Levo SL Gen 1 32lb levo sl

StuE

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Jun 4, 2018
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Some of the things he has done to get it under 32lbs are not really practical, but some are not too expensive (lighter tubeless tyres) and make sense
 

R120

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Apr 13, 2018
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I sure hope he isn't riding that round without bar endplugs and a top cap! Its interesting to see what people can get them down too, but again IMO this is a build that has sacrificed usability for weight saving, e.g getting rid of the dropper remote.

Is it realistic to get an SL down to say 15.5kg whilst still using the internal battery and a beefier tyre?
 

Rob Rides EMTB

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Yes there's an xc build someone's done that I think is sub 14kg, and maybe even less than that.

Edit: Found it

Damn thats low! My plan is to build a burly trail ready bike, no way I can get to that level of weight! I'm interested to see how it rides with the range extender only. I got 60Km on the internal 320Wh battery, so if I can get 20-30KM on the half-sized 160Wh I'll be fine for shorter blast around the hills with it.

EDIT - new forum software is neat, can swipe and scroll through instagram posts :)
 

p3eps

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I don’t think I’ll ever get mine under 17kg whilst it remains ‘usable’ in my eyes.

I’m just on 17.5kg at the moment, and have the Praxis carbon cranks on order - which will probably shave a little bit off.
I ‘could’ swap the Roval carbon wheels for something a bit lighter and save another 150g... but it doesn’t really seem worth it for ~£2000!

I want to change the rear shock, but that’s going to ADD weight when I fit something more adjustable.

My Michelin Wild tyres are heavier thanstock, and I’m sure there are much lighter out there... but I really like them.

I’m not willing to sacrifice quality / usability to make it lighter... so I think I’m pretty much as good as I’ll get (after fitting the cranks).
 

p3eps

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Oh yeah - I could always lose 133g by taking out the multi tool and holder from the headset... but I kind of like it!
 

Rob Rides EMTB

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Oh yeah - I could always lose 133g by taking out the multi tool and holder from the headset... but I kind of like it!
Yeah it’s great.
You gotta build the bike for you and for what you ride. No point building a 15KG bike that won’t handle the conditions.
 

Rob Rides EMTB

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Yeah, XL for me.
Still gathering the Oil Slick parts... slowly but surely ?
Love a bit of slick

image.jpg
 

Doomanic

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Has anyone built a burly SL? Something that will handle big hits and enduro type riding?
 

Gary

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I'm confused as to why didn't he single speed it with a sprung tensioner and add a normal seatpost and QR.
That'd have been another 900g.
Frame also looks too big for him, a Small would have been another few hunderd grams lighter
 

Gary

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Has anyone built a burly SL? Something that will handle big hits and enduro type riding?
TBF any Stock SL can.
with a decent rider
it's a more capable bike than many top 10 EWS riders bikes from just a few years back.
As Northwind keeps telling everyone who'll listen. The most WINNING bike on the EWS circuit is an old TREK Remedy.

#NotLivingInThePastAtall
 

Zimmerframe

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Jun 12, 2019
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Has anyone built a burly SL? Something that will handle big hits and enduro type riding?
Burly ish ?? 180/180 was on 27.5 but presently on 29's .

 

jcmonty

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Sep 5, 2018
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Not really. a 37lb 170mm /150 SL with better geometry (requires 27.5s) Enduro build is easily do-able.
Unless you're a dirt roadie, This guys 32lb SL is pretty shite TBH
I am running a mullet right now ~ 65 deg HTA w/160mm front fork (may up it to 170 soon as it's internally adjustable), 334mm BB height. Weight is higher ~40-41lbs, but I have not ditched the boat anchor cassette or heavy front wheel as of yet. Bike is much more suited for "aggressive riding" now.

Bike still rides closer to a 30lb mtb vs. a 50lb emtb in terms of handling.
 

Gary

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I am running a mullet right now ~ 65 deg HTA w/160mm front fork (may up it to 170 soon as it's internally adjustable), 334mm BB height. Weight is higher ~40-41lbs, but I have not ditched the boat anchor cassette or heavy front wheel as of yet. Bike is much more suited for "aggressive riding" now.

Bike still rides closer to a 30lb mtb vs. a 50lb emtb in terms of handling.

Erm... yeah...

tenor.gif
 

Gary

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I'm definitely going to be that guy.
I wouldn't want any 50lb+ bike (My ESommet is 47)
I still regularly ride a 30lb 170mm FS Enduro bike.

Trust me, I know how weight affects handling
 

jcmonty

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Sep 5, 2018
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I'm definitely going to be that guy.
I wouldn't want any 50lb+ bike (My ESommet is 47)
I still regularly ride a 30lb 170mm FS Enduro bike.

Trust me, I know how weight affects handling
Fair enough! I will be careful generalizing numbers in the future :)
Yeah, I used that number given a lot of the popular bigger ebikes fall upwards of there. My kenevo was 53lb in it's last guise.

Anyways - the SL handles great stock, and it's possible to get it more "enduro-y" if that's what one rides. I am sure Spesh will release an updated geo SL at some point which would have been a nice option from the get go, IMO. For me, reducing weight is less important than the mods I have done, but I do plan on eliminating some weight where I can and makes sense.
 

Gary

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My kenevo was 53lb in it's last guise.

Yeah, a 53lb Kenevo doesn't feel so bad when descending enduro/DH tracks but on flatter ground they're far from playful

I wrote here my thoughts on the SL when it was released.
Basically. Buy the comp carbon. stick a 170mm fork and 27.5 wheelset on and you have a sweet super light Enduro Eeb
just fitting the fork, wheelset and drivetrain from my ESommet would give you that 37lb bike I'm hinting at (65deg, 330ish BB)
 

Gary

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1300g wheels isn't impressive on any 32lb 150mm FS mtb. It's fairly stupid (for most people).
Most folk here could buy a set if they really wanted but there's a very good reason very few folk would. and I'm not talking about not the cost, you could build a wheelset that light for under a grand if you really wanted to (or with a little research buy a pre-built set from china for about half that price)
The Hubs he's used are decent and I'd happliy use those.
but 28 Dt Aerolite spokes, Alu nipples and a 30mm wide ~300g carbon 29er rim is a pretty terrible choice for anything but light (or XC race) use by a very light rider.

As a comparison. Earlier today I serviced a super light (6kg) high end carbon road bike. it didn't have wheels anywhere near as light as 1300g.
 
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