E-mountain bikes: Test: Pivot Shuttle – Noble all-round talent with a carbon chassis

Test: The vision and absolute goal of Pivot Cycles is to design and build bikes that take the experience and definition of cycling to a new level. For the American high-end manufacturer, which has always been able to trigger a feeling of "absolutely want to have" in many bikers with the previous model range, the step towards electric drive is definitely a new level. The Pivot Shuttle is the first electrified mountain bike from Pivot – can it match the undisputedly high level of the rest of the model range? We tested it.

The Pivot Shuttle now has a matt finish and is in a modern, light blue with black and yellow accents in the Velomotion editorial office. On closer inspection, the black areas of the frame show the raw carbon structure and thus optically support the noble character of the EMTB. Speaking of carbon: the Shuttle is only available with a frame made from expensive, lightweight carbon fibre. There is a choice of sizes between S, M, L and XL and the Pivot should therefore fit drivers with sizes between 162 cm and 200 cm. Hardly any other E-MTB in this suspension travel class currently offers this.

The battery of the Shimano drive is well integrated in the down tube, only the battery level indicator and the ON/OFF switch are discreet and easy to use behind the massive casing. The actual drive is also neatly integrated and protected by a stable shield on the underside – this, of course, is also made of carbon. Typical for Pivot, the dw-link rear triangle system, optimized in cooperation with Dave Weagle, catches the eye.

The only parts of the frame that are not made of carbon are the massive aluminum milled deflections of the dw-link system. These deflections were specially designed and optimized for EMTB use. The 140mm of travel on the rear axle is dampened by a Fox Float Factory DPX2 EVOL. This comes with a special tune for the shuttle, which also takes into account the slightly higher system weight. Thanks to the Boost standard, there is enough space for a 40 inch wide tire in the carbon rear triangle of the Pivot Shuttle with a rim width of 3mm.

Successful compromise between uphill and downhill properties

Modern, aggressive geometries are much rarer in the E-MTB sector than in non-motorized mountain bikes. This is mainly due to the fact that an E-MTB not only has good downhill properties, but should also be at least as suitable for climbing. To get straight to the point: the extensive test drives with the shuttle confirmed both. The steering angle of 65,8° is slack enough for technical and steep descents, but still not too slack to shine on blocked climbs. The seat angle of 74° underscores this alignment once again. Head and seat angles run through all four frame sizes of the Pivot Shuttle.

The chainstay length of 436,9mm also runs through all frame sizes. For the test we had the Pivot Shuttle in size L with a height of 180cm. This frame size has a top tube length of 643,1mm and a reach of 465,1mm. These dimensions, together with a 1232,7mm long wheelbase, form a very smooth-running, yet uphill-suitable combination. This is completed by a FOX 36 Factory 29/27,5+ with 150mm travel and a 110mm QR thru axle.

Full Shimano XT Di2 integration

The loyalty to the Japanese component manufacturer Shimano, which we have shown during our Testing the Pivot Switchblade found is also recognizable in the Pivot Shuttle. The electrically powered mountain bike is slowed down by a Shimano XT brake system with Ice-Tech pads. On the front axle, these engage in a 203mm center lock disc and on the rear axle, a slightly smaller 180mm disc is used. The Pivot Shuttle is powered by an intuitive and quiet Shimano StepsE8000 EMTB system with a 34T chainring. The battery with a total capacity of 500Wh is fully charged in about three hours. A maximum of 30 km in combination with 1000 hm was possible with one charge.

All the necessary information about the drive can be found on the small but easy-to-read display, which is mounted in the middle of the handlebar. Not only the motor information, but also the information about the rear derailleur, i.e. the gear engaged on the cassette, can be found in the Shimano display. Thanks to the full Di2 integration in combination with the electric drive, you have the option of using a Bluetooth connection and the Shimano app to control the assignment of the triggers or to define a kind of automatic transmission. The cables of the XT Di2 Trigger are neatly routed through discreet rubber rings on the underside of the handlebars and give the cockpit a very clean look.

It is shifted with the Shimano XT Di2 rear derailleur on an XT M8000 11 speed cassette with 11-46 teeth. The one-finger brake levers of the Shimano XT brake system can be easily adjusted even with gloves and without tools. The tidy cockpit is based on a Pivot Phoenix Team Carbon 35mm handlebar with an overall width of 760mm. The handlebars are sawn at an angle at both ends, so the Pivot Phoenix Team Pad-Loc grips are neatly fixed and offer an enormous plus in damping thanks to the additional space created on the outside. The entire cockpit is attached to the wheel with a Pivot Phoenix Team Enduro/Trail stem with 35mm.

All trains, brake lines and cables run unobtrusively through a screwed cover into the frame. With the Pivot Cable Port System, subsequent internal routing of new trains and cables can be solved simply and easily. A Phoenix WTB Vigo Pro saddle is sufficiently comfortable for long tours, even without padded shorts. Mounted on a Fox Transfer seat post, this can be lowered by 150mm (125mm for size S), creating enough space to run the Pivot Shuttle under you undisturbed to permit.

The EB1550 EMTB wheels from DT Swiss with an inner width of 40mm have been given a Pivot-own design and are the basis for Maxxis tires. A Maxxis Minion DHF with a width of 2,8 inches is mounted on the front wheel and a Maxxis Rekon+, also with a width of 2,8 inches, is mounted on the rear wheel for low rolling resistance. This combination ensures good pedaling behavior on climbs (if you are riding with little or no support) and sufficient traction on the front wheel even on slippery and loose trail conditions.

The components designed for E-MTB use definitely deserve a mention. Due to the higher weight of 19,95 kg and an approved system weight of 120 kg, there is a significantly higher load and more forces on the components. But it's not just the weight that affects the components more, but also the way you ride, so you're usually in the saddle on climbs and that much faster than mountain bikes driven by muscle power. Due to this effect, higher forces weigh on the shock absorbers, saddle and wheels, which are counteracted by an adapted design or adapted tuning.

Convincing all-rounder with (almost) perfect balance

But enough of the technical details, although these are important and offer an objective comparison option, the driving impression is even more important. Because this shows how the individual dimensions and components interact. Intensive 280 kilometers, 7000 meters of altitude and ten battery charges are the basis for our rating of the Pivot Shuttle. If you look at the terrain profile, everything was there. Asphalt and forest roads to root and flow trails to heavily blocked up and downhills. The Pivot Shuttle turned out to be a real all-round talent in this mixed terrain.

But now off to the trails, after various classic rides it's time to get down to business. The blocked downhill, which becomes increasingly flowy in its ten kilometers - first in one direction, then in the other. It starts with the first relatively flat meters on asphalt. The different support levels of the drive were tested here for the first time. The Shimano Steps E8000 has three different support levels. The ECO+ variant provides the least support and is suitable for level ground or slight inclines. The trail level is variable in the support, this means the more power is used, the higher the support. The drive finds its zenith in the Boost level, where full support is constantly available. ECO+ is sufficient for comfortable rolling, but in general it can be said about the Shimano drive: If you move on the flat in the speed range between 23 km/h and 26 km/h, you can sometimes feel a slight twitch from the motor.

The trail level is necessary for the first few meters of trail, this is always the right choice, regardless of whether it is loose forest soil, damp roots and stones or single trails with good grip. The Pivot Shuttle climbs through more technical passages without any problems and without batting an eyelid. However, the slack steering angle means that the shuttle has the urge to lift the front wheel off the ground on very steep sections, which can only be compensated for by shifting your weight. Uphill shifting, even under load, is always precise and easy with the thumb thanks to the electronic support of the Shimano Di2. The shuttle takes us the next few kilometers through the typical trail landscape of the Bavarian Forest comfortably and with a big grin on our faces.

After a short breath we continue and it gets steeper, more blocked, more technical. This is where the shuttle can show what it's capable of on climbs. Find a line, get out of the saddle and shuttle up without any problems, this E-MTB definitely deserves the name. The Pivot Shuttle also masters these passages with ease. Arrived shortly before the summit, however, the limits of what is feasible have been reached, unless your name is Danny MacAskill. Since shouldering an E-MTB is not one of the easiest tasks in general, we try to force the last meters of altitude with the integrated pushing aid of the Shimano STEPS E8000 system.

After enjoying the view for a short time, we were curious as to whether the Pivot Shuttle would perform just as well on the downhill as it did on the uphill. First of all: YES! Start down the same route as we just went up. The shuttle has a little activity in the first blocked meters, but not so that it is not agile enough for this terrain. The relatively high weight has to be moved through this section with strength and technique. However, as soon as it gets faster, all registers are pulled out. With stability and smooth running, the Pivot Shuttle blasts down the trail meter by meter and invites you to small jumps and drops at any time. Due to the low center of gravity due to the battery and motor, it effortlessly maintains traction, even in fast corners, and gives the driver a safe feeling.

The perfectly tuned chassis effortlessly swallows root carpets as well as small and large impacts. A feeling like on rails. Arriving at the end of the 15-kilometer descent, we can confirm the very positive impression we had on the uphill as well as on the downhill. We always had a feeling of absolute control and security and would and would love to do the same tour again - but the shuttle first has to be plugged in again.