Very Disappointed with my 2019 Specialized Levo

[GeorgesEBike]

I purchased my 2019 Levo 12 weeks ago and it has been in the shop for 4 weeks total. Currently in the shop now so shop time is going up. There is NO eta on when I will have the bike back. The bike rode great for the 1st week. Ever since it has been having issues with power surging and turning off on it's own. The 1st time I dropped it off at the shop it would not turn on for a full week. The 2nd time is the same deal. I decided to deal with the bike myself and when I opened the motor cover saw a bunch of dirt and mud. All connections were soaking wet. Please see photos.

Received a call from my bike shop today and was told they will order new parts to fix my issues. How many more weeks will this take? If they can't solve the dirt getting into the motor I will continue to have issues.

I'm not comfortable selling my Levo to another person when I get back because I'm unable to transfer the warranty. I'm basically out $7,000.

I've spent over $100,000 on Specialized Bikes over the past 10 years ($40,000 in 2018) and will NEVER spend another penny on a Specialized bike or with my local bike shop. I'm done!

Buy direct people. - I take this back. There are many good bike shops around. I was frustrated and feel I paid a premium for a Specialized bike and not receiving the service I think I deserve.

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

FFS, that looks terrible! I think I know what I'm gonna find inside mine too. But I'm just ignoring it because specialized said go out and enjoy the bike, it's ok. So that's what I'm doing. I sympathize with you, my last bike was off the road for months and it's such a pain. You start getting fitness and mojo back and then it's off road.

Hopefully you get it sorted. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Squirrel Squeezer]

I purchased my 2019 Levo 12 weeks ago and it has been in the shop for 4 weeks total. Currently in the shop now so shop time is going up. There is NO eta on when I will have the bike back. The bike rode great for the 1st week. Ever since it has been having issues with power surging and turning off on it's own. The 1st time I dropped it off at the shop it would not turn on for a full week. The 2nd time is the same deal. I decided to deal with the bike myself and when I opened the motor cover saw a bunch of dirt and mud. All connections were soaking wet. Please see photos.

Received a call from my bike shop today and was told they will order new parts to fix my issues. How many more weeks will this take? If they can't solve the dirt getting into the motor I will continue to have issues.

I'm not comfortable selling my Levo to another person when I get back because I'm unable to transfer the warranty. I'm basically out $7,000.

I've spent over $100,000 on Specialized Bikes over the past 10 years ($40,000 in 2018) and will NEVER spend another penny on a Specialized bike or with my local bike shop. I'm done!

Buy direct people.

Bye, Bye Specialized AND Mikes Bikes.

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Double check about the warrenty - possibility in the manual- I believe there is a 2 year transferable warrenty ...

 

[Squirrel Squeezer]

Double check on the warrenty- I believe you have a two year transferable warrenty . Check the manual ?

 

[Dirtnvert]

Shame you have to deal with that. The bones are there for a great machine though. Hopefully they get those new mods on there to protect the motor and figure the electrical issue. Should be good after that. Then go smash something on a ride so feels like a proper usage?

 

[levity]

Wow, you'd think Mike's would bend over backwards to help a customer like you! Obviously, I don't know the whole story but it seems that at some point they should have just handed you a new replacement bike and dealt with Specialized on their own. It doesn't reflect well on your Mike's branch (Pleasanton, CA?). I'd speak with your LBS manager, then the owner of Mike's, and ultimately Specialized (call them and ask how to direct your comments/complaints).

Bicycles, especially new models and ebikes, are not immune from problems, but they're usually fairly easily solved. We've had good experiences with Specialized as well as other brands over the years. It all comes down to your LBS. Buy direct and, well, who ya gonna call?

 

[Standingwaves]

Sorry to hear! Those pics show the result of the design flaw Specialized is trying to bandaid with a foam insert...
I was considering the 19 Levo and when I test rode the comp carbon I mentioned the issues with the debris and 4 bolt redesign and the LBS knew nothing about it...
Glad I went with the 19 Powerfly 9.7 LT. Not one issue in over 200mi and saved $2k. Trek has always had excellent Service/Warranty if needed. I think you called it "buy direct"

 

[Dee Scee]

I purchased my 2019 Levo 12 weeks ago and it has been in the shop for 4 weeks total. Currently in the shop now so shop time is going up. There is NO eta on when I will have the bike back. The bike rode great for the 1st week. Ever since it has been having issues with power surging and turning off on it's own. The 1st time I dropped it off at the shop it would not turn on for a full week. The 2nd time is the same deal. I decided to deal with the bike myself and when I opened the motor cover saw a bunch of dirt and mud. All connections were soaking wet. Please see photos.

Received a call from my bike shop today and was told they will order new parts to fix my issues. How many more weeks will this take? If they can't solve the dirt getting into the motor I will continue to have issues.

I'm not comfortable selling my Levo to another person when I get back because I'm unable to transfer the warranty. I'm basically out $7,000.

I've spent over $100,000 on Specialized Bikes over the past 10 years ($40,000 in 2018) and will NEVER spend another penny on a Specialized bike or with my local bike shop. I'm done!

Buy direct people.

Bye, Bye Specialized AND Mikes Bikes.

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dear lord! that looks like the world’s worst dirty diaper! gross! sorry to hear it man, hope they still try to make it right. i know its a great bike

 

[More-read-than-ride]

Wow, that really sucks. Still, spending 40k in one year on bikes they should send the jet for you and send you an Sworks for free. Have you sent an explanation to Specialized including your purchase history? I would assume they would react.

Also, how did you manage to spend 40k in one year? Do you have eight legs??

 

[Highflyer]

FOR SALE ! 2019 S-Works " Shit Lip " Picture of first motor cover removal after 250km through winter forests. Offers ?

 

[lenny74]

Have you complained directly to Specialized?

You bike shop service seems to be very poor as these are well known early issues and any decent bike shop should be onto it and have parts available to fix the bike on site. Foam Inserts, new power cables etc pretty standard stuff to keep customers riding until permanent fixes/mods are pushed out.

A decent bike shop (in my opinion) would use any parts they need from an in stock bike to fix yours and order new parts for the stock bike. Even if that means a new motor from a stock bike, shouldn't really be a drama to keep a customer happy.

I've been in shops when they are taking parts off showroom bikes and getting them out for customers that day to keep them sweet.

 

[ksurfbob]

FOR SALE ! 2019 S-Works " Shit Lip " Picture of first motor cover removal after 250km through winter forests. Offers ? View attachment 9337 View attachment 9338

You have these sh*t lips for sale? how much and where from. Cheers Rob

 

[Kernow]

That’s a terrible Design , In that short a period surely you can ask for your money back.

 

[paquo]

glad i fabbed up the foam and plasic fender to block debris, so far so good. I would like to derestrict it but warranty is a very good thing in this case

 

[Mcharza]

Looks horrible, I feel sorry for you, mate. And I think the warranty is two years

 

[GeorgesEBike]

Wow, that really sucks. Still, spending 40k in one year on bikes they should send the jet for you and send you an Sworks for free. Have you sent an explanation to Specialized including your purchase history? I would assume they would react.

Also, how did you manage to spend 40k in one year? Do you have eight legs??

Lol, I only keep 2 bikes at a time so I guess I have 4 legs.

 

[GeorgesEBike]

FOR SALE ! 2019 S-Works " Shit Lip " Picture of first motor cover removal after 250km through winter forests. Offers ? View attachment 9337 View attachment 9338

Seriously after 1 ride? Thanks for posting these photos! This is my argument with my bike shop that any band-aid fix they do will not work.

 

[Sportsman]

These Levo's for the money are a shambles the price you pay they should be bullet proof

 

[lenny74]

Seriously after 1 ride? Thanks for posting these photos! This is my argument with my bike shop that any band-aid fix they do will not work.

Oh I actually thought he was showing us how good the "shit lip" had worked after riding all those miles in winter forests, lets be honest anything looks good compared to your photos.

I'd take that after 150 miles of riding mud and slop. Post up what you've used @Highflyer and I'm modding one up.

Whats going on with the foam though???

 

[Stu-k]

Wouldn't think it would be that hard to build an engine cover with no holes
Think I will keep my 2018 a bit longer!

 

[GeorgesEBike]

Wouldn't think it would be that hard to build an engine cover with no holes
Think I will keep my 2018 a bit longer!

Yeah, I loved my 2018! Wish I would have kept it.

 

[thepalerider]

That's put me off the levo.
Terrible design. Think they would be spot on after a few years/models.

 

[Peter Hill]

Hi George
I’ve just had a similar experience having just purchased an S-Works Levo.......yes I know! it cost more than my car!
Took it out almost straight away and it’s the most fun I’ve ever had on a bike, this however was short lived.
After getting home and giving it a light wash it refused to turn back on.
I eventually had to take it back to the store who were quickly on the case but couldn’t find out what the problem was. The solution was finally to change the motor and now it’s fine again.
I was amazed this happened so soon after purchasing it. Specialised themselves have yet to respond to me personally which I do feel disappointed about . The dealership were great and quick to sort it for me though. I do feel there is a problem with the vulnerability of the motor to be exposed to debris and water and this needs sorting . I’m glad it didn’t happen in the middle of a trail and me having to push a heavy bike home!
All that said when it works it’s an absolutely brilliant bike and try not to be put off from buying one. I hope that Specialised comes up with a better fix this possible issue other than a bit of foam, and not just for a 2020 version of the bike after spending so much money. They need to keep new owners of Turbo Levos updated with relevant info as they are not cheap bikes. Sorry but this needed to be mentioned as I feel this is important for people to know. I had read about the issues with crud getting into the casing but as the motor is ‘sealed’ didn’t feel it was a big enough issue to prevent me from buying one.
I don’t know what caused the problem in the end and I guess only Specialsed will know this when they examine it? But would be nice to have some more information . Fingers crossed it be okay now, I’m just a bit nervous about cleaning it and the possibility of it failing in the middle of the wilderness!
Maybe this is something Brose themselves need to address, just saying. Also I don’t think the motor casing/cover is all that good considering how much protection it offers the motor . I think it’s a weak design point on a otherwise perfect bike. Why is it not sealed , is this to allow air in and water out for cooling and drainage . Surely someone in their design/engineering team can come up with a better sealed cover? I inquired about the four bolt design and no reply as yet? Is this a specialised sourced item?
Anyway, I will jump down off my soap box and hope there’s betters news ahead. ?

 

[Doomanic]

try not to be put off from buying one.

I’m just a bit nervous now about cleaning it and the possibility of it failing in the middle of the wilderness!

I'm struggling to understand the love heaped on this beta-test of a bike.

 

[MattyB]

I'm struggling to understand the love heaped on this beta-test of a bike.

I guess it’s just confirmation bias - it’s an awful lot of money to spend and then have to admit it’s a duff product. We’ve all done it at one time or another, though thankfully for me not on a 2019 Levo!

 

[GeorgesEBike]

Thanks for all of the helpful replies everyone! I checked the Specialized warranty and I'm unable to transfer the warranty to whoever purchases my Levo. I simply do not trust the bike and not comfortable selling it to someone else to deal with. My plan is to leave it at the bike shop until all issues are 100% resolved. The moment I run across any issue the bike will go back to the shop. I'm not confident the shop can solve all issues. At some point the lemon law will come into play.

Current Issues:
1. Bike will not turn on.
2. Bike has power surge issues.
3. Dropper Post will not drop.
4. Uphill Assist feature works only 10% of the time.
5. Dirt and mud will get into the motor cover causing moisture on the electrical connections.
6. Issues connecting to the Mission Control App. Only connects about 20% of the time.

I will keep everyone updated!

 

[Peter Hill]

I guess it’s just confirmation bias - it’s an awful lot of money to spend and then have to admit it’s a duff product. We’ve all done it at one time or another, though thankfully for me not on a 2019 Levo!

 

[Peter Hill]

I don’t think it’s a duff product it just needs a few changes. Bit like when smart phones were first introduced they have now more or less reached their optimum design based on current technology .
You could argue that why pay so much money for something which needs more testing and development , but there is never a good time to buy new technology.
As long as Specialise support their customers and dealers with any updates which may or may not be required I don’t really have a problem as it’s such a great bike to ride, honestly. ? p.s. of course this opinion may change if I have any major issues with it that are not easily fixed.

 

[Doomanic]

I don’t think it’s a duff product it just needs a few developmental changes. Bit like when smart phones were first introduced they have now more or less reached their optimum design based on current technology and materials.
You could argue that why pay so much money for something which needs more development , but there is never a good time to buy technology.
As long as Specialise support their customers and dealers with any updates which may or may not be required I don’t really have a problem as it’s such a great bike to ride, honestly. ? p.s. of course this opinion may change if I have any major issues with it that are not easily fixed.

I guess it’s just confirmation bias - it’s an awful lot of money to spend and then have to admit it’s a duff product.

Looks like you're right.

 

[MattyB]

I don’t think it’s a duff product it just needs a few developmental changes. Bit like when smart phones were first introduced they have now more or less reached their optimum design based on current technology and materials.
You could argue that why pay so much money for something which needs more development , but there is never a good time to buy technology.
As long as Specialized support their customers and dealers with any updates which may or may not be required I don’t really have a problem as it’s such a great bike to ride, honestly. ? p.s. of course this opinion may change if I have any major issues with it that are not easily fixed.

Sorry, but your smartphone analogy doesn’t really work here. Firstly this is not the first Blackberry or iPhone of the ebike world - there are lots of well developed, capable ebikes from other manufacturers, and also Specialized themselves (2018 Levo and Kenevo). Secondly they launched this bike to great fanfare as “the most highly developed ebike ever”, but the issues buyers are experiencing show that is demonstrably untrue - how the motor casing issue in particular was not found during testing is completely inexplicable. Finally buyers are being asked to pay a significant premium for what is proving to be a beta product. In the case of the OP he is not even getting the great dealer service that Specialized are famous for.

I have no doubt that it rides great when it is working, but so do lots of other bikes that are proving to be a lot more reliable for quite a bit less cash. YMMV.