Levo SL Gen 1 Official Levo SL Thread

[CjP]

I actually think a Kenevo or similar and an Sl is a great stable, there are times when nothing but the biggest baddest bruiser will do!

I’ve been saying this exact same thing.

 

[iainc]

Yeah I will!

Right now, out of 8 ebikes (including some crazy top end stuff) the SL is the one always I pick to ride.

This is what I need to hear as I try and work out what to buy as I slowly rehab from major shoulder surgery. Not wanting a big burly bike but want to ride mellow singletrack with a bit of help on the steep bits. No jumps, drops or gnar..

 

[CJaMTB]

I would agree, in that there's no question that the Kenevo is more capable in more extreme terrain, but there's very little I ride these days that the SL (and ff Levo) wouldn't cope well with. Bear in mind that the most extreme I've ridden was Mountain of Hell, where I'd never have picked the Levo over the Kenevo, but the vast bulk of my riding is nowhere near that. I'll be happy using my SL at 'Ard Rock this year (if it goes ahead), which is probably going to be the most demanding DH riding I'll be doing, aside from the odd day at Gawton or Woody's. I can't justify the Kenevo staying if it ends up getting ridden just a couple of times each year, so time will tell...

 

[TomH79]

Heavy day. 20% left, with extender.

 

[TomH79]

That’s gotta be a record! What is your riding weight?

87kg.
What record?

 

[TomH79]

Record ride on the SL. At least I’ve not seen a 75k long ride on the SL yet. If I did that I’d be sitting on ice for days.

Did this on beginning of may. Battery left about 60%

 

[MikeInThePeaks]

Was that internal battery or with RE?

 

[MikeInThePeaks]

Was that internal battery or with RE?

Yesterday’s 20 miles and I thought I was doing well. went out with the internal and external and used 40% of the RE only. About 2,000 ft climb although I did about 1,300 unassisted, basically until my watch said I’d improved decently on anaerobic and aerobic performance. It’s great having the ability to push the boundaries of exercise and range without concern. Vo2 max now 51 aged 52. Without the pleasure pushing me on I’m not sure it would have been that high.

 

[55plusmxinsanity]

After transforming my comp alloy to a near S-Works alloy, I am semi-seriously considering an SL. Hmmm

 

[TomH79]

Was that internal battery or with RE?

Yesterday with re, 100km with internal

 

[CjP]

I can't justify the Kenevo staying if it ends up getting ridden just a couple of times each year, so time will tell...

That’ll be a sad day seeing that bad girl go.

 

[Bencab]

Another day at Henry Coe State Park in Bay Area, California. It was a great run until I got spooked when I stumbled upon a fresh kill while climbing - around 19th mile marker. Good thing I had my timber bell on to warn animals of my presence. Warning graphic image!

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Has anyone ridden just with the Range Extender yet and removed the internal 320Wh battery?

I think I will give it a try this week.

Instant 1.8 KG weight saving. Hello 15KG Levo SL.

Obvs only 160Wh battery capacity. But I think I could get in an hour blast with that.

 

[MikeInThePeaks]

I’d be very interested to hear how you get on. I went for a two hour hilly ride locally and used much more assist than normal to understand range still came home with the main battery untouched and 60% left in the range extender. I’d also be interested in a video on the logistics of motor and battery removal;-)

 

[Adejager58]

Information needed

I have a XL Levo SL Comp Carbon
I have a Rockshox Ultimate deluxe coil on its way and its a 210 x 55.
I checked with the standard Fox Shock and its seems there is plenty of difference for that extra 2.5mm of stroke by letting all the air out of the shock.
Dont feel like sending my brand new shock away to get it shortened.
Has any body run a 210 x 55? does it work? how close does it get?
So that extra 7.5mm travel should be nice with the 160mm Rockshox Ultimate fork up front.

 

[iainc]

Has anyone ridden just with the Range Extender yet and removed the internal 320Wh battery?

I think I will give it a try this week.

Instant 1.8 KG weight saving. Hello 15KG Levo SL.

Obvs only 160Wh battery capacity. But I think I could get in an hour blast with that.

Dropped you a message the other day Rob.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

I’d be very interested to hear how you get on. I went for a two hour hilly ride locally and used much more assist than normal to understand range still came home with the main battery untouched and 60% left in the range extender. I’d also be interested in a video on the logistics of motor and battery removal;-)

I wasn’t quite thinking straight. I’d remove 1.8 KG internal battery. Then I’d add a 1KG range extender. So net weight saving of 800 grams.

BUT It would also be a change to the weight configuration too. The weight would be more central (but higher).

 

[CJaMTB]

That’ll be a sad day seeing that bad girl go.

It's not a done deal yet! I need at least a couple of months, to get over the SL honeymoon period if nothing else, before a firm decision is made. There is one big negative on the SL's book at the moment, which is the big-assed rear wheel continually hitting me in the ass! It's nearly caused a serious problem on several occasions now, at just the time when you least need it to. There are two possible solutions to this, get the shock stroke reduced, to reduce the rear travel (the problem here is that I can't get a proper answer from Spesh, on how much that would reduce the travel), which preserves the geometry of the bike as it should be. The other solution is to go mullet, which is a setup I have previously enjoyed immensely on a Levo, but I'm loathe to do this until I can get some 155mm cranks. This solution obviously messes with the geometry, even with the chip in the High setting, and given some of the tech climbs I do, I'm not 100% sure this is the right solution for this bike.

Anyhow, time will tell whether this issue is big enough to mean the Kenevo stays and rides those days where getting hit in the butt is a problem on the SL, or whether I solve the problem and the Kenevo ends up sat in the bike rack...

 

[TomH79]

I wasn’t quite thinking straight. I’d remove 1.8 KG internal battery. Then I’d add a 1KG range extender. So net weight saving of 800 grams.

BUT It would also be a change to the weight configuration too. The weight would be more central (but higher).

I might test this on the near future.
As my SL weights 18.7 with coils f/r + 970g tires (spesh 2.6"), it would be nice to lose that 800g.

I think I would be able to ride it ovet 30km with my local enduro tracks.

 

[CJaMTB]

View attachment 31806

Had to make a slight mod today, after getting a wicked motor bike sound on my first descent! The rear tyre was catching on the pins that hold the extender on the guard, so I had to melt the inside of the split pins and flatten them, using the flat of a knife blade that I'd heated up. Other than that, it works really well (I headed back out and tested it on a really sketchy descent, just to be sure!).

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

17.68 KG.

 

[jcmonty]

It's not a done deal yet! I need at least a couple of months, to get over the SL honeymoon period if nothing else, before a firm decision is made. There is one big negative on the SL's book at the moment, which is the big-assed rear wheel continually hitting me in the ass! It's nearly caused a serious problem on several occasions now, at just the time when you least need it to. There are two possible solutions to this, get the shock stroke reduced, to reduce the rear travel (the problem here is that I can't get a proper answer from Spesh, on how much that would reduce the travel), which preserves the geometry of the bike as it should be. The other solution is to go mullet, which is a setup I have previously enjoyed immensely on a Levo, but I'm loathe to do this until I can get some 155mm cranks. This solution obviously messes with the geometry, even with the chip in the High setting, and given some of the tech climbs I do, I'm not 100% sure this is the right solution for this bike.

Anyhow, time will tell whether this issue is big enough to mean the Kenevo stays and rides those days where getting hit in the butt is a problem on the SL, or whether I solve the problem and the Kenevo ends up sat in the bike rack...

FWIW- have two rides on my now and haven’t had a pedal strike. Haven’t been consciously riding differently either. Bb is right around 334mm.

 

[jcmonty]

Has anyone ridden just with the Range Extender yet and removed the internal 320Wh battery?

I think I will give it a try this week.

Instant 1.8 KG weight saving. Hello 15KG Levo SL.

Obvs only 160Wh battery capacity. But I think I could get in an hour blast with that.

I like this idea for trips (if we ever get on planes again!). Could be the perfect bike for traveling with. The weight isn’t much different than a burly enduro bike once you remove the internal battery. Would be hard pressed to notice a difference I would bet.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

I like this idea for trips (if we ever get on planes again!). Could be the perfect bike for traveling with. The weight isn’t much different than a burly enduro bike once you remove the internal battery. Would be hard pressed to notice a difference I would bet.

Yes - 2 range extenders in hand luggage and bike can go on the plane ?

 

[Surge]

Can someone send a link to the owners manual for the 2020 Levo SL? I can’t seem to find it online.

No one can send me a link to the SL owners manual? ?

 

[crazymelki]

No one can send me a link to the SL owners manual? ?

+1

 

[Surge]

+1

Found it on the Specialized webpage for the bike!

 

[CjP]

It's not a done deal yet! I need at least a couple of months, to get over the SL honeymoon period if nothing else, before a firm decision is made. There is one big negative on the SL's book at the moment, which is the big-assed rear wheel continually hitting me in the ass! It's nearly caused a serious problem on several occasions now, at just the time when you least need it to. There are two possible solutions to this, get the shock stroke reduced, to reduce the rear travel (the problem here is that I can't get a proper answer from Spesh, on how much that would reduce the travel), which preserves the geometry of the bike as it should be. The other solution is to go mullet, which is a setup I have previously enjoyed immensely on a Levo, but I'm loathe to do this until I can get some 155mm cranks. This solution obviously messes with the geometry, even with the chip in the High setting, and given some of the tech climbs I do, I'm not 100% sure this is the right solution for this bike.

Anyhow, time will tell whether this issue is big enough to mean the Kenevo stays and rides those days where getting hit in the butt is a problem on the SL, or whether I solve the problem and the Kenevo ends up sat in the bike rack...

Stroke ratio is 2.85 so multiply that by the reduced stroke length to get a rough estimate of travel reduction.
I run a 200mm travel 29 Kenevo so I know about tire buzz. You learn pretty quick to find that point when your nuts take a good hit. Most of the time it feels kind of ok, really ramps up that adrenaline!

 

[Nickolp1974]

Are there any decent deals floating around the UK for a comp carbon?? I'm Lincolnshire based, what have folk been paying for said model??

 

[simonk]

Are there any decent deals floating around the UK for a comp carbon?? I'm Lincolnshire based, what have folk been paying for said model??

Not that I could find... I’ve just ordered an XL comp carbon and it sounded like there were only a handful left in the country. Managed to get a bit of discount but that’s more to do with the shop manager being one of my besties.