Levo Gen 2 SWorks Levo - second motor failure - please help

[Andy E]

Hi all

Looking for some advice about what to do here.

I live in the USA and bought my 2019 Sworks Levo about a year ago. Within a couple of rides, I had my first motor failure - intermittent drive. After 3 months away at the dealer near Chicago (I won't name them here) I eventually got the bike back with a new motor, new TCU and new power cable.

Then on the ride home, it became clear the dealer had fitted the cranks L/R the wrong way round, which naturally meant one of the pedals unscrewed and trashed a crank. After another 2 months wait, they provided replacement cranks.

I have been riding the bike about another 3 months since with no problems, but when cleaning the bike spotted what looks like a crack in the carbon rear triangle/subframe... I took it back to the dealer who took photos for a warranty claim, then lost the photos. I have emailed them replacement photos but since, they have not responded.

Now, on a gentle ride this evening (about 30km mostly on the road) the motor seems to have failed with a very loud screeching noise with the motor on, and no drive. I rode it home with no power. Whatever is wrong with it, it also won't roll backwards.

To make matters harder, I am currently away 2,000 miles from the dealer where I came to the Montana mountains to ride.

So, two questions:
1) what's wrong with the motor?
2) what shall I do? Can I talk to someone at Specialized directly? I feel like they would care but my dealer doesn't seem to, even with such an expensive bike.

Any other advice?

I also own a Sworks Roubaix, and think of myself as a loyal specialized fan, but this has been rough.

Thanks
Andy

 

[Mcharza]

Can't answer to the 1st question, but first of all call US Specialized customer service and tell your story. They will help you and if it possible change the bike shop

 

[salko]

1) From description it looks like the belt snapped, very common with older versions of these motors ... try to find dealer with new motors on stock and they will sort you out pretty quickly ...

 

[Zimmerframe]

Sounds like a case for .. Da da DAR ..... @Specialized Rider Care .....

 

[55plusmxinsanity]

1. Frame is under warranty
2. Belt snapped on motor
Suggest you find a new bike shop. USA motor replacement is a 2-3 day turn around. New updated motor is fantastic, in my opinion.

 

[paquo]

that's a horrible turn of events, hopefully it gets straightened out

 

[Andy E]

Thanks for the help all. Specalized Support does not pick up the phone because of COVID, so I sent an email through their website - I also called my Chicago dealer again to work out what they can do.

 

[#lazy]

Looks like you’re up the Montana Creek without a motor ? Sorry and good luck sorting it !

 

[Andy E]

1. Frame is under warranty
2. Belt snapped on motor
Suggest you find a new bike shop. USA motor replacement is a 2-3 day turn around. New updated motor is fantastic, in my opinion.

Thanks for this - do you have any suggestions on how I find a bike shop who's enough of a Levo specialist to have motors in stock? Long way from Berkshire Cycles!!

 

[JetSedgwick]

Hi all

Looking for some advice about what to do here.

I live in the USA and bought my 2019 Sworks Levo about a year ago. Within a couple of rides, I had my first motor failure - intermittent drive. After 3 months away at the dealer near Chicago (I won't name them here) I eventually got the bike back with a new motor, new TCU and new power cable.

Then on the ride home, it became clear the dealer had fitted the cranks L/R the wrong way round, which naturally meant one of the pedals unscrewed and trashed a crank. After another 2 months wait, they provided replacement cranks.

I have been riding the bike about another 3 months since with no problems, but when cleaning the bike spotted what looks like a crack in the carbon rear triangle/subframe... I took it back to the dealer who took photos for a warranty claim, then lost the photos. I have emailed them replacement photos but since, they have not responded.

Now, on a gentle ride this evening (about 30km mostly on the road) the motor seems to have failed with a very loud screeching noise with the motor on, and no drive. I rode it home with no power. Whatever is wrong with it, it also won't roll backwards.

To make matters harder, I am currently away 2,000 miles from the dealer where I came to the Montana mountains to ride.

So, two questions:
1) what's wrong with the motor?
2) what shall I do? Can I talk to someone at Specialized directly? I feel like they would care but my dealer doesn't seem to, even with such an expensive bike.

Any other advice?

I also own a Sworks Roubaix, and think of myself as a loyal specialized fan, but this has been rough.

Thanks
Andy

name names...it's the only way of publically shaming the service dept.

 

[cb700]

Thanks for this - do you have any suggestions on how I find a bike shop who's enough of a Levo specialist to have motors in stock? Long way from Berkshire Cycles!!

Go to the Specialized website: Made for riders, by riders. | Specialized.com
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click their "Find a retailer" button. That should give you a list of Specialized dealers close to your zip code.
Sounds like practically every other Specialized LBS in the nation will be better than the one you unfortunately landed at

 

[Specialized Rider Care]

@Andy E - so sorry to hear this. Have sent you a PM.

 

[Andy E]

Thanks everyone for the replies here. I found a helpful shop in Kalispell, Montana where the team have registered the warranty claims... and thanks to Specialized Rider Care for the IM to check in. I hope Specialized will look after the dealer, get the new motor and subframe out fast, and then I can carry on riding!!

 

[#lazy]

Forum power ?

 

[Slowroller]

Then on the ride home, it became clear the dealer had fitted the cranks L/R the wrong way round, which naturally meant one of the pedals unscrewed and trashed a crank. After another 2 months wait, they provided replacement cranks.

How is this even possible?

 

[Andy E]

How is this even possible?

the drive side crank arm is just an arm, it’s not integrated with the chainring. So the arms are handed, but it seems if being careless you can refit the left to the right side and vice-versa, complete with pedals then on the wrong sides.

 

[silverstone]

the drive side crank arm is just an arm, it’s not integrated with the chainring. So the arms are handed, but it seems if being careless you can refit the left to the right side and vice-versa, complete with pedals then on the wrong sides.

Absolutely! My LBS did the same mistake after replacing the motor...

 

[Andy E]

Absolutely! My LBS did the same mistake after replacing the motor...

I think it's pretty easily done, but as a kid in england I did my work experience at a bike shop, building up new bikes - and it is burned in my memory that you always take extra care to make sure you fit the pedals to the correct sides!!

 

[Grannyjones]

I'm glad my pedals say L and R on them otherwise I could have easily made the same mistake. I didn't know the consequences were so dire as well.

 

[Andy E]

Update from the bike shop in Montana - they have the new motor and seat stays/subframe in from Specialized today so hoping that's a good sign of the bike being back up and running soon!