Which is the better e-bike? Specialized Levo SL ‘vs’ Pivot Shuttle SL

We’ve spent the past few months back-to-back testing 2 of the most popular ‘SL’ e-MTBs on the market in order to find out which is the best performing bike. The Pivot is a touch lighter but a heap more expensive. Whereas the Levo has a little bit less power and grunt but it does have heaps more geo adjustment. Which bike is the better? Lets find out! And, in the comments section below be sure to let us know which bike you’d pick yourself?

[@pivotcyclesusa]

Thank you for the review. We'd like to note the Shuttle SL is mullet-compatible with the flip chip in the "high" position.

[@revolutionmountainbike]

Ah that's good to know. We'll be sure to include that insight in our next round of coverage. We're currently testing the new Shuttle AM so stay tuned for the first impressions video on that one to go live very shortly. Cheers guys!

[@BankBoy21]

Please Make a pivot Sl with more travel!!!!

[@fyiguy1]

​@@revolutionmountainbike It would be great to also cover the use of the apps( it could even be a separate video) because this really changes your experience with an e-bike greatly. For the Shuttle SL the Ride 60 default profile is good (it has gotten better with firmware updates) but Dynamic Trails is mo' better especially if you like powerful, agile acceleration, powerful assistance, and natural assistance with a progressive character where the default has gentle acceleration in Breeze and agile in Rocket, long range in breeze and powerful assistance in Rocket more for what Fazua calls a "natural ride". Specialized Mission Control app via the Smart Control function allows for some great customization (similar which is on the new SRAM Powertrain because it is also Brose-based) You will want to hit a cadence of 70-90 RPM with the sweet spot being 85 RPM for maximum efficiency putting less strain on motor and battery. If you use the Live Consumption feature helps you pedal more efficiently with real-time battery consumption in km/miles per watt-hour. You can also "Tune" your ride via the Infinite Tune page to tweak both the Support and Peak Power as well as Acceleration Response and Shuttle Mode. The best being Smart Control which can setup your bike to maximize performance and battery based on duration, distance and heart rate and calculates ~every 10 seconds the optimum assistance to give you based on your set parameters as well as Climbing Response. Mission Control also has Jump stats using the built in accelerometer similar to Garmin. Even with all the cool tech, the Levo SL gave me range anxiety and required much more tweaking to get more from the bike. Make sure both also have latest firmware as a lot has improved on both with iterative improvements that come out quite frequently which is a good sign. Also both benefit from connecting a bike computer like Garmin, Wahoo, Hammerhead, etc. as you can take full advantage of the sensors on your e-bike to give feedback and track and tweak things in Strava - because if its not in Strava it didn't happen. 🤪 Keep up the great work and we look forward to the next video! 😀🚲📹

[@thengo1494]

Funny these are the only 2 e bikes I’ve ever ridden on the trails. The shuttle feels like it has waaay more travel than it’s 130mm. It rides very aggressively for a trail bike. Lots of fun. The Levo will always have my heart, though. It just eats it all so well.. but I’m also coming from a stumpy evo, so maybe it’s the familiarity that I love so much. The Levo I rode was louder than the shuttle, and the motor was more immediate.. the shuttle has a cool ‘boost’ mode you can activate for a short bit.. and the progressive torque is pretty awesome.

[@CLe-cr4zp]

Not sure for another $1k for the pivot Slx/xt compared to the Levo sl comp is with it ?

[@kinaceman]

Shuttle sl or heckler sl

[@dsselfe]

From what I've read about the Fazua motors they only boost to the stated 60 NM for around 12 seconds by holding the speed controller down for a Boost mode. I know this is the case for the Heckler SL and it has the same motor. Other wise these motors are 50 NM for the majority of the ride. I've also heard that the ride quality is more on/off in nature and not nearly as natural as the gold standard Levo bikes. The 430 WH battery is nice and I wish Specialized would have at least gone to 420 with theirs. Regardless, I just ordered an Levo SL myself, coming from a Gen 2 Levo and looking for a less bloated ride. Given that most of my rides are less than 20 miles and minimal elevation changes (east coast NC), I've never burned more than 20% of my Levo battery in one session, so I don't think I'll have a problem with the SL.

[@MrEski22]

Fazua range extender for the Shuttle SL should be available early in 24'!!! Although you may not even need it. In my experience my shuttle sl will do about 14 miles and 2000 feet climbing riding in river/rocket modes. I weight 230lb. This can easily be extended with more effort from the rider and using breeze mode in the flats. The Levo looks so sick! I'd buy that too if I could!

[@olddogdan]

This is a pretty good short comparison of two excellent bikes. At this level, which one is “better” depends mostly on individual preferences. Not sure how you missed the mullet choice for the Pivot - it’s right there in the web listing FAQ. I absolutely love my Shuttle SL with a mullet wheelset. But I bet I’d love the Levo SL just as much if I owned it.

[@Tony_P]

Specialized: Our bikes are overpriced. Pivot: Hold my beer.....

[@kevinburke1325]

Specialized bikes aren't overpriced. SMH. You get what you pay for. Even my neighbor noticed a huge difference between Specialized and trek. Specialized was way better.

[@Tony_P]

@@kevinburke1325 S Works. Not overpriced. ......

[@kevinburke1325]

@Tony_P nope, it's not. You get what you pay for.

[@Tony_P]

@@kevinburke1325 🤣😂😁

[@kevinburke1325]

@Tony_P laugh all you want. All I know is I paid $3,000 for the trek fuel ex 7 2022 and everything broke easily on it. With the s works, it flies and is extremely strong. That's why my Aunt Patti was saying, don't go cheap on an mtb. Not to mention, the trek fuel ex 7 2022 was super slow.

[@aaronburela432]

Oh man if I had the luxury to choose it would be absolutely torture 😂

[@liron000]

Thanks for the review guys. Where in Aus was it filmed ? Looks like a great fun trail

[@mtnbikerva1]

Are exo+ tires tough enough, or are the DD/double down needed? Thank you. Would these both be a good rock and root garden bike? Or do the cranks and pedals smash into it all? What do you do when you smash into rock ledges and logs with your bottom bracket chain and chain ring? Is there some kind of hack or fix since you can’t put a chain guard/bash guard on it? Does the battery and motor area, hit instead of chain and chain ring? Cable rattling on the PIVOT fixed? FOX Dropper post cable rattling fixed?

[@outbackwack368]

SL actually stands for Super Luxury. I think they should put a Rolls Royce logo on them for the price 😞

[@fyiguy1]

What is the “flip chip” on the Shuttle SL and when would I want to use it? The flip chip is a simple way to adjust the Shuttle SL’s geometry for different trail conditions. The chip comes set up in the low BB setting. This is perfect for riding fast, technical and steep terrain. However, if your preference is for a little more crank clearance and slightly quicker handling for tighter terrain with more climbing and/or roots and rocks, you may prefer the high BB setting. The high BB setting will raise the bottom bracket and steepen the head angle by .5° degree giving the bike faster turn in. Fazua also has an upcoming range extender battery, which has been scheduled to be released in early 2024 pushed up from 2023… both bikes ride well and get better with software updates. For me best size was S4 for Levo SL and for the Shuttle SL Medium for comparison. Different builds/components can increase the price dramatically. IMHO you can’t go wrong with either!

[@CLe-cr4zp]

How much louder is the levo sl motor to the shuffle ? Does it get annoying ? And how much of a difference do you feel with the difference in torque in the highest mode ? Is it like 20% more power in the pivot ? Or 10% more ? Just a guesstimate. Thanks!

[@fyiguy1]

It’s not as noticeable as the full size Levo but it is quieter than last year’s generation 1 motor. Brose and Specialized made significant improvements and would stay away from the older SL and SRAM now uses Brose, but it’s a higher pitched sound and noisier than the Ride 60 Fazua which is whisper quiet in comparison on the Shuttle SL. Torque-wise you definitely notice it that extra 10Nm makes a difference and battery-wise the Shuttle SL lasted longer too. I also like the simple control and boost mode, but wish they went wireless maybe in the next version.

[@davidjohnston7296]

The shuttle battery blows doors on the levo, Add an extender and the levo will be 5 lb heavier.

[@l1nds290]

Sorry but seems you didn’t weigh the SL.. you weight of base speck medium is just over 20kg!!

[@simoncabral1004]

Anyone that wants a 27inch wheel e bike now is seriously limited....quite pissed off about that...

[@CLe-cr4zp]

Umm you can change to a 29 if you wanted.

[@cdwag23]

kenevo

[@richarddecredico6098]

Neither Orbea all the way

[@Austi-xt7tu]

You guys fucking shred lol

[@geoffreypease3585]

Only one problem with these new bikes. They have no value, they are actually only worth 1/2 the asking price. Take a moment to compare with a 450 MX bike and anyone can see the point. I bought my Kenevo expert for 9000, then my friend got his on sale for 5700.That won't ever happen again. Everyone needs to quit buying them until they come back down to earth!

[@anthonysears871]

All electric bikes suck! Either the battery, the wiring, the software, the conventional drive, train, the motor or all will fail within 100, miles. Hike up your skirts! Grow a set. And buy an acoustic bike!

[@fyiguy1]

I ride a low/travel full "sus" down country aka XC+ Amish bike most of the time (retired the hardtail), but when riding recovery/off days, an e-bike is good or if you have limited time and want to put in more runs or keep up with your fast friends that also ride electric bikes on hellacious climbs and are waiting for you at the top as you cough up a lung, bonk hard, and require a good rest before they take off again. I also noticed switching between both has improved my skills significantly as with any cross training. Another bike in the quiver or tool in the shed as they say... 😜

[@pauleddy5146]

You aren't 65 years old are you? If you were, you may be less of a prick with such an ignorant opinion. Try to keep up with the kids and all I miss is the stamina. E assist keeps me riding with the crew. Be less ignorant and your life will improve. You're just talking out your attitude.

[@MrMartinHattingh]

OK boomer…

[@pmaly9473]

Awesome 😂🎉

[@skiMTB]

Does your "acoustic" bike sing songs?