Pivot Shuttle LT Bosch Dissected

2025 PIVOT SHUTTLE LT WITH BOSCH

THE B-LT

Words by Drew Rohde
Photo/Video by Eric Winkler

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The new Bosch-equipped Pivot Shuttle LT will likely be the eBike to check most boxes for a big chunk of eMTB riders. If you’re looking for a longer travel, enduro-readey electric mountain bike this bike could be for you. Pivot sought to deliver all of the same award-winning performance that has made the Shuttle LT the top recommendation in our eMTB Shootout two years in a row, but with the addition of the highly requested Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition drive unit. As huge fans of the Shuttle LT, we were both excited and nervous when we got word an update was coming. We didn’t want some of our favorite traits of the bike to get lost, and luckily, it seems that Pivot felt the same way.

I met with Pivot Cycles’ founder and CEO, Chris Cocalis, for a couple of rides on some familiar terrain in Southern California earlier this summer. We spent a day riding and filming at SkyPark Bike Park, before embarking on an epic ride in the San Gabriel Mountains. The first day was typical bike park fair with the second ride being raw and rocky cliff-side singletrack above the Los Angeles basin.

I learned all about the latest generation Shuttle LT, affectionately called the B-LT, short for Bosch-powered LT. One of my first questions to Chris was if anything changed besides the drive unit and slightly more vertical shock orientation due to the size of the Bosch Performance CX motor. I was put at ease when he told me that very little would be noticed on the trail, aside from the change in power and the OE 27.5” rear wheel. Of course, the rear shock selection (3 available) could make a bigger change in feel, which we’ll get to later in our first ride impressions.

WHAT’S NEW ABOUT THE BOSCH-POWERED SHUTTLE LT?

The new 2025 Pivot Shuttle LT w/Bosch has 160mm rear travel with a 170mm fork. Inside the downtube is a 750Wh battery, which can be expanded to 1,000Wh with the Bosch PowerMore extender.

Bolted to the bottom of the 2025 Shuttle LT is Bosch’s Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition drive unit which puts out 600 watts of max power. Separating this drive unit from the standard Bosch CX Gen 4 is a reduction in weight of around 200g, and 400% assistance opposed to 340%. Something unique to Pivot’s Shuttle LT is that all models (Ride, Pro, and Team) will come with the hard-to-get Bosch CX Race drive unit.

BUILDS AND REAR SHOCK OPTIONS

Three models will be available with a variety of suspension options. The Team XX build will come with a SRAM XX T-Type drivetrain, Shimano XTR brakes, carbon wheels and Fox Factory suspension. For suspension, Pivot’s Shuttle LT Pro build will feature either a Fox Factory Float X or the new DHX Live Valve Neo shock, with a Fox 38 Factory GRIP X2 170mm fork. Their Team build option offers a Fox Factory Float X2 or the DHX Live Valve Neo, with the same 38 GRIP X2 fork. Ride level builds come with a Fox Performance Float X shock and Performance 38 GRIP fork. The Live Valve Neo upgrade is an additional $1,500, which will likely mean only the most performance-oriented riders – or those with money to spend – will take advantage of this very awesome-riding upgrade.

We’ve all loved the Pivot Shuttle LT with the Float X shock and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. However, we received our new Shuttle LT with a Float X2 which we rode for a bit before swapping over to the new DHX Coil Live Valve Neo, and we don’t plan on going back!

GEOMETRY

For better or worse, geometry is unchanged on the Shuttle LT. As much as we love this bike, we couldn’t help but wish that there was a 475-480mm reach option. We’ve opted to stick with the size medium for the third year in a row, however, if that gives you any indication on how we like our bikes to feel. We also made a Medium Vs Large sizing video, which you can check out here.

Pivot Shuttle LT Bosch Geo

FRAME FEATURES AND DETAILS

It’s hard to deny that Pivot’s attention to detail and finished product is one of the best in the game. Even if we’re not always wild about their color or graphic offerings, the final product always impresses us after an unboxing and bike build.

That attention to detail isn’t just skin deep, as Pivot’s attention begins with their Proprietary Ride Tuning. Designed to fit riders from 5’3” to 6’7”, Pivot’s Hollow Core molding process and custom-tuned carbon lay-ups give each frame size its own appropriate stiffness and handling feel for riders of different sizes. You can read up on their Ride Tuning at their website here.

Pivot’s Dock Tool System also finds itself on the 2025 Shuttle LT. We’re big fans of the system and like being able to mount a variety of tool combinations to the frame.

FLIP CHIP ADJUSTABILITY

Pivot gives the Shuttle LT a High and Low setting, which also helps to accommodate either a MX or dual 29” tire setup.

Riding the new Pivot Shuttle LT Bosch

THE WOLF’S FIRST IMPRESSION

As with all of our Dissected Features, this is not intended to be an endorsement or long-term review. However, we have put enough miles on this bike to get some preliminary impressions for those who are looking to potentially snag a bike up before we complete our long-term review. The Pivot Shuttle LT we’ve loved for the last two years is very much still here, it’s just been slightly improved and given a whole lot more juice!

So, what do we mean by improved? Well, we began our filming and testing on the Float X2 rear shock. Personally, it’s not my favorite rear shock for some bikes, not saying this is one of them, it’s just that it can take a lot of time to nail the tune. Knowing that, Chris brought a new DHX Live Valve Neo Coil with him, so we decide to make the switch after lunch. I was instantly pleased with the DHX2 and was really impressed with the Live Valve Neo technology. I’m not typically a huge fan of electronic shocks, but I do believe a longer travel, coil application is where this technology shines.

While I’ve not yet ridden the B-LT with a Float X – the shock I’ve ridden on my last 3 Pivot Shuttle LTs – I have been told that the ride will be nearly identical. I’d like to believe Pivot on that, based on the numbers and what I’ve felt, but I can’t officially confirm.

What I noticed from a suspension standpoint is that the bike feels just ever so slightly more capable of being pushed hard and fast. “Sportier,” if you will. Maybe that’s the shock change, or maybe the minor difference in the frame’s motor/battery mounting or slightly more vertical shock orientation, or perhaps a combination of all those elements. Comparing the last two Float X-equipped Shuttle LT’s, the rear shock felt hyperactive, in a good way. Those bikes were lively, plush and playful. With the DHX and especially the Float X2 rear shock, the rear felt like it had a bit more low-speed compression and support. It kept the bike a bit more firm and stiff feeling, which inspired me to hit stuff with a bit more speed and aggression. It’s a very small difference, but after having spent so much time aboard Shuttle LTs, it was a difference I could perceive with some attention. I liked it, and felt it gave the bike a bit more of a “racey” feel.

Riding the new Pivot Shuttle LT Bosch

Speaking of racey, the Bosch Performance Line CX Race drive unit is a real upgrade in the speed department compared to the EP8 drive unit we first found aboard the Shuttle LT. Some may be wondering why Pivot opted to not run the latest Performance Line CX drive unit in favor of the Race motor. We’d say there are still a few good reasons to consider the Race Limited Edition drive unit as viable.

While the sub-100-gram weight difference isn’t all that eye turning, the Race drive unit is still lighter, which does add up to a lighter bike. The power to weight ratio edge goes to the Race, with a 98W/lbs compared to the 95W/lbs found on the new Performance Line CX Gen 5 motor. What makes more of a difference however is the Race motor’s ability to offer a whopping 400% maximum support level, compared to the 340% of the new Line CX. This is especially notable when soft pedaling or in positions like technical climbs with the saddle dropped, when you’re unable to get the full power out of your legs. The Race motor is a certified speed demon in these situations.

If you’re more focused on ride quality than charts, then you’ll be happy to know the CX Race Limited Edition drive unit has performed well in our preliminary testing, and has given us some impressive range thanks to that 750Wh battery. So far, the biggest ride I’ve been able to get on the Shuttle LT was over 20 miles and a hair under 4,000 feet of climbing. I was mostly in eMTB with some occasional Race mode sections for fun. I still had battery left, so I plan on putting in some more range and vert testing in the future to see exactly where I hit the red.

Riding the new Pivot Shuttle LT Bosch

Is it a shame not to see Bosch’s new higher density 800Wh battery in this bike? Well, yes and no. The increased range and reduced weight of this new battery would be much appreciated; however its bulky cross section is undeniably less aesthetically pleasing than the 750Wh’s shape, forcing the use of a chunkier downtube. It’s certainly a dilemma that bike designers are going to be struggling with over the coming couple of years.

Overall, I’ve been quite pleased with the new Pivot Shuttle LT thus far. At this point, without having spent more time on the Float X2 shock to get it to my happy place, I’d either go with a Float X or the DHX Live Valve Neo coil, which I’m really liking on this bike! The overall feel, fit, performance and well-rounded nature that has made the Shuttle LT a two-time winner in our eMTB Shootouts and my personal eBike of choice remain. Yet Pivot has been able to add more power in the form of Bosch’s Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition drive unit and a 750Wh battery.

For more information on the 2025 Pivot Shuttle LT, visit pivotcycles.com

Pivot Shuttle LT Bosch Ride SLX/XT Build

PIVOT SHUTTLE LT | RIDE SLX/XT

MSRP: $8,699

SHOCK: Fox Performance Float X
FORK: Fox Performance 38 GRIP | 170mm
HEADSET: Pivot Precision Sealed Cartridge

DERAILLEUR: Shimano XT M8100 SGS 12-Speed
SHIFTER: Shimano SLX M7100 ISPEC EV 12-Speed
CASSETTE: Shimano Deore M6100 10-51t
CHAIN: Shimano CN-M6100 12 Speed
CRANK SET: Praxis Alloy eCranks E-MTB 34t – 160mm
BRAKES: Shimano SLX M7120 4-piston
ROTORS: Galfer Wave 223 / 203

DRIVE UNIT: Bosch Performance CX Race Edition
BATTERY: BOSCH Powertube 750wh

HANDLEBAR: Phoenix Race Low Rise Aluminum
GRIPS: Phoenix Factory Lock-On
STEM: Phoenix Team Enduro/Trail – 45mm
SEATPOST: SDG Tellis
SADDLE: Phoenix WTB Volt Race

WHEELS: DT Swiss Hybrid H1900
TIRES: Continental Kyrptotal (f)29×2.4 | (r)27.5×2.6

Pivot Shuttle LT Bosch Pro X0 Eagle Transmission

PIVOT SHUTTLE LT | PRO X0 EAGLE

MSRP: $10,999

SHOCK: Fox Factory Float X
FORK: Fox Factory 38 GRIP X2 | 170mm
HEADSET: Pivot Precision Sealed Cartridge

DERAILLEUR: Sram X0 Eagle Transmission 12-Speed
SHIFTER: Sram AXS Pod Controller
CASSETTE: Sram GX 1275 Eagle Transmission 10-52t
CHAIN: Sram GX Eagle Transmission Flattop 12-Speed
CRANK SET: Praxis Alloy eCranks E-MTB 34t – 160mm
BRAKES: Shimano XT M8120 4-piston
ROTORS: Galfer Wave 223 / 203

DRIVE UNIT: Bosch Performance CX Race Edition
BATTERY: BOSCH Powertube 750wh

HANDLEBAR: Phoenix Race Low Rise Carbon
GRIPS: Phoenix Factory Lock-On
STEM: Phoenix Team Enduro/Trail – 45mm
SEATPOST: Fox Transfer Factory
SADDLE: Phoenix WTB Volt Pro

WHEELS: DT Swiss Hybrid HX1501
TIRES: Continental Kyrptotal (f)29×2.4 | (r)27.5×2.6

Pivot Shuttle LT Bosch Team XX Eagle Transmission Build

PIVOT SHUTTLE LT | TEAM XX EAGLE

MSRP: $12,999

SHOCK: Fox Factory Float X2
FORK: Fox Factory 38 GRIP X2 | 170mm
HEADSET: Pivot Precision Sealed Cartridge

DERAILLEUR: Sram XX Eagle Transmission 12-Speed
SHIFTER: Sram AXS Pod Controller
CASSETTE: Sram XX 1297 Eagle Transmission 10-52t
CHAIN: Sram XX Eagle Transmission Flattop 12-Speed
CRANK SET: Praxis Carbon eCranks E-MTB 34t – 160mm
BRAKES: Shimano XTR M9120 4-piston
ROTORS: Galfer Wave 223 / 203

DRIVE UNIT: Bosch Performance CX Race Edition
BATTERY: BOSCH Powertube 750wh

HANDLEBAR: Phoenix Race Low Rise Carbon
GRIPS: Phoenix Factory Lock-On
STEM: Phoenix Team Enduro/Trail – 45mm
SEATPOST: Fox Transfer Factory
SADDLE: Phoenix WTB Volt Team

WHEELS: DT Swiss Hybrid HXC1501
TIRES: Continental Kyrptotal (f)29×2.4 | (r)27.5×2.6