Pivot has been in the electric mountain bike game since 2017 when it launched the Shuttle. In 2022, with the Shuttle SL, it joins the growing number of companies offering a light, slightly less powerful eMTB.
The Shuttle SL offers 132 mm DW-Link suspension at the rear, with either 140 mm or 150 mm suspension forks at the front. The carbon frame houses a Fazua Ride 60 motor and a 430 Wh battery.
News of the Shuttle quickly follows the launch of Trek’s Fuel EXe and bikes like the Orbea Rise and Specialized’s SL versions of its many eMTB offerings.
Pivot decided to deviate from the script of most e-MTB manufacturers by offering a bike that they say focuses on the dynamics of trail riding, with light weight, refined suspension, crisp handling and what they claim to be game-changing performance.
As such, at the higher end of the build options, the Team WC model comes in at under 16.5kg – very light for a bike of this type.
Pivot Shuttle SL battery and motor details
Pivot turned to Fazua to power the Shuttle SL, with the brand’s Ride 60 motor providing the propulsion.
The motor is relatively compact and weighs just under 2 kg. It delivers up to 60Nm of torque, 10Nm more than the Trek motor and the same as the stripped down Shimano motor in the Orbea Rise.
It’s paired with a 430Wh battery that’s integrated (rather than removable) low down in the bike’s downtube. This is a larger capacity than the batteries found in Trek, Orbea, and Specialized bikes.
The motor effectively detaches from the cranks when switched off, which Pivot and Fazua say makes for a drag-free and quiet unassisted ride.
On the pole, Fazua’s Ring Control offers drive mode and walker control in a very compact package. It’s paired with the bike’s top tube built-in LED hub that displays battery level and riding mode, while also communicating with your phone or GPS via an ANT+ interface and offering a USB-C charging port for electronic devices.
The system offers three riding modes (Breeze, River and Rocket), each of which can be customized using the Fazua app. The top-of-the-line Rocket mode even includes a boost feature that temporarily triggers 450W of support.
Pivot Shuttle SL frame and suspension details
The Shuttle SL’s frame is constructed from a proprietary carbon fiber, although details on the material used are scarce.
As we see on all of Pivot’s full suspension bikes, a DW-Link linkage (named after suspension engineer Dave Weagle) is used to control the 132mm of travel. This is a virtual pivot design where the front and rear triangles are connected by a pair of co-rotating links near the main triangle of the frame.
Pivot says the suspension’s kinematics (how the suspension works and feels) make for plush compliance, efficient pedaling and lots of pop. At the same time, there is ample progression for control on larger shots.
The DW-Link suspension is said to have “position-sensitive anti-squat” that “eliminates” pedaling during hard exertion. It’s also designed to improve traction and shouldn’t compromise braking or suspension feel.
The shock sits vertically in the frame, which Pivot says allows for a more compact frame design while still allowing for full-size bottles and a decent standover height.
Cables run internally, as you’d expect, while there’s a built-in chainguard and armor for the downtube. The charging connection for the battery is low, on the side of the belly of the down tube.
Pivot Shuttle SL geometry
The shape of the bike is decidedly modern, with fairly slack angles and a longer reach and wheelbase for a bike with this travel.
There are two BB height options, one low and one high, allowing you to easily change the shape of the bike. Low BB settings are shown below, but raising the BB increases the head and seat angle by 0.4 degrees and gives an additional 4mm of reach.
Seat tube angles get steeper with larger frames, while chainstay lengths also get longer with larger bikes. This is to better distribute a taller rider’s center of gravity between the wheels.
Pivot Shuttle SL specification and price
Four models are available for purchase. The most expensive Team WC is equipped with lighter components, achieves the advertised weight of under 16.5 kg and includes an e-bike-ready Fox 34 fork. The other models get a beefier Fox 36 fork.
Pivot Shuttle SL ride SLX/XT
- Fox Performance E-Tuned 36 150mm fork
- Fox Performance Float X damper
- Shimano SLX / XT drivetrain
- Shimano SLX 4-piston brakes with Galfer 203/180mm rotors
- DT Swiss M1900 wheels
- Maxxis Dissector 29×2.4WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO front and rear
- £8,500 / $8,299 / €8,999
Pivot Shuttle SL Pro X01
- Fox Factory E-Tuned 36 150mm fork
- Fox Factory Float X shock
- SRAM X01 drivetrain
- Shimano XT 4-piston brakes with Galfer 203/180 mm rotors
- DT Swiss XM1700 wheels
- Maxxis Dissector 29×2.4WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO front and rear
- £10,500 / $9,999 / €10,499
Pivot Shuttle SL Team XTR
- Fox Factory E-Tuned 36 150mm fork
- Fox Factory Float X shock
- Shimano XTR drive
- Shimano XTR 4-piston brakes with Galfer 203/180 mm rotors
- Reynolds Black Label 309/289 wheels
- Maxxis Dissector 29×2.4WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO front and rear
- £12,000 / $11,599 / €11,999
Pivot Shuttle SL Team World Cup
- Fox Factory E-Tuned 34 140mm fork
- Fox Factory Float X shock
- Shimano XTR drive
- Shimano XTR 4-piston brakes with Galfer 180mm rotors
- Reynolds Black Label 309/289 wheels
- Maxxis Rekon 29×2.4WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO front and rear
- £12,500 / $11,999 / €12,599
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