Levo Comp or Levo Expert?

[Rod]

Hi Everyone. This is my first thread.
Hope you guys can help me.
I am making the jump to an emtb from a GT Force Expert.
I have tested 3 brands and have chosen the Specialised Comp alloy.
Is it worth spending another $3,200.00 for the expert carbon an all the upgrades?
Unfortunately the shop does not rent it out, so i cannot test it.
I ride hard rocky, rooted single tracks with steep climbs and descents.

Thanks
rod

 

[GuyBerry]

In the price diffence that big? In Belgium it is 2.100 EUR.
As the owner of an Expert 2019 (a bargain through the employer bike program), I would say no, take the Comp and spent a part of the diffence on a spare wheelset with an XD body, saves also a lot of weight on the cassette.
The Fox fork from the Expert is the base model, not sure if it is better as the Lyrik on the Comp.
Brakes of the Expert are better, but you can swap the handles for the Code RSC and leave the calipers (different hose connection), or install 220mm's.

 

[Rod]

Thanks Guy

 

[KennyB]

My 2020 Comp has a Shimano splined body, not XD. Cassette is from the NX groupset, not GX.

 

[tvandall]

I have the Levo Comp 2019 2.5 months in. Love it. The alloy frame takes a lot more abuse than a carbon frame. I also have a full carbon Stumpjumper Expert that is all too easy to scar when I endo. Save your $$$$. You will want to upgrade the rear hub, lots of posts on it here

 

[Rod]

I have the Levo Comp 2019 2.5 months in. Love it. The alloy frame takes a lot more abuse than a carbon frame. I also have a full carbon Stumpjumper Expert that is all too easy to scar when I endo. Save your $$$$. You will want to upgrade the rear hub, lots of posts on it here

Good advise. Do you have the Lyrik forks and are they good as the Fox 36 on the expert are tempting.

 

[Al Boneta]

Good advise. Do you have the Lyrik forks and are they good as the Fox 36 on the expert are tempting.

I sell them both in my shop and I think the comp is a better deal. The weight difference is not worth the price difference and that bargain basement 36 on the Expert is not as smooth or as light as the Lyrik while offering not much more in the way of stiffness

 

[Rod]

I sell them both in my shop and I think the comp is a better deal. The weight difference is not worth the price difference and that bargain basement 36 on the Expert is not as smooth or as light as the Lyrik while offering not much more in the way of stiffness

I sell them both in my shop and I think the comp is a better deal. The weight difference is not worth the price difference and that bargain basement 36 on the Expert is not as smooth or as light as the Lyrik while offering not much more in the way of stiffness

Tvandall mentioned i might have to change the rear hub. Are you aware of a problem with it?

 

[tvandall]

Rod my friend has a carbon expert I've tried and I can't really feel much difference between the two bikes. But note I'm no pro and not tuned into the nuances that many riders might notice. There is nice bling there but after you scratch it and get it full of mud it doesn't really matter. The comp rocks. I think it is in a sweet spot regarding value as Al suggest. Regarding rear hub ... In the traverse wheels it is weak and I already shredded mine and I don't ride particularly hard and am meticulous with maintenance. A friend also has 3 levo's and has shredded two of his hubs as well. LBS will warranty but I am out of town so loosing precious riding time. I've done 1600 kms in 2.5 months (weigh 85 kgs) so a fair bit of riding lots of vertical (BC Mountains) but no big drops or jumps and I'm not a heavy weight. The DT Swiss HX 1501 rims look like what the bike really needs. Search the Form and youtube for levo "broken wheels", "1000 mile review" and "hubs" and you'll find lots more info. Also note DO NOT SHIFT GEARS under high loads. Levo's have too much torque for that. I knew this prior to buying my bike as I road loaner Levo's before my purchase and was careful with mine, but it still shredded. The bike is great but surprised specialized really didn't engineer a proper hub to take the routine loads. Never broke a free hub before in 40 years of riding. Regardless. Good luck you are in for a blast!

 

[Al Boneta]

Tvandall mentioned i might have to change the rear hub. Are you aware of a problem with it?

It was a nightmare on the 2019s, but we have not seen any issues with the hub on 2020s

 

[tvandall]

Al that is good to hear. Thanks Mine is a 2019 purchased in January. Does the 2020 replacement free hubs fit the 2019 hub body. Mine is being fixed now and perhaps I should request they use a 2020 free hub. Were the pawls noticeably redesigned?

 

[Rod]

Thanks guys.
That really helps a lot. Comp it is.

 

[GuyBerry]

Thanks guys.
That really helps a lot. Comp it is.

Top.
And get yourself a DT Swiss HX 1501 wheelset with Xd body, with your savings .