Since 2017, the Pivot Shuttle LT has always been a bike that pushes technical boundaries, and that theme remains exactly the same for its latest iteration. However, this time, with a floating battery mount and adjustable seat tube angle, it’s clear that the e-MTB landscape is shifting.
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Whether it’s the incredibly tech-heavy Orbea Rallon RS or the new Pivot Shuttle LT, brands are clearly pushing the e-mountain bike segment that bit harder, all to eke out every inch of performance that can be achieved through the advent of pedal-assist.
Bosch power and a ‘floating’ battery
At first, everything seems pretty standard with the new Pivot Shuttle LT. It runs on Bosch’s Performance Line CX-R motor, delivering 100Nm of torque and up to 750W of peak power, but in a lightweight package featuring a titanium spindle and ceramic bearings. But this is where the Shuttle LT begins to push the boat out, as its fully removable 800Wh battery (a 600Wh option is available) sits in two independent nylon-composite mounts.
These mounts allow the battery to rotate a touch, independently of the frame, as it flexes and complies under load. The result, Pivot says, is an ability to ‘preserve compliance, durability and Pivot’s known ride feel.’
Of course, as a Bosch-powered bike, the Shuttle LT is compatible with the 250Wh PowerMore range extender, and Pivot has placed its charging port in an easily accessible spot, just in front of the shock.
Heaps of adjustability and ‘Slacky McSteepTube’
Upon the release of the Firebird, the brand’s enduro bike, Pivot has been implementing more geometry adjustments into its frames. Most notably, that’s T-Type-friendly chainstay adjustment. It’s found here, on the new Shuttle LT, too. Pivot’s Swinger Dropout patent provides 8mm of chainstay length adjustment through a very literal swinging drive-side dropout, paired with a flip chip on the non-drive side.
But that’s not all, as for the first time, Pivot has built in seat tube angle adjustment through its Slacky McSteepTube system. Essentially, it’s an insert that sits in the seat tube that grants users the choice between a 78-degree seat tube angle for longer climbs and 76.5 degrees, for when the trail is more undulating.
Then, as seen on Shuttle LT’s of old, Pivot has thrown in a progression flip chip at the lower shock mount. Throughout the whole of its travel, it can switch from 36% progressivity in its ‘progressive’ mode, and 32.7% progressivity in its ‘linear’ mode.
Additionally, there’s the usual geometry adjustment flip chip, there’s an oversized headset that can accept head angle and reach adjustment headsets, and the bike can run mixed or full 29in wheels.
Frame features and specifications
To wrap the Shuttle LT up, the Shuttle LT runs 170mm of suspension up front with 162mm or 165mm of rear suspension travel, depending on the wheel size chosen, and it comes with mixed wheels out of the box.
There are three models on offer, the Ride, Pro and Team, with the Ride getting a Fox Performance suspension package including a 38 fork and Float X shock. SRAM delivers this shifting with a mix of its Eagle 70 and 90 T-Type drivetrain,s and there’s a set of SRAM Maven brakes. The Ride model rolls on a pair of DT Swiss H1900 rims and gets Continental’s Kryptotal F and R tyres, which run across the model range.
The Team build dials things up a notch with a Fox Performance Elite Podium fork and Float X shock, SRAM’s wireless X0 Eagle Transmission drivetrain, Crankbrothers Synthesis DH wheels and SRAM Maven Silver brakes.
Topping the range is the Team build featuring Fox’s Factory Podium fork and X2 shock, SRAM’s XX Eagle Transmission drivetrain, SRAM Maven Ultimate brakes and DT Swiss Hybrid HXC1501 carbon wheels.
Prices start at £9,000 and go up to £13,500.
