Levo Gen 2 Turbo Levo link from Cascade

[Salespunk]

For the heavier riders our there you will get much more out of a custom tune on your rear shock compared to something like the Cascade link. Standard valving is tailored to rider weights from 150-200 lbs. Outside of that range you will not see the best from the shock without changing the shim stack.

I highly recommend someone like Fluid Focus in San Diego that is certified by all the major shock manufacturers, has a bench dyno, etc. There are not many tuners that run these types of setups and there are a lot of "backyard" tuners out there that will be hit or miss on getting you the right setup.

All this being said the Cascade solutions are very good. I ran one on my '19 SJ Evo and it really helped the bike making it more progressive. As a side note, a 55 mm stroke shock does not make the bike more progressive, it just moves farther on the curve. The leverage start point and end point at the stock 52.5 mm of shaft travel do not change.

 

[MLX John]

I bought an aftermarket new '21 DPX2 for my '20 Expert SL. It had a really light compression tune, was wallowing quite a bit, even with LSC dialed up and high pressure. Cascade link didn't help much.

The '21 Expert SL comes stock with a DPX2, sent my shock to Fox requesting the same tune as the new SL. All in it was about $165 (they installed a new can because apparently I put a dent in it somehow), so It might be cheaper.

While the shock was at Fox, ran the stock DPS w/ the cascade link. Felt pretty good, definitely an improvement over the stock link.

Recently installed the newly tuned DPX2. Rear suspension (paired w/a Pike Ultimate) is dialed now, so good.

 

[jbodnar]

I bought an aftermarket new '21 DPX2 for my '20 Expert SL. It had a really light compression tune, was wallowing quite a bit, even with LSC dialed up and high pressure. Cascade link didn't help much.

The '21 Expert SL comes stock with a DPX2, sent my shock to Fox requesting the same tune as the new SL. All in it was about $165 (they installed a new can because apparently I put a dent in it somehow), so It might be cheaper.

While the shock was at Fox, ran the stock DPS w/ the cascade link. Felt pretty good, definitely an improvement over the stock link.

Recently installed the newly tuned DPX2. Rear suspension (paired w/a Pike Ultimate) is dialed now, so good.

Are you running 210 x 55 or 52.5?

I have a 2020 DPX2 210 x 55 tuned for a Ripmo...I have not sent mine in to Fox for tuning yet.

 

[MLX John]

210 x 52.5

 

[CoreyB]

Sounds like the Cascade Link on a FF Levo with a 55mm stroke shock works and doesn't have any contact issues. I have a '21 SL that I've put a 55mm X2 shock on. Does anybody know if the geometry of the frame on the SL is different enough that the Cascade Link will not work with a 55mm shock on the SL? I've messaged Cascade but have not heard back from them yet.

 

[jcmonty]

Sounds like the Cascade Link on a FF Levo with a 55mm stroke shock works and doesn't have any contact issues. I have a '21 SL that I've put a 55mm X2 shock on. Does anybody know if the geometry of the frame on the SL is different enough that the Cascade Link will not work with a 55mm shock on the SL? I've messaged Cascade but have not heard back from them yet.

there are mixed results on this. A few guys on here are doing it fine. I can’t see it working on mine at 55mm, but I have modified the geometry a bit which makes everything tighter.
I would say it probably will work if you haven’t messed with the geo at all

 

[CoreyB]

there are mixed results on this. A few guys on here are doing it fine. I can’t see it working on mine at 55mm, but I have modified the geometry a bit which makes everything tighter.
I would say it probably will work if you haven’t messed with the geo at all

Received some info from Cascade that I'll post here for others reference. I'll post pics of my install when it's complete. Quote from Cascade: "Thanks for reaching out about running the 55mm stroke shock on your Levo SL with our link. Due to variances in frame construction, a fair amount of Levo SL frames are able to run a 55mm stroke shock but not all. We have a large number of riders running a 55mm stroke shock on their Levo SLs with no issues but some frames, even of the same year, model and size are unable to run the longer stroke shock. As usual, it is best practice to check for clearance between all moving parts after changing out suspension components. If the link does not fit your specific frame, we do take returns on links in as-new condition."

 

[CoreyB]

You wanna walk me through your maths that say a 52.5 to 55mm shock stroke takes you from the stock 146mm travel to 149?
Because I get 151. The 2mm off doesn’t matter. I’m just wondering if you know something I don’t

Here’s my math:

You wanna walk me through your maths that say a 52.5 to 55mm shock stroke takes you from the stock 146mm travel to 149?
Because I get 151. The 2mm off doesn’t matter. I’m just wondering if you know something I don’t

this is the math I used:

Stock Linkage: 52.5mm stroke with 150mm travel equals ratio of 2.857

Stock Linkage: 55mm strokeX 2.857 = 157.135

Cascade: 52.5mm stroke with 153mm travel (from Cascade webpage) equals ratio of 2.914

Cascade: 55mm stroke X 2.914 gets me 160.28.

 

[CoreyB]

Dude. You’re good. The guy I tagged is not!!

actually you’re not good. But only because you have the wrong link numbers.

Re run with link travel of 158 on 52.5 shock. Unless you’re on the SL like me.

Yes, this is for an SL.

 

[CoreyB]

Received some info from Cascade that I'll post here for others reference. I'll post pics of my install when it's complete. Quote from Cascade: "Thanks for reaching out about running the 55mm stroke shock on your Levo SL with our link. Due to variances in frame construction, a fair amount of Levo SL frames are able to run a 55mm stroke shock but not all. We have a large number of riders running a 55mm stroke shock on their Levo SLs with no issues but some frames, even of the same year, model and size are unable to run the longer stroke shock. As usual, it is best practice to check for clearance between all moving parts after changing out suspension components. If the link does not fit your specific frame, we do take returns on links in as-new condition."

I received my CC link today and installed it and then removed all air from the shock to check clearances. Unfortunately, the link contacted the rear triangle on full compression. Sadly will be returning the link. So, to summarize, on my 2021 Levo SL Expert size XL with the rear shock swapped out for a 55mm Fox X2, the Cascade Components Link will not work.

 

[drm31078]

I'm installing the link on my 2021 Comp (stock suspension) tomorrow. I'm a lifelong sufferer of high BMI- 255 lb- so hopefully this is the elixir to my bottoming out woes.

I am the same size...why does this link help us in particular?

 

[MLX John]

Short story - more progression.

Long Story
for Levo SL ->

Levo SL Link (2020-2023)

Our link for the Levo SL gives the suspension 70% more progression, as well as a 5mm travel increase. This allows the bike to be run with a stiff enough spring to prevent harsh bottom outs, without having to compromise on small bump sensitivity or ride height. For riders on air shocks, fewer...

cascadecomponents.bike

For Levo ->

Specialized Turbo Levo Link (2019-2021) | US | Cascade Components

The Turbo Levo link brings the descending performance found in our Stumpjumper and SL links to the Levo. By increasing the progressivity, it helps prevent harsh bottom outs while maintaining small bump sensitivity and offering more mid-stroke support. What does this translate to on the trail...

cascadecomponents.bike

 

[jcmonty]

I received my CC link today and installed it and then removed all air from the shock to check clearances. Unfortunately, the link contacted the rear triangle on full compression. Sadly will be returning the link. So, to summarize, on my 2021 Levo SL Expert size XL with the rear shock swapped out for a 55mm Fox X2, the Cascade Components Link will not work.

it’s hit or miss. 55mm stroke would not work on mine. Possibly with the flip chip in high. Running a mullet currently and mostly liking the setup. I may remove the spacer on my EXT to go 55mm when I service it if I keep the mullet setup going.

 

[Bigtuna00]

I have a stupid question...or at least partially stupid I get that increasing progression allows you to get both increased small bump compliance at the start of the stroke and increased bottoming resistance at the and. However, or regardless, the cascade link increases leverage ratio EVERYWHERE over stock:

This means that bottoming resistance is actually WORSE than stock for the same spring rate. You therefore need a higher spring rate, which just counteracts the small bump compliance. Seems a bit like robbing Peter to pay Paul. Then again these difference seem too miniscule to really matter...

I suppose, in the end, the biggest advantage is more travel. The other stuff can all be tuned.

 

[jcmonty]

It’s about the amount of progression. If you matched the spring rate to sag you would have better small bump and bottom out because of the increased progressivity. The leverage rate gap at 0mm is greater than at 150mm -> greater overall progression. If you made a force curve, it would be easier to visualize.

 

[Bigtuna00]

It’s about the amount of progression. If you matched the spring rate to sag you would have better small bump and bottom out because of the increased progressivity. The leverage rate gap at 0mm is greater than at 150mm -> greater overall progression. If you made a force curve, it would be easier to visualize.

Thanks, it makes sense but it seems like a really small change. I wonder if I could really tell the difference; but that says more about me and less about the part

 

[jcmonty]

Thanks, it makes sense but it seems like a really small change. I wonder if I could really tell the difference; but that says more about me and less about the part

I would say if you are someone who can tell if your tire pressure is “off” your normal and/or regularly have bottom outs on ride - you would be able to tell differences. Is it worth it? I can’t answer that one for you, but it’s not a small difference IMO.

 

[kawamaha]

Has anyone the measurements of the Genuine and/or the Cascade Link?
This is what I would need to do the math (Length1 and 2 and the Offset in mm or Degrees):

Levo Gen2 Linkage calc

www.supercross-online.de

 

[maramouse]

Hello everyone, I'm interested in the new gen3 levo and ask if anyone has tried the cascade link on this model.
Thanks.

 

[maramouse]

Hello everyone, I wrote a mail directly to Cascade Components and it's not possible use the 2021 link on the new model...