Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, I've had a look but don't see this specific topic.
I have a 2020 base Levo with the Rockshox 35 fork. Its not a bad fork but tends to get very lose over rock gardens which is not filling me with confidence. I have Fox Factory on my analog bike but inclined to stay Rockshox on the Levo. 2 questions: 1) Do you really need an e-mtb specific fork, I was thinking of going to Lyrik select or ultimate. 2) If I upgrade to 160mm, should you keep the same 51 offset?
Thanks
This is a long answer but I hope its worth being patient.
Been MTb'ing since 1984- bought a Gary Fisher in San Francisco - columbus tube hard tail, rigid forks, no brakes ( to speak of - suntour cam rim brakes - had to wait 200m for anything to happen, but fun) .
Fast Fwd- nearly 40 years, Merlin Titanium HT, lots of SC full sus carbon bikes: Blur LT, Bronson V2, Nomad, Bronson V3- all lovely but I was getting older & with two total knee replacements.
My wife tried an e-bike. She was grinning , I was struggling.
Two years ago, the lovely lady who runs the bike shop in the English Lakes (where most of my hardware has been sourced for past 30 years) said "dont know why you are still trying to pretend you are 30. Get an e-bike and have some fun again."
I wanted to order an S-Works Levo, but none were available. Sarah said she could build me something similar.
So we started the build-up with a 2019 Levo Comp Carbon ie carbon front triangle with alloy rear triangle
I prefer Shimano shifters and brakes ( IMO better shifting ) and I can fettle the brakes myself. I supplied , she swapped.
Then, she swapped the standard wheels out and replaced them with Santa Cruz Reserve carbon rims with Chris King hubs- absolutely the d's b's, rock solid and totally reliable.
Next, she swapped the standard dropper post for a Fox Transfer-top quality -works like a dream and so much easier to use than a Reverb.
Then, she swapped the standard Praxxis steel chainset/crank for a carbon one.
Finally, she swapped the standard 150mm Fox 34 Rythym for a160mm Fox 36 Kashima EMTB fork with Grip 2 (it has the 51mm offset).
Base bike was c £5.5k, my modded bike was £7.5k as delivered. My very best bike purchase ever. IMO, apart from no carbon rear triangle, its as good as any S-Works Levo
It weighs about 20kg with the 500wh battery, DMG flat pedals and a WTB saddle. Added Carbon bars and Aergon anatomic grips-essential for anybody my age with arthritis in their hands.
Fox forks are superb. Highly recommended. Plush, consistent, do what you want them to do. Sorted. Never handled such big rock drops so assuredly. Brilliant on windy, technical, singletrack.
Comp Carbon has now done a few '000 kms, including lots in the Alps, Lakes, Peaks and Yorkshire Dales. Replaced worn Butcher Grids with Schwalbe Magic Mary and Nobby NIcs- brilliant
I had the motor FW update done recently and also had to replace the chain. Also this summer, I sourced a 2021 Fox DPX2 rear shock and replaced the stock DPS shock. More robust and "planted" when descending rough terrain.
This bike is thoroughly outstanding.
Climbs a dream, descends places I would not have dared to try and ride on my old Santa Cruz's- I was just not good enough, but the extra weight and the 29" rims give me a new found confidence and the ability to ride things that I had thought impossible.
Cannot recommend this bike highly enough- so much fun. Hope this helps a few of you with your fork and shock questions?
Geoff
