I’m about to make my first emtb purchase, and am torn between a Specialized Levo S-Works and a Trek Rail 9.9.
I’ve had Specialized bikes for the last 10 years and have never deviated from the brand. I realise they’re maybe not the best value for money, but I’ve always had a rock solid bike with some great innovations.
I’m currently on a 2017 SJ Expert, which has almost all of it upgraded. My biggest regret was not getting one with a carbon rear triangle. I did try to get an S-Works rear fitted to it, but My LBS said they’re a different spec / fixings, and Specialized said it was impossible.
This is one of my reasons for the 2 choices above - as both have full carbon frames, and carbon rims.
I feel that the Trek comes much better equipped as standard, and would take much less upgrading to get it to the spec I want. I’m not a fan of the Bosch displays, although the Kiox on the 9.9 is one of the best mounted ones I’ve seen so far. The Gen4 motor seems to be getting great reviews so far.
Specialized are still using an old (but good) groupset, which I’d probably upgrade to an SRAM Eagle AXS anyway. I’ve also read lots of criticism of the reliability of the Brose motor which is putting me off a bit. I do prefer their simplistic LED panel on the frame for mode / battery level than having any display.
The Levo is rated as one of the best emtb’s out there, and there are loads of reviews out there. As the rail has only been out for a couple of months, there aren’t many in depth reviews of that yet - nor can anyone predict the reliability of the Bosch Gen4 either. Anything I have read though is very positive, and from the sound of it Trek have done a great job of using the Slash’s geometry to set up a great bike.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? I’m leaning towards the Rail... but am looking for some advice on which way to go!
I’ve had Specialized bikes for the last 10 years and have never deviated from the brand. I realise they’re maybe not the best value for money, but I’ve always had a rock solid bike with some great innovations.
I’m currently on a 2017 SJ Expert, which has almost all of it upgraded. My biggest regret was not getting one with a carbon rear triangle. I did try to get an S-Works rear fitted to it, but My LBS said they’re a different spec / fixings, and Specialized said it was impossible.
This is one of my reasons for the 2 choices above - as both have full carbon frames, and carbon rims.
I feel that the Trek comes much better equipped as standard, and would take much less upgrading to get it to the spec I want. I’m not a fan of the Bosch displays, although the Kiox on the 9.9 is one of the best mounted ones I’ve seen so far. The Gen4 motor seems to be getting great reviews so far.
Specialized are still using an old (but good) groupset, which I’d probably upgrade to an SRAM Eagle AXS anyway. I’ve also read lots of criticism of the reliability of the Brose motor which is putting me off a bit. I do prefer their simplistic LED panel on the frame for mode / battery level than having any display.
The Levo is rated as one of the best emtb’s out there, and there are loads of reviews out there. As the rail has only been out for a couple of months, there aren’t many in depth reviews of that yet - nor can anyone predict the reliability of the Bosch Gen4 either. Anything I have read though is very positive, and from the sound of it Trek have done a great job of using the Slash’s geometry to set up a great bike.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? I’m leaning towards the Rail... but am looking for some advice on which way to go!
