Entry level 2019

[Silato]

Hi all. I'm intending to get an emtb over the next month. Really like the 2019 levo but my maximum budget is £4000 which is just the entry level levo. I'd be looking to get them to fit a dropper on it at the shop. Is the entry level model worth the money and have the issues regarding the motor noise and dust cover on the motor been resolved now?
Really appreciate any feedback.

 

[softtailcruiser]

Hello!

Mine arrives tomorrow from Rutland.

I asked about the motor cover issues and they are waiting for the sponge pieces to come in which he thought was imminent. Still need to fit it myself, mind. I could also cut and fit one myself. Not overly happy with this DIY approach, but all sorts of mods will eventually happen!

He thought the dust cover fix would be available February. I will then get it done through regular service.

I didn’t ask about the motor as I think it was a small batch and if there is an issue I’ll just put it down to experience and claim under the warranty.

I have seen comments on here that suggest new bikes are already updated with fixes, however either Rutland stock is older, pre-update, or the updated bikes have not yet fed through to retailers.

Only speculating here, though, and only after having corresponded briefly with one person at one retailer, so large pinch of salt posibly required.

Interested to hear anyone elses thoughts, though.

 

[Silato]

Hello!

Mine arrives tomorrow from Rutland.

I asked about the motor cover issues and they are waiting for the sponge pieces to come in which he thought was imminent. Still need to fit it myself, mind. I could also cut and fit one myself. Not overly happy with this DIY approach, but all sorts of mods will eventually happen!

He thought the dust cover fix would be available February. I will then get it done through regular service.

I didn’t ask about the motor as I think it was a small batch and if there is an issue I’ll just put it down to experience and claim under the warranty.

I have seen comments on here that suggest new bikes are already updated with fixes, however either Rutland stock is older, pre-update, or the updated bikes have not yet fed through to retailers.

Only speculating here, though, and only after having corresponded briefly with one person at one retailer, so large pinch of salt posibly required.

Interested to hear anyone elses thoughts, though.

Hope yours is OK mate when it arrives. What model are you getting?

 

[nickB]

I ended up with the base model as I like to replace/update stuff. But so far the only things I have done are dropper post, pedals & grips. The rest of it is better than I expected so will just wait until it needs doing. The $1000 or so I saved can go towards a 700 wh battery!
I am looking at carbon bars & new brake pads but that's about it for now.
Just get out and enjoy the heck out of it!

 

[Silato]

I ended up with the base model as I like to replace/update stuff. But so far the only things I have done are dropper post, pedals & grips. The rest of it is better than I expected so will just wait until it needs doing. The $1000 or so I saved can go towards a 700 wh battery!
I am looking at carbon bars & new brake pads but that's about it for now.
Just get out and enjoy the heck out of it!

Have to say them 3 things are what I considered changing also straight away. Think I'll go with the levo and put faith in specialized with regards to the motor cover and motor its self.
Thanks for the help.

 

[softtailcruiser]

Hope yours is OK mate when it arrives. What model are you getting?

Getting the base model. Was a stretch financially as it is, and as I am new to any type of full-sus, I expect even that will blow my tiny little mind. In my head, of course, I am about to do the Mega Avalanche race thing. In reality I’ll be riding like a baby giraffe learning to walk. Drunk. On jelly.

It didn’t arrive today in the end as DX Couriers are evidently struggling with the concepts of overnight, customer service, communication or even providing an effective way to track a parcel. As of 30 minutes ago it had arrived in Wolverhampton, thank goodness, so another WFH day tomorrow methinks. Might even get a spin on it if they deliver early enough.

Oh, and is there any way to change my forum name...? I may have been a bit premature!

 

[softtailcruiser]

Still not arrived, although I have pedals, which I have strapped to my shoes and am pretending with, much to the amusement of my neighbours. On the subject of which, the courier put a card through a neighbours door at 10.00 this morning, to say noone was in. No. They both work. I, on the other hand was working from home in my front room with a clear view of the lane, scared to go for a pee in case I missed them. Tomorrow morning now. Bloomin’ heck. I said to them. The my gave me £50 of vouchers for the bike retailers website though. So not all bad.

 

[Leethal1]

I have the 2019 Base model, added a dropper made it tubeless and love it. Someday I may upgrade the fork and brakes but for now just shredding it. Fork actually seems fine.. Although I am used to my fox 36 on my non e-bike.

 

[softtailcruiser]

It has arrived! I suppose I’d better get on it.... Why am I nervous? It has been so long in the mind. All the research, working out the finances, changing tack and finally the delivery problems. Only one thing to do, really. Breakfast!

 

[softtailcruiser]

So, first ride done. Only 5 miles out along the canal and back.

Can you spot the mistake...?

Note to selves (and wishing I’d bought and collected it myself so that I could have had an introduction to the bike), when unboxing the bike, and straightening the handlebars, make sure you’ve got the front wheel and shocks facing the right way round. That way you will avoid the embarrassment of a non-e mtber pointing it out to you, and helping you put it right. It did feel a bit odd initially.....

So, it appears that I have an awful lot to learn, not just about eMTB, but about MTBing in general. Proper noob!!!

Anyway, onwards and upwards, and every journey begins with a single pedal and all that. Oh, and it was looovvvveeeeeellly to ride. Comfy comfy comfy.

 

[Kernow]

Hi all. I'm intending to get an emtb over the next month. Really like the 2019 levo but my maximum budget is £4000 which is just the entry level levo. I'd be looking to get them to fit a dropper on it at the shop. Is the entry level model worth the money and have the issues regarding the motor noise and dust cover on the motor been resolved now?
Really appreciate any feedback.

4K is only entry level with specialised , go check out some other brands , you will not only get a decent dropper post but much better mid or even top end components , vitus offer incredible value in an impossible to beat package below 4K , commencal , also worth a look and canyon plus some deals on Merida out there too . you’ll save lots of time and money doing expensive upgrades

 

[Scancian]

The fork is looking at you...

 

[Silato]

I have the 2019 Base model, added a dropper made it tubeless and love it. Someday I may upgrade the fork and brakes but for now just shredding it. Fork actually seems fine.. Although I am used to my fox 36 on my non e-bike.

Hi. What dropper did you fit

 

[R120]

There are 3 ways to look at the entry level Levo. It's a well designed bike and the basic geometry etc that runs thought the entire 19 Levo range applies to it.

If you are into serious riding, you can do what several riders have done on here and buy one, swap out most of the parts, and end up spending maybe 5.5-6k in total but have a very good build that is better value than the higher up Levo models at a similar all in price.

If you are not fussed about having a Specialised and If you like just getting out and about on trails, it's a perfectly good bike, but you will be paying a lot for the the bike compared to alternative brands where the same amount of money will get you far far better specced bikes. If you feel that the spec on the base Levo is fine for you in terms of performance, then equivalent spec bikes from other brands are aprx 1k cheaper.

If you really want a Specilized and your budget is 4k, its your only option, but if you are a decent rider you are going to end up spending a fair bit on upgrades.

 

[Silato]

There are 3 ways to look at the entry level Levo. It's a well designed bike and the basic geometry etc that runs thought the entire 19 Levo range applies to it.

If you are into serious riding, you can do what several riders have done on here and buy one, swap out most of the parts, and end up spending maybe 5.5-6k in total but have a very good build that is better value than the higher up Levo models at a similar all in price.

If you are not fussed about having a Specialised and If you like just getting out and about on trails, it's a perfectly good bike, but you will be paying a lot for the the bike compared to alternative brands where the same amount of money will get you far far better specced bikes. If you feel that the spec on the base Levo is fine for you in terms of performance, then equivalent spec bikes from other brands are aprx 1k cheaper.

If you really want a Specilized and your budget is 4k, its your only option, but if you are a decent rider you are going to end up spending a fair bit on upgrades.

Hi. I'd probably only change the pedals, grips and fit a dropper. The rest I'd wait until it needed replacing. I use the my current bike to travel to work and read that the brose motor was best in regards to minimal resistance over 15mph. Found my missus bosch motored bike to drag a bit over 15mph.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Take a look at the Commencal Meta Power Race 29" as a good alternative.

 

[Kernow]

Hi. I'd probably only change the pedals, grips and fit a dropper. The rest I'd wait until it needed replacing. I use the my current bike to travel to work and read that the brose motor was best in regards to minimal resistance over 15mph. Found my missus bosch motored bike to drag a bit over 15mph.

Shimano motor will give you same no resistance after cut off , same as the brose it’s fine to ride on flat etc without the motor switched on

 

[softtailcruiser]

I did an extended test on a Trek with a Bosch motor and the drag was really off-putting. The Brose is so much better. Still some drag, but nowhere near as much. When researching it is really hard to establish a price band like-for-like comparison. For example in the sub £3k btmracket, £3-3.5k, £3.5-4k, etc. etc. If there was something like this out there, it would help enormously. Having said that, it is where a good local bike shop would be worth it’s weight in gold.

Lots of videos out there testing high-end stuff, but not so much (as far as I could see, anyway) at the budget end, or even for those like me who are only just starting out on their journey.

Maybe there are, and I am always happy to be corrected (use the fork, Luke.)

Also, so much of the chat around components is full of jargon, strange names, acronyms and initials. Really, really confusing if you've not grown up around mountain bikes. Even reading the spec list on a website fills me with dread. What do these letters and numbers mean, and how do they compare to thise other letters and numbers over there, for that other brand? On top of that, which ones are right for me?

 

[Kernow]

I did an extended test on a Trek with a Bosch motor and the drag was really off-putting. The Brose is so much better. Still some drag, but nowhere near as much. When researching it is really hard to establish a price band like-for-like comparison. For example in the sub £3k btmracket, £3-3.5k, £3.5-4k, etc. etc. If there was something like this out there, it would help enormously. Having said that, it is where a good local bike shop would be worth it’s weight in gold.

Lots of videos out there testing high-end stuff, but not so much (as far as I could see, anyway) at the budget end, or even for those like me who are only just starting out on their journey.

Maybe there are, and I am always happy to be corrected (use the fork, Luke.)

Also, so much of the chat around components is full of jargon, strange names, acronyms and initials. Really, really confusing if you've not grown up around mountain bikes. Even reading the spec list on a website fills me with dread. What do these letters and numbers mean, and how do they compare to thise other letters and numbers over there, for that other brand? On top of that, which ones are right for me?

I agree if it’s your first bike , or even first new bike for a few years it’s so hard to get your head around all the spec and description .
I think the best way to help a new buyer is to just look at important components wheels hubs drive train and suspension , sounds a lot , but if you like a bike and it’s got say rock shock suspension just go and check out that make so you can see where that bike comes in the range compared to others , likewise with gearing ,brakes etc .
The most annoying part is after you buy a particular bike you then take an interest in the components and begin to compare , especially if they fail early , your learning curve then rises very fast but it’s too late and you just hope you wallet can keep up . Look around Post a few models you like the look of and get some opinions on here . Most people who have been riding for a few years could write a dream spec and probably go find it for around 4 k
Wheels and hubs are one area where money gets saved on some big name brands , it’s not great when a few months in your rear hub is cheese and the best way out is buy a new wheel for £250 , then you find that the Wheel you would have got as standard on the lesser name brand is actually what your buying now .

 

[Leethal1]

Hi. What dropper did you fit

I have a PNW Bachelor (150MM), perfect for me.. on my non ebike I have a 170 which is nice but I am to unflexible to pedal it all the way lowered.

 

[Silato]

I have a PNW Bachelor (150MM), perfect for me.. on my non ebike I have a 170 which is nice but I am to unflexible to pedal it all the way lowered.

Hi. Did you fir yourself or get the shop to do it?

 

[Leethal1]

Shop explained it as difficult and they offered me a nice discount off the post. So I let them do it.. Since they wouldn't discount the bike much getting the post cheap made it all better.

 

[Boosted]

I have the 2019 Base model, added a dropper made it tubeless and love it. Someday I may upgrade the fork and brakes but for now just shredding it. Fork actually seems fine.. Although I am used to my fox 36 on my non e-bike.

Ref the forks and brakes, what sort of riding do you do and do you find they stand up ok then? I’m debating which way to go with a Levo. I prefer the colours of the base model and the option to later upgrade due to the initial cost saving. I’m just concerned whether the brakes and forks will need immediate changing, especially as the Sektors are only 32mm from memory . I’m not overly tough on bikes but do like to rip down trails, try to rail berms and catch air off stuff. Your feedback would be welcome.

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

Hit stuff like this frequently and ride hard everywhere, not had a problem with the sektors, the brakes would also surprisingly work well. If prolonged descents... Bpw, Scotland, Wales etc I'd change the brakes, everyday trail centres are fine.

 

[Boosted]

Hit stuff like this frequently and ride hard everywhere, not had a problem with the sektors, the brakes would also surprisingly work well. If prolonged descents... Bpw, Scotland, Wales etc I'd change the brakes, everyday trail centres are fine. View attachment 8896

Great feedback and pic ???

 

[Boosted]

Hit stuff like this frequently and ride hard everywhere, not had a problem with the sektors, the brakes would also surprisingly work well. If prolonged descents... Bpw, Scotland, Wales etc I'd change the brakes, everyday trail centres are fine. View attachment 8896

Out of interest what sort of range are you getting in the winter slop and on muddy trails?

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

My legs give up before the battery. I'm 95% eco with magic Mary orange front and rear. I'm getting close to 30 miles.