Levo question

mclydeg

Member
Jun 3, 2019
34
16
Phoenix AZ USA
Hey there, new to the forum. I am deciding on my first emtb purchase.

In the US the base 2019 Levo and next level up comp are different by the items below and the nicer paint job.

My question is would It be better to buy the base model and get an aftermarket seat post and really good front fork or stick with the comp at $1000 more??

Thanks in advance !

COMP BASE

REAR DERAILLEUR
SRAM GX, long cage, 11-speed
SRAM NX, 11-speed

SADDLE
Body Geometry Phenom Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm
Body Geometry Henge Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm

SEATPOST
X-Fusion Manic, 34.9mm, 125mm of travel (Small), 150mm of travel (M/XL)
Specialized 2-bolt head, forged alloy, 5mm offset, micro-adjust, 34.9mm

FRONT BRAKE
SRAM Guide RE, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 200mm
SRAM Level T, hydraulic disc, 4-Piston Caliper, 200mm

REAR BRAKE
SRAM Guide RE, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 200mm
SRAM Level T hydraulic disc, 2-Piston Caliper, 200mm

FORK
RockShox Revelation Charger RC, 29" Boost™, 150mm of travel
RockShox Sektor RL, 29" Boost™, 150mm of travel
 

208rider

New Member
May 22, 2019
14
10
Boise, Idaho
I bought the base and then added my own dropper post. I couldn't justify the $1k price and I liked the color of the base model so win/win for me.
I also upgraded the pedals, the oem are pretty basic.
 

Rp311

New Member
Patreon
May 30, 2019
22
4
South Carolina, US
Hey there, new to the forum. I am deciding on my first emtb purchase.

In the US the base 2019 Levo and next level up comp are different by the items below and the nicer paint job.

My question is would It be better to buy the base model and get an aftermarket seat post and really good front fork or stick with the comp at $1000 more??

Thanks in advance !

COMP BASE

REAR DERAILLEUR
SRAM GX, long cage, 11-speed
SRAM NX, 11-speed

SADDLE
Body Geometry Phenom Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm
Body Geometry Henge Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm

SEATPOST
X-Fusion Manic, 34.9mm, 125mm of travel (Small), 150mm of travel (M/XL)
Specialized 2-bolt head, forged alloy, 5mm offset, micro-adjust, 34.9mm

FRONT BRAKE
SRAM Guide RE, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 200mm
SRAM Level T, hydraulic disc, 4-Piston Caliper, 200mm

REAR BRAKE
SRAM Guide RE, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 200mm
SRAM Level T hydraulic disc, 2-Piston Caliper, 200mm

FORK
RockShox Revelation Charger RC, 29" Boost™, 150mm of travel
RockShox Sektor RL, 29" Boost™, 150mm of travel
I just went through this exact scenario 2 weeks ago and couldn’t get a base model in a reasonable time so I went with a comp. I would have been perfectly happy with a base and added a dropper.
 

mclydeg

Member
Jun 3, 2019
34
16
Phoenix AZ USA
I just went through this exact scenario 2 weeks ago and couldn’t get a base model in a reasonable time so I went with a comp. I would have been perfectly happy with a base and added a dropper.
I weigh in around 210lbs so I was concerned with the fork. Don’t know much about the Rock Shock forks.
 

V8EBR

New Member
Apr 5, 2019
2
3
Bucks
There probably isn't really a 'right' answer to this, as it is likely to depend on the type of riding you are going to do and whether you enjoy tinkering and upgrading components to get the bike just right for you.

I went through the same thought process when buying mine, and originally decided to get the base version and add a dropper, and then see about changing the fork if I needed to Then I changed my mind and decided to get the Comp, as I couldn't be bothered changing components over in the early days, and could quite easily upgrade the revelation on the Comp to a Pike (which I've got on my Stumpjumper, and rather like).

Having said all this, by the time I'd got round to making a decision all the base and Comp versions I'd been looking at had been sold, so I ended up buying a Comp Carbon - so much for careful consideration and thought process!!
 

Kave

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2018
242
151
Sweden
I wen't with the base model, liked the color. Will install the latest oneup dropper with 180mm of travel and a better fork. That way I will have a better bike for the same money than the comp.
But I like fiddling with stuff, I would say that it comes down to that.
 

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,190
Surrey
I wouldn't be surprised if they put the new RS 35 Gold on the 2020 base model - its going to be the new go to basic but decent fork that a lot of brands are putting on next years models, the new Merida has it for example

RockShox 35 Gold RL suspension fork bulks up on performance, not price - Bikerumor

Screenshot 2019-06-04 at 16.50.03.png
 
Last edited:

DTZ

Member
May 5, 2019
116
89
UK
I posted on the other thread, but since posting I have purchased the base model, my thought process was as follows......

- I preferred the colours for the Base model (I went for Black/Blue)

- A dropper post and fork upgrade will still cost less than £1000. I see a dropper as essential. forks probably so, but I'm going to give them a few rides out and see if I "need" to replace them. A benefit for me is that if I upgrade I can then put the Sektors onto the other halfs HT to replace her terrible Suntours (2 upgrades for the price of 1)

- Brakes seem to be good and stop well so far, but I'll need to test them on bigger hills. They can be upgraded if required for not a massive cost, and still cheaper than the comp overall

- Rear Derailleur - Yes, the GX is apparently not as good as the NX, but to me the GX is fine. However one feature not picked up on is the shifter. I'm used to shifters that can shift gears either one or two at a time (short or long press) - The shifter on the base is only one at a time
 

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,190
Surrey
All shifters on SRAM e bike versions of their groupsets are restricted to one shift, its supposed to prevent putting unnecessary stress on the drivetrain during shifts - personally I think its totally unnecessary
 

Tuckya'in

Member
Mar 20, 2019
14
14
Washington State
All shifters on SRAM e bike versions of their groupsets are restricted to one shift, its supposed to prevent putting unnecessary stress on the drivetrain during shifts - personally I think its totally unnecessary
I promise, it is not unnecessary. My 2017 didn't have one, it ate a cogset pretty quick. My 18 Kenevo had it and has had no problem. I have since put one on the 17 with no further issues. I never miss being able to multishift either.
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,522
5,002
Weymouth

davarello

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2018
305
360
New Zealand
Price difference for me between the base model and Comp was less cost (and hassle) than a dropper,fork and brake upgrade, so I went with the Comp.
 

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