Other Switch from Levo to Levo SL?

[Smeer]

I bought my Levo in October of last year, and I absolutely love the bike. I suffer from anhidrosis, so I can not sweat. With the ebike, I can control my heart rate, and prevent overheating. I get out 3 - 5 times a week, for rides around 15-20km with 700-1000 meters of elevation. I wasn't able to exercise for years due to overheating issues, but this bike has changed my life and health around!

I ride alone of with friends on regular bikes. I really use mine as an assist, and not to blast up the hill. When I ride with my friends on regular bikes, I usually set mine to 15%/30%/75%. I only use the high settings on super technical sections, but barely ever. And with my skills improving, I don't see myself needing it.

I have the 500w battery, and on average, I use 20-50% of the battery.

I live in Canada, and I often ride on very technical terrain. Think rock rolls, very tight corners, lots of rock gardens and I'm learning the drops. I usually ride technical blues or blacks.

I feel that the weight of the bike, is holding me back sometimes. It is great, but I also struggle at times feeling the front of the bike is so heavy. This, combined with how I use the bike, makes me wonder if an SL would be better for my type of riding?
I am a small female btw, weighing around 145lbs.

I am also curious to hear of experiences of people who may have riden both on more technical and steep terrain (think BC North Shore and Squamish). I am not too worried about the range, as I can get extenders and drop by the car for one. I am purely curious about the handling of the bikes!

 

[DtEW]

Francis Cebedo (the founder of MTBR.com, and now enthusiastic eMTB proponent, and buyer of quite a lot of trick stuff to play with) has said elsewhere (in the context of a thread about Downieville) that a Levo SL is like a Levo stuck in Eco mode in terms of assist. If limiting yourself to Eco mode of your Levo is doable given your physical limitations, then maybe it'll work?

It would seem that the Levo is a safer bet for adaptive riding, though.

 

[boBE]

It appears you re using 30% of the assist of the Levo and less than 50% of the battery: in other words no more than the SL could provide but with 10 pounds less weight. I am heart rate limited and sometimes switch back and forth between 35% and 65% to keep my HR in a happy place, it works.
At 145 lb and a Levo SL/small you would probably really enjoy the bike. Unfortunately it is a $$$ gamble just to find out. For tight technical trails you may also prefer switching to 27.5" wheels as I have done, it's like power steering.

 

[Smeer]

It appears you re using 30% of the assist of the Levo and less than 50% of the battery: in other words no more than the SL could provide but with 10 pounds less weight. I am heart rate limited and sometimes switch back and forth between 35% and 65% to keep my HR in a happy place, it works.
At 145 lb and a Levo SL/small you would probably really enjoy the bike. Unfortunately it is a $$$ gamble just to find out. For tight technical trails you may also prefer switching to 27.5" wheels as I have done, it's like power steering.

Yeah, I wish I could take one on a test ride to see what it feels like. It's a 10,000$CAD gamble, which is so much. The levo really is great, just truly wonder if I'd prefer the handling of the SL on the tech trails. I'd love to have both!

And yes, i've considered even a mullet setup on my regular levo, though it seems impossible to find the parts right now (at least according to my local shop).

 

[Smeer]

Francis Cebedo (the founder of MTBR.com, and now enthusiastic eMTB proponent, and buyer of quite a lot of trick stuff to play with) has said elsewhere (in the context of a thread about Downieville) that a Levo SL is like a Levo stuck in Eco mode in terms of assist. If limiting yourself to Eco mode of your Levo is doable given your physical limitations, then maybe it'll work?

It would seem that the Levo is a safer bet for adaptive riding, though.

Yes, I think you are right as in the Levo being a safer bet. I may have to hold on and wait and see if I can test ride an SL or even an Orbea Rise to see if it provides me enough so I don't overheat.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I think in your situation, I'd be playing safe and sticking with the Levo. It's already a great handling bike. It gives you more safety margin aswell. If the temperatures increase more than you expected, or for whatever reason you're getting warmer than is comfortable you have twice the battery capacity and more than double the motor power, so you could put it in turbo, set shuttle mode to high and have a much wider level of assistance available to you so you can get back safely.

If you were pushing it though, I'd want the SL

 

[boBE]

Yes, I think you are right as in the Levo being a safer bet. I may have to hold on and wait and see if I can test ride an SL or even an Orbea Rise to see if it provides me enough so I don't overheat.

If you are ever in NE Florida you are welcome to try my SL. But really, reaching out on this forum may turn up someone a little closer to you who would let you try their bike.

 

[Twvandoren]

I was in exactly the same situation, including riding with a disability (CMT 1A in my case). I was riding a Levo but never used more than 40% boost, even when riding with very fast friends. I switched to a Levo SL and am very happy with the result. There is nothing I did on the Levo that I cannot do on the SL. The 10 lb lower weight makes a big difference on the trail and a bigger difference getting the bike on a rack or up stairs.

My opinion, for what it is worth, is that switching to an SL is not a risk. It is a benefit, especially with your light weight. With your ride lengths you should have no issue with battery life and won’t need an extender.

I did an extended test ride on an SL before I bought one and it was helpful. The ride experience is much different on the SL. Good luck!

 

[Jilleride45]

As a 5’6” 115lb female who had a Levo for 2 years and now an SL for over a year, my vote is for the SL. At your size the geometry on the SL is much better. The short chain stays and lighter front end let the bike come alive in technical terrain. On a small there was no way to lift the front of the Levo, you just basically bash into everything. Even turning the Levo with the long chain stays was a chore compared to the SL. The SL rides much more like a regular bike. Looking at calories burned on a ride the Levo and SL for me are about the same, the Levo you spend the calories moving the bike around and the SL pedaling the bike. I loved my Levo and was really nervous about the change, would it handle rock gardens the same, how stable would it be, would I have to ride it turbo always? The SL is much better in technical terrain for a lightweight rider and nope I did not have to ride in turbo (my settings are 25/100 30/100 45/100. Have fun!

 

[Smeer]

As a 5’6” 115lb female who had a Levo for 2 years and now an SL for over a year, my vote is for the SL. At your size the geometry on the SL is much better. The short chain stays and lighter front end let the bike come alive in technical terrain. On a small there was no way to lift the front of the Levo, you just basically bash into everything. Even turning the Levo with the long chain stays was a chore compared to the SL. The SL rides much more like a regular bike. Looking at calories burned on a ride the Levo and SL for me are about the same, the Levo you spend the calories moving the bike around and the SL pedaling the bike. I loved my Levo and was really nervous about the change, would it handle rock gardens the same, how stable would it be, would I have to ride it turbo always? The SL is much better in technical terrain for a lightweight rider and nope I did not have to ride in turbo (my settings are 25/100 30/100 45/100. Have fun!

Ah thank you, this is super helpfull. The one thing that 'worries' me is, if it gives enough power on the uphill for me to not overheat. I use mine in like 10-15% on regular climbs, and 30% - 50% on technical ones, with the higher only used on black Canadian climbing trails in super tricky sections. I believe with more skill, I'd need less. The levo has also improved my endurance a lot so the overheating is getting better.

The other thing that slightly worries me is the range on long rides but I can get an extender (or even two) for that, as the long rides here often come by the car.

I think I will call around and place a pre-order for an SL (don't believe there are any in stock).
The only thing that worries me is the range on long rides but I can get an extender (or even two) for that.

BTW which SL do you have? The regular or the carbon?

 

[Jilleride45]

Range is not an issue. In my experience I get about the same range as a levo with a 500w battery and with the range extender it is similar to the range of the 700w battery. You will go slower up on the SL but range is very similar. I often put the range extender on for longer rides, say 35+ miles but I never really needed it. You may need to turn up the power to not overheat but I do not think range is and issue.

I have the comp carbon, stripped down, built up light with carbon wheels and 2pot brakes 11 speed and I think now it weighs in 36-37 lbs.

 

[Smeer]

Range is not an issue. In my experience I get about the same range as a levo with a 500w battery and with the range extender it is similar to the range of the 700w battery. You will go slower up on the SL but range is very similar. I often put the range extender on for longer rides, say 35+ miles but I never really needed it. You may need to turn up the power to not overheat but I do not think range is and issue.

I have the comp carbon, stripped down, built up light with carbon wheels and 2pot brakes 11 speed and I think now it weighs in 36-37 lbs.

Yeah, I think this sounds perfect for me. I’ll need more support on warmer days uphill on steep terrain, but honestly I love the workout so don’t mind going ‘slower’.

I think I’d like the carbon as well, if going the light route, may as well go the lightest.

Would you be able to give an example of your ride in distance, ascent, and rough power levels?

On average, my rides are 2-3 hours, with around 15-20km, 500-900 meters of elevation.

 

[Jilleride45]

I will check on my Garmin tomorrow and get you distances elevation. I am thinking when I go 25 miles 2500 feet I use about 50% of the main battery. My setting are typically 25/100 30/100 45/100. I ride eco with a little trail. I will get the exact numbers for you though. Today on the creo bike (road version same motor) 30 miles 2000 feet (50mm gravel tires) 53% battery remaining at 35/100 eco.

Know that on the SL you need to shift and pedal like a regular bike. On the levo I could get pretty lazy. The SL you need to be shifting and changing power level, but to me that is part of biking.

 

[Olof Bike Adventures]

The one thing that 'worries' me is, if it gives enough power on the uphill for me to not overheat. I use mine in like 10-15% on regular climbs, and 30% - 50% on technical ones, with the higher only used on black Canadian climbing trails in super tricky sections.

Sorry for being a party crasher, but the SL is not powerful enough for "black Canadian climbing trails". Your best bet is to test one and find out for yourself whether it can climb as well as you need it to.

I just recently tested a Trek eCaliber with a 55 Nm Fazua motor and that was less powerful than a 2nd gen Bosch motor in Tour setting (2nd out of 4 settings). The SL 1.1 felt almost as powerful as the Fazua if I remember correctly despite it only has 35 Nm.

But if you can do those monster climbs in Eco mode on your current bike, I guess you are ok.

 

[jimslade]

Use the search feature on the forum... this has been discussed a few times (I've posted on it... I switched from a Levo to my SL Expert over a year ago). If you are happy riding at 50% or less and never deplete your battery more that ~50-60% nor use 'Turbo' on the Levo you fit the target for the SL and you'll be much happier on the SL.

For me the Levo was like riding a monster truck... gobs of power but really heavy and unwieldy, not nimble, and I wasn't comfortable launching off much. I ride my SL much like I ride my Stumpjumper, but get all the help I need getting up hills. I ride in the Tahoe basin, so fairly steep, with some rocky/technical climbs up old moraine piles. I don't have health issues though... reasonably fit and I've been slowly getting in better condition and have correspondingly been turning my power down... now riding in 'eco' on the SL a lot, boosting up only on steeps.

 

[boBE]

Sorry for being a party crasher, but the SL is not powerful enough for "black Canadian climbing trails". Your best bet is to test one and find out for yourself whether it can climb as well as you need it to.

I just recently tested a Trek eCaliber with a 55 Nm Fazua motor and that was less powerful than a 2nd gen Bosch motor in Tour setting (2nd out of 4 settings). The SL 1.1 felt almost as powerful as the Fazua if I remember correctly despite it only has 35 Nm.

But if you can do those monster climbs in Eco mode on your current bike, I guess you are ok.

35 n*m of torque at the crank with a 30 T crank and 50 T cog with 29" wheel produces about 78.5 N at the road which is enough to go up about a 10% grade *without* the rider adding anything. The SL is powerful enough.

To look at it another way, the SL with 240 W and a rider with maybe 200 W is equal to a pro cyclist power level! We wouldn't win a tour but we would be a decent domestique.

 

[Will Hesch]

I’m 195 lbs, turn 70 in a few months and love my 2021 SL.

I had a new 2019 Levo and loved it! It got me back on the bike and back on the trails.

It was heavy though, really heavy and I found myself getting really lazy, using Turbo a lot!

Now, with my SL, I can easily lift my bike into my van, onto it’s FJM rack and I’ve been feeling fitter and really enjoying riding more than on the Levo.

Both models are great bikes but I think the SL is the best bike I’ve ever owned!

i

photo was taken on a 31 mile ride, my longest so far. Made it back to the van with one (red) bar!

 

[KnollyBro]

Yeah, I think this sounds perfect for me. I’ll need more support on warmer days uphill on steep terrain, but honestly I love the workout so don’t mind going ‘slower’.

I think I’d like the carbon as well, if going the light route, may as well go the lightest.

Would you be able to give an example of your ride in distance, ascent, and rough power levels?

On average, my rides are 2-3 hours, with around 15-20km, 500-900 meters of elevation.

My wife and I ride Squamish and the North Shore all the time on our Levo SLs and can ride up and down for 4-5 hours (50 Shades, Ring Creek etc. - UP, Entrails, Boney, Value Added, Penthouse, In/Out, Dirks, Angry Midget, 19th Hole etc. - DOWN) without getting below 40% on our batteries. I am almost 60 and have a number of injuries so I needed some help on the way up but I gave up a Kenevo as it was just too heavy to be any fun on the way down. The stock Levo SL needs a better fork and we have them set up mullet with Cushcore. A couple of extra pounds is not worth the worry. If you are riding with acoustic bikes, you will have no problem. Which Squamish climbing trails are you concerned about?

 

[Smeer]

My wife and I ride Squamish and the North Shore all the time on our Levo SLs and can ride up and down for 4-5 hours (50 Shades, Ring Creek etc. - UP, Entrails, Boney, Value Added, Penthouse, In/Out, Dirks, Angry Midget, 19th Hole etc. - DOWN) without getting below 40% on our batteries. I am almost 60 and have a number of injuries so I needed some help on the way up but I gave up a Kenevo as it was just too heavy to be any fun on the way down. The stock Levo SL needs a better fork and we have them set up mullet with Cushcore. A couple of extra pounds is not worth the worry. If you are riding with acoustic bikes, you will have no problem. Which Squamish climbing trails are you concerned about?

Hey thats helpful! I was thinking more of a trail like Imby on Eagle Mountain.

I have upgraded the fork to a Fox 36 on my regular Levo, I'd probably take that one off.

I checked with the local shops, and it seems the SLs won't come again until 2022! I put my name down for it and can hopefully test one when they come in.

 

[Smeer]

Sorry for being a party crasher, but the SL is not powerful enough for "black Canadian climbing trails". Your best bet is to test one and find out for yourself whether it can climb as well as you need it to.

I just recently tested a Trek eCaliber with a 55 Nm Fazua motor and that was less powerful than a 2nd gen Bosch motor in Tour setting (2nd out of 4 settings). The SL 1.1 felt almost as powerful as the Fazua if I remember correctly despite it only has 35 Nm.

But if you can do those monster climbs in Eco mode on your current bike, I guess you are ok.

Thank you for that, I am going to keep my Levo and wait until I can test an SL (or an Orbea Rise). No way to know until getting on one, if it truly is enough.

 

[KnollyBro]

Hey thats helpful! I was thinking more of a trail like Imby on Eagle Mountain.

I have upgraded the fork to a Fox 36 on my regular Levo, I'd probably take that one off.

I checked with the local shops, and it seems the SLs won't come again until 2022! I put my name down for it and can hopefully test one when they come in.

We were at Eagle a couple of weeks ago. We didn't do the Imby as it sounds gross! We rode up The Wall, Powerline Road, Physiotherapy and Shock Therapy and then Manhandler, Eastbound and Down and Hammer Time down. Probably used 4-5 bars on the Levo SL. Our son was on his 29'r acoustic bike, he hated us!
I rode up from Hyannis to Good Sir Martin and down Pangor back up Old Buck and down Boogie Man in 2 hours today. Those climbs are probably around 5-600M total which I did in Trail and Turbo and I used 4 bars. I would wonder how nimble the Levo would be on tight switch backs as the Kenevo was brutal with a triple crown fork on it.
In the end, the Levo is a heavy bike like the Kenevo which, in my experience, are more suited for blasting up FSRs in Turbo and going downhill with confidence, on burly trails. That being said, I rode my SL at Whistler last week and did all the Double Black trails on Fitz without issue. I also have the Cascade link and an Ohins coil shock. The Levo SL is better suited to my riding style as I can pick up the front end and move the bike around underneath me more like an acoustic bike compared to the Kenevo that was more of a point, shoot snf hold on!
I would buy a Kenevo SL (better rear suspension than the Levo SL) if they were not priced so ridiculous and unavailable as well. Current est of both worlds (except for the weight part), the Kenevo mullet?

 

[Smeer]

We were at Eagle a couple of weeks ago. We didn't do the Imby as it sounds gross! We rode up The Wall, Powerline Road, Physiotherapy and Shock Therapy and then Manhandler, Eastbound and Down and Hammer Time down. Probably used 4-5 bars on the Levo SL. Our son was on his 29'r acoustic bike, he hated us!
I rode up from Hyannis to Good Sir Martin and down Pangor back up Old Buck and down Boogie Man in 2 hours today. Those climbs are probably around 5-600M total which I did in Trail and Turbo and I used 4 bars. I would wonder how nimble the Levo would be on tight switch backs as the Kenevo was brutal with a triple crown fork on it.
In the end, the Levo is a heavy bike like the Kenevo which, in my experience, are more suited for blasting up FSRs in Turbo and going downhill with confidence, on burly trails. That being said, I rode my SL at Whistler last week and did all the Double Black trails on Fitz without issue. I also have the Cascade link and an Ohins coil shock. The Levo SL is better suited to my riding style as I can pick up the front end and move the bike around underneath me more like an acoustic bike compared to the Kenevo that was more of a point, shoot snf hold on!
I would buy a Kenevo SL (better rear suspension than the Levo SL) if they were not priced so ridiculous and unavailable as well. Current est of both worlds (except for the weight part), the Kenevo mullet?

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HA! I actually love Imby, it's literally in my 'backyard' so I ride Eagle at least twice a week. I highly recommend riding Imby over The Wall. Imby is incredibly well built and well maintained and on an ebike, totally doable. It only takes 8 to 10 minutes on an ebike. I was struggling with corners before, especially as I am a short/small women on a big and heave 29er, but I took some cornering training and now I have no problem with it.

When you say 4-5 bars, do you have the same indicator as the Levo, the 10 bars?

I went and checked a bunch of local bike shops yesterday, none with any SL's or ETA's on when they may come again. Would most likely be 2022. I did put my name on an Orbea Rise, as that one will come in fall and I can test it and see what it will feel like.

 

[KnollyBro]

HA! I actually love Imby, it's literally in my 'backyard' so I ride Eagle at least twice a week. I highly recommend riding Imby over The Wall. Imby is incredibly well built and well maintained and on an ebike, totally doable. It only takes 8 to 10 minutes on an ebike. I was struggling with corners before, especially as I am a short/small women on a big and heave 29er, but I took some cornering training and now I have no problem with it.

When you say 4-5 bars, do you have the same indicator as the Levo, the 10 bars?

I went and checked a bunch of local bike shops yesterday, none with any SL's or ETA's on when they may come again. Would most likely be 2022. I did put my name on an Orbea Rise, as that one will come in fall and I can test it and see what it will feel like.

If the Imby is like the Good Sir Martin on Seymour, I would rather ride the FSR up as its less of a struggle. I have an ebike to do more laps but still hate climbing!
Yes, I think that all the current Specialized ebikes use the same display unit except for the newer ones like the Kenevo SL.

I have heard good things about the Orbea Rise (except the price!) and if its good enough for Geoff Gulevich it should be a pretty tough bike!

 

[Smeer]

If the Imby is like the Good Sir Martin on Seymour, I would rather ride the FSR up as its less of a struggle. I have an ebike to do more laps but still hate climbing!
Yes, I think that all the current Specialized ebikes use the same display unit except for the newer ones like the Kenevo SL.

I have heard good things about the Orbea Rise (except the price!) and if its good enough for Geoff Gulevich it should be a pretty tough bike!

Imby is much shorter, but steeper and more difficult. I absolutely love climbing and hate fire roads haha! Everyone has their preferences.

I saw the video last night re: Orbea Rise. So, my bike shop will actually get the aluminium rises which are not announced yet. Their price point is like the SL, but I would also assume they will be heavier....

Does anyone know the weight difference between Turbo Levo SL Comp and the Comp Carbon?

 

[apac]

Weight difference between Alu and Carbon frames will be between 800g and 1kg