new bike advice: Pivot Shuttle vs SantaCruz Heckler vs Rocky Mountain Powerplay

[Vlad]

Hey guys.
Starting researching a new ebike as the prices now are really great! And would like some recommendations or your thoughts

I currently ride a 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay (150 back, 170 front). Althought it's a quite dated geo on 27.5, it feels kinda right for my riding (I like tight trails, gnarly steep technical downhills and enjoy rock/"trialsy" features.
Something i don't like is the bike is quite heavy and slow feeling, so would maybe like something more snappy. And the old battery really sucks. I'm a bit biased to Rocky Mountain as I absolutely love my analog Altitude. But am also intrigued to try something new, especially on a Bosch CX motor.

Preferences

• bigger battery 720Wh, removable if possible
• motor preference order:
  1. Bosch CX
  2. Dyname from Rocky
  3. Shimano
• still prefer a brand sold through a LBS to get good aftersales support
• short cranks for good clearance

I have narrowed it down to these so far...

• Rocky Mountain Instinct (either leave as is or my LBS offers to rebuild to Altitude specs)
  + expect to have similar feel to my analog Altitude, which I love
  + seems it has one of the best ranges
  + love the Jumbotron display and controller
  + I kinda like the analog sound of the motor more than the electric whining, also zero rattling noise...
  - long cranks, problematic to get under 165, zero overrrun of motor which i really like on the Bosch
  - already a three year old design
  
  
• Pivot Shuttle AM
  + Bosch - love the power delivery and overrun, feels more refined and modern than Rocky. Also clean look with new display and wireless remote
  - non-removable battery
  - can only afford the lowest spec, which has 625Wh, compared to 750wh on the expensive ones
  
  
• Pivot Shuttle LT
  + from reviews seems still nimble and fun with 170 travel. so probably the most wellrounded bike for my riding
  + huge 756Wh removable battery
  - not excited about Shimano motor, seems it doesn't have the newest EP801 motor
  
  
• Santa Cruz Heckler
  + from tech spec sheets seems significantly lighter than most, seems nible and fun from reviews
  + suprisingly huge discounts
  - not excited about Shimano motor, seems it doesn't have the newest EP801 motor

 

[dapperdan]

I own a 2021 Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay 50 and a 2022 Specialized Turbo Levo Comp. I'd recommend the Levo everyday of the week. It's quieter than the the Instinct and the pedaling is much smoother. Its like riding a normal bike. The Instinct almost has a ratcheting feel/sound when pedaling. The power is amazing on the Levo. I'm probably going to sell the Instinct and look for another Levo.

 

[Zippidy]

Would recommend you take a look at the new Orbea Wild with the CX race motor. I have a 2022 RM Altitude PowerPlay and have owned / ridden a number of ebikes; the new Wild has been the best so far.