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

 

[Type1]

I demo'd a Heckler around 18 months ago and loved it. Very nimble and easy to manoeuvre through technical features, plus climbed exceptionally well. The only reason I didn't buy it was due to the cost difference ~ +£4k vs other bikes with same level of spec.

 

[Vlad]

I demo'd a Heckler around 18 months ago and loved it. Very nimble and easy to manoeuvre through technical features, plus climbed exceptionally well. The only reason I didn't buy it was due to the cost difference ~ +£4k vs other bikes with same level of spec.

thnx, did also try the Bullit?

 

[Kootbiker]

Rocky Mountain altitude or Devinci E Troy.

 

[VWsurfbum]

Santa Cruz all the way, Heckler is awesome. it does come with the new 801 motor too.

 

[Vlad]

Aaah, okay so those were older models that are discounted (gray and green) and have the 800 motor..

 

[Mcharza]

Choose the one where you can get support from a nearby local bike shop.

 

[Vlad]

Choose the one where you can get support from a nearby local bike shop.

yep that's definitely factor I value as one gets a couple of issues with the ebike throughout its lifetime..

 

[Vlad]

btw any thoughts on the motor reliability? The EP800 seems way more risky than the bosch or dyname

 

[VWsurfbum]

I had no reliability issues with the shimano.

 

[RickBullotta]

Another thing to consider is the drivetrain. Personally I would not go with a cable actuated derailleur ever again. Eagle AXS (transmission or regular AXS) would be a must-have spec for me.

 

[Vlad]

yeah that would be the option only on the santa cruz.. but I’m not convinced that I need it - I’m on my third derallieur in past 2 years. not sure I want expensive parts making me think too much about whether to send a feature or not

 

[surlyrides]

You should put the orbea wild 2023 on your list! I have a Rocky mountain altitude power play 2022 and have ridden the shuttle. For Enduro riding the wild is quite a bit better than these bikes IMO.

 

[Vlad]

Right on. I was also checking the Orbea Wild out, also the new Propain Ekano.
However neither of these two offer any good prices now, so they're either on par with price&spec or below the "premium" brands such as Santa, Pivot or Rocky. Thinking also of resell value, I suppose these will hold better than Orbea or Propain?

 

[Pippin]

New Santa Cruz Bullit will be dropping soon. I’ve heard they’re coming with the new sram motor but will also probably start at $8500 give or take..

 

[billp91311]

I would fix up your current bike ride it for a while and review options in another year or 2. I have toyed with the idea of a new bike but I keep telling myself I have a bike and until something comes along that is ground breaking tech like regen or I don't know what, I will keep mine.

 

[Philippe M]

Just picked up 2024 Shuttle AM with Bosch CX. Still working on range adjustments.. great motor the CX.. but man it loves to draw the power!

 

[Vlad]

I would fix up your current bike ride it for a while and review options in another year or 2. I have toyed with the idea of a new bike but I keep telling myself I have a bike and until something comes along that is ground breaking tech like regen or I don't know what, I will keep mine.

Was thinking similarly, but I have the old gen Rocky Mountain Altitude on 27,5 front and rear. Compared to my new analog Altitude, I really like the new geo and 29s.
Also the battery does only around 700meters climbing, so can't keep up with my mates...

 

[Vlad]

Just picked up 2024 Shuttle AM with Bosch CX. Still working on range adjustments.. great motor the CX.. but man it loves to draw the power!

really? what motor did you come from? was it better with the battery consumption?

 

[Heckler Sb130]

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

My Heckler is over 50lbs and for your riding style you might like the SC Bullit better but it’s still a shimano motor.

One of my riding buddies (and a LBS owner) rode a Bullit for the past three years and is now on an Orbea Wild. He prefers the new Wild and is loving the Bosch motor it has.

I’d consider the new Orbea Wild or Trek Rail if I was you. If you have the ability to sit on them or take them for a spin then you know that would be the best way to decide.

 

[Philippe M]

really? what motor did you come from? was it better with the battery consumption?

I came from Orbea Rise SL. EP800 RS with 360 wh. Had to get range extender. Bosch is interesting. Not comapatable with Garmin Head Unit. I'll need to swith over to Bosch head unit to get range and good battery level feed-back from the 'smart system'. Looking into new Purion 200. So there is a trade off. Study carefully. Bosch cx is great motor. But I'm having to learn a new system from scratch. Bosch Flow is very helpful. So that has been my experience so far.

 

[Philippe M]

As an after thought to the last reply.. it would be great if we (emtbforum) could collectively submit what we're using for power levels for each different motor and range results. I understand riding style and terrain may effect results. But it would help to communicate a starting point for the different systems.

 

[RickBullotta]

yeah that would be the option only on the santa cruz.. but I’m not convinced that I need it - I’m on my third derallieur in past 2 years. not sure I want expensive parts making me think too much about whether to send a feature or not

I haven't replaced a single AXS derailleur in a couple years. I used to go through XTR derailleurs like chains.

 

[Vlad]

well then of course there are the new sram bikes starting to pop up like the Propain Ekano 2 or Transition Repeater PT.. which look amazing..

 

[Robstyle]

Another option is to get the Rocky and get an mx link (if it's a carbon one) and run it mullet. The dyname is a great motor if you're prepared to spin those legs as you'd well know.

 

[Zippidy]

For what it's worth, I factor in the ability to change battery's for really long or multiple day rides w/o electric. I'm looking at the Rocky compared to the Canyon Strive ON as the Wild, and others, don't have this ability.

 

[Vlad]

Yeah It's super impressive how Rocky managed to have an exchangeable large battery, yet still having the bottom tube super slim!
I demoed the Pivot Shuttle AM and that has a fatter bottom tube, claiming they have the battery non-removable to make it slimmer..

 

[Kootbiker]

The Shimano motor has an irritating whine compared to the Dyname. Can’t comment on the Bosch because nobody has one in our area.

 

[Vlad]

yeah to be honest the shimano sound maybe annoys me more than the lack of power compared to dyname or bosch..

 

[Kootbiker]

In my area we have a group of five old guys that ride together every week. Two are newish(2023) Specialzed, one 2023 Devinci (Shimano ep8) and two Rocky Powerplays (Dyname). I can tell which buddy is behind me on the climbs by the sound of their motors.