Haha. That’s awesome.
I heard they’re increasing the price and removing the motors.
"The new Levo XSL, 14KG and guaranteed no motor failure"
Haha. That’s awesome.
I heard they’re increasing the price and removing the motors.
True. They are cancelling the Levo SL as it is almost the same bike as the Kenevo SL so why make both as you can always down tune the KSL to ride XCMaybe Specialized is cancelling the 2023 model.
I'd like a quieter motor.How about "there is no new Levo SL because there is no reason for one" ? The current model does what it should for those of us who want that kind of bike. It doesn't need more power, geometry "du jour", different brakes/derailleur/etc...
Until a motor is developed that has greater efficiency or a battery that has more energy density (and both with less weight) there may be little reason to come out with a new bike.
Well, yeah, me too.I'd like a quieter motor.
Yes, I agree with the noise. On the other hand, you know how the industry works and how consumers think. You've got to have something better each time, even if your product is already pretty good. The SL will now be seen as lacking power, even though increasing the power will just add weight and reduce the range.I'd like a quieter motor.
Good job you don't work for Specialized marketing!! Much like Apple find something new to put in their iPhone every year, Specialized will find something new for the SL '23 model.How about "there is no new Levo SL because there is no reason for one" ? The current model does what it should for those of us who want that kind of bike. It doesn't need more power, geometry "du jour", different brakes/derailleur/etc...
Indeed! An engineer for my entire career, I considered marketing "the dark side". Change for the sake of change just so they could blare "new, improved" even if it didn't do anything better for the customer (unless we include a lighter wallet as a feature).Good job you don't work for Specialized marketing!!
Indeed! An engineer for my entire career, I considered marketing "the dark side". Change for the sake of change just so they could blare "new, improved" even if it didn't do anything better for the customer (unless we include a lighter wallet as a feature).
I hope Specialized does not "improve" out the qualities that make the SL as good as it is. To be honest I changed a lot of things to make mine suit how and where I ride (wheels, derailleur, cassette, shifter). Like you I leave it in 30% assist about 95% of the time so I am not calling for more power
Good job you don't work for Specialized marketing!! Much like Apple find something new to put in their iPhone every year, Specialized will find something new for the SL '23 model.
When the SL was released 2 1/2 years ago it was one of the first of its kind - and so far there has only been component changes in the newer models.
Specialized now have some competition from some new Fazua based bikes and the new Trek to consider - all 'super light' and all with slightly more power / more up to date geometry.
I've had an SL since Feb 2020, and have no reason to change... as I'm happy riding it at 30% assist. Having said that... I have some spare change burning a hole in my pocket just now, and would seriously consider a 'frame only' option upgrade depending on what they release. My LBS said the '23 model is already in their system, and is due to be released in November. S-Works at £14,500 and frame only at about £7800 if I remember correctly. They couldn't tell me any actual facts about it, as no one really knows - and if they do, they've probably signed an non disclosure form... but their expectation was a more powerful motor and better geometry to try and keep up with the new kids on the block.
Lets wait and see though!
Just Levo SL for now.Was your LBS suggesting new Levo AND Kenevo SL, or just the Levo?
Go on then, enlighten us.however I think the proprietary motor is a bad idea for several reasons.
Only 102 years of history building engines and auto parts. What would make them qualified to make an ebike motorYou clearly don't know who Mahle are...
Yes. For good reason. Straight cut gears are noisier than helical gears but sap less power.loud
Is it? AFAIK it's no worse than any of the other current motors (there's no data on the new motors yet) and significantly better than the Brose and the Gen 2 Bosch CX.unreliable
That's by design.low power
This I wholeheartedly agree with.I'd be totally fine with less power, if it also weighed significantly less.
Yes, I think the Mahle motor is certainly more reliable than the Brose motor and I'd be holding back to see how the other light weight motor brands go too. Not always a good idea to jump onto the latest and greatest thing first up. Let them sort out the bugs a bit first.Helical gears are quieter than straight cut but apply an axial load that requires the housing/bearings to be made stronger/heavier. Belts... not much more to be said there.
The SL/Mahle motor does not have many failure reports so it is probably one of the more reliable motors.
The SL/Mahle motor is about 80% efficient which is right up there with the others. More power is going to mean more weight. The motor could maybe be overdriven for a short time but gears have a hard limit. It will be interesting to see what Specialized comes up with but I am not going to be an early adopter.
Here's some weights of the common motors. The only one that is lighter is the TQ in the Trek and that's not 2 times as much torque, it's only 15Nm more and the Fazua is 10g heavier and is still 10Nm off being 2x more torque.You can say more power = more weight but the Mahle motor is already heavier at 1.95 kgs than motors 2x as strong.
Shimano | 2600g |
Bosch | 2900g |
Yamaha | 3060g |
Giant | 3100g |
Brose | 2980g |
SL 1.1 | 1950g |
TQ | 1850g |
Fazua Ride 60 | 1960g |
I find it interesting how we all seem to have a different opinion on how to improve the Levo SL for the upcoming year yet Specialized has not released any info for a new model, this late in the year. Given that most of us have changed a number of components on our Levo SLs to make it right for how and where we ride, is it possible that a new model will not cause a huge turn over of used SLs? I wonder how many will jump on the next version given it is unlikely to be more powerful, have the same range or better, updated geometry, more reliable and of course be quieter. Pick two?You forgot the Eon drive.
I guess it would have been more accurate to say with a weight 5% lighter to .5% heavier, with 43% to 71% more power.
I'm actually fine with the low power as well, I'd just want the motor weight to reflect that lower power and I think when mountain biking, hearing nature and your tires gripping at the dirt are pretty important things which is why I'm really into the TQ drive.
Interested to know what these other motors are? Any links please?It's possible that the Mahle has been over-engineered to allow for future power upgrades while preserving the form factor.
There are more powerful motors out in the world being long term tested that fit the current LSL/KSL frame and work with the existing battery.
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