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

[73Steff]

Thought I’d put up a start to finish build thread on my Levo SL.
For those that don’t know I built up an alloy Levo (three actually for MB Cyclery in Haslemere, have a look at their instagram for pics) in the same Raw brushed alloy finish/process so when the SL was released I knew A. I’d have one and B. It would be an alloy one and finished to match.
Apart from the ‘shiny’ factor in that I think alloy looks better than carbon I also believe (other than maybe a few grams) in reality from a ‘seat of your pants’ point of view the ride on an alloy eBike is near identical to a carbon.
I’ll freely admit, this is not the cheapest or most cost effective way to build a bike.....but it’s different and unique and more importantly I enjoy the process.

Lets start with 2020 Levo SL alloy comp. Take a perfectly good bike and strip it to bear frame??‍

 

[73Steff]

Next step is a trip to my local wheel refurb guys (ACC wheels in Liphook Hampshire - top guys if you need alloy wheel refurb ?) who for a few beers will stick it in their dip tank over night to remove the paint.
More to follow over next few weeks.....

 

[Blinkie]

ahh expected more pics and info .

This is no Project Binky

 

[Gary]

Thought I’d put up a start to finish build thread on my Levo SL.
For those that don’t know I built up an alloy Levo (three actually for MB Cyclery in Haslemere, have a look at their instagram for pics) in the same Raw brushed alloy finish/process so when the SL was released I knew A. I’d have one and B. It would be an alloy one and finished to match.
Apart from the ‘shiny’ factor in that I think alloy looks better than carbon I also believe (other than maybe a few grams) in reality from a ‘seat of your pants’ point of view the ride on an alloy eBike is near identical to a carbon.
I’ll freely admit, this is not the cheapest or most cost effective way to build a bike.....but it’s different and unique and more importantly I enjoy the process.

Lets start with 2020 Levo SL alloy comp. Take a perfectly good bike and strip it to bear frame??‍

View attachment 25946

View attachment 25947

Do us a favour will ya?
Weigh the stripped frame (both stays and front triangle) before and after paint stripping/polishing.
I've stripped and polished a few frames in my time and am just interested in the weights and weight savings [/nerding]

 

[kombos]

This should be interesting.....appreciate you posting the process.

I'm also curious of the paint weight....is the factory finish paint or powder?

 

[ccrdave]

what are the two holes in the underside of the down tube for?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

what are the two holes in the underside of the down tube for?

Pretty sure they secure the battery inside the frame

 

[R120]

Thought I’d put up a start to finish build thread on my Levo SL.
For those that don’t know I built up an alloy Levo (three actually for MB Cyclery in Haslemere, have a look at their instagram for pics) in the same Raw brushed alloy finish/process so when the SL was released I knew A. I’d have one and B. It would be an alloy one and finished to match.
Apart from the ‘shiny’ factor in that I think alloy looks better than carbon I also believe (other than maybe a few grams) in reality from a ‘seat of your pants’ point of view the ride on an alloy eBike is near identical to a carbon.
I’ll freely admit, this is not the cheapest or most cost effective way to build a bike.....but it’s different and unique and more importantly I enjoy the process.

Lets start with 2020 Levo SL alloy comp. Take a perfectly good bike and strip it to bear frame??‍

View attachment 25946

View attachment 25947

Damn, without a doubt those are the smokingest EMTB's I have seen to date, baby I like it raw!

MB Cyclery (@mbcyclery) • Instagram photos and videos

 

[R120]

Those bash guards too - killing it

 

[Fivetones]

Do us a favour will ya?
Weigh the stripped frame (both stays and front triangle) before and after paint stripping/polishing.
I've stripped and polished a few frames in my time and am just interested in the weights and weight savings [/nerding]

I’m going to guess around 100g but we will see.

 

[73Steff]

ahh expected more pics and info .

This is no Project Binky

Patience dear boy......stripped frame due back Monday. Will do an ‘after’ weigh in and get back with those factoids?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Patience dear boy......stripped frame due back Monday. Will do an ‘after’ weigh in and get back with those factoids?

Nice!

I’m going to guess around 100g but we will see.

I'll raise ya to 300g

 

[miPbiP]

@73Steff looks sweet will you do this on commission?

 

[miPbiP]

Nice!


I'll raise ya to 300g

300g would take a chunk back of the weight difference alloy -> carbon.

 

[helivate]

Do you have plans to upgrade the fork?
I'm eventually wanting to upgrade to a lyrik I think, but leaning towards a 150 still even though I would love a 160 to slacken the bike a little. (because I've seen several mention it's not recommended to go to 160)
Also thinking of doing a coil for a bit to see how it feels.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Do you have plans to upgrade the fork?
I'm eventually wanting to upgrade to a lyrik I think, but leaning towards a 150 still even though I would love a 160 to slacken the bike a little. (because I've seen several mention it's not recommended to go to 160)
Also thinking of doing a coil for a bit to see how it feels.

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.

 

[helivate]

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.

6'1" on a large. So yeah, sticking with 150 sounds like it might be a good idea. Rob, do you know if the flip chip in low is 66deg or is it 65.5?

 

[73Steff]

@73Steff looks sweet will you do this on commission?

This is my own build........very time consuming so would probably cost more than painting a frame!!! I refinished the three Levo’s as part of deal with MB boys as we will race them this year.

 

[73Steff]

Do you have plans to upgrade the fork?
I'm eventually wanting to upgrade to a lyrik I think, but leaning towards a 150 still even though I would love a 160 to slacken the bike a little. (because I've seen several mention it's not recommended to go to 160)
Also thinking of doing a coil for a bit to see how it feels.

Full built spec tbc but will be Full Gas raw.....sticking with air and 150 travel as agree with Rob on handling, I have 160 & coil on other Levo’s so might bang them on just to test, I’m sure Spech will have already done this.

 

[73Steff]

Some shots of the motor/battery/wiring on the SL and connector to the battery which has a nice twist lock motion to it.

 

[miPbiP]

you're making a really good case for an alloy frame here mate. if you'd consider doing this as a paid service please let us know.

the bash guard on the Levo - did that require extra holes in the frame? (I bash my Levo BB a lot ... but it's carbon).

(& I can get over to Haslemere easy enough, not far away ...).

 

[73Steff]

Nice zip up box for the charger aswell. Close up of the new style charger connection ?

 

[Zimmerframe]

The new connectors look nice :

CHOGORI- Chogori Technology Co., Ltd

That is a £200 charger - it should really come in a bag !

 

[Blinkie]

6'1" on a large. So yeah, sticking with 150 sounds like it might be a good idea. Rob, do you know if the flip chip in low is 66deg or is it 65.5?

Flip chip is 66/66.5 not 66/65.5 as reported in some places

The Specialized technical documents and geometry state 66 / 66.5 head tube angle. 66 degree being the Flipchip on the lower (default) position. I have attached the Levo SL user manual which refers to the flipchip starting page 23. I am unaware of where some testers have acquired this information, but I suspect it may be a typo.

I was told it was default set to the 66 lower setting

 

[Fivetones]

@73Steff while we wait for the paint off weight figures did you get a weight for the stock bike with no pedals? There’s other posts on here that claim a weight I find hard to believe!

 

[helivate]

@73Steff while we wait for the paint off weight figures did you get a weight for the stock bike with no pedals? There’s other posts on here that claim a weight I find hard to believe!

19.7kg with my OneUp Composite pedals. (Sorry, too lazy to take them off right now)
And tubes. But I’m installing cushcore, so that probably won’t change much for me.

 

[Fivetones]

19.7kg with my OneUp Composite pedals. (Sorry, too lazy to take them off right now)
And tubes. But I’m installing cushcore, so that probably won’t change much for me.

Thanks mate. That’s what I thought it would be. What size is that?

 

[helivate]

Thanks mate. That’s what I thought it would be. What size is that?

Large. Also I forgot to mention I put Carbon handlebars on too. So there’s that slight variation, but that might be the difference of the pedals. So still in the ball park.

 

[Jpzeroday]

What was the frame only weight with paint?

Awaiting, Interested in the stripped frame only weight?

Would you happen to know the Carbon frame only weight?

 

[Zimmerframe]

Thanks mate. That’s what I thought it would be. What size is that?

You're so drifting towards that Multipla ...