2025 Pivot Shuttle SL/AM Pro X0 Eagle Transmission E-Bike

The newest eMTB in Pivot's lineup, the Shuttle SL/AM, is the latest offering to the emerging lightweight eMTB category. The "Slam," as it is affectionately referred to, is intended to be as agile as their trail-focused Shuttle SL, yet more capable than their all-mountain Shuttle AM.

With 150mm of rear wheel travel, the Slam slots between Pivot's two full-power options—the 170mm Shuttle LT and 148mm Shuttle AM—in terms of suspension capability. But weighing between 8-11 pounds less depending on build, this 39.9-pound (size Medium without pedals) eMTB is aimed to be an all-mountain ripper that provides just enough assist to amplify the ride, not overpower it.

Highlights

• Full carbon frame
• 29-inch wheels (27.5-inch rear wheel compatible)
• 150mm rear wheel travel // 160mm fork travel
• Two-position flip-chip adjustment
• 64.1/64.5-degree head tube angle
• 76.5/76.9-degree seat tube angle
• 55Nm Bosch Performance SX motor (w/600 Watt power)
• 400Wh battery
• 250Wh Bosch PowerMore range extender available separately
• Internal cable routing
• Super Boost 12x157mm rear hub spacing
• Sizes: XS (29/27.5-inch only), S, M, L, XL
• Measured weight (size M, no pedals): 39.9 lbs (18.09 kg)
• MSRP: $7,999-12,849 USD (10 build kits; tested: Pro XO Eagle Transmission—$10,399)

Frame Details

The Slam features an all-carbon frame. Its sleek and clean finish exudes classic Pivot quality with a zero-stack headset, internal cable routing for dual-routed housing (mindful to accommodate moto-style brake configuration), molded downtube frame protection and Pivot's proprietary battery charge port cover adds fine detail.

Built upon the tried-and-true DW-link suspension platform, the Slam is offered standard with 29-inch wheels front and rear, with the exception of the size XS that necessitates a 27.5-inch rear wheel. A High/Low flip chip facilitates minute geometry adjustments, as well as a mullet setup on S-XL sizes.

While all Pivot models are tuned with different front triangle stiffness and flex characteristics, the Slam is designed to be most similar to the 142mm-travel, non-E Switchblade in terms of carbon layup. The front triangle can also accommodate a full-size water bottle or Bosch's 250Wh PowerMore range extender (available separately) to add range for big days.

eMTBs - Battery / Motor Platform

Powered by the Bosch Performance Line SX drive unit, the Slam is capable of 55Nm of torque and 600 watts of peak power. The integrated battery, Bosch's CompactTube 400, is where system weight is kept low and power output high. At just 4.4 lbs (2 kg), this 400Wh battery has the highest energy density in Bosch's portfolio—and outperforms its PowerTube 625/750 batteries in terms of energy-to-weight ratio.

Integrated into the top tube is Bosch's System Controller display, which uses colored lights to identify power mode and battery level. Power modes are identified via four colored lights (Green = Auto, Blue = Sport, Purple = eMTB, Red = Turbo), and battery life is displayed with five illuminated light bars. 

Downloading Bosch's eBike Flow app to your phone allows you to customize assist levels, track ride stats, and even lock the motor remotely. The Bluetooth bar-mounted Mini Remote is used for on-the-fly power mode changes, and activating the walk-assist feature.

A wireless speed sensor on the valve stem eliminates the need for extra wiring on the swingarm.

Suspension Design

The DW-link suspension system is a proven, short-link, four-bar design—using two compact counter-rotating links to control rear wheel movement, delivering 150mm of rear travel for the Slam. Pivot relies on this suspension platform across its complete range of full-suspension bikes. The design philosophy is to balance pedaling efficiency through anti-squat control while maintaining traction on flat sections through active suspension. Additionally, its anti-rise properties, with minimized suspension compression under braking, allow controlled descending—all details which we will dive into below.

Geometry

As mentioned, the Slam supports dual 29-inch wheels or mixed-wheel setup (size XS is mixed-wheel only)—while the Flip Chip allows for geometry fine tuning between two settings: High and Low. The Low setting offers a 64.1-degree head tube angle, a 76.5-degree effective seat tube angle, and a 345mm bottom bracket height. In the High setting, you'll get a 64.5-degree head tube angle, a 76.9-degree effective seat tube angle, and a 350mm bottom bracket height.

The geometry is designed to balance agility and stability, nearly mirroring the Shuttle AM. Differing from the latest industry trend of offering different chainstay lengths for different sizes, all frame sizes feature the same length chainstays: 444mm. However, the Slam's chainstay length sits in the middle of "short" and "long" in terms of industry trends. Our size small test bike featured a 440mm reach and 1218mm wheelbase that delivered a balanced ride quality that was neither twitchy or lazy.

Build Kits

Ten build kits are available, ranging from $7,999 to $12,849 USD. We tested the mid-level spec Pro X0 Eagle Transmission build kit ($10,399) that came equipped with a FOX Factory 36 Grip X2 fork, FOX Factory Float X shock, SRAM AXS X0 Eagle Transmission 12-speed drivetrain, SRAM Motive brakes, DT Swiss XM1700 alloy-rim wheels, and Maxxis Minion DHF/DHRII tires.

There is a more value-driven build kit available, as well as a top-of-the-line build kit that comes with FOX's Neo Live suspension system, carbon wheels and SRAM XX Transmission drivetrain for a no-holds-barred approach to the Slam. There are even build kits available with the 250Wh Range Extender battery offered as standard equipment.

On The Trail

The bulk of our time testing the Slam was on typical Southern California terrain. Think: rocky, predominantly dry and hardpack—when not sandy—terrain with plenty of elevation gain. And full disclosure: while the trails were our familiar home terrain, the Slam would be the first 29-inch rear wheel bike that we have been on in a hot minute, as mixed wheels have been en vogue for riders 5'8" and shorter for the last few seasons. Shelving that bias, however, would be no problem from the first ride aboard the Slam.

The rollover ability of dual 29-inch wheels was immediately remembered. The Slam exhibited a more capable suspension travel capacity than its 150mm rear wheel figure alluded to on paper. Straddling the trail/all-mountain and enduro category, the Slam leaned toward enduro ability on even our most well-known local trails.

Setup 

While FOX rear shocks are void of printed gradients to assist sag setup (something we appreciate from their competitor, RockShox), Pivot ups user convenience by manufacturing and adding a simple plastic clip that attaches to the shock body. A red line on the plastic clip highlights Pivot's recommended 30% sag setting on the Slam.

Pivot communicates the shock tune to be exactly the same as their popular non-motorized Switchblade. At the recommended 30% sag—a standard setting on many of our trail/all-mountain test bikes, including Switchblade models we've tested before—we found ourselves using full travel regularly on the Slam. We never experienced a harsh bottom that would cause immediate alarm, but we did end up settling on a few more clicks of high-speed compression to temper that use. 

Descending Performance

Before diving into how the Slam handles downhill, let's talk fork stiffness for a moment. FOX offers five fork chassis (32, 34, 36, 38 and 40) and this numeric naming convention, which corresponds with stanchion diameter educates consumers to relate stanchion diameter with intended use and, thus, related stiffness; i.e. Get the FOX 32 for cross-country applications, 34 for light trail, 36 for trail/all-mtn, 38 for aggressive enduro and 40 for full downhill and freeride. 

However, bushing overlap is another key contributor to the stiffness of the fork and the overall bike. For comparison: The FOX 38 bushing overlap is 120mm, and this new FOX 36 is 162mm of bushing overlap, which is incredibly good considering the FOX 40 has only one more millimeter of overlap, and the newly released "upside down" FOX Podium only has two more millimeters of bushing overlap. 

The resulting steering precision, with more stiffness, less flex, and more plushness, can be attributed to a more supported stanchion that is allowed to move freely under load. With proportionally more bushing overlap than its siblings, we found the FOX 36 to perform beyond its 36mm chassis' historical reference points. 

The rear end of the Slam felt equally stable—"balanced" was a keyword shared among testers. This robust feel—front to back—could possibly be attributed to the Slam's rear triangle being supported by the 157mm Super Boost rear hub spacing, which was another frequent talking point of our testers. While some opinions scoffed at Pivot's use of the wider rear hub spacing—generally reserved for downhill bikes—its flex-free performance could not be denied. Our 40-lb Slam offered a vigorous trail feel and remained poised when charging into even the gnarliest rock gardens.

On sustained descents, we found SRAM's new Motive brakes to be competent, consistent, and reliable. Braking power being another hot topic between testers, the Motives provided ample power. Regularly dropping 1000-plus feet in a single descent, without stopping, the brakes and 200mm rotors retained the same lever feel and modulation at the bottom as they had at the top. 

Many of the working parts on this build—including the SRAM AXS X0 drivetrain—performed without requiring thought. Solid and dependable. The Maxxis DHF up front and DHRII in the rear delivered familiar performance, with their reliable side knobs providing consistent cornering and stout center knobs for powerful braking. We did have to think about and follow through with installing a tire insert in the rear. Even with the insert, we experienced a significant pinch flat that put substantial holes in the EXO+ casing of the DHRII tire. We would like to see Pivot spec the Slam with at least Maxxis' Double Down casing rear tire to increase durability of the stock tire for this capable eMTB. 

Turning, cornering, and changing direction, we were sold on the "razor-sharp responsive handling of the Switchblade" claim made by Pivot. Notwithstanding the Slam's slightly longer chainstays and similar reach measurements, the bike delivered in the maneuverability department. The Slam increased our confidence to flick and slash the bike through tight terrain, displaying an ease of movement from the rear end, akin to a mixed wheel setup.  

During testing, we did revert to our old mixed-wheel ways for a brief period. Swapping the flip-chip to the High setting for the 27.5-inch rear wheel, the bike did perform well, but in the end, we felt little benefit from the smaller rear wheel. So we did ultimately settle back in on the dual 29s for their ability to carry speed while maintaining maneuverability on the Slam. 

Climbing Performance

The known efficiency of Pivot's DW-link suspension system performed well on the Slam. Its anti-squat properties provided a stable pedaling platform, which allowed this eMTB to settle into its power distribution with little distraction, bobbing, or disturbance.

Producing an active and responsive feel, particularly at the beginning of its travel, meant the bike could keep moving forward, propelling over square-edge rocks and ledges without compensation. This small-bump sensitivity of the system is known to aid in descending—which it does—but was found to be most beneficial on climbs, and even flat sections, by allowing the wheel to track well over small bumps and continue accelerating through chunder. 

The resulting improved traction over small undulations on the trail produced an always-planted feel on the Slam. With the DW-link's mid-stroke linearity, the Slam consistently felt to be in the "sweet spot" of its suspension, providing an active feel that remained firm and supportive.

We found that the Bosch Performance Line SX motor performed best when pedaled at high RPMs. Because of this, the power delivery was smooth but did not provide much in the form of low cadence torque. Being in the wrong hard gear at the bottom a climb was a punishment, much like on a traditional MTB. The SX motor encourages an old-school high-frequency flow that minimizes the new-school need for moto-inspired riding techniques, such as trail-braking—a technique where you drag the rear brake while pedaling and applying power to control torque and, ultimately, wheel spin.

Speaking of torque, the factory settings, we felt, delivered very similar torque, power and assistance values between three of the four modes. To make adjustments, we did have to download Bosch's Flow app. While we loved the app—easily one of the best e-bike apps on the market—we would like to see the user interface integrated into the top tube display. 

In its current iteration found on our Slam, the Bosch top-tube display is a simple colored-light stack that requires education and experience to use to its full capacity. Beyond learning the colors of the power modes, you must learn that the five blue-bar battery life display is indicating 30% battery life when the lights dissipate from blue to orange, and then know that one orange bar equals 20% battery remaining and one white bar means 10%. This esoteric system is archaic, of which Bosch has acknowledged its shortcomings and will be offering the full Kiox 400c display upgrade—essentially integrating all the features of the best-in-class Bosch app directly into the top tube display—in Fall of 2025.

Battery life is a huge talking point for all eMTBs. We'd be remiss not to discuss the newly created group ride dynamics created by all the varying power levels of eMTBs available today. With the market seemingly flooded with eMTBs right now, it does stretch social parameters in terms of the rate of play. 

Our friends on full-power bikes are typically able to go full "Boost" mode for the entirety of a ride, leaving all the "light-power" bikes to travel at a different pace on the same ride, essentially creating two groups out of riders. We did find a happy medium and an ability to bridge the gap between the two groups aboard the 400Wh-equipped Slam. Often, on a ride with others on both full-power 85Nm bikes and sub-60Nm bikes, the Slam was able to outlast the other lightweight eMTBs while riding, albeit, toward the back of the full-power group.

Long Term Durability

Concerning long-term durability, we have some worry about the aluminum bashguard on the Praxis crank. It's not terribly beefy and while Pivot intends it to protect the chainring and chain, the bashguard on our test bike bent easily and needed to be bent straight several times during testing. As time goes on, we'd anticipate needing to replace it (like an elementary school cafeteria spoon, it can only be bent back into its original shape so many times before it snaps). Other than possibly needing a more robust casing for the rear tire, which might not be an issue if you don't live in a particularly rocky or rooty area, we anticipate consistent performance from the Slam for a long time to come.

What's The Bottom Line?

The Pivot Shuttle SL/AM is one of the most balanced lightweight eMTBs we've tested. At just 40-pounds, it combines agile handling, the powerful Bosch boost, and a playful demeanor to deliver on-trail prowess akin to that of a traditional all-mountain bike. For those craving an eMTB that feels alive, the Slam is a leader in its category with an addictive mix of speed, suspension precision, and lightweight enjoyment. Among the plethora of different test bikes on loan to the Vital MTB test department, the Slam is on a short list of bikes we'd like to call our own.

Vital MTB Rating

• Climbing: 4
• Descending: 4.5
• Fun Factor: 4.5
• Value: 4
• Overall Impression: 4.25

For more information, please visit www.pivotcycles.com for more details.

View key specs, compare e-bikes, and review all the new Pivot Shuttle SL/AM models in the Vital MTB Product Guide.

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About The Reviewer 

Scott Hart - Age: 47 // Years Riding MTB: 36 // Height: 5'8" (1.72m) // Weight: 153 lbs (79.3kg)

An expired pro racer and Rampage alumnus, Scott's experience in the bicycle world spans from BMX to cyclocross—across bike shops, component manufacturers, media (remember print?), energy drink companies, online streaming outlets, bike companies, and apparel brands. Today, his focus continues to be split between enjoying, and promoting, the sport he loves.