Levo SL Gen 1 2020 Specialized Levo SL alloy custom build thread

[Gary]

How tall are you? I found it pretty twitchy on climbs with the 150. 160 and it’ll want to loop out way too much for taller riders.

Not if you simply lower the bars by removing one 10mm spacer from under the stem and adjust the saddle position very slightly forwards and down

 

[Gary]

my guess is the paint will shave 120-130g off.
Mainly because somewhere in the 100-120g region has always been the case when I've done it with smaller FS frames

 

[73Steff]

Look whats back?

Will get some weights up in the morning, also going to do some comparisons on the stock Sram NX mech/cassette verses the Sram XX1 Eagle I’ll be fitting and stock alloy Roval’s/Carbon Rovals.

 

[jimsydney2000]

Hi Im really interested in the SL, but noticed on Robs youtube video "SL vs Levo" the motor sounded really noising like a high pitch whine when engaged. Just wondering what you have found compared to a regular Levo.

 

[73Steff]

Hi Im really interested in the SL, but noticed on Robs youtube video "SL vs Levo" the motor sounded really noising like a high pitch whine when engaged. Just wondering what you have found compared to a regular Levo.

It’s a different noise.....yes more of a whine as its direct gear drive rather than a belt on the Brose Levo motor. Having said that the Levo motor has a different noise to my friends Bosch and anothers Shimano. The ability to pedal through the speed restriction is it’s biggest advantage to me, I’d put up with a different sound for that alone.

 

[73Steff]

Who wants to get a weight weenie geek on?

 

[73Steff]

Stripped down alloy frame (pre dipping so no linkage/shock/bearings)

 

[73Steff]

After paint stripping (its a wet paint not powdercoated)

 

[73Steff]

Surprised by tube weight

 

[jimsydney2000]

It’s a different noise.....yes more of a whine as its direct gear drive rather than a belt on the Brose Levo motor. Having said that the Levo motor has a different noise to my friends Bosch and anothers Shimano. The ability to pedal through the speed restriction is it’s biggest advantage to me, I’d put up with a different sound for that alone.

Great thanks, I will see if I can find one locally to test ride.

 

[jemen]

After paint stripping (its a wet paint not powdercoated)

View attachment 26234

Wait, thats´s just 90g´s of paint?

 

[ridesantacruz]

Looking forward to the finish product. Rarely do you see someone completely dismantle a new bike to make it totally custom. I like your sense of adventure!

 

[R120]

Wait, thats´s just 90g´s of paint?

Kind of explains why Levos scratch up easy

 

[73Steff]

Looking forward to the finish product. Rarely do you see someone completely dismantle a new bike to make it totally custom. I like your sense of adventure!

And to do it twice.......??‍

 

[73Steff]

Hope to achieve similar result with the Alloy SL. Compared weight on my stock S-Works Levo(nice factory spec obviously and 700 battery) to my Raw finished Alloy Levo with custom spec (500 battery, frame & dropper only stock items, carbon wheels/bars/cranks etc )

 

[73Steff]

S-works Levo - stock (tubeless with DMR Vauts)

 

[73Steff]

Raw Alloy Levo - custom spec (tubeless with DMR vaults)
Bigger battery negates the full carbon frame weight savings it would seam??‍

 

[R120]

Raw Alloy Levo - custom spec (tubeless with DMR vaults)
Bigger battery negates the full carbon frame weight savings it would seam??‍

View attachment 26325

So this alloy Levo, with coil etc, and 500wh, comes in under 20kg? This impressive

 

[Kiwi in Wales]

It would require a lot more in this ‘Custom build’ to get this alloy framed Levo under 20kgs. The weight difference between a 700 and 500 is around 700gms. That coil is a heavy lump too. What else was done?
Very sceptical about this ‘weigh in‘ as it does not add up.
More than happy to be proved wrong.

 

[TomH79]

Raw Alloy Levo - custom spec (tubeless with DMR vaults)
Bigger battery negates the full carbon frame weight savings it would seam??‍

View attachment 26325

Full specs please

 

[73Steff]

It would require a lot more in this ‘Custom build’ to get this alloy framed Levo under 20kgs. The weight difference between a 700 and 500 is around 700gms. That coil is a heavy lump too. What else was done?
Very sceptical about this ‘weigh in‘ as it does not add up.
More than happy to be proved wrong.

I was surprised too but hard to argue with the scales and picture below of bike on new set of Park Tools scales which I’d hope are accurate??‍ Going to check them against shop ones when have a chance.

 

[73Steff]

Full spec of Alloy Levo below:

2019’ Levo Comp 500wh battery
Ohlins 160 forks
Ohlins rear coil
X fusion dropper w/ Specialized ti rail saddle
Deity 35mm stem
Deity 35mm carbon bars (cut to 770mm)
Deity grips
Sram Code RSc brakes 200/180 rotors & ti bolts
Sram XO 11spd shifter & rear mech
Roval carbon wheelset w/Michelin 2.25 Muds (tubeless)
Shimano XT11spd cassette & chain
Praxis carbon cranks
DMR Brendog Vault pedals

 

[73Steff]

Slow progress but both rear stays near completion. Been doing some detailed weight comparisons so will post up weight of stock stuff verses final build spec.

 

[73Steff]

Close up of the brushed finish.....still little way off but not much.

 

[Fivetones]

I’m really loving this thread. Thanks for posting so much detail.

After you’ve done the brushed finish how do you protect the raw alu?

 

[73Steff]

I’m really loving this thread. Thanks for posting so much detail.

After you’ve done the brushed finish how do you protect the raw alu?

Again....patience, will all be explained?

Has to be cleaned to an inch of its life to clear all the sanding debris, then clear coated (I usually use a satin finish) then any decals applied and finished off with an invisiframe kit. My Levo was done in this and has been my winter eeeb, gets a beating and apart from a little heal rub still looks good.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Again....patience, will all be explained?

Has to be cleaned to an inch of its life to clear all the sanding debris, then clear coated (I usually use a satin finish) then any decals applied and finished off with an invisiframe kit. My Levo was done in this and has been my winter eeeb, gets a beating and apart from a little heal rub still looks good.

Would make a good video!

 

[Fivetones]

Excellent and thanks!

 

[73Steff]

Would make a good video!

12 hours of sanding might not......it’s all in the edit mind?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

12 hours of sanding might not......it’s all in the edit mind?

Paint it back up and then we can make a timelapse!