Levo SL Gen 1 Levo SL 2023 Megathread

[Pete N]

Check the review for Francis Cebedo (I posted the link a while ago). He compared it with old SL, Trek, and Transition.

I will do. I know he really liked his Gen 1 SL so will be interesting to get his take on it too

 

[Nerds On Dirt MTB]

Butttt...will the new motor fit the Kenevo SL...asking for a friend..

 

[Zimmerframe]

Slightly spoofy, light hearted and even amusing promo video from Spesh themselves ... still ... it's not the dark knight ...

 

[Killswitch73]

Butttt...will the new motor fit the Kenevo SL...asking for a friend..

its does but the bash guard wont fit. and spesh not selling the motor as standalone.. ( so us out of warranty are screwed) so that video interview 3 years ago that was removed off youtube was a load of bull crap. I wont be buying one. My motor on my Gen1 is fine.

 

[Smeer]

This is awesome! Is there any gossip about this motor coming to the Kenevo SL too?!

 

[Killswitch73]

This is awesome! Is there any gossip about this motor coming to the Kenevo SL too?!

it will be next year as the Kenevo Sl is only 2 years old. 3yr lifespan on spesh bikes.

 

[p3eps]

If you want to support your LBS just pay what they are asking - people are running on empty, inflation is rampant, and trying to make a LBS financial viable is nigh on impossible.

I also suspect the margins on the frame set a lot less, so more likely to get a discount on a whole bike.

I had a similar conversation with the owner - who I’ve been dealing with and buying multiple bikes from for many years (kids, wife, mine) as well as putting my bike in for servicing etc and buying bits.

I’m Ops Manager for an oil and gas company, and have the philosophy that we’re better to sell something at 2.5% markup (when we’d normally be looking for 15%) and get the sale… than not get the sale at all.

I said I wasn’t expecting 15% off, but I was looking for some sort of token discount. Once purchased, I’m needing a carbon mullet wheel set as well as a SRAM AXS XX Transmission - so that’d potentially be another £4000(ish)I’d be putting their way.

There ‘may’ be less margins on a frame only… but a frame only is simply a case of checking the firmware and handing it over. No build or test ride etc required… so the shops involvement and time is significantly less than a full bike. There’s also no free 6 week checkup required either… so the cost to the shop to sell a frame only must be significantly less.

 

[galaga187]

Slightly spoofy, light hearted and even amusing promo video from Spesh themselves ... still ... it's not the dark knight ...

"No more Ass Rub" best tagline of 2023

 

[ghoststalker]

Check the review by Francis Cebedo (I posted the link a while ago). He compared it with old SL, Trek, and Transition.

Best review imho

 

[etoni]

best information video!

 

[brigcampbell]

320 battery... Put a 500 on there.

 

[Pete N]

Great review. I’ve been watching his reviews for years. Bike and Night Riding lights mainly. He’s very good at getting details and data.
Looks like a great bike. His review may cost me a kidney

 

[gts66]

Order placed ! Delivery next week !
So happy after months of waiting since I sold my gen 1 SL ! Can’t wait to try it !

 

[Cb750stu]

Anybody have pics of the frame set ?? I have a 22 turbo levo pro with a ohlins coil , fox 38's with a smashpot, I'm sure everything will be transferable from my full fat to the SL
Regards

 

[gts66]

Only thing I miss now is the suspension calculator that has not been updated yet...Hope they will add the new SL soon

 

[p3eps]

better off getting the comp at a slight discount. its the same frame with a different badge.

True… but I’m not really a fan of the colours they’re offering this year. I don’t know if the frame only option is the white or the black S-Works - but either would do. I’d prefer the white for a change though.

The article I just read a minute ago said the Comp had a different type of carbon to the S-Works. That used to be the case many years ago… but I thought they’d stopped doing that for the last couple years?

 

[George_KSL]

Looks like majority of the sound reduction is from new more sound-proof housing, meaning they could have probably done that from get-go in first-gen as well but someone decided the noise is ok.
Nice to see what few years of competition does.

Very questionable paint schemes, except the silver s-works frameset only.

 

[rocco1109]

Just picked up my Comp S4. Hopefully will get to ride it tonight.

 

[Pete N]

White S-Works frame is nicer than the black. If I got the black I’d get some decals made up to make it look like the 2021 S-Works that I have currently. Bronze Foil is stunning!
Doubt I’ll have the cash though

 

[Pete N]

Just picked up my Comp S4. Hopefully will get to ride it tonight.

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Congratulations, looks great.
Feedback on that motor when you can!

 

[h3ld]

Anybody have pics of the frame set ?? I have a 22 turbo levo pro with a ohlins coil , fox 38's with a smashpot, I'm sure everything will be transferable from my full fat to the SL
Regards

 

[Ribinrobin]

Just got back from riding my new comp. Motor noise is the same when under load, yes it’s a lot quite crusing a fire road but once putting down trail power it’s quite similar from my memory of the old levo.

Power is a massive difference it’s night and day.

Bike handles and rides amazing, it’s so good!

I got a weird noise that sounds like a turbo dump valve when I let off

Dealer said they tried the motor in the KSL and it did fit. Take that how you want!

Great bike def a step up over the older model.

 

[gts66]

Just got back from riding my new comp. Motor noise is the same when under load, yes it’s a lot quite crusing a fire road but once putting down trail power it’s quite similar from my memory of the old levo.

Power is a massive difference it’s night and day.

Bike handles and rides amazing, it’s so good!

I got a weird noise that sounds like a turbo dump valve when I let off

Dealer said they tried the motor in the KSL and it did fit. Take that how you want!

Great bike def a step up over the older model.

Thanks for sharing your first impressions !

How did you setup the suspension on your bike (pressure, rebond, compression) ? I did not find the bike yet in the suspension calculator on spesh website.
Thanks

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Motor noise is the same when under load, yes it’s a lot quite crusing a fire road but once putting down trail power it’s quite similar from my memory of the old levo.

Interesting - I found it much quieter than my old SL

 

[Suns_PSD]

Just picked up my Comp S4. Hopefully will get to ride it tonight.

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Your Comp weighs within the margin of error (+/ - .25#) of the S-works, because you have a manual 12 speed and a non AXS dropper.

It wouldn't be too hard to get a trail spec SL2.0 to 37#s or so.

I've always considered my own SJEvo pretty much an Enduro bike and was left confused by the new SL's geo numbers, but I'm clearer now because as Spesh states in their marketing, the new SL is a trail bike.

 

[p3eps]

Looks like majority of the sound reduction is from new more sound-proof housing, meaning they could have probably done that from get-go in first-gen as well but someone decided the noise is ok.
Nice to see what few years of competition does.

Very questionable paint schemes, except the silver s-works frameset only.

Where are you seeing the frameset only as an option? I can’t find it on Specialized’s UK site.

 

[Ribinrobin]

Thanks for sharing your first impressions !

How did you setup the suspension on your bike (pressure, rebond, compression) ? I did not find the bike yet in the suspension calculator on spesh website.
Thanks

I based it on the old Levo comp suspension set up. Rear felt good front needs about 10psi dropped. I also own a gen 3 Levo and the difference in handling is insane.

 

[Ribinrobin]

Interesting - I found it much quieter than my old SL

This is under riding load rob, so as I’m going hard pedalling. I didn’t hang about and found the noise good on fire roads and chilled things but basic climbs it peaks up again. Definitely better but not night and day. It’s worth noting I haven’t rode a SL in 3 years so might be wrong there.

The power difference is huge though.

 

[galaga187]

Is the battery really not removable? One of the advantages of the KSL was being able to fly with it and just use a range extender.

 

[ragetty]

Lots of adjustment is a big plus.

A fixed battery, not really much quieter (and apparently making it quieter was only an afterthought – see Loamwolf report on YouTube), and an (for me) uninspiring frame format ( … totally subjective of course) are all deal killers for me … it may ride great, but I am really happy with my ‘coming any day now’ Trek Fuel EXe choice.