Pivot Shuttle SL/AM
Wheel Size: 29” (Size XS: 29” front / 27.5” rear)
Suspension Travel:
- Frame: 150 mm
- Fork: 160 mm
Geometry Highlights:
- Sizes offered: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Headtube angle: 64.1° (Low)
- Seat tube angle: 76.5° (Low)
- Reach: 476 mm (Low)
- Chainstay length: 444 mm (all sizes)
Drive System Highlights:
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line SX
- Power: 600 watts
- Torque: 55 Nm
- Assist percentage: 340%
- Battery: 400 Wh
- Display: Bosch System Controller
Frame Material: Carbon Fiber
Price: Complete bikes: $7,999 to $12,299
Intro
There has been a recent trend of lighter-weight full-power eMTBs spec’d with smaller batteries, with the option of supplementing the smaller battery with a range extender for longer rides. The idea is to give you a lighter bike for hot laps on your local trail system, and with the addition of more watt hours from the range extender, one that can potentially match full-power eMTBs with larger batteries in range for bigger rides.
But, here’s the rub: that approach usually only saves 3–5 lbs, with bikes typically still weighing 45–48 lbs. Pivot didn’t think that juice was worth the squeeze because they were after something more like 10 lbs lighter, yet with more power than light-assist eMTBs running drive systems like the TQ HPR 50 or Fazua Ride 60 (like their Shuttle SL). Enter the Bosch SX drive system. It has peak power that matches their full-power CX motor, and in combination with the 400 Wh battery, has a total system weight that is actually slightly lighter than the Fazua system, and only a small bit heavier than the TQ system.
But the drive system is only part of the story. In addition to lighter weight and more power, Pivot also wanted the All Mountain capability found in their Shuttle AM. So they essentially have given the Shuttle AM a motor swap, and in doing so, they’ve made the Shuttle SL/AM considerably lighter than the AM (it’s claimed to be almost as light as the Shuttle SL). Let’s dig in and check out what Pivot has come up with.
The Frame
The Shuttle SL/AM frame strongly resembles the Shuttle AM’s frame. A sharp eye may detect the slightly different profile of the SX motor versus the CX motor, but overall, it’s pretty much indistinguishable. I find the Shuttle SL, AM, and LT to be good-looking bikes, and the same holds for the SL/AM — I love the way the seat stays follow the same slope as the top tube, forming a straight line from the head tube back to the rear axle, creating a silhouette that looks fast standing still.
The Shuttle SL/AM has 150 mm travel from Pivot’s typical DW-Link layout. Pivot states that the DW-Link design provides the optimal amount of anti-squat to manage the additional power output of the drive system. They also claim the kinematics have been enhanced to deliver an efficient pedaling response when climbing, and control when descending. Pivot hasn’t supplied any suspension kinematic graphs, so we can’t comment on specific numbers. Like the Shuttle AM, the Shuttle SL/AM also incorporates a flip chip to adjust the bottom bracket height. Swapping from Low to High raises the Bottom Bracket by 5 mm, steepening the seat and head angles by 0.4 degrees. The flip chip also makes the Shuttle SL/AM mixed-wheel-size (MX) compatible. With the flip chip in the High position and a 27.5” rear wheel, Pivot says the geometry numbers are very close to the 29” rear wheel with the flip chip in the Low position, including the head tube angle, which is only 1/4º slacker in the mixed wheel size configuration. (They don’t have a separate geometry chart for the MX setup, though.) All bikes will ship in the Low position.
Pivot claims the secret sauce to making their desired ride characteristics consistent throughout the size range is the effort they put into manipulating the carbon layup and tube thickness to achieve their preferred balance of flex and stiffness for each respective size.
The Shuttle SL/AM frame has room for a full-size water bottle, even on the size XS (thanks to swapping in a Fox Float inline shock instead of the Float X reservoir shock used on the other sizes). Rear wheel spacing is Pivot’s preferred 157 mm Super Boost, and of course, the swingarm incorporates SRAM’s UDH. Frame protection looks good with a thick pad in front of the motor and protection on both the seat stays and chainstays. The Shuttle SL/AM features a new cable port design that allows two cables to be routed through the same port. The new design is said to make it easier to route the cables, while also being more adaptable to custom setups like moto-style routing.
Drive System
Bosch’s Performance Line SX has been out since June ‘24, and we’ve had plenty of opportunity to spend time on it on various eMTBs. It quickly became a favorite due to its lightweight and spunky nature. But, while its peak power matches the full-power CX motor, we found the lower torque output (55 Nm versus 85 Nm) makes it challenging (but not impossible) to keep up with full-power eMTBs. Additionally, even though the SX motor is claimed to be a good bit more efficient than the CX motor, the 400 Wh battery can’t match full-power eMTBs with batteries 600 Wh or bigger for range. With that said, we like that you have to put in more effort to realize the full power potential of the SX, and we also appreciate how light it is and the positive effect that has on handling.
Weight is a major consideration for drive systems in this category, and the claimed combined weight of 8.8 lbs / 4 kg for the motor and battery of the Bosch SX is competitive. Fazua claims a total system weight including remote and display of 9.2 lbs / 4.2 kg. The TQ drive system, on the other hand, is still the lightest at 8.6 lbs / 3.9 kg (including display and remote), but it also has the lowest power and smallest battery.
Bosch states the weight savings (over the full-power motor) are the result of a more compact design, optimized crankshaft, and a magnesium housing.
What really stands out for the SX motor is its max power of 600 watts. This is the same max power as their full-power motors (before installing the new Bosch performance software upgrade). There is a caveat, though, because the motor produces less torque (55 Nm vs 85 Nm), and since power is the product of torque and cadence, that 600 watts comes at a significantly higher cadence than the full-power motor. We like that it makes the rider work for the full 600 watts and find it to be really engaging trying to wring the maximum power out of it, but also find the required high cadence can compromise technical climbing performance.
Both the Fazua and TQ drive systems claim to have no mechanical resistance when ridden unpowered, and having spent time on both systems, they do feel like it. The Bosch SX motor claims a 50% reduction in drag over their full-powered motors, but this means it will still have some mechanical resistance. In back to back testing with the TQ and Fazua motors, the TQ has the least resistance (almost undetectable), the Fazua is next with slightly more then the TQ, and the Bosch SX comes in with the most resistance of the three, but still noticeably lower then any full-power motor we’ve been on.
The wireless Mini Remote and System Controller are the same as what you get on other Bosch Performance Line drive systems. All three builds come equipped with Bosch’s integrated top tube System Controller, which displays basic information like assist levels and battery power. The display does not provide as much detailed information as other top tube displays like the Specialized Mastermind T3, TQ display, or Rocky Mountain’s Jumbotron.
However, Bosch has been clever by using different colors for assist levels and battery power that give the minimalist display added detail. For assist levels, four colors correspond to the different levels: green for Tour +, blue for Sport, purple for eMTB, and red for Turbo (assist levels can be customized in the eBike Flow app). For battery power; there are five LED bars, and each one of those bars turns from blue to white when that bar is below 50% — you end up with ten battery charge levels, and based on a full charge of 100%, you can determine to within 10% of what the remaining battery capacity is. When the charge is less than 30%, the bars are displayed in orange, and once it gets down to 10%, the last bar turns red.
Bosch has recently released the Kiox 400c, which is a full featured color integrated top tube display. It is compatible with the SX system, and the Shuttle SL/AM’s frame has been designed to accommodate its larger size. Bosch is notoriously slow to have recently released components available, so Pivot expects the new display won’t start being spec’d on the SL/AM till sometime next year. However, should you decide to upgrade the display on your Shuttle SL/AM, and you’re able to find one, installing the new Kiox 400c display is an easy plug-and-play procedure. The new display finally puts Bosch on a level playing field with the competition.
In the meantime, Bosch’s eBike Flow app bridges the gap to more detailed information. It connects wirelessly to the bike via Bluetooth, and once paired, displays a custom Pivot interface that has all the information the top-tube-mounted display lacked, plus a whole lot more. Features include customizable assist levels, over-the-air update capability, maps, ride statistics, and a locking feature. The locking feature uses your smartphone as a virtual key, with the bike’s drive system automatically locked in the off position when you walk away from the bike, and unlocked once you (and your phone) are back in range.
Bosch has also recently updated the app to finally allow you to have more then one eMTB stored in the app. Previously, you had to delete the current bike in the app in order to add a new one; now you can have up to six bikes stored. I know, I know, this seems like the answer to a high-class problem only a bike reviewer would have…
There’s also the option to use your smartphone as a display, which gives you access to real-time data like speed, exact battery percentage remaining, maps, and range. Of course, you will need to mount your phone somehow, and Bosch does sell a mount called the SmartphoneGrip, but it is not integral, so you can use any of the myriad smartphone mounts available. Bosch also offers a variety of handle bar-mounted displays that are compatible, and are available as aftermarket accessories.
Pivot will be offering Bosch’s 250 Wh PowerMore range extender as an optional accessory. The PoweMore weighs 3.3 lbs (1.5kg), and fits in the water-bottle cage. Total system battery capacity goes up to 650 Wh with the range extender, which, thanks to the SX motors claimed efficiency, could give the Shuttle SL/AM the legs to match some full-power eMTBs for range.
Since Bosch just released details of an upcoming optional performance software upgrade for the current CX motor that gives it heaps more power (750 watts versus 600 watts), we’re curious if the SX motor may be next in line for some more power. We’ll have to wait and see, but more is always welcome.
Fit & Geometry
The Shuttle SL/AM is offered in five sizes: XS, S, M, L, and XL. The addition of the size XS is a first for Pivot for an eMTB. Not many brands offer eMTBs in a size XS, usually due to the design constraints associated with packaging the motor and battery. We’re pretty excited to see a brand offer an eMTB for smaller riders.
Not surprisingly, given that the SL/AM essentially uses the same frame as the Shuttle AM, the geometry numbers are very close, and we got along quite well with the geometry on the Shuttle AM. All sizes feature low standover heights, designed around the concept that the rider can choose their size based more on riding style than actual rider proportions.
Somewhat bucking an industry trend, Pivot keeps the chainstay length (444 mm) consistent throughout the size range. Considering there is a new XS size, and especially since it is a mullet, that is an interesting decision. With that said, 444 mm is neither on the short nor long side, but my guess is our editors up in the PNW would prefer to see a bit more length on the larger sizes for the super steep riding they do up there.
The Builds
Pivot offers the Shuttle SL/AM in three builds with a price range of $7,999 to $12,999. Pivot states that the Pro builds are the most popular option on their other models, and strike a nice balance between performance and price. Still, at $10,399, it’s a sizable investment, and if that’s not in the budget, saving $2,401 for the Eagle 70/90 is a good option. It is a solid build that trims a little bit of expense off many of the parts rather than dropping one specific component way down in level. Plus, SRAM just released an GX Transmission upgrade kit for Eagle 70/90 mechanical drivetrains, so wireless shifting could be an easy future upgrade. The Pro XO build, on the other hand, is very much a no-compromise build, with, in my opinion, nothing that warrants an upgrade, so there’s a case to simply get what you want from the start, too.
- Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle 90 Shifter/Derailleur with SRAM Eagle 70 cassette and chain
- Motor: BoschPerformance Line SX
- Battery: 400 Wh
- Fork: Fox 36
- Performance (160 mm)
- Shock: Fox Float Performance (XS), Fox Float X Performance (SM-XL)
- Brakes: SRAM DB8 Stealth w/ 200 mm rotors
- Wheels: DT Swiss Hybrid H1900
- Dropper Post: TranzX YSP23GLS (XS-SM: 130-150 mm; MD: 150-170 mm; LG-XL: 180-200)
- Drivetrain: SRAM XO Eagle Transmission
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line SX
- Battery: 400 Wh
- Fork: Fox 36 Factory (160 mm)
- Shock: Fox Float Factory (XS), Fox Float X Factory (SM-XL)
- Brakes: SRAM Motive Silver w/ 200 mm rotors
- Wheels: DT Swiss XM1700
- Dropper Post: Fox Transfer Factory (XS-SM: 125-150 mm; MD: 155-180 mm; LG-XL: 185-210 mm)
- Drivetrain: SRAM XX Eagle Transmission
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line SX
- Battery: 400 Wh
- Fork: Fox 36 Factory (160 mm)
- Shock: Fox Float Factory (XS), Fox Float X Factory (SM-XL)
- Brakes: SRAM Motive Ultimate w/ 200 mm rotors
- Wheels: Reynolds Blacklabel Trail Pro w/ Industry Nine hubs
- Dropper Post: Fox Transfer Factory (XS-SM: 125-150 mm; MD: 155-180 mm; LG-XL: 185-210 mm)
Some Questions / Things We’re Curious About
(1) How noticeable will the lower weight be when comparing the Shuttle SL/AM to the Shuttle AM?
(2) Will the addition of the range extender allow the Shuttle SL/AM to match full-power eMTBs in range?
3) The Shuttle SL/AM is essentially a lighter-weight, lower-powered Shuttle AM. Does it differentiate itself enough to offset the reduction in torque and range, or is the Shuttle AM still a better choice for most riders?
4) How will the Shuttle SL/AM compare to the Santa Cruz Vala, which has the Bosch full-power CX motor, a 600 Wh battery, and weighs 46.39 lbs (size Large)?
Bottom Line (For Now)
The Shuttle SL/AM squeezes into Pivot’s eMTB lineup, claiming to be almost as light as the Shuttle SL but with the same peak power output as the Shuttle AM. This seems a bit like a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too scenario, but is there a catch? Our experience riding eMTBs equipped with the Bosch SX drive system have been mostly very positive, with the caveat that they often just don’t have the range to run with full-power eMTBs on longer rides. We also haven’t had the chance to use Bosch’s PowerMore range extender with the SX motor, and we will when testing the SL/AM, which I think will solve the range issues and potentially give the SL/AM a massive upgrade in versatility. The Shuttle AM is high on the list of my favorite eMTBs, and I think the new SL/AM has the potential to be even better. We’ve got one on the way and can’t wait to find out.