Levo Gen 3 Best coil shock - Poll

[Henrik]

Shock arrived today. Tftuned fitted a 600 spring which only gives me about 22% sag. Have ordered a 500 and 550 which will hopefully arrive on Saturday in time for a ride on Sunday.

As I said
I had with the 500 Spring 27-28% and my weight is 84 Kg

 

[Dave_B]

Yeah, I’m Annoyed because I did ask for a 500 and 550 but they supplied a 600.

 

[Henrik]

I had the old RS Coil and the MY23 on a Raaw Madonna and the new gave me 3-4% less SAG. I am sure you can run 500 with round about 30%

 

[Henrik]

Could you make a picture of the shock? I am interessted how the shaft looks. Thanks

 

[Dave_B]

Pics

22% sag with the 600lb spring

The shaft has sag markings

 

[RiderOnTheStorm]

A 600lbs spring seems off considering your weight and sag goal. Have you tried the MRP spring rate calculator? I went through the same process recently and MRP gave me the best recommendation. My desired sag (25%) was spot on.
Mountain Bike Spring Rate Calculator

 

[Dave_B]

That one gives 550 for 24% sag and 500 for 36% sag.

It looks like I will end up with 500lb spring…..will find out tomorrow.

 

[Dave_B]

 

[Dave_B]

And 450 gives 30% sag

 

[RiderOnTheStorm]

Nice to see that MRP calculated a 21.8% sag with a 600lbs spring rate which is very close to your actual 22% sag measurement.

So MRP should tell you what you need to achieve a 30% sag if that is your goal.

I personally only use this calculator. It saved me money with coil fitting in the past. A good thing that RS coils are fairly inexpensive though!

 

[Dave_B]

Ok. All sorted.

550lb spring, 2 turns of spring collar.
= 28% sag
Riding weight 93kg

I tested the 500lb spring, 4 turns gave me 30% sag.

I will be keeping the 550lb spring.

 

[Ou812]

Ok. All sorted.

550lb spring, 2 turns of spring collar.
= 28% sag
Riding weight 93kg

I tested the 500lb spring, 4 turns gave me 30% sag.

I will be keeping the 550lb spring.

Ride report when possible, I’m still debating spending money on the E-Storia or not

 

[Dave_B]

Ok. First ride feedback.
25 miles around Dartmoor, so some good rocky descents and some long climbs.

First impression is that it feels better than the air shock. Soaks up small bumps (cattle grids feel like they are not there), deep compressions feel very controlled, no chatter on high bump frequency rough descents. There were a few smallish drops, soaked them up really well. Climbs great, hardly any pedal bob (this is probably more the bike design than the shock). Traction both up and down is very good.

HSC is one click from open.
LSC is in the middle.
HBO is one click from softest.

So overall I’m really happy. Will hopefully do some more challenging trails this coming weekend.

It’s about 400g heavier than the air shock but you can’t feel this when riding.

 

[Henrik]

In Germany it is not possible to order the Coil with the steel shaft anywhere.
Did you get the shock in the original box and what's the print on it.
The serial number here does not work...

 

[Dave_B]

This is the label on the box

 

[Ou812]

In Germany it is not possible to order the Coil with the steel shaft anywhere.
Did you get the shock in the original box and what's the print on it.
The serial number here does not work...

I was told that the RS determined that the version with the steel shaft wasn’t required, the regular version of the shock was burly enough for the Levo so they discontinued the steel shaft version. The part number doesn’t exist anymore, that’s probably why you can’t find it.

 

[Dave_B]

From the Tftuned site

 

[Ou812]

From the Tftuned site

View attachment 118315

The RS rep told me there’s still a few shops that have stock of them but when they sell them they’ll be replaced by the regular shock. If you search the part number on RS website it no longer exists

 

[Henrik]

Contacted Sram again:

Hey Henrik, Thanks for reaching out, and I hope you're having a great week! I would be happy to assist! The part number (00.4118.359.048) that you are looking at uses a standard shaft (not steel) and is tuned for the Levo SL. Regardless, this shock will work with your frame, as the Levo does not require a steel shaft.

 

[kawamaha]

I ordered an older Super Deluxe Coil (Can't find a SD air here...) and found this post:

Levo Gen 3 - Suspension and Coil shocks for Gen 3 - Fox 38 vs Zeb

At about 175 lbs I don’t notice any flex in the back of the bike. This bike is noticeably stiffer than my 2021 Trek Remedy in fact. I would check all the pivot bolts to ensure they are tight if you haven’t. As you probably know, air shocks are generally better suited for heavier riders and...

www.emtbforums.com

So I will have a look at the lower eyelet and see if I can make one out of steel...

 

[Dave_B]

what is the steel eyelet?

I put a metal bushing into the lower shock mount and then used the two bushings that come stock with the bike.

 

[kawamaha]

what is the steel eyelet?

the marked part is the eyelet
but I am talking about a pre 2023 SuperDeluxe. Sram says, the 2023 is 21% reinforced....

 

[Ou812]

the marked part is the eyelet
but I am talking about a pre 2023 SuperDeluxe. Sram says, the 2023 is 21% reinforced....
View attachment 118495

That’s the same part that Push replaced when they recalled the shocks for the Levo.

 

[Shjay]

the marked part is the eyelet
but I am talking about a pre 2023 SuperDeluxe. Sram says, the 2023 is 21% reinforced....
View attachment 118495

My mate snapped the in-line coil on his Whyte S150 as same linkage, also on Ripmo & the Rise can only run few coils

 

[Henrik]

I have read an article from the Intend Owner and he said, that not the shaft or its material is the problem in most cases. The biggest problem is the point, where the shaft "meets" the eyelet.

 

[kawamaha]

So I will have a look at the lower eyelet and see if I can make one out of steel...

further research shows the weak point is not the eyelet but the shaft itself

the 2021 shaft is not magnetic, so it should be an alloy shaft.

So there are some questions:
is the 2023 shaft made of steel?
has the 2023 shaft a bigger diameter (2021 is 12.7mm)?
is it available and would it fit on pre 2023 SDC?

 

[kawamaha]

I have read an article from the Intend Owner and he said, that not the shaft or its material is the problem in most cases. The biggest problem is the point, where the shaft "meets" the eyelet.

that's what I think, too. There is not much space to support the shaft on the "not recessed" part without decreasing the shock travel.
I did remove an eyelet of an MX shock and it was not easy, don't know if I will try this on this tiny mtb shock...

 

[Alexbn921]

The weak spot on these shocks is...................... Using too soft of a spring. The yoke + bottoming out from not having enough progression in the suspension kills things.

 

[tonk]

And for those interested, I chose the RS because…….

1. I’m a weekend warrior and probably can’t tell the different between RS and the others.

2. It has hydraulic bottom out (Ohlins does not)

3. EXT makes a squishy sound = would drive me nuts.

4. I have a Zeb so I’m matchy matchy front and rear

5. springs are cheap so not an expensive spring swap if needed

6. Overall price

How you finding the coil ?

 

[Heckler Sb130]

The EXT is also custom tuned to your weight, riding style, bike kinematics etc same as Ohlins can be

And how much $$$$ did you spend on your EXT coil shock?