bakedbun
New Member
I wonder if spesh will let me purchase the genie shock for my 2023.
Levo SL Gen 1 Levo SL 2023 Megathread
- Thread starter Killswitch73
- Start date
You can buy it from any bike shop that sells Fox suspension, it’s not a Spesh only thing. Pro Bike Supply has them for $480.
I just put Maven Ultimates on mine. I think they’re amazing!
ah1
Member
If you have a Float X, don't bother
Let the noise die down then decide if you need a shock with two different chambers and two different token types. Specialized has yet to succeed on a "proprietary" shock that is only good for Spec bikes and nobody else runs it. Maybe this one is it, but knowing how great the Float X is I doubt itReally useful thread for me this over the past few weeks - long time MTB'er, first time ebiker. I'd been considering it for a while as all my mates are now on 'full fat' ebikes and although I'm generally fitter/faster, its no comparison.
I'd been looking mainly at the TQ powered bikes, in particular the Mondraker Neat and the Scott Voltage - my current trail bike is a Bold Linkin, so a similar concept and I love it.
I had looked at the Levo SL too, and it was also on the list for consideration next year until my LBS posted an absolutely belting deal on some ex-demo 2023 Levos they had got from the Specialized UK demo fleet. They had a handful come into the shop and this one had 91 miles and 5 charge cycles on it (so effectively new and unmarked) - and I paid £2999, which gets it under our C2W limit too, double bonus. I couldnt resist, so next years purchase was brought forward a few months! Cheaper than those listed on ebay but full 'as new' warranty and shop support. And it really was unmarked.
Stuck 29inch wheels on it straight away, and after a couple of initial 'set up' rides the plan is to swap all my nicer parts from the Bold on. I'll be very much aiming at the lighter/trail bike spectrum as I always prefer to be a little underbiked. i've a Factory 36, Hope Brakes, Carbon bars etc to swap over. Always been a Shimano man so have full XT but tempted to stick with the GX for a bit, especially as its fractionally lighter. My nice custom Hope/DT XM481 wheels are reasonably light but I might look at building some Carbon Wheels for it in the longer term. Reckon I'll see 17.xxx kg easily.
I've still got my racy Carbon Hardtail too, which is a good alternate.
Pretty impressed with the range so far, and it seems like I've made the right choice - it rides like a trail bike, with a motor. Not a motor dominated monster truck like some of the higher powered e-bikes. Theres little point kidding myself (likemy friends have) that ill ever ride my non-assisted trail bike again, so its better to have this compromise.
I'd been looking mainly at the TQ powered bikes, in particular the Mondraker Neat and the Scott Voltage - my current trail bike is a Bold Linkin, so a similar concept and I love it.
I had looked at the Levo SL too, and it was also on the list for consideration next year until my LBS posted an absolutely belting deal on some ex-demo 2023 Levos they had got from the Specialized UK demo fleet. They had a handful come into the shop and this one had 91 miles and 5 charge cycles on it (so effectively new and unmarked) - and I paid £2999, which gets it under our C2W limit too, double bonus. I couldnt resist, so next years purchase was brought forward a few months! Cheaper than those listed on ebay but full 'as new' warranty and shop support. And it really was unmarked.
Stuck 29inch wheels on it straight away, and after a couple of initial 'set up' rides the plan is to swap all my nicer parts from the Bold on. I'll be very much aiming at the lighter/trail bike spectrum as I always prefer to be a little underbiked. i've a Factory 36, Hope Brakes, Carbon bars etc to swap over. Always been a Shimano man so have full XT but tempted to stick with the GX for a bit, especially as its fractionally lighter. My nice custom Hope/DT XM481 wheels are reasonably light but I might look at building some Carbon Wheels for it in the longer term. Reckon I'll see 17.xxx kg easily.
I've still got my racy Carbon Hardtail too, which is a good alternate.
Pretty impressed with the range so far, and it seems like I've made the right choice - it rides like a trail bike, with a motor. Not a motor dominated monster truck like some of the higher powered e-bikes. Theres little point kidding myself (likemy friends have) that ill ever ride my non-assisted trail bike again, so its better to have this compromise.
I’ve got a fleet of non-assist bikes, they’re all collecting dust at this point. I built a brand new Yeti SB160 at the beginning of the year, it’s sitting in the corner with flat tyres. I keep telling myself I’ll ride them more but it never happens, I really just need to start parting them out.
Enjoy, they are great bikes and reliable too.
I have an S-Works Epic 8 and ride that about 95% of the time. The Levo SL is basically a recovery bike but I’m not using it much. When I do it’s usually in eco, occasionally trail. I should really sell it but can’t bring myself to do it. You won’t regret buying it.
ah1
Member
Great bike, screaming deal - enjoy!! I've got the S-works version it's 17.9kg with pedals size S5 so I'm sure you could hit your target (not that it matters - it would still be lighter than 99% other ebikes). The range is good if you're fit that's for sure, and there's an added bonus to not having battery weight fully attached you can add range extenders as needed. It's still light on the battery (especially if you'll be riding with full power) but I can definitely keep with full power slightly out of shape bikers even in trail mode. I often ride it with no assist when I'm with other light ebikes and like you say it feels like a trail bike (although on the heavier side for that). On the descents it definitely rides everything, except for bike parks I've taken it to very gnarly and steep trails it did great (example here: you can see how stable it feels on the steeps). Brakes are the only thing I'm not super-happy with, I have Code RSC on all my bikes but on the ebike the rear goes into squeal mode no matter what I do (realign calipers, resurface rotors, replace pads, etc etc), maybe it's just too much weight for them to handle.
Yep, the Sram brakes are awful. My Hope Tech 4's are getting fitted this week.
I usually run Shimano gearing, but whilst the sram brakes areso obviously awful, I'm gonna stick with the GX 12 speed for now - not least because getting a Shimano HyperGlide+ chain to work with the chainring could be problematic.
I dont think any Levo SL builds have used Shimano at all, have they?
I usually run Shimano gearing, but whilst the sram brakes areso obviously awful, I'm gonna stick with the GX 12 speed for now - not least because getting a Shimano HyperGlide+ chain to work with the chainring could be problematic.
I dont think any Levo SL builds have used Shimano at all, have they?
ah1
Member
No, they don't have anything Shimano AFAIK
Is it a little bit glossy or it's ccompletely matt? It's so hard to find real photos of the bike in this colorI like it very much, in the shadow it was black and when the sun was shining the dark red appeared. However, I've decided to another color
Should consider the gloss dark moss, pretty interesting color as well. Moss tint beautify reveal under sunlight.Is it a little bit glossy or it's ccompletely matt? It's so hard to find real photos of the bike in this color
Yeah, I like it on the picture, never saw it live, but bikes in this color and size S5 cost more than 1000 compared to dark red or grey one for example.
Or maybe Amflow base modell..? Flow mountain bike released a nice review yesterday..
ahah, we are drifting away from Levo SL color scheme rapidly!
Amflow is a different bike, super punchy, but heavier and a tad less sleek. If you need the big watts, it’s super appealing though!!
Concerning flow mountain, they tend to be a bit enthusiastic while reviewing bikes. All ebikes are fantastic according to them. Common trend in the bike media these days…
I probably don't. I rented a full power Giant once in Tyrol (with a very long chainstays ~468 or something like that, crazy number, and I dont like them, the bike does not turn). Brakes were junk, motor was powerfull but very nervous and jerky. And I absolutely hate hose tyres. THey are not rolling at all, you have a feeling that you are riding in a sand even while riding on an asphalt road. Power delivery was not smooth at all. Suspension keenematic was nice, I like how giant's DW-Link perform on the trail.
I climbed 1600m on it (absolutely crazy climb for a single ride). And I did 32Km on that day in ~3.5 hours of mooving time. used 110% of the battery (I charged the bike a little bit mid-ride). I had a feeling that I'm a passenger on the bike, it was extremely heavy so I was not able to do a bunny hop on it. And the worst thing that at the end I had no satisfaction. Stupid feeling, you just ridden a bike but you have a feeling that you did not. I tried Levo SL and Scott Lumen on a festival and I liked those bikes. I aclually liked Scott more because it feels more balanced and stable, but it's a short travel bike and it has TQ motor (I have a feeling that it's not reliable, there are plenty of complaints against it in Scott and Trek threads). Mondraker Neat is also out, because accordingly to this forum no one owns it and my local Mondraker dealer offer no test rides. And here we have Levo SL with a better warranty and a playful character. I have only one doubt regardint it - it has short chainstays and I'm 191cm tall (need an S5), dunno how it feels on decents. My riding technique is pretty basic so I do not know what kind of chainstays I prefer - long or short. Currently I'm riding Canyon Neuron from 2018, it has 445 chainstays and it climbs damn well. It's the only bike I ever owned where I enjoy climbing as well as I enjoy decending. Never enjoyed climbing before. I have a pair of Hope V4s on it so I ride it on a blue trails in bike parks from time to time (it's a short travel 29er with 69' HTA and 120/110 mm of travel). I also liked Focus Jam2 SL, it's very well balanced, but it has rather stiff suspension and it has Fazua, which is a no-go for me. I did my research on that
I'm living in the area which has no mountains or big hills, so Levo SL will be a slight overbiking for me. I hope that can be compensated with the motor. I used to have Enduro and DH bikes in the past, but I ridden them in a big mountains only a few times and because of that my riding skills are rather basic. Can do blue/green trails in Finale, and can ride some red trails in Morzine (however I do not enjoy them).
I found Levo SL Expert 2023 in size S5 for a good price, I hope I can order it tomorrow.
Last edited:
I see you did your researches and did try quite some e-bikes/motors.I probably don't. I rented a full power Giant once in Tyrol (with a very long chainstays ~468 or something like that, crazy number, and I dont like them, the bike does not turn). Brakes were junk, motor was powerfull but very nervous and jerky. And I absolutely hate hose tyres. THey are not rolling at all, you have a feeling that you are riding in a sand even while riding on an asphalt road. Power delivery was not smooth at all. Suspension keenematic was nice, I like how giant's DW-Link perform on the trail.
View attachment 151379
I climbed 1600m on it (absolutely crazy climb for a single ride). And I did 32Km on that day in ~3.5 hours of mooving time. used 110% of the battery (I charged the bike a little bit mid-ride). I had a feeling that I'm a passenger on the bike, it was extremely heavy so I was not able to do a bunny hop on it. And the worst thing that at the end I had no satisfaction. Stupid feeling, you just ridden a bike but you have a feeling that you did not. I tried Levo SL and Scott Lumen on a festival and I liked those bikes. I aclually liked Scott more because it feels more balanced and stable, but it's a short travel bike and it has TQ motor (I have a feeling that it's not reliable, there are plenty of complaints against it in Scott and Trek threads). Mondraker Neat is also out, because accordingly to this forum no one owns it and my local Mondraker dealer offer no test rides. And here we have Levo SL with a better warranty and a playful character. I have only one doubt regardint it - it has short chainstays and I'm 191cm tall (need an S5), dunno how it feels on decents. My riding technique is pretty basic so I do not know what kind of chainstays I prefer - long or short. Currently I'm riding Canyon Neuron from 2018, it has 445 chainstays and it climbs damn well. It's the only bike I ever owned where I enjoy climbing as well as I enjoy decending. Never enjoyed climbing before. I have a pair of Hope V4s on it so I ride it on a blue trails in bike parks from time to time (it's a short travel 29er with 69' HTA and 120/110 mm of travel). I also liked Focus Jam2 SL, it's very well balanced, but it has rather stiff suspension and it has Fazua, which is a no-go for me. I did my research on that
I'm living in the area which has no mountains or big hills, so Levo SL will be a slight overbiking for me. I hope that can be compensated with the motor. I used to have Enduro and DH bikes in the past, but I ridden them in a big mountains only a few times and because of that my riding skills are rather basic. Can do blue/green trails in Finale, and can ride some red trails in Morzine (however I do not enjoy them).
I found Levo SL Expert 2023 in size S5 for a good price, I hope I can order it tomorrow.
I have a similar background, living in an area with more flowy trails (hilly terrain), and going to the alps one week per year, I was disappointed with my first shimano ebike, numb, heavy not fun on flat, and a feeling of following the bike rather than the opposite.
I then switched to Levo SL gen 1, loved the lively and sprinty feeling of the bike. But after 2 years decided to switch for a Fazua (jam2 SL) to get the best of both worlds: SL character and watts, at least on paper. The bike did not ride light, plus had some inconsistency with power output. That’s is how I decided to go back to the Levo SL (gen 2). I cannot be happier. If I was living in the big mountains I would have perhaps go for an SX ebike or the amflow, who knows
What's the difference between the stock shock and Öhlins that you have on the bike?
At your height I would definetely use the long chainstay position even in a mullet setup. I am 1.85 on a S4 und ride my Levo Sl as full 29er - my preferred setup.I probably don't. I rented a full power Giant once in Tyrol (with a very long chainstays ~468 or something like that, crazy number, and I dont like them, the bike does not turn). Brakes were junk, motor was powerfull but very nervous and jerky. And I absolutely hate hose tyres. THey are not rolling at all, you have a feeling that you are riding in a sand even while riding on an asphalt road. Power delivery was not smooth at all. Suspension keenematic was nice, I like how giant's DW-Link perform on the trail.
View attachment 151379
I climbed 1600m on it (absolutely crazy climb for a single ride). And I did 32Km on that day in ~3.5 hours of mooving time. used 110% of the battery (I charged the bike a little bit mid-ride). I had a feeling that I'm a passenger on the bike, it was extremely heavy so I was not able to do a bunny hop on it. And the worst thing that at the end I had no satisfaction. Stupid feeling, you just ridden a bike but you have a feeling that you did not. I tried Levo SL and Scott Lumen on a festival and I liked those bikes. I aclually liked Scott more because it feels more balanced and stable, but it's a short travel bike and it has TQ motor (I have a feeling that it's not reliable, there are plenty of complaints against it in Scott and Trek threads). Mondraker Neat is also out, because accordingly to this forum no one owns it and my local Mondraker dealer offer no test rides. And here we have Levo SL with a better warranty and a playful character. I have only one doubt regardint it - it has short chainstays and I'm 191cm tall (need an S5), dunno how it feels on decents. My riding technique is pretty basic so I do not know what kind of chainstays I prefer - long or short. Currently I'm riding Canyon Neuron from 2018, it has 445 chainstays and it climbs damn well. It's the only bike I ever owned where I enjoy climbing as well as I enjoy decending. Never enjoyed climbing before. I have a pair of Hope V4s on it so I ride it on a blue trails in bike parks from time to time (it's a short travel 29er with 69' HTA and 120/110 mm of travel). I also liked Focus Jam2 SL, it's very well balanced, but it has rather stiff suspension and it has Fazua, which is a no-go for me. I did my research on that
I'm living in the area which has no mountains or big hills, so Levo SL will be a slight overbiking for me. I hope that can be compensated with the motor. I used to have Enduro and DH bikes in the past, but I ridden them in a big mountains only a few times and because of that my riding skills are rather basic. Can do blue/green trails in Finale, and can ride some red trails in Morzine (however I do not enjoy them).
I found Levo SL Expert 2023 in size S5 for a good price, I hope I can order it tomorrow.
I will try that 100%. Is the difference so strong between the two?
Not that strong - it comes down to personal preference. But in S5 I think the longer chainstay setting make absolutely sense. And that‘s the brilliant thing with the Levo Sl - you can try a lot of settings and choose the one you prefer, be it chainstays, headangle or bb height.
Hey Rushy - Can you make a “real world” bottom bracket height measurement on your bike (including your settings)? We ride a lot of rocky ledges here in the southwest US and want to minimize pedal strikes. Thank you!
ah1
Member
I second what @rushy46 said. I'm 188cm, ride Levo SL gen2 size S5. I have it setup to 29er but using a mullet wheel, and I have the HA in "slack" but the BB position set to "high" to compensate for the 27.5+long chainstay lowering the BB. It rides like a dream! I ride pretty much every trail with it including steep double-blacks, the mullet helps on the steeps and even with it I sometimes feel the rear touching. I never tried this bike in a full 29er but I've previously owned the Kenevo SL and I can say they're pretty close.
Regardless of what wheel you have, on an S5 definitely lengthen the chainstay.
Black Bear Trail
Member
Is that a picture of a Levo or Levo SL? To me it looks like a Levo SL.If you have a Float X, don't bother
ah1
Member
It's a 2024 Levo SL Gen 2
Olivier Clg
Member
Black Bear Trail
Member
ah1
Member
Makes senses - yes it's definitely on the lower end of power / Batt. How do they compare on the descents?Thanks. I had a Kenevo SL and liked it, but it was just not powerful enough for me. I'm now riding a Levo (not SL) and like it. I went from 35 Nm to 90 Nm and wow....
BB height of my bike is 343 - 344 mm, low BB Setting, neutral HA, 29er flipchip, 29 rear wheel, Specialized 29x2.3 tires in size S4
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