Levo SL Gen 1 Levo SL 2023 Megathread

[grantini]

I would argue the SL’s are the bike you describe being as close to a regular bike as possible. The Rise is a full fat that’s tried to shave a few pounds.

I concur

 

[boBE]

I would argue the SL’s are the bike you describe being as close to a regular bike as possible. The Rise is a full fat that’s tried to shave a few pounds.

Like as in: I got a new lightweight Corvette for you. We reduced the fuel capacity by 50% to save weight and then dropped the power from 490 hp to 350 hp (but same engine weight) to get back the range. What a deal!

 

[Mcharza]

Like as in: I got a new lightweight Corvette for you. We reduced the fuel capacity by 50% to save weight and then dropped the power from 490 hp to 350 hp (but same engine weight) to get back the range. What a deal!

Haha, interesting perspective to compare bikes and cars. No offense.
But does it still ride like a real sports car?

 

[JetSetDemo]

So did this all end up being that new Specialized budget hub drive cargo bike they launched on the 10th May??

 

[Stompweaver]

So did this all end up being that new Specialized budget hub drive cargo bike they launched on the 10th May??

Yes!

 

[oettam20]

The Specialized dealer of my town is renting a dozen of Levo SL. He told me that in June is going to sell the actual ones and renewing completely these bikes with a new version… it seems like the new Levo SL is coming soon!

 

[jeffintheusa]

From my LBS...

 

[Losiak]

Any new leaks ? when new SL will come ?

 

[CjP]

Will it have a 35/36 or a 38 is the big question?

 

[boBE]

Part of the SL problem is poor marketing. Advertising just the N*m rating is a mistake, it doesn't provide a good means of comparison. A casual look at the ratings would imply Rise is almost twice as powerful and almost twice as fast, yet it is nowhere near that. Levo has almost three times the N*m of SL, again this does not tell the whole story.
Manufacturers should give us meaningful data we can actually use to compare and select our rides. In the meantime I am going to (happily) ride my SL.

 

[SteveRS]

Everyone is always so concerned when it comes to the weight of our bikes, which I suppose is subjective. Here’s my take on it. I’ve been riding for over thirty years and have seen some incredible advancements in mtb’s. I live in B.C Canada and have pretty much always rode what was called free riding back then. I watched the bikes evolve from “relatively” light to out right heavy sleds with over 8 inches of travel. I loved my 2004 Norco A-Line with its Marzocchi Bomber 40mm dual crown forks. The bike had 8 inches of coil suspension and weighed in at over 53lbs. I loved it! Then of course technology started to improve performance and shave of weight as the years rolled on. Now of course bikes are super light and performance has never been so good. My last bike was a Trek Remedy 8. Bought it in mid 2020 as a 2021 model. That was the best bike I’ve owned up to that point, as the previous bike I was still riding was a 2007 Rocky Mountain Switch with 7 inches of coil suspension 26 inch wheels and weighed about 45 lbs. The Remedy was 35ish lbs with roughly 6 inches of air suspension on 27.5 wheels, I was blown away. This bike felt almost too light compared to what I had been riding. The bikes now are incredible, from new geometry to hi tech suspension. In January of this year I purchased a 2022 levo expert. I can’t believe how good this bike is. It’s lighter than my 04 Norco and somehow doesn’t feel any heavier, to me, than my remedy when pointed downhill. I suppose everyone will perceive an experience differently, but when we can have a bike that’s roughly 50 pounds with a motor and battery that handles the way this bike does, we are very fortunate. I thought about purchasing a levo SL because I was worried about weight, i’m glad I didn’t buy that bike. I’m now in my mid 50s and can ride twice as much as I could when I was younger thanks to the motor and battery. I’ve never had this much fun on a mountain bike. Cheers.

 

[Bencab]

Any new leaks ? when new SL will come ?

anticipated for September release.

 

[Killswitch73]

And so rumour has it …… 50NM and not backwards compatible with previous Mahle 1.1 motor housing .. all new motor.

glad I got a rise Now and didn’t wait , and I run the main SL page on Facebook .

 

[Geniusbiker]

A few months ago I switched from a Specialized Stumpjumper EVO to a Transition Sentinel in loam gold (because I wanted a little bit more color).
And I recognized: this bike (the Sentinel) doesn´t need all these geometry adjustment options! It rides so well even with a head tube angle less than 64 degrees! And I´m so glad that Transition already presented their new Relay even when it will be available not before Spring 2023. I really like this brand and their marketing way and that it´s so completely opposite to the way Specialized goes. No more rumors, no more secrets. You know nearly exactly what you will get if you´re thinking about ordering a Relay. From the day Transition released this video of the new Relay my interest in a new Levo SL was shrinking significantly...

 

[boBE]

And so rumour has it …… 50NM and not backwards compatible with previous Mahle 1.1 motor housing .. all new motor.

glad I got a rise Now and didn’t wait , and I run the main SL page on Facebook .

50 N*M is a nice boost *but* more torque requires bigger gears and clutches along with more surface area to dissipate the increased heat, = weight.

 

[Rusty]

The new Spesh is about to meet some steep competition. I think the new Trek Exe with the TQ motor is going to prove to be way too much competition.

 

[Zimmerframe]

and not backwards compatible with previous Mahle 1.1 motor housing

In one of the Spesh interviews when they released the SL, didn't they make a big thing about future motors would use the same mounting so people could upgrade their bikes in the future ...

Sadly, that's one thing where Spesh seem to have gone completely the other way.

 

[Zimmerframe]

its A bit light in travel for me 140mm.

Something like this ..

2023 FOCUS SAM2 SL?

Steve may have leaked this one on the Fazua video featured in the EMBN youtube channel. I own a 2019 and the 2021 was way too heavy, so this looks awesome. Full carbon and at least 170mm of rear wheel travel. The kink behing the headtube looks weird though.

www.emtbforums.com

 

[JSQ]

its A bit light in travel for me 140mm. If they can produce something that competes with the kenevo SL for sure they have a market topper with their suspension and cleaner look. For my riding style there’s nothing that beats a Horst Link suspension system And I’ve had most suspension types. I prefer a poppy bike

I wouldn't describe a Horst-link bike as poppy - mushy is more like it
Let's hope the new Levo SL will still be a light trail bike. If you want something burly, just go with the Kenevo SL or rather Full Fat.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Nice. That looks FF but if it’s super light I’ll buy one.

Like the Transition mentioned above. Another bike with the New Fazua Ride 60. 430wh battery (2kg's). Looks like a nice setup. The Transition doesn't ship until Spring, but the first Ride 60 bikes should ship in August (no idea what though). Perfect for you, it has a Knightrider turbo boost button - gives you full power for 12 seconds and there's a usb outlet on the top tube display so you can keep your phone topped up for watching your chick flicks.

 

[Ribinrobin]

I've heard september 50nm motor, slightly larger battery, slightly larger range extender, Stumpy evo geo but with no side arm more like the specialized epic evo shock mount. All rumours but as many have stated i feel trek have raised the bar with the TQ motor being small and quiet. I think these new bikes motors (TQ/FAUZA?) are the right direction for SL fans. It will be interesing to hear what they're going to do with the kenevo SL being only a year old, with the old motor/battery system.

 

[squeegee]

I saw a the next gen Levo SL about 2 weeks ago in NC, Specialized rep riding one. Had new frame design with lower standover and adjustable geo at headset and chainstay + mastermind. I asked if the motor would be different and he said same motor as current SL + "some firmware updates", I couldn't get a good look at his motor to verify if was still Mahle. Was a sick bright turquoise color. They will keep a mystery until it is released.

 

[Losiak]

if they release New Creo SL on the same motor it will be the same in new Levo SL

 

[Ribinrobin]

I saw a the next gen Levo SL about 2 weeks ago in NC, Specialized rep riding one. Had new frame design with lower standover and adjustable geo at headset and chainstay + mastermind. I asked if the motor would be different and he said same motor as current SL + "some firmware updates", I couldn't get a good look at his motor to verify if was still Mahle. Was a sick bright turquoise color. They will keep a mystery until it is released.

Interesting! I wonder if it’s a firmware upgrade they will roll it out for all the older models, and if so will this effect battery life

 

[squeegee]

Interesting! I wonder if it’s a firmware upgrade they will roll it out for all the older models, and if so will this effect battery life

If what he said is even true you can bet it would affect battery life, if firmware is real, would it be applicable to older models? If I had to guess, anything new will be incompatible with old, why give an upgrade to old bikes when they can sell you a new one?

These guys are trained to not give away secrets...and the company name is $pecialized

 

[boBE]

Interesting! I wonder if it’s a firmware upgrade they will roll it out for all the older models, and if so will this effect battery life

It depends. N*M is not power, N*M times rpm is power (watts)
35 n*m x 65 rpm = 240 w
50 n*m x 45 rpm is also 240 w. 50 n*m at any speed faster than 45 rpm is more watts = faster battery drain (and more motor heat).

 

[grantini]

My favorite bike dealer became an Orbea dealer last year. I was anxious to try the Rise to compare to my SL.... Turns out they never shipped them any bikes (he is the top dealer in our region, not a tiny shop) and he finally gave up. Doesn't matter how good a bike is if you can't get it. I still love my SL.

 

[jwrx]

The new Spesh is about to meet some steep competition. I think the new Trek Exe with the TQ motor is going to prove to be way too much competition.

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

 

[Sebov]

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

Is my guess as well. But I don’t like the specs… and somehow I don’t like the brand.

 

[chamaruco]

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

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