HEAD-TO-HEAD

PIVOT SHUTTLE AM vs. SHUTTLE LT

MORE “POWER” OR MORE TRAVEL

Words by Drew Rohde

If you’ve kept up with our YouTube channel or website this year, chances are you’ve seen the entire crew spending a ton of time on the Pivot Shuttle LT. When we give a bike an award, it’s not for any other reason than we absolutely love it, and in our 2023 eMTB Shootout, the Pivot Shuttle LT won our staff’s pick for the Most Versatile Enduro eBike. We also took it around the western United States as part of our eMTB Destination Tour and did plenty of personal rides on this 170/160mm 29” wheeled bruiser. Fast forward six months and the Bosch-equipped Pivot Shuttle AM was released, answering the prayers of many riders who believe the Shimano STEPS EP8 drive unit is “deal-breaker.” We attended the press camp for the Shuttle AM in Crested Butte, Colorado, and were excited to get it back on our home test tracks for some more miles to review the new Shuttle AM’s performance. Even more exciting, we couldn’t wait to put the Pivot Shuttle AM head-to-head against the Shuttle LT, to see if Bosch’s drive unit could overpower all the other aspects that made us love the Shuttle LT so much. So, does horsepower trump all, or does the LT’s extra travel and downhill capability keep it at the top of our list? Let’s find out.

SHUTTLE LT | THE DEFENDER

Award-winning performance, all-around capability and an undeniable amount of fun, the Pivot Shuttle LT leaves big shoes to fill in our opinion. The Shuttle LT has 170mm of travel up front and 160mm of DW-Link travel out back. Considered to be an electrified version of the Pivot Firebird and designed for riders who want to get rowdy, go big, descend fast and repeat their favorite DH trails, it’s a standout for gravity-focused eBike riders.

GEOMETRY on the Shuttle LT did prove to be the one area our riders didn’t instantly agree on, as the reach numbers of the medium and large bikes put us in a gray zone. At 5’10 to 6’2, our riders were split with most opting for the (Slightly undersized) size Medium with only one of the 6’2” riders wanting the size Large as his personal choice. We made a video about the pros and cons of sizing up or sizing down here, it’s worth a watch.

Our size Medium has a 471mm reach (Lg is 491mm). The head tube angle sits at 64.5 and the seat tube angle is 77.5 degrees. The wheelbase on our Medium is 1,245 (shorter than the Medium AM by 24mm) but the large wheelbase sits at 1,281 (longer than Large AM by 12mm). The chainstays of the LT are shorter across the board at 437mm, compared to the 444mm stays of the Shuttle AM.

DRIVE UNIT – Likely the biggest factor to people dismissing one of the best eBikes on the market is the Shuttle LT’s Shimano’s EP8 drive unit, which seems to be the major talking point for many. Over the last few years, we’ve ridden at least 100 eBikes and can’t quite figure out why people would dismiss a bike because of this drive unit, as we find other performance-related factors far more important. But nevertheless, it seems to be the real thing. In our opinion, it’d be like buying a lesser-quality car that has an extra 200 horsepower over a more refined vehicle that is superior in many other ways. Apparently that extra 200 horsepower, even if the rest of the car is inferior with worse handling, is what matters most.

Don’t get us wrong, Shimano is not our favorite drive unit and we don’t think it’s perfect. But, it works well. We’ve only had one drive unit out of 50-or-more tested ever fail on us. Bottom line is Shimano’s EP8 gets us back up the mountain for more laps. Sure, the 85Nm of claimed torque isn’t as “powerful” in feeling as the Bosch, and it would not be the drive unit we’d choose if we were racing eMTBs, as the Shimano EP8 just can’t compete with the all-out speed of the Bosch. But, we’re not lining up on start lines very often, so that’s not a huge deal to us.

SPECS AND TECH | Shuttle LT builds currently start at $9,899, however there seem to be tons of sales and discounts at shops all over, so it’s worth calling around. The Team XTR model is $11,999, which is what we reviewed, and comes with Fox Factory suspension, Shimano XTR shifter, derailleur and brakes with Shimano XT cassette and DT Swiss Hybrid HX1501 wheels.

Suspension on the Shuttle LT is designed to be a bit more robust with a 38mm fork and aggressively tuned Fox Float X rear shock. Both the Shuttle AM and LT feature Pivot’s injection molded frame protection; ample water bottle clearance and Pivot’s Dock Tool System compatibility.

Inside the downtube is a removable 756Wh battery to ensure big days and lots of laps are within reach. Aside from a little bit of the Shimano EP8 rattle, the Shuttle LT frame rides stealthily quiet with its well managed internal cable routing. The charge port is located down near the bottom bracket area and the bike features a USB-C charging port if you’d like to plug in lights, GoPro or your cell phone to get a quick boost of juice. Shimano’s display tucks neatly next to the stem, and the power button is located on the top tube of the bike which is not something we love as it can become very sticky or get gritty in bad conditions.

SHUTTLE AM | THE NEWCOMER

The Shuttle AM can be run as a Mullet, but ships sporting dual 29” wheels, with 160mm of front travel and 148mm of rear DW link travel. It also comes with a smaller 36mm stanchion Fox fork, but carries over the Float X rear shock, albeit with a different feel on the trail. If the Shuttle LT is the Firebird, the Shuttle AM mimics the Pivot Switchblade in its intentions and versatility on the trail.

GEOMETRY on the Shuttle AM is very capable and does a nice job giving riders of many different backgrounds and regions the ability to advance as riders. We opted for the size large on the Shuttle AM, unlike the Shuttle LT, because reach numbers were much closer to our preferred reach. The size large has a 480mm reach and 647mm stack height; with 64.5-degree head tube angle and a 76.8-degree seat tube angle. The angles are very similar to the LT, and the AM’s 444mm chainstays are 5mm longer than the stays found on the LT.

DRIVE UNIT | Bosch’s Performance Line CX drive unit cranks out 85Nm of torque and 340% of support, while the Team Build bikes feature the Limited Edition CX Race drive unit with its notable 400% of support. Team and Pro builds also come with a 9.5lb 750Wh battery while the Ride builds come with an 8lb 625Wh battery. Unlike the Shuttle LT, the AM battery is not easily removable for charging or air travel. Bosch and Pivot have announced a PowerMore range extender, which should be dropping in the near future and will add 250Wh of juice for the big mileage crunchers. Both Shimano and Bosch drive units deliver the same amount of torque on paper, however the perceived support and assistance they deliver feel very different on trail. We’ll touch more on this in the video and write-up below.

SPECS AND TECH | Pivot offers the Shuttle AM in three levels: $8,999 Ride SLX/XT; the $11,7999 Pro X0 Eagle T; and the Team XX Eagle T, which costs $13,999. Bosch’s Smart System is a bit nicer looking and feeling than Shimano’s in some aspects. We like the integrated LED top tube display, and the ease of pressing the power button. The power selector on both Shimano and Bosch Smart System bikes are similar in size and feel, but one thing some of us prefer on the Shimano-equipped LT is the screen display with speed, range, miles etc. Bosch has options, but that requires more work or investment compared to the OE-spec’d Shimano display.

THE TESTING AND TESTERS

Over the course of our riding time aboard these bikes, it is very apparent that there is some crossover – they are both Pivot’s after all – but there are some undeniable advantages that each bike possesses. We had a few different riders ride both bikes, but for our “Official testing film day” we had Chris Joyce AKA Neighbor Chris come out, as he’s only recently been tainted by the dark side of eBikes – mostly when we have wrangled him out of the cul-de-sac to give us a fresh perspective. He does not work in the bike industry; has to buy his own gear; has two kids and a full-time career, so his wish list and critical analysis bring valuable insights. He’s also not quite as DH-focused as some of our other crew members are. He likes to tow his younger kids up to mellower trails, is working on his jumping confidence and gaining speed overall. He’s a very capable rider and still an advanced level rider, but he realizes he’s not searching for glory and has to get to work and care for his kids after the ride is over.

Drew Rohde is the other primary tester, and for those who haven’t read his other ramblings, he loves raw, natural downhills; chunky terrain; high speeds; tight tech and actively moving around on the trail. He also is the instigator for every one of the crew’s technical hill climb challenges, as he has a sick infatuation with trying to make people fall over while climbing heinous bits of “trail”. Flow trails and jumps aren’t his number one priority, though he does have fun catching some kooky air. He’s primarily looking for an eMTB that will give him a lively, active and supple ride that can charge hard, go deep and get him back to the top.

We set up several “Stages” to compare the Shuttle AM and the Shuttle LT against each other, helping us to determine which bike would be the best option for consumers with different goals. We had a technical climbing section that was timed and featured a very tricky corner to a vertical, loose rock wall ascent. This tested the overall speed of the section, as well as low-speed acceleration and power application along with torque and power-management capabilities.

We also had a nearly minute long lower-grade uphill singletrack that was fast and twisty with short 5 to 10-foot pitches that steepened up before flattening out.

After the climbing stages were completed, we moved onto the DH stages which encompassed a top-to-bottom race run; a drop-to-flat, and a “Scary Feature” obstacle.

THE RESULTS

As we expected, the Shuttle AM with its Bosch drive unit took the victories in the climbing and uphill race stages. The Shimano certainly has merit as it delivers a very smooth, natural feeling of assistance, but the clock and average speeds don’t lie. The Bosch unit is faster and also can deliver some power over a broader range of cadences than Shimano. Chris, who wasn’t clearing the technical uphill obstacle as repeatedly as Drew, found that the Bosch bike was able to give him the best chance at clearing the challenging section of trail. And regarding the timed-uphill segment, just how big of a gap was there? The Shuttle AM was regularly 8 to 11 seconds faster over the 50-second segment, making it roughly 10% faster. This echoes our experiences with other Bosch-equipped bikes: they just pull that bit better.

With the climbing behind us, it was time to hit the downhills test segments. We took turns doing top-to-bottom runs; repeated certain notable sections and came away with some solid impressions on which bike shines brightest when it comes to the downs.

After Chris rolled into the finish with a time of 1:51 he proclaimed, “This bike is way faster! So much more forgiving, I could feel the extra travel and it gave me more confidence.” He was talking about the Shuttle LT, as he had just dropped 19 seconds off his Shuttle AM downhill time. No small feat on such a short track! Similarly, Drew’s times were 1:36 aboard the Shuttle AM and 1:26 aboard the Shuttle LT. A smaller overall difference, but a notable one, nonetheless. Just as we expected the Bosch-equipped Shuttle AM to take the lead on the climbs, there was no surprise that the Shuttle LT is still the bike to take for pure downhill laps.

Next, we moved onto another track which was full of tight and awkward chunks; some steep and loose downhill features; drops to flat-ish landings, and the “Waterfall” – a final obstacle that has destroyed many rear wheels, tires, and a few bodies. It’s not the craziest feature in and of itself, however the run-out is short; full of holes and requires a tight turn to avoid a minefield of jagged rocks.

Hitting the drops on both bikes, it was apparent that the extra travel of the LT offered up more cushion and confidence. The AM was plenty capable, and we rode it many times without issue, however we found the bottom of the travel on just about every lap. The LT took the hits in stride, and we just kept gaining momentum lap after lap.

When it came time to hit the Waterfall, it was Chris’ first time on that trail, and his first-time eyeing up the obstacle. “Nope! I’m good on that one. I’ll pick up the camera and get another angle,” he said. I assured him there was no pressure at all: I’d be happy to hit the obstacle enough times to get the shots on both bikes, and we could always come back.

As it worked out, I was on the Shuttle AM, so I dropped into the feature on that bike first. After watching the execution, speed required and the roll out, Chris walked back up and said, “Maybe it’s not as bad as it looks.” He picked up the Shuttle LT, rolled up to the take-off point and told us he was going to drop-in. He approached confidently, hit his mark and dropped the front tire over the point of no return. The Shuttle LT ate it up, he held his line, rolled out and made the corner with a hoot.

I interrupted his cheers and adrenaline rush by asking him, “If I had dropped in on the Shuttle LT and the Shuttle AM was the bike up top, do you think you would have hit this feature like you just did?” After pausing to think for a moment he said, “I don’t know actually. I think I would have looked at it more. I definitely would have taken a couple more practice runs up to it and thought about it harder. I just knew with the LT; it had the travel and I could trust the bike to save me as long as I had it pointed where I needed to go.”

This was an interesting statement, because up until this point Chris was all-aboard the Bosch train and said the AM was one of his favorite eMTBs he’s ridden yet. I felt a tinge of pride and thought, maybe I’ve swayed him back to the Shuttle LT side? Before I got too excited though, Chris reminded me, “This isn’t the type of trail or place I ride regularly, and even though I’d pick the LT for here, I think for the majority of my riding, the Shuttle AM is a little more lively, lighter and powerful, which are things I want for how I ride.” Fair enough!

WIN, LOSE, OR DRAW

Here at The Loam Wolf we do our absolute best to keep our readers in mind when we review or showcase products. We are well-aware that riders all over the world have different skill levels, terrain and trail types, and simply different desires from their mountain bike and electric mountain bike experience. We’re all fortunate that brands from different regions also have different goals when they design their bikes, so you can find a bike that suits your style and desires best.

So, while putting the Pivot Shuttle AM head-to-head against the Shuttle LT, which bike suits me best? Unapologetically, I would still pick the Pivot Shuttle LT, even with its Shimano Steps EP8 drive unit. Chris, however, opted for the Shuttle AM, as he isn’t quite as downhill-focused as I am. He wants a more powerful drive unit to tow his kids and climb faster, and most importantly he’s looking for a shorter travel bike that is a little more appropriate and engaging for his preferred terrain.

As I said above, there is no denying that at this point in time, Bosch’s Performance Line CX drive unit is faster and more supportive than Shimano’s EP8. However, since I’m not racing uphill, taking a 10% penalty in climb times is more than reasonable for the much larger gains I see on the downhills. As a recovering downhiller, I’m not willing to sacrifice big hit confidence; flat out DH-speed, and all things downhill for the sake of a faster uphill. I want a bike that will give me the best bet at going fast, staying safe and doing what I like most. If that’s not what matters to you most, then by all means pick the bike that offers you the ingredients you like best. Maybe that is the Shuttle AM; maybe it’s the Shuttle SL, or not a Shuttle at all! There is no right or wrong here, we just wanted to take some time and share our thoughts on why you should consider more than just drive unit power when it comes time to make your next eBike purchase.

Happy Trails
– Drew and TLW Crew

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To check out the full Pivot Shuttle lineup, visit Pivot Cycles Website.