Best Electric Bikes: Head To Head Comparison
Pivot's Shuttle AM and Santa Cruz’s Heckler SL offer different design approaches to what an e-MTB should be. We give you the rundown between the two so you can decide which ride is best for you.
Pivot Shuttle AM
So, you want to ride an e-bike? This section is for you as we've got two of the best e-MTBs on the market, starting with Pivot's Shuttle AM. Available in a few builds and powered by Bosch's Performance Line CX or CX Race motor and a long-range battery, it's the ultimate choice to go far out there without killing the legs to do it.
How’s It Ride?
This award-winning e-bike hits the sweet spot regarding the goals of all-mountain capability. With 160mm of e-bike-tuned travel in front and 148mm in back, tricking off features is not a problem, and seven mode settings in the Bosch motor ensure there's ample juice to deliver you over any terrain you're looking to conquer. Power delivery and control feel natural, and the renowned quality of Pivot's frame design stands out over even the rowdiest trail garbage. Range is also impressive (~25 miles and 4,000 feet vert depending on your weight and mode selection). If you need more, a range extender gives you 250wh more in the tank.
How Ours Is Equipped
We spec'd this ride with SRAM's Eagle X0 Transmission and Fox Factory suspension, which not only lent the Kashima bling but also made us feel right at home punishing the Shuttle AM on our test course in Bellingham. Befittingly, we chipped in for the all-new SRAM Maven brakes in red to stop the Shuttle AM on a dime with best-in-class power from the four-piston caliper bodies.
Santa Cruz Heckler SL
Santa Cruz's Heckler SL takes a different approach to e-biking than the Shuttle AM. It cuts back the weight by opting for the comparatively pint-sized Fazua Ride 60 motor/battery unit, which Santa Cruz claims still offers impressive range similar to the Shuttle AM and performance because there is less heft to carry around. And it’s hard to argue against the resulting aesthetics of that on Heckler SL as it cuts a very trim profile, making it hard to distinguish it from an unpowered MTB at a distance.
How’s It Ride?
Heckler SL rides like an unpowered bike, diving in and out of corners with the predictability you're likely used to from bikes of old. In the air, it's quite maneuverable and fun to trick. We feel in the e-MTB world as it stands, you'll find pros and cons between the mid- and full-powered rides like the two we have here. If you're trying to send a climb, you'll be a little underwhelmed on the Heckler SL, but on the downhills, you'll have a more spirited ride. For us, Heckler SL is ideal for lunch lap sessions and short weekend rides under 30 miles and with a few grand of vert.
How Ours Is Equipped
Unlike the Shuttle AM (which is MX-wheel compatible), Heckler SL is dedicated to the MX-wheel format, and the ride is centered around making the most of that design. Reserve 30SL alloy rims and SRAM GX Eagle AXS groupset give you performance on the trails without a huge cost. RockShox Lyrik Select+ 160mm fork and Super Delux Select+ 150mm shock make every ride one to soak up the fun with.
Watch Our Full Review
E-MTBs are still new enough and evolving rapidly so we did a review video of these two rigs to dive into the specs a bit more. Hear from our Gearheads whether they would choose mid- or full-power e-MTBs.
