Pivot Shuttle AM ​​review: With full Bosch power and record-breaking weight

Test / E-MTB: With the new Pivot Shuttle AM, the Americans are relaunching their first eMTB. For the first time with a drive from Bosch, it retains the versatile character of its predecessor as well as its low weight. Can it fill the gap in the portfolio between Shuttle SL and Shuttle LT?

It's been a whopping six years since US manufacturer Pivot presented its first eMTB, the Shuttle AM. Even by today's standards, the optically polarizing bike still has a few unique selling points, such as the external battery, which is installed internally, and its low weight of around 20 kg. Nevertheless: In addition to the two younger eMTBs in the portfolio, the Shuttle LT and the Shuttle SL, the “original eMTB” from Pivot is showing its age despite a few updates over the years. It is therefore not surprising that the new Shuttle AM ​​leaves no stone unturned and presents a completely new eMTB.

The Pivot Shuttle AM ​​as the first Bosch eMTB from Pivot

After previously cooperating primarily with Shimano as a drive partner and using Fazua for the first time for the Light eMTB Shuttle SL, a drive from Bosch is now used for the first time on the Pivot Shuttle AM ​​- the proven Performance Line CX. Although this has been on the market for a few years, it is still one of the best representatives of modern eMTBs. In addition to a maximum torque of 85 Nm at a weight of 2,9 kg and excellently coordinated support levels, the system has finally had an operating concept appropriate to the eMTB since last year with the Mini Remote and System Controller.

Around 22 kg – despite the 750 Wh battery

The motor is powered by a Powertube battery in the down tube - the two top versions have a capacity of 750 Wh, the entry-level model comes with the smaller and lighter 625 Wh version. Pivot has chosen to permanently integrate the energy storage in the frame, in particular to save weight. A look at the scales shows that we succeeded: our test bike in frame size L weighs an impressive 22,2 kg; a top value for an eMTB in this class with a Bosch CX and 750 Wh.

If the capacity of the internally installed battery is not enough for you, you can also use the PowerMore 250 Range Extender presented this year. So you get up to 1.000 Wh capacity with a total weight of well under 24 kg. In addition, the Pivot Shuttle AM ​​should also be the first full power eMTB that officially supports the use of the additional battery.

More travel and pivot dock tool

In the course of the new development of the Shuttle AM, a completely new frame was developed - this is still made of carbon, but offers more spring travel compared to its predecessor. Just under 150 mm at the rear (148 mm) and 160 mm at the front - this means that the bike is definitely at the upper end of what is still considered "All Mountain" and is already scratching the Enduro segment.

The new Pivot eMTB rolls on 29-inch wheels ex works, but the bike can also be converted to a mullet with a small rear wheel using a flip chip. However, it should be noted that the Shuttle AM, like other Pivot (E-)MTBs, relies on a rear triangle with Superboost dimensions - regular rear wheels with an axle dimension of 148 mm do not fit accordingly.

A pretty handy feature is hidden on the underside of the top tube; what initially appears to be a secondary bottle cage location is actually the mounting point for Pivot's proprietary Pivot Dock Tool System accessory system, developed in partnership with Topeak. Here, for example, tools or a CO² cartridge can be mounted directly on the bike. In combination with the drinking bottle on the down tube, the backpack and hip bag can stay in the closet for the after-work lap.

Progressive rear end and sporty geometry

When it comes to the rear end system, the new E-MTB also relies on the tried-and-tested dw-link, which is quite progressively tuned for the Shuttle AM. Accordingly, it is not a problem afterwards, for example to retrofit a steel spring damper. Otherwise, there are many small details on the frame that make biker's life easier and more pleasant: These include frame protectors at all critical points of the bike and also the decision not to route cables and cables in the headset, but rather through the area on the head tube on the frame in the classic way .

The geometry of the Pivot Shuttle AM ​​has become much more modern compared to its predecessor and matches the suspension travel. In a direct comparison with the full-throttle eMTB Shuttle LT, the differences are not that big - of course, the steering angle is not quite as slack and the main frame is a bit more compact. The height of the bottom bracket and the steering and seat angle can also be slightly adjusted via a flip chip.

Equipment of the test bike in detail

In the test we had the Pivot Shuttle AM ​​in its Pro X0 Eagle Transmission variant. At 12.199 euros, it is also a very expensive eMTB by today's standards, but the US manufacturer has always been in the premium segment. After all, you get an all-round successful equipment package without any real weaknesses on paper: In addition to the eponymous Sram X0 Eagle Transmission groupset, Pivot also gives the Pro model a Fox Factory suspension with 36 mm at the front and the Float X at the rear. Also from Fox, also in the Factory variant, comes the Transfer Dropper Post, in the LG frame size we tested with 175 mm travel.

The proven 4-piston version of the Shimano XT with 203mm discs is used for the brakes. Tires from Maxxis sit on the DT Swiss aluminum rims, more precisely the combination of DHF at the front and DHRII at the rear, both in the MaxxTerra rubber compound and with the robust Exo+ carcass. In view of this equipment without cheating parts, with a stiff fork, robust tires and a large battery, the weight of 22,2 kg without pedals is a real statement.

Pivot Shuttle AM: Three equipment variants from 9.399 euros

The tested Pro variant is the middle of a total of three configurations in which the new Pivot Shuttle AM ​​will be available. The entry is the model called Ride, which is the only one equipped with a Shimano gear system and in which an XT rear derailleur is combined with an SLX shift lever and a Deore cassette. The bike, which costs almost 9.400 euros, is decelerated with 4-piston SLX brakes and Fox Performance components are used for the chassis. The fact that "only" a 625 Wh battery is installed here does not necessarily have to be a disadvantage - after all, the smaller battery is around 700 g lighter. Since you don't use any other significantly heavier components than the two top variants, a weight of just over 21 kg should be quite realistic.

At the upper end of the equipment spectrum is the Team model, which costs 14.399 euros. Here you can look forward to the race variant of the Bosch CX motor, as well as the XX Eagle Transmission top circuit from Sram. As befits its rank, Shimano XTR brakes slow it down, while the Maxxis tires sit on Newmen carbon wheels.

Pivot Shuttle AM ​​Ride SLX/XTPivot Shuttle AM ​​Pro X0 Eagle TransmissionPivot Shuttle AM ​​Team XX Eagle Transmission

Drive: Bosch PerformanceLine CX
Battery pack: Bosch Power Tube 625
Fork: Fox 36 Performance 160mm
Mute: Fox Float
Circuit: Shimano XT/SLX 12-speed
brakes: Shimano SLX M7120
impellers: DT Swiss EB1935

Price: € 9.399

Drive: Bosch PerformanceLine CX
Battery pack: Bosch Power Tube 750
Fork: Fox 36 Factory Grip2 160mm
Mute: Fox Float
Circuit: Sram X0 Eagle transmission
brakes: Shimano XT M8120
impellers: DT Swiss EB 1535

Price: € 12.199

Drive: Bosch Performance Line CX Race
Battery pack: Bosch Power Tube 750
Fork: Fox 36 Factory Grip2 160mm
Mute: Fox Float
Circuit: Sram XX Eagle transmission
brakes: Shimano XTR M9120
impellers: Newman Carbon Advanced

Price: € 14.399

On the trail: The Pivot Shuttle AM

As someone who has already ridden the other two current Pivot eMTBs, I initially asked myself to what extent the Shuttle AM ​​could differentiate itself from the LT and SL and to what extent there was room in the portfolio for a third, full-suspension eMTB. However, to anticipate a little at this point: the Shuttle AM ​​can combine many advantages of the other two bikes, but also has its own character and its own strengths.

One of these strengths is definitely the drive system: the Bosch drive with CX motor, system controller or mini remote and long-range battery is in many respects simply what other drives have to measure themselves against. The competition struggles to keep up, especially in terms of support and responsiveness. Especially in Tour+ or eMTB mode, the support behavior is strong but intuitive, the controllability is top and features like the Extended Boost make life on the trail much easier. The only negative thing that stands out is the background noise - the CX motor is clearly audible at all times and at every support level and emits an uncomfortably high hum, especially at higher cadences. You get used to it to some extent, but at least I can't completely block out the noise, even off-road.

The very balanced seating position of the Shuttle AM, which works just as well on technical climbs as it does on descents, is particularly positive. It even offers enough leeway that active riders who ride with a lot of pressure on the front wheel should be just as happy as comfort-oriented trail pilots who are looking for a good-natured vehicle for the terrain. The rear end is very similar, although it is clearly on the sporty side, which is particularly noticeable through a decent final progression. So the ride won't be uncomfortable, but if you're looking for a "sofa rear structure", you'll probably be happier with another bike. But you don't have to worry about harder impacts, which goes well with the sporty character of the bike.

Unfortunately, the bike made a rather loud and unpleasant rattling noise during the descent. After consulting Pivot, the reason for this was quickly found: Apparently, the new revision of the Fox Transfer post has so much play that it makes this noise even with small bumps when you are not sitting in the saddle. We don't know yet whether Fox will improve this, but we'll stay tuned! This is all the more unfortunate for the Shuttle AM, because apart from that it seems to be one of the quietest Bosch CX eMTBs on the descents.

Aside from the dropper post, we couldn't fault the entire equipment package, from the Fox Factory suspension to the powerful XT brakes and the proven Maxxis tires. The X0 Eagle Transmission circuit still takes some getting used to on the first few meters, on the one hand because of the pod controller and on the other hand because of its somewhat sluggish switching behavior. However, it makes up for these small deficits by shifting gears under load without any problems, even when the full power of the Bosch CX motor is applied.