Levo Gen 3 Cascade Link 2022+ Levo Long Shock Kit

[squeegee]

Per Cascade, the LS kit is intended to be used in the low position

Really per Cascade then eh? I do not see that information on the page for the kit...you'd think they'd have that specification written out right there if so important. Getting the feeling Mr. Light is a shill.

 

[Mr. Light]

Really per Cascade then eh? I do not see that information on the page for the kit...you'd think they'd have that specification written out right there if so important. Getting the feeling Mr. Light is a shill

I emailed Cascade with a few questions about the link vs LS kit. That is exactly what they said in response to my question about it raising the bottom bracket. Also that it sits a hair lower than a stock bike in the high position.

Calling me a shill is typical of forum behavior I guess? I came here to share my experience specifically because I read every comment in keen interest when I was unhappy with my bike, hoping to hear other’s opinions on the Cascade link. It works for me so I’m adding my positive experience to the pot. I’ll keep it to myself next time

 

[squeegee]

I emailed Cascade with a few questions about the link vs LS kit. That is exactly what they said in response to my question about it raising the bottom bracket. Also that it sits a hair lower than a stock bike in the high position.

Calling me a shill is typical of forum behavior I guess? I came here to share my experience specifically because I read every comment in keen interest when I was unhappy with my bike, hoping to hear other’s opinions on the Cascade link. It works for me so I’m adding my positive experience to the pot. I’ll keep it to myself next time

Well I'm sorry then, my interpretation is off. Maybe was that you have only a few posts and your first post seemed a bit like a commercial for cascade but obviously I'm wrong, my apologies. I like my kit but do I think it was worth the $ invested? only time will tell.

 

[tabrat]

Did not measure BB height so can't comment....but just installed mine with the new 2022 DVO Topaz....winter is still here so not sure when I'll be able to ride it....but I'm excited

View attachment 83827

View attachment 83828

I think you will love the Topaz. I have been riding one for almost 2 years and it works great and zero problems.

 

[javier161]

I’ve been riding the cascade long link with a Ohlins TTX22 230x65 with the Fox 38 extended to 170mm for the last few months. I’ve ridden BPW and more local trails and I’m very happy with it, slack at the front with high setting on the rear. Back end melts away out of mind now.
I’m on an S3 at 85kg.
we are heading to Morzine this weekend for week. I don’t do massive jumps, but doclear tables and do good size drops.
The bike feels really good, probably lost a bit of fund simply because it is so much more capable now - but that’s what I wanted to be able to soak up big landWhat s

I’ve been riding the cascade long link with a Ohlins TTX22 230x65 with the Fox 38 extended to 170mm for the last few months. I’ve ridden BPW and more local trails and I’m very happy with it, slack at the front with high setting on the rear. Back end melts away out of mind now.
I’m on an S3 at 85kg.
we are heading to Morzine this weekend for week. I don’t do massive jumps, but doclear tables and do good size drops.
The bike feels really good, probably lost a bit of fund simply because it is so much more capable now - but that’s what I wanted to be able to soak up big landings.

What spring rate and how much sag? I am also 85 kg just order the link and a TTX2

 

[Wayne509]

Having read this thread from the beginning …. I’m even more baffled than when I started . Bike ordered today with 170mm 38s . I now want the LT kit but have no idea if I want air or coil . I won’t be doing big hits or drop offs. I’m a lard ass at about 112 in riding gear ….


Is the coil set up advantageous for fatties like me ?

 

[tubylas]

If you sag a coil to 30% and you are even mildly aggressive you will bottom out hard. I'm having to run 600lb 25% sag with a similar setup on a long shock kenevo and still using all travel.
I'm 87kg

Got Levo Gen3 in S4 size, FOX 38 - 180mm up front and and rear FOX X2 - 230x65, got 4 tokens, 290psi, all inside hardware spacers are moved from orginal X2 tuned by specialized for this Levo an Im still using all travel an im just 78-80kg. I'm do some enduro riding some jumps but not very aggressive. Any thoughts?

 

[ebikerider]

Having read this thread from the beginning …. I’m even more baffled than when I started . Bike ordered today with 170mm 38s . I now want the LT kit but have no idea if I want air or coil . I won’t be doing big hits or drop offs. I’m a lard ass at about 112 in riding gear ….


Is the coil set up advantageous for fatties like me ?

Air shock for you imo.

Honestly I think the link works better with an air shock overall.

 

[ebikerider]

Got Levo Gen3 in S4 size, FOX 38 - 180mm up front and and rear FOX X2 - 230x65, got 4 tokens, 290psi, all inside hardware spacers are moved from orginal X2 tuned by specialized for this Levo an Im still using all travel an im just 78-80kg. I'm do some enduro riding some jumps but not very aggressive. Any thoughts?

What is your damping set at?

 

[javier161]

Air shock for you imo.

Honestly I think the link works better with an air shock overall.

Why?

 

[ebikerider]

Why?

To get a decent amount of sag so there is enough droop in the rear end to maintain traction I found the spring rate way too light and bottomed way too easily. When I upped the spring rate to alleviate bottoming I lost small bump compliance and had reduced traction due to running minimal sag.

The inherent ramp up of the air shock helps to add to the bottom out resistance at a decent sag level and grip is better overall ime.

I have a long link kit and a tuned coil shock for sale if you wanted to try it out yourself..

 

[freerideandi]

Got Levo Gen3 in S4 size, FOX 38 - 180mm up front and and rear FOX X2 - 230x65, got 4 tokens, 290psi, all inside hardware spacers are moved from orginal X2 tuned by specialized for this Levo an Im still using all travel an im just 78-80kg. I'm do some enduro riding some jumps but not very aggressive. Any thoughts?

290 PSI or 190 PSI?

 

[tubylas]

What is your damping set at?

All in the middle set up.

 

[tubylas]

290 PSI or 190 PSI?

290 PSI

 

[freerideandi]

290 PSI

i ride 220 PSI at 87kg...

 

[tubylas]

i ride 220 PSI at 87kg...

Are you using full travel during riding?

 

[freerideandi]

Are you using full travel during riding?

I have 2 Volume Spacers and using 80% of Travel at rough Enduro Trails...

 

[ebikerider]

All in the middle set up.

At 290psi no way should your rebound be near the middle of adjustment.
I would crank in more HSC to start with and see if it helps. If it doesn’t then consider servicing the shock.

 

[javier161]

To get a decent amount of sag so there is enough droop in the rear end to maintain traction I found the spring rate way too light and bottomed way too easily. When I upped the spring rate to alleviate bottoming I lost small bump compliance and had reduced traction due to running minimal sag.

The inherent ramp up of the air shock helps to add to the bottom out resistance at a decent sag level and grip is better overall ime.

I have a long link kit and a tuned coil shock for sale if you wanted to try it out yourself..

I thought the new long link kit was more progressive. I just ordered the link and a TTX22M.2 with a 550 spring. Hope it works for me. I am 85kg 187 lbs.

 

[BikeBert]

For those looking for an advice regarding spring rate - don't take anything for granted and don't trust anyone

Recommended spring rates are way off even on Cascade Components website!
According to their info, I should use use 550 lbs/in spring for my 85kg [187 lbs].

Based on the info in this thread I collected data for comparison:
-@ Lasse - 500 lbs/in spring @82 kg [180 lbs] with Marzocchi Bomber CR / fork: ZEB Ultimate 170 mm
- @maramouse - 525 lbs/in spring @82 kg [180 lbs] with Öhlins TTX22 M.2 / fork: Fox 38 170 mm
- @cañonaco - 475 lbs/in spring @85 kg [190 lbs] with Rock Shox Super Deluxe
-@ goodaa - ??? lbs/in spring @85 kg [190 lbs] with Öhlins TTX22 M.2 / fork: Fox 38 170 mm

I got confused by the big difference in spring rates used by different bikers (475-525 lbs/in) and that recommended by Cascade (550 lbs/in). So I contacted Cascade Components directly and even showed them the data I collected [above]. They confirmed the recommendation twice: "It should still be nice and supple, the 550 is the correct coil for your weight."

So based on their recommendation I ordered 548 lbs/in spring for my Öhlins TTX22m.2.
Guess what, I got the SAG 23% [15 mm]. The spring was extremely firm!
So I ordered another spring, this time 502 lbs/in and I got SAG 29% [19 mm].

I have no way to test the bike as it's snowing like crazy lately but I have a feeling that the Cascade linkage is more suited for air shocks and their progressive characteristics than for linear coil shocks. If my field tests will confirm this to be true, I will experiment with progressive spring, e.g. Cane Creek VALT.

Nevertheless, lesson learned [money lost]. Honestly, I am really disappointed in Cascade's recommendations, database/knowledge and their support. I understand that you cannot give 100% correct spring rate recommendation but I hoped for little more knowledge from the producer about their own product and base settings for the specific bike and specific rider. 23% SAG I got by using spring they recommended was not even close to expected 28-30% SAG (that they also recommend on their website).

There, learn from my mistakes and experimentation.
I will keep you updated after I get some time on the bike.

Below some photos of the shock, springs weight comparison and linkages:

 

[Ou812]

For those looking for an advice regarding spring rate - don't take anything for granted and don't trust anyone

Recommended spring rates are way off even on Cascade Components website!
According to their info, I should use use 550 lbs/in spring for my 85kg [187 lbs].

Based on the info in this thread I collected data for comparison:
-@ Lasse - 500 lbs/in spring @82 kg [180 lbs] with Marzocchi Bomber CR / fork: ZEB Ultimate 170 mm
- @maramouse - 525 lbs/in spring @82 kg [180 lbs] with Öhlins TTX22 M.2 / fork: Fox 38 170 mm
- @cañonaco - 475 lbs/in spring @85 kg [190 lbs] with Rock Shox Super Deluxe
-@ goodaa - ??? lbs/in spring @85 kg [190 lbs] with Öhlins TTX22 M.2 / fork: Fox 38 170 mm

I got confused by the big difference in spring rates used by different bikers (475-525 lbs/in) and that recommended by Cascade (550 lbs/in). So I contacted Cascade Components directly and even showed them the data I collected [above]. They confirmed the recommendation twice: "It should still be nice and supple, the 550 is the correct coil for your weight."

So based on their recommendation I ordered 548 lbs/in spring for my Öhlins TTX22m.2.
Guess what, I got the SAG 23% [15 mm]. The spring was extremely firm!
So I ordered another spring, this time 502 lbs/in and I got SAG 29% [19 mm].

I have no way to test the bike as it's snowing like crazy lately but I have a feeling that the Cascade linkage is more suited for air shocks and their progressive characteristics than for linear coil shocks. If my field tests will confirm this to be true, I will experiment with progressive spring, e.g. Cane Creek VALT.

Nevertheless, lesson learned [money lost]. Honestly, I am really disappointed in Cascade's recommendations, database/knowledge and their support. I understand that you cannot give 100% correct spring rate recommendation but I hoped for little more knowledge from the producer about their own product and base settings for the specific bike and specific rider. 23% SAG I got by using spring they recommended was not even close to expected 28-30% SAG (that they also recommend on their website).

There, learn from my mistakes and experimentation.
I will keep you updated after I get some time on the bike.

Below some photos of the shock, springs weight comparison and linkages:

View attachment 105295 View attachment 105296 View attachment 105297 View attachment 105298 View attachment 105299 View attachment 105300 View attachment 105301 View attachment 105302 View attachment 105303 View attachment 105304 View attachment 105305 View attachment 105306 View attachment 105307 View attachment 105308 View attachment 105309 View attachment 105310 View attachment 105311 View attachment 105312 View attachment 105313 View attachment 105314

The answer to your problems……

Sprindex - adjust your suspension's coil spring rate

Coil spring rate adjustment for your mountain bike rear shock. Fits a wide variety of rear shocks and with various spring rate ranges. Improves your ride performance. Get the most out of your suspension. Adjustment is quick and easy and without tools. springdex.

sprindex.com

 

[javier161]

For those looking for an advice regarding spring rate - don't take anything for granted and don't trust anyone

Recommended spring rates are way off even on Cascade Components website!
According to their info, I should use use 550 lbs/in spring for my 85kg [187 lbs].

Based on the info in this thread I collected data for comparison:
-@ Lasse - 500 lbs/in spring @82 kg [180 lbs] with Marzocchi Bomber CR / fork: ZEB Ultimate 170 mm
- @maramouse - 525 lbs/in spring @82 kg [180 lbs] with Öhlins TTX22 M.2 / fork: Fox 38 170 mm
- @cañonaco - 475 lbs/in spring @85 kg [190 lbs] with Rock Shox Super Deluxe
-@ goodaa - ??? lbs/in spring @85 kg [190 lbs] with Öhlins TTX22 M.2 / fork: Fox 38 170 mm

I got confused by the big difference in spring rates used by different bikers (475-525 lbs/in) and that recommended by Cascade (550 lbs/in). So I contacted Cascade Components directly and even showed them the data I collected [above]. They confirmed the recommendation twice: "It should still be nice and supple, the 550 is the correct coil for your weight."

So based on their recommendation I ordered 548 lbs/in spring for my Öhlins TTX22m.2.
Guess what, I got the SAG 23% [15 mm]. The spring was extremely firm!
So I ordered another spring, this time 502 lbs/in and I got SAG 29% [19 mm].

I have no way to test the bike as it's snowing like crazy lately but I have a feeling that the Cascade linkage is more suited for air shocks and their progressive characteristics than for linear coil shocks. If my field tests will confirm this to be true, I will experiment with progressive spring, e.g. Cane Creek VALT.

Nevertheless, lesson learned [money lost]. Honestly, I am really disappointed in Cascade's recommendations, database/knowledge and their support. I understand that you cannot give 100% correct spring rate recommendation but I hoped for little more knowledge from the producer about their own product and base settings for the specific bike and specific rider. 23% SAG I got by using spring they recommended was not even close to expected 28-30% SAG (that they also recommend on their website).

There, learn from my mistakes and experimentation.
I will keep you updated after I get some time on the bike.

Below some photos of the shock, springs weight comparison and linkages:

View attachment 105295 View attachment 105296 View attachment 105297 View attachment 105298 View attachment 105299 View attachment 105300 View attachment 105301 View attachment 105302 View attachment 105303 View attachment 105304 View attachment 105305 View attachment 105306 View attachment 105307 View attachment 105308 View attachment 105309 View attachment 105310 View attachment 105311 View attachment 105312 View attachment 105313 View attachment 105314

You are comparing two different lenght coils, 67 travel vs 76 I think that may have something to do with it.

 

[Alexbn921]

Have you actually measured the spring rate?
Even among the same manufactures spring rates can vary quite a bit.
The number on the side of a spring is just a rough guess in most cases.

 

[BikeBert]

The answer to your problems……

Sprindex - adjust your suspension's coil spring rate

Coil spring rate adjustment for your mountain bike rear shock. Fits a wide variety of rear shocks and with various spring rate ranges. Improves your ride performance. Get the most out of your suspension. Adjustment is quick and easy and without tools. springdex.

sprindex.com

I would rather go back to air shock than install such monstrosity on my bike.
Besides Sprindex would not solve the my problem as I needed to make considerate change in spring rate.
If I will need progressive spring there are plenty producers that offer better looking product.

You are comparing two different lenght coils, 67 travel vs 76 I think that may have something to do with it.

The length of the coil has nothing to do with the spring rate; it is just heavier.
But yes: at first the Öhlins service sent me the longer spring "by accident".
I presume your TTX22M.2 will come fitted with 18077-14 series 548 lbs/in spring.
I am really curious what SAG you will get as we we weigh the same.

Have you actually measured the spring rate?
Even among the same manufactures spring rates can vary quite a bit.
The number on the side of a spring is just a rough guess in most cases.

We're talking about Öhlins. All their spring series come with as little as 4 Nm/23 lbs increments.
Öhlins springs are very high quality and have a very tight tolerance [1,5% for the fork springs], making them more accurate than most other on the market.

 

[javier161]

I would rather go back to air shock than install such monstrosity on my bike.
Besides Sprindex would not solve the my problem as I needed to make considerate change in spring rate.
If I will need progressive spring there are plenty producers that offer better looking product.


The length of the coil has nothing to do with the spring rate; it is just heavier.
But yes: at first the Öhlins service sent me the longer spring "by accident".
I presume your TTX22M.2 will come fitted with 18077-14 series 548 lbs/in spring.
I am really curious what SAG you will get as we we weigh the same.


We're talking about Öhlins. All their spring series come with as little as 4 Nm/23 lbs increments.
Öhlins springs are very high quality and have a very tight tolerance [1,5% for the fork springs], making them more accurate than most other on the market.

How much preload on the spring? I got 25% sag with 602 spring, ttx22m.2 with stock link.
As I understand, Long link needs less spring rate as the stock?

 

[BikeBert]

How much preload on the

How much preload on the spring? I got 25% sag with 602 spring, ttx22m.2 with stock link.
As I understand, Long link needs less spring rate as the stock?

1 turn of preload on my spring, just to eliminate free play.
And yes, long link needs way lower spring rate.
I would say 25% is pretty small SAG, not much small bump sensitivity.
Did you have your TTX22m.2 changed to 230x65 or you are getting a new shock?

 

[javier161]

1 turn of preload on my spring, just to eliminate free play.
And yes, long link needs way lower spring rate.
I would say 25% is pretty small SAG, not much small bump sensitivity.
Did you have your TTX22m.2 changed to 230x65 or you are getting a new shock?

New shock. I should get more than 25%bsag with Long link and 550 spring.

 

[javier161]

Interesting that spring rates are not always accurate.

 

[javier161]

I’ve been riding the cascade long link with a Ohlins TTX22 230x65 with the Fox 38 extended to 170mm for the last few months. I’ve ridden BPW and more local trails and I’m very happy with it, slack at the front with high setting on the rear. Back end melts away out of mind now.
I’m on an S3 at 85kg.
we are heading to Morzine this weekend for week. I don’t do massive jumps, but doclear tables and do good size drops.
The bike feels really good, probably lost a bit of fund simply because it is so much more capable now - but that’s what I wanted to be able to soak up big landings.

What is your spring rate on the ohlins?

 

[freerideandi]

Hi Guys,
what setup are you ride on the X2 with the long shock Link?