2024 Levo SL S-Works Review

So with the range extender you're at 41-42 lbs, My Levo S-Works came in around 48 lbs. It's not that much of a difference in weight, but the difference in power and range is substantial.

I'm also not yet convinced that SRAM transmission is the greatest ever. I put XX on my Levo, and had a derailleur fail almost instantly (replaced under warranty). Also had a cassette bend. I've had Eagle AXS on a few bikes and for many, many miles, including some very gnarly terrain, and have not had a single derailleur or cassette issue. So I'm not yet sold on the durability of the new system.

RickBullotta said:

So with the range extender you're at 41-42 lbs, My Levo S-Works came in around 48 lbs. It's not that much of a difference in weight, but the difference in power and range is substantial.

I'm also not yet convinced that SRAM transmission is the greatest ever. I put XX on my Levo, and had a derailleur fail almost instantly (replaced under warranty). Also had a cassette bend. I've had Eagle AXS on a few bikes and for many, many miles, including some very gnarly terrain, and have not had a single derailleur or cassette issue. So I'm not yet sold on the durability of the new system.

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The benefits of the lightweight bike are easy to see, and whilst the range extender does add weight the position of it on the frame means the bike still feels extremely agile.

Regarding the T-Type transmission, I've not experienced a drivetrain quite this slick on a MTB. Unfortunately I wasn't able to test durability over the duration of this test so interesting (an unfortunate) that you have found it to be unreliable.

BenRoberts_EMTB said:

The benefits of the lightweight bike are easy to see, and whilst the range extender does add weight the position of it on the frame means the bike still feels extremely agile.

Regarding the T-Type transmission, I've not experienced a drivetrain quite this slick on a MTB. Unfortunately I wasn't able to test durability over the duration of this test so interesting (an unfortunate) that you have found it to be unreliable.

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For sure. 6 pounds is still 6 pounds of weight savings! Regarding the T-Type transmission, the only thing I can guess is that the different spacing for the further outboard position of the cassette or the flattop chain led to thinner/weaker cogs on the cassette. I'm going back to regular AXS and selling the XX stuff.

I owned a couple different eMTBs over the years - KTM Kapoho, Pivot Shuttle, Orbea Rise, and Specialized Turbo Levo. The Rise was the only mid-power bike and rode great but was just too much of a compromise - not enough range/power to hang with my full-powered eMTB buddies (where we generally ride at the limit, moto style) and not the same "feel" as a 28-30 lb trail bike. I sold it fairly quickly.

My take was that if you primarily ride by yourself or with others on mid-power bikes it'd be fine. Otherwise go full power.

RickBullotta said:

So with the range extender you're at 41-42 lbs, My Levo S-Works came in around 48 lbs. It's not that much of a difference in weight, but the difference in power and range is substantial.

I'm also not yet convinced that SRAM transmission is the greatest ever. I put XX on my Levo, and had a derailleur fail almost instantly (replaced under warranty). Also had a cassette bend. I've had Eagle AXS on a few bikes and for many, many miles, including some very gnarly terrain, and have not had a single derailleur or cassette issue. So I'm not yet sold on the durability of the new system.

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Got both the levo sl and levo, my levo s works is quite light and my sl is a more heavier build, but the SL rides completely differently to the FF. The weight placement i think makes the biggest difference

Ribinrobin said:

Got both the levo sl and levo, my levo s works is quite light and my sl is a more heavier build, but the SL rides completely differently to the FF. The weight placement i think makes the biggest difference

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Yup - I get it - I had an Orbea Rise for a while.

RickBullotta said:

Yup - I get it - I had an Orbea Rise for a while.

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I just read that after i posted! apologies