Levo Gen 2 Levo HT upgrades

[Oohmyknees]

Hi, forum noob here with a recently purchased Specialised Turbo Levo HT 2019 used for commuting and trail riding. First e-bike and I'm an instant convert. However, not wanting to invest too much at the start, I accepted the bargain bin components on the 2019 Levo, as it allowed me to get into the game at a reasonable cost, especially as I wanted a hard tail (always had them).

There's nothing wrong with the components really. They all work and I'm not exactly beasting the bike. But I just have an itch to get better parts on it. I've got no idea how to go about upgrading though. What special things do I have to consider because it's an ebike? I believe I'm not able to change the crankset anyway, but I would be keen on going to 10 or 11 speed cassette with an XT shadow derailleur and shifters + XT brakes. It's currently 8 speed and I wondered if there will be any config/set-up issues when adding more gears. Also maybe a new front ring with 34 or 36t would be an upgrade.

I guess importantly, would I notice the difference in moving from the low-end factory parts, in terms of smoothness, reliability etc? I would hope it would feel like a nicer ride (even though it's good as it is!). For instance, with more gears would riding over the 25 km cut-off be easier? I guess it should be.

Also, is it possible for a complete novice to change these parts or should I really leave it in the hands of my LBS?

And finally, if anyone has any recommendations on upgrades other than XT, I'm all ears. I'd be happy with spending approx 4-500 on drivetrain and brakes. Then down the line maybe another 250 on forks so any suggestion there would be much appreciated too

Thanks for any help in advance...

 

[Swissrob]

If it isn't broke don't fix it!
Changing gear set won't make it easier over 25kph.
Watch a few youtube videos and you can learn to do anything, what you are suggesting is not that hard and if you mess it up it will be easily fixed by a shop. Doing it yourself will help you when you are out and have a problem.

Before I spent money on anything else buy a dropper seat post and 2.6 tyres (more grip and comfort), maybe someone here will replace their Butchers so you could get a set to try.
Fit a 200mm Shimano disc to the front and fit the 180mm from the front to the back, you will need adaptors but use the same calipers and try before you go any further with brakes it will probably be enough.

Once you have ridden the bike enough to wear out the drive line then you will know what you need, you can change the front chain ring if you need higher or lower gearing.

 

[ccrdave]

For me the worst component on that bike is the forks
On our one we changed
Wheels
Forks
Drivetrain to 1 x 11
Fitted a dropper
Its now a really nice bike

 

[Bongofish]

For me the worst component on that bike is the forks
On our one we changed
Wheels
Forks
Drivetrain to 1 x 11
Fitted a dropper
Its now a really nice bike

What forks did you change too?

 

[Mike Smith]

Changed my front ring to 36T, as I was out pedaling ..posted a how to on here

 

[ccrdave]

What forks did you change too?

Fox 34 performance elite

 

[khorn]

For me the worst component on that bike is the forks
On our one we changed
Wheels
Forks
Drivetrain to 1 x 11
Fitted a dropper
Its now a really nice bike

I could not agree more Dave, That fork is utterly crap and go straight into the old iron bin when I get the wife's HT tomorrow. I have a Reba lying around where I just need to change the airshaft to 100 or 120 mm. I did not buy the Comp version as she will take over my dropper post together with my Levo driveline and had a fork lying around. I do also have a set of no name carbon wheels that will go on her new "fire road killer bike"

Karsten

 

[Oohmyknees]

Thanks for suggestions all. Forks are definitely on the cards but the drivetrain and brakes are just niggling away at me.

Swissrob, I know you're right when you say if it aint broke don't fix it though...

I still may slip and end up with an XT Groupset in the post though. Complete sets seem to be just under £500. I figure I could use the bits I can and sell on the crankset to lower the cost, so would have an XT equipped bike for anywhere below £2750 in total. Which isn't so bad, maybe!

I guess with decent forks it will top out over £3000 but that would put it in the ballpark of the 2018 model which came with real kit on it, or so I've read.

Even if I don't do it now, i will look to add better components as and when they die.

 

[Old Biker]

What the was out on a fairly boggy section today and rear derailleur snapped off my 2019 specalised turbo levo ht ,what do I do how do I upgrade very peeved

 

[duk916]

I up graded my wife's Levo Hard tail. I changed the forks to Rock shoxs as they where off my bike. Worked a treat even though her wheel size is 29 and my is 27.5 plus.
Changed the brakes to Zee levers (there where going cheap) and XT callipers ( freebie from a friend). Purchased SLX shifters and Deore rear mech cheap.
Only did it as I wasn't allowed to spend money on my bike , so I upgraded hers.
At the time I was informed by her that it wasn't worth it, we did the Timber Trail 95km over 2 days and she loved the better gear changing and forks.

 

[Old Biker]

Will a deore rear derailleur fit on with standard cassette?

 

[duk916]

Changed the cassette , as i wanted to change the gear ratio.

 

[k2lvn]

Not changed anything on mine yet. forks are terrible. .... were far too stiff as new but are easing up. would like to change forks, add a dropper post and change the gearing when it needs to be replace

 

[Joeyray69]

Got mine today and pimped it up a bit. As you have discussed I will also upgrade the forks and gearing over the next few months. Raining today so didn't ride it ?????

 

[Slimboyfat757]

I up graded my wife's Levo Hard tail. I changed the forks to Rock shoxs as they where off my bike. Worked a treat even though her wheel size is 29 and my is 27.5 plus.
Changed the brakes to Zee levers (there where going cheap) and XT callipers ( freebie from a friend). Purchased SLX shifters and Deore rear mech cheap.
Only did it as I wasn't allowed to spend money on my bike , so I upgraded hers.
At the time I was informed by her that it wasn't worth it, we did the Timber Trail 95km over 2 days and she loved the better gear changing and forks.

What rear derailleur hanger did you use please looking to do the same upgrade ?? I’ve already changed the rear break system to a 4 pot caliper which has made big improvement. Also have the 203mm disc to go on but have purchased wrong bracket to fit.

 

[Joeyray69]

Hi, forum noob here with a recently purchased Specialised Turbo Levo HT 2019 used for commuting and trail riding. First e-bike and I'm an instant convert. However, not wanting to invest too much at the start, I accepted the bargain bin components on the 2019 Levo, as it allowed me to get into the game at a reasonable cost, especially as I wanted a hard tail (always had them).

There's nothing wrong with the components really. They all work and I'm not exactly beasting the bike. But I just have an itch to get better parts on it. I've got no idea how to go about upgrading though. What special things do I have to consider because it's an ebike? I believe I'm not able to change the crankset anyway, but I would be keen on going to 10 or 11 speed cassette with an XT shadow derailleur and shifters + XT brakes. It's currently 8 speed and I wondered if there will be any config/set-up issues when adding more gears. Also maybe a new front ring with 34 or 36t would be an upgrade.

I guess importantly, would I notice the difference in moving from the low-end factory parts, in terms of smoothness, reliability etc? I would hope it would feel like a nicer ride (even though it's good as it is!). For instance, with more gears would riding over the 25 km cut-off be easier? I guess it should be.

Also, is it possible for a complete novice to change these parts or should I really leave it in the hands of my LBS?

And finally, if anyone has any recommendations on upgrades other than XT, I'm all ears. I'd be happy with spending approx 4-500 on drivetrain and brakes. Then down the line maybe another 250 on forks so any suggestion there would be much appreciated too

Thanks for any help in advance...

 

[Joeyray69]

There's mine. Forks are rubbish but will keep them for a year before upgrading.

 

[k2lvn]

I've upgraded mine to Fox 34 Rhythm Forks.
Changed gearing to Deore M6000 10 speed. 11-36T
Next? - Perhaps a dropper post, have caught myself out a couple of times with it.

 

[cousin jack]

For me the worst component on that bike is the forks
On our one we changed
Wheels
Forks
Drivetrain to 1 x 11
Fitted a dropper
Its now a really nice bike

hi. I have a turbo levo HT 2019 and looking to upgrade parts, exactly which drivetrain, forks and wheels did you move to, and was it a simple swop over?

 

[Old Biker]

I fitted rockshox twin air pikes,dropper post ,shimano saint rotors ,Ergon seat ,n grips, n fatter tyres ,going to change drivetrain but not sure which,

 

[MSH]

1. Contact points: tires, grip.
2. Dropper post
3. Brakes: rotors or whole brake system
4. Fork (if you really want to, but will you see big improvements? Maybe yes, maybe not)
5. Drivetrain if you feel like the uphills are hard. (don't if you don't)

 

[ccrdave]

To be honest you can more or less fit what you like, I fitted fox 34 and an six drivetrain. Wheel I changed to wtb but the stock wheels are actually not too bad.
the suntor forks is the worst I have ever seen spesh should be embarrassed by that choice!!!

 

[Old Biker]

1. Contact points: tires, grip.
2. Dropper post
3. Brakes: rotors or whole brake system
4. Fork (if you really want to, but will you see big improvements? Maybe yes, maybe not)
5. Drivetrain if you feel like the uphills are hard. (don't if you don't)

Forks made a big difference,
Drivetrain has worn out so no choice to upgrade ,will keep all informed

 

[Old Biker]

Forks made a big difference,
Drivetrain has worn out so no choice to upgrade ,will keep all informed

Oh I just changed rotors to saint no problem with them ,better than before