Levo Gen 2 Levo Maintenance Questions

[Darkred]

Hi Everyone

New motor is back in the bike and just had some new brakes fitted, so now i have go and stop! (Yay!)

Couple of questions if you would be so kind to help.

1. I know it may be a 'depends' answer, but how long does a standard chain-set last on a 2019 levo? Think the chain is stretched beyond just replacing that, so will need to replace the lot. Its done about 600 miles so far and I think has a few more miles but just curious.
2. How often do you have suspension serviced??

Thanks

 

[EME]

I'm so 'new' my views are largely irrelevant as I know not what I do.

My 2020 TL Levo Comp had its first chain replaced at about 900km ( 600miles), but importantly stretch was at 0.75 ( much later allegedly than it should have been ) . Second change at 1100 km ( poor chain choice) , now done another 650km (back to kmc chain) but only 0.25 stretch so far . So my GUESS is that 600km to 1200 km is a reasonable expectation. Given that is way too big a spread Id listen to other posters before me !

I did my first ( on my own) service at 1200 km , about to do another ( 1800km ) but Im loving dong them. Still learning about suspension set up so reckon if I keep on top of ( overdo) it at least Ill be learning not assuming.

 

[Bigtuna00]

1. What do you mean "you think" it's stretched? Get a chain tool and measure it! (you can also do it with a ruler...) My first chain was replaced at 570 miles. It measured 0.5% worn on my tool. The new chain skipped horribly on the old cassette, so I had to replace the cassette too. The second chain had 843 miles on it with no issues (replaced for Eagle AXS). It was the same chain but with a GX cassette; if my cassette is only going to last 500 miles, I'm getting the cheap one However I also switched lubes. The first chain was all TriFlow. The second chain was mostly Smoove.
2. I do my fork lower-leg service every 30 hours. 50 hours is way too long where I live because of the dust. I will likely do the fork damper service at ~100 hours (spec is 200) mainly because that will be the 1 year mark. Shock calls for 100 hours as well but, again, with all the dust I think it will be sooner.

 

[Rosemount]

750 - 1000 KM .
One way to check chain wear without tools is pull the chain links away from the front of the chain wheel . If the chain can be lifted substantially . Prolly time to go to replace the chain . YMMV ...

SRAM XO1 chains have hardened pins and subsequently longer life but cost a lot more .

 

[Rosemount]

SRAM Eagle Chain Comparison
If you’re looking to get the biggest durability bang for your buck, look to the chains. SRAM’s product managers told us the difference from NX up to X01/XX1 chains can be 2x the lifespan. Not just total lifespan, but the performance will be better for longer throughout that lifespan, too. All Eagle chains use their Flow Link construction to remove sharp edges from the inside of the plates, making shifting smooth and quiet in both directions, and they all come with their Eagle-specific Power Link quick connect.

• NX: Standard steel plates and solid pins.
• GX: Upgrades to chrome treatment on the pins to increase strength. I misspoke in the video, this chain still has solid pins…not hollow ones.
• X01: Upgrades to Hard Chrome plate and pin treatment to drastically increase total strength and reduce the wear that’s typically considered “chain stretch”, and gets hollow pins to save weight. Black Ti-Nitride treatment reduces friction and helps prevent corrosion.
• XO1: Upgrades to a slightly more corrosion resistant gold treatment, otherwise exactly the same as X01 chain.

Complete SRAM Eagle Comparison - What's the difference between NX, GX, X01 & XX1? - Bikerumor

 

[Jeff H]

SRAM Eagle Chain Comparison
If you’re looking to get the biggest durability bang for your buck, look to the chains. SRAM’s product managers told us the difference from NX up to X01/XX1 chains can be 2x the lifespan. Not just total lifespan, but the performance will be better for longer throughout that lifespan, too. All Eagle chains use their Flow Link construction to remove sharp edges from the inside of the plates, making shifting smooth and quiet in both directions, and they all come with their Eagle-specific Power Link quick connect.

• NX: Standard steel plates and solid pins.
• GX: Upgrades to chrome treatment on the pins to increase strength. I misspoke in the video, this chain still has solid pins…not hollow ones.
• X01: Upgrades to Hard Chrome plate and pin treatment to drastically increase total strength and reduce the wear that’s typically considered “chain stretch”, and gets hollow pins to save weight. Black Ti-Nitride treatment reduces friction and helps prevent corrosion.
• XO1: Upgrades to a slightly more corrosion resistant gold treatment, otherwise exactly the same as X01 chain.

Complete SRAM Eagle Comparison - What's the difference between NX, GX, X01 & XX1? - Bikerumor

Good stuff! Thanks for posting!

“from NX up to X01/XX1 chains can be 2x the lifespan”.
I’ve experienced the same but going from the stock KMC e11 to SRAM PC XX1 on my ‘19 Levo.

Replacing at .5% wear (Park Tool CC-3.2) I got about 900 mi each from the original KMC and a replacement. Next up was a SRAM XX1 where I got 1700 mi out of it! Just replaced that with another. Conditions weren’t exactly the same but I don’t think that explains 2x lifespan.

The hard chrome plating on the XX1 probably improves the wear resistance quite a bit (and it is physical wear, not stretching). The e11 and XX1 cost about the same so it’s a no-brainer for me.

 

[Grannyjones]

3300km so far & that's done the following:
1 KMC Chain to 0.75 (Replaced)
1 SRAM X1 Chain to 0.75 (Replaced)
1 SRAM X1 Chain to 1% (Still in Use)
I think that is extremely good considering I use Turbo mode and Wet Lube all the time!
It must be that Park Tool Chain Cleaner. It gets used after every ride!

 

[Grannyjones]

Fork Service Intervals: All riding has been mud since the bike was purchased in late May 2020. It's never been dusty. It's North West England.

Fork - two lowers services. Both after 70 hours each.
Shock - Air can service after 70 hours. Second Air Can Service after 90 hours. (Bike mech says filthy inside, so left it a little too late?)

The plan is to get the forks full service done next time. For the shock I'm just going to keep getting the Air Can service and seals done as the full service requires it to be sent away as it needs specialist equipment I'll probably only bother doing that if it breaks...



Hours are worked out based on my total distance divided by my average speed which is around 18kph.

 

[Bigtuna00]

One way to check chain wear without tools is pull the chain links away from the front of the chain wheel . If the chain can be lifted substantially . Prolly time to go to replace the chain . YMMV ...

The problem with this technique is it's also checking chainring wear so it won't tell you which is worn. It's also pretty imprecise of course.

I found this article useful when researching tools: How to check for chain wear: The easy way, the best way, and why | CyclingTips

 

[EME]

The problem with this technique is it's also checking chainring wear so it won't tell you which is worn. It's also pretty imprecise of course.

I found this article useful when researching tools: How to check for chain wear: The easy way, the best way, and why | CyclingTips

I struggle.
Yet another "paywall"/ " Personal Info" phishing site. Can you précis the key points ?

 

[Bigtuna00]

I struggle.
Yet another "paywall"/ " Personal Info" phishing site. Can you précis the key points ?

Are you referring to the section that literally says, "This is not a paywall"? Just click "Continue reading"...

 

[KeithR]

I struggle.
Yet another "paywall"/ " Personal Info" phishing site. Can you précis the key points ?

Just click the "keep reading" button.

 

[Ridgeway Rider]

Hi Everyone

New motor is back in the bike and just had some new brakes fitted, so now i have go and stop! (Yay!)

Couple of questions if you would be so kind to help.

1. I know it may be a 'depends' answer, but how long does a standard chain-set last on a 2019 levo? Think the chain is stretched beyond just replacing that, so will need to replace the lot. Its done about 600 miles so far and I think has a few more miles but just curious.
2. How often do you have suspension serviced??

Thanks

My first new chain was at 600 miles on my 2020 Levo and it definitely needed changing. Just ordered the lyrik lower fork service kit and I'm at 1600 miles.

 

[TheBikePilot]

Throw away the chain tool. They are more for road bikes, and on an EMTB largely useless.

If you change the chain you will get slippage under load from the Cassette with a new chain. The actual wearing part here on an EMTB is the cassette, not the chain. The extra torque you would have gotten away with on just legs causes slippage on an EMTB. If you snap the chain just replace the link and ride on. I've had two replacement chain links running on my old groupset with no degradation. You can change the chain over few hundred miles but all you are trying to do is prolong the Cassette.

Once your gears start slipping with your old chain I would then change the Cassette, Chain and Front ring. If you swap it out for a steel one you will get more wear out of it. I think the whole system is good for about 1000miles and if you change out for steel it's around £120, but you may need a hub adapter if you swap to a Shimano Cassette so the first swap might be expensive. Of course this is dependant on your shifting and other factors. If you bend the Mech hanger and it starts shifting like crap and pinging all over the place the Cassette is going to get shagged, my last one this happened and I only got 400 miles out of it as I didn't sort the mech out..

I've put the Shimano XT shifter, cassette and Mech on mine and never been happier, I am not a fan of the SRAM system on the Levo but that's just me.

Suspension says 100 hours but I've run it for longer, like way longer (1.5 years and 1700miles) but it defo needs a service now. Your main risk is crap in the seals and scratching the stanchions.