Levo Gen 3 Turbo levo 2023 vs others

[mrhaboobi]

Hi all.

Very new to e-bikes and MTB in general. 48, 110kg, 181cm tall.

Currently ride a trek slash 8 2022 size large.

I’m struggling to find an ebike. I like the slash. It gives me the feeling of being in The bike and not on top of the bike. I have a dodgy back so when seated I like a high stack and relaxed position. To get this on the slash I put 38 mm rise bars and 35 mm stem. The slash in a large with mods is still a touch long probably a m/l is the size I should have bought.

In most e-bikes I’ve tried I feel like I’m leaning forward lots of weight in my hands. After a demo on a levo I had a sore neck. But I liked the bike. I’m wondering if the various geo adjustments would allow for a higher stack , less leaned forward position. I was given an s4. My guess is I need reach around 470.

Keen to know how configurable the geo is on the Levo. Currently comparing to a Rocky Mountain altitude powerplay ( size large ), pivot shuttle 2022 model size large ( which has 460 reach but feels bigger and I believe higher stack/risers on the bike also pretty light and nimble but wasn’t fan of shimano ep800 engine ). I’m in New Zealand. Ride the bike parks ( blue, dark blue currently with a desire to get to blacks ) and I’m not particularly fit due to rupture Achilles and 2 years down time due to healing complications.

Could the Levo fit me? Very hard to find demo bikes here in New Zealand where Stock feels like it’s super limited and companies charge you upwards of 150 to try a bike in some brands. So doing an actual real life comparison has been tricky. ( credit to Rocky and specialized in New Zealand they did offer a demo ride hence too of my list. Pivot hadn’t even reply to an email I sent them and giant has no stock so adding a reign into the mix is not an option . Commencal meta power tr or sx low on stock in my size, and orbea seems to have limited options locally to look at a wild . I’ve been looking at all options really).

Hope you guys can provide thoughts,

Thanks

 

[Dave_B]

the problem you may have is the steerer tube on the fork. if its cut at factory length, you may not be able to put the required amount of spacers under the stem? If you can put sufficient spacers and then fit a high rise bar, then I can't see why the Levo would not fit you.

I'm 185cm tall, normal build. I prefer the S5. I have a 15mm stem spacer and a 35mm rise bar.
The S5 also has 9mm more stack compared to the S4, which may help you.
I also have a Fuel EXe size large, which is a bit shorter than the Levo S5. its actually very difficult to feel a huge size difference between them.

the longer bike will offer more stability, the shorter bike will be more playful and easier to get around tight corners.
But if stack is the critical measurement, then maybe the S5 would be better......

 

[mrhaboobi]

the problem you may have is the steerer tube on the fork. if its cut at factory length, you may not be able to put the required amount of spacers under the stem? If you can put sufficient spacers and then fit a high rise bar, then I can't see why the Levo would not fit you.

I'm 185cm tall, normal build. I prefer the S5. I have a 15mm stem spacer and a 35mm rise bar.
The S5 also has 9mm more stack compared to the S4, which may help you.
I also have a Fuel EXe size large, which is a bit shorter than the Levo S5. its actually very difficult to feel a huge size difference between them.

the longer bike will offer more stability, the shorter bike will be more playful and easier to get around tight corners.
But if stack is the critical measurement, then maybe the S5 would be better......

Thank you for the details. 15mm spacer is pretty low . Are the factory forks cut pretty low? On my slash I have a good 30 ish mm. I might need to check the s5 but feel it will be too big . Just on your Exe how did you find the power. I tried a spark lumen ( same motor ) and felt it wasn’t helping much on steep stuff.

 

[Dave_B]

Fuel EXe - Official Trek Fuel EXe Megathread!

Can anyone confirm if on their battery plug that they have one pin that is longer than the rest?

www.emtbforums.com

 

[Dave_B]

I’m not 100% sure on the spacers, was just pointing out you should check.

 

[Dmaguirenz]

Thank you for the details. 15mm spacer is pretty low . Are the factory forks cut pretty low? On my slash I have a good 30 ish mm. I might need to check the s5 but feel it will be too big . Just on your Exe how did you find the power. I tried a spark lumen ( same motor ) and felt it wasn’t helping much on steep stuff.

S4 levo cut at 200 stock.
S5 levo cut at 210 stock.
2022 build and 2023 build.
Depending on what build kit you buy I guess will determine things ? ( stock spech stem / or the deity low height one)
For reference I managed to get 30mm of spacers under the S5 with an aftermarket deity stem.

Hope that helps.

Funnily enough I'm same age /weight - and am 185cm short arms legs long torso. I brought S5 start of NZ covid lock down ( only thing in stock) it's a big bike for my capabilities. Had to get a short stem and sweep bars to feel comfortable.
Just got the S4 and it fits pretty well, but as was mentioned it has a lower stack height. 50mm riser bar I'm about to try.

 

[GDAS]

maybe you need to check out the Raised Reversed stem , reviewed here by Seth (Berm Peak)

 

[DanDeride]

I have an S4 Turbo Levo and similarly appreciate a high stack for the back. I was able to put all 30 mm spacers under the stem, but still ended up going with a higher-rise bar. It feels great now with good balance & not too much pressure on my hands. I probably could have gone with an S5 but I really enjoy the handling of the bike as it is.

 

[etoni]

@mrhaboobi
hello, with your size i would take a s5 HA low, 35mm stem 1.5cm spacer +70mm rise bar 150mm miranda cranks . so you ride central on your bike in the hips and feet. Not on the shoulders! don't worry, the front wheel has just the right amount of grip. i ride with this setting up and down like a dream.
all other settings are wasted time. let me know!

 

[mrhaboobi]

S4 levo cut at 200 stock.
S5 levo cut at 210 stock.
2022 build and 2023 build.
Depending on what build kit you buy I guess will determine things ? ( stock spech stem / or the deity low height one)
For reference I managed to get 30mm of spacers under the S5 with an aftermarket deity stem.

Hope that helps.

Funnily enough I'm same age /weight - and am 185cm short arms legs long torso. I brought S5 start of NZ covid lock down ( only thing in stock) it's a big bike for my capabilities. Had to get a short stem and sweep bars to feel comfortable.
Just got the S4 and it fits pretty well, but as was mentioned it has a lower stack height. 50mm riser bar I'm about to try.

Thanks for that info . Sounds very similar to me buying my first analogue bike during covid . May have to get into the local specialized store and ask some questions. I think s4 will be the size , s5 looks big on paper. I’m based in chch and the guys seem helpful at the store!

 

[mrhaboobi]

@mrhaboobi
hello, with your size i would take a s5 HA low, 35mm stem 1.5cm spacer +70mm rise bar 150mm miranda cranks . so you ride central on your bike in the hips and feet. Not on the shoulders! don't worry, the front wheel has just the right amount of grip. i ride with this setting up and down like a dream.
all other settings are wasted time. let me know!

70mm bar? Does that impact downhill? I have a 35 mm rise but hadn’t considered higher.

 

[etoni]

70mm bar? Does that impact downhill? I have a 35 mm rise but hadn’t considered higher.

i love this high bar , it helps you center your wight..

 

[etoni]

70mm bar? Does that impact downhill? I have a 35 mm rise but hadn’t considered higher.

i am 178cm , first ride as S3 same as the 2019 levo size large.. but it was to small on the trail days. now a S4 and its perfect..

 

[Patterson Stark]

Hi all.

Very new to e-bikes and MTB in general. 48, 110kg, 181cm tall.

Currently ride a trek slash 8 2022 size large.

I’m struggling to find an ebike. I like the slash. It gives me the feeling of being in The bike and not on top of the bike. I have a dodgy back so when seated I like a high stack and relaxed position. To get this on the slash I put 38 mm rise bars and 35 mm stem. The slash in a large with mods is still a touch long probably a m/l is the size I should have bought.

In most e-bikes I’ve tried I feel like I’m leaning forward lots of weight in my hands. After a demo on a levo I had a sore neck. But I liked the bike. I’m wondering if the various geo adjustments would allow for a higher stack , less leaned forward position. I was given an s4. My guess is I need reach around 470.

Keen to know how configurable the geo is on the Levo. Currently comparing to a Rocky Mountain altitude powerplay ( size large ), pivot shuttle 2022 model size large ( which has 460 reach but feels bigger and I believe higher stack/risers on the bike also pretty light and nimble but wasn’t fan of shimano ep800 engine ). I’m in New Zealand. Ride the bike parks ( blue, dark blue currently with a desire to get to blacks ) and I’m not particularly fit due to rupture Achilles and 2 years down time due to healing complications.

Could the Levo fit me? Very hard to find demo bikes here in New Zealand where Stock feels like it’s super limited and companies charge you upwards of 150 to try a bike in some brands. So doing an actual real life comparison has been tricky. ( credit to Rocky and specialized in New Zealand they did offer a demo ride hence too of my list. Pivot hadn’t even reply to an email I sent them and giant has no stock so adding a reign into the mix is not an option . Commencal meta power tr or sx low on stock in my size, and orbea seems to have limited options locally to look at a wild . I’ve been looking at all options really).

Hope you guys can provide thoughts,

Thanks

Hey mate, great that you’re riding and going ebike.

I don’t think the stack height is the issue. Your BMI is 33.57 times at your class one obese – no offence, but these are the fact. At that weight, your core strength will be insufficient to keep the weight off your hands, so what you do to your bike now as far as setup is merely an orthopaedic adjustment.

Get the levo in S4. Keep your rpm between 70 and 80 and I would recommend a carbon comp if you can afford it with the TCU as it will give you all the information you need to ride yourself back into shape. I would also recommend a whole foods plant based diet as I am a specialist in lifestyle medicine and this is the only proven method to do it correctly.

Also, I recommend that you make sure you are getting at least six hours a week on the bike and it doesn’t matter if you’re riding Trail or not, just keep spinning and get out there on a regular basis the results will come and you will feel great

That being said when you do get the bike …have it professionally set up for you in, addition to making sure you’re doing some stretching and calisthenics to work on that core. remember, old Cher can do a five minute plank!

I ride a carbon comp and have 11,000 K on my 2022 gen3 set up

Best of luck

 

[Patterson Stark]

Hey mate, great that you’re riding and going ebike.

I don’t think the stack height is the issue. Your BMI is 33.57 times at your class one obese – no offence, but these are the fact. At that weight, your core strength will be insufficient to keep the weight off your hands, so what you do to your bike now as far as setup is merely an orthopaedic adjustment.

Get the levo in S4. Keep your rpm between 70 and 80 and I would recommend a carbon comp if you can afford it with the TCU as it will give you all the information you need to ride yourself back into shape. I would also recommend a whole foods plant based diet as I am a specialist in lifestyle medicine and this is the only proven method to do it correctly.

Also, I recommend that you make sure you are getting at least six hours a week on the bike and it doesn’t matter if you’re riding Trail or not, just keep spinning and get out there on a regular basis the results will come and you will feel great

That being said when you do get the bike …have it professionally set up for you in, addition to making sure you’re doing some stretching and calisthenics to work on that core. remember, old Cher can do a five minute plank!

I ride a carbon comp and have 11,000 K on my 2022 gen3 set up

Best of luck

I forgot to say that I’m in New Zealand also – Christchurch to be specific and yes, or a stock situation is not good- it sounds like you might be on the North Island?

 

[mrhaboobi]

I’m in chch.

Take the point about core strength ( something I’ve had to work on due to sports injuries when younger) but definitely very different feels with bikes that on paper look very similar. I’ll keep looking and trying until I find the feel I’m trying to emulate on my analogue trek slash

Cheers.