PIVOT SHUTTLE AMP’D SPECS OVERVIEW
The Shuttle AMP’d is the first Avinox-equipped eMTB to hit the market from Pivot Cycles, designed as an aggressive all-rounder eBike. Their Hollow Core carbon fiber frame produces a lightweight chassis that delivers 150mm travel through the DW-Link suspension system. With mixed wheels only, the aggression of the Shuttle AMP’d is clear, and the geometry and kinematic reinforce this. All of Pivot’s premium features are in place to give dialled performance on trail, and when combined with the Avinox M2S drive unit, the result is a electric, premium package.
AVINOX M2S EBIKE SYSTEM SPECS
The Avinox M2S has been one of the biggest talking points in the industry for quite some time, and for good reason. With staggering 1300W Peak Power and 150Nm maximum torque figures produced by its 2.59kg (5.71 lbs) motor, Avinox is leading the power race, for better and for worse.
Powering the Avinox M2S drive unit is a fixed 800Wh battery, which fits all sizes including the XS. A standard 4A charger is supplied with the Ride level build, with charge times of around 6 hours from empty to full. The Pro and Team builds comes with the 12A fast charger, charging to 80% in just 90 minutes. There is currently no range extender on offer for the Avinox system.
The Avinox 2” OLED touchscreen display is nestled in the Shuttle AMP’d top tube, showing the ride stats, allowing power mode tuning, and a new navigation functionality. On the handlebar, there are two customizable wireless remotes. The Avinox Ride app allows users to connect to the bike to apply updates, utilize security features, and fine tune the power modes to deliver their preference of feel, power and range.
PIVOT SHUTTLE AMP’D GEOMETRY
The Pivot Shuttle AMP’d is given a slack head angle and fairly low bottom bracket for its category, with the remaining numbers being quite typical in the all mountain space. A 443mm chainstay length hits a nice blend of agility and stability in size Large.
Notable is the five size range, spanning XS to XL, which has just 15mm reach gaps between most sizes to allow riders to find a fit that closely aligns with their preferences. The tallest riders may struggle to obtain a spacious enough cockpit, though. The 475mm reach on the Large frame proved to be a comfortable fit for our 5’10” to 6’2” (178cm to 189cm) test crew.
PIVOT SHUTTLE AMP’D BUILD OPTIONS
Pivot offers the Shuttle AMP’d in a choice of three builds, from the $9,499 Ride build with SRAM GX Transmission, to the Team build we tested with SRAM XX at $14,499.
The carbon frame is adorned with a Fox 38 Factory 160mm fork and Float X Factory shock. SRAM’s XX Eagle Transmission drivetrain is wired into the Avinox system to unlock SmoothShift functionality. Praxis carbon eCranks supplies the rider power to the motor.
SRAM Maven Ultimate brakes slow the AMP’d down with 200mm rotors, and a RockShox Reverb AXS in 200mm drop on size Large holds a Pivot Team eBike saddle.
Rounding out the specs, a DT Swiss HXC1501 Carbon wheelset is wrapped in a Continental Kryptotal Enduro tire combination as standard. However, these were replaced with the Schwalbe Tacky Chan Gravity Pro and Magic Mary Gravity Pro tire combination that was our control tire setup for this shootout.
The Pivot Shuttle AMP’d Team in size Large weighed 50lbs (22.7kg) with our Schwalbe control tires – the lightest in this year’s test.
AVINOX M2S DRIVE UNIT PERFORMANCE
- Pure Power: As with all bikes in this year’s shootout, the Avinox M2S is unmatched in speed, power and performance.
- Control: The features and control from the Avinox system are very impressive and allowed us to tackle a wide variety of climbing terrain. The traction control, Quick Start and Hill Assist features help aid riders who are looking to challenge themselves on the steepest climbs.
- Perceived Efficiency: Based on our imperfect test, it seems the Avinox system is slightly less efficient than the Bosch system with similar power settings tuned in. However how much power you have will greatly affect how thirsty this unit is.
- Noise Up and down: Very quiet compared to other units. The M2S does make a little bit of a whine when loaded up in higher power modes, but it’s still likely the quietest system in the shootout.
- Ecosystem: Avinox have what we think is the best system in this year’s shootout. The touch screen is easy to navigate, and the fact we can make all the tunes and adjustments without the need of an app is really awesome. The touch screen makes tuning and playing around with settings easier than anything else.
PIVOT SHUTTLE AMP’D CLIMBING PERFORMANCE
The Pivot Shuttle AMP’d climbs incredibly well in a lot of scenarios. It is one of the fastest, lightest and most nimble bikes on the most commonly found trails we encounter. There are some situations however where the AMP’d has some flaws, and while they may not affect everyone on every ride, they are worth noting when comparing the bike against the competitors.
Under some of our longer-legged riders tackling the steepest of climbs where traction was scarce, the Shuttle AMP’d struggled to keep moving forward. Many numbers are close to the other category leading Intense Tazer, in fact chainstays are within 2mm (shorter on Pivot) the BB is within 2mm (lower on Pivot) and the overall wheelbase is identical. Where the bikes differ more drastically however is the seat tube angle and the stack height, and the 0.75-degree slacker head tube angle of the Pivot. The stack of the Pivot is tall, sitting at 651mm. That’s quite a bit taller than many of the Trail category bikes this year. The seat tube angle sits at 76.5 degrees, which as we said was more of an issue for the longer-legged riders and likely worked in unison with the tall stack height to make the front end feel a bit lighter when attempting the steepest climbs on dry, loose dirt with loose rocks strewn about.
While this scenario may not be one that is common to you, it was something that interrupted an otherwise nearly perfect ride experience on the way up. Beyond that situation, the suspension platform feels amazing, seated comfort is great, and the nimble and agile nature of the bike was appreciated by our entire crew. This was often the bike our riders picked when it was their turn to try and set their record for the climb trail race.
PIVOT SHUTTLE AMP’D DESCENDING PERFORMANCE
From our first ride aboard the Shuttle AMP’d, we knew it was going to be a competitor for our favorite eMTB this Spring. It rides more like an SL than a full power eMTB. For riders who enjoy playful, spritely bikes that change direction, bounce and bop with ease, the AMP’d is a dream machine. We’d be hard pressed to think of another 150/160mm full power eMTB that rides as effortlessly as the Shuttle AMP’d.
While the tall stack may have caused some riders a bit of struggle on the most extreme pitches on the way up the mountain, the tall stack, lower weight and low BB made this bike a real standout in this year’s Shootout. In fact, one of our testers purchased the Pivot Firebird we had tested last year since he loved it so much. After his first ride aboard the AMP’d he said, “this feels exactly like my Firebird, but a little more planted”.
On the descents, the Pivot Shuttle AMP’d is not the most capable when things get truly rowdy, but don’t get us wrong, it can hang! The 63.7-degree head tube angle and low BB instill plenty of confidence to go fast and charge hard, we just felt that the bike wasn’t quite as capable of charging DH-track terrain with the brakes off. Admittedly, it’s not a DH bike, or even an Enduro bike, it’s a 150mm do-it-all trail bike. Even so, some other bikes could slightly edge out the Shuttle AMP’d in the most heinous of high speed chunky bits. Where we all agreed however is that we’d gladly trade off the couple sections of slowing down a touch more on the AMP’d for the added speed and fun we’d make up everywhere else on the track.
Some of those more planted bikes wouldn’t leap, twist and move the way the AMP’d does, and riders who are in the market to buy should highly consider what they live for on the trail. If your goal is just to purely hammer rock gardens or root fields at speed, well, chances are you’re looking at a bigger bike like the Shuttle LT anyways. We’d suggest you consider more than just the Avinox system as the determining factor in picking the right Pivot for you.
If you are a rider who does find yourself attacking the chunk at speed but don’t mind touching the brakes a little more for the added speed and fun elsewhere, then the Pivot Shuttle AMP’d is hard to beat. The team all agreed they’d gladly take the tradeoff for how much they enjoyed riding this bike on 95% of the terrain they’d be riding day in, day out.
HOW DID IT COMPARE?
We’ve seen a lot of comments of people asking how the AMP’d compares to bikes like the Mondraker Zendit. While we understand people are really excited about the Avinox system, we’d urge you to look beyond drive units. We would never compare a non-electrified 150/160mm trail bike to a 165/170mm enduro bike, and we firmly believe the same goes in the eMTB space. Compared to other bikes in the category, the Pivot Shuttle AMP’d shines in many aspects of performance. Our testers agreed it was the least eBike riding bike in this year’s shootout. Compared to the Intense Tazer – the other major standout from this category – the Shuttle AMP’d is a worthy adversary. Depending on your riding style and the terrain, it could be the best eMTB for you. If you’re looking for a bit of a longer-legged do-it-all machine that punches a bit higher into the enduro category, or you’ve got really long legs and prefer a lower stack height, some other options may be better suited.
The Wolf’s Last Word
Our crew really enjoyed the Pivot Shuttle AMP’d. It is a very special machine, and if you’re looking for an eMTB that handles and plays less like an eBike and more like your favorite all mountain bike, this is a serious contender. It may not be the best option for those looking to charge hard into the enduro category, but its spritely spirit is unmatched on the more common trails most riders frequent.
WHO SHOULD BUY THE PIVOT SHUTTLE AMP’D?
Riders looking for a bike that will excel on everything from flat and boring trails, to big jumps and steep chutes. If you like to play on the trail, are afraid to get an eMTB because they’re too heavy and “dead” feeling, this is the one for you.
Price: $14,499
Weight: 50 lbs (As Tested)
Website: Pivotcycles.com
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2026 eMTB SHOOTOUT SPONSORS
Without the support from the City of Santa Fe, Santa Fe County Tourism and Economic Development, Fox Racing, Schwalbe Tires and Glorieta Adventure Camps, this year’s shootout would not have been possible. If you’re in the market for new gear, new tires, a place to visit or a way to get your bikes to the trail, consider showing these guys some love.
