Levo Gen 3 Cascade Link 2022+ Levo Long Shock Kit

[westcoastmtbr]

Just to add my thoughts to this discussion I fitted the long-shock link and I'm very happy with it. It's on a 2022 Levo Gen-3 Pro S4. I fitted the alloy version of the long-shock link along with a Rockshox Vivid Ulitimate Coil with HBO. I'm 105kg (yes, I know a fat bastard) and live in the Alps so I'm generally climbing technical single-track or blasting down pretty steep and rocky stuff. I have gone with a 550lb spring which seems close enough for now but I bought a 600 in case it was too soft.

I had previously fitted a Vorsprung coil kit and extended the travel to 170mm on the Fox 38 forks. I had always found them to be harsh and very hard to set up, even with a 170 airspring and, whilst they were much better with the coil, they were not as good as I'd hoped. I solved this by fitting a slightly higher rated spring, 55lb/in instead of the 50lb/in I had originally put in and by changing the bath oil to 5wt Fox Teflon from the original recommendation of 0w30 Rockshox and by not using any grease on the bushes, I'm now just relying on the oil splashing about. I also didn't fit the shrink-wrap to the spring as I didn't think a big lump of plastic sitting halfway up it would improve small-bump compliance and it didn't look like it would rattle in a fork as big as the 38 either. I was right on both counts.

With coils all round and a 170/165mm travel setup instead of the stock 160/150mm the ride of the bike is transformed at both ends without, it seems to me, negatively impacting stability or geometry. I can go at least 20% faster on the really bumpy, flat-out stuff, and the improvements in small-bump performance on the flats and climbs coupled with the much better mid-stroke support on single track makes it really very impressive. The bike is finally 'nice', not 'ok'. The rear end is way better than the stock link and Fox X2. The sag was around 28% when I fitted the coil, although it's hard to get a really accurate measurement, and no clearance issues, at least not on my bike. I more go on feel and may experiment with the 600lb spring to see what that feels like but for now the 550 is fine. It pedals very nicely, doesn't bob much and sits up nicely when going uphill. Downhill it just soaks it all up in a controlled and tidy way, like a downhill bike does - you just point it and let the machine soak up the punishment and think about your lines and braking, not hanging on to an out of control bucking bronco. The front end with the Vorsprung coil, lighter oil and no shrink wrap is finally nice, not harsh and constantly bashing my hands. I can probably tune it all a bit better but I found the Rockshox to be pretty good with middle settings, just a little up from middle for rebound. The HBO is on one click for now, I'll see if I need to wind it up for the bike park in summer. For now on alpine single-track and fast, choppy descents and steeps I'm very pleased and the combination of the coil fork and coil rear with revised linkage seems to be very harmonious.

So all in all very positive. Upgrading both front and rear was not cheap, close to 1500 euros and a bit of time to set it all up but, in my opinion, this turns the bike into the weapon it should always have been, not the poorly sprung, harsh pogo-stick it came as when I bought it. The Fox X2 had always leaked and whilst it was very reactive, it would never really sit at the right sag when climbing, even with two tokens, and it always seemed to chew through 60% of the travel just with the weight shift due to the climb - or maybe that is somewhat the link/coil combo that has improved this? The two conversions have added probably 1.5kg to the bike but at a porky 105kg I can always go on a diet if this bothers me and not drinking beer is a lot cheaper than trick components! For an e-bike, it really isn't an issue and coming from dirt-bikes that weigh 105kg (and that's for a light two-stroke, more like 125kg for a four-stroke), 23-24kg is still very light to ride and weight does tend to make the suspension work well if you're not too bothered about doing tail-whips in the air. My days of tail whips, rather like my days of elegant dancing, are now sadly long gone...!

This has been my experience, anyway. I hope it's useful to some others who might be thinking about this conversion...

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Excellent write up. Looking at doing a very similar set up. Have the Cascade Long Kit, and agree it will ride much better with 170 up front.

 

[rydeezie]

still having fun with this bike.....

 

[fj80psi]

Update: cascade + 40 = so plush and fast View attachment 119360

Hello, most will say that this is too much. I am wondering what your experience has been? Please share other than the weight what the positives and negatives have been and what you are riding. I am so tempted to try this. I live in Nor Ca as well and ride every terrain. I enjoy all day shuttles and simple cross country. I am just wondering if it feels like a slug at times or if you steepen the Head Angle based on your type of ride on a given day? I am 180 38 now trying a Live Valve rear shock. (there was clearance issues btw).

 

[rzr]

well... BB looks like ~4cm higher than normal (let's say 2.5-3cm higher under dynamic sag?), that's a lot.....

 

[rydeezie]

Hello, most will say that this is too much. I am wondering what your experience has been? Please share other than the weight what the positives and negatives have been and what you are riding. I am so tempted to try this. I live in Nor Ca as well and ride every terrain. I enjoy all day shuttles and simple cross country. I am just wondering if it feels like a slug at times or if you steepen the Head Angle based on your type of ride on a given day? I am 180 38 now trying a Live Valve rear shock. (there was clearance issues btw).

Hello,

i agree it’s too much for short, flowy local rides. I ride my SL for those and the Levo for chunky, steep, drops and longer rides. And if I didn’t have an SL, I would still go with a 40 for my Levo for any type of ride. It feels like a slug when the motor cuts off because the ride feel makes you want to go faster. It’s too smooth

i tried the 40 set up last year and year before and loved it. Had to move the 40 to my DH bike during bike park season so i had the 38 on my Levo. I kept switching forks when my DH bike is not in use. I like the 40 set up so much i bought a dedicated fork for my Levo. Since i have a Levo SL as my lighter set up, I didn’t mind making my Levo as my heavy bike.

i came from a Kenevo with a fox 40 which i rode for 3+ years and despite the Levo not meant for this set up, the Levo has better handling with the 40 than my Kenevo. Geometry specs will be way off I’m sure but the feel of the bike now is way better. It has it’s pros and cons. Cons being a heavier bike, loading on rack or tailgate, uphill switchbacks are tricky, not using all the travel on some rides…..and i think thats it. Pros are arm pump is non existent, no chatter, very comfortable, still feels nimble for an ebike and easy to maneuver on fast tight trails, still can jump, no problem with steep uphill, plows through chunky terrain, grips, feels more stable and planted. For me, i have a better riding position during pedaling and downhill.

The set up is not for everyone. Overkill for normal trail riding. I had the opportunity to try the 38 with 160mm, 170mm and 180mm and the 203mm 40. For my bike and my use, the 40 is the way to go

 

[fj80psi]

Hello,

i agree it’s too much for short, flowy local rides. I ride my SL for those and the Levo for chunky, steep, drops and longer rides. And if I didn’t have an SL, I would still go with a 40 for my Levo for any type of ride. It feels like a slug when the motor cuts off because the ride feel makes you want to go faster. It’s too smooth

i tried the 40 set up last year and year before and loved it. Had to move the 40 to my DH bike during bike park season so i had the 38 on my Levo. I kept switching forks when my DH bike is not in use. I like the 40 set up so much i bought a dedicated fork for my Levo. Since i have a Levo SL as my lighter set up, I didn’t mind making my Levo as my heavy bike.

i came from a Kenevo with a fox 40 which i rode for 3+ years and despite the Levo not meant for this set up, the Levo has better handling with the 40 than my Kenevo. Geometry specs will be way off I’m sure but the feel of the bike now is way better. It has it’s pros and cons. Cons being a heavier bike, loading on rack or tailgate, uphill switchbacks are tricky, not using all the travel on some rides…..and i think thats it. Pros are arm pump is non existent, no chatter, very comfortable, still feels nimble for an ebike and easy to maneuver on fast tight trails, still can jump, no problem with steep uphill, plows through chunky terrain, grips, feels more stable and planted. For me, i have a better riding position during pedaling and downhill.

The set up is not for everyone. Overkill for normal trail riding. I had the opportunity to try the 38 with 160mm, 170mm and 180mm and the 203mm 40. For my bike and my use, the 40 is the way to go

Thanks a lot! That’s just what I was expecting. My Levo is just over 47.5 lbs and don’t think the extra weight will bother me that much. I do trail ride but, DH and rough tech trails are my go to. Cheers!

 

[rzr]

It depends where is that weight, when I ride twisty trails (not easy/fast flow) I can feel slight difference between 700 and 500Wh battery (and it's around .7kg difference?)

 

[Brianjonesphoto]

Posting here to let you know how awesome Cascade Components is as a company. I live about 20 minutes from their shop. I call them to see if it was better the drop in and pay cash or order online for a pickup. They wanted me to pay online so I did. I got a call about 2 hours later letting me know the black link that I had ordered was part of a batch they were assembling and I might not be ready for pickup until the following morning. No big deal and much appreciated the communication.

Then things turned awesomer. It ends up that one of the guys lives a 1/4 mile from me and offered to drop it off that night. The black ones ended up a little more delayed and they had an orange one. I wanted orange from the get go but assumed they were available for a Levo.

Anyone contemplating a Cascade link for any bike know the company is full of stand up people that want their customer to love their product.

 

[BikeBert]

View attachment 153406

Are these Dakotah Norton handlebars?

 

[Brianjonesphoto]

No he copied me. This S6 levo is the closest thing I’ve ever had to a bike that fits. The damn low stack crap is an issue with at 36” inseam.

 

[Money Pit]

I know it's been said in some earlier posts but could people please tell me if they are running their levo in high or low setting with the cascade link?

I'm currently in low and have been for so long it's made me forget if the high setting was much different.

What seems to be the concensus?

I'm running a fox 38 at 170mm up front with cascade long shock linkage.

 

[andymmiami]

I know it's been said in some earlier posts but could people please tell me if they are running their levo in high or low setting with the cascade link?

I'm currently in low and have been for so long it's made me forget if the high setting was much different.

What seems to be the concensus?

I'm running a fox 38 at 170mm up front with cascade long shock linkage.

I’m currently running zeb 170 front long travel rear and the high setting but I’m about to change to the low. When going to the long travel it makes the bottom bracket taller by about 6mm or so and the high low different is also by about 6mm. I speculate that rear low with the long travel would feel similar to stock linkage high setting.

I’ll play with it this weekend and let you know what I think.

 

[Money Pit]

I’m currently running zeb 170 front long travel rear and the high setting but I’m about to change to the low. When going to the long travel it makes the bottom bracket taller by about 6mm or so and the high low different is also by about 6mm. I speculate that rear low with the long travel would feel similar to stock linkage high setting.

I’ll play with it this weekend and let you know what I think.

Great thanks. Will be interesting to see your thoughts.

Im riding two days this week also and might try both.

 

[Greeno]

Bought a Specialized Levo Comp Carbon (S4) last summer and swapped out the stock pivot link assembly for the Cascade long shock set-up about 7 mos ago.
Running a Fox Factory Float X 230x65 on the rear now and have a Fox 38 Factory (170mm) on the front.
Flipped the rear chip to the higher position as the front is higher with the Fox 38 and running a 29’r as well and wanted to geometry to be somewhat aligned as designed and also installed some praxis 160mm cranks and it’s been great.
Rarely get any pedal strikes but when I do it’s because of me not paying attention close enough.
Typically run enduro style single track, lots of up and down and bike handles really nice, corners well and feels planted on some of the steeper tech sections.
Running a Maxxis DHR (2.6”) on the rear and a Maxxis Asiggai (2.6”) on the front. Typically run 22psi and 21psi respectably.

All good in San Diego.

 

[baltik]

My X2 finally went kaput so I'll be sending it off to Fox, I believe they will swap it out to 65mm stroke if I ask.
I know most people that go to cascade long travel swap out to coil, which isn't in the cards for me.
would love to hear some feedback from X2 long travel users?

 

[Ou812]

My X2 finally went kaput so I'll be sending it off to Fox, I believe they will swap it out to 65mm stroke if I ask.
I know most people that go to cascade long travel swap out to coil, which isn't in the cards for me.
would love to hear some feedback from X2 long travel users?

I tried to get mine swapped out to 65mm stroke when it shit the bed, Fox UK said they would do it but not for free. It doesn’t hurt to ask, you might have better luck than me. They did send me a brand new stock X2 sealed in plastic that I sold to fund a new shock though.

 

[electricbogaloo]

Whats the difference between the three piece long shock kit and the two piece one?

 

[Brianjonesphoto]

Well it’s one less piece. the 3 piece was the original design for the carbon frame. The 2 piece is the revised version that work with both the carbon and alloy frames. As they Cascade puts it The single piece link has infinitely stiffer torsional resistance than the 2 piece.

 

[electricbogaloo]

Maybe for me being a lighter rider the three piece link is the better option.

Anyone replaced the double bearings on this one? I have and now the bolt won't go through. Maybe the bearing seat is damaged or something is misaligned.

 

[cosas_genericas]

Maybe for me being a lighter rider the three piece link is the better option.

Anyone replaced the double bearings on this one? I have and now the bolt won't go through. Maybe the bearing seat is damaged or something is misaligned.

Did you ever figure out out? And how many miles did you have the link before you head to replace bearings?

 

[electricbogaloo]

Sadly no. As its not that badly misaligned I will do a test ride.

I bought the link used and the bearings were pretty worn out/rusty. How long the bearings last depends more on how you wash the bike or how often you ride in the wet. Its also the old long shock 3 piece link for the carbon frame.

 

[tjl5709]

My performance x2 crapped out on my 2023 carbon expert. Talking to Fox, they will replace it with a factory unit for a service fee. I figured I might as well explore the long shock conversion link. So I searched and it is not clear. Will a 230x65 Float X2 Factory fit my S3 carbon frame?

 

[Ou812]

My performance x2 crapped out on my 2023 carbon expert. Talking to Fox, they will replace it with a factory unit for a service fee. I figured I might as well explore the long shock conversion link. So I searched and it is not clear. Will a 230x65 Float X2 Factory fit my S3 carbon frame?

It’s hit and miss to be honest, I’ve seen the X2 fit fine on one frame then rub the frame on another. Cascade added a disclaimer about the later model frames having issues with shock fitment.

 

[tjl5709]

It’s hit and miss to be honest, I’ve seen the X2 fit fine on one frame then rub the frame on another. Cascade added a disclaimer about the later model frames having issues with shock fitment.

That is what I was afraid of. It was something I'd like, but it's just not worth the aggravation at this point.

Thanks for the insight/reply.

 

[Ou812]

That is what I was afraid of. It was something I'd like, but it's just not worth the aggravation at this point.

Thanks for the insight/reply.

The long link kit is definitely worth it, hands down the best mod you can do to the levo. I would still go for it, if it doesn’t work just get a different shock, the X2 sucks anyway.

 

[electricbogaloo]

Idk, I had the first ride on it with a float x coming from a x2 with the stock link and immediately noticed the higher bb which felt far inferior to the stock low setting (except for pedal strikes ofc).

Also the traction/comfort felt worse than the stock link. I tried lowering the air pressure and fiddled with the rebound but it's still felt not as good as the stock link. I need to fiddle a bit more with the compression/air pressure etc. but I think the higher bb won't work for me...

Maybe it's indeed meant for heavier riders as I'm fairly light (67 kg without gear)

I also rode the 500 wh battery so maybe that made the settings not feeling good aswell but it's just about 700g difference...

 

[Money Pit]

Idk, I had the first ride on it with a float x coming from a x2 with the stock link and immediately noticed the higher bb which felt far inferior to the stock low setting (except for pedal strikes ofc).

Also the traction/comfort felt worse than the stock link. I tried lowering the air pressure and fiddled with the rebound but it's still felt not as good as the stock link. I need to fiddle a bit more with the compression/air pressure etc. but I think the higher bb won't work for me...

Maybe it's indeed meant for heavier riders as I'm fairly light (67 kg without gear)

I also rode the 500 wh battery so maybe that made the settings not feeling good aswell but it's just about 700g difference...

I was under the impression that the geometry remained the same with the long shock kit.

 

[Ou812]

Idk, I had the first ride on it with a float x coming from a x2 with the stock link and immediately noticed the higher bb which felt far inferior to the stock low setting (except for pedal strikes ofc).

Also the traction/comfort felt worse than the stock link. I tried lowering the air pressure and fiddled with the rebound but it's still felt not as good as the stock link. I need to fiddle a bit more with the compression/air pressure etc. but I think the higher bb won't work for me...

Maybe it's indeed meant for heavier riders as I'm fairly light (67 kg without gear)

I also rode the 500 wh battery so maybe that made the settings not feeling good aswell but it's just about 700g difference...

I’m roughly the same weight, about 71-72kg with gear. I found the link made a huge difference for me, the bike feels way better. I’m on a coil shock with a 170mm fork, run the bike in the slack/low setting and it’s a beast. I think you’re the first person I’ve seen that didn’t think the long link made the bike better.

 

[electricbogaloo]

I mean I rode the bike in the stock setting and didn't really like it until I tried the lower setting. Gave me much more confidence but pedal strikes were eating the pins of my magnesium pedals constantly.

The x2 was tuned for the levo and the float x not specifically but the tube shouldn't be too far off. And the right tune won't do anything for the bb height.

I will try lower air pressure and try to lower the compression.

 

[Renton]

Guys I need advice.
Last week I fitted a long shock kit and new x2 shock to my levo. So far so good. It looks the business fitted to the bike.

I'm struggling to get the correct sag from the x2.

I'll be honest I'm a heavier rider at 110kg kitted up and even without my kit on I cant get the sag correct. I pressurized the shock correctly (stopped every 50 psi and pumped in to equalize) and I'm now at max pressure and the sage is something like 38%.

The strange thing is is that it also ramps up massively toward the end so I don't think it will ever reach full travel.

Is this right?? For my weight (Plus 10kgs for gear) Fox says I need 260psi. That coupled with the fact the link is supposedly meant to allow lower pressure too?

Now: The X2 is new and bought from a reputable online shop in the UK. However, when Ives scanned the QR code it comes up as being set up for a Ibis HD6 enduro bike. Would this make much difference at all?

Am I better off switching to a float x that can handle higher pressure?