cards right you can have a nap while Matt shuttles you.
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Deniz Merdano
1 year, 7 months ago
Speaking from experience are we?
Cause I love waking up to the sound of my head smacking on the window
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Justin White
1 year, 7 months ago
First-gen Astro/Safari was way more "designed by kids", with that super short snout and smaller 3rd-row window. Second-gens like this just look like a contemporary full-sized van.
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Deniz Merdano
1 year, 7 months ago
Never grow up.. is my motto
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XXX_er
1 year, 7 months ago
never had one of them racks but I see them everywhere, I think the pieces of pool noodle are where its at for protection
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