Levo Gen 2 Levo Fork Upgrade

[ajbalfe]

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, I've had a look but don't see this specific topic.

I have a 2020 base Levo with the Rockshox 35 fork. Its not a bad fork but tends to get very lose over rock gardens which is not filling me with confidence. I have Fox Factory on my analog bike but inclined to stay Rockshox on the Levo. 2 questions: 1) Do you really need an e-mtb specific fork, I was thinking of going to Lyrik select or ultimate. 2) If I upgrade to 160mm, should you keep the same 51 offset?

Thanks

 

[salko]

Emtb specific fork is more or less just marketing stuff and an emtb sticker. I have upgraded to Lyrik Ultimate 160mm more than 6 months ago and very happy with it. You can stick with 51mm offset but even if you go with 46mm it should not make big/noticable difference for normal rider ...

 

[NorCalLevo]

I installed the 2020 160mm air shaft in mine and have been happy. I think you’re starting at a 65 degree HA so you have plenty to work with before things get silly.

 

[Squamish Sucks]

I swapped my factory 36 from my other bike over and love it. Was thinking of bumping up to a 170mm 38 but went with Cush core front and rear Instead and it’s perfect now.

 

[NorCalLevo]

Interested to hear how the cushcore adds to suspension. I honestly don’t know

 

[Squamish Sucks]

I don’t know all the exact specifics of what it does, but I was bottoming out previously and that’s not happening anymore, ever. Feels more plush through chunder and on hard landings. It smoothed everything out for sure.

 

[Mikerb]

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, I've had a look but don't see this specific topic.

I have a 2020 base Levo with the Rockshox 35 fork. Its not a bad fork but tends to get very lose over rock gardens which is not filling me with confidence. I have Fox Factory on my analog bike but inclined to stay Rockshox on the Levo. 2 questions: 1) Do you really need an e-mtb specific fork, I was thinking of going to Lyrik select or ultimate. 2) If I upgrade to 160mm, should you keep the same 51 offset?

Thanks

I upgraded to Lyric Ultimate 160mm on my 2019 Levo comp. The bike is now what it should have been from the outset. Mine was not E Bike specific nor would I buy one that said it was because as far as I can see the only difference is the damper tune.....normally medium on both compression and rebound but upped to firm on both for E Bike specific.............and then good luck trying to tune it unless you are a heavy and aggressive rider and/or you are into bike park jumps that are in any case beyond the build spec of a Levo.

 

[Choc3]

I have also the base Levo 2020 and had many problems with the RockShox 35, really bad fork so I bought the Lyrik Select 150 mm and what a massive
difference. I should have bought the 160mm but will upgrade when I service the fork.
You won't regret buying the Lyrik

 

[ajbalfe]

Thanks all. Sounds like Lyrik is the way to go. Building a bike in stealth mode also draws less attention from the financial oversight committee. "The forks were always red!!!"

 

[Vilt]

smashpot! Much cheaper than a new fork.

Smashpot - Fork Coil Conversion System

Run over everything. Presenting the Smashpot - a fork coil spring conversion system for single crown enduro forks, featuring externally adjustable hydraulic anti-bottoming technology to deliver precisely the amount of bottoming resistance you need. The benefits of coil are clear: if your first...

vorsprungsuspension.com

If you really want to transform your levo to a kenovo-like, get a Zeb Ultimate.

ZEB Ultimate - FS-ZEB-ULT-A1 - RockShox

ZEB Ultimate, FS-ZEB-ULT-A1, RockShox. ZEB Ultimate is a whole new breed of fork, designed to challenge the limits and take on the world’s toughest Enduro tracks. Going Ultimate has its adv...

www.sram.com

 

[ajbalfe]

Isn’t the lyric 35mm? If so you don’t want that especially if you want 160.

I see lots selecting the lyrik. Why would you say no to 35mm? Not strong enough?

 

[NorCalLevo]

People don’t like the 35mm because of stiffness. Bigger fork diameter will give you more stiffness. While agree in sentiment, I would be interested to know if it is noticeable by the rider when comparing Lyrik and Fox 36. Maybe look up some Lyrik reviews on Pinkbike to see.

 

[James_C]

For £400-450 you could pick up a nearly new lyrik, and a deluxe shock from someone thats upgraded their Comp.

 

[ajbalfe]

smashpot! Much cheaper than a new fork.

Smashpot - Fork Coil Conversion System

Run over everything. Presenting the Smashpot - a fork coil spring conversion system for single crown enduro forks, featuring externally adjustable hydraulic anti-bottoming technology to deliver precisely the amount of bottoming resistance you need. The benefits of coil are clear: if your first...

vorsprungsuspension.com

If you really want to transform your levo to a kenovo-like, get a Zeb Ultimate.

ZEB Ultimate - FS-ZEB-ULT-A1 - RockShox

ZEB Ultimate, FS-ZEB-ULT-A1, RockShox. ZEB Ultimate is a whole new breed of fork, designed to challenge the limits and take on the world’s toughest Enduro tracks. Going Ultimate has its adv...

www.sram.com

Smashpot looks cool but I don't think it is compatible with the 35.

 

[Vilt]

Smashpot looks cool but I don't think it is compatible with the 35.

It definitely is. I have one for the stock revelation charger that came with the levo 2019 comp.

 

[z1ppy]

Isn’t the lyric 35mm? If so you don’t want that especially if you want 160.

People don’t like the 35mm because of stiffness. Bigger fork diameter will give you more stiffness. While agree in sentiment, I would be interested to know if it is noticeable by the rider when comparing Lyrik and Fox 36. Maybe look up some Lyrik reviews on Pinkbike to see.

Why would you not want a stiffer fork?.. This is exactly what the NEW Zeb and 38's are marketed as, stiffer & ppl are falling over themslves to fit those...
A lyrik will be fine though, I'd replace my Revelation's with a set but I really can't see that spending £6/700 is actually going to make it a £700 better ride, I'd simply be better spending the money on tuition. That's not to say I don't quite fancy a zeb.

 

[NorCalLevo]

I think we agree! It's not about whether it is stiffer, (It is), or whether stiffer is better, (It is), its about whether it is worth the money and whether it is truly "feelable" from the rider. But yes, if money is no object go for the 38!

 

[R120]

A lot of the riders at the recent EWS events went with Lyrics over the Zebs because they felt they made the front end more manoeuvrable vs the extra weight of the Zeb or something like that, cant recall the exact article I was reading and the breakdown of reasoning, and that the terrain didn't call for the burlier fork.

Even in the EWS-E race Nico went with the Lyric over the Zeb, explains why in this vid:


I think the newer super enduro forks make a lot of sense on an emtb to an extent, but if your riding doesn't require them, then a Lyric or a 36 may be a better bet.

 

[veryoldfart]

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, I've had a look but don't see this specific topic.

I have a 2020 base Levo with the Rockshox 35 fork. Its not a bad fork but tends to get very lose over rock gardens which is not filling me with confidence. I have Fox Factory on my analog bike but inclined to stay Rockshox on the Levo. 2 questions: 1) Do you really need an e-mtb specific fork, I was thinking of going to Lyrik select or ultimate. 2) If I upgrade to 160mm, should you keep the same 51 offset?

Thanks

This is a long answer but I hope its worth being patient.

Been MTb'ing since 1984- bought a Gary Fisher in San Francisco - columbus tube hard tail, rigid forks, no brakes ( to speak of - suntour cam rim brakes - had to wait 200m for anything to happen, but fun) .

Fast Fwd- nearly 40 years, Merlin Titanium HT, lots of SC full sus carbon bikes: Blur LT, Bronson V2, Nomad, Bronson V3- all lovely but I was getting older & with two total knee replacements.

My wife tried an e-bike. She was grinning , I was struggling.

Two years ago, the lovely lady who runs the bike shop in the English Lakes (where most of my hardware has been sourced for past 30 years) said "dont know why you are still trying to pretend you are 30. Get an e-bike and have some fun again."

I wanted to order an S-Works Levo, but none were available. Sarah said she could build me something similar.

So we started the build-up with a 2019 Levo Comp Carbon ie carbon front triangle with alloy rear triangle

I prefer Shimano shifters and brakes ( IMO better shifting ) and I can fettle the brakes myself. I supplied , she swapped.
Then, she swapped the standard wheels out and replaced them with Santa Cruz Reserve carbon rims with Chris King hubs- absolutely the d's b's, rock solid and totally reliable.
Next, she swapped the standard dropper post for a Fox Transfer-top quality -works like a dream and so much easier to use than a Reverb.
Then, she swapped the standard Praxxis steel chainset/crank for a carbon one.
Finally, she swapped the standard 150mm Fox 34 Rythym for a160mm Fox 36 Kashima EMTB fork with Grip 2 (it has the 51mm offset).

Base bike was c £5.5k, my modded bike was £7.5k as delivered. My very best bike purchase ever. IMO, apart from no carbon rear triangle, its as good as any S-Works Levo

It weighs about 20kg with the 500wh battery, DMG flat pedals and a WTB saddle. Added Carbon bars and Aergon anatomic grips-essential for anybody my age with arthritis in their hands.

Fox forks are superb. Highly recommended. Plush, consistent, do what you want them to do. Sorted. Never handled such big rock drops so assuredly. Brilliant on windy, technical, singletrack.

Comp Carbon has now done a few '000 kms, including lots in the Alps, Lakes, Peaks and Yorkshire Dales. Replaced worn Butcher Grids with Schwalbe Magic Mary and Nobby NIcs- brilliant

I had the motor FW update done recently and also had to replace the chain. Also this summer, I sourced a 2021 Fox DPX2 rear shock and replaced the stock DPS shock. More robust and "planted" when descending rough terrain.

This bike is thoroughly outstanding.

Climbs a dream, descends places I would not have dared to try and ride on my old Santa Cruz's- I was just not good enough, but the extra weight and the 29" rims give me a new found confidence and the ability to ride things that I had thought impossible.

Cannot recommend this bike highly enough- so much fun. Hope this helps a few of you with your fork and shock questions?

Geoff

 

[ajbalfe]

I only have a 500wh battery and my arms give out well before the battery dies. Its almost like the fork is stuck and hits a fairly decent hit to make it move. I was seriously thinking about what @z1ppy said about investing in tuition rather than the fork but riding a fireroad doesn't require much skills and with these forks even thats a PIA. It'll have to go. Anyone use the DT Swiss fork that @Rob Rides EMTB used?

 

[Mikerb]

If you are not very confident to service/modify the fork yourself your best bet would be to contact a suspension specialist and get them to sort it. There could be some simple and relatively low cost solutions. It may just need servicing. It may also be tuned too firm for your weight or type of riding.

 

[NorCalLevo]

You’d be surprised the impact that having your suspension sorted for your riding style and weight can have. Second having someone sort your suspension

 

[ajbalfe]

If you are not very confident to service/modify the fork yourself your best bet would be to contact a suspension specialist and get them to sort it. There could be some simple and relatively low cost solutions. It may just need servicing. It may also be tuned too firm for your weight or type of riding.

Its a good idea. That fork has little in the way of tuning just pressure and rebound. I'll try to run a little more sag and see if that help. As it goes through the initial stroke, you can actually feel it get caught and then go again. I 'll have it serviced too. I was reluctant to spend too much on the fork and then end up replacing it anyway but if the general consensus is that the fork is fit for purpose (trails, no big drops) I'd rather not spend the money on replacing it (yet).

 

[NorCalLevo]

You could replace the seals, oil, and add some Honey Butter to the stanchions. The Honey Butter helps with initial friction. Maybe you got some solvent on there somehow.

 

[ajbalfe]

Latest Update for riders with 35 Gold forks. I brought the bike to the shop today with the plan of servicing them. They told me that there were manufacturing issues with the fork (something with the lowers) and it would have to go back to Rockshox under warranty. It's a second bike and warranty only covers original owner. Bit of a pain now but will see what I can do. I'm still tempted to get something that will feel closer to the Fox Factory that I have on the analog. So if you do have 35 Gold with problems, worth getting them fixed if for nothing else but to sell them.

 

[Mikerb]

Can you get a receipt from the original owner of the bike?

 

[NorCalLevo]

Yeah, or maybe reach out directly to the Manufacturer. If you write a nicely worded email, (hoping to be able to continue using Rockshox, you've always been a fan, etc), they would probably step up. Especially since they seem to have acknowledged an error on their part. Sometimes bikeshops aren't the best help for this type of thing and you've gotta reach out yourself.

Best of luck!

 

[Norange]

Worth calling TFTuned to see if you can have the smashpot and your issues fixed with a service. I have a 170 smashpot Lyrik on my 2018 levo and it's smoooooooooooth

 

[ajbalfe]

I bit the bullet and upgraded to 160mm DT Swiss forks. They are a game changer, Its a different bike. More confidence in the rough stuff, easier to manual and better traction in fast corners, all you need in a fork!

Will service the 35 and keep as a spare or sell them.

 

[etoni]

go for a 2021 lyrik ultimate 170mm 42 offset! air 2000gr vs smaspot 2700gr 40-50lb spring.