Pivot’s New Shuttle Gets Fox 38, Shimano EP8 And Huge 726Wh Battery


Pivot Cycles is updating the Shuttle for 2021, giving it more range, more power and more capability. Being the Arizona-based brand’s flagship e-MTB, the Shuttle uses a lightweight full carbon fibre frame with a dw-link suspension design. It rolls on 29in wheels, and it delivers 140mm of rear wheel travel, which is paired to a 160mm travel fork. For 2021, the Shuttle’s carbon chassis carries through unchanged. However, it’s what’s on the inside that has changed.

2021 pivot shuttle shimano ep8
The Pivot Shuttle is the brand’s premium all-round full suspension e-MTB, with 160/140mm of travel and 29in wheels.
2021 pivot shuttle shimano ep8
Same carbon bones, new guts.

The 2021 Pivot Shuttle – What’s New?

Previously the Shuttle was fitted with a Shimano E8000 or E7000 drive unit, along with a Shimano internal battery. For 2021, the Shuttle now adopts Shimano’s latest and greatest – the lighter, more powerful and more efficient EP8 motor. Because the motor mounting points are the same, there are no structural changes to the frame itself to accommodate the EP8 drive unit.

As well as the new motor, the Shuttle also moves to a new battery. Instead of the a 500Wh Shimano battery, the new Shuttle gets a whopping 726Wh battery courtesy of Darfon. That’s huge! It’s a touch bigger than the 700Wh battery in the Specialized Levo/Kenevo, and quite a bit bigger than the 625Wh battery from Bosch and Shimano’s own 630Wh battery option.

The battery is still easily removable from the downtube, and it can still be charged while it’s in the bike via the charging port up at the headtube. Along with the new EP8 motor, which promises less drag and greater efficiency, the new Shuttle is likely to provide a whole lot more range.

2021 pivot shuttle shimano ep8
There’s a Fox DPX2 rear shock that’s matched to a hulking Fox 38 fork up front.
2021 pivot shuttle shimano ep8
Thanks to the unchanged mounting points, the new EP8 motor bolts right in to the Shuttle’s carbon chassis.

The Outfit

Pivot will be offering just a single Shuttle model for 2021 – the Shuttle Team XTR. We’ll see that in Australia, with an actually-not-too-insane price of $15,999 AUD.

For your monies you’ll be getting a Fox Factory Series 38 fork, a DPX2 rear shock, and a Transfer dropper post. There are e-MTB specific wheels from DT Swiss, a tough Maxxis tyre combo with the 2.5in Assegai up front, and big 4-piston XTR brakes.

2021 pivot shuttle e-mtb shimano ep8
The Pivot Shuttle Team XTR is equipped with a Shimano XTR drivetrain and 4-piston stoppers.

2021 Pivot Shuttle Team XTR

2021 pivot shuttle shimano ep8
“Houston, we have liftoff!”
2021 pivot shuttle shimano ep8
The new motor and bigger battery promise greater range for the Shuttle.

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