Specialized Levo vs Trek Rail

[Don_Singer]

So in your mind, out on the trail in the real world, is the difference in noise noticeable / worth putting any consideration into?

I did a "side-by-side" comparison, Rail 9.7 to Levo, but I made a huge mistake, I wore my AirPods when I tested the Trek (not loud, so I can hear the music and the tires gripping the trail) but I forgot them when I rented the Levo. I remember being able to hear the Bosch when it got into its higher-cadence-high-power phase (eMTB), but the Brose was always really quiet. I assume the Bosch was was even louder since I could hear it with the headphones, so yeah, the Brose is quiet. If sound is a real issue in your area the Brose is noticeably quieter.

If you pass a hiker on a steep climb you are spinning up, on the Trek they will know its an e-bike, on the Specialized they may not.

 

[dpdsurf]

I think the hardest part about comparing demo bikes is they usually have different tires. After about 40 miles on the stock 2.6 butchers on my 19 Levo expert I swapped them for Maxxis 2.6 dhf's. Different bike after that, no longer felt like I was ice skating.

Can't go wrong with the rail though and if specialized updated motor doesn't fix the reliability issues I'd say the bosche is also a better bet.

 

[Forever Wild]

It's not the same as EMTB mode.

I have a Trek and a Specialized Ebike. I never use EMTB. But on my Spesh, I’ve set up my ECO, Trail and Turbo custom to my liking, all three modes have variable power delivery based on my pedal input. All three modes can put out max motor power. The difference is how much rider input is required to get max power.

In my opinion, the Brose has way better power delivery than EMTB on Bosch.

I haven’t ridden my Trek since buying my Kenevo.

 

[eleazar6]

Hi, first post here. Looking into an e-mtb as I hit 40 I know weight isn't that big of an issue with e-mtbs but does that come into play comparing the two? it's hard to find #s but it looks like it's 45 lbs for the levo and 52 for the rail.
Also, i would probly be getting the low end ones... Rail 5 and Levo Turbo

 

[JoeBlow]

After reading reports on this forum and talking to owners I am not now as keen to buy a Specialised bike. There appear to have been A LOT of motor failures. I think I will stick with Bosch motors. I'm currently considering an Orbea Wild FS.

Al

 

[tabrat]

So I just want to say most people would do this many upgrades and now I love my Turbo Levo but it took some work for me to love it. Really, really consider the components and I also know this because if you love Shimano you are not going to like SRAM IMO at all. When I got my 2019 Turbo Levo Expert I scrapped the specialized tire which are absolutely inferior to anything Maxxis. Then, because I am a bigger rider, I changed the suspension to DVO which was a significant world changing upgrade.
So I just finally switched over my SRAM Code brakes and drivetrain to Shimano XTR on a 2019 Turbo Levo. This is an absolutely huge difference in braking ability compared to SRAM Code and now you can shed speed faster and later into corners and with 1 finger with zero arm and hand fatigue. I am a bery big guy that goes fast on a heavy bike and after having both I can tell you for sure that all that modulation that people talk about is absolute rubbish. The Shimano difference is so wide and confidence inspiring I cannot believe people even compare the two in the same sentence. I also think that they have enough modulation for anyone. On SRAM I was looking to upgrade the discs from 200 to 220 but then just decided to switch Shimano XTR 9120 with 203 Ice tech and the power difference is significantly better. I would say the XTR 9120 4 pistons would allow you to downgrade your rotor size from 203 to 180 for most riders but with SRAM I was looking to increase. Then switched the shifter, derailleur and rear cassette to twelve speed, everything but the crank, to Shimano and I can tell you that Shimano blows away SRAM in all ways. Want to save a few bucks get XT. The bike is a whole new bike and way better IMO in all ways and I was thinking about getting a new bike but this upgrade made this bike a totally new bike. After this back to back test of components on the same bike Shimano wins by a huge margin! No, I don’t work for Shimano. Yes I realize most people don’t want to do all these upgrades.
I also thought the shock upgrade to DVO Onyx in front and Topaz in rear are significant changes. I love this bike now and at the beginning I could never get it to feel right.

So...
Bottom line is Specilaized should spec Shimano 12 speed and Shimano 4 piston brakes it would rate way higher. I mean way, way higher. The feel is so dramatically different and better it’s amazing.
Trek does spec Shimano and I think if you rode the Trek with Shimano vs. the Specialized with SRAM you might just choose Trek as the winner. Why? Shimano just make your bike far more agile braking into corners and the shifting is significantly superior and more crisp IMO especially with steep shifting and climbing.

I have far faster times with Shimano. Period.

The ideal dream situation is to buy a new Turbo Levo frame and motor only and do this:
-DVO Onyx from fork custom tunes (I do not think the big brands have any comparable technology to DVO at this time
-Rear shock DVO Topaz custom tuned(this is a great rear shock and really helps climbing)
-Maxxis Tires or Maxxis Assegai front and Schwalbe Eddy Current rear
-XTR drivetrain and 4 piston brakes
-Replace the crank with a shorter crank to 155 or less for clearance
-I was going to replace wheels but decided to add Cush Core and that solved roll over and flats, etc.

...of course that is a dream and I had to remove and sell parts to achieve.

 

[tabrat]

After reading reports on this forum and talking to owners I am not now as keen to buy a Specialised bike. There appear to have been A LOT of motor failures. I think I will stick with Bosch motors. I'm currently considering an Orbea Wild FS.

Al

Yea bit once you get a motor upgrade you now have a 4 year warrant!

 

[Doomanic]

No, you have 4 years from the original purchase date.

 

[brook_c]

Yea bit once you get a motor upgrade you now have a 4 year warrant!

No, you have 4 years from the original purchase date.

Can anyone confirm which is correct?

 

[KeithR]

Can anyone confirm which is correct?

Amazingly, Google can - imagine that!

Good-bye motor problems? Software update released for all Brose motors, including the Specialized Levo/Kenevo and a 4-year guarantee

Software update released for Specialized Levo and Brose motors, and Specialized extend their warranty to 4 years – Is this good-bye motor problems?

ebike-mtb.com

To give Specialized riders added peace of mind, the American brand has chosen to extend the motor warranty of the affected models from 2 to 4 years from the date of purchase. The guarantee is transferable, so there shouldn’t be any problem when selling the bike or buying second hand

 

[Doomanic]

It's also been mentioned here many times.