Pivot Launches the Bosch

Jul 21, 2023

If you’re going to invest in an eMTB, it’s probably wise to get one that will ride anything well. Today, Pivot Cycles launches their new Shuttle AM, a 29” wheeled, 148mm travel eMTB that was designed with all-mountain capability as a top priority.

Powered by Bosch drive systems, the Shuttle AMs aim to offer an agile ride at a reasonable weight, with sufficient travel to handle any terrain. With up-to-date (and adjustable) geometry plus expandable battery capacity, the Shuttle AM can tackle anything from local trail laps to backcountry epics.

All models of the new Shuttle AM feature full carbon front and rear triangles. Rear travel is 148mm, and all the bikes come with 160mm forks. While these bikes can be converted to MX wheel setups, they come stock on 29” wheels. There are no replacement yokes, shock mounts or other parts designed to convert the Shuttle AMs, so be aware switching to a mullet configuration will affect the frame geometry (MX geometry was not provided).

The Shuttle AM’s frame flex is identical to Pivot’s Switchblade MTB, as they wanted this bike to ride a lot like a Switchblade with pedal assist. However, that just pertains to flex: almost all geometry figures have been adjusted for the Shuttle AM.

The lightest Shuttle AM build (the Team model) is listed at 47.4lbs, which is pretty good for a long-travel eMTB carrying a 750Wh battery.

Pivot bikes use a DW suspension linkage, which they say is ideal for ebikes as it fights squat nicely when the motor kicks in its power. The DW linkage also provides enough support to pedal efficiently and provide a lively ride, while maintaining a progressive enough curve to tackle rough rocky trails and jumps or drops.

For the Shuttle AMs, Pivot went with smaller volume spacers in the rear shocks versus their previous eMTBs. The shock tune hasn’t changed, so the new AMs should feel just a tad more linear than existing Shuttle models. If you’re a fan of coil shocks, the AMs are compatible.

The Shuttle AM also features a new vertical shock layout. Moving to this design has several advantages; it allows for a more compact frame design that saves weight and increases stiffness, it enables lower standover heights, and makes it easier for Pivot to toy with the bike’s kinematics. It also allows all frame sizes to carry a full size water bottle (or Bosch’s PowerMore range extender, more on that below).

Pivot opted to make the Shuttle AMs’ battery non-removable (without dropping the motor), because this helped allow them to achieve the frame design features they wanted – One of which is a low standover height; the Shuttle AM has the lowest of any Pivot eMTB yet.

The Shuttle AM features 157mm rear axle spacing, and the internal cable routing can be set up North American or Moto style. All models also include integrated top chain guides.

Stock sizes for the Shuttle AM Team and Pro’s Fox Transfer seatposts are 150mm for small frames, 175mm for mediums and larges, and 200mm for XLs. The Ride models feature e*thirteen Vario posts, running 150-180mm on small to large frames and 180-210mm posts on XLs.

Pivot worked with Topeak to develop a line of Dock Tools, which can be bolted to the accessory mounts on the underside of the bike’s top tube (or any standard water bottle mount). Riders can outfit their bikes with the Dock Ninja Co2, Dock Ninja Tool Box 16+, or the Dock Ninja Tool Box Mini 20 Pro. The Dock multi-tools are enclosed in a carrying case to keep them clean and protected.

A flip chip in the Shuttle AM’s linkage offers ‘High’ and ‘Low’ positions. Switching between the two isn’t a drastic change, but it moves the BB and standover height up or down by 5mm and alters the steering and seat angles by 0.4°.

Check out the above charts for all the details, but here’s a quick rundown of the Shuttle AM’s key figures: Head tube angles are quite slack at 64.1/64.5°, while the effective seat tube angles are 76.4/76.8°. The chainstays are on the longer side, and the same for all frame sizes at 444mm. BB heights are 345/350mm, and standover heights are the same across the board at 715/720mm.

For the first time, Pivot decided to enlist Bosch to supply the drive systems for the new Shuttle AMs. Pivot says they liked their wireless remote and rear wheel sensors, the top tube display screen, and of course their power delivery. The top-spec Team models get Performance CX Race motors (which offer a high-performance ‘race’ mode), and the other two models use the Performance Line CX motor. The Performance CX Race motor features a magnesium case, which offers superior heat management and saves 136g versus the Performance Line CX.

The Team and Pro models run a 750Wh battery, while the Ride model uses a smaller 625Wh battery. All models are compatible with Bosch’s PowerMore range extender, which will be available this fall. This bottle-style battery provides an extra 250Wh of capacity for those who want to tackle bigger rides.

The use of Bosch’s compact wireless remote and SRAM’s AXS shift pods (included on the Team and Pro models) keep the Shuttle AMs’ cockpits looking lean and clean.

The Shuttle AMs’ Bosch motors can be configured using the Bosch/Pivot Flow App. The app offers riders the choice of four modes from a total of seven options; Pro and Ride builds come with Turbo, eMTB shortcrank (optimized for cranks 165mm and under), Sport and Tour+ modes pre-installed. The Team model includes a Race mode instead of the Tour+ option found on the other models. The app also provides mileage-based recommended maintenance intervals, a ‘find a Pivot/Bosch dealer’ option, plus shows you your estimated range and real-time battery charge percentages.

Shuttle AM Team – $13,999

Shuttle AM Pro – $11,799

Shuttle AM Ride – $8,999

Frame color options for all models are Blue Neptune or Mojave Willow Green. The Shuttle AM Team and Pro models are available at Pivot dealers as of today, while the Ride model is coming soon.

pivotcycles.com