First Look | The new Pivot Shuttle LT is a Firebird with e-Wings

The first generation Pivot Shuttle was launched all the way back in 2018 as the very first electric mountain bike from Pivot Cycles. It was also one of the first e-MTBs to come from a boutique bike brand, paving the way for the likes of Intense, Santa Cruz and Yeti to jump on the e-Wagon.

The Shuttle has since evolved to accommodate a bigger battery, a more powerful motor and 29in wheels, though the core frame design has remained largely unchanged since its debut. For 2023 however, Pivot is overhauling its e-MTB lineup by splitting the Shuttle into two distinctive, brand new models. There’s the Shuttle SL that was launched a few weeks ago, and now there’s this beast; the Shuttle LT.

pivot shuttle lt 2023 emtb electric
The Pivot Shuttle LT is a brand new e-MTB that offers more travel with geometry inspired by the latest Firebird.

What kind of bike is the Pivot Shuttle LT?

The Pivot Shuttle LT is a brand new e-MTB that’s based on the latest Firebird. Designed for enduro, bikepark and downhill riding, the Shuttle LT is equipped with 29in wheels, a 170mm travel fork and 160mm of rear wheel travel. As you’d expect for a modern Pivot mountain bike, the frame is a full-carbon affair, and it features the dw-link suspension platform.

Whereas the Shuttle SL is the lightweight and lower-powered option, the Shuttle LT offers more travel, burlier components and more power. It’s built around the Shimano EP8 drive unit, with a custom 756Wh battery inside the downtube. The battery is designed to be removable, should you need to charge it separately.

pivot shuttle lt 2023 emtb electric
Designed to rack up as many DH laps as you can handle, the Pivot Shuttle LT is equipped with a huge 756Wh battery.

As we’ve seen from other e-MTBs on the market, Pivot has rotated the motor upwards to allow the battery to sit lower down. It isn’t insanely low however, and there’s a decent amount of armouring underneath the downtube and motor casing to shield the carbon from rock strikes.

Thanks to the compact suspension linkage there’s plenty of space for a water bottle, and there’s also a second accessory mount underneath the top tube for bolting on a tool or spares.

pivot shuttle lt 2023 emtb electric
The underside of the frame features generous armouring to protect the carbon frame.

Big bird geometry

Following the Firebird recipe, the new Pivot Shuttle LT features a slack 64° head angle, a steep 77° seat tube angle and long reach measurements across each of the four frame sizes.

As we’ve come to expect from Pivot, the chainstay length on the Shuttle LT is impressively short. Despite having a motor, 160mm of rear travel and clearance for a 29×2.5in tyre, the rear centre length measures in at just 441mm.

The one-piece swingarm and compact suspension links help to achieve the short chainstays, and so too does the 157x12mm Super Boost rear hub spacing.

The frame also features a short and straight seat tube to maximise seatpost insertion while keeping the standover height low, and there’s a two-position flip chip in the rocker link for tweaking the angles and BB height. With the flip chip in the High position, Pivot says it’s possible to run a 27.5in rear wheel for a mullet setup.

For riders who want to fine-tune the geometry further, the Shuttle LT frame will handle up to a 180mm travel fork. The progressive suspension linkage also means it’s coil shock compatible.

Pivot Shuttle LT Geometry Chart
pivot shuttle lt 2023 emtb electric
Pivot is decking out the Shuttle LT with huge brake rotors, a piggyback shock and sticky-compound Maxxis Assegai tyres.

Pivot Shuttle LT price & specs

There will be two Pivot Shuttle LT models making their way to Australia. Both bikes feature the same carbon fibre frame, Shimano EP8 motor and 756Wh battery, and come standard with a Fox 38, a Float X piggyback shock and sticky compound Maxxis Assegai tyres.

Pricing will start at a robust $17,499 AUD for the Shuttle LT Ride, and will go up to $20,999 AUD for the Team XTR model. Read on for the detailed specs of both models we’ll be seeing Down Under.

pivot shuttle lt team xtr blue electric emtb
The top-end Pivot Shuttle LT Team XTR features a full carbon frame, Fox Factory Series suspension and a Shimano XTR groupset.

Pivot Shuttle LT Team XTR

pivot shuttle lt ride green electric emtb
Skipping the Kashima suspension and XTR bits, the Pivot Shuttle LT Ride is over three grand cheaper.

Pivot Shuttle LT Ride SLX/XT

pivot shuttle lt 2023 emtb electric
Lap, after lap, after lap, after lap, after…

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