Levo Gen 3 Any Tips on preventing water ingress and faults?

Coburn · Mar 11, 2025

Just purchased a new Levo Expert 23 model at 40% discount and looking forward to getting out on the weekend.
I had problems with my last Specialized so went back to a normal bike for 18 months (to hard). I am looking for any tips on what to do and what not to do.
I was talking to a guy in Coed y Brenin hire shop a couple year back and he said hang them up after use and stick a fan on them, worth doing?

Stihldog · Mar 11, 2025

In the past 5+ years I’ve submerged my eMTB and myself many times. I also ride in any type of weather, with the same motor. So far so good.

Some dialectric grease may help prevent water ingress for certain electrical connections. But I only apply dialectic grease around the motor plugs (the rubber ribs) and not the electrical pins or contact surfaces.

Remember, if water can get in…it must get out. Or be able to evaporate. My eMTB usually drip-dries in the bike cave after washing or rides.

Mikerb · Mar 12, 2025

Dont ride through deep water, dont use a hose or pressure washer to wash the bike, keep the bike indoors if possible.

Coburn · Mar 12, 2025

Mikerb said:
Dont ride through deep water, dont use a hose or pressure washer to wash the bike, keep the bike indoors if possible.

would you really avoid using a hose even at low pressure to wash down ? surely low pressure rinse is ok?

Janisj · Mar 13, 2025

You should avoid to target water to motor (area). Then it is fine. And dont use Bike carrier in the rain.

Mikerb · Mar 13, 2025

Coburn said:
would you really avoid using a hose even at low pressure to wash down ? surely low pressure rinse is ok?

Quite apart from the motor, electrical components and connections the bike also has several bearings. Excess use of water turns mud etc into a slurry and potentially drives that into every crevice.
I remove both wheels and use bike cleaner and a gentle spray to rinse off ( hubs sealed both sides with bits of rag.) The rest of the bike I use brushes to get most dirt off then a damp cloth.....towel dry and silicon shine. My oldest bike is 3 years old. All original bearings and no electrical issues despite riding through 3 UK winters.
My first emtb was a gen 2 Levo Comp. On that bike I made a gasket to fit between the tcu and frame and used grease on the cable run behind the shock at entry and exit points. I also made a neoprene cover for the motor to battery connector fixed with HD velcro. Removing the non drive side motor cover I filled the cavity with motor foam, and packed the electrical connections area with lithium grease. Never any electrical problems on that bike either.

steve_sordy · Mar 13, 2025

@Coburn My first advice would be not to buy a Speccy Levo, but that gate has been passed. My next more useful advice echoes that of @Mikerb in that I don't use a hose either. I use a watering can, complete with the sprinkler head. That plus the usual dispersants and brushes does the job. Six years riding in the UK over two different makes of bike (Focus and Merida) and zero problems with water.

#lazy · Mar 13, 2025

Washing with a normal garden hose is absolutely fine , every bike has bearings which are protected but obviously don’t point a powerful jet washer directly at them or the crankshaft bearings from 2in and you’re good

Amber Valley Guy · Mar 13, 2025

If concerned about using a hose (honestly they're fine for cleaning wheels/tyres/ fork lowers) use a 3 litre pump up garden sprayer with a wand. It's what I use to clean the bike after a muddy ride when transporting the bike in the back of the car (and a soft car cleaning brush and some old t-shirts/tags/old tea towel etc to wipe and dry the bike afterwards).

Dave G · Mar 15, 2025

It amazes me how uninformed the manufacturers seem to be (or is it cost saving?) I was a diver for 41 yrs both a commercial diver and a scuba Instructor. Commercialy I operated at depths down to 1200 feet, and instructed the public down to 165 feet. We used diving instruments that were electronic
I. e. computers, iscilloscopes, cameras, radiographic equipment, and rarely if ever experienced flooding problems, so why can't manufacturers put decent O rings in??

Stihldog · Mar 15, 2025

Dave G said:
It amazes me how uninformed the manufacturers seem to be (or is it cost saving?) I was a diver for 41 yrs both a commercial diver and a scuba Instructor. Commercialy I operated at depths down to 1200 feet, and instructed the public down to 165 feet. We used diving instruments that were electronic
I. e. computers, iscilloscopes, cameras, radiographic equipment, and rarely if ever experienced flooding problems, so why can't manufacturers put decent O rings in??

I guess it depends on how much friction we are willing to tolerate. Some of our watches can endure several phantoms of pressure …but our motors can’t.

Dave G · Mar 15, 2025

Stihldog said:
I guess it depends on how much friction we are willing to tolerate. Some of our watches can endure several phantoms of pressure …but our motors can’t.

They could if they had decent seals on them. Any of the motors once the workings are assembled, the housings should then have decent seals with a very thin spread of silicon grease to keep the seals moist before final closing and bolting up. No compression involved as the bikes don't go to any depth that would affect them. Ride in as much water as you want then

Binhill1 · Mar 15, 2025

The condensation can't get out either. I had an issue with motor not working. I was told to look for greenery in the motor side of the battery plug, sure enough wee bit of corrosion on motor side.

Stihldog · Mar 15, 2025

Dave G said:
Ride in as much water as you want then

I do and I have for the past 6 years …submarined several times without any affect on the original motor. I must be lucky.

Only recently had that motor serviced with the new type bearings and new grease added. When Cyclchome (Hull Quebec) opened it up there was no water ingress. I had slightly less than 20K on the motor but probably could’ve ran another 10K kms.

It was a loose castle nut that prompted my concern at the time. (Chainring Noise).

Stihldog · Mar 15, 2025

Binhill1 said:
The condensation can't get out either. I had an issue with motor not working. I was told to look for greenery in the motor side of the battery plug, sure enough wee bit of corrosion on motor side.

I should stop doing this .

Binhill1 · Mar 15, 2025

I'm hoping that's a photo shop , or I've definitely got it all wrong

Binhill1 · Mar 15, 2025

Stihldog said:
I should stop doing this .
View attachment 156246

That could be my good friend Simon who I occasionally ride with , he sticks his legs out and goes for it. 7 year old very basic Trek zero maintenance never had any problems with it , just splashed out on a dropper post for some reason Bizzare how Bizzare.

Plummet · Mar 15, 2025

I go for the dry wash as often as I can. Ie wait for the bike to dry then dust it off rather than hit it with a hose.

Stihldog · Mar 15, 2025

Binhill1 said:
I'm hoping that's a photo shop , or I've definitely got it all wrong

My buddy, who took the pic, was packing more bridge decking than me.

I think I’m still wet from that ride. Motor was fine even after 4 trips that day.

…OR, maybe it is photoshop

Amber Valley Guy · Mar 15, 2025

Dave G said:
It amazes me how uninformed the manufacturers seem to be (or is it cost saving?) I was a diver for 41 yrs both a commercial diver and a scuba Instructor. Commercialy I operated at depths down to 1200 feet, and instructed the public down to 165 feet. We used diving instruments that were electronic
I. e. computers, iscilloscopes, cameras, radiographic equipment, and rarely if ever experienced flooding problems, so why can't manufacturers put decent O rings in??

If the output shaft (crankshaft?) had o rings, wouldn't they rapidly wear along the rotating shaft, or be dragged around the stationary casing again wearing rapidly, or more likely a combination of the two? And what stops the external dust, sand, soil, stone chippings, water and all the general trail shite from getting on the outer side of the o ring and grinding it away?

Stihldog · Mar 15, 2025

Amber Valley Guy said:
If the output shaft (crankshaft?) had o rings, wouldn't they rapidly wear along the rotating shaft, or be dragged around the stationary casing again wearing rapidly, or more likely a combination of the two? And what stops the external dust, sand, soil, stone chippings, water and all the general trail shite from getting on the outer side of the o ring and grinding it away?

A new bearing seal kit could prevent some of that. As a general rule for me, I install this each year. The Bosch type grease seems to help also.

Coburn · Mar 18, 2025

I transport my bike to the trails on the back of my car, thinking i should invest in a cover to protect from water while driving. What do you think?

I never worried about it but drove some long distances in pretty foul weather plus spray on the motorway which can’t have been any good!.

Anyone got one?

EVOC Bike Rack Cycle Cover:

Binhill1 · Mar 18, 2025

Coburn said:
I transport my bike to the trails on the back of my car, thinking i should invest in a cover to protect from water while driving. What do you think?

I never worried about it but drove some long distances in pretty foul weather plus spray on the motorway which can’t have been any good!.

Anyone got one?

EVOC Bike Rack Cycle Cover:
View attachment 156361

I have a motor cycle one from long ago a Hein Gerrick nylon one I have used that it's OK. Evoc probably cost a fortune.

Stihldog · Mar 18, 2025

Coburn said:
I transport my bike to the trails on the back of my car, thinking i should invest in a cover to protect from water while driving. What do you think?

I never worried about it but drove some long distances in pretty foul weather plus spray on the motorway which can’t have been any good!.

Anyone got one?

EVOC Bike Rack Cycle Cover:
View attachment 156361

Good idea during rainy condition or dusty roads. I wouldn’t want it to act like a parachute but I’m sure it’s strapped down pretty good.

Levo Gen 3 Any Tips on preventing water ingress and faults?

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