2022 Pivot

Shuttle SL Ride SLX/XT

The Pivot Shuttle SL, ideal for climbing with agile geometry and ample torque even in lower output modes, excels in tackling technical climbs and tight switchbacks, albeit with a slightly less composed feel on descents compared to enduro-focused pedal assist bikes, offering adjustable tuning to balance increased assistance with battery range.

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The Shuttle SL represents the Arizona-based brands debut entry into the increasingly popular ‘Super Light’ e-MTB category and ever since it was first unveiled late last year this bike certainly has been grabbing a lot of attention thanks to its striking appearance combined with a very impressive list of performance stats. This is a bike that we were extremely excited to get our hands on for review here at the mag due to the fact that we are big fans […]

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I find it ironic that my news feed is constantly presenting me with horror-stories about the potential dangers of AI. Yet, the feed itself is driven by AI. Maybe it’s trying to tell me that my days as bike test editor at MBR are numbered, and soon all bike reviews will be compiled by ChatGPT. Too late… I think some already are.   But what’s this got to do with the Pivot Cycles Shuttle LT 29 Team XTR? Well, it’s blatantly obvious that the model name has been configured to satisfy a search engine, rather than provoking the desired emotional response in a living, breathing, human being.  Best electric mountain bikes: reviewed and rated by experts On the plus side, it does give you a pretty good snapshot of the bike rather than a fuzzy feeling of wellbeing. Clearly it’s a full 29er, has XTR brakes and drivetrain and it’s long travel. How long? Well, the top end bike of two uses a 170mm Fox 38 Factory fork combined with a Float X shock to control the DW-Link rear suspension that pumps out 160mm travel on the money. In short, it’s a pedal assist version of the Firebird.  Need to know  Pedal assist version of Pivot’s popular Firebird enduro bike Full carbon frame and 29in wheels make it light and fast Shimano EP8 motor is paired with Darfon 756Wh battery to extend range Fox Factory suspension delivers 170mm up front with 10mm less on the rear Shimano XTR drivetrain and brakes make for a Gucci build  Four frame sizes, with generous reach measurements and short seat tubes Also available with an SLX/XT build option for £10k Assistance comes in the form of a Shimano EP8 motor with its 85Nm torque and 500W peak power. Not as punchy as offerings from Bosch or Specialized, and already superseded by Shimano’s latest EP801 motor that boasts 600W peak power. What Shimano’s EP8 motor lacks in grunt though, it makes up for with gains in efficiency, as it’s noticeably less energy sapping when pushed past the 15.5mph assistance limit.  Shimano’s e-bike batteries tend to deliver less range that equivalent units from second party suppliers, so Pivot has been smart in speccing a 756Wh battery from Darfon to boost the range of the Shuttle LT. It uses a custom charging port and the battery slides out the bottom of the down tube in a similar fashion to the Specialized Turbo Levo, Canyon Spectral:ON and Whyte E-160. Handy for aspiring racers, charging the battery indoors or simply razzing around in Boost mode with a spare battery in the car for round two. Which is the best e-bike motor? Power, punch and range compared Battery swaps couldn’t be more straightforward either. Simply undo the two bolts in front of the motor and the motor cover swings back to reveal a web of wires. Unplug the connector from the battery and it slides straight out. The Darfon battery weighs 4.02kg. To make the bike feel more dynamic, Pivot has …Continue reading »

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