Levo SL Gen 1 The Reason for delay in 2023 Levo SL...(and various other discussions on lightweight bikes......)

[chamaruco]

Tell us where is your bin

 

[Dax]

I really don't understand why people are so concerned about the noise of a motorized bike and would rank it more important than power. Its not like everyone doesn't know we are riding emtbs when we ride with/near/past other bikers/hikers/walkers. IF I had to ask one change for the next gen Levo SL, a less noisy motor would NOT be on the top of the list. How about a frame only option other than the ridiculously over priced S-WORKS version, a more reliable motor or adjustable geo to run a mullet set if so desired?
My modified 2020 Levo SL is the right bike for me so far. Too bad I had to change most of the stock parts on it to make it work for me. I know I am not the only one who would prefer a frame only option.

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Going from a fairly quiet ebike (OG kenevo) to the KSL, the motor noise is horrific. It’s not an issue riding in a group because you’re chatting and there’s always someone with a Bosch, but riding by myself it really detracts on long climbs. First ride out by myself I resorted to using my emergency airpods to listen to some music to drown out the motor, I’ve never listened to music mountain biking before.

 

[ebikerider]

Going from a fairly quiet ebike (OG kenevo) to the KSL, the motor noise is horrific. It’s not an issue riding in a group because you’re chatting and there’s always someone with a Bosch, but riding by myself it really detracts on long climbs. First ride out by myself I resorted to using my emergency airpods to listen to some music to drown out the motor, I’ve never listened to music mountain biking before.

Seriously...that loud? Sorry mate, if it's that loud it's broken. If it's the normal SL whine then you whining will surely outgun it

 

[Suns_PSD]

I like the sound of nature.
Also, e- bikes are illegal on the majority of trails in my state, specifically called out in the statues.
I'll only use my e-bike on private land or on very back country trails where there is little traffic and they are essentially 1 way. That said, it's definitely best to be incognito.

 

[Suns_PSD]

The power I don't so care about, frankly I'm already a quite strong climber on my bike and don't see the need to go a lot faster.

 

[squeegee]

Power enough to bridge the gap between SL motor and Full Power so that if you're the one guy on the SL in a group aren't always at the back or having riders waiting on you. I prefer the weight of the SL hands down, so I guess I'm asking for the best of both worlds, needs to happen. I'm a pretty strong climber as well but not enough to catch up to another guy that is a good climber on a full power bike.

 

[chamaruco]

I like the sound of nature.
Also, e- bikes are illegal on the majority of trails in my state, specifically called out in the statues.
I'll only use my e-bike on private land or on very back country trails where there is little traffic and they are essentially 1 way. That said, it's definitely best to be incognito.

i would live in a place where you have solved all the problems so you can face the last problem...the illegal ebikes...i need to renew my passport. my question is why did you buy an illegal thing to do sport? why not a legal gun?

 

[KnollyBro]

I like the sound of nature.
Also, e- bikes are illegal on the majority of trails in my state, specifically called out in the statues.
I'll only use my e-bike on private land or on very back country trails where there is little traffic and they are essentially 1 way. That said, it's definitely best to be incognito.

The power I don't so care about, frankly I'm already a quite strong climber on my bike and don't see the need to go a lot faster.

If the sound of nature is more important, you are a strong climber and you are limited as to where you are able to ride your emtb, why do have an emtb if you don't see the need to go faster? Asking for a friend.

 

[Crash Logan]

Going from a fairly quiet ebike (OG kenevo) to the KSL, the motor noise is horrific. It’s not an issue riding in a group because you’re chatting and there’s always someone with a Bosch, but riding by myself it really detracts on long climbs. First ride out by myself I resorted to using my emergency airpods to listen to some music to drown out the motor, I’ve never listened to music mountain biking before.

I honestly don’t hear my bike motor when I’m riding up.. probably due to the sound of my laboured breathing as most of our climbs have lots of short punchy spots that can get up to 25-30% with a consistent 10-15%. I generally run in eco to trail as I still prefer to get a workout when riding. #notafatty

 

[squeegee]

Here in US we still have a lot on anti-ebike sentiment, the funny thing is I've not met one that could articulate WHY. People just have grown accustomed to taking sides and making sure their side wins no matter what. Entitlement is a big problem here, it's built into our society. And yea, we have a legal gun problem like no where on earth.

 

[etoni]

Here in US we still have a lot on anti-ebike sentiment, the funny thing is I've not met one that could articulate WHY. People just have grown accustomed to taking sides and making sure their side wins no matter what. Entitlement is a big problem here, it's built into our society. And yea, we have a legal gun problem like no where on earth.

it's like at the beginning of the emergence of the mtb, there have the hikers us push bikers treated like criminals. today treat us emtb riders the mtb riders as they were treated then ... man simply learns nothing.

 

[Chicane]

i would live in a place where you have solved all the problems so you can face the last problem...the illegal ebikes...i need to renew my passport. my question is why did you buy an illegal thing to do sport? why not a legal gun?

The same reason we drive 5-10 mph over the speed limit, because we are hypothetically doing nothing wrong and still being safe, yet we are considered breaking a law.

 

[Chicane]

it's like at the beginning of the emergence of the mtb, there have the hikers us push bikers treated like criminals. today treat us emtb riders the mtb riders as they were treated then ... man simply learns nothing.

Another analogy is the way snowboarders were treated by skiers in the beginning. Now that's it's taken a 180 degree turn snowboarders could give a rats ass about skiers and most now a days don't even know about the feud that skiers created in the early 90's. Let's all hope that MTN Biker's grow up and act like mature adults in the end when class 1 Ebikes are granted access on all trails.

 

[Norcalsl]

I like the sound of nature.

This is it for me. Especially when riding alone. I like to enjoy solitude in peace and quiet. There was no quiet option when I bought the bike in 2020. There is now.

 

[KnollyBro]

This is it for me. Especially when riding alone. I like to enjoy solitude in peace and quiet. There was no quiet option when I bought the bike in 2020. There is now.

Then what are you waiting for?

 

[Norcalsl]

Then what are you waiting for?

The 2023 Levo SL.

 

[Suns_PSD]

This is it for me. Especially when riding alone. I like to enjoy solitude in peace and quiet. There was no quiet option when I bought the bike in 2020. There is now.

No, no, no, you didn't allow me to complete my sentence.

I meant to say: I like to hear nature... screaming for mercy as I roost and shred the trails and run over endangered species of bunny rabbits.

Anyways, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Spesh decided to switch to the superior TQ HP motor and this is behind the delay.

 

[paquo]

Another analogy is the way snowboarders were treated by skiers in the beginning. Now that's it's taken a 180 degree turn snowboarders could give a rats ass about skiers and most now a days don't even know about the feud that skiers created in the early 90's. Let's all hope that MTN Biker's grow up and act like mature adults in the end when class 1 Ebikes are granted access on all trails.

at least with the ski/snowboard thing it really was kind of a valid gripe. You could look up the hill on a powder day and while skiers generally went straight down snow boarders tended to go more across and wreck the snow. With the emtb it's just viceral hate for hate's sake. What are ya gonna do

 

[Norcalsl]

Anyways, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Spesh decided to switch to the superior TQ HP motor and this is behind the delay.

Possible. If Specialized doesn't address the motor noise issue in the 2023 SL, I'll buy a Fuel Ex e and ride in blissful silence.

 

[Suns_PSD]

at least with the ski/snowboard thing it really was kind of a valid gripe. You could look up the hill on a powder day and while skiers generally went straight down snow boarders tended to go more across and wreck the snow. With the emtb it's just viceral hate for hate's sake. What are ya gonna do

I don't want to get into an anti-ebike diatribe on an e- bike forum.
However here we have mostly bidirectional trails with poor site distance with many other users.
Inexperienced, and frankly large riders buy e-bikes and proceed to go 8mph faster than their legs or talent can take them and flat endanger other trail users.
They are a lot different than the very rare pro-xc racers because that racer has half the combined weight and enough talent to handle their bike, use both brakes, take evasive maneuvers and so on.
I can tell you that my 112# wife & 70# daughter are scared to ride our local trails unless I lead to call out e- bikes because of their experiences.
Really, e- bikes, especially full power Class 1 bikes and greater, are REALLY not appropriate in all places.

 

[Pdoz]

I don't want to get into an anti-ebike diatribe on an e- bike forum.
However here we have mostly bidirectional trails with poor site distance with many other users.
Inexperienced, and frankly large riders buy e-bikes and proceed to go 8mph faster than their legs or talent can take them and flat endanger other trail users.
They are a lot different than the very rare pro-xc racers because that racer has half the combined weight and enough talent to handle their bike, use both brakes, take evasive maneuvers and so on.
I can tell you that my 112# wife & 70# daughter are scared to ride our local trails unless I lead to call out e- bikes because of their experiences.
Really, e- bikes, especially full power Class 1 bikes and greater, are REALLY not appropriate in all places.

So, are you saying YOU have the talent / weight / legs required to safely ride out front on bidirectional trails but your wife / daughter don't? Or are you admitting to being an over confident / risk taking rider endangering other trail users? Worse still, does your wife / daughter then ride faster than they are comfortable trying to keep up with you?

NB this is a thread on sepcialized SL ebikes, so most of the people here are either skilled / fit / light / slow enough to think a 35 nm light emtb is a good idea. I'm reasonably confident that anyone riding a levo sl knows how to use both brakes!

 

[Doomanic]

I don't want to get into an anti-ebike diatribe on an e- bike forum.

But you did anyway.

 

[George_KSL]

I really don't understand why people are so concerned about the noise of a motorized bike and would rank it more important than power.

For me because I am still biker and outdoor lover first, I just wanted slight performance help (hence why SL bike). KSL does that, but it also sounds like shit and drowns the sounds of forest. I feel no reason not to be critical of it, it's just simple fact.
For you it isn't problem, then don't mind us saying it is.

I use Eco (30/80) and Trail (40/80) so I need to work a lot to get assistance from the motor, hence I never even use the 35nm, on average it barely gives me 20. And I am ok with that. Just make it more silent, TQ will absolutely juggernaut everything Mahle. Lets just watch all brands jump on it, it's the winning formula.
When I bought Kenevo SL, I wasn't even deciding based on engines, for me it was not a thing. KSL was simply the best bike, it won based on trail performance alone. At the time, there wasn't TQ alternative anyway, but I would have probably still chosen KSL even with the noise since there still isn't bike of same performance (but perhaps the Rotwild G375 and eventual Transition will get very close). Bike performance was 90perc. of choice, 10perc. was me deciding between engines. Reading this forum I know it's more balanced towards the engine choice for many, but doesn't mean all.

Light-weight e-bikes are niche category so it makes sense it will attract people with very specific preferences.
I don't give a fuck about power :- ). I don't like writting negative posts like this because it reminds me we are all very priviledged well-earning people arguing about expensive toys.
But I am still surprised why other feel the need to sound surprised when we voice different opinion on priorities. Voice yours, don't comment on others.
Suns_SPD has been making great observations and seems to just rile people up. He isn't criticizing your choice of bike, he's just trying to find perfect his. You don't need to defend your bike or keep posting it.

 

[George_KSL]

If the sound of nature is more important, you are a strong climber and you are limited as to where you are able to ride your emtb, why do have an emtb if you don't see the need to go faster? Asking for a friend.

Because he wants to ride for longer and much more frequently?
I can think of quite more, didn't require much logical thinking.

 

[etoni]

will the new levo sl arrive at the end of november, at "christmas time", when the money is rolling in?

 

[chamaruco]

But you did anyway.

Useless discussion. He is so afraid for the bike world…but he has so difficulties to find an avatar that prefers to expose his daughter and wife. Anyway i prefer this avator to @BAMBAMODA 's one.

 

[chamaruco]

now i'm confused. when i read your post i imagine you in red bikini some fur somewhere wearing a pro bike helmet . i need to washout my head now.

 

[chamaruco]

i will resist, anyway if i needed now i know that zimm used to do this.

 

[Suns_PSD]

So, are you saying YOU have the talent / weight / legs required to safely ride out front on bidirectional trails but your wife / daughter don't? Or are you admitting to being an over confident / risk taking rider endangering other trail users? Worse still, does your wife / daughter then ride faster than they are comfortable trying to keep up with you?

NB this is a thread on sepcialized SL ebikes, so most of the people here are either skilled / fit / light / slow enough to think a 35 nm light emtb is a good idea. I'm reasonably confident that anyone riding a levo sl knows how to use both brakes!

That really riled people up!

I'll only ride my ebike at our private land ride spots that are directional and one illicit trail that is very steep so also directional that is very lightly ridden because it's very challenging.

Yes, I'm fairly experienced rider

 

[Suns_PSD]

Useless discussion. He is so afraid for the bike world…but he has so difficulties to find an avatar that prefers to expose his daughter and wife. Anyway i prefer this avator to @BAMBAMODA 's one.

What an odd accusation.

Yes, when I register for a forum Google uses my saved photo automatically that I chose as they are the best part of me and I'm very proud of my family. I'm not hiding.

People were questioning why there are issues between e- bikers and bike riders and I gave my honest experience from someone that is pro e-bike, and was promptly attacked; which I find is typical within a segment of the community.

Love e-bikes but if you live in a place with multi use, bidirectional, poor sight line trails, they need to be regulated appropriately as they are motorized and therefore not just 'a bike' as many pro e-bikers like to claim.