Any tall Levo riders out there?

[BFG]

I’m 6ft6 and looking to get my first emtb. The Levo caught my attention in my lbs (and online reviews), but on paper the XL reach looks a bit short - any tall (>6ft4) riders care to tell me otherwise? I’ve got an all day demo lined up for a couple of weeks time, but interested in opinions in the meantime. I’m used to long reach 29ers (banshee and kona) with stubby stems, so would rather not have to put a massive stem on. really hope I don’t have to wait until the S5 sizing comes across to the Levo!

 

[Blueblob]

Im 6ft 7" and have a 2019 Levo Comp since 4 weeks now.
I've ridden bpw and have found myself commuting on it 12 miles a day for the last 3 weeks.
My height is in my legs 36/37" inside leg.
Previous bikes 22" orange five 2012 and a cube 23" hardtail 29er.
Im not convinced I've truly ever had a bike that fits me without some compromise.
I've had to except this.
There was 1 simple answer, Nicolai but way way out of my budget.
I made a table of several bikes after studying key geometry measurements.
Reach, chainstay length, head angle, overall length and wheel size.
I'm sure there are some measurements I may of over looked.
I narrowed it down to
Commencal meta, Whyte Rs, new cannondale montera, haibike and the levo.
I demoed a Levo a couple of times vs a demo of a 22" cube stereo which had an older Bosch motor.
I concluded that I loved the brose and how it put down the power and the overall the subtlety of the integration since day 1 of there release in 2017. Its also a 29er.
I rode a cannondale of the wrong size but with the new Bosch and it did not convince me.
At the time a Levo Comp 2019 was also available at 4250 from 4999.
I jumped in and once I got the Seat post to the best height, I've loved every moment.
At some point I may try a 55/60mm stem instead of a 45mm.
But I'm generally not sitting here threading. Very happy all round.
Sorry for life story

 

[BFG]

Don’t apologise, that’s what I want to hear! I really rate what I’ve seen of the brose and the way it’s integrated into the Levo, not to mention it seems much quieter than everything else I’ve tried. Think I’ve got too hung up on reach stats on paper and just need to demo the Levo properly. New Commencal 29er also on the list, but would rather buy from a shop given what can go wrong. Ditto YT decoy.

 

[Blueblob]

Yeah I was hung up on the reach but concluded at most it was at most a 505 vs a 485. I could make that up in a 60mm stem and maybe saddle back a tad...
Don't forget the higher you run the seat post the reach increases slightly too.

I really haven't run out to get s longer stem.

Part of the compromise also is that the stock 150mm dropper post is far from sitting flush with the seat tube clamp, it's at its maximum. When has any of my bike not had that!! May get a 180 or 200mm dropper one day.
That demo will help you. It did with me. I personally clicked with it. Was flicking it around and getting air of lips on the demo route straight away.
After riding a friend's cube ebike 140mm thing the Levo with the 29er feels so solid and well built.
Only other thing to say is, on descents I like a slightly smaller bike cause you can chuck around.
On the ups as long as I can get my legs fully stretched so I'm hitting full exertion on the pedal stroke, I'm good. But you are also on an Ebike and the climbs are assisted so it's more reassuring.

Go with your gut from the demo ride.
I'd still love to ride a commencal, cannondale and a whyte but providing my spesh is reliable I'm still smitten

 

[Blueblob]

I genuinely thought the decoy was gonna be my bike. Was so excited when it was released.
But after careful consideration, the Shimano motor just isn't a new motor and has been around since 2016 and the dealership thing surprisingly to myself really mattered to me.
Im also not a fan of displays (mainly bosch), little thumb controller done!

All these things are very much my preferences though!!

 

[BFG]

Totally agree on all counts. My lbs in Brighton (Rayments) are great (they’ve already talked me down from the carbon Levo to the Comp )

 

[davarello]

I'm 196cm (6'5") with a long torso and arms and relatively short legs. I've got an XL Levo Comp which initially felt too short and low in front, but with a few tweaks I've got it to fit really well by basically getting the bars up and the seat back -
- 50mm Deity stem on 30mm of spacers
- Deity Blacklabel 38mm rise bar x 800w
- ODI Rogue grips (33mm diameter)
- Fabric Scoop Radius saddle well back on rails

Overall the best handling of any of the bikes I've ever owned, very planted on descents with the extra weight down low and the 2.6" tyres.

 

[EbikeCurious]

7 ft here...demoed a 2019 Levo and found it fit surprisingly less poorly than I thought it would. Extrapolating, seems like it would work decently for your size. I purchased a Kona Remote 160 XL...510 reach with 638 stack and 435 chainstays....haven’t ridden it yet....

 

[Blueblob]

Kona sounds interesting looks like a decent stead. I wonder if it's switchable and you can run 29" wheels on it (if you want). Geo stats look good.

While all you tall f@#$kers are on one post where do you get your clothes especially trousers and shoes !!
Do you all play basketball
Weather's pretty good up here to right

 

[NathanNZ]

I'm 6'7" with long legs and arms. I tried a few ebikes, Giant, Moustache, Trek, Levo and Kenevo. The XL Levo is the one I went for. It's the best fit for me. I've never had a bike (or anything else!) that's actually fit perfectly me before. The 150mm dropper is great too. I feel like I'm riding in the bike on technical terrain, rather than perched on top of it.

I've only had it a couple of weeks, so still fiddling with seat position. With it right back the front is a little light, so I think I will get a slightly longer stem to get the reach just perfect.

I would highly recommend the Levo, aside from the fit, it is the best ride in my opinion.

Best to go and test ride as many as you can, not just round the car park but take them on the trails. Even if you have to pay to hire one it's such a big decision, you don't want to pick the wrong one.

 

[davarello]

I'm 6'7" with long legs and arms. I tried a few ebikes, Giant, Moustache, Trek, Levo and Kenevo. The XL Levo is the one I went for. It's the best fit for me. I've never had a bike (or anything else!) that's actually fit perfectly me before. The 150mm dropper is great too. I feel like I'm riding in the bike on technical terrain, rather than perched on top of it.

I've only had it a couple of weeks, so still fiddling with seat position. With it right back the front is a little light, so I think I will get a slightly longer stem to get the reach just perfect.

I would highly recommend the Levo, aside from the fit, it is the best ride in my opinion.

Best to go and test ride as many as you can, not just round the car park but take them on the trails. Even if you have to pay to hire one it's such a big decision, you don't want to pick the wrong one.

Even going out to a 50mm stem could help

 

[BFG]

Thanks for all the advice, good to know there's a gang of tall ebikers out there

I owned an Enduro years ago and ended up having to fit longer stem/slammed back saddle to get it to fit, so trying to avoid that. Having said that I've run the numbers of the Levo through the Leelikesbikes fit guide and it seems bang on for me (even makes an XXL Hightower look too big, which is a problem I've never had before).

@NathanNZ I think the XL now comes with a 170mm dropper post, so even better I've paid for a full day demo and planning on riding all my favourite trails in one go - Just wish I didn't have to wait for another three weeks!

 

[EbikeCurious]

Kona sounds interesting looks like a decent stead. I wonder if it's switchable and you can run 29" wheels on it (if you want). Geo stats look good.

While all you tall f@#$kers are on one post where do you get your clothes especially trousers and shoes !!
Do you all play basketball
Weather's pretty good up here to right

Yup, it comes stock w 27.5 x 2.8 but rear also fits up to 29 x 2.5 and the fork it comes with goes up to 29 x 2.6.

Clothes, shoes, doors, cars, bikes, etc are all a massive PITA.

Wilt Chamberlain allegedly answered the weather question by spitting on the questioner and responding: “it’s raining” on at least one occasion ?

 

[Martins8]

Hi I’m 6’6” I have a 2019 turbo Levo in XL and really like it. I come from a racing background of many years, bikes, motocross and enduro, I’ve always struggled to get anything to fit perfectly because we are at the top end of the height chart or above it on virtually everything. I’ve excepted that anything I have I need to alter or change a bit to suit me better. I test rode several different bikes all with slightly different geo, some longer reach some shorter etc, same with the stack height and so on. I use to get strung up on numbers but what I’ve found is what matters is how the overall package feels and works for you. The Levo felt the best riding position for me and the best riding and handling bike for me and the most fun, didn’t feel small like some bikes strangely with a slightly longer reach did, but I prefer a higher stack and because of my height weighting the front wheel isn’t a problem. It feels great in all riding conditions, a really good all rounder. I run a 60mm 30 degree rise stem, and 800 mm wide x 50mm rise Spank Spike handlebars. I like big bars. I’ve bought bikes in the past on just geo numbers and haven’t always been happy but I’ve learnt what works for me and always have a demo ride if you can. For me the XL turbo Levo is a great bike that I’m really well pleased with.

 

[BFG]

Whilst I wait for an XL Levo demo, has anyone ridden a commencal meta power 29 2020 in XL? Looks good on paper, would love to hear how it compares to a Levo.

 

[BFG]

What are the chances that S5 sizing comes to Levo in 2021...>500mm reach on the new kenevo has me thinking about postponing my purchase

 

[Martins8]

Demo the Levo then see what you think, the reach may increase a bit but remember it’s more of an all rounder trail bike rather than more gravity focused like the Kenevo. You’re very patient if you can wait another year !

 

[BFG]

Demoed the XL Levo today and it was too short for me. Gutted as it was almost perfect in every other way. Shame there's no XXL, but maybe there are plans to bring the S sizing for next year... (please Specialized if you're reading this)

 

[phutureproof]

What have you decided upon BFG? I'm an inch shorter than you and trying to decide which bike might work. If I could go to a shop and try them all, that'd be great. But no stock means that's impossible.

 

[Californiacarver]

6' 3" Bought a S6 because it was available. Its a tad big but for what I use it for its pretty comfortable.. Imagine anyone taller would be fine on S6 with plenty of adjustments.. And on a side note if any taller guys that want to trade their S5 for S6 I might have your bike.

 

[phutureproof]

I opted for the 2022 Whyte e150 RS in XL. I’m 6’5” and skinny. Had it about 6 months or so now. It’s all stock at the moment.
it feels pretty good, but then I don’t have much (any!) of a yardstick to compare it to. You just don’t see many XL bikes in stock to test. Or at least I didn’t when I was looking. This one appeared, so I took the gamble.
I think the one thing I may change at some
Point is the stem to something a tad longer - maybe 50mm or so.
I’d be interested in the S6. I don’t think they were available when I got the Whyte.