Levo SL Gen 1 SL Weight Diff Carbon/AL?

[Jpzeroday]

Has anyone done the math on this (net out all the components)? I’m planning a custom build. If the AL is within 1-1.5# I might go with it.

IMO a major problem for eMTB (especially Spesh/Brose) is heat buildup. Particularly during the Summer and in the Desert. AL frames radiate heat much better in my experience (I’ve owned several of both).

 

[Fivetones]

The difference is around 7-800g from all the info I’ve seen.

 

[Dirt_Ebike]

Has anyone done the math on this (net out all the components)? I’m planning a custom build. If the AL is within 1-1.5# I might go with it.

IMO a major problem for eMTB (especially Spesh/Brose) is heat buildup. Particularly during the Summer and in the Desert. AL frames radiate heat much better in my experience (I’ve owned several of both).

Makes a lot of sense. Fiberglass/carbon is an insulator and aluminum is a conductor

 

[Blinkie]

Has anyone done the math on this (net out all the components)? I’m planning a custom build. If the AL is within 1-1.5# I might go with it.

IMO a major problem for eMTB (especially Spesh/Brose) is heat buildup. Particularly during the Summer and in the Desert. AL frames radiate heat much better in my experience (I’ve owned several of both).

Not a problem I'll have in Scotland I'm sure

 

[Fivetones]

I wonder if the alu will attenuate the sound of the motor differently too?

 

[Jpzeroday]

It’s about 3lbs actual.

Pictured alloy bike was without tubes (513g).

Pictured Carbon comp, exactly the same except frame and tubes.

Diff 1lb 13oz or 1.81lbs plus tubes at 1.13 = 2.94 lbs difference.

 

[p3eps]

It’s about 3lbs actual.

Pictured alloy bike was without tubes (513g).

Pictured Carbon comp, exactly the same except frame and tubes.

I assume the tubeless bike had sealant in it - in which case the difference between tubes and no tubes would be less than 513g.

 

[Fivetones]

It’s about 3lbs actual.

Pictured alloy bike was without tubes (513g). Pictured Carbon comp, exactly the same except frame and tubes. Diff 1lb 13oz or 1.81lbs plus tubes at 1.13 = 2.94 lbs difference.

Same pedals?

 

[Jpzeroday]

Yes, Same pedals.

Ok RE sealant, yes. Estimate the sealant at between .2 and .4 lbs, then alloy frame is ~2.5lbs heavier.

I was leaning towards alloy until I did this research. Just too much weight difference.

Btw, I started with a comp Carbon, first round of mods have me at 38.2 lbs. Next round going on now, I should make 35lbs range with those mods. I’ll post up a build post when complete.

 

[Gary]

0.2-0.4lb would only be 45-90g of sealant per tyre.
I generally use 120g per tyre with a 27.5x2.4 as any less will end up dry and useless to actually plug a puncture in a very short time. 45g of the stuff per tyre would be almost pointless.

2.5lbs (1.13kg) difference between bare Carbon and Alu frames is absolutely massive.
@73Steff kindly posted the weight of his Alu Levo SL's front triangle, chainstays and seatstays.

For anyone struggling with basic arithmetic that'd put a carbon SL front frame triangle, chain and seat stays at just 830g (this doesn't include the linkage, bearings or hardware though)
Not impossible I suppose. But I'd be incredibly surprised if it's as light as that.
Carbon XC hardtail frames aren't as light as that.

 

[Fivetones]

700-800g is the normal Levo difference (Alu to m9 Carbon/alu rear triangle) but I’d forgotten that the SL is m11 and full Carbon. Maybe the difference is 1000g after all.

 

[Gary]

an SWorks carbon stumpy frame in M (no shock/hardware) is somewhere around 1.3-1.4kg
Despite having no BB shell I wouldn't expect the Levo SL to be any lighter. infact I'd expect it to be heavier given it has to have the motor/Battery housing/mounts and retain even more strength/durability.

 

[b45her]

Makes a lot of sense. Fiberglass/carbon is an insulator and aluminum is a conductor

Errr carbon fibre is absolutely not an insulator it is about as electricaly conductive as things get.

 

[p3eps]

Errr carbon fibre is absolutely not an insulator it is about as electricaly conductive as things get.

Errrr... they’re talking about heat.

 

[b45her]

Errrr... they’re talking about heat.

They both conduct heat too, carbon is very often used as a heating element in industrial furnaces.

 

[Fivetones]

They both conduct heat too, carbon is very often used as a heating element in industrial furnaces.

However it’s in epoxy and conductivity changes whether in plane of the carbon fibre or across it.

Happy to be corrected though. Here is the link, see table.

Carbon Fiber Properties-Heat Conductivity