Best All Mountain Emtb - Pivot Shuttle LT vs. Orbea Wild - big travel full suspension ebike winner

[@joet2463]

I love Medium Shuttle LT (EP8), closing in on 3k total riding miles. Absolutely no issues. I personally love Pivot costumer service they provide working with my pivot dealer here, especially for someone that lives here on Oahu, Hawaii. I end up picking up a Shuttle AM last year, but I always pick the LT as my go-to-bike 95% of the time.

[@EMTBReview]

Such valuable feedback @joet2463. You are a true source of info since you have a lot of miles and both LT and AM. Oahu huh? Talk about a lucky duck! So you're ok with the power and range of the EP8 motor? Who are your Pivot dealers in Hawaii?

[@jamesw1791]

I recently bought a 2024 orbea Wild. I like the bike it was fun to ride but I had an issue with the bike having a crack in the down tube. I took it back to the bike shop that I bought it from and orbea gave me the run-around for about a month. I end up returning the bike to the bike shop. The bike shop explained to me they have a lot of trouble with their warranties in their opinion. I went and rode the shuttle I loved it. The biggest thing that I liked about the shuttle was it was made in America. I love both the bikes but I hated or bad as warranty.

[@kojichinkabuto8536]

Price wise and bang for the buck criteria, the 2021 to 2025 Wilds still on top imo. Nice review on both! I do like how Pivot reach sizes more my body type but they are $$$!

[@EMTBReview]

Agree with you there on the lower priced Orbeas. I say find a discount on the base model Pivot!

[@ChrisBeratlis]

Francis, good review as always! I would like to point out that both bikes should be mullets to do an accurate "apples to apples" comparison. We all know the Wild will turn better and be more agile with a smaller rear wheel. That's not to say that it would win the comparison, it would just be a fair comparison between the two. Also would like to point out we are your newest Bay Area Orbea dealer. My Buddy's Bike Shop in Livermore!😎

[@EMTBReview]

Very cool Livermore!!! Yes, I ran both bikes mullets and the proper link after the shakedown rides.

[@andersonsridebikes]

The biggest problem with the Pivot LT and most other Pivots is that they work much better in sizes Medium and smaller. The Larger sized bikes in their lineup are extremely unbalanced due to the very short chain stays. You refer to the 448mm chain stay as long, but that is shorter than I want while riding size L and XL bikes. 450mm is my minimum preferred chain stay length

[@garyfuller6553]

You are 100% right on. Francis likes bikes with the shorter chain stays because he is a smaller rider. I am almost 6 foot three and ride theCrestline XL. The Crestline was made by Troydon who is almost the exact same size as me. I feel he really made that bike for himself. The 455 chain stay in the full 29 is just amazing. He does have the smaller mullet change day for size 2 and three, but I’ll never know how good they are because I’m just too big to ride them.

[@andersonsridebikes]

@@garyfuller6553 I’m strongly considering the Crestline S180 for my next bike. The new Mondraker Crafty is also a very interesting proposition with a 465mm chain stay in sizes L and XL

[@EMTBReview]

Very good point there. Size specific chainstays seem sorely needed now to differentiate and rise above other options.

[@andersonsridebikes]

@@EMTBReview completely agree. The new Crafty is very interesting because of that. I’m also looking forward to what Forbidden might release soon to the EMTB market!

[@garyfuller6553]

@@andersonsridebikes I have a 2021 Crafty RR and basically stopped riding it when I got the Crestline. The Crestline almost dares you to just go for it. It feels super stable at speed in the chunk. I see used ones for great deals from the guys like me that ordered the new model. The change are only the motor and battery. I almost feel a little silly getting the new one but I am keeping them both😂

[@amir_mtb]

Thanks for the great comparison Francis! Both seem like great choices can't go wrong, but I'm not making any moves until I see what the Big S has up their sleeve!

[@nickjones5728]

Ya my son works for a specialized dealer and has said the new Levo will blow everything out of the water guess will see soon!

[@EMTBReview]

Absolutely. Big S should just about be baked with the Gen 3 holding court for over three years. And looks like I'll have the Amflow bike with DJI motor this Saturday!!

[@amir_mtb]

@@EMTBReview WHHAAT? How did you get the Amflow?? You're gonna blow up the channel with that review 🤣

[@EMTBReview]

@@amir_mtb my friend ordered from a Socal dealer who shipped a bunch of bikes from Europe. It better not be 16mph limited :)

[@mojo_n_sb5483]

@@nickjones5728 When you say " blow out of the water" I'm assuming you mean the motor? They do blow often. Unless they change - I would not touch a S

[@sickunit2096]

Funny, I had random emtb videos playing the other day and was half paying attention while working on my bike. I thought, that guy sounds just like the guy I watch on that RC channel… Good reviews on both channels!

[@EMTBReview]

Thank you sir. Many folks in both disciplines recognize my voice. :)

[@azorglub]

What are the odds that you will review a Crestline? Bikes are pricey but in the same range as those 2.

[@EMTBReview]

Two of my friends have Crestlines now and they are my size. So I should get some seat time soon!

[@mojo_n_sb5483]

Hi, thank you so much for your vid. I’m looking to move away from my 2020 Levo. The Pivot Lt looks great. Now to decide Vala or Shuttle Lt.- the Lt looks like it has cabling exposed close to the crank/motor on both sides, does this get hit easily? Looks like a bad place to have an exposed cable, thoughts?

[@gregparis24]

Thanks for this great comparison ! Maybe it would've been interesting to test ride the Wild in size Small too, it would've been easier to turn I guess 😁 But with a lack of stability for sure !

[@EMTBReview]

Yes, I keep thinking about that. The Reach on the Small Orbea though is 435mm and that is just too short for me with modern stems. Also the seat angle is so steep that the reach has to be on the long side.

[@Jim_Allocco]

Francis - Great video. Can you tell me if there is a bike that rides as supple as the Shuttle but costs more around $6,500?

[@garyfuller6553]

Used

[@EMTBReview]

I would say The Gen 3 Levo with the Fox X2 shock is smooth. Also the Mondraker Crafty has a supple suspension as well. Ibis Oso on sale is a smooth operator as well.

[@lidarman2]

Francis do you know if the extender can supply enough current to run just on it alone? I ask because I want to do super long rides that require more that one extender..... Oh and PS. I know you don't care so much for the SC Heckler but I have been loving my closeout for the past year and if it goes up from here, they I look forward to even better ebiking in the future.

[@RCReviewChannel]

Yes, the extender can run the Bosch motor by itself all the way to Turbo mode, even when the main battery is completely empty.

[@lidarman2]

@@RCReviewChannel Awesome!

[@Phantom1000]

Any of these two VS Santa Cruz Vala?

[@thim8009]

Both really awesome bikes, but I still haven't found a bike that clicks all my boxes like my levo. I'm looking at getting the lowest level carbon levo and getting a cascade long travel link with vivid ultimate. I have a 170 zeb ultimate on my levo alloy, just going to swap parts. Saw a new levo carbon for 3700.00.

[@jbss7382]

Just wondering please what is the bike stand you are using for orbea? Google is not helpful Thanks

[@EMTBReview]

Buy here: www.enduroeng.com/p158352-mtb-stand 10% off coupon code - EEMTB10 Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXS7p3uagNOBjJI

[@gearhigher2027]

Well done...I am interested in seeing your review of the 2025 Orbea Rise SL.

[@EMTBReview]

That seems to be a good option in the Trail ebike category. I was a long-time owner of the first generation Rise.

[@gearhigher2027]

@@EMTBReview Get it rolling, preferably a 2025 Rise SL M10 🏁

[@donnpassMTB]

179cm what size orbea wild do i need ? I'm thinking about buying in large size. Good reviews

[@porroco]

My situation right now on my yeti 160e. 3 years, 3 shimano ep8 motors this time is out of warranty. I m thinking going for amflow bike because of dji motor

[@RCReviewChannel]

DJI motor seems insanely good. It will have minimal support though in the US in the near future. That bike looks like it's 'just ok'.

[@EMTBReview]

So you broke 2 Shimano motors already? How many miles each time and what went wrong? Getting the DJI motor will be very risky since there is no support infrastructure yet. I would definitely recommend the Bosch Gen 5 motor. Great reliability and support available.

[@jacoe33333]

Exactly. Allot of people like the pivot, but the cheapest pivot lt is $8699 before tax. Orbea has allot of models and price points.

[@EMTBReview]

That entry price is its Achilles heal. Would be cool if they expand their audience with a $6k entry point. Tough economy these days so let the customer get in on the ground floor and upgrade the component holding them back.

[@MustardTsunami]

How does the Pivot Shuttle AM compare to the Shuttle LT?

[@EMTBReview]

Shuttle AM is 29er only and the rear travel is 148mm only. Very good bike still. Not as slack and long on the reach.

[@jacoe33333]

I thought the AM could have a mullet configuration ?

[@MustardTsunami]

@@jacoe33333 that is what pivot says. Run flip chip in high and use 27.5 x 2.6

[@EMTBReview]

Ahhhh, you guys are correct. Shuttle AM can handle a 27.5 rear. One subtle difference is LT is a native mullet and the AM was designed for 29er

[@azorglub]

Hopefully Pivot will switch to CX5 motor next year

[@EMTBReview]

That would be a very welcome change.

[@porroco]

The only pros with cx5 is not noisy, but cx race has better bearing. Not everybody cares about motor rattleling.

[@porroco]

Why people care about motor rattle, Does it make you faster? I have a shimano ep8 & that’s something i have never payed attention when riding.

[@EMTBReview]

@@porroco Better bearings... also a hundred+ grams lighter. The problem though is the bearings don't really mean much. The standard Bosch bearings last thousands of miles.

[@Raumance]

​@@EMTBReviewGen4 is the better performing motor. Instant power. Gen 5 is "natural" meaning lazy power on first cam pull.

[@MrDaymien1]

ridiculously expensive ,,, sure great bikes but front load the bike cost than add the maintenance and consumables costs, these bikes are just crazy expensive to own. For me here in Australia the LT is 20k I will be lucky to get 4 years out of the bike , running cost will easily be 5K a year /tires , pads , suspension service etc.

[@EMTBReview]

Very good points there. Appreciate the share. Maan, Australia pricing makes us appreciate US pricing a bit more.

[@ridingdeep8530]

Regardless of anything, the Orbea is the prettiest and I'm thinking that's what matters most.

[@EMTBReview]

It shore is purdy.

[@Maurizio-wn7tq]

Pivot win 🥇

[@EMTBReview]

It's ready to take on all comers.

[@SergeyBobrov-mm8kr]

Спускаемся сиди в седле))

[@diogomartins1756]

The more umbalanced bike and with older motor wins, specialy for sizes L and XL, love the DW suspension but those short chainstays on steep tech alpine trails will suck... not able to put traction on rear tyre, wheeling all the time, and on the descents if you dont attack and wheight the front wheel on flat corners you will wash out spetaculary, good for berms and manicure trails. But we all have different styles and bodys, and my geo maybe its not your geo the same as the terrain. Sorry Francis but motor dont make the bike, if the bike is a pig in handling its not the motor that will make a difference. Still 2 great motors. Those 2 bikes are more of a enduro oriented, one is a race machine and the other is a bike park self shuttle machine and not all mountain. All Mountain its for a bike that is more capable in almost any type of terrain. Francis, its just my opinion, keep up the reviews and the work it takes to make these videos. Have a nice one

[@EMTBReview]

Right on, I appreciate the input. Because suspension designs, geometries and components are so similar these days, the motor has the biggest impact among top contenders. It defines, the weight, power, responsiveness, tunability, display, noise and many other details. Of course, can't put lipstick on a piggy bike but it makes a big difference. That's why so many manufacturers are doing the painful change from Shimano to Bosch this/last year.