Pivot Shuttle LT 2025 Review

Pivot is known for flashy bikes at exclusive prices. And the new Pivot Shuttle LT EMTB fits this mold. Beyond the price, however, the EMTB with 170 mm of travel ventures off the beaten path.

I haven’t ridden a bike in a long time that has such a strong yet layered character. Trying to describe all its facets nearly fried my brain. But before I invite you to dive headfirst into the rabbit hole, one thing stands out: by all accounts, I can diagnose the Shuttle LT with a borderline syndrome.

Borderline syndrome is characterized by black-and-white thinking. The world appears just as black-and-white from the saddle of the new Shuttle LT. This e-MTB sorts its riders into two categories: Either you’re a pilot, or you become a passenger—whether you like it or not. What does it take to become a pilot? The courage to release the brakes. The power to steer the bike. And the core tension to stand above the cockpit.

Only those who grant the bike the speed it craves will truly enjoy the Shuttle LT’s advantages. That journey can be a long one—and one with quite a few twists and turns, as I discovered firsthand. I hope to clearly outline my journey to becoming the pilot of the Shuttle LT in this review.

Like a Space Shuttle, the Shuttle LT is a machine of substance – quite literally. The bike is long, really long. And this is coming from someone who feels truly at home on long bikes. With a height of 1.81 meters, I usually go for a size L frame. But with the Shuttle LT, I’m caught between sizes – between M and L.

I love long bikes – I love the stability they offer, the sense of security they bring that benefits my comfort zone, and the freedom of movement they provide above the bike. So, I also chose the Shuttle LT in size L. In hindsight, I have to say: Given the geometry values, I might have been better off with an M.

Compared to other E-MTBs in this class, you sit more stretched out on the Shuttle LT. No surprise, the top tube length measures a hefty 650 mm. For comparison, the recently tested Santa Cruz Vala has a top tube length of 622 mm – that’s a 27 mm difference. Imagine putting a stem that’s 2 cm longer on your bike – then you know how 2 cm can affect your riding position.

If you want to compare the Vala and the Pivot directly, you can do so here:

The seat angle is quite steep at 77° – a clear indication of the main frame’s length. When standing, you can feel the length in the reach – the main frame measures 488 mm in size L. The front height reaches a stack of 645 mm. In short: the Shuttle LT is long – as confirmed by the wheelbase of 1,281 mm. This raises the question of agility. After all, a behemoth like the Space Shuttle is known for moving in only one direction: straight ahead. Can the Shuttle LT handle directional changes?

Like the Space Shuttle, the Shuttle LT also tips the scales with a hefty weight. The scales show a solid 23.78 kg – and that’s in the €11,399 mid-range spec called “Pro” – or more precisely, “PRO XO Eagle Transmission.”

At this point, some of you might be in disbelief. “€11,399? “Mid-range”? What? Indeed, the Shuttle LT Pro we tested is the middle of three spec variants. To get the top model named “Team,” you’ll have to shell out another 2,000 euros.

If €13,399 still doesn’t feel luxurious enough, you can add another 2,000 euros for upgrades, which includes the Fox’s electronic Live-Valve-NEO suspension with a coil shock and a Bosch Power More Range Extender. This makes the top-spec version of the new Shuttle LT… hold onto your hats: €15,999.

I’ll put it this way: A Space Shuttle costs NASA more than a glider costs a hobby pilot.

Well, to be honest, I can’t answer the question. Personally, I find prices in and above the 10,000 euro range insane. Pivot justifies its prices with the immense development depth behind their bikes – and with the exceptionally high quality. Each frame size is individually developed – and not simply scaled up or down from a reference size. Editorial side note: Specialized also claims this development approach for itself.

Regardless of Pivot’s brand promise, the Shuttle LT really exhibits details that are rarely seen in terms of quality and execution. For example, there is the chainstay guard, which might as well be called a rear triangle protector. Almost the entire inner triangle of the one-piece rear suspension is covered with protectors. Such a level of protection from frame damage is welcome on a luxury object of this price class.

The cable routing and entry points demonstrate that Pivot does not shy away from costly injection molds. The cables run classically along the side of the head tube into the frame. Openings are available for every conceivable variation – mechanical shifting, wireless shifting, etc. Unused entries are stylishly covered and sealed against dirt.

The proportions and lines of the frame hint at how applied forces flow and are distributed. Stiffness where needed, compliance where desired. You can even feel it when riding – because the Shuttle LT behaves remarkably forgivingly.

Back to weight: With a total weight of 23.78 kg, Pivot doesn’t earn any laurels in the battle against shedding pounds. In the duel with the comparably equipped and 21.6 kg light Santa Cruz Vala, the Shuttle comes up short. However, the Shuttle’s down tube houses a large 750 battery – that’s 150 Wh more than the Santa. This promises even more laps on the home trails. But 150 Wh more doesn’t account for the 2 kg weight difference. The remaining 500 grams can be found in the wheels.

The Shuttle LT is equipped with DT Swiss aluminum wheels, fitted with robust Kryptotal tires from Continental – even in a 2.6” width on the 27.5” rear wheel. The wheelset weighs 5,860 g – which is a lot for a mixed setup of a 29” front wheel and a 27.5” rear wheel. However, the tires and wheels are correspondingly stable. I didn’t have any punctures during the test, despite a rough riding style. A plus for the Shuttle.

However, the heavy wheelset also has its drawbacks. Sprints and other maneuvers where the bike needs to accelerate instantly are hindered by the inertia of the heavy wheels. Luckily, the bike has a motor.

The weight of the wheels also becomes apparent during quick changes of direction. The bike stubbornly stays on its line—whether the rider wants it or not. Changing direction ad-hoc is only possible with significant effort. In return, the smooth straight-line stability of the Shuttle LT provides confidence, as the bike is not easily unsettled.

Let’s circle back to the metaphors at the beginning: the Space Shuttle and the Bike Shuttle. Both ascend. Both cater to those with a yearning to rise. The Shuttle LT concept is no less than the replacement for the stuffy nine-seater. It’s the enabler, allowing you to dive into new worlds. For instance, the world of technical uphill riding. Thanks to e-bikes, you can now unleash your skills not only downhill but also uphill – much like an enduro motorcycle. Provided the bike packs enough punch.

And ensuring that the Shuttle LT has enough firepower, deep within its frame sits Bosch’s most powerful e-bike motor – the CX Race. It doesn’t produce more power than the “normal” CX, but it provides 60% more support. If you pedal with 100 W, the motor quadruples your own power – resulting in a 400% boost. Moreover, the Race motor in Race mode gives a serious push – a mere tap is enough, and the motor propels you over the next edge. By the way, the Race motor is integrated into all Shuttle LT models.

This sporty motor suits the Shuttle LT well – it offsets the bike’s inertia when accelerating. It also perfectly complements the outstanding rear suspension. Because what the motor delivers, the active rear suspension converts into traction on the ground. Without traction, the greatest power is worthless. Pivot seems to have taken this to heart, because even when the motor pushes with full force, the rear end smoothly glides over the trail. This way, the rear wheel maintains ground contact even in rough terrain, turning power into forward momentum.

However, there are two drawbacks you need to accept: The CX Race motor is based on the form factor of the recently replaced CX Gen. 4 motor (BDU37). It is mounted to the frame at three points. The new BDU38 is attached to the frame with just two mounting points. This means that if Bosch ever releases a Race version of the new BDU38 motor, it probably won’t be retrofittable on the Shuttle LT.

The second drawback: just like the CX Gen. 4, the Race motor has the distinctive gear rattle, which Bosch has finally quieted with the new BDU38. This is particularly unfortunate, as the bike as a whole stands out with a particularly low noise level. The ample frame protectors and minimal chain slap reduce noise to a minimum—making the clattering motor noises all the more intrusive.

The 750 battery is screwed into the down tube and cannot be easily removed. Pivot justifies this with the attributes of space, weight, and stiffness. Any variation to make the battery removable would have resulted in higher weight or sacrifices in stiffness. Compromises that Pivot did not want to make.

There are many reasons to leave the bio-bike and hop on the e-MTB instead. I am primarily motivated by two reasons to choose the e-MTB: With the e-bike, I can double my fun on the trail. Thanks to the motor, I can hone my skills uphill on technical trails just like with an enduro motorcycle.

Additionally, with motor assistance, I climb the mountain up to three times faster – which means I can enjoy the descent three times as often with the same time investment. Pivot shares this understanding of e-mountain biking and points out that the Shuttle LT is particularly designed for technical uphills. So, get on the trail and up to the summit.

The length of the Shuttle LT in size L is immediately noticeable on the first uphill. The path to the trailhead is steep and through rough terrain. It feels like the front wheel is far away from the bike’s center. The steeper it gets, the more I have to slide forward on the saddle nose and actively lean my upper body forward. Without shifting my weight forward over the bike, the front wheel gets little guidance in the steep technical uphill and starts to dance.

Caution: What is described here is probably an exceptional situation for many e-bikers. I’m describing an uphill scenario on a steep, technical singletrail. On such trails, I usually encounter few e-bikers. For my part, I enjoy the challenge of the uphill, the play with the terrain and gradient, and the fun of experiencing action even when going uphill. After all, boring gravel paths can also be climbed with light-assist motors.

If you’re like me and thrive on the thrill of technical uphills and are between two frame sizes in your choice, you should opt for the smaller size.

No matter which size you choose, on the Shuttle LT you benefit from the enormous traction generated by the rear suspension and the grip that the tire uses to transfer sheer motor power to the ground.

Speaking of grip: The DW-Link rear suspension of the Shuttle LT shines even under pedaling load with responsiveness that gobbles up small roots and rocks. Other rear suspensions are often neutralized by strong chain pull. With the Pivot, however, I can pedal hard, rev up the motor, and still enjoy an active suspension.

The Shuttle LT glides towards the summit with the calmness of a steamship and the speed of a speedboat. It feels comfortable but not like a cushy ride. The bike stands high in its travel, providing a stable feeling and letting the rider sense what’s happening on the ground. Even at edges where you have to lift the front wheel and pull the rear wheel along, the rear suspension stays high in its travel – ensuring control and safety in technical uphills.

The powerful CX Race motor is in a class of its own. With 400%, you don’t have to pedal your heart out to accelerate. It’s enough to keep the cranks turning and the motor pushes the bike up the hill. The motor turns 100 W of leg power into four times the output. On gravel paths, this is almost unsportsmanlike, but in the terrain, this support opens up new possibilities. The focus is fully on the trail – eyes and body guide the bike through the terrain while the cranks keep the motor engaged and it pushes vigorously.

The Shuttle LT is an uphill maestro.

Once the Shuttle LT gains momentum, there’s no stopping it. The bike plows through anything in its path. The suspension is plush – but also fickle. I sense a certain imbalance between the fork and the rear setup. The rear feels lively and surprisingly offers a lot of “pop” for the weight of the bike. However, this pop turns into a “kick” when rebounding on deep hits and edges. To counter these “kicks,” I have to shift my weight back, causing the front wheel to lose pressure and develop a mind of its own.

Larger and heavier riders might not notice this phenomenon because there’s generally more weight over the rear. However, I recommend adding an extra volume spacer to the fork – this balances the disparity between the fork and the rear setup.

An optional Fox Float X2 can also be installed on the bike, and I had the chance to test this setup. The spring curve of the Float X2 resembles that of a coil shock due to its larger air volume, reducing progression and ramp-up in the last third of the travel. In short, the spring curve of the rear suspension is less progressive with the Float X2, resulting in a more consistent rebound force. The result: with the Float X2, the rear suspension offers less “pop” but sticks to the trail like a board.

With the new setup, the Shuttle LT rails the trail like it’s on tracks, behaving more like a freight train on steroids than a race-ready ICE. The Shuttle LT can go fast—and it’s plush. But due to its length and weight, the bike behaves exactly as physics tells us: mass drives forward, and length runs—the bike wants to go straight. Quick direction changes require assertiveness from the rider. Those who lean back passively become passengers on the Shuttle LT.

If you confidently spur the bike on, lean forward with your upper body, and aggressively push the bike into the turns, you become the pilot of the Shuttle LT. Fortunately, the rider’s physical effort is effectively communicated, as the Shuttle LT boasts a balanced stiffness distribution. The head tube stiffness and defined suspension ensure that steering inputs are directly translated.

Thanks to the slack head angle, the bike wants to be leaned into the curve like a carving ski – those who keep the bike upright and steer bluntly will quickly notice that the bike tends to push straight ahead.

The faster you ride, the more the Shuttle LT comes alive. This bike craves speed. Grant it this speed, and rider and bike merge into an inseparable team. The bike rewards the rider with stoic calmness, even in the most challenging terrain.

Pivot offers its bikes in a variety of build kits. The Shuttle LT is available in 3 base configurations. Additionally, each kit can be upgraded for €1500 with Fox’s latest Live Valve Neo. A range extender with 250 Wh is available from Pivot for €500 as an add-on from the factory. With our comparison feature, you can directly compare the bikes with each other. Just click on the arrow icon to add the bikes to the comparison.