What do MTB riders really want from an eBike? More power? Longer range? Or what about a bike that blurs the line between assisted riding with the responsiveness you expect from a mountain bike–just with less weight than most ebikes? Sound intriguing? Then you’ll probably love the new Pivot Shuttle SL.
While Pivot has been electrifying their customers with the Shuttle eMTB for about five years now, the Shuttle SL is a different beast entirely and looks like it will give the new Trek Fuel EXe some competition. The Shuttle was built most recently with a Shimano EP8 motor and a massive 726Wh battery. Compare that to the new Shuttle SL which relies on the newer Fazua Ride 60 system with “only” a 430Wh battery, and you start to get a picture of the difference in frame construction.
Fazua Ride 60 Drive System
More than just capturing the look of a traditional mountain bike, the Fazua Ride 60 system claims to add to the ride quality of the new bike in ways that heavier, more powerful motors just can’t match. The most obvious is probably the weight. A motor weight of 1.96kg, and a weight for the 430Wh battery of 2.2kg, gave Pivot a starting point to build a sub-37lb ebike.
Pivot claims that the 430Wh battery provides more than enough juice for 3-4hr rides with 3000+ feet of climbing, though range will depend on rider weight, mode, etc. If you want more range, the bike will be compatible with the Fazua 210Wh range extender which should be available some time in 2023.
Compared to other ebike motor systems, the Ride 60 drive unit is tiny–though not quite as tiny as the Tq motor, it seems. . It also disengages when not in use for quiet, drag-free riding. The Shuttle SL is classified as a Class 1 ebike and will cut off the pedal-assist at 20mph.
While the torque figure is limited to 60Nm, it seems like it could be a worthy tradeoff for the weight. Maximum power is claimed at 450w, which can be delivered via the new Boost function which offers 4 or 12 second boosts of the full 450w at the push of the Ring control.
While it may look a bit like a throttle, the Ring Control is a multi-function remote that allows you to change assist modes while also engaging Boost or Walk mode. The simple LED panel on the top tube gives you an indication of the mode you’re in (Breeze, River, or Rocket), and how much battery is left.
You can even pop the panel up to find a USB-C charging port to charge other electronic devices if needed.
The bike is ready-to-ride as is, but additional controls and updates can be managed by connecting your smartphone to the bike using the Fazua app. The bike offers both Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity, and the app dashboard will allow you to fine-tune the power, support, and ramp-up settings among other details.
To charge the battery, you’ll find a charging port in front of the bottom bracket, and charging a completely dead battery is said to take just 3.5h.
Along those lines, both wiring and cable routing is internally routed using the Pivot Cable Port System. In typically excellent Pivot fashion, the User Manual provides incredible detail on how to set up and maintain your bike.
Frame Details
After all that, it’s almost easy to forget that we haven’t even talked about the frame yet. Built around a 135mm travel dw-link platform, builds will include the option of a 140mm Fox 34 fork and DPS rear shock for the (lightest) World Cup spec, or a 150mm Fox 36 fork and Float X rear shocks on the Team, Pro, and Ride level builds.
The Shuttle SL will roll on 29″ wheels and tires, with Super Boost 157 x 12mm spacing at the back. Tire clearance is listed at 2.4″ with all complete builds shipping with 29 x 2.4″ Maxxis tires.
One of the more notable frame details is the integrated battery design. This means that you will have to actually remove the motor from the frame before you can remove the battery. According to Pivot’s founder, Chris Cocalis, the fixed battery position “allowed us to build the frame with wall thickness similar to our analog bikes (Switchblade) and also identical stiffness numbers. We estimate that we saved over a pound (about .6kg) by this and have better frame stiffness without the removable battery. It is also quieter than the battery with the release mechanism because there is no latch rattling or movement. Finally, it enables the bike to look very traditional (not like an ebike) which was important for us.”
Geometry
Running a slightly slacker head tube angle than the Trail 429, the Shuttle SL offers size specific chainstay lengths for the four frame sizes. A flip chip allows riders to raise the bottom bracket and steepen the head tube angle in the high setting.
As usual, the frames have been optimized for the use of dropper posts. How long of a dropper can you run? Pivot put together the excellent chart above that gives both lowest and maximum saddle height, taking the guess work out of it.
Additional frame details include a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger, and an integrated upper chain guide.
Models & Pricing
Offered in Ride, Pro, Team, and Team WC builds, each will be available in Desert Sage Green or Blue Denium. Pricing starts at $8,299 for the Ride build, and tops out at $11,999 for the Team WC. Available now at key Pivot Dealers.
