Levo SL Gen 1 270lb (123kg) riding a Levo SL?

[drm31078]

In the market for a FF or SL. I am a fat guy at 6 ft 270lb (123kg). I used to ride quit a bit, but started a family and haven't been able to get out as much as I used to. As a result I have I put on a lot of weight.

I am getting back into riding and only ride with analog bikers who are in much better shape than me. I am looking for the bike that will allow me to extend my rides, keep up with my analog buddies, and of course help improve my fitness level. The regular trails I ride are mostly XC / Trail as opposed to enduro / downhill.

I have been leaning towards the SL, however I am wondering if I am too big for the SL to make much of a difference relative to the assistance it will provide.

I have ridden a 2018 FF and it was super fun, but its a tank. I have not had the chance to ride an SL.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DtEW]

Food for thought: most riders of FF e-bikes don’t weigh as much as you. And some are even women and young folks handling such “tanks.”

It’s hard to say how much you would tax the SL’s motor/battery system because there is no way to establish how you will be using the e-bike. You could be fit and riding flat trails, requiring only a 10% supplement to your power to cruise at the speed you want. Or you could be weak-but-ambitious and needing the bike to drag you up steep, technical trails in Turbo mode.

In the absence of better information (eg. a good self-assessment relative to your peers, test rides on representative trails), I think it’s safer to think that an e-bike rider who might weigh double that of another e-bike rider probably won’t be well-covered for all the possibilities by opting for the less-common choice that offers (less than) half the power of the most popular choices.

Even aside from the assistance level, the SL in most guises (aside from top-specs) will come with fork and brakes that are considered anemic for even many normal-weight riders.

 

[Gary]

the SL in most guises (aside from top-specs) will come with fork and brakes that are considered anemic for even many normal-weight riders.

I don't think this is the case at all. I think the truth of the matter is lots of Emtb riders are simply deluded and think they are doing far gnarlier riding than they actually are. And from what I've seen the vast majority of Ebike riders most definitely brake too much.

for XC riding the brakes and a 34/35mm stanchion fork will be absolutely fine for a heavy rider.
The main concern a heavier weight rider XC should be thinking about is as you say fitness vs range with the smaller battery and lower torque motor and whether the suspension is going to be stiff enough for XC riding (I'd have thought air pressures will need to be run close to max psi)

 

[Konanige]

The SL motor will be plenty for keeping up with fit clockwork riders, only issues I see is you'll have to go with the alloy bike as its got a higher weight limit than the carbon bike, and it may be worth seeing if your LBS will do a deal on a fork upgrade.

 

[KeithR]

Even aside from the assistance level, the SL in most guises (aside from top-specs) will come with fork and brakes that are considered anemic for even many normal-weight riders.

But equally, very well thought-of by many SL riders.

 

[rydeezie]

In the market for a FF or SL. I am a fat guy at 6 ft 270lb (123kg). I used to ride quit a bit, but started a family and haven't been able to get out as much as I used to. As a result I have I put on a lot of weight.

I am getting back into riding and only ride with analog bikers who are in much better shape than me. I am looking for the bike that will allow me to extend my rides, keep up with my analog buddies, and of course help improve my fitness level. The regular trails I ride are mostly XC / Trail as opposed to enduro / downhill.

I have been leaning towards the SL, however I am wondering if I am too big for the SL to make much of a difference relative to the assistance it will provide.

I have ridden a 2018 FF and it was super fun, but its a tank. I have not had the chance to ride an SL.

Thanks in advance.

I'm up there in weight as well
I have both a FF and SL

if you are riding with analog riders then the SL is perfect. it's my favorite out of the 2
i agree with upgrading the suspension and brakes

if you are riding with other ebikers get a FF

 

[CodyDog]

As far as your concerns with a bike being a tank (ex: Levo Comp vs Levo SL), it has not been an issue for me. I was initially going to purchase the Levo SL and went with the Comp (approx 10 lbs more). My LBS had both in stock so I was able to do a side by side comparison. Two things I like about the Comp was the extra battery size and motor power. My buddy on the other hand choose the SL. We both ride hard and big stuff when we can but with that being said, ride a lot of flatter fast and /or twisty stuff. My buddy wishes he had more battery and power at times. I rarely use the turbo setting but there are times when I do and I like having that option. Both bikes are fabulous rides.

 

[drm31078]

Wow...great insight...couple clarifications:

My riding style is pretty conservative where both tires generally stay on the ground. The extent of my regular rides are on blue (medium) and some single black diamond (hard) trails. Trails are flowy, rooty, shorter uphills, but with tight switch backs. The max elevation change is ~700-1000 ft for these rides. For perspective, I am currently riding a 2008 Trek Fuel Ex 8 so this is going to be a huge technology upgrade in more ways than one. The fork on this bike is a fox float rl with 130mm travel and 32mm stanchions. Like I said, I have been out of the game for a while LOL.

I had no idea there was a weight limit on the carbon SL, is this published somewhere? If I went SL, I think I would want the carbon to accentuate the intent of the bike for being light. As others mentioned, I would also want the Fox 36 fork and therefore would be leaning towards the SL expert carbon.

If I went FF I would probably just stick with the aluminum as I don't think the weight savings is a big advantage for the FF. With that said, if I went FF, I would probably go with the FF comp and be saving $3200 USD over the SL expert carbon.

Just had a thought....maybe I get the FF comp AND (with the money I save) I could get a more current analog bike. This way I can switch between the two depending on who I am riding with and what I am feeling like......

 

[drm31078]

Food for thought: most riders of FF e-bikes don’t weigh as much as you. And some are even women and young folks handling such “tanks.”

It’s hard to say how much you would tax the SL’s motor/battery system because there is no way to establish how you will be using the e-bike. You could be fit and riding flat trails, requiring only a 10% supplement to your power to cruise at the speed you want. Or you could be weak-but-ambitious and needing the bike to drag you up steep, technical trails in Turbo mode.

In the absence of better information (eg. a good self-assessment relative to your peers, test rides on representative trails), I think it’s safer to think that an e-bike rider who might weigh double that of another e-bike rider probably won’t be well-covered for all the possibilities by opting for the less-common choice that offers (less than) half the power of the most popular choices.

Even aside from the assistance level, the SL in most guises (aside from top-specs) will come with fork and brakes that are considered anemic for even many normal-weight riders.

Great perspective here. I use the phrase "tank" as a term of endearment LOL. Great point about the SL components, it's going to be much more expensive to make it work for my size.

 

[Gary]

No it isn't.
Not if this is a true representation of your riding.

The regular trails I ride are mostly XC / Trail as opposed to enduro / downhill

 

[drm31078]

No it isn't.
Not if this is a true representation of your riding.

Okay....why is that?

 

[Gary]

Because you don't need super powerful brakes or a super strong/ stiff fork to ride XC and normal trails. Even at your weight. (which isn't even all that unusual for an EMTB rider). Unless you are a super clumsy rider
You might want slightly stronger rims and tougher tyre casings but simply wait and see how the oem items hold up and replace if they don't.
One thing about the SL you may not get on with is that it can't take a wide rear tyre and at your weight that will mean having to run fairly high tyre pressures to get cornering support and not pinch puncture.
It's not like the SL comes with a 28mm SID and 140mm rotors or anything.

 

[manueloFRCR]

In the market for a FF or SL. I am a fat guy at 6 ft 270lb (123kg). I used to ride quit a bit, but started a family and haven't been able to get out as much as I used to. As a result I have I put on a lot of weight.

I am getting back into riding and only ride with analog bikers who are in much better shape than me. I am looking for the bike that will allow me to extend my rides, keep up with my analog buddies, and of course help improve my fitness level. The regular trails I ride are mostly XC / Trail as opposed to enduro / downhill.

I have been leaning towards the SL, however I am wondering if I am too big for the SL to make much of a difference relative to the assistance it will provide.

I have ridden a 2018 FF and it was super fun, but its a tank. I have not had the chance to ride an SL.

Thanks in advance.

I was too, on the same quest leaning toward a specialised at the time I was 125kg. After a talk with a specialized dealer he advised me to not go for specialized the MAX SYSTEM WEIGHT is 120kg this weight is including the bike weight, clothing and backpack... so if you care about your bike guarantee look for a bike with a MAX SYSTEM WEIGHT of 150kg. Some Cannondale and Merida do that. I wanted a Cannondale at first but it was not in stock in my region. I finally took a 2019 Merida and I love it. Very strong bike it is a tank. I do jump (and crash) with it.

 

[d_denver]

I'm your weight and ride a 2021 Levo Sl Expert. I'm now able to ride with my acoustic friends again. I bought the 2021 Expert because it had aluminum wheels which is better for my weight.
The battery life is pretty impressive. Our average rides are about 12 -14 miles off road and 1200' of climbing.... I still have about 50% battery when done. I did buy the extended battery so I could ride with my road buddies. At 15 - 20 mph it takes a lot out of the battery.

 

[chrismechmaster]

Hi

Wow...great insight...couple clarifications:

My riding style is pretty conservative where both tires generally stay on the ground. The extent of my regular rides are on blue (medium) and some single black diamond (hard) trails. Trails are flowy, rooty, shorter uphills, but with tight switch backs. The max elevation change is ~700-1000 ft for these rides. For perspective, I am currently riding a 2008 Trek Fuel Ex 8 so this is going to be a huge technology upgrade in more ways than one. The fork on this bike is a fox float rl with 130mm travel and 32mm stanchions. Like I said, I have been out of the game for a while LOL.

I had no idea there was a weight limit on the carbon SL, is this published somewhere? If I went SL, I think I would want the carbon to accentuate the intent of the bike for being light. As others mentioned, I would also want the Fox 36 fork and therefore would be leaning towards the SL expert carbon.

If I went FF I would probably just stick with the aluminum as I don't think the weight savings is a big advantage for the FF. With that said, if I went FF, I would probably go with the FF comp and be saving $3200 USD over the SL expert carbon.

Just had a thought....maybe I get the FF comp AND (with the money I save) I could get a more current analog bike. This way I can switch between the two depending on who I am riding with and what I am feeling like......

I have just got a sl expert carbon the weight limit is published on the frame mine says weight limit 109kgs

 

[DreamensioN]

For what it's worth - I'm heavier than you, and I have a FF 2021 Levo Comp, and it has no problems with me, and I've got no problems with it. The key is to keep a higher pedal cadence (70rpm+) - I always change gears so I can keep at ~80-90rpm and it has no issues hauling my fat ass up hills.

I do a mix of trail (open country) riding, and also occasionally single track. *Most* of the time I keep both wheels on the ground but I don't mind a small (1-2ft) jump now and then. That's about as "extreme" as I get. Both the wheels and front forks handle me just fine.

I guess if I had to pick on an issue, it's that I have a big problem getting the right "sag" setting on the rear shock. I've got mine pumped up to 350psi but I still find I get more than 30% sag on the open setting. But with the riding I do, bottoming out isn't really an issue anyway (or if it is, I don't notice it).

 

[04fuxake]

In the market for a FF or SL. I am a fat guy at 6 ft 270lb (123kg). I used to ride quit a bit, but started a family and haven't been able to get out as much as I used to. As a result I have I put on a lot of weight.

I am getting back into riding and only ride with analog bikers who are in much better shape than me. I am looking for the bike that will allow me to extend my rides, keep up with my analog buddies, and of course help improve my fitness level. The regular trails I ride are mostly XC / Trail as opposed to enduro / downhill.

I have been leaning towards the SL, however I am wondering if I am too big for the SL to make much of a difference relative to the assistance it will provide.

I have ridden a 2018 FF and it was super fun, but its a tank. I have not had the chance to ride an SL.

Thanks in advance.

So, I currently weigh more than you and I can ride all my local trails including some decent climbs using just 125% assist (my Giant does 50% to 360%). So, I would guess an SL with it's lower power motor could propel you up the hills ok with your lower weight. That being said, the SL might not be rated for us large lads.

 

[KenGPS]

I bought a Turbo Levo this summer. After riding it a couple of months I took it in for service, and they loaned me an SL to ride while I waited. Riding the same speed and altitude gain on the SL means it is working the motor at a higher percentage output than the Levo. I found it to be much louder than the Levo, and it had an annoying character to the sound I didn't care for. Your analog friends will definitely hear it. The Turbo Levo is much more pleasant to the ears.

 

[Soupamoto]

Don’t do it.

I have an ‘18 Levo Comp. I weigh 230 lb. it pulls me up anything I throw at it, and some has been extreme.

i was offered a trade for a like new SL for my bike plus cash. It was way in my favor by thousands off new.

I rode my buddies SL to be sure I’d like it. It barely pulled me up medium hills and I could only keep up with my fit friend on his analog bike, I couldn’t even pass him, on turbo.

I passed on a fantastic deal because the SL was not right for my size.

 

[SDP]

Great perspective here. I use the phrase "tank" as a term of endearment LOL. Great point about the SL components, it's going to be much more expensive to make it work for my size.

Hey, I have a similar dilemma on my hands and lack of Ride to Work scheme discount is making any purchase somewhat £££. Having ridden both as demo’d and I’m 6.4 and 223ibs and a frame size too small (standard Large), my strongest advice is go to a Specialized Concept store and ride both back to back. I rode them extensively one weekend after the other. It’s a hard call as I consider myself fit, BUT having either motor definitely adds 20% more fun to rides as you can scale or ride through anything on an eMTB.
The FF is as you say more stable and allows you to plough through literally anything, though I’d not take one on a bike park as for me I don’t think it’s manoeuvre-able enough. The SL is defo more agile, more analogue, looks like an analogue too. It’s also less predictable down the steep and deep!
On the FF I rode 90% in Eco with the odd climb in Trail or Turbo. On the SL, I rode in all 4 modes including No power at all. You definitely, have less power and will mostly ride Trial, but feel if you don’t have or ride an FF, you really wouldn’t miss the extra grunt, especially when riding with your analogue pals. Giving you 2 x power. They say Turbo in SL is equivalent to Eco on FF. depends how it is set up on the app, but me and my mate thought it ‘felt’ more like Trail in FF vs Turbo on SL.
My pals are analogue too and many are ignorant on eMTB advantages (except the one that trailed and he has a top spec 160 travel Canyon). He loved the SL!
This would naturally lead me to choose the SL too, BUT I also know the tide is turning (my local Spec shop isn’t selling any analogue Stumpies anymore - it’s all FF or SL now!) and I’m worried if I buy SL i may regret later and if I buy FF, I’m sort of excluding myself right now. Ugh!
If I had a decent analogue now I’d go FF, but as I don’t, that’s out of the equation. My current stead is a 22yr old hard tail, where I take my life in my own hands chasing my friends steep rutty/rocky downhills on their FS Analogue bikes. Mind you, I roast them on flats and up the hills ?
Get your demo in ASAP. It’s the only way to truly see what suits you. You’ll definitely ride for longer abs burn more calories so it’s a win win either way and when your mates have a go they’ll be joining you eMTB too ??

 

[Konanige]

There was something wrong somewhere, I am 230 pounds naked and I can easily keep up with local podium topping riders on my SL!!!

 

[SDP]

There was something wrong somewhere, I am 230 pounds naked and I can easily keep up with local podium topping riders on my SL!!!

It was just me and my mate with demo’d x 2 each weekend. So we had the same bike each. Ie I’ve not ridden with my mates on an eMTB and them on Analogues. Not keeping up isn’t an issue, as I can out ride them now mostly, except on the serious downhill sections, it’s just allot of £££ to invest in the wrong bike long term. As in my current MTB is 22yr old and so don’t plan to update once I buy one in 2021 anytime soon - unless I ein the lottery ?

 

[Soupamoto]

Ummm..... dude if you can’t pass your friend with 225 watts of assistance then it’s more of a cardio or health issue than the bike.

You are correct sir.

I'm getting up in years, I'm overweight, I'm under exercised, I have a bad knee that can only put down so many watts, and my friend is a lean mean triathlon machine.

I'm a hardcore dirt bike rider and can't ride dirt bikes anymore due to injuries. My Levo breathed new life into my riding abilities, allowing me to ride my bicycle very similarly to how I rode dirt bike singletrack (close enough), and I am more grateful than words can describe these bikes are available to us. I tap every ounce of power the Levo has on some rides, with a smile from ear to ear!

My buddy and his SL weigh 80 lb less than me and my FF. In my case I discovered I need all the watts I can get.

You lay down your $8,000 cash and find out a bike can't carry you like you want it to, you're screwed. The conservative approach is to purchase the bike you know, 100%, will carry your large frame along with your more fit friends.

FYI, the motivation for the person that offered me the trade was in this situation post purchase; he bought the SL and it wouldn't carry him like he wanted/needed, but, the purchase was done... he lost thousands of dollars selling the SL and buying a second bike.

The 270 lb OP stated "I ride with analog bikers who are in much better shape than me.", and was looking for real world examples of his situation, mine is similar (not exact, who's are?), and I have direct experience experimenting with the bikes in question and a large body, and I shared my discoveries with everyone. Take my experience with a grain of salt for your situation.

For me, the SL isn't the problem, but the FF is the solution.

 

[ccwilli3]

Big guy here also, about same size and I also toyed with the SL v FF dilemma for a while as I only ever knew analog bikes. Almost bought a Levo comp for the same mentioned reasons, alu frame, components good enough to ride now and see what breaks. But I couldn’t find one summer 2020 and didn’t want to wait until 2021 models arrived so I ended up looking at non-spesh bikes and ended up on a shimano powered Santa Cruz FF. So glad I did, it’s more than I need and allows me to challenge myself. I can ride for 20+ miles and 2k feet of climbs and still have enough juice remaining to boost mode it the 3-4 miles home if needed.
My advice would be to go FF now and when you drop 100lbs and your skills exceed past where you are now you can always get the SL or similar lighter/faster/more powerful lightweight eMTB then and sprint up hills and go mental on the downhills. Bikes are literally getting better every year at an accelerated pace, it’s quite a time to be into mountain biking.

 

[steve_sordy]

..................
My advice would be to go FF now and when you drop 100lbs and your skills exceed past where you are now you can always get the SL or similar lighter/faster/more powerful lightweight eMTB then and sprint up hills and go mental on the downhills. Bikes are literally getting better every year at an accelerated pace, it’s quite a time to be into mountain biking.

This.

 

[gaba]

If you really only plan on rides with people on regular bikes then get an SL. Odds are you’ll find some ebike riders in your neighborhood. Then you’ll be sad you don’t have the power to keep up.

 

[KenGPS]

Ummm..... dude if you can’t pass your friend with 225 watts of assistance then it’s more of a cardio or health issue than the bike.
lance doped up could do 500 watts for 20 min. Normal bikers are around 200-300 watts according to google. So a normal biker with 2x power would literally make more normal bikers look like they were being passed by lance.

If OP rides with ‘analog riders’ and ‘barely keeps up’ then for sure 225 watts would easily pass his friends in turbo.

True on the flats. But going uphill the heavy riders almost double the weight would require twice the power to lift it up a hill.