Levo SL Gen 1 Levo SL advice

[drewbirks]

Hi all, thanks for the add as they say!

Bit of background, 59th birthday up and coming and been MTBing for about 5 years
Looking to get an emtb as struggle with the hills, then knackered for the down hill technical sections (it’s not going to end well)
Initially took out a Trek Rail and although it was good, I didn’t enjoy all the power (I supposed you get use to it) and kept it in eco most of the way which was fine for me. Now the biggest thing I didn’t like was once you get to the cut of point it becomes like pedalling through treacle, although the salesmen would say the Bosch motor has less resistance that a lot of the motors on the market.
Hence a visit to the local Specialized shop and a introduction to the Levo SL. I was aiming to test ride one but then Covid 19 happened and no test rides were available obviously.

So my two question after the long introduction as I would like to buy one before they all get sold

1 is the lack of pedal resistance as good as they say once you get to cut off?

2 I can probably afford the Expert Carbon is it worth it or do I get the Comp and upgrade as and when.



Thanks Drew

 

[Zizzi]

Hi,
I've got a Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 500 with the Bosch generation 4 CX motor. Cycling with the power off or over the 15.5 mph is easy - not resistance to worry about at all.
Hope this helps.

 

[p3eps]

I had a Rail, and swapped over to a Levo SL for the same reason as you - it felt like too much power. Eco felt sluggish.

The SL has the least resistance when pedalling with the motor off. Sure, you can feel it a bit, but it’s way better than anything else out there at the moment. You could quite easily ride an SL with the motor off - unlike most ebikes. Specialized did post a figure when the bike was released, but I can’t remember what.

I bought the Expert model, and have pretty much swapped everything. I’m just left with the frame, rear shock, cranks and wheels! I am going to replace the cranks when the carbon ones are available and am considering a new rear shock too.

I’d have probably been better with the Carbon Comp, but at the same time, the parts I will be selling have slightly more value. I got 15% discount off mine, so ask your LBS what they can do.

 

[R120]

Bare in mind a lot of the time on the most up to date motors, the "resistance" you actually feel (and this is most noticeable when riding on tarmac with big MTB tyres) is that all of a sudden you are feeling the rolling resistance of the wheels and drivetrain, and on any motor you will always get this to an extent. As such tyre choice can have a big effect on the resistance felt past the limit.

 

[p3eps]

Bare in mind a lot of the time on the most up to date motors, the "resistance" you actually feel (and this is most noticeable when riding on tarmac with big MTB tyres) is that all of a sudden you are feeling the rolling resistance of the wheels and drivetrain, and on any motor you will always get this to an extent. As such tyre choice can have a big effect on the resistance felt past the limit.

Plus, on a Levo SL, you’re ‘only’ dragging around 18kg rather than 22kg+

 

[Gregoranus]

Hi all, thanks for the add as they say!

Bit of background, 59th birthday up and coming and been MTBing for about 5 years
Looking to get an emtb as struggle with the hills, then knackered for the down hill technical sections (it’s not going to end well)
Initially took out a Trek Rail and although it was good, I didn’t enjoy all the power (I supposed you get use to it) and kept it in eco most of the way which was fine for me. Now the biggest thing I didn’t like was once you get to the cut of point it becomes like pedalling through treacle, although the salesmen would say the Bosch motor has less resistance that a lot of the motors on the market.
Hence a visit to the local Specialized shop and a introduction to the Levo SL. I was aiming to test ride one but then Covid 19 happened and no test rides were available obviously.

So my two question after the long introduction as I would like to buy one before they all get sold

1 is the lack of pedal resistance as good as they say once you get to cut off?

2 I can probably afford the Expert Carbon is it worth it or do I get the Comp and upgrade as and when.



Thanks Drew

Hi Drew

I have a Levo, and I would definitely recommend them. A friend of mine has a Giant ebike and he was amazed, in comparison, with the lack of resistance on my bike bike compared to his, we are both engineers so this sort of stuff impresses us. Another friend of mine has a Focus ebike and has commented on many occasions how quiet my motor is in comparison to his, it is definitely a well engineered motor, I am sure you will not be disappointed if you go for the Specialized. Have fun, stay safe.

Phil

 

[Waynetta]

Levo SL al the way I’d say. As others have said, the lack of weight compared to other e bikes makes a massive difference when you hit the limiter. I’ve ridden with fit riders on non powered bikes and we’ve done 30 miles and I’ve got back home with 80% battery remaining.

 

[losgatosgtr]

Levo SL is fantastic. Drag on the SL is 2.8 watts compared to 1.2 watts drag for a standard bottom bracket so incredibly low drag compared to any other ebike.

Get the comp carbon and upgrade later as the frame is the exact same on all carbon models of the SL. The brakes should be changed first on either the comp carbon or expert as they suck on both. Battery is same on all the SL models and when using the range extender the range will be equivalent to the 700 wh battery in the full fat Levo but with much less weight.

I have both a Levo and SL but if I was riding solo for fitness I would choose the SL every time over the Levo. It is just so poppy and nimble compared to the full fat Levo.

If you are typically riding in a group with other full power ebike riders then choose the Levo.

 

[drewbirks]

Thank you all for your replies, very useful, will probably go for the comp carbon and upgrade as I see fit. Watch out for an update
Thanks Drew

 

[Lasse]

Levo SL al the way I’d say. As others have said, the lack of weight compared to other e bikes makes a massive difference when you hit the limiter. I’ve ridden with fit riders on non powered bikes and we’ve done 30 miles and I’ve got back home with 80% battery remaining.

Totally agree. I tried a Levo SL for a week, and it's like riding a normal bike above 25km/h limit, while mine 2020 Levo comp is like hitting a wall. Hope next generations will be like the SL, but stronger

 

[KeithR]

Hi,
I've got a Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 500 with the Bosch generation 4 CX motor. Cycling with the power off or over the 15.5 mph is easy - not resistance to worry about at all.
Hope this helps.

The Bosch motor is very different to the one in the Turbo SL - the experience doesn't transfer.

 

[Harold]

I know everyone will tell you how bosch CX4 and EP8 offer zero resitance.
From my experience this is not the case.
Maybe it is related to the weight of such conventional full fat ebike.

But after testing different and recent ebikes back to back, I can ensure you the Levo SL offers by far the best experience in terms of pedaling above 25km/h limit.
This is not the perfect bike, and it might lake some punch for some riders, but in that perspective it is not matched yet.

 

[sniffy]

I'm with the majority here, changed from a fully loaded Turbo levo to a carbon SL and its like chalk and cheese, on a good i will ride my 20k local trail hack with power off, to be fair this is with a lighter set of tyres than standard but a massive difference in pedal power required. I ride mainly in the peak district and to be honest have not missed the extra power of the Levo turbo, suppose you adjust your riding accordingly

 

[Harold]

I'm with the majority here, changed from a fully loaded Turbo levo to a carbon SL and its like chalk and cheese, on a good i will ride my 20k local trail hack with power off, to be fair this is with a lighter set of tyres than standard but a massive difference in pedal power required. I ride mainly in the peak district and to be honest have not missed the extra power of the Levo turbo, suppose you adjust your riding accordingly

May I ask you what tyres you ride?
i'm looking for some lighter/less rolling resistance tyres that the standard butchers, not ready to go full XC though

 

[Konanige]

Had the same dilemma myself, didn't like the FF e-bikes I tested, too heavy and draggy when over the limit. Actually tested back to back on an enduro section against my regular trail bike and the Kenevo was about 15 seconds slower!! Went with the alloy SL in the end as personally I don't like the motor bulge on the carbon bike and figured that the extra grand was better spent elsewhere. Spent the spare cash on Cane creek shock and Fox 36 with Vorsprung coil conversion! Stuck with the brakes as with some Good pads and a proper bed in they have been faultless for 2000km.

 

[ggx]

"First it amazes you, then it gets into your veins and you wish to have juice to ride allways in Emtb mode .
Eco is ok to save and ride along with analog folks. If you ride in a emtb pack, forget Eco.

 

[sniffy]

May I ask you what tyres you ride?
i'm looking for some lighter/less rolling resistance tyres that the standard butchers, not ready to go full XC though

I'm using Specialised ground control for local trail rides, they roll and grip well but doubt they will stand peak district rides as they are fairly thin walled obviously

 

[boBE]

The pedal resistance is not bad, when riding with analog riders I often ride my SL with the power off. When you hit the speed limit it is obvious but only because it is suddenly all you trying to maintain 20 mph. Btw, mine (in Turbo set to 100/100) comes on aggresively and does not keep the motor on unless I am riding close to the cutoff (18+ mph).

The gear whine is for real although on dirt/gravel the noise is not much above the crunch of the trail surface.

I changed the tires for Conti RaceKing, much less tread (lighter) and good on pavement. My SL is aluminum, unless I am racing the carbon does not seem worthwhile to me.

 

[chrismechmaster]

Hi
I own a expert carbon sl and totally love it !!!
When I get to the cut off I don’t feel any difference at all
I also own a full fat Levo and when I get to the cut off that’s very noticeable !!!

the sl I spend a lot of time as well riding with the assistance OFF And this is just like riding a slightly heavier acoustic bike

I would say the sl fits perfectly for what your looking for and can’t fault the expert carbon