deanFBM
Member
Rode the bike 3 times, fair enough the conditions were horrific but the motor casing was so full of crap.
Grabbed an old inner tube, a cable tie and see gorilla tape and sorted it.
Levo 2019 - my simple way of stopping the crud getting in the motor casing
- Thread starter deanFBM
- Start date
Rode the bike 3 times, fair enough the conditions were horrific but the motor casing was so full of crap.
Grabbed an old inner tube, a cable tie and see gorilla tape and sorted it.
lumpy
🚁 CHOPPER 🚁
Excellent! I did pretty much the same thing with some neoprene.
lumpy
🚁 CHOPPER 🚁
Sorry the pics never do well for me!
What I did was take some neoprene and cut it to fit between the swing arm and the motor case. I have it flaring out wider above the swing arm pivot. I used some sticky backed Velcro to mount it above and below to the frame. Then using weatherstrip adhesive I glued a second piece of neoprene over it to keep rocks and crap from getting stuck in the swing arm to frame joint. A zip tie around the top just in case.
I did a similar thing to protect where that pivoting link in the rear suspension comes very close to the seat tube. I had rocks getting in there and scratching thinks up so I also put a piece of neoprent to make kind of a shield
The whole idea of using foam doesn't seem right to me because it will only keep the big stuff out, not all the water and grit.
I not having any temp problems and no problems so far.
Tim
Here's my solution, old piece of inner tube, plastic rod to keep it rigid and a single cable tie to hold it in place. I have put a piece of clear paint protection film on the frame where the rubber touches it and might scratch it. I've also put air filter foam inside the motor housing as a belt and braces approach.
Is it just me I am running a cut front mudguard on the rear of my carbon 2019 to stop the majority, but don’t want to stick anything ugly to the frame !
I am hoping that if any damage occurs that it will be covered until spesh come up with a neat professional looking fix !
Thoughts ???? ............
I am hoping that if any damage occurs that it will be covered until spesh come up with a neat professional looking fix !
Thoughts ???? ............
JAMh
New Member
My temporal trick (apparently works)
I was thinking about this a bit more and came up with this slightly better solution:
Cut a piece of old inner tube and shape to fit, punch two holes in for the two motor case screws and apply to the frame at the top using double-sided tape (I put grease around the case screws to stop them gripping the tube and twisting it.
Cut a piece of old inner tube and shape to fit, punch two holes in for the two motor case screws and apply to the frame at the top using double-sided tape (I put grease around the case screws to stop them gripping the tube and twisting it.
Silato
Member
Really putting me off buying a levo at the moment due to poor quality control.
Rocket Roche
Member
yup think I'll be keeping my 2017 levo! Was thinking of upgrading to the 2019 seems to be a catolgue of issues at the moment?
Well, things get saturated always when those who are running fine are not commenting anything on these threads, but just enjoying rides. Not a specific problem on this forum, but it how it goes always on these kind of "facebook groups" or web forums.
I have had 0 problems (so far).Ok I had to get the sponge installed, not because there was a issue with my bike but just to make sure I would not run in to issues in the future. Could have installed it myself, but Specialized took care of it. I have read the other things what could happen as in broken cable, noise issues and naturally watching out for those. But no problem so far.
I do feel the pain and the confusion with those who have had a problem(s). I think the biggest issue so far has been that Specialized itself has been quite quiet about the problems and not being open about it. Now there is lots of gossip around the problems but not like list of known possible problems from the manufacturer. Pretty sure that LBS have a list, but only communicating with stores is not how things should be handled in 2018.
-K
It seems to me that there are two main issues with the new Levo.
Firstly its a complex bike, by integrating everything the way they have it would appear to be very sensitive to correct assembly, with everything having to be run perfectly or you get problems - the desire for a clean design means a lot of less than ideal routing, with minimal tolerances. It also means having to deal with other issues that other brands don't have to, because going down such an integrated route creates issues in itself, which are not a concern on less integrated bikes. Its interesting that shops like Berkshire cycles pretty much rebuild the bikes prior to delivery, and in some instances re route cables as they don't think they come out the factory in the best locations. If a shop throws together a 19 Levo, or doesn't fully check how its been assembled out the factory, I can see this causing issues.
Secondly its pretty clear it was rushed to market, and perhaps they should have sent more time on it before they launched it - none of the reported issues appear to be major, more nigling things that you just don't expect out of a bike like this, and it seems they are trying to rectify things on the fly, hence massive lead times and delays for some customers now.
As for the amount of reported issues on here, yes its true that problems get highlighted more on Forums like this, simply because a lot of people only join to try and sort out an issue.
However bear in mind that there are probably as many Bosch and Shimano owners on here, its just that their motors and are in a whole variety of bikes, and not just one brand, and we simply don't see as many issue with those.
Spesh have created a great bike with the 19 Levo, but I can't help but feel that they reached for the stars, and the realities of cost effective mass manufacturing mean that the production bikes don't quite get there. You can see from the pricing how much it costs them to try and get a bike like this to the market, I know a lot of people moan about how expensive they are compared to alternatives, but to me it demonstrates how much they have invested into trying to pull off integration at this level, especially when you are not going with an off the shelf solution, a lot of the cost must revolve around going with the Brose, and mating it with custom components just for this bike, rather than using the generic options already on the market (As far as I know there are no non specialised Brose problem threads).
Firstly its a complex bike, by integrating everything the way they have it would appear to be very sensitive to correct assembly, with everything having to be run perfectly or you get problems - the desire for a clean design means a lot of less than ideal routing, with minimal tolerances. It also means having to deal with other issues that other brands don't have to, because going down such an integrated route creates issues in itself, which are not a concern on less integrated bikes. Its interesting that shops like Berkshire cycles pretty much rebuild the bikes prior to delivery, and in some instances re route cables as they don't think they come out the factory in the best locations. If a shop throws together a 19 Levo, or doesn't fully check how its been assembled out the factory, I can see this causing issues.
Secondly its pretty clear it was rushed to market, and perhaps they should have sent more time on it before they launched it - none of the reported issues appear to be major, more nigling things that you just don't expect out of a bike like this, and it seems they are trying to rectify things on the fly, hence massive lead times and delays for some customers now.
As for the amount of reported issues on here, yes its true that problems get highlighted more on Forums like this, simply because a lot of people only join to try and sort out an issue.
However bear in mind that there are probably as many Bosch and Shimano owners on here, its just that their motors and are in a whole variety of bikes, and not just one brand, and we simply don't see as many issue with those.
Spesh have created a great bike with the 19 Levo, but I can't help but feel that they reached for the stars, and the realities of cost effective mass manufacturing mean that the production bikes don't quite get there. You can see from the pricing how much it costs them to try and get a bike like this to the market, I know a lot of people moan about how expensive they are compared to alternatives, but to me it demonstrates how much they have invested into trying to pull off integration at this level, especially when you are not going with an off the shelf solution, a lot of the cost must revolve around going with the Brose, and mating it with custom components just for this bike, rather than using the generic options already on the market (As far as I know there are no non specialised Brose problem threads).
Selling them????
Will Ridealpine
New Member
Everyone wants the S Works foam
StevoKickstart
Active member
Hi Estoril,
I have just copied your inner-tube solution, but instead of double sided tape, I've used heavy duty Velcro.
How has your fix been performing? Does the constant movement of the rear pull on the inner tube at all and spoil the performance?
I only did mine last night so not tried out the effectiveness yet
Cheers
Stevo
I have just copied your inner-tube solution, but instead of double sided tape, I've used heavy duty Velcro.
How has your fix been performing? Does the constant movement of the rear pull on the inner tube at all and spoil the performance?
I only did mine last night so not tried out the effectiveness yet
Cheers
Stevo
No, no pull at all since the inner tube goes down the back of the suspension arm!
It's been working well, took the cover off the other day and hardly any crap in there, few bits of grit and wet of course but quite clean.
I've just improved mine a bit as well, instead of using the motor case bolts to screw through the inner tube I have cut an old piece of mudguard to fit over the two holes and then have put a cable tie through the motor case bolts, through the tube and then through the mudguard piece (the bolts are hollow).
Photos to follow when I next get the wheel out!
It's been working well, took the cover off the other day and hardly any crap in there, few bits of grit and wet of course but quite clean.
I've just improved mine a bit as well, instead of using the motor case bolts to screw through the inner tube I have cut an old piece of mudguard to fit over the two holes and then have put a cable tie through the motor case bolts, through the tube and then through the mudguard piece (the bolts are hollow).
Photos to follow when I next get the wheel out!
Make your own, the below link shows you how to do it.
It’s a slightly different fix to the one @estoril designed. However it works the same and has been on my bike for 6 weeks now and all is good
. Make sure you clean your rubber inner tube with isopropyl before you stick the double sided on.2019 Turbo Levo Owners Thread - EMTB Forums
BikingLovingMomma
Member
Did you just contact your LBS and they knew what to do? I called my store and they hadn’t heard of any issues.
I went in about a week ago and asked them to chase the rep , they did that got the foam deliveries with full instructions and hey presto
They do all seem to be unsure and only react when you ask questions , but I don’t think spesh are really telling the shops anything , good or bad !
Peter Hill
Active member
I agree there does seem to be a range of advice and information offered depending on who you ask and which dealers you bought the bike from. I am hopefully getting a 4 bolt cover, sponge and wiring loom adding to mine shortly, but the shop didn't seem to be fully up to speed on what was available. I contacted Specialised directly and they have sent the parts out to the dealer at no cost. I think all the early 2019 bikes should be fitted with the upgrades as a general 'recall' no question, and the dealers given all the necessary parts, help and support. I don't think it should be up to each individual to chase it, on this particular issue at least. Maybe Specialised is intending to address this through the registered bike owners and send the same information to everyone. It will both interesting and possibly disheartening to see what they do to the 2020 bikes!! Let us hope it's nothing too structural as many of us have invested quite a lot of money in these bikes.
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Wow, I wonder how long the motors and cables will last with all the dirt inside. I ride my bikes normally for more than 10 years. Will that be possible with these bikes, and how much additional costs will there be fixing the issues over time? It seems that soon with e-bikes people will also start discussing the follow on costs similar to cars and we will have guaranties from the brands also like in the car industry.
irinotecan
Member
I'm using 3M VHB tape: 3M™ VHB™ Tape 4941
I've been using it for years in all sorts of applications, it's very strong once bonded
I've been using it for years in all sorts of applications, it's very strong once bonded
Will Ridealpine
New Member
Will the tape be good of used to cover your ears from a loud motor? Do you think the new replacement motors will get louder over time?
mintakax
New Member
I agree there does seem to be a range of advice and information offered depending on who you ask and which dealers you bought the bike from. I am hopefully getting a 4 bolt cover, sponge and wiring loom adding to mine shortly, but the shop didn't seem to be fully up to speed on what was available. I contacted Specialised directly and they have sent the parts out to the dealer at no cost. I think all the early 2019 bikes should be fitted with the upgrades as a general 'recall' no question, and the dealers given all the necessary parts, help and support. I don't think it should be up to each individual to chase it, on this particular issue at least. Maybe Specialised is intending to address this through the registered bike owners and send the same information to everyone. It will both interesting and possibly disheartening to see what they do to the 2020 bikes!! Let us hope it's nothing too structural as many of us have invested quite a lot of money in these bikes.
My dealer has flat out told me that Specialized does not have these parts available, including the sponge. Are they lying or just looking in the wrong place. I'm in Colorado.
Maybe not in US yet as not so many problems as in the Wintery Muddy old UK , but my foam kit was sent out officially from spesh to the LBS for me .
The four bolt cover and other items , I do not know yet , gonna see what it’s like next time we open the cover .
I have told the bike shop I’m quite happy to pay for any improved parts as such and they are happy to fit , my shop are really good and try to do everything they can but say generally the rep is a fucking useless bellend ?
I agree there does seem to be a range of advice and information offered depending on who you ask and which dealers you bought the bike from. I am hopefully getting a 4 bolt cover, sponge and wiring loom adding to mine shortly, but the shop didn't seem to be fully up to speed on what was available. I contacted Specialised directly and they have sent the parts out to the dealer at no cost. I think all the early 2019 bikes should be fitted with the upgrades as a general 'recall' no question, and the dealers given all the necessary parts, help and support. I don't think it should be up to each individual to chase it, on this particular issue at least. Maybe Specialised is intending to address this through the registered bike owners and send the same information to everyone. It will both interesting and possibly disheartening to see what they do to the 2020 bikes!! Let us hope it's nothing too structural as many of us have invested quite a lot of money in these bikes.
Progression is a fact of life I’m afraid, it’s no different to me buying an ‘18 s-works and it now being the ‘old’ model. You can almost guarantee Spesh will bring out a new, improved 2020 model and so on.... It’s a bit like most electrical items you buy these days, within 6 months they’re obsolete or superseded...
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