Levo Gen 2 buy a 2020 Levo or wait for 2021?

[Cavi]

so I am going to buy a Levo base model. I currently own two full suspension bikes that are converted mid drive bikes, both work great, so I really am not in a major hurry for a Levo. anyone have any news on what the 2021 model holds? Any real reason to jump on a 2020 vs waiting for a 2021?

 

[J200George]

I’m kind of in the same situation but for me I’m still working out which bike to go for, I’m fairly sure it’s going to be a Levo but I’m also waiting for the old stock motors to be filtered out of the retail chain, that’s the main reason I’d wait for 2021 bikes.

 

[Murch]

Wait for the 2021 if you can hold out, though it might be hard to find a 2020 at this point.

 

[Cavi]

I really went down a Rabbit hole, I came across a NOS 2019 in HyperBlack, which I love for almost 1000 under normal price. I jumped on it....

 

[Andrew U]

Im in the same boat... However. Only mention i can find of 2021 bike are on this UK bike site: Specialized 2021 Electric Mountain Bikes | Evans Cycles

If you go into the different models, the availability is between nov-jan. I am not waiting that long.

I am in Brisbane, Australia. Came across this article around general bike supply.

Comment: Bike restock priority presents dilemma for southern hemisphere

With an early bike restock underway in the Northern Hemisphere, The Latz Report of Australia forecasts supply issues in the Southern down the road.

cyclingindustry.news

All in all a sad situation. Pretty much need to buy what you can get your hands on.. or stick to walking.

 

[Andrew U]

Had an overnight demo of an SL. Not for me.

Managed to get a good deal on a 2020 turbo levo expert, should get it on Thursday.

9 expert left in Australia now. No HTs, levo, levo comp. Some bike stores may have local stock.

 

[Eebs]

Had an overnight demo of an SL. Not for me.

Managed to get a good deal on a 2020 turbo levo expert, should get it on Thursday.

9 expert left in Australia now. No HTs, levo, levo comp. Some bike stores may have local stock.

Can I ask what you didn't like about the SL?

 

[Zero]

Can I ask what you didn't like about the SL?

Riding an SL with ebike friends must be like riding an Ebike with Analogue bikes.

 

[Andrew U]

For me I found the lighter SL to be less stable and the loss of power was missed. The motor noise was also a negative factor. The cost of an SL with half the power, did not add up.

SL would be perfect for a fitter more experienced MTB rider. I am not the target market for this. Talking to the shop there has been limited uptake of the SL. The fact I was the first to take the SL demo for ride on single track, really hit home on that.

Positive for me on the SL was I could ride it to with no assistance. Found the levo needed at least eco to ride.

 

[Eebs]

H

Riding an SL with ebike friends must be like riding an Ebike with Analogue bikes.

Should hit the road with that quality content.

 

[Eebs]

For me I found the lighter SL to be less stable and the loss of power was missed. The motor noise was also a negative factor. The cost of an SL with half the power, did not add up.

SL would be perfect for a fitter more experienced MTB rider. I am not the target market for this. Talking to the shop there has been limited uptake of the SL. The fact I was the first to take the SL demo for ride on single track, really hit home on that.

Positive for me on the SL was I could ride it to with no assistance. Found the levo needed at least eco to ride.

I took an SL demo to Stromlo, you definitely had to work harder than the levo but it felt really nimble and I found it very grounded downhill and easy to pump and jump. I found the motor surprisingly quiet and was definitely expecting it to be much louder after reading various posts on here.

I rode 44kms with around 2000ft of elevation and finished with 16% battery. One 6km climb in turbo chewed 30%, whereas eco was 10%. A custom setting of 35/100 used 11%. The ability to pedal through the cut off made a huge difference compared to the ff bikes

 

[Andrew U]

Only had std Levo demo last weekend to compare this SL against. To me the motor pitch was louder when under high load, turbo and steep climb. On the trail in eco or trail mode not so much.

You sound like the target market for Levo SL. I am coming back into mountain biking after almost a 8 year break (3 kids). I want to be able to enjoy without needed to get my fitness up on day one.

Sure over time as a regain my fitness, I will reduce my assistance. But in the meantime and need to start again with bike skills. Being unfit on the trail, I found loss of concentration lead to making it a chore and not enjoyable.

Standard Levo is a tank with turbo. The weight feels more stable, the power overcomes the weight. Instantly I felt more confident and had the most enjoyable ride on this. Did not have this with the SL.

For me personally, this was an easy choice.

 

[Zero]

It doesnt bode well for the SL. Its the only bike still in reliable stock in every store. Given the popularity of bikes and lack of stock right now and its still on the shelf id say its going to flop.

 

[J200George]

^^^maybe they need to beef up the battery... and the motor...

 

[awktm]

It doesnt bode well for the SL. Its the only bike still in reliable stock in every store. Given the popularity of bikes and lack of stock right now and its still on the shelf id say its going to flop.

I bought a Carbon SL with the intention of keeping my full Levo but after one ride on the SL I sold the Levo without hesitation. SL feels like the next generation, so much more nimble, short chainstays are gold, wheelies/manuals are fun again. I can ride it turned off no worries and its just super fun all round. I had a couple of Levos and other EMTBs and think I got a bit bored. They are so planted with unbelievable traction, trails almost become too easy! I ride with ebikes and analogue bikes, I can turn it off and go analogue or boost it with the emtbs. I bought the range extender but haven’t used it. I’m getting better range out of the 320wh than I was with the 700wh. Currently 17.5kgs withs 36s etc. If I wanna fly I can pull the battery and have a 15.5kg bike and use the range extender that can be taken on as carryon luggage if I feel I need it. It’s easy to dismiss the SL on a quick fire road climb. If you love the traditional MTB feel you will love the SL!! EMTBs are like EMTBs, Levo SL is like a Analogue MTB with a motor if that makes sense??
I’m hoping for a Kenevo SL based on the Enduro!...

 

[Zero]

I bought a Carbon SL with the intention of keeping my full Levo but after one ride on the SL I sold the Levo without hesitation. SL feels like the next generation, so much more nimble, short chainstays are gold, wheelies/manuals are fun again. I can ride it turned off no worries and its just super fun all round. I had a couple of Levos and other EMTBs and think I got a bit bored. They are so planted with unbelievable traction, trails almost become too easy! I ride with ebikes and analogue bikes, I can turn it off and go analogue or boost it with the emtbs. I bought the range extender but haven’t used it. I’m getting better range out of the 320wh than I was with the 700wh. Currently 17.5kgs withs 36s etc. If I wanna fly I can pull the battery and have a 15.5kg bike and use the range extender that can be taken on as carryon luggage if I feel I need it. It’s easy to dismiss the SL on a quick fire road climb. If you love the traditional MTB feel you will love the SL!! EMTBs are like EMTBs, Levo SL is like a Analogue MTB with a motor if that makes sense??
I’m hoping for a Kenevo SL based on the Enduro!...

The bike is niche and bike shops are going to be heavily discounting them soon. Specialized made a mistake because they thought people would pay more for 40% of the power and 50% less battery capacity. £12,000 for the Founders and £11,000 for the S works proves they totally misjudged the market.

Putting a small motor and small battery in to a carbon push bike does not make this the "Ariel Atom" of the ebike world. This is the equivelent of putting a 500cc engine and a 25L fuel tank in to a ford focus and calling it a "race car" Then charging more for it than the RS model.

The concept of a light ebike is sound but this first attempt will be a flop for bike stores and they will be giving them away end of the season. Maybe when solid state batteries and tiny 70nm motors are here it will catch on better.

 

[awktm]

The bike is niche and bike shops are going to be heavily discounting them soon. Specialized made a mistake because they thought people would pay more for 40% of the power and 50% less battery capacity. £12,000 for the Founders and £11,000 for the S works proves they totally misjudged the market.

Putting a small motor and small battery in to a carbon push bike does not make this the "Ariel Atom" of the ebike world. This is the equivelent of putting a 500cc engine and a 25L fuel tank in to a ford focus and calling it a "race car" Then charging more for it than the RS model.

The concept of a light ebike is sound but this first attempt will be a flop for bike stores and they will be giving them away end of the season. Maybe when solid state batteries and tiny 70nm motors are here it will catch on better.

I don’t agree. Your analogy of race car engines is exactly the issue. I bet if someone came out with a 150Nm motor and 1500Wh battery you would be stoked! 70Nm+ is not required to elevate a mostly fit person to elite level. It’s not a motorbike and that’s the point. The battery is perfectly ok for a motor that draws 7A instead of 21A.

Anyway, each to their own. I loved my 4 EMTBs, I just got bored. I had never ridden the SL when I ordered it but in hindsight it was one of the best gambles I have made. I now ride my SL when I want to got for a MTB ride and my KTM 450sxf when I want to ride a moto.

I agree the pricing is high for the technology involved but that’s the same as all EMTBs and bikes in general. My Yeti SB150 wasn’t cheap, and the quality wasn’t particularly good, I paid for the development & ride. The SL actually saved me a lot of money because it replaced my Levo and SB150!

 

[ebikerider]

For me I found the lighter SL to be less stable and the loss of power was missed. The motor noise was also a negative factor. The cost of an SL with half the power, did not add up.

SL would be perfect for a fitter more experienced MTB rider. I am not the target market for this. Talking to the shop there has been limited uptake of the SL. The fact I was the first to take the SL demo for ride on single track, really hit home on that.

Positive for me on the SL was I could ride it to with no assistance. Found the levo needed at least eco to ride.

Which bike shop has the demo SL? I'm semi curious about the lighter weight

 

[Andrew U]

Which bike shop has the demo SL? I'm semi curious about the lighter weight

Bicycle Riders in Morningside.

 

[nixo]

Dealer says he's getting the 2021 Levo next week - but only the upper models - no news on the base model except that it'll be more expensive - maybe close to 1k more. Will also be 160mm apparently.

 

[MikeJohnston]

Dealer says he's getting the 2021 Levo next week - but only the upper models - no news on the base model except that it'll be more expensive - maybe close to 1k more. Will also be 160mm apparently.

Release is thursday 16th. I have a comp ordered. Sounds like base models are a few months away. All shimano brakes etc, full fox 160mm suspension. Frame the same.

 

[Andrew U]

I ended getting the 2020 turbo levo expert for $10.5k AUD.

 

[jwrx]

The bike is niche and bike shops are going to be heavily discounting them soon. Specialized made a mistake because they thought people would pay more for 40% of the power and 50% less battery capacity. £12,000 for the Founders and £11,000 for the S works proves they totally misjudged the market.

Putting a small motor and small battery in to a carbon push bike does not make this the "Ariel Atom" of the ebike world. This is the equivelent of putting a 500cc engine and a 25L fuel tank in to a ford focus and calling it a "race car" Then charging more for it than the RS model.

The concept of a light ebike is sound but this first attempt will be a flop for bike stores and they will be giving them away end of the season. Maybe when solid state batteries and tiny 70nm motors are here it will catch on better.

Our LBS Spez dealer got the first shipment of 2020 levos and SL this last 2 weeks, 8+ SL sold vs 2 Levos. If you dont like it, it could just mean you arnt the target market. The SL is for fitter riders who want less power and a bike that feels as close to a manual as possible.

I am ex owner of a 18 Sworks Levo and 19 Expert Levo....currently on a 20 SL comp...and i can never ever go back to a levo.I loved the Levos, the surge of power is intoxicating...but i found i was using less and less power as time went by...and i was constantly getting annoyed by the weight difference between my Manual and my levo.

I ride manual/ebike alternate days ...and my current SL is only 3kg heavier than my SB140, i love it. i dont miss the power at all

 

[jwrx]

I don’t agree. Your analogy of race car engines is exactly the issue. I bet if someone came out with a 150Nm motor and 1500Wh battery you would be stoked! 70Nm+ is not required to elevate a mostly fit person to elite level. It’s not a motorbike and that’s the point. The battery is perfectly ok for a motor that draws 7A instead of 21A.

Anyway, each to their own. I loved my 4 EMTBs, I just got bored. I had never ridden the SL when I ordered it but in hindsight it was one of the best gambles I have made. I now ride my SL when I want to got for a MTB ride and my KTM 450sxf when I want to ride a moto.

I agree the pricing is high for the technology involved but that’s the same as all EMTBs and bikes in general. My Yeti SB150 wasn’t cheap, and the quality wasn’t particularly good, I paid for the development & ride. The SL actually saved me a lot of money because it replaced my Levo and SB150!

hoho...Im a SB140 and SL owner..ride them alternate days, love them both.

 

[MrBrownstone]

For me I found the lighter SL to be less stable and the loss of power was missed. The motor noise was also a negative factor. The cost of an SL with half the power, did not add up.

SL would be perfect for a fitter more experienced MTB rider. I am not the target market for this. Talking to the shop there has been limited uptake of the SL. The fact I was the first to take the SL demo for ride on single track, really hit home on that.

Positive for me on the SL was I could ride it to with no assistance. Found the levo needed at least eco to ride.

the whole “fitter” argument for getting an SL is hogwash. If you want less power, less capability in a lighter package, buy an SL. Fitness has nothing to do with getting one or the other.

 

[jwrx]

the whole “fitter” argument for getting an SL is hogwash. If you want less power, less capability in a lighter package, buy an SL. Fitness has nothing to do with getting one or the other.

why is that so hard to believe? me and my riding mate both got SLs because we wernt using the full power of the levos we had. preferred a lighter, more trail capable bike that could give us a ride as close to manuals as possible.

He had a 18 sworks levo, i had a 19 expert levo. we both much prefer the SL

 

[MrBrownstone]

why is that so hard to believe? me and my riding mate both got SLs because we wernt using the full power of the levos we had. preferred a lighter, more trail capable bike that could give us a ride as close to manuals as possible.

He had a 18 sworks levo, i had a 19 expert levo. we both much prefer the SL

View attachment 35602

Right. So fitness had nothing to do with your decision to go with the SL.

 

[jwrx]

Right. So fitness had nothing to do with your decision to go with the SL.

Fitness had alot to do with it. I didnt need the power and torque of the full fledged levo in my normal rides/climbs...so why lug around so much extra weight.

Just wanted abit of push in the longer stretches of climb, SL power is just nice balance.

My mate went from a 23kg bike that took 2 of us to manhandle up on the roof rack, to a sub 17kg bike that he can lift alone. Our ride distance and timings have hardly changed since we went from 2 levos to 2 SLs

Im not saying the SL is a better bike than the Levo...they are very diffrent bikes for very diffrent rider segments. For my type of riding, i far prefer the SL over the levo, even though i had awesome 2 years with my 18 and 19 levo. even on the last day before i handed over my levo to the new owner, it brought a grin to my face as i gunned it on full turbo

 

[MrBrownstone]

Fitness had alot to do with it. I didnt need the power and torque of the full fledged levo in my normal rides/climbs...so why lug around so much extra weight.

Just wanted abit of push in the longer stretches of climb, SL power is just nice balance.

My mate went from a 23kg bike that took 2 of us to manhandle up on the roof rack, to a sub 17kg bike that he can lift alone. Our ride distance and timings have hardly changed since we went from 2 levos to 2 SLs

Im not saying the SL is a better bike than the Levo...they are very diffrent bikes for very diffrent rider segments. For my type of riding, i far prefer the SL over the levo, even though i had awesome 2 years with my 18 and 19 levo. even on the last day before i handed over my levo to the new owner, it brought a grin to my face as i gunned it on full turbo

I hear ya.To me, for many power isn’t so much about needs, but wants. I’m fit as a fiddle and don’t need an ebike of any kind of riding but I choose FF because I WANT the power. And more power is more fun even on the flat stuff. Having a 20mph cutoff here vs 15mph across the pond makes a huge difference tho....

 

[jwrx]

I hear ya.To me, for many power isn’t so much about needs, but wants. I’m fit as a fiddle and don’t need an ebike of any kind of riding but I choose FF because I WANT the power. And more power is more fun even on the flat stuff. Having a 20mph cutoff here vs 15mph across the pond makes a huge difference tho....

I have never seen anyone without a grin the first time they try a levo on Turbo