Levo SL 35lb Shimano & Enve Downcountry Build

[Jpzeroday]

Ready-to-ride.

Details forthcoming.

 

[Jpzeroday]

Includes pedals, sealant, and cushcore.

Base for build: Carbon Comp

 

[losgatosgtr]

Only 35 lbs...that's fantastic. Can't wait to see the details.

 

[jcmonty]

Wowzers! Really keen to see what you are doing here. I am considering sub 40 lbs golden for me on my carbon comp XL if/when I get there with mods

 

[Kiwiman]

oh gotta love the revive.

 

[jwrx]

View attachment 27196

Ready-to-ride.

Details forthcoming.

amazing. Bike size?

 

[Jpzeroday]

Large

 

[Paceman]

I'll be interested to see the spec list.

 

[Jpzeroday]

 

[Jpzeroday]

Levo SL Backcountry Build

Groupset: XTR 9100 12sp
Brakes: XTR 9120
Rotors: Shimano MT-900 180mm Front/Rear
Bars: Enve M6
Stem: Enve M6 40mm
Top Cap: Wolftooth
Grips: ESI
Dropper: Revive 185mm
Seat: Phenom Pro 143
Cranks: Praxis Carbon Levo SL 165mm
Pedals: HT MEO3T (w/Black Pins)
Wheels: Enve M525
Valve Stems: CushCore 44mm
Tires: Maxxis Aspen 2.25 120tpi EXO
Insert: CushCore XC Rear
iPhone/Light Mount: QuadLock
Fender: Mucky Nutz
Bottle Cage: Zee 2 White/Black
TOGS

Backcountry to All Country Transformation:
Fox Elite 36 150mm
DT Swiss M1800 Wheels
Aggressor/DHRii tire combo
Cushcore rear only

I’m putting an XT cassette on this wheel set so this conversion can be made relatively quickly when I need the bike for burlier terrain.

If my estimates are right, this bike should weight about the same as a stock S-Works in ‘burly’ all mountain mode with heavier tires and a fork. I’ll post those weights in a follow up once I’ve tested the transformation.

I am planning to travel with this bike quite a bit (including flying) I want to set this bike up to ride both assisted and not, and on backcountry epics along with All Mountain sessions (park and trail).

Thanks to RideSantaCruz for the cateye magnet tip! Works like a dream.

I have a Shimano EM810 E-Bike Center Lock Disc Rotor on order.

 

[Jpzeroday]

First Ride Today. An 18 mile quick rip extending past dusk on the best flow trails in Cottonwood, NV. (3 mile smile, Badger Pass, Late Night, Cactus Slalom, and Molly).

Rode the same trails yesterday on my Levo S-Works.

I was really close on climbing times.

These tires & wheels unlock this motor. Less torque and power lost to rotating weight and stickiness.

On the flow descents, it wasn’t even close...this SL accelerates on even the slightest gradients with pumps and gravity alone.

This bike is for the flow.

...for the hops.

...for the pumps.

...for the jumps with gradients.

...for picking a line, not a lane.

...for being on it in the corners and laying it over proper, railing the side knobs.

...for shifting because the right gear makes a difference.

...its for efficiency & comfort for on epics, looks like at least 30 miles and 4k’ on the main battery at 30/100...maybe even 50/7k’ with one extender.

If you not ever nor recently ridden fast rolling tires, I highly recommend giving it a try—its a completely different experience. I built this bike with these wheels and tires in mind. Had the same setup on a Yeti SB100 (I miss that bike...perhaps no longer....

Durable? Yes.

My regular rides are continually punctuated by the baby heads, sharp and loose rocks of the southwestern USA deserts. I have over 1k miles on Maxxis Aspens 225 in these conditions with no punctures. I run Cushcore XC in the rear only for sidewall protection.

I have a Kenevo for the steep and janky rides...with the SL, an awesome quiver.

 

[Jpzeroday]

 

[Mcharza]

Nice build, but how much is the additional cost of the replaced parts? Price of a new xc bike?

 

[ridesantacruz]

Nice build! Enve, shimano and maxxis! Great selection of parts! Thanks for sharing!

 

[p3eps]

Question - where did you get the Praxxis carbon cranks from? According to Praxxis, these aren’t available to buy for another few months?

 

[jwrx]

Large

great build to see what is humanly possible with the SL. But this build not for my local trails, it would shatter the moment we hit our first rock garden

 

[Zimmerframe]

A completely ignorant question ..

What are the little horns sticking up inboard of the ESI grips ? are they protector feet for when the bike is upside down ? something to attach hand guards to ? or as this is America, some form of ingenious cup holder ?

 

[Fivetones]

A completely ignorant question ..

What are the little horns sticking up inboard of the ESI grips ? are they protector feet for when the bike is upside down ? something to attach hand guards to ? or as this is America, some form of ingenious cup holder ?

TOGS thumb rests maybe?

 

[Zimmerframe]

TOGS thumb rests maybe?

Ah yes ! Looks to be that. Never seen it before .. there's 18g to be saved in seconds !

So not a coffee cup holder then. Most disappointing !

Shame they don't double up as spare shifter levers in case of breakages or emergency tyre levers.. or tiny ice scream spoons for e-bikers.

 

[Fivetones]

The fact I think these look quite neat for some parts of my ride has me worrying about becoming an XC weenie.

 

[Jpzeroday]

Question - where did you get the Praxxis carbon cranks from? According to Praxxis, these aren’t available to buy for another few months?

THIS was a hard find. My local shop was able to get a set directly from Specialized!!

 

[Jpzeroday]

A completely ignorant question ..

What are the little horns sticking up inboard of the ESI grips ? are they protector feet for when the bike is upside down ? something to attach hand guards to ? or as this is America, some form of ingenious cup holder ?

TOGS. Very nice for resting hands, relaxing your grip while still maintaining control of the bars.

 

[Jpzeroday]

Large

great build to see what is humanly possible with the SL. But this build not for my local trails, it would shatter the moment we hit our first rock garden

Jank-factor = 1000 on my local trails.

 

[Jpzeroday]

View attachment 27244

Magnet placement.

 

[Jpzeroday]

The fact I think these look quite neat for some parts of my ride has me worrying about becoming an XC weenie.

If you enjoy long rides, they are good addition IMO. This is the first eMTB build I was able to integrate them into the cockpit.

The clean new integrated Shimano 9100 single clamp system allows for integration with the ESI grips on this bike. .

I elected to keep the power switch in my cockpit and it fits nicely just inboard of the TOGS on the left.

Also, the integrated Shimano dropper lever has really nice action, too. I’ve been a Wolftooth lever fan, the Shimano compares favorably and is fully integrated.

 

[Fivetones]

Yet another I-SPEC standard (EV). Looks really neat though.

 

[miPbiP]

If you enjoy long rides, they are good addition IMO. This is the first eMTB build I was able to integrate them into the cockpit.

The clean new integrated Shimano 9100 single clamp system allows for integration with the ESI grips on this bike. .

I elected to keep the power switch in my cockpit and it fits nicely just inboard of the TOGS on the left.

Also, the integrated Shimano dropper lever has really nice action, too. I’ve been a Wolftooth lever fan, the Shimano compares favorably and is fully integrated.

View attachment 27251

long rides, infrequent changes of mode, so you could bin the handlebar mode remote and use the TCU button for mode selection.

 

[Blinkie]

I'd be concerned about impaling myself on the TOGS when I eject OTB, which I can do quite skillfully now

 

[Jpzeroday]

long rides, infrequent changes of mode, so you could bin the handlebar mode remote and use the TCU button for mode selection.

I thought about deleting the mode button. But, I find that I change modes frequently enough to warrant keeping it. Also, when I tried to use just the top tube button, I found that I needed to stop to use it. I found that often the times I wanted a mode change, that I was active, moving around the bike, and it was impossible to remove a hand from the bars with out loosing control.

Related—I’ve found that I can save battery by deactivating the motor during descents. I though this counter-intuitive at first: descending shouldn’t use much power. But, I found that I’m still moving the cranks and that power was consumed, when I really didn’t need it. So I often shift to Eco or Off on descents, but then want to be able to power up quickly should a short, punchy climb emerge for instance.

All that said, I think retaining the handle bar mode button enhances the agility of the bike, so I was willing to accommodate the weight. I got this bike under 36lbs while still including ride and durability enhancing parts. I’m running CushCore XC on the rear, for instance.

 

[Gary]

Awesome build. Too much carbon for me personally but awesome attention to detail (weight) without any massive compromises.
Only thing that would concern me is the 24 spoke wheels and your choice of grips.
I'm not light and like to get sideways though (even on tame terrain)
and ESI grips are scaryAF in the wet gloveless. (clearly not an issue for you)

If you not ever nor recently ridden fast rolling tires, I highly recommend giving it a try—its a completely different experience. I built this bike with these wheels and tires in mind.

Yeah. I run nothing softer than a dual compound on the rear of my bikes all year round. and despite being a Dh rider use Exo casings rather than DH/DD as I Absolutely hate slow rolling/accelerating tyres. Even if it does compromise my grip limits. Light/fast rolling tyres/wheels will absolutely transform any Emtb's handling.