Levo Gen 2 Specialised Turbo Levo Regular Maintenance

AndyH

Member
Jun 23, 2019
60
63
Portsmouth
Hi All, Just a word of warning and something to watch out for - my bike (Turbo Levo basic model) started making the most horrendous creaking noise last week: I called Specialized and they isolated it to the head bolt for the rear shock Connecting the crossbar). The bolt had sheared completely and could have failed at any time, which would result in the bike collapsing and, no doubt, me getting a mouthful of tree / mud etc. The guys said they had not seen this problem before and will be sending the bolt back to Specialized to ensure it was a one off issue.....

So, if yours starts to make a loud creaking noise, check the rear shock mount head bolt- it should not be loose in any way!
 

outerlimits

E*POWAH BOSS
Founding Member
Feb 3, 2018
1,241
1,574
Australia
Hi All, Just a word of warning and something to watch out for - my bike (Turbo Levo basic model) started making the most horrendous creaking noise last week: I called Specialized and they isolated it to the head bolt for the rear shock Connecting the crossbar). The bolt had sheared completely and could have failed at any time, which would result in the bike collapsing and, no doubt, me getting a mouthful of tree / mud etc. The guys said they had not seen this problem before and will be sending the bolt back to Specialized to ensure it was a one off issue.....

So, if yours starts to make a loud creaking noise, check the rear shock mount head bolt- it should not be loose in any way!
Already replaced my shock bolt cause it snapped.
 

Rich-Baillon

New Member
Jul 19, 2019
70
77
UK
Just on the brakes. I had to emergency stop on my 4 rides old Guide R's to avoid a car and TBH they performed as well as the XT8020 on my other bikes. They seem to have more modulation under steady braking than the XT and don't immediately bite so hard. At the end of the day they are both great sets of brakes. Anybody here remember rim brakes :)
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,105
4,636
Weymouth
I’d let Specialized know if you haven’t already .....
The most likely cause for the failure is the bolt coming loose and since it is supposed to be assembled with thread lock, either was not done originally or that bolt has since first build been removed (e.g. to run a dropper cable) and not thoroughly cleaned and new thread lock applied. Care also needs to be taken not to get any grease on the threaded section of the bolt. Note that any disturbance of the bolt....to tighten etc....will render the thread lock useless.
 

AndyH

Member
Jun 23, 2019
60
63
Portsmouth
The most likely cause for the failure is the bolt coming loose and since it is supposed to be assembled with thread lock, either was not done originally or that bolt has since first build been removed (e.g. to run a dropper cable) and not thoroughly cleaned and new thread lock applied. Care also needs to be taken not to get any grease on the threaded section of the bolt. Note that any disturbance of the bolt....to tighten etc....will render the thread lock useless.
Thanks. Worth knowing. ?
 

Rich-EMTB-UK

E*POWAH Master
Aug 11, 2019
369
282
UK
Just on the brakes. I had to emergency stop on my 4 rides old Guide R's to avoid a car and TBH they performed as well as the XT8020 on my other bikes. They seem to have more modulation under steady braking than the XT and don't immediately bite so hard. At the end of the day they are both great sets of brakes. Anybody here remember rim brakes :)
Actually realised that my brakes are Code R not Guides.
 

ccrdave

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Patreon
Founding Member
Jan 16, 2018
1,405
1,105
uk
mtb and emtb are hard on drivetrains its very good practice to ease off the power momentarily whilst changing gear, components will last longer!
 

Mountie

Well-known member
Apr 29, 2018
421
254
Canada
I back off on every shift and always run a clean drivetrain. But doesn’t really help me much. I now run three brand new chains and swap every 300 kms. The third chain I run to 600 kms and discard then second then third. I start the entire process again with new chain, cassette and drive sprocket. Never snapped a chain but this process is t cheap.
 
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paulmoir

Well-known member
Apr 8, 2019
58
152
Gold Coast, Qld Australia
1,950kms... the chain is starting to show some wear and stretch :) Original fitted chain, rear sprocket and front chainring at the time of the Rohloff conversion. All 1950kms on the trails, including 5 races.
Specializied Turbo Levo Rohloff - chain wear at 1950km point - 02Nov19.jpg
 

Master_G

Member
Oct 13, 2019
82
48
Gloucester
400miles on a 2019 Kenevo Expert, rear hub started feeling bad, took it apart and full of mud.

Cleaned and regreased and good as new.

Lifetime warranty (apparently) on the Roval wheelset so will be taking advantage of that next time it happens, can't really complain as all 400 miles have been in really gritty mud and hosed down after every ride.
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,105
4,636
Weymouth
Decided to do some maintenance on days too cold/too wet...or both to enjoy a ride.

1. Removed cassette and gave it a clean, no noticeable wear or damage
2. Removed freehub and replaced the pawls and springs after cleaning it and re applying the grease. I used the DT Swiss service kit consisting pawl spring and grease. Some dust/dirt contamination of the grease but no water ingress......but then I don't use a hose or pressure washer to clean the bike...just a bucket and sponge.
3. Checked the hub/axle bearings....all good.
4. Removed the battery. Removed the bashguard. Cleaned and refitted. Battery brass bolt cleaned and greased and new piece of sponge pushed into the hollow centre of the bolt.
5. Removed the TCU and taped it up. Wrapped TCU connections in amalgamating tape. Fabricated a neoprene gasket to fit between the frame and the TCU.
6. Removed the chain and gave it a deep clean.
7. Battery/power lead/ charger connections cleaned with contact cleaner.
8 Power lead battery connector O ring treated with liquid silicone and grease applied to chamfered edge.
9 headset bearing/seats cleaned , bearings checked. Re greased and re set.

One job left to do. Remove non drive side motor cover/remove motofoam and wash, clean and check electrical connections, change power cable for Mk3 version.
 

Levo-Lon

Active member
Jan 21, 2020
173
199
Uk
250 mile in 2 months since new.
Just popped the motor case off to check for water mud ingres .
Clean and dirt free, the bike gets used in wet muddy woods most weekends.
I like the tinkering side as much as riding and have a reasonable tool set from yrs of motorcycle servicing , No pressure washing helps I think with keeping bikes in tip top order
Touch wood my service regime will keep the bike working as it should.
 

boneht

Member
Sep 22, 2019
78
49
oxon
250 mile in 2 months since new.
Just popped the motor case off to check for water mud ingres .
Clean and dirt free, the bike gets used in wet muddy woods most weekends.
I like the tinkering side as much as riding and have a reasonable tool set from yrs of motorcycle servicing , No pressure washing helps I think with keeping bikes in tip top order
Touch wood my service regime will keep the bike working as it should.

I've done about 1000km on mine, never had the case off. At the bikes 8 week check they told me inside was quite clean. Astonishing considering the amount of mud I've taken it through!
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,105
4,636
Weymouth
Same. If the motor air gap below the chainstays strut is sealed off with motofoam there is no reason to get mud etc inside the covers. There is another gap worth blocking with motofoam especially if you do not use a rear mudguard. That is at the motor end of the non drive side chainstay where the speed sensor cable goes through.
 

Binhill1

🍊 Tango Man 🍊
Mar 7, 2019
2,575
3,749
Scotland
So after 600km on the Levo most of it being wet and muddy i’ve had to replace a chain, rear brake pads and have the motor out to clean as there was a loud creaking noise. I have also broken a rear spoke.
Is it unusual to take the motor out so often?
Should the chain be replaced sooner rather than later ? And at what % wear ?
I changed chain 400miles again at 1000 . Cassette looking crap since about 500miles to be honest now done 1400 muddy miles still not jumpindChris of Berkshire advice was run chain etc till starts jumping then do complete drive train . That's working out for me just clean and oil chain most rides. It's filthy in half an hour any way so don't see point in being too fussy.
 

Levo-Lon

Active member
Jan 21, 2020
173
199
Uk
Creaking noise from motor area.
Annoying lol
19 levo
Check battery bolt,mine was done up but maybe too tight.
Losend it maybe quarter turn ,solved.
I'd assumed it was motor bolts or post.

My wife's 18 levo battery needs to be done up tight or it bangs when going over bumps.


Hth
 

Levo Laland

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2019
273
236
Surrey UK
I was told to put nothing on any seals from Berkshire cycles seen a lot of damaged seals seemingly . Too much variation on advice on here I think.
Chris at BC told me the same, then I was told to use the dielectric grease by a mechanic at Specialized head office in Chessington! It’s silicone based so safe on seals, I was told, plus the amount used is tiny and on the connector seals only. Using Vaseline or general grease is not recommended.
 
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Binhill1

🍊 Tango Man 🍊
Mar 7, 2019
2,575
3,749
Scotland
Chris at BC told me the same, then I was told to use the dielectric grease by a mechanic at Specialized head office in Chessington! It’s silicone based so safe on seals, I was told, plus the amount used is tiny and on the connector seals only. Using Vaseline or general grease is not recommended.
I put vaseĺine on and sprayed connection with electric cleaning stuff been ok. To be honest I just wipe with cloth seems ok. Got hit by a wave Sunday went oh sugar waiting for motor to konk out but all was ok. Sometimes I think we are being too fussy and cleaning to often.
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,105
4,636
Weymouth
Vaseline has a very low temperature melting point....eg body temperature. It is after designed to become a fluid on warm skin! Helping to seal the connection and ensuring the rubber seals remain flexible and are not damaged or disturbed when the plug is being inserted is what is needed. Neither have any impact on the electrical connection made by the pins other than to prevent water ingress so products used are mostly about being unaffected by water. What is required is a silicon grease or lube on the seals and a water resistant grease like lithium behind the seals. In my opinion the actual connectors are best kept clean and free of any treatment other than a very occasional clean with contact cleaner e.g once or twice a year.
 

James_C

Active member
Nov 25, 2019
448
218
Kent, UK
I am at about 200km and found grittiness in rear wheel bearings. Took it apart and it’s the freewheel bearings, wheel ones seem fine. I am washing often and have been out in terrible conditions too. Found water inside the freewheel, looks very clear so I am assuming it’s the washing doing it.

Berkshire has the bearings for £10 each but mbbearings they are £1.52 . Mbbearings assure me they are up to the job, had others from them in the past too.


I am also using a dog dryer to blast the water off. I am wondering if this is doing more harm than good and just blowing water into bearings.
 

Binhill1

🍊 Tango Man 🍊
Mar 7, 2019
2,575
3,749
Scotland
I am at about 200km and found grittiness in rear wheel bearings. Took it apart and it’s the freewheel bearings, wheel ones seem fine. I am washing often and have been out in terrible conditions too. Found water inside the freewheel, looks very clear so I am assuming it’s the washing doing it.


I am also using a dog dryer to blast the water off. I am wondering if this is doing more harm than good and just blowing water into bearings.[/QUOTE
If you've only done 200km I would think you have a dodgy freewheel , how many times have you washed it ? . I'm at 1500 miles probably washed 40 times and no issues.
 

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