First ride review of the 2023 Pivot Shuttle AM Team XX Eagle Transmission – The latest Bosch Performance Line CX Race powered eMTB from Pivot

Pivot introduce the latest Shuttle eMTB, the Pivot Shuttle AM, and it promises to hit the eMTB sweet spot. It offers 160/148 mm (f/r) travel and comes equipped with a powerful Bosch CX motor and 750 Wh battery. We headed to the USA to find out if it can deliver on its promise and let you reach new heights.

Arizona based brand Pivot have been making ebikes alongside their analogue range since 2017, and the e-powered Shuttle range has proven that its capable of more than just shuttling you to the top of the hill. Most recently, they presented the lightweight Pivot Shuttle SL (150/132 mm f/r) featuring the FAZUA Ride 60 motor, and the Shuttle LT (170/160 mm f/r) boasting the Shimano EP8 motor. Now they present their latest coup, the Pivot Shuttle AM, which promises to hit the sweet spot with 160/148 mm (f/r) travel while relying on yet a different motor as it comes equipped with the powerful Bosch system. We’ve put the new addition to the test to find out what the Shuttle AM has to offer on the trail.

The 2023 Pivot Shuttle AM Pro X0 in detail

The Pivot Shuttle AM features the signature Pivot look, and while it’s a full power eMTB, it makes quite a slender and sleek impression. The Bosch System Controller is embedded in the top tube and, together with the wireless Bluetooth remote, ensures a high level of integration. Speaking of integration, the hydraulic hoses for the brake and dropper post are all routed internally throughout. The rear brake hose only shows up briefly as it transitions to the rear end. The chainstay protector is so big and well damped that you won’t hear anything from the drivetrain.

Should be a pleasantly quiet ride, right? Yes and no. Unfortunately, the internally routed hoses rattle in the frame, and you’ll want to dampen these with some foam sleeves.

s far as the rear end of the Pivot Shuttle AM is concerned, the developers at Pivot continue to rely on Dave Weagle’s expertise, using a DW-Link suspension design for their latest eMTB, as on all their other full-suspension bikes.

There is enough room inside the front triangle for a bottle cage on the down tube as well a tool mount underneath the top tube. The battery is permanently integrated into the down tube and the charging port is located just above the motor, on the left. The motor and the lower part of the down tube are protected by a thick rubber bash guard.

The different builds of the Pivot Shuttle AM

The new Pivot Shuttle AM is available in three different build variants: Pro, Team, and Ride. The secret behind its e-power lies in the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, offering a torque of 85 Nm. The flagship Team model even comes with the Bosch Performance Line CX Race motor, which features a special Race mode developed especially for the demands of eMTB racing. The motor is combined with a permanently integrated 750 Wh battery on the two higher-end models, whereas the entry-level model has to make do with a 625 Wh version. All models have an integrated System Controller display in the top tube and a Bluetooth remote on the handlebar. All models are equipped with MAXXIS Minion DHF and DHR tires with EXO+ casings and the harder MaxxTerra rubber compound – we would have preferred thicker casings for an eMTB, and a softer rubber compound up front.

The components of the Pivot Shuttle AM Team XX Eagle on test

The top end Pivot Shuttle AM Team XX Eagle Transmission is particularly weight- and performance-optimised and is powered by the more racing oriented Bosch CX Race motor. Like the Pro model, it’s equipped with a 750 Wh battery. The drivetrain is supplied by SRAM’s new Transmission series, where the derailleur gets mounted directly to the frame and axle, i.e. no derailleur hanger. Seeing as it’s always perfectly aligned, the XX Eagle Transmission is particularly chain and therefore ebike friendly. The brakes are supplied by Shimano’s high-end XTR series and are paired with 200 mm rotors. Neither the derailleur nor the brakes offer any tangible performance benefits compared to the Pro model, they just weigh slightly less. In terms of the suspension and dropper post, there’s no difference between the Team and Pro models, specced with FOX Factory components. Our size M test bike featured a 175 mm dropper post. The FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 fork is highly adjustable and boasts the golden Kashima coating, same as the shock and the dropper post. However, unlike the more affordable models, the wheels are made of carbon instead of aluminium, offering reduced weight and increased stiffness. With its € 14,399 price point and 21.5 kg weight, the Team model is the lightest but also the most expensive of the three variants.

Other variants of the Pivot Shuttle AM

The prices vary depending on the build, with the most affordable Ride SLX/XT model going for about € 9.399, only just coming in below the 5-digit mark. The entry-level Pivot Shuttle AM Ride SLX/XT is specced with FOX Performance suspension, consisting of a FLOAT X shock, and a FOX 36 Performance GRIP fork. They both feature a discreet black look and offer a decent performance, though with limited adjustability. As the name suggests, the model relies on Shimano SLX brakes with 200 mm rotors front and rear. A Shimano XT rear derailleur is paired with the lower end Shimano DEORE cassette for the drivetrain. The dropper post is supplied by E13, offering 150–180 mm adjustable drop on frame sizes S–M, and 180–210 mm drop on the L–XL frames – that even tops the high-end models!

The Shuttle AM Pro X0 Eagle model is the mid-range model, priced at € 12,199 and specced with a large 750 Wh Bosch PowerTube battery and a SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission drivetrain. Which works without a derailleur hanger and is mounted directly to the frame or rather the rear axle instead. This ensures consistent alignment and therefore reliable shifting that’s easy on the chain. The brakes come from Shimano’s XT range and are combined with 200 mm rotors. The suspension consists of a FOX FLOAT X Factory shock and a FOX 36 Factory fork with the GRIP2 damper, which offers all the adjustability you could want. The Transfer Factory dropper post also comes from FOX and is available in different lengths depending on the frame size. Frame sizes S and M get 150 mm drop, size L gets 175 mm, and the XL frame gets 200 mm drop.

The geometry of the new Pivot Shuttle AM

The geometry of the Pivot Shuttle AM is moderate and based roughly on the longer travel Shuttle LT. The bike has a flip chip that allows you to change the head and seat tube angles by almost half a degree. In the low setting, the head angle is 64.1°, and the seat tube angle is 76.4°. In size M, the reach measures 461 mm, which isn’t particularly long, though reasonable for a bike in this travel range.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	599 mm	631 mm	649 mm	671 mm
Seat tube	378 mm	399 mm	432 mm	470 mm
Head tube	110 mm	120 mm	130 mm	140 mm
Head angle	64.1°	64.1°	64.1°	64.1°
Seat angle	76.4°	76,4°	76.4°	76.4°
BB Drop	29 mm	29 mm	29 mm	29 mm
Chainstay	444 mm	444 mm	444 mm	444 mm
Wheelbase	1217 mm	1251 mm	1270 mm	1295 mm
Reach	431 mm	461 mm	476 mm	496 mm
Stack	632 mm	642 mm	651 mm	660 mm

In review – How does the 2023 Pivot Shuttle AM Team XX Eagle Transmission perform on the trail?

The first time you climb aboard the new Pivot Shuttle AM, everything feels quite familiar. The riding position is balanced, resulting in a comfortable and intuitive ride feel. Although it places slightly more weight on your hands, it’s suitable for long rides thanks to the comfort offered by the rear end. On the climbs, the suspension feels very sensitive off the top, yet the rear end remains high in the travel and doesn’t wallow. As such, it does a great job of absorbing small bumps without bobbing excessively as you pedal. The rear end generates ample traction and the assistance offered by the CX Race motor is almost relentless. Even if you’ve got the cranks in the horizontal position and you place just a little bit of weight on the pedal, the Bosch motor wants to surge forward. Inexperienced or cautious riders can and should down regulate the motor via the riding modes or the app, and we recommend saving the most powerful Race mode for only the most demanding climbs.

On the descents, the Shuttle AM’s 148 mm travel is ideal for most trails. The bike easily copes with rough terrain while remaining agile, though it requires an active riding style. Ploughing blindly through the undergrowth will work to a certain extent, but it’s not the kind of bike that flattens everything in its path like a Unimog. In return, it encourages active riders to do quick line changes and catch air. You can feel the capability of the suspension, especially through berms. The bike literally charges up like a spring through compressions and spits you out of the other side, which you can also make use of to preload the bike before hitting a jump. You can also pump the bike through rollers to generate speed without all your input being absorbed by the suspension.

However, the front wheel needs to be weighted through open corners to prevent it from washing out. You might hear the internally routed hoses rattle slighted inside the frame on rough terrain, but the chain and rear linkage remain perfectly quiet. We recommend remedying this with foam sleeves. All in all, the Pivot Shuttle AM is an e-mountainbike that promotes an active and playful riding style and excels on a wide variety of trails with its active suspension.

Who is the Pivot Shuttle AM for?

The Pivot Shuttle AM is a great option for those with an active riding style and looking for a sporty bike. It’s fun on the climbs too, especially if you go for the flagship model with the CX Race motor. The progressive DW-Link suspension complements the motor perfectly and makes it an even more formidable climber.
The Pivot Shuttle AM will also serve well on longer tours. Thanks to the Bosch Smart System and the convenient functions of the associated app, you can plan tours around the estimated range of the 750 Wh battery.
However, it is not recommended for commuters who want to take the battery out of the bike and charge it indoors, as the battery is non-removable. The bike doesn’t offer the best value for money either considering the price, though you get a high-quality and refined product. If you’re looking to save by going for the entry-level model, you get the smaller battery, which limits the range.

Our conclusion on the new 2023 Pivot Shuttle AM

The Pivot Shuttle AM is more than just a good compromise in terms of travel. It closes the gap between the lightweight SL and the long-travel LT in the Pivot Shuttle range while also catering to Bosch fans and giving you the option of the CX Race model. The suspension offers lots of support, which makes the bike easy yet intuitive to ride. It’s surprisingly light for a full power eMTB too. Overall, the Pivot Shuttle AM is a good choice for riders who are in the market for a powerful and agile eMTB.

For more information, visit pivotcycles.com

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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Matt Jones, Julian Schwede