James_MTB
Well-known member
- Jan 15, 2018
- 292
- 269
While my Levo receiving some much needed TLC from Bike Scene I borrowed their Levo SL Demo Bike.
The route was 16miles 2500ft climbing; I used 2 extenders first and finished with 84%. I used eco 65, trail 75 turbo 80 with 100% peak power on all.
With the 2 extenders, it's probably the same range as my Levo, maybe a touch more. The extenders work exactly like normal batteries, I was expecting it to feed the main battery! The first extender I got down to 4% before it felt like pedaling in sand, the 2nd to 8%. I had to power off\on to switch back to the main battery. I had a water bottle and the extender in my backpack didn't notice the weight.
Along the trail, it felt pretty much like my Levo just a touch slower. Strava said my average speed was a couple of mph slower than normal.
Climbing; This is where I noticed a massive difference. You have to work harder and quite a lot. I didn’t clean the stone staircase which I've cleaned on my Levo. Yes, the conditions were grim (storm Dennis) + had a different rear tire. But I did miss the punch of the Brose motor on the short techy climbs. I could see bits on my local trails where I'd be pushing the SL!!
Downhill; it pretty much feels like a normal bike, more lively and poppy. But I did miss the weight of my Levo through the rocky sections.
Other things I noticed; I changed gear loads, from the dinner plate cog to the next one down (maybe not used to 12sp?)! I was really impressed with the 2.6 Butcher tire. Motor noise isn't much different from the Brose. Lifting it over gates was easier. I loved the grips, they felt like the ODI from BTID.
I would love an SL for riding with non-ebikers.
Totally get the bike it’s gonna shake things up just not for me.
The route was 16miles 2500ft climbing; I used 2 extenders first and finished with 84%. I used eco 65, trail 75 turbo 80 with 100% peak power on all.
With the 2 extenders, it's probably the same range as my Levo, maybe a touch more. The extenders work exactly like normal batteries, I was expecting it to feed the main battery! The first extender I got down to 4% before it felt like pedaling in sand, the 2nd to 8%. I had to power off\on to switch back to the main battery. I had a water bottle and the extender in my backpack didn't notice the weight.
Along the trail, it felt pretty much like my Levo just a touch slower. Strava said my average speed was a couple of mph slower than normal.
Climbing; This is where I noticed a massive difference. You have to work harder and quite a lot. I didn’t clean the stone staircase which I've cleaned on my Levo. Yes, the conditions were grim (storm Dennis) + had a different rear tire. But I did miss the punch of the Brose motor on the short techy climbs. I could see bits on my local trails where I'd be pushing the SL!!
Downhill; it pretty much feels like a normal bike, more lively and poppy. But I did miss the weight of my Levo through the rocky sections.
Other things I noticed; I changed gear loads, from the dinner plate cog to the next one down (maybe not used to 12sp?)! I was really impressed with the 2.6 Butcher tire. Motor noise isn't much different from the Brose. Lifting it over gates was easier. I loved the grips, they felt like the ODI from BTID.
I would love an SL for riding with non-ebikers.
Totally get the bike it’s gonna shake things up just not for me.
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