2019 Turbo Levo Owners Thread

[robikinkela]

It would be easy to make irony about what happened to me in the afternoon, but this is not the case, I think it is something to be taken seriously. After an afternoon lap I put the Levo 2019 on the easel to do some small maintenance and I was intrigued in front of a sheet of leaves and some pine needles that came out of the left plastic casing. I do not want to make it long but what I found inside the engine compartment, after having removed the pedal and the carter, left me stunned; no need to comment on the photos that, in my opinion, are quite explicit. The offending material enters from the hole at the back of the engine, in the lower area where the wagon is hinged (see photo). Initially I couldn't believe that at that point there was a hole which communicate with the engine compartment but I had to change my mind. The fact is that this situation can be, in my opinion, potentially dangerous: the electric motor heats up and what you can see in the photos is flammable material. Apart from the maintenance, with a cleaning that, at this point, should be done regularly , I cannot understand that the designer could have been able to conceive such a shit! There must be an explanation. Or not?

 

[R120]

Looks like they solved one issue from the 18 by making a bigger drainage hole, only to create another.

Someone mentioned to me the other day about the motor casing getting pretty hot, anyone notice this?

 

[sirshan]

Uhhh...speechless. Makes me wanna put some mesh in there. I dont know what to say.

 

[R120]

Wonder if you could use a strainer from a tap/shower head over the hole?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

That with pedals?

Yes.
Swapping the Minions back over tomorrow to save a chunk of weight ?

 

[Kiwi in Wales]

It would be easy to make irony about what happened to me in the afternoon, but this is not the case, I think it is something to be taken seriously. After an afternoon lap I put the Levo 2019 on the easel to do some small maintenance and I was intrigued in front of a sheet of leaves and some pine needles that came out of the left plastic casing. I do not want to make it long but what I found inside the engine compartment, after having removed the pedal and the carter, left me stunned; no need to comment on the photos that, in my opinion, are quite explicit. The offending material enters from the hole at the back of the engine, in the lower area where the wagon is hinged (see photo). Initially I couldn't believe that at that point there was a hole which communicate with the engine compartment but I had to change my mind. The fact is that this situation can be, in my opinion, potentially dangerous: the electric motor heats up and what you can see in the photos is flammable material. Apart from the maintenance, with a cleaning that, at this point, should be done regularly , I cannot understand that the designer could have been able to conceive such a shit! There must be an explanation. Or not?

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That is not good......How long have you had the bike for and how many kilometres have you ridden?

 

[robikinkela]

That is not good......How long have you had the bike for and how many kilometres have you ridden?

I have the bike recently and I have traveled about 400 km. on mountain roads and paths in an Italian region called Valle d'Aosta. Naturally autumn brings with it many leaves and dirt of various kinds on the paths but this problem is serious and, in my opinion, it would require a specialized intervention. At least as an explanation.

 

[Maastricht]

I have the bike recently and I have traveled about 400 km. on mountain roads and paths in an Italian region called Valle d'Aosta. Naturally autumn brings with it many leaves and dirt of various kinds on the paths but this problem is serious and, in my opinion, it would require a specialized intervention. At least as an explanation.

@Specialized Rider Care

Can you please look to the story and pictures above? It seems like there is a design modification required for the 2019 Levo. I have seen an earlier post on this forum as well from someone else in the US which had exactly the same problem. That post included similar pictures as well.

From my point of view this seems a design failure. If I understand things correctly there is a huge gap between the back bracket hinge and the frame. Is that gap required for cooling perhaps? However it seems many dirt is being thrown into that gap via the rear tyre.

Thanks!

 

[Maastricht]

Sorry, here they are:

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I found the earlier case as well. It was reported in Italy as well. The dirt seems to be collected in only 100km?

 

[Hannes_3000]

Yes.
Swapping the Minions back over tomorrow to save a chunk of weight ?

Hi Rob, what lighter Maxxis model do you have for testing? The 29x2.5WT with EXO TR?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Hi Rob, what lighter Maxxis model do you have for testing? The 29x2.5WT with EXO TR?

Yes, the dual compound. 2.5 front and 2.4 rear ?

 

[jemen]

Is it only the aluminium frame or also the carbon? I guess the "dirt problem" around the engine could be easily solved with a rear wheel mud catcher, maybe from Specialized itself, will use my front wheel mudguard from Rockguardz, it fits very well. I will also try to make a custom made silicone plug for closing the gap.

j.

 

[Kiwi in Wales]

Are you 100% sure all of the pine needles and dirt are getting into the engine area via this hole or is there another hole somewhere?
I cant see how all of it could get in via this hole and work its way up into the engine as surely gravity would prevent most of it going in and also up? Like I said above, is there another opening elsewhere on the motor like on the side or on the top somewhere that isnt that noticeable?

@Specialized Rider Care might want to know more details on this so they can alert the designers.

 

[jemen]

Are you 100tire where are all of the pine needles and dirt are getting into the engine area via this hole or is there another hole somewhere?
I cant see how all of it could get in via this hole and work its way up into the engine as surely gravity would prevent most of it going in and also up? Like I said above, is there another opening elsewhere on the motor like on the side or on the top somewhere that isnt that noticeable?

@Specialized Rider Care might want to know more details on this so they can alert the designers.

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This isnt the hole. Its on the hole between frame and rear tire where the dirt gets in.

 

[TheLexus]

I guess the hole is for cooling purposes and specialized hoped that no dirt passes the rear swing arm directly in back of the hole... but dirt is tricky

I would try a metallic mesh installed from the inside ... should not influence the cooling but prevents the bigger dirt...

If i remember i have read someone has already done that.

 

[robikinkela]

This isnt the hole. Its on the hole between frame and rear tire where the dirt gets in.

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Yes, the hole from where dirt enters is this. Probably everything has been amplified by the fact that in this period I ride paths full of leaves and the rear wheel easily accumulates the dirt coming from the hole in question. But the problem remains. It is necessary to study an effective remedy to avoid having often to clean the engine compartment. Surely a fender or a piece of sponge put in the right place couldt be useful.

 

[sirshan]

Ahhhhh, makes more sense why so much debris now. Im going to tinker with relocating the rear fender in different positions this week.

 

[Maastricht]

Yes, the hole from where dirt enters is this. Probably everything has been amplified by the fact that in this period I ride paths full of leaves and the rear wheel easily accumulates the dirt coming from the hole in question. But the problem remains. It is necessary to study an effective remedy to avoid having often to clean the engine compartment. Surely a fender or a piece of sponge put in the right place couldt be useful.

You have not been the first complainer about this issue. If you look some posts back you will find another post of an Italian forum member named "ginogino" who has been collecting stones and leaves via the same gap.

I am also worried while I ordered the Levo 2019 Comp with the aluminium frame as well. If there is such a huge gap which is directly in contact with the engine compartment water (when riding the bike but also when washing the bike!) can collect itself. If there is some mud or leaves as well then which blocks the water drain in the bottom engine compartment cover plate the motor can complete drown. From my point of view this seems poor engineering. Maybe the gap is closed on the carbon frames. I am not sure but it would be interesting to see if there is a difference.

 

[Levo Lution]

You have not been the first complainer about this issue. If you look some posts back you will find another post of an Italian forum member named "ginogino" who has been collecting stones and leaves via the same gap.

I am also worried while I ordered the Levo 2019 Comp with the aluminium frame as well. If there is such a huge gap which is directly in contact with the engine compartment water (when riding the bike but also when washing the bike!) can collect itself. If there is some mud or leaves as well then which blocks the water drain in the bottom engine compartment cover plate the motor can complete drown. From my point of view this seems poor engineering. Maybe the gap is closed on the carbon frames. I am not sure but it would be interesting to see if there is a difference.

Why would carbon frame be different? From what I read aluminium frame itself cools the motor better than carbon frame, so it would not need bigger gap.

 

[GP6OWEN]

You have not been the first complainer about this issue. If you look some posts back you will find another post of an Italian forum member named "ginogino" who has been collecting stones and leaves via the same gap.

I am also worried while I ordered the Levo 2019 Comp with the aluminium frame as well. If there is such a huge gap which is directly in contact with the engine compartment water (when riding the bike but also when washing the bike!) can collect itself. If there is some mud or leaves as well then which blocks the water drain in the bottom engine compartment cover plate the motor can complete drown. From my point of view this seems poor engineering. Maybe the gap is closed on the carbon frames. I am not sure but it would be interesting to see if there is a difference.

You have not been the first complainer about this issue. If you look some posts back you will find another post of an Italian forum member named "ginogino" who has been collecting stones and leaves via the same gap.

I am also worried while I ordered the Levo 2019 Comp with the aluminium frame as well. If there is such a huge gap which is directly in contact with the engine compartment water (when riding the bike but also when washing the bike!) can collect itself. If there is some mud or leaves as well then which blocks the water drain in the bottom engine compartment cover plate the motor can complete drown. From my point of view this seems poor engineering. Maybe the gap is closed on the carbon frames. I am not sure but it would be interesting to see if there is a difference.

It’s the same on the carbon I have the carbon comp and have the same problem I have contacted the Specialized Concept Store where I brought it and they forwarded it on with the photos. I’ll keep you posted

 

[r23ves]

Sure enough I looked in mine and its full of crap as well (possibly literally as there is lots of sheep shit around here!) .

 

[Slowroller]

At a minimum, I'd stick some foam in there to keep most of the bigger stuff out. Motocross riders use it to keep areas of their bikes clear on mud days.

 

[Maastricht]

@Specialized Rider Care
Can you please have a look at the pictures above. It seems the new plastic engine compartment of the new Levo 2019 models (aluminium and carbon ones) have a huge gap between the motor cover and the frame. The gap is pointed out already on the pictures above.

Can you please explain why that gap is there? It there due to cooling reasons? If so, why didn't you add a mesh to prevent dirt and mud entering the engine compartment? I am really astonished to see how much dirt is entering the engine compartment in such a short amount of time. The engine compartment covers don't seem to be fit for purpose.

Can you please roll out a corrective action?

 

[Jay]

You should start a new thread to get it noticed.

 

[ernstal]

Hi everyone,

broke the battery cover days ago on a graveled road. I think Specialized uses the wrong type of plastics, which is too brittle in respect to the use of mountain bikes.

It broke due to the impact of rather small stones on a road with stones. I guess this will me a major issue in the next time, or this part on my bike has just failed because of a manufacturing problem. This should be an more elastic

I hope specialized will notice this issue. Anyway, something like that should not happen.

 

[Maastricht]

You should start a new thread to get it noticed.

Hi Jay, can you maybe help me to do this? I think the idea is good but I am not sure how to transfer all the posts and pictures of other members regarding this topic to another thread.

 

[Thomas]

Looking at all sorts of issues you have, basically in 1 year time our 2019 LEVO will fall apart?
Can't imagine what would bike look like in 5 years time, o yes the battary will be long dead by than and the bike would probably be on a scrapyard somewhere.
Good investment Thomas....you plonker...

 

[Jay]

Hi Jay, can you maybe help me to do this? I think the idea is good but I am not sure how to transfer all the posts and pictures of other members regarding this topic to another thread.

I don't know how to transfer your post Rob Hancill is the man to speak to.

 

[Travelly]

All of these issues are seriously making me want to cancel my 2019 Levo order. I dont want to lay down 5k only to have a raft of problems with the bike. I am expecting a premium product.

 

[R120]

Perhaps everyone should post what they find behind the covers to Specilized, might make em take notice