Levo SL Gen 1 Official Levo SL Thread

Kpmnd85

Member
Feb 13, 2020
45
35
Austin, TX
you got a 2.6 DHR in the back of an SL? ridden it in mud yet?

Went for that ride in the mud with the DHRii 2.6" (aka 2.44"). Wife asked why I was going for a ride in the rain :). Some mud and puddles. I have ridden in muddier. Here is a picture during the ride with it as clogged as I could get it. But in the picture you see a plastic guard. When I got back I looked at my S-Works Stumpjumper.

2B6AAE3B-A48D-42A0-AA12-E2A5EA577EBF_1_105_c.jpeg


Here is picture of S-Works Stumpjumper...
F5CB45A1-B543-4FDD-94EC-AD0E1638AF28_1_105_c.jpeg

One thing you notice is no plastic guard.

It would be interesting to hear from the Specialized engineers on why they added this piece of plastic to the Levo SL. It is ramped. Is that to encourage debris to fall as opposed to stack on the arm? The plastic itself hangs over just a bit and would flex if a rock lodged between it and the tire, being sacrificial instead of the frame.

I went back and the tire height from bottom of rim to top of tire and compared it to the Eliminator. The DHRii is taller by 6/100 of an inch. At this point, I'm thinking the DHRii is not going to be much more of an issue than the original Eliminator. I'm also thinking that the DHRii gave less width than I was hoping for, but it also didn't bring too much additional tightness between it and the frame. If Maxxis had a 2.8 (aka 2.6") that got wider but not taller, it would have been what I was looking for.

I look forward to riding it in better weather. Living in Austin, TX, hot and dry is more the norm.
 

Fivetones

E*POWAH Master
Patreon
Feb 11, 2019
898
905
Cheshire
I do wonder how many people (and this isn't really directed at forum members per say) buy the Levo just because its a specialized and like the way it looks.

I was originally drawn in to buying an ebike by the Levo. I rode and liked the ride and even had a deposit down. However I then tried an Orange eMTB (64 degree head angle, longer reach, 27.5”, shorter CS) and the bike felt so much better to me. Some of this was that a Levo medium is smaller than an Orange medium and I didn’t get chance to try the large, however you might have a point for some people there.

Edit: I do think some of the discussion on geo is dependent on how big you are. At 5’9” I can size up to an extent but any bigger and that becomes more difficult.
 
Last edited:

miPbiP

E*POWAH Master
Jul 8, 2019
756
805
Surrey Hills.
It would be interesting to hear from the Specialized engineers on why they added this piece of plastic to the Levo SL. It is ramped. Is that to encourage debris to fall as opposed to stack on the arm?

It's to stop crud getting down into the motor compartment. Not necessary on the Stumpy obv.
 

ImSundee

Well-known member
Jan 20, 2020
328
315
Oxford
So I got mine today, been playing around with settings and getting it all comfy for me.

One thing I noticed was the Alloys seattube is about 1/2cm deeper - I'm now right on the limit of stand over with the saddle on the carbon with it slammed as far as I will go without it hitting the frame.

I gave it a quick and dirty weigh (me on the scales with it, and then removed my weight)

Medium Carbon Comp - with tubes and no pedals - 18.3KG

Few people have asked about the Cast Berry Colour- and here is the best pic I was able to get:
20200219-IMG_20200219_230807.jpg


Its a nightmare to photo, but in the shadows its a very dark nearly black purple, and the light really makes it pop, and its sorta metallic too - certainly a pain job that photos can't do it justice.
 
Last edited:

Fivetones

E*POWAH Master
Patreon
Feb 11, 2019
898
905
Cheshire
Already people are swapping out components on the new Levo SL even on the S-Works, we shouldn’t need to do this on expensive bikes? The sooner they provide just a frame and the electrics the better, not very likely though sadly ?

Doesn’t everyone do this to any pre-built bike? I always have to make it ‘mine’.
 

Fivetones

E*POWAH Master
Patreon
Feb 11, 2019
898
905
Cheshire
Yes to a point but these new bikes are somewhat under specified for the money in my opinion !

Specialized, like brands in other industries (cough, Apple, cough) have established their brand to the point their customers value the package of unique design, product presentation, support etc that they provide. Like discussions of why people choose Apple when one can buy an alternative they just go around in circles. Like this one. I’m amazed there are people still raising this!

I personally don’t have a Specialized bike, I chose one of the many alternatives. Why don’t you?
 

Fivetones

E*POWAH Master
Patreon
Feb 11, 2019
898
905
Cheshire
Because I liked the look of the Spesh bike and wanted the Brose motor from the reviews I read. mmmm I’m now on my third unit in just over a year!! One thing I will say is that it’s a good job they offer a very good warranty, another reason for going with Specialised.
They could think about offering some kind of custom build package in the future, although I know some dealers will do this also .

You should probably have to admit that all this is all a bit ‘first world problems’. ?

1582211908039.jpeg
 

Fivetones

E*POWAH Master
Patreon
Feb 11, 2019
898
905
Cheshire
Don’t you think for £10000 we can expect the ‘world’ ? It’s a hell of lot for a bicycle !

Come on man this is a luxury bike and we’re all very privileged to afford any kind of ebike at all in the grand scheme of things. It is not a human right.
 

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,190
Surrey
Problem with all bikes, no matter what the spec, is they will come with one that is trying to be all things to all people.

If I look at an S-Works for example, if I was speccing it I would have full Shimano drivetrain and brakes, with RS Suspension front and rear and the AXS dropper. This what I would use on my own high end build. This means the s-works is of no interest to me as I would want o bin most of the components, so if I was looking at a Levo I would go with comp models and upgrade to my tastes.
 

p3eps

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Subscriber
Dec 14, 2019
1,973
2,380
Scotland
Problem with all bikes, no matter what the spec, is they will come with one that is trying to be all things to all people.

Totally agree... It all comes down to personal preference.
Whether I’d bought the S-Works Levo, or S-Works SL, there are things I’d want to change on them.
I’d prefer RockShox too... and personally I’d be putting Eagle AXS on mine.
So f I’d bought the £10000 top of the range Levo, or £11000 SL... I’d still probably end up spending a couple of £1000 getting it right for me.

It made much more sense to get a good discount on a lower spec model, and spend a bit speccing it up. It’ll work out much cheaper than the S-Works, and have all the things “I” want on it.
 

RaDja

Member
Apr 2, 2019
22
56
Belgium
Hello guys,
I'm Gerry from Belgium and I ordered my Levo SL last week after seeing Rob's review and reading this forum. On the web I have viewed and read all possible reviews before I have made a decision. And the decision was made after I accidentally ended up at another dealer than the one I normally order.
He already had an SL and offered to ride on the street in front of the store. After this test drive it was quickly decided and I ordered the SL.
He will be delivered next week. So I'm in happy expectation.
I now have a Levo and I never really get out of eco, no matter how difficult or how steep it is. The most important thing for me is that I still have to work on the bike and then the SL is perfect for me in that case.
If the SL is in my possession, I will certainly post some photos.
Cheers
 

paquo

Well-known member
Jul 31, 2018
463
283
usa
Problem with all bikes, no matter what the spec, is they will come with one that is trying to be all things to all people.
.
you can a pivot mach 4 in like 25 different specs including 3 frame only options, i would also get the all xtr build , stumpjumper has a bunch of options as well so if one were interested in those classes of bike you could probably find something close . Perhaps as ebikes gain market there will be better options
 

helivate

New Member
Feb 5, 2020
15
5
Utah USA
Went out for a ride and realized the aluminum bike does come with the mud guard at the rear pivot point. Is this just because it’s less risk to the frame?
Hard to tell with the mud, but you can see the difference in the pictures on specialized website as well between the carbon and the aluminum.
C481A47E-8880-452F-AB4D-20E8F9BD522A.jpeg
 

jemen

E*POWAH Master
Jun 1, 2018
317
379
Austria
Hello guys,
I'm Gerry from Belgium and I ordered my Levo SL last week after seeing Rob's review and reading this forum. On the web I have viewed and read all possible reviews before I have made a decision. And the decision was made after I accidentally ended up at another dealer than the one I normally order.
He already had an SL and offered to ride on the street in front of the store. After this test drive it was quickly decided and I ordered the SL.
He will be delivered next week. So I'm in happy expectation.
I now have a Levo and I never really get out of eco, no matter how difficult or how steep it is. The most important thing for me is that I still have to work on the bike and then the SL is perfect for me in that case.
If the SL is in my possession, I will certainly post some photos.
Cheers
You´re welcome.
I´m sure you made the right decision!
 

ridesantacruz

Member
Feb 4, 2020
98
105
Santa Cruz
Went out for a ride and realized the aluminum bike does come with the mud guard at the rear pivot point. Is this just because it’s less risk to the frame?
Hard to tell with the mud, but you can see the difference in the pictures on specialized website as well between the carbon and the aluminum.
View attachment 26290
I would like someone to make a mud guard for the Levo SL. I have one on my Levo and I would like one for my Levo SL. No bueno!
 

miPbiP

E*POWAH Master
Jul 8, 2019
756
805
Surrey Hills.
Hello guys,
I'm Gerry from Belgium and I ordered my Levo SL last week after seeing Rob's review and reading this forum. On the web I have viewed and read all possible reviews before I have made a decision. And the decision was made after I accidentally ended up at another dealer than the one I normally order.
He already had an SL and offered to ride on the street in front of the store. After this test drive it was quickly decided and I ordered the SL.
He will be delivered next week. So I'm in happy expectation.
I now have a Levo and I never really get out of eco, no matter how difficult or how steep it is. The most important thing for me is that I still have to work on the bike and then the SL is perfect for me in that case.
If the SL is in my possession, I will certainly post some photos.
Cheers

Looking forwards to your pics and ride reports Gerry.
 

Fojsum

New Member
Feb 6, 2020
13
8
USA
Does anyone know if the comp carbon rear hub is SRAM XD compatible? Figured I would upgrade the NX to GX over time but might require a new hub?
 

ImSundee

Well-known member
Jan 20, 2020
328
315
Oxford
Does anyone know if the comp carbon rear hub is SRAM XD compatible? Figured I would upgrade the NX to GX over time but might require a new hub?
without taking mine off all hints say PG non XD hub - I dont know if they do a new freehub that would be compatible tho.
 

Enon

Member
Aug 4, 2019
19
35
Uk
Does anyone know if the comp carbon rear hub is SRAM XD compatible? Figured I would upgrade the NX to GX over time but might require a new hub?

You would need a new freehub body or a new hub yes. The NX cassette is built around the old shimano freehub standard as an easy way to upgrade to 12 speed. Here's a link to a freehub - Specialized Roval 11SPD XD Freehub | WHEEL SPARES AND ACCESSORIES | Evans Cycles

Check with your LBS to see if that would fit, as I know all Roval Hubs are not the same.
 

p3eps

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Subscriber
Dec 14, 2019
1,973
2,380
Scotland
A little bit more weigh reduction tonight.
Rear wheel is now tubeless. I’ve ordered a new front tyre, so I’m not making it tubeless until I’m fitting that one. Too much mess for the sake of a few days!

I also cut off the really annoying plastic guard at the back of the cassette. After 1 ride it’ll be misaligned and look stupid. A whopping 31g for that bit of plastic alone!!

Added my pedals and tuned the XX1 AXS, so I’m now ready for my maiden voyage!

With tube:
BEB204D4-BB9F-483C-840B-CABD5A52CE10.jpeg


Without tube and plastic guard:
21EE07BA-D31E-41CC-B6BF-40431AB1D76A.jpeg


Tubes are pretty heavy:
3C42EE44-46AE-45F3-8D66-E909E20A4A53.jpeg


Plastic guard - hacked off with large pliers!
15642066-575B-447A-AAA1-E535BF9F60F9.jpeg


DMR Vault MG pedals:
27EEDB21-F69C-47C9-8F36-F029856224D9.jpeg
 

Kiwi in Wales

Short cranks rule!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
Patreon
Founding Member
Jan 24, 2018
1,241
1,589
Carmarthen, Wales

EMTB Forums

Since 2018

The World's largest electric mountain bike community.

553K
Messages
27,972
Members
Join Our Community

Latest articles


Top