Other Talking future Specialized with Marco Sonderegger- Senior Product Manager

[Moe Ped]

I dont want to get Rob or the site in trouble, but he made some very open comments about the future of non ebikes, he also quoted the owner about some conversations that specialized were late to the party, with some of their tech and products.

Clearly he is an advocate of Ebikes but that needs to be tempered when discussing their other products.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Sadly it's gone and it doesn't look like we'll be seeing it again.

For me, whilst he might have revealed too much from the corporate side, he came over as a very open, honest, knowledgeable guy who's passionate about his work and the company.

He gave a few good insights as to how they operate, how they try to push the technology and innovate.

I felt he managed to give the impression of utmost professionalism, yet still, somehow managed to add that human side which seems missing so often these days from too many companies. Especially companies making products which are supposed to be appealing and exciting - much more than just the characterless plastic and metal they're formed from, things we connect with and know in our soul that ours is best !

Most upset I missed the live broadcast, I had loads of questions.. Like that ceiling ! So rather than insulate between the joists, presumably the insulation is installed completely over the joists to make a far more efficient thermal envelope. ... the list goes on ..

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Yeah, they were a few interesting comments but only remember one where he was specific about the number of motor failures.

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

Sadly it's gone and it doesn't look like we'll be seeing it again.

For me, whilst he might have revealed too much from the corporate side, he came over as a very open, honest, knowledgeable guy who's passionate about his work and the company.

He gave a few good insights as to how they operate, how they try to push the technology and innovate.

I felt he managed to give the impression of utmost professionalism, yet still, somehow managed to add that human side which seems missing so often these days from too many companies. Especially companies making products which are supposed to be appealing and exciting - much more than just the characterless plastic and metal they're formed from, things we connect with and know in our soul that ours is best !

Most upset I missed the live broadcast, I had loads of questions.. Like that ceiling ! So rather than insulate between the joists, presumably the insulation is installed completely over the joists to make a far more efficient thermal envelope. ... the list goes on ..

yes, I know spesh will have their reasons but as a Levo owner I was very happy to hear most of what he had to say with regards to direction, futureproofing, tech development vs improvements on current design. Overall I was left with a warm fuzzy feeling that my Levo wouldnt be landfill after 3 years and that I hadnt wasted my money and that any money handed over to spesh in the future would be well spent.
Marco is clearly passionate about ebikes but I suspect the comments regarding killing off pedal bikes wouldnt be welcome.
overall for me, I was really pleased that I saw that before it was pulled and I think that it would have been reassuring for people on the fence about buying a Levo / Kenevo etc.

 

[Troysmith80]

Wait, what did he say about pedal bikes?

 

[thewrx]

just take down the thread admin, stop click baiting your users! Fucking troll!

 

[Jeff McD]

Really enjoyed the honesty of the interview. It occurred to me that it had to be pulled down because of his comment might invite a lawsuit, the one warning about possible fire due to inadequate design of some aftermarket battery extenders? Or may not have been allowed to spill the beans if they do actually plan to drop the Brose in the Levo for a beefed up Mahle one, which might invite criticism later from those who based present purchasing decisions on the interview?
My main take away from the interview was a future divergence: to make the levo SL lighter, but the levo heavier by giving it an 800 Wh battery when technology advances, but no commitment to a change to a different motor. Also found it comforting that they have only had 5% of Levo motors returned for defects, as I love my S Works & plan to keep it for a good while.

 

[Moe Ped]

Yipes I thought 5% was high did not expect it to be that many.

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

I know there's nothing to see here... NOTHING.

But knee-jerk reaction every time... I see the title pop to the top of the What's New page... so I click.
BOOM, I'm back in here again before I can stop myself! Argh!

I'm like a fly falling back into the same sugar trap I just crawled out of! Hahaha... no wait...??

 

[beutelfuchs]

here is the audio
Speci21Audio

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

here is the audio
Speci21Audio

How did you get that?

 

[beutelfuchs]

it was posted on the german forum

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

^ Whoops... oopsie...

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

it was posted on the german forum

Can you show the link?

 

[Zimmerframe]

^ Whoops... oopsie...

I guess it was always a possibility. There must be quite a few people who do an audio strip from youtube videos to listen too off-line.

 

[beutelfuchs]

How did you get that?

You won´t sue the guy, right?

Specialized - LEVO MJ 2020

 

[Zimmerframe]

About to head to a biergarten as we speak

That must have been in the "Deleted Scenes" on the DVD extras of the Hobbit....

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

I guess it was always a possibility. There must be quite a few people who do an audio strip from youtube videos to listen too off-line.

Hard to put the genie back in the bottle...

That must have been in the "Deleted Scenes" on the DVD extras of the Hobbit....

What’s a DVD?

 

[Zimmerframe]

Hard to put the genie back in the bottle...

Maybe they should put it back on youtube, but as unlisted .. then everyone who's seen it or knows what's in it can actually see it for themselves - complete with the double eye candy of Rob & The Bike Pilot. Anyone who's not interested or who might just stumble across it on youtube, won't ...

What’s a DVD?

Oh boy, trust me, I know you still think betamax is god, but when you finally move on - you'll LOVE IT !

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

What’s a DVD?

Oh boy, trust me, I know you still think betamax is god, but when you finally move on - you'll LOVE IT !

Hahahahahaha! Crumbs I didn’t see that coming. Touché!

 

[OldGoatMTB]

At about 50 seconds mark you’ll get some learnin’

I love the fact that his computer with a Commodore 64.

 

[maynard]

Can't be bothered listening. So what's happening with new levo ?

 

[Fivetones]

Can't be bothered listening. So what's happening with new levo ?

Can’t be bothered telling you ?

 

[maynard]

Can’t be bothered telling you ?

Oh man . Maybe I'll listen later ?

 

[James_MTB]

@TheBikePilot @Rob Hancill What tip did Marco give you about the Mission Control settings?

 

[Andy__C]

@TheBikePilot @Rob Hancill What tip did Marco give you about the Mission Control settings?

I wish I'd scribbled this down - I heard that and thought I'd re-listen and note it then.

It was a really engaging interview, really enjoyed it - you guys managed to keep a relaxed, non awkward vibe (there's loads of awkward lockdown based interviews online atm!).

It was nice to have a level of frankness and honesty and it made me feel better about the levo, not worse. For example Marco mentioned there was a failure rate of about 5% of levo motors, UK was high... but they send every single failed motor back to brose for a diagnosis and data collection and improvements to the motor are made in production as a policy, rather than waiting for the next motor.... meaning the motors are improving during each version - mainly for reliability.

Shame not to see the interview kept up - but will definitely catch the next one.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

@James_MTB We use 30 Support 100 Peak Power

 

[maynard]

Hmm good listen . Awsome news .

 

[maynard]

@James_MTB We use 30 Support 100 Peak Power

I have mine set at 36 / 100 for turbo maybe I'll change to 30 . Much safer on the drive train for gear changes . Just dial down the power for changes

 

[James_MTB]

@James_MTB We use 30 Support 100 Peak Power

Interesting & is that across all modes?

Out of interest; what's your acceleration response?

BTW I thought it was a great interview; probably way too much info for their competitors!