Levo SL Gen 1 Levo SL mullet with 160mm fork?

[CJaMTB]

Hey all,

I've been thoroughly enjoying my Levo SL, in a mullet setup, for around 8 months now. I run the chip in the high setting, to maintain crank clearance as much as anything. I recently swapped the shock out for a CC DB Air IL, as space is limited in the size M frame, and love the feel that's given to the back end. I wanted to match that up front, so got a 160mm Lyrik Ultimate and fitted it up earlier this week, as I just wanted a little more big hit capability (I've been bottoming out my RCT3 Pike on bigger features, with 4 volume spacers fitted. I only weigh 73kgs/11st!).

I know there's probably a ton of posts that have gone into this, but I can't shake the worry of the stated max fork travel (150mm) and short head tube (95mm). Are there any other SL owners running a similar setup and, if so, riding similar terrain (free ride stuff, lots of gaps, big drops, steeps)? Any issues?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[jbodnar]

I have a medium 2021 Levo SL green Carbon Comp...running it as a mullet+.

My 2021 came with a Fox 34 Rhythm 160 mm with the Grip damper...I took it off when I got it (didnt ride it)..I didn’t realize it was 160 mm.

My SL’s head tube is also 95 mm.

I took it off because of tire clearance...can’t run a plus tire.

I ’m not sure where that max 150 mm fork for the 2020 SL came from...obviously Specialized changed the spec for the 2021 Carbon Comp.

I‘m currently running the Lyrik Select from my 2020 Levo Comp on my SL (upgraded with the new 160 mm air spring and an RC2 damper)...I do not do any free riding, big jumps, big drops, etc...but I weigh about 220 lbs suited up.

I also run a 210 x 55 shock in the high position...I will probably move my Cane Creek DB IL Coil with progressive spring from my Comp to my SL (or I might just get a new black CC DB IL coil 210 x 55 for my SL).

 

[CJaMTB]

Thanks for your reply. The 150mm max fork length is in the manual (attached, page 7 or 9 I think). Is the 2021 manual different then? I hadn't realised they were putting 160mm forks on now. Looking at the Spesh SL web page, it seems that the green Comp Carbon is the only SL that is specced with a 160mm fork, the others are all 150mm, which makes me wonder if it's a typo? Was your fork definitely 160mm (not that I don't believe you, just wondered if the fork definitely matched the spec)? Do you still have it and, more importantly, the code off it?

Anyone else confirm this?

 

[jbodnar]

Not a typo...it is 160 mm.

I didn’t read the manual.

I noticed Specialized finally updated the specs for my new green Carbon Comp on their site and noticed it said 160 for the 34...

I measured it...160 mm.

 

[CJaMTB]

Not a typo...it is 160 mm.

I didn’t read the manual.

I noticed Specialized finally updated the specs for my new green Carbon Comp on their site and noticed it said 160 for the 34...

I measured it...160 mm.

View attachment 44849

Okay, thank you. I wonder why they only did it on that one bike? I'd have thought they'd have done that for the S-Works model, like on the Levo?

 

[jbodnar]

My suspicion is that the newer SL models will also get updated with a 160 mm...

The 150 mm max sounded silly to me...saw it posted by others...I was surprised as hell that mine came with a 160 mm.

I would have put a 160 on it regardless...since I liked it on my Levo, I knew I would prefer the 160 on the SL.

 

[jbodnar]

The axle to crown on the Lyrik appears to be a little longer than the 34 Rhythm...still feels good to me with Sqlab 30x riser bars.

 

[jaselikebikes]

Just about to receive my Levo SL Expert with Fox 36, 150mm travel. How does it ride when you convert to 160mm?

 

[CJaMTB]

Not had any issues with it, though Spesh have told me the 160mm on the MY21 green SL was indeed a typo, which has since been amended and now reads 150mm. Definitely feels a touch shorter, but the mullet and 160mm fork now give me a 64° head angle and a much more confident bike when it's rowdy.

 

[CJaMTB]

It’s fine man. Do you have the skill to notice the 10mm higher front? Probably no one does!!

Definitely notice a difference when it gets steep and tech, that's why I upped it. Props the front end up and gives me the option to raise my bars further. That's not to say that the 150mm SL can't ride steps, just that a 160mm SL does it with more positive handling and confidence.

My big concern was the leverage on the (relatively) short head tube, especially coming off larger drops, but that so far hasn't materialised as an issue. Only time will tell if it does...