Levo Gen 2 WALK mode 50% less assist after firmware update.

seacapn

Member
Aug 20, 2020
33
6
california
Im claiming at least 50% less shuttle mode after I had the firmware updated . I really liked the assistance if and when I have to get off the bike. Now the bike will not even full its own weight on flat land . Bummer specialized engineers. software update are supposed to increase performance I though? What happened? Motor does in fact seem a little quieter. Cheers mates
 

#lazy

E*POWAH BOSS
Oct 1, 2019
1,404
1,529
Surrey
Shuttle mode set to max with put all power to drive you uphill the fastest where as walk assist is a tiny bit of power to help you push up steep hills you can’t ride up !
 

seacapn

Member
Aug 20, 2020
33
6
california
Shuttle mode set to max with put all power to drive you uphill the fastest where as walk assist is a tiny bit of power to help you push up steep hills you can’t ride up !
Roger ......yes walk assist is 50% less at least then it was before my firmware update. Bummer deal
 

Supratad

Well-known member
Nov 13, 2019
393
306
North Yorkshire, UK
I actually like it being slower. If it's so steep I can't ride up it, I'll not be walking up it very fast either. The only issue is it seems to take 5 secs before it kicks in.
 

wepn

The Barking Owl ?
Jul 18, 2019
1,006
1,145
AU
I believe the change in walk assist was because riders were holding down walk mode while riding the bike
I'm trying but I can't figure out why that's a problem. I thought I read somewhere that it was a European Commission directive to make everyone safe from harm while riding an e-mtb. Going by current directives on speed, power & just about everything else, that would make more sense but what do I know? Just uneducated guesswork really.
 

Zimmerframe

MUPPET
Subscriber
Jun 12, 2019
13,998
20,747
Brittany, France
I'm trying but I can't figure out why that's a problem. I thought I read somewhere that it was a European Commission directive to make everyone safe from harm while riding an e-mtb. Going by current directives on speed, power & just about everything else, that would make more sense but what do I know? Just uneducated guesswork really.
I guess if walk assist is set by default with enough power that it will propel bike and rider, then the walk assist button has become a throttle - so the bikes would have to be re-classified as speed pedelec ? (Even if it's a turbo 2 stroke on and off throttle).

If they've reduced the power (on the other thread I did ask people with the old and new firmware to take screen grabs but no one did) and introduced either a delay, or as @Vittorio has proposed, the wheel needs to make 2 full turns with the button depressed before the walk assistance is delivered, then the combination of these changes (less power and you would have to push it without pedalling before being assisted) would fit with @Al Boneta's proposal that it's to stop "throttle" use.

Screen captures of walk mode on a 1.3 Kenevo :


What no one seems to have noticed is that the "Turbo" button has been re-purposed as "Turbo Boost"/"Knight Rider Jump mode"/"F1 Pit Stop Chain Lube" in the new firmware update and will instantly give you the full 20 amps with zero delay, with no pedal assist or anything. This will enable anyone, even little old ladies or me, to "Do a Cowell" - if you're in the right gear.
 

wepn

The Barking Owl ?
Jul 18, 2019
1,006
1,145
AU
I guess if walk assist is set by default with enough power that it will propel bike and rider, then the walk assist button has become a throttle - so the bikes would have to be re-classified as speed pedelec ? (Even if it's a turbo 2 stroke on and off throttle).

If they've reduced the power (on the other thread I did ask people with the old and new firmware to take screen grabs but no one did) and introduced either a delay, or as @Vittorio has proposed, the wheel needs to make 2 full turns with the button depressed before the walk assistance is delivered, then the combination of these changes (less power and you would have to push it without pedalling before being assisted) would fit with @Al Boneta's proposal that it's to stop "throttle" use.

Screen captures of walk mode on a 1.3 Kenevo :


What no one seems to have noticed is that the "Turbo" button has been re-purposed as "Turbo Boost"/"Knight Rider Jump mode"/"F1 Pit Stop Chain Lube" in the new firmware update and will instantly give you the full 20 amps with zero delay, with no pedal assist or anything. This will enable anyone, even little old ladies or me, to "Do a Cowell" - if you're in the right gear.
This is a very confusing patchwork of regulations between the US, EU and the now divorced UK. We here in Australia usually choose the most convoluted and highly regulated option of the 3 and run with that.

EN15194 from the European Commission allows for startup throttles that cut out, unless that's just been changed I'm not sure. My point was why actually why do them deem 6 km/h dangerous, whether button operated, twist throttle or whatever other type?

EPAC in the UK allowed for full-speed throttles up until 2016 but then apparently conformed with EN15194. That may have now changed. My question would be why? 6 km/h slow ramped with a button press isn't going to spill anyone's coffee.

In any case, in the US, by comparison, anything goes and usually does. So why are manufacturers complying with EC nerf balling for the US market?

In the United States of America where some angry former Specialized customer might sue for nerfing their walk mode to 1 km/h & while starting a social media campaign staring Charton Heston. Wouldn't take much Photoshop.

62523617.jpg
 

wepn

The Barking Owl ?
Jul 18, 2019
1,006
1,145
AU
What no one seems to have noticed is that the "Turbo" button has been re-purposed as "Turbo Boost"/"Knight Rider Jump mode"/"F1 Pit Stop Chain Lube" in the new firmware update and will instantly give you the full 20 amps with zero delay, with no pedal assist or anything. This will enable anyone, even little old ladies or me, to "Do a Cowell" - if you're in the right gear.
Okay well that's reason enough for me to upgrade my firmware. I never use walk mode anyway.

What gear do I have to be in? :')
 

Zimmerframe

MUPPET
Subscriber
Jun 12, 2019
13,998
20,747
Brittany, France
What gear do I have to be in? :')
There's a guideline table on the Spesh Website, can't find it at the moment though.

From memory I think they said that to perform a "Cowell" you should use :

Levo :

S2/S 1,2,3,4,5,6
S3/M 1,2,3,4,5
S4/L 1,2,3,4
S5/XL 1,2,3

Kenevo :

S2/S 1,2,3,4,5
S3/M 1,2,3,4
S4/L 1,2,3
S5/XL 1,2

If you can find the page, you can input your weight, height, chest and waist dimensions and it will create an animated demonstration of the optimum "Cowell" for you - with the option for you to try it, virtually, in different gears.

Users should keep in mind that the Cowheelie and the traditional Wheelie are mainly differentiated by their different finishing positions.
 

Zimmerframe

MUPPET
Subscriber
Jun 12, 2019
13,998
20,747
Brittany, France
@Zimmerframe
No press up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A and then Start
I thought only the S-Works had the optional extra left, right A,B,#, Triangle buttons and hologram power display ?

I've been trying "Reckless" mode. Hold down walk mode, start the bike with "Kickstart" (turn the cranks backwards by hand quickly at least twice) .... :p:cry: They might have removed reckless mode in the latest firmware.
 

Don Sievertson

New Member
Jan 21, 2020
1
1
So, Cal
I just got my motor replaced and the new firmware.
I noticed the walk assist is now a crawl assist. No longer is it helpful trying to get up steep (un-ridable), loose hike a bike sections. Now I have to drag and lunge to get it up. Bummed!
 

KennyB

E*POWAH Master
Aug 25, 2019
824
564
Taunton
Not so sure. I tried to get up a very steep muddy slope, bike was well up for it, feet could not get a grip.
 

wepn

The Barking Owl ?
Jul 18, 2019
1,006
1,145
AU
I agree. Whenever I have needed walk mode I almost had to run to catch up with the bike - it was much too fast for loose uphill use.
I can understand that so why not make it variable - default & normal ?
 

Oldmtber

Member
Oct 9, 2019
14
16
Worcester
I just got my motor replaced and the new firmware.
I noticed the walk assist is now a crawl assist. No longer is it helpful trying to get up steep (un-ridable), loose hike a bike sections. Now I have to drag and lunge to get it up. Bummed!
You have to hold down the walk assist button, for about 5 seconds it is very weak and slow then suddenly kicks in with plenty of assistance.
 

cleoent

Member
Aug 25, 2020
73
71
NorCal
Just tried to use mine today for first time to go up some stairs. Didn't do anything. I just picked up the levo and carried it up. It sucked.
 

seacapn

Member
Aug 20, 2020
33
6
california
Just tried to use mine today for first time to go up some stairs. Didn't do anything. I just picked up the levo and carried it up. It sucked.
apparently you have to hold the button down for 5 seconds and allow the wheel to rotate 2 revolutions then it kicks in. I could tell it had some power once I did that .. let me know your feelings. Cheers ,Ben
 

cleoent

Member
Aug 25, 2020
73
71
NorCal
apparently you have to hold the button down for 5 seconds and allow the wheel to rotate 2 revolutions then it kicks in. I could tell it had some power once I did that .. let me know your feelings. Cheers ,Ben

Yep, that did it, when it kicks in it takes off real nice like. That would have been good to know this morning!
 

Kave

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2018
242
151
Sweden
The update was to increase life of the engine. Not by increasing power but limiting it's max output.
To make it pass som legislation they needed to limit walk assist mode as well.
 

Rob Rides EMTB

Administrator
Staff member
Subscriber
Jan 14, 2018
6,257
13,692
Surrey, UK
Well here’s something. The EP8 walk mode is very strong. Like super powerful! Instant activation and pulls like a train on the demo bike I had it on. ?‍♂️
Edit - can almost wheelie with it if I hold the front brake and let go!
Not sure which directive the brands are following but Shimano seems to be allowing a lot of power in walk mode
 

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