Coil shock options for '19 Levo?

[kemp990]

Hi there. I flipped the flip chip to lower positiom.
And made an offset insert ring to go with that flip chip since ohlins shock id is slightly bigger than original equipped rockshock to make a bit of clearance between seattube and u shaped link connecting to lower eyelet of the shock.

 

[lookhear]

Hi there. I flipped the flip chip to lower positiom.
And made an offset insert ring to go with that flip chip since ohlins shock id is slightly bigger than original equipped rockshock to make a bit of clearance between seattube and u shaped link connecting to lower eyelet of the shock.

Which ohlins shock is that?
And what eye to eye and stroke length did you use?
Looks great!

 

[kemp990]

Which ohlins shock is that?
And what eye to eye and stroke length did you use?
Looks great!

216 x 63 shock.

 

[Dpca10]

So I got the cane creek dB coil CS, and it’s amazing. I paired it with the 160mm MRP ribbon coil fork and I have to say the small bump compliance is pretty incredible. The CS version of the dB is ok to use on the levo after extensive conversations with cane creek since it has a larger shaft than the inline coil. Such a huge improvement. Love the looks of those other coils as well!

 

[JonasH]

To clarify. Marzocchi fits perfectly. No need to change anything. It’s been a great shock.
210x55 works perfectly. No need to change flip chip.
You get extra travel (156/7mm travel) without any frame issues whatsoever.

Any 210x55mm shock will work.
The 55mm is the amount the shock travels. And there is plenty of space for the extra travel within the frame.

With 160mm fork and almost 160mm rear coil travel the Levo is now a perfect trail/enduro bike.

Wouldn’t be surprised if Specialized markets the next Levo as a 160mm travel bike just by adding longer travel fork/shock with little or no frame change.

Hi,
What tires are you running in the back? Schwalbe MM 2,6 are a lot bigger and more volume than the standard Butcher 2,6. Is the clearance to the frame sufficient with Schwalbe 2,6? or only skinny Butcher 2,6?

Cheers
Jonas

 

[lookhear]

Hi,
What tires are you running in the back? Schwalbe MM 2,6 are a lot bigger and more volume than the standard Butcher 2,6. Is the clearance to the frame sufficient with Schwalbe 2,6? or only skinny Butcher 2,6?

Cheers
Jonas

The 55mm shock stroke doesn't affect the clearances of the tires significantly.
If your tire fits in the rear triangle it should work.
If you've got an air shock take all the air out and see how close the tire gets to the frame.

I've been running Butcher 2.6's and then Maxis Minion DHR II 2.4"
Diameter/Circumference of the 2.6's is pretty consistent across 29" tires.
The volume change is mostly in the width not the height, but it does vary.
Rim width also affects the height.

 

[phdatsun]

This just showed up. fox 160mm factory fork dbx2 rear and fox transfer post.

 

[JonasH]

I fittet the Zocchi CR Bomber and a SLS spring 500, this was a big miss used the Spring Calculator - TF Tuned and added the total riding weight. It was WAY to soft. I think i forgot to add some of the bike's weight (exess weight from mtb--> EMTB)? Anyway any experience in choosing the correct spring weight? I'm 74kg butt naked and about 80kg in riding gear. I'm now opting for a 600 spring and that fits right with the calculator when adding 10kg extra for the heavy bike. Hope not to miss again, those SLS springs are NOT cheap...

 

[Dirtnvert]

I would have guessed lower than 500. Not sure how the leverage rate is on that bike , some vary . You might want to try some cheap steel springs first. SAR makes the light steel springs in 25lb increments too so you can really dial in your preference. That cr shock can be tuned quite well too. It has shim stacks and suspension tuners can help. Also depending on the progressivity of the bike you may opt for a progressive coil from mrp if youre bottoming out super ez and compression timing is going to solve it. Maybe your best with an air shock on that bike idk

 

[bbred]

I fittet the Zocchi CR Bomber and a SLS spring 500, this was a big miss used the Spring Calculator - TF Tuned and added the total riding weight. It was WAY to soft. I think i forgot to add some of the bike's weight (exess weight from mtb--> EMTB)? Anyway any experience in choosing the correct spring weight? I'm 74kg butt naked and about 80kg in riding gear. I'm now opting for a 600 spring and that fits right with the calculator when adding 10kg extra for the heavy bike. Hope not to miss again, those SLS springs are NOT cheap...

My best advice, having bought from TF Tuned, is to phone them direct and talk them through what you want and they will select the right spring and even set the shock up so it works straight out of the box

 

[JonasH]

My best advice, having bought from TF Tuned, is to phone them direct and talk them through what you want and they will select the right spring and even set the shock up so it works straight out of the box

Hi, a bit hard to deal with them, guessing they don’t have a branch in Norway ??. I’ll try a regular steel spring 600 first and take it from there. But i’m curious about other people’s spring rates and weight on the 2019 Levo. Could potentially save me some money. I ride rugged natural trails with ruts/rocks and drops. Have a hard riding style. Had a Kenevo last year, that’s when I fell in love with coil.

 

[khorn]

Hi, a bit hard to deal with them, guessing they don’t have a branch in Norway ??. I’ll try a regular steel spring 600 first and take it from there. But i’m curious about other people’s spring rates and weight on the 2019 Levo. Could potentially save me some money. I ride rugged natural trails with ruts/rocks and drops. Have a hard riding style. Had a Kenevo last year, that’s when I fell in love with coil.

I’m in Denmark and have both talked to them and bought from them as well. Stunning service and shipping to Denmark usually in 3 days. Go for it, you won’t regret.

Karsten

 

[Max-E]

TF Tuned - does not matter where you are. Just call them and they will guide you as posted above and set it all up for you.

 

[Max-E]

Marzocchi Bomber CR 210x55 with 550lb spring. Only needed a basic mount kit to replace bushings. Took about 30 minutes.
Makes it roughly a 156mm rear travel bike. Have a 160mm Yari on the front.
Just fitted the rear shock - riding tomorrow. View attachment 11622 View attachment 11623 View attachment 11624 View attachment 11625
View attachment 11621

How’s it working out?

 

[JonasH]

Thanks for the tip. And i will call them if i don't figure this out my self. But you guys that have been helped by TF Tuned, are you running a custom progressive spring? Or a regular spring that works well? If you can use a regular spring it really should not be that hard once you find the correct spring rate. I bought the Marzocchi CR Bomber cause it was cheep, i really don't want to spend more money on the "coil project" than necessary. Then i would have gotten the more expensive FOX DHX2 with more adjustability. I'm starting to get the impression that 2019 Levo is so hard to figure out on coil setup that you need a specialist company to figure it out?

 

[Joeyrotundo]

Go a 650 spring by my calculations.

Mountain Bike Spring Rate Calculator

Once the spring rate is figured out you can decide whether it not you want to mess with the shock's shim stack or not.

It is a pain to figure it out but so worth it once it's dialed.

-Joey

 

[JonasH]

Go a 650 spring by my calculations.

Mountain Bike Spring Rate Calculator

Once the spring rate is figured out you can decide whether it not you want to mess with the shock's shim stack or not.

It is a pain to figure it out but so worth it once it's dialed.

-Joey

Hi, thanks what's your weight? And how does the 650 spring work for you?

 

[ccrdave]

I am 108kgs and allowed 6kgs for the bike I used a 700lb spring on a fox van on my 2018 levo and with one turn of compression on the spring it was perfect for me gave about 30% sag. the shock was bought and set up by TFuned. I will do the same on my 2019 levo with a bomber shock

 

[Joeyrotundo]

Hi, thanks what's your weight? And how does the 650 spring work for you?

My weight is closer to 135 kg /300 pounds,
I am riding a Kenevo with a 700 pound Spring (the biggest I could order, fox springs don't fit in ohlins either)
With 33% sag (calculator says 34.3 %)
I actually need a heavier spring or to keep pedaling fast enough to leave some weight behind.
I have just found more consistent results and much better maintenance periods with coil. ( Definitely at higher rider weights)

What I like about the Fox Spring Calculator is you can pick your Sag. (Maybe you want 30% )

Good Luck
Joey

 

[R120]

My weight is closer to 135 kg /300 pounds,
I am riding a Kenevo with a 700 pound Spring (the biggest I could order, fox springs don't fit in ohlins either)
With 33% sag (calculator says 34.3 %)
I actually need a heavier spring or to keep pedaling fast enough to leave some weight behind.
I have just found more consistent results and much better maintenance periods with coil. ( Definitely at higher rider weights)

What I like about the Fox Spring Calculator is you can pick your Sag. (Maybe you want 30% )

Good Luck
Joey

FYI TI-Springs make custom springs for the Kenvo, both Steel and Ti, I think up to 1200lb.
IIRC the Kenevo has a pretty short shock stroke for a 180mm bike, which is why you tend to need a heavier spring than on many other bikes with similar travel.

Specialized Kenevo E-Bike Springs

 

[JonasH]

Hi All, not too be ungrateful for good input, but this tread is about coils for Levo 2019. Both the Kenevo and earlier models of the Levo are way different kinematic and travel. Cannot really compare. Used to ride Kenevo size M with stock coil of 457lb/in spring rate. Never bottomed out once.

Cheers ?

 

[Joeyrotundo]

Hi All, not too be ungrateful for good input, but this tread is about coils for Levo 2019. Both the Kenevo and earlier models of the Levo are way different kinematic and travel. Cannot really compare. Used to ride Kenevo size M with stock coil of 457lb/in spring rate. Never bottomed out once.

Cheers ?

I completely agree on the different models having different kinematics, of course.
Haven't seen any kinematic curve charts yet.

I wanted you to know how the two spring calculators can give you very different results.

I have used that Calculator with many different bikes and always had very good results.

You asked me what my weight and spring was and I told you, I am well aware the thread is about 2019 Levos. I wasn't trying to compare at all.

Interested to see how it works out for those who are trying the coil on the Levos,
Might be where I end up.

Good Luck
-Joey

 

[JonasH]

Tested shortly around the yard a 2.55, 600 steel spring/coil today. Felt way stiffer, but played around, popped and jumped around and gave it all the abuse I could. Used up all the travel too the rubber bumper at the bottom. So I think that a 600lbs spring is correct for a 74kg naked ? and 80kg with gear dude. Will test more on the trail later and give my feedback. By the way this matches if I add + 10kg for the bike in the calculator. LSC fully open.

 

[Eljay]

I started this thread, but realized I forgot to come back and report on what I ended up going with. I talked to my LBS guy who had ridden the bike a lot with both coil and air, and he convinced me to stick with air for my size (light) and primary type of riding I do (trail), as well as some other considerations. He is a big fan of DVO and so am I, so I ended up going with the Topaz - I have to say I am very happy with it, but still very coil curious especially after seeing all of the great reports on this thread!

In fact, I liked the Topaz so much that I put one on my pedal bike as well!

 

[Dirtnvert]

I started this thread, but realized I forgot to come back and report on what I ended up going with. I talked to my LBS guy who had ridden the bike a lot with both coil and air, and he convinced me to stick with air for my size (light) and primary type of riding I do (trail), as well as some other considerations. He is a big fan of DVO and so am I, so I ended up going with the Topaz - I have to say I am very happy with it, but still very coil curious especially after seeing all of the great reports on this thread!

In fact, I liked the Topaz so much that I put one on my pedal bike as well!

I haven’t tried one but have been considering a topaz. Bladder as opposed to valve should make it closer to coil feel than most other air shocks. Apparently they’re ez to service and possible to alter the stroke/travel
It’s hard to find small coil shocks for my trail bike so i may end up with a topaz. That may be for the best though

 

[Vilt]

Hi, a bit hard to deal with them, guessing they don’t have a branch in Norway ??.

I'm in Holland and talked to them and bought from them directly. They are awesome. Even refunded the international shipping after I had to return an item.

 

[Mcharza]

I started this thread, but realized I forgot to come back and report on what I ended up going with. I talked to my LBS guy who had ridden the bike a lot with both coil and air, and he convinced me to stick with air for my size (light) and primary type of riding I do (trail), as well as some other considerations. He is a big fan of DVO and so am I, so I ended up going with the Topaz - I have to say I am very happy with it, but still very coil curious especially after seeing all of the great reports on this thread!

In fact, I liked the Topaz so much that I put one on my pedal bike as well!

What size and stroke do you use?

 

[Eljay]

What size and stroke do you use?

It is listed on the shock as 210x 55 / 52.5, so I'm guessing it can be used for either 55 or 52.5? - I installed it but LBS sent it to me so I'm not sure if they changed anything before sending it to me to use it as 52.5 or 55?

 

[Rich the gasman]

Any more got a coil shock fitted ?, worth it ? Cost ?
Tempted to go 210x55, thoughts ?

Cheers

 

[JonasH]

Hi @Rich the gasman
I have the Marzocci CR Bomber 210x55 (cheap shock, but buying several SLS springs is EXPENSIVE). I'm 73kg without gear and started with a 500lbs/in spring. It was way to soft and bottomed it out quite easy. Got a 600 spring, which was way to stiff. I now have on order 550 spring. Looking forward to try it out when it gets here. I'm not concerned about the 210x55 option. No issues when i bottomed it out. But i'm more concerned about whether a coil sprung shock is correct for this bike, and will give me the feel i want in the top, middle and bottom of the travel. The kinematics of the rear suspension is very linear and in theory not well suited for a coil shock. But i'll give the 550 spring a go.

Best Regard
Jonas