Levo SL Gen 1 Levo SL 2023 Megathread

[jwrx]

Zero hope based on what? Who are you? A shaman?

Based on the fact that the TQ motor has been universally received by media and owners to be virtually silent? While the SL 2.0 will still be running the same mahle motor?

 

[Mcharza]

Based on the fact that the TQ motor has been universally received by media and owners to be virtually silent? While the SL 2.0 will still be running the same mahle motor?

Agreed with Mahle whining motor noice, I don't like it.

 

[Sebov]

Based on the fact that the TQ motor has been universally received by media and owners to be virtually silent? While the SL 2.0 will still be running the same mahle motor?

Totally agree. And compared to TQ and Fazua nobody knows whether Spesh is going to bump up the Torque and/or battery size…
But as much as I know there should be an exclusive partnership between TQ and Trek - at least for some time…

 

[Dave_B]

everything that has been said on this and the other similar post makes a great deal of sense to me.
About a year ago, I was at a very well know Spesh Turbo dealer trying out the Kenevo SL, the whole Spesh UK design and sales team were in the shop, along with the Mahle design engineer. I was asking very specific questions about a motor upgrade and backwards compatibility, everything they said and everything they didn't say strongly suggested a higher torque motor for their SL range of ebikes and backwards compatibility.

 

[Neverbeentomoab]

I demoed a rise the other week and I loved it the only thing stopping me getting one to replace my levo is the poor back up from shimano some people have received. If the tq motor proves reliable or the warranty service is as good as I’ve had from specialized I might get the fuel exe but will give it a couple of month to see what specialized do next.

 

[Sebov]

everything that has been said on this and the other similar post makes a great deal of sense to me.
About a year ago, I was at a very well know Spesh Turbo dealer trying out the Kenevo SL, the whole Spesh UK design and sales team were in the shop, along with the Mahle design engineer. I was asking very specific questions about a motor upgrade and backwards compatibility, everything they said and everything they didn't say strongly suggested a higher torque motor for their SL range of ebikes and backwards compatibility.

Great to hear. But backwards compatibility, does this mean the mounting points? Because that‘s not an issue the industry is aiming for - as you can see with the new display on the Levo Gen3 and Kenevo SL which is not backwards compatible with the Levo SL. Just my two Cents…

 

[Sebov]

I demoed a rise the other week and I loved it the only thing stopping me getting one to replace my levo is the poor back up from shimano some people have received. If the tq motor proves reliable or the warranty service is as good as I’ve had from specialized I might get the fuel exe but will give it a couple of month to see what specialized do next.

Same here…
Fazua Remote, Torque and removable battery are next level.
TQs silent motor is VERY attracting…
But I like the tunability Levos offer and the service provided by Specialized AND my dealer.
Lust but not least. My Stumpy Evo is an extraordinary bike. Love it

 

[Dave_B]

Great to hear. But backwards compatibility, does this mean the mounting points? Because that‘s not an issue the industry is aiming for - as you can see with the new display on the Levo Gen3 and Kenevo SL which is not backwards compatible with the Levo SL. Just my two Cents…

motor size and fitment.

 

[Harold]

owned 2 levos, now on 2020 SL...have booked a Fuel EXe. I have zero hope that SL 2.0 can match the EXe.

Maybe not in noise department, however the new DCU display is already matching what trek offers, and 240 to 300 watts is not a huge gap to fill, I would not get your hope that low so quickly. To me the new fazua system is more appealing (on paper) than what trek proposes. Let’s wait and see. But if backward compatibility on SL ever happen, it will be huge!

 

[sluette]

Any news? Rumors?

 

[Doomanic]

It's going to be a reverse mullet with no motor or battery and ape hanger bars.

 

[squeegee]

Any news? Rumors?

All hearsay but heard last: New SL will be mullet, revised Mahle motor 60nm, revised internals; quieter. MM display, new frame design, adjustable geo. I hope this is all true because suspension kinematics of Gen3 Levo is quite better than Gen2. Quieter motor welcome though not the biggest priority IMO.

 

[sluette]

I hope this is all true because suspension kinematics of Gen3 Levo is quite better than Gen2

Of course it depends on your personal preferences. I've followed the longer & slacker trend on the Stumpy Evo and Status and was very surprised at how agile the LEVO SL is with its more conservative Geo

 

[oettam20]

Maybe not in noise department, however the new DCU display is already matching what trek offers, and 240 to 300 watts is not a huge gap to fill, I would not get your hope that low so quickly. To me the new fazua system is more appealing (on paper) than what trek proposes. Let’s wait and see. But if backward compatibility on SL ever happen, it will be huge!

The original Levo SL was listed at 240 watt maximum power but my brother’s Kenevo SL is regularly showing values a bit above 300 watt on mastermind display ( when peak power is settled to 100%)
I also feel a stronger pull on the kenevo SL when compared to the first generation Levo SL. Is this part of an “undisclosed” software update?

 

[Zimmerframe]

The original Levo SL was listed at 240 watt maximum power

240w was the power at the cranks.

300w is the power being drawn.

The motor is listed as 80% efficient.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I think what’s pulled from the battery is different than what’s applied to forward movement due to inefficiency.

Look at you sounding all clever and using big words !

 

[squeegee]

Of course it depends on your personal preferences. I've followed the longer & slacker trend on the Stumpy Evo and Status and was very surprised at how agile the LEVO SL is with its more conservative Geo

Of course, everything is personal preference. That said new geo is more adjustable, with stem and seat adjustments + hta + chainstay you can make the new geo feel like the old essentially, or experiment and go steeper/slacker/longer/shorter. New frame has lower standover which I like in particular for my tastes, allows seatpost insertion further into frame than old design.

 

[boBE]

Even the FF Specialized bikes are shown as 250 W nominal, which I recall means they are limited to that much average power over a one hour period (probably due to heat dissipation). We know that a FF can do maybe twice that for a short time. 80% efficient is good, not likely any motor will do much better.

 

[SteveRS]

Even the FF Specialized bikes are shown as 250 W nominal, which I recall means they are limited to that much average power over a one hour period (probably due to heat dissipation). We know that a FF can do maybe twice that for a short time. 80% efficient is good, not likely any motor will do much better.

On my ride yesterday the specialized ride app showed average motor power of 330 W. This was in turbo mode for an hour and a half ride with two limbs of approximately 250 meters each up a dirt road. I also had shuttle mode at 100% to assist with the road climbs.

 

[boBE]

On my ride yesterday the specialized ride app showed average motor power of 330 W. This was in turbo mode for an hour and a half ride with two limbs of approximately 250 meters each up a dirt road. I also had shuttle mode at 100% to assist with the road climbs.

Brushless (and brushed) motor efficiency varies according to the torque and rpm, peak efficiency is often at mid-high rpm and low torque. If we power up a hill at low rpm and ask for a lot of torque our 80% efficiency may drop to half that. Your 330 W of battery power may still be producing 240 W of motor power.
We need better motors! And better batteries.

 

[Pauliemon]

It's going to be a reverse mullet with no motor or battery and ape hanger bars.

View attachment 95675

Bring it! I'll race ya! I'll probably lose

 

[R120]

Looks like they are clearing out stock of the current model in the sale - suspect new model incoming shortly

Sale - Specialized

Find our latest clearance items here and snag a deal on quality equipment and apparel.

www.specialized.com

 

[sluette]

The Levo SL was already offered in Germany for the price since the beginning of the year.
Was excactly the price tag I payed end of april for the Expert model.

 

[grock]

What the heck is taking so long? I need a new bike and I'm afraid to make a move until I see their new bike. If it doesn't drop soon, I may end up with an EXE.

 

[stantaur]

Interested to see if they ante up with 60 Nm to match Rise's EP8 RS. This lightweight mid-power segment is catching attention...

 

[Pauliemon]

What the heck is taking so long? I need a new bike and I'm afraid to make a move until I see their new bike. If it doesn't drop soon, I may end up with an EXE.

I believe it's out. Got a email on Aug 31st from Specialized. "Raise the Bar" new carbon based Levo.

 

[IronScott]

I believe it's out. Got a email on Aug 31st from Specialized. "Raise the Bar" new carbon based Levo.

That's likely the new base level carbon full power Levo. It just dropped. There is another thread on it.

 

[RickBullotta]

To add on to this thread, having owned a Rise (M-LTD) and having recently sold it to switch to a full power Levo, I can share some experiences. While the Rise was a perfect bike for solo rides, it wasn't ideal for riding with others on full power eMTBs, and not really needed for rides with regular MTBs. Don't get me wrong, the Rise is a solid bike, but being "neither man nor beast" let to it not getting a lot of use from me. I find myself taking the Levo out a lot more.

 

[Jeff McD]

To add on to this thread, having owned a Rise (M-LTD) and having recently sold it to switch to a full power Levo, I can share some experiences. While the Rise was a perfect bike for solo rides, it wasn't ideal for riding with others on full power eMTBs, and not really needed for rides with regular MTBs. Don't get me wrong, the Rise is a solid bike, but being "neither man nor beast" let to it not getting a lot of use from me. I find myself taking the Levo out a lot more.

Thanks Rick, that's actually the best eval I have ever read on the superlights. You're absolutely spot on on their limitations. I am waiting for the technology to advance with solid state batteries and nano motors to the point where a 38 pound Ebike can do what a full fat levo does today. I think I am not alone.

 

[Mcharza]

Why buy an emtb? You can no longer pedal the same way as before on a normal mtb. At least that's what I thought.

And then you end up riding an emtb with your friends with a turbo. A lighter assistant emtb can't do it.

Was the original purpose of the purchase forgotten here? Or has your physical condition gone down so that a light e-mtb is not enough or has speed blindness struck?

These are the things I think about when I read these writings.