Womens 18 levo opinions

[eabmex]

When I went to place the order for my 19 levo I was told at the LBS that the Women specific is being offered at big discount since it never sold too well, it has 120mm suspension and somewhat lower spec components but I was thinking of getting one for my wife who is a mellower rider and is recuperating from a shoulder injury. If she starts to ride more the bike could be converted to a 150 fork and standard rear 135 parts quite easily…
Thoughts?
I know I might get some not so nice comments about thinking of getting a lower spec bike for the woman of my life but she is really not riding much

 

[Al Boneta]

When I went to place the order for my 19 levo I was told at the LBS that the Women specific is being offered at big discount since it never sold too well, it has 120mm suspension and somewhat lower spec components but I was thinking of getting one for my wife who is a mellower rider and is recuperating from a shoulder injury. If she starts to ride more the bike could be converted to a 150 fork and standard rear 135 parts quite easily…
Thoughts?
I know I might get some not so nice comments about thinking of getting a lower spec bike for the woman of my life but she is really not riding much

The fact that you are buying her a Levo makes you a hero.
My only argument for the new one would be the weight.
To settle an argument at the shop today I weighed a 2018 S-Works with Carbon wheeland then a base model 2019 Levo
The S-Works weighed 47.6 lbs, the base model 2019 weighed 48.8lbs

 

[Swissrob]

Do it if you have one too, spare battery never goes astray;-)) Depending on her weight and style of riding you will probably be able to pick up some cheap forks off the 2019 Levo as a few people on here discuss the buying the base model and immediate upgrade.

 

[eabmex]

Al, what feedback do you have from customers who have bought one? how does it handle with the reduced suspension travel?

 

[Al Boneta]

Al, what feedback do you have from customers who have bought one? how does it handle with the reduced suspension travel?

I have never had anyone say they wish it had more suspension travel, but women that wanted more travel have bought the men’s small or Kenevo in small.

 

[Geoff]

The 2018 Women's Levo FSR although a more XC oriented model with its lighter duty Fastrack Tyres (not Butchers) and shorter travel is still a very capable bike and at the right price is worth a serious look. See if they will include a dropper post in the price. There's nothing wrong with short travel bikes. My 2013 Specialized Epic Comp with Roval Traverse SL Carbon Wheels and 100mm of travel from a RockShox Reba fork is still my favourite bike for trail and xc riding. When the trails things get steeper and gnarlier the Sworks Enduro 29er (160mm) or Kenevo (180mm) come out to play.

What @Al Boneta has mentioned in regard to the weight of the 2019 Levo is worth paying attention to. The 2019 Levo is lighter in both actual weight and in how it handles. Riding a Levo is upper body intensive and much like riding a heavy downhill bike in this respect. Noting that your wife is recovering from a shoulder injury I'd personally be leaning toward a slightly easier to manoeuvre 2019 base model Levo FSR or a 2018 Levo Carbon Comp. If she is not into the the Womens Specific 2019 model colour way and finds the Men's colours more appealing just ask the dealer to swap the saddle out for the Women's Myth and maybe, if needed, cut the bars a little narrower.

Ultimately which bike (of those that fit your budget) will be a decision for your wife. Organise a test ride of both bikes and let her choose which one she feels better on. Even better if you can get some trail time on a demo bike.

My wife started out looking at a 2018 Levo FSR (intending to upgrade seatpost, saddle and brakes) and ended up getting a lighter weight 2018 Levo Carbon Comp (with Myth Saddle) which she is really happy with. The Carbon Comp comes with a dropper post and way better brakes than the base model. She also rides a 2016 Specialised Rhyme Expert Carbon 650b so I suspect that both bikes being based on the superseded Stumpjumper geometry may have influenced her final choice of bike. She really didn't like the radical new look of the new Stumpjumper so there was no point in waiting for the 2019 Levo to land before adding an E-Bike to her quiver.

 

[Dusty]

Will the 2019 levo ht battery fit the kenevo was Thinking of buying The HT for the Mrs and me the kenevo

 

[Geoff]

Will the 2019 levo ht battery fit the kenevo was Thinking of buying The HT for the Mrs and me the kenevo

Yes they are interchangeable.
Kenevo Expert has the M1-504 (504Wh), Kenevo Comp has the M1-460 (460Wh), and the HT has the M1-400 (400Wh). Same M1 form factor for all three battery versions.

Note: The new M2 form factor applies only to the new 2019 FSR Levo models.