2023 EMTB Shootout: Pivot Shuttle LT Review

[@joet2463]

I saved up, worked a lot of overtime for 4 years to get my 1st emtb and the Pivot LT was my choice. Totally agree that it’s a do-it-all bike and I haven’t seen anything that hung up the bike and I have cleared areas that didn’t think it would clear. Based on your review, I’ll try the high position as I too have on rare occasions experience pedal strike. Don’t get me wrong, It’s expensive but to me well worth it.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Definitely worth experimenting depending on your terrain and preferences. It’s a ripper for sure!

[@f650lee]

Great review of the bike! I have one on order. My "acoustic" bike is a 2020 Pivot 429 Trail-which I dearly love, so thinking the Shuttle will fit the bill for a great ebike experience.

[@abelramos8983]

I remember the first Shuttle it was ahead his time in all senses including price. Overall is a great brand im happy they keep doing things well

[@TheLoamWolf]

They make killer bikes for sure.

[@NDemanuele1]

Sounds like I would love this bike! And also love the aesthetics! I'm an Ibis dude so I'm right at home with DW tech! The only problem: "No Money, No Honey!".....LOL. It is pricey. I been considering the Orbea Rise Alloy version or an RM bike alternatively.

[@michaelwalas5948]

It would be great if you let everyone know how the battery life is on all your shootout bikes. For instance.. when emtb riders go out on their bikes on a 30-40mile ride.. some have enough for 2 loops, others are out of battery way earlier.. I think as a subscriber to your channel, as well as other folks, we’d love to know how well the “e” aspect meaning battery life … how that performs as part of your reviews 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Awesome channel 👌🏼

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for the suggestion we’ll work on adding that. We just find that our findings could either give people a bad or overly optimistic impression of range based on our weight, elevation gains per ride, and power mode used compared to viewers. But we’ll work on it! Thanks.

[@TARTARAKURZHAAR]

Nice !

[@denesk2794]

I was in the store with cash to get this and changed my mind. Reasons: - 28h wheelset on a long travel heavy bike :( - super boost limits wheel options a LOT - using a center lock to 6h adapter on a 12K bike? Seriously? - tiny clearance for rear tire - no coil option - Shimano ep8 warranty issues. -- I am on a loaner motor with 4K on my Bullit as the Pivot/Santa Cruz dealership is unable to take care of warranty... I literally had an SC for 2 months at the same shop when I decided to buy this bike, then looked at the details and decided not to get it. I still own an older Pivot Shuttle and I am on the 2nd wheelset. It's my backup e-bike and the 28h DT swiss wheels are falling apart. (no reason spoke snap on landings or even pedaling) ... So ... I concluded, that if I shelled $12k out for a bike, I would want something I love. Changing wheels, shock (again, limited option with that eye-to-eye/stroke - everyone uses 230/65 at this point at that travel), and probably brakes (sorry, Hope fan), is not something I want on a 12K bike. And when the ep8 kicks the bucket, I am looking at months of the bike sitting at the shop, and will end up with an other used motor as a replacement. Frankly, I am looking at the new Commencal meta with Bosch. And I am saying this, after ordering and extra battery and motor for my Bullit. Just my 2c. If you are happy with the wheels, brakes, shock, then it is a nice bike - given that at your location you have actual Shimano support. I will hold up for this season on my Bullit and hope some brand I like starts putting bikes out with Bosch on them.

[@janeblogs324]

Winteresting, cheers for the real review

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for sharing your very detailed account and opinion. We always appreciate when owners and potential owners write in.

[@kangsterizer]

honestly 12k bikes, 15k bikes, etc dont make sense because they arent long term investments, next year itll be 6-8k used, in 2 years less than 5k. the issues you mentioned just add insult to injury. for what its worth I also have had bad experience with sc's "lifetime" warranty. as they point out in their website its more of "they will replace stuff if they can and if they feel like it, they reserve the right not to for any reason", which includes mainly "we don't have spare motors right now" or "we dont have spare frames". i dont think youtubers see much of this, and if they talk too bad about this the brands wont send them test bikes anymore...

[@travistweedle9674]

I have been wanting and saving up for this bike since it came out last year. Only thing I didn't like about the bike other than the price was that it didn't come with the Fox X2. My dreams of owning a Pivot LT ended the day Fezzari released their Timp Peak. I ordered a Timp Peak Launch edition, upgraded to the Fox Factory suspension and seatpost and it was only $8414. I have had it about a month and man is it an awesome bike. With the money I saved I already have a trip to Bentonville, AR booked and am planning a trip to Asheville, NC and another to Moab for late summer and fall respectively.

[@saulvaldespino3240]

I have the blue one. It´s not an investment, - as some one said- it´s a luxury.

[@ericl.4596]

I've had this bike in size M (I'm 5.6in tall and perfectly positioned on the bike) for 3 months now and I can assure you that it's the best E-Bike I've ever had: very comfortable in all situations while remaining stiff, compared to my other bikes it's good absolutely everywhere with very good traction on the way up, it also offers a lot of confidence on the way down, very agile in the changes of direction and in short super fun to ride. I was also surprised by the fact that it allows you to stay in a sitting position more often than another bike in bumpy sections. I also ride in the high position to get more clearance at the bottom bracket with a 160mm crank length. Here in Europe it comes with Newmen Al wheels (Evolution SL A.30-1780g): very smooth and with little noise. I also had to adjust the battery following your tutorial and since then no more noise generated by the battery inside the frame. The only small problem is that when you remove the battery to charge it outside the frame, you have to be careful with the rubber part (not fixed) at the top end that allows shock absorption. It's a pity that it was not supplied with the EP8 motor (EP-801), because this would have avoided having to change everything if you want to switch to Shimano wireless later on and also an XT cassette instead of an XTR. BUT I'm happy with it, because it's a treat. 👍😀

[@kevinmortimer1883]

the best you ever rode compared to what?

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for sharing! This bike does kick ass!!

[@ericl.4596]

@@kevinmortimer1883 Compared to the Rocky Mountain Powerplay Altitude 2017 (verry good bike also but with some little weak points) and I have been riding the Rotwild R.X375 (light EMTB) for over 2 years now, but in terms of comfort, positioning on the bike, confidence, ability of the bike to tackle any type of terrain, there's no contest... the Pivot is an amazing platform!

[@ioannisparaskevopoulos1120]

I am 5.9. Do you feel overly stretched out on the front due to the long reach, or upright when the seatpost is fully extended while pedaling?

[@ericl.4596]

No absolutely not, in fact quite the opposite @ioannisparaskevopoulos1120

[@grillob3]

Nice review as always! Could you guys please review the canyon torque on 2023? Thanks 😊

[@tbetry413]

I’ve been looking at the yeti 160e but sounds like you all felt it was more geared towards super fast speeds and race pace only. I don’t race but consider myself an advanced rider. Seems like this might be worth a demo.

[@peakz1099]

Buy the 160e its an insane bike i have the 160e T3 and im not a racer, the bike eat everything you throw at it, jumps and drops + its so fast

[@andersonsridebikes]

The Shuttle LT is a great bike. I owned it for 7-8 months and enjoyed it. I sold that bike and bought a Transition Repeater (currently discontinued) for less than I sold the Shuttle. I find the Repeater to be more fun and has a swappable battery. Just something to consider.

[@LastAphelion]

What are you getting next (and why are you trading the Repeater for it)

[@andersonsridebikes]

@@LastAphelion I meant to say that Transition has discounted the price of the Repeater. I don’t plan on changing anytime soon

[@LastAphelion]

@@andersonsridebikes Ohhh. I just wish I could mod the Repeater like the Relay PNW spec, I don't mind the idea of trying the shimano motor, I just wish I could make it 170 and mullet. Been trying to find other options like that

[@glennbroad2543]

What’s the 15 second turbo boost thing like?

[@MrDavecore777]

Is there any chance you can do a similar head to head for light e-bikes. Really curious how you guys find the Shuttle SL? Thanks

[@TheLoamWolf]

Coming later in the year! Shuttle sl is a very good trail SL contender for sure though, don’t think you would be disappointed

[@ryanellis3816]

@@TheLoamWolf It also gets rid of a potential SP08 motor for Fushima?

[@joshdavidson9892]

In your shoot out, where did you land on winner? Thanks!!

[@TheLoamWolf]

We have the winners announced in our grand finale episode.

[@richardmorris8764]

Tell pivot to build a fat bike e bike, their fat bike frame is awesome

[@jeecee5539]

Your editing is top notch🎉😅

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thank you!

[@LeeCruz-bl4qz]

Awesome reviews as usual👍 Would been awesome for you guys to review the Crestline RS. So far the shuttle is the mostly compared build spec to the RS

[@TheLoamWolf]

We were hoping to include the Crestline but didn’t end up getting the bike from them. Maybe in the future!

[@duanethompson2879]

@@TheLoamWolf Aw, damn, would have loved to see the Crestline in the shootout with these big dogs! Had a Shuttle in 2019, then gave a go with the Orbea Wild, then moved on to my RM c90 for a year now(best bike yet). My Crestline 75/50 arrives in 2 weeks......

[@jeffriley2502]

Sounds like a nice bike in many ways. However my Decoy Elite and Core 4 cost me about the same for both bikes total, both with better shocks and wheels. The pricing on these big names are not worth the extra money for non Dentist. Just got two more 720 batteries for my Decoys for my extended rides.

[@LeeCruz-bl4qz]

How much is a decoy elite?

[@TheLoamWolf]

As occasional patients of dentists, we can give two official statements - 1 The YT is definitely more affordable. 2 The Pivot definitely rides better. By a lot.

[@cyclopath1000]

Where are you testing ?

[@TheLoamWolf]

A mixture of high desert and coastal Oregon

[@REB4444]

I own a 2022 non ebike Pivot and love it, but there's no way I'd pay that price because the performance wouldn't be that much better than say a Santa Cruz who's build, fit, finish AND warranty is the best in the business. My buddy paid $11,000 each for two Shuttles (one for him and one for his wife) 3 years ago and they are both obsolete compared to the new ones. They are way too heavy, the battery & motors are two gens behind already.

[@travistweedle9674]

E-bike tech is new and rapidly developing. You can buy new and exciting and ride it for 3 years+ and then upgrade later or you can wait. Lastly if your friend can afford 22000 bucks worth of bikes at one time. He doesn't care about what happens in 3 years as he can afford new ones when ever he wants.

[@richardmorris8764]

51lbs wow, are there lighter e bikes or is that the norm weight

[@TheLoamWolf]

There are quite a few top-spec full power ebikes at 51lbs or less. Some of the new bosch full power bikes are hovering around 48lbs.

[@ioannisparaskevopoulos1120]

This, with a shorter stem and a higher rise bar, mullet and a 180mm fork!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Could be fun!

[@ioannisparaskevopoulos1120]

@@TheLoamWolf Definetely one of the most versatile bikes you tested!

[@overseer_grimal]

Frankly I am a bit confused with the modern geo. Medium size becomes new large. I am not sure if 490+ reach and so long wheelbase would be comfortable for me

[@tomnutting3836]

It’s all getting a bit crazy, I’m 6’5 and looking at 525 reach on the new Levo SL and thinking that’s madness

[@FritzPhoto]

Shimano motor is where my symphaty ends

[@TheLoamWolf]

Might not be the most powerful out there, but it’s pretty solid.

[@curiosgeorge16]

Pivot is continually 20-25% more expensive than other brands. Also, to me they don’t really innovate much. I feel that they just kind of survey the landscape and then come out with something similar to whatever is already out there. I’d take the Orbea Wild over this all day everyday and save several thousand dollars too. $12k? Absurd.

[@LeeCruz-bl4qz]

Orbea Wild FS that’s 12k absurd too?

[@TheLoamWolf]

The top of the line Wild hits $12k, bit also starts at $5,700.

[@Mockle07]

Not even close to being accurate. Specialized, Scott, Trek, Yeti, Orbea, Mondraker etc. are all priced similarly to equivalently spec’d Pivot bikes. I’d love to know where you got that 20-25% from 😂🤡

[@Zetler]

I don’t care how great the components are. I find it hard to pay 12K for a Shimano bike.

[@TheLoamWolf]

That’s understandable as everyone has preferences on drive units, but the ride quality, rest of the build and the frame go some ways to making the cost acceptable in our eyes.

[@Lee-ic2yn]

What do you mean by that? Which drive train would you have?

[@eugenux]

​@@Lee-ic2yn leave him be, that's how ignorants think...and due to his narrow mindness, he cannot get out of his ignorant think patterns. *I don't care how good a bike is, as long it is a shimano/it isn't a sram(or whatever), it is a shitbox on wheels*. That's how sad, poor souls look like.

[@Echoes-]

@@Lee-ic2yn Bosch of course!

[@Lee-ic2yn]

@@Echoes- oh he means the motor 🤣🤣 I was slow there I'm on bosch myself but u have had one motor replacement already after 8 months

[@alexnelson9505]

Music is way too loud vs the conversation.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@eriknash8783]

By the looks of the bike in your studio, the dropper length does not look very appealing.

[@rjahn3000]

A new Turbo Levo Comp is 5200 on sale much better value in my opinion!

[@Mockle07]

Well of course, but comparing a two year old bike that’s on end-of-line-sale to a bike that came out recently is not exactly apples to apples. In two years the Pivot might be on sale and the newer Levo will be full price 🤷🏼‍♂️.

[@LeeCruz-bl4qz]

Spec to spec it’s not comparable. Similar comparison to a levo would be a levo pro or an s-works based on components

[@rjahn3000]

@@LeeCruz-bl4qz perhaps but not worth twice as much when you compare ride quality.

[@LeeCruz-bl4qz]

Yeah I’m gonna say the ride quality and adjustability still isn’t comparable unless you compared to a higher level more expensive levo

[@TheLoamWolf]

While we can’t tell people what their own version of better value is, based on their riding level and goals on the trail…. We have the Levo Comp, and we can say that for us, there is a huge difference in ride quality and durability/life span of parts. Is it 6,000$ different? That’s up to the individual, but there’s no way that bike can compete with this when riding hard.

[@Kafka-x]

Q

[@mrvapor4791]

🦊

[@thetruls]

It is so effing frustrating that you don't show the whole rig when you are talking. Damn.

[@mustclime5311]

carbon only, instant fail. Beyond tired of cracked plastic bikes.

[@mikes.8305]

Okay boomer.

[@kevinmortimer1883]

a ridiculous price for a mountainbike no matter what it proclaims itself

[@TheLoamWolf]

It’s a lot of money. Rides very good, and is built very well though.

[@southpawlibranine3511]

Looks like it got rear ended