Light E-MTB vs Full Power E-MTB: Which eMTB for whom – Pivot Shuttle SL or LT?

Guide: Light E-MTB or Full Power E-MTB? Never before have more e-mountain bikers asked themselves this question. For this reason, we were out and about on Lake Garda with two E-MTBs from Pivot, the Shuttle SL and the Shuttle LT, one light, one full power, and we also measured them on the test stand. It turned out that the differences are clear, albeit perhaps smaller than one would expect at first glance.

2023 seems to be the year of the light E-MTBs. After introducing new drive systems like the Fazua Ride 60 and the TQ HPR50 In late last year, the new models have been springing up from the ground up since the beginning of the year – the selection has never been so large. Accordingly, more e-mountain bikers than ever are likely to be asking themselves whether a light e-MTB could be a real alternative. In order to investigate this question and to take a closer look at the differences between the two types of bikes, we spent a week on Lake Garda with one E-MTB each – one light, one full power – and also put it to the test.

Pivot Shuttle – Light SL variant or powerful LT model?

A few years ago, premium manufacturer Pivot ventured into the E-MTB with the Shuttle – completely new territory for the Americans. But the bike was not only convincing for us, but also for colleagues and e-bikers worldwide. It is certainly also thanks to this success that since late last summer the name Shuttle in Pivot's portfolio no longer stands for just a single model, but for a family of e-MTBs. The two members go by the names Shuttle SL and Shuttle LT - while the former relies on a current light motor with the Fazua Ride 60, the Long Travel (=LT) variant not only has the proven, 85 Nm powerful Shimano EP8 motor, but also also a large 726 Wh battery. There is also more spring travel.

Pivot Shuttle SL: Key technical data

The Pivot Shuttle SL was one of the first E-MTBs to be introduced with the new Fazua Ride 60 drive last year. The bike immediately caused a stir: In addition to its extremely slim appearance, the weight was also impressive: Pivot states 16,5 kg for the lightest configuration - but in the other equipment variants the bike probably weighs around two kilos more, as confirmed by our test bike. Such a weight and such a slim down tube, despite the 430 Wh battery, which is quite generous for a light E-MTB, were only possible with a permanently integrated energy storage system.

Frame material: Carbon
Suspension travel: 150 / 132 mm
Application: Trail+

Drive: Fazua Ride 60
Battery pack: 430 Wh (permanently integrated)

Weight: from 16,5 kg
Price: from € 9.499

The Pivot Shuttle SL is a true trail bike with 150 mm travel at the front and 132 mm at the rear and a progressive geometry to match. Unsurprisingly, you have to dig deep into your pocket for so much high-tech: Prices for the Edel E-MTB start at 9.499 euros.

Pivot Shuttle LT: Key technical data

The Pivot Shuttle LT has much more in common with the "original shuttle" than its light sister model. With its 170 or 160mm spring travel, it is firmly located in the enduro segment and has the appropriate geometry. The Shimano EP8 drive fits perfectly with the sporty character of the bike and its relatively low weight makes it possible for the scales to remain well under 726 kg despite the removable 23 Wh battery in the down tube.

Frame material: Carbon
Suspension travel: 170 / 160 mm
Application: Enduro

Drive: Shimano EP8
Battery pack: 726 Wh

Weight: from 22,5 kg
Price: from € 9.999

Is lighter always better? The weight thing

The eponymous difference between a regular "full-power" e-MTB and the somewhat younger light e-MTBs is the weight. In the case of our two example bikes from Pivot, there are a whopping 4,5 kg between them - that's three full 1,5l water bottles! Of course, such a difference in weight is noticeable at any point in time. Interesting: The discrepancy between the two E-MTBs is larger than between the Shuttle SL and a regular Enduro MTB without a motor.

Low center of gravity can ensure a full driving experience

There is a general tendency to attribute better riding characteristics on the trail to the lighter bike. After all, isn't that the selling point? However, as is so often the case, things are not that simple. This is also because regular E-MTBs weighing 23 kg or more have made huge strides in recent years. Better chassis, stiffer suspension forks and, above all, a lower center of gravity such as on the Pivot Shuttle LT have meant that these bikes often don't feel so heavy on the descents, and in some cases they even benefit from their additional weight.

It is above all the low center of gravity that makes a positive difference. As a result, a 25 kg E-MTB is often more full than a lighter bike, especially at high speeds and on average demanding trails. The situation is different in curves, with jumps or with an active driving style in general. Here the rider has to “catch” the extra weight and will tend to find it a little easier on a light E-MTB. The same applies to drops and jumps: Here, too, a lighter bike is usually easier to control.

Don't forget everyday life

What is often overlooked when discussing bike weight is that you don't always sit on the bike's saddle. The handling in everyday life (bicycle rack, bicycle storage room, trunk, etc.) becomes easier with every kilogram that a bike weighs less. Even carrying or pushing passages in the field are easier to master. Of course, this is not relevant for everyone, but it should be included in the purchase decision.

A question of the drive? Fazua Ride 60 and Shimano EP8 in comparison

The main reason for the big difference in weight is of course the drive system used. In our case a Shimano EP8 in the Pivot Shuttle LT and a Fazua Ride 60 in the Shuttle SL. A look at the technical data of the respective systems makes it clear how big the differences are - at least theoretically. 85 Nm maximum torque for the EP8, "only" 60 (or 59 Nm) for the Fazua Ride 60, a whopping 726 Wh battery capacity for the Shuttle LT, just 430 Wh in the slim down tube of the Shuttle SL. With the latter, the energy storage is also permanently installed, which can be quite cumbersome in everyday life, depending on the situation.

Performance

We put both bikes through various dyno tests. Among other things, we also looked at the performance of the drive systems - and were quite surprised. At maximum power, the difference between Shimano EP8 and Fazua Ride 60 was smaller than expected. We knew that the EP8 is one of the weaker “full-fledged” mid-engines on the one hand from practical experience, but also from earlier laboratory tests. But we never thought that the new Ride 60 from Fazua would come so close. Of course, a difference of approx. 130 W is still a big deal, but the gap is significantly smaller than with older light drives.

The difference in performance is a bit bigger when we look at the output with only 100 W of driver input. This corresponds to easy pedaling on the flat. Here the Ride 60 goes to work much more leisurely, but this is also due to the fact that the EP8 already provides above-average support here. For classification: A Bosch Performance CX only delivers slightly more power than the Fazua motor. This behavior is therefore more a question of the drive characteristics and reflects less the performance. The Fazua app may also be able to tease even more out of the engine.

energy consumption and range

We not only measured the performance, but also the energy consumption and thus the range of the two bikes. In the measurements on the flat (100 W input, 0% incline, highest support level), the Shimano EP8 works clearly more efficiently and consumes less power. Together with the significantly larger battery in the Pivot Shuttle LT, this means that the Full Power E-MTB can go more than twice as far. On the mountain, the discrepancy isn't quite as big, as both drive systems consume about the same amount of energy here - but the different battery capacities are of course noticeable.

Impressions from practice

We spent a few days on Lake Garda with both bikes, where different test riders with different backgrounds and preferences took a seat. What quickly became clear: Anyone who usually rides a mountain bike without a motor can quickly adapt to the driving experience of the Pivot Shuttle SL without having to change your mind. The "jump" to the full power E-MTB Shuttle LT is significantly larger here and requires more getting used to, especially from active riders.

Just as quickly it became apparent: If you ride a light e-MTB uphill to the trailhead like a regular e-MTB, you could quickly be disappointed. The difference in performance is noticeable even at the highest support level, and the battery may then last for a half-day tour before the bike has to be plugged in. So if you really want to use the advantages of a light E-MTB, you will have to economize with the battery, i.e. reduce support. Even at the lower performance levels you are still significantly faster than on a non-motorized MTB, but your heart rate increases significantly. So if you're looking for an E-MTB that doesn't break a sweat even on the climbs, you should stick with the regular Full Power E-MTB.

Both bikes are convincing on technical climbs, especially since the Shuttle SL still has the option of the time-limited Turbo mode of the Ride 60 drive. In general, the light drive can be dosed more easily due to its slightly lower support power, which can help to keep traction on the rear wheel, especially when the ground conditions are not quite optimal. Technically strong uphill pilots will certainly prefer the power of a "real" mid-engine and be able to convert this into faster times.

Behavior on the trail was heavily dependent on the terrain and the rider. In general, the lighter Pivot Shuttle SL is the much more agile, playful bike, no question about it. The big difference in travel was less noticeable during our testing than we initially thought. The rear end with only 132 mm feels like a lot more and can take a lot, even if the Shuttle LT with its 170 or 160 mm offers more reserves. In combination with the strong chassis, it was able to use its extra weight on less narrow trail sections and was like an iron in the rush of speed.

Conclusion: Light E-MTB as a real alternative!

While light e-MTBs have been technically interesting up to now, there were too few models and too small a target group to be a real alternative to the regular full-power e-MTB. That will undoubtedly change this season. On the one hand because of the number of models available for different areas of use, which is growing almost every week, but also because of drives such as the new Fazua Ride 60. With significantly more power and larger battery capacity, the gap to the well-known e-MTBs is shrinking more and more. Of course, light E-MTBs are not right for every e-biker, the differences in performance and range are too big for that. But sporty drivers in particular should definitely take a closer look at the new models such as the Pivot Shuttle SL.

In any case, it will be exciting to continue observing the market. The big names in the industry - Bosch, Brose, Shimano - do not yet have any lightweight drive systems on the market. We would be very surprised if it stayed like this. By then, at the latest, the light e-mountain bikes will have outgrown their niche and will also be perceived by the general public as an alternative. In our opinion, however, they have been for a long time.

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