Is a 2022 Levo worth £2.5k more than a 2022 Whyte e160rs??

[Renton]

As title really....

Really REALLY like the look of the new 2022 Spesh Levo expert but its £8750 which is a hell of a lot of cash.

Also like the look of the 2022 Whyte E160rs which is £6250.

Is the spesh worth the extra 2500 over the whyte??

The spec isnt too dissimilar on both bikes.

What are your thoughts?

 

[S D]

Ride and decide, assuming the spesh will run long enough

 

[MrSimmo]

I’ve got a levo and a friend has a whyte e160. Tbh I’d say the levo isnt worth all of that difference. Its probably a bit more refined but not 2500 more.

I really wanted a Levo and I ride 3 times a week plus did cycle2work which essentially takes a large chunk off the price so was a no brainer.

Its really a personal choice, if you really like the Levo and can justify the price difference, id say go for it.

 

[Funkeydunk]

My buddy has a e160 and I have a Levo, I can categorically say the levo son not worth the extra. His came With a Bosch mine with Brose , he’s has works flawlessly, the Levo … we’ll just read the forum on motors.

 

[HarryJune]

I have ridden both bikes and would choose E160rs, great bike for the price.

 

[Rich the gasman]

I’ve got a levo and a friend has a whyte e160. Tbh I’d say the levo isnt worth all of that difference. Its probably a bit more refined but not 2500 more.

I really wanted a Levo and I ride 3 times a week plus did cycle2work which essentially takes a large chunk off the price so was a no brainer.

Its really a personal choice, if you really like the Levo and can justify the price difference, id say go for it.

Didn’t know you could get 8750 on cycle to work schemes

 

[Doomanic]

Didn’t know you could get 8750 on cycle to work schemes

Depends on your employer and your wage; the limit has been removed but it's up to your employer if they allow more and the salary sacrifice cannot take you under NMW.

 

[MrSimmo]

Didn’t know you could get 8750 on cycle to work schemes

Yup its the company now who limits not the government.

 

[Winger]

Currently with a 2020 Levo that has run well from day one and currently better than ever, and been to look at a 180RS at £7250, wife has Cube Action team and have always felt the Brose motor has been better than the Bosch but is that still the same?

 

[R120]

The Whyte is one of the best handling EMTB's out there, it s bit rough and ready round the edges but they put a lot of thought into weight placement and design and it shows when you ride it - most noticeable difference between the two is that the Whyte is 27.5 and the Levo a Mullet, and if you are coming from a 29'r you will notice the difference in rollover going back to a 27.5 on the front.

 

[Mikerb]

I think there are basically 6 aspects I would take into account to do a comparison.
Assuming both bikes are ally frames..........
1. Take a look at the quality of construction......welds/paint finish. I have a Whyte and a Levo and I would say they are on a par.
2. Do a component comparison. None of this is owned by the brand...........Whyte is invariably a better spec £ for £.
3. Bike geo/handling...................can only be compared by riding them........ with my 2 bikes...they are different but then one is a trail bike and the other an enduro bike.
4. Choice of motor and battery capacity.........again personal preference but they are on a par as far as power is concerned. The Brose is possibly more refined in its power delivery. There is also the issue of the user interface. Bosch used to be closed but is moving to a more user defined set up. Brose has had user interface for ages. For me I am not interested in displays or riding data and the standard/closed Bosch software is fine as far as I am concerned. Those things may matter for others.
5. Warranty............Spesh is more comprehensive and tranferable. Whyte is frame only and non transferable. All of the components on the Whyte other than the wheels is warranted by Bosch or SRAM/Shimano the difference does not bother me.If you only intend owning a bike a short time before changing, transferable warranty may be important.
6. Battery/charging point integration.........specifically how well protected both are from water etc. Both my Whyte and Levo have fully sealed battery in downtube designs which I like. I virtually never remove the battery on either but charge in the bike. That may not be convenient for some. The security of the charging point on the Whyte is better designed than on the Levo but that said, I have made additional covers for both. Personally I would not buy a bike with a battery in an open downtube sealed onyl with a flappy rubber/plastic cover and unreliable lock mechanism to remove!!

 

[Mikerb]

The Whyte is one of the best handling EMTB's out there, it s bit rough and ready round the edges but they put a lot of thought into weight placement and design and it shows when you ride it - most noticeable difference between the two is that the Whyte is 27.5 and the Levo a Mullet, and if you are coming from a 29'r you will notice the difference in rollover going back to a 27.5 on the front.

Good points but I have to say I do not notice the rollover difference between the 29er on my Levo Comp and the 27.5 on my E180RS..........maybe because the e180 has 180 fork whereas I am on 160 with the Levo??........or maybe the different weight balance between the bikes?.
I agree your comment on the low centre of gravity on the Whyte ( I know I am comparing e180 rather than the e160) and that is one of the most noticeable differences in handling between my bikes. Where the Levo feels front heavy and top heavy the Whyte feels more balanced in both planes. On fast downhill switchbacks the Whyte is easier to right and lean the other way where the Levo takes more effort. My son says the Whyte feels like one of those kids toys that you cannot knock over!!

 

[R120]

I am a fan of 27.5 so personally don’t notice the differnce, but people use to 29’s seem to.

The Whyte is the only bike I have ridden in the last 4 years that tempted me to sell my Vitus.

The reason was that (for me at least) it’s the only one of the heavier bigger batteries bikes that I found the front end still relatively easy to lift up, which is all down to how the battery is placed.

Everyone I try a newer bike the main thing I notice is how the front end feels heavier requires more effort to get up than my Vitus, which has about the best weight placement of any full fat EMTB I have risen thanks to the low BBheight and the extra low battery only coming half way up the down tube.

 

[Winger]

Have to say I do struggle when riding my wife’s Cube with 27.5 wheels which is ironic as my back ground is motorcycles and absolutely hate a big hoop at the front although that is on a road bike.

Anyone know of a link to a test on the latest Whyte 180RS

Thanks for the heads up on the non transferable warranty...didn’t know that.

Getting back to the OP’s post...still struggling with £8750 for a Levo Expert, particularly when I only value my current 2020 Levo at £3500 on a good day so a helluva jump in money.

 

[Renton]

Cheers guys thanks for the input.

The specialized is the newly released gen 3 and only available in carbon. So it's got the bang up to date geometry, 700wh battery too.

 

[JoeBlow]

At the time I bought my Orbea Wild FS20 last year I concluded that the "equivalent" Specialised Levo was over priced but I was still willing to buy one because there were features of the bike that I really liked. After talking to many Levo owners at my local trail centre I came to the conclusion that the motors were unreliable so went with the Orbea. I understand that the motor problem has been resolved, it's not something I have monitored, and Specialised have extended their warranty to 4 years, presumably in response to these issues but personally if I were buying now I would go with the Whyte. My experiences put me off Specialised and Brose motors. Perhaps unfairly but the number of people I spoke to who had to return their bikes was significant and well into double figures.

Al

 

[Doomanic]

The 4 year warranty is on ‘19 and ‘20 bikes only. ‘21 and ‘22 bikes are back on 2 year warranties.
IMO the motor isn’t fixed.

 

[Winger]

Hmmm, maybe i’ve Been one of the lucky ones, but with 2500 miles currently, and two and a half years left of a 4 year warranty of my Turbo Levo, the glaring thing that sticks out to me is the Brose is a better(faster)motor compared to the Bosch in my wife’s Cube, hence my interest in the new 180RS to find out if Bosch have closed the gap and yet to find a revue.

 

[Renton]

The other thing I should mention is that I've already had a 2021 Whyte e150s which was a great bike but the suspension was far to firm for me. Even running more sag I could never bottom it and always found myself wanting more feel and more travel from the back.

Apparently the e160 is a different beast altogether.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Hmmm, maybe i’ve Been one of the lucky ones, but with 2500 miles currently, and two and a half years left of a 4 year warranty of my Turbo Levo, the glaring thing that sticks out to me is the Brose is a better(faster)motor compared to the Bosch in my wife’s Cube, hence my interest in the new 180RS to find out if Bosch have closed the gap and yet to find a revue.

Might help you.


I personally find the gen4 to be more powerful than the Brose (just). Certainly more lower down as you need to spin the brose for power and also to avoid premature failure. Though the brose is quieter when pedalling and descending.

There's also the new Giant Reign E+ with the latest Yamaha PWX3 motor and 750wh battery (depending on spec) .. just to confuse things

 

[StevoKickstart]

At the time I bought my Orbea Wild FS20 last year I concluded that the "equivalent" Specialised Levo was over priced but I was still willing to buy one because there were features of the bike that I really liked. After talking to many Levo owners at my local trail centre I came to the conclusion that the motors were unreliable so went with the Orbea. I understand that the motor problem has been resolved, it's not something I have monitored, and Specialised have extended their warranty to 4 years, presumably in response to these issues but personally if I were buying now I would go with the Whyte. My experiences put me off Specialised and Brose motors. Perhaps unfairly but the number of people I spoke to who had to return their bikes was significant and well into double figures.

Al

Renton, I too had a 2021 Levo on order (I already have a 2019 Comp Carbon) with a very reputable bike shop... I was put on a waiting list...... in the end after radio-silence for 4 months I gave up and bought an Orbea Wild FS M10, similar to JoeBlows, which is much better than the LEVO in my opinion (I must still be on the waiting list; no one has bothered contacting me!!)
Specialized eMtbs are over priced in my opinion and they don't justify their price-tags; other brands have definitely caught up; have a look at the Orbea if you haven't already

With the £2,500 saving (and not telling your other half of said saving) just think of what you could spend the money on......

Suggestions please everyone........

 

[Doomanic]

Coaching. Always coaching.
or...
Coke and hookers[/Bambam]

 

[StevoKickstart]

Coaching. Always coaching.
or...
Coke and hookers[/Bambam]

I'm self inviting to that party!

 

[Doomanic]

The coaching? No worries. The coke and hookers? Get your own!

 

[R120]

Have to say I do struggle when riding my wife’s Cube with 27.5 wheels which is ironic as my back ground is motorcycles and absolutely hate a big hoop at the front although that is on a road bike.

Anyone know of a link to a test on the latest Whyte 180RS

Thanks for the heads up on the non transferable warranty...didn’t know that.

Getting back to the OP’s post...still struggling with £8750 for a Levo Expert, particularly when I only value my current 2020 Levo at £3500 on a good day so a helluva jump in money.

Just tested this week

Whyte E-180 RS V3 review: self-shuttling enduro bike? You bet! - MBR

The Whyte E-180 RS V3 is self-shuttling gravity enduro machine with 170mm travel out back, paired with a 180mm fork and the Bosch system.

www.mbr.co.uk

 

[Winger]

Many thanks for the various posts and link, really useful.

 

[Bomble]

I have a 160rs and a friend has the new Levo expert. I really like the Levo apart from the obvious question mark over the motor but you really can't see the money over the Whyte, apart from the weight
The suspension on the Whyte is sublime even though they aren't the highest spec forks and shock.

 

[Renton]

I have a 160rs and a friend has the new Levo expert. I really like the Levo apart from the obvious question mark over the motor but you really can't see the money over the Whyte, apart from the weight
The suspension on the Whyte is sublime even though they aren't the highest spec forks and shock.

Good to know.

Is that the new 2022 model levo with s sizing ?

 

[Winger]

Yes...i’m 6ft and an S3 was too small.

Re the Whyte interesting write up but the comment on it needing a 29” front was what put me off , with two and a half years worth of warranty left, my currently plan is to wait and see, Robs comments about the cheapo screen etc on the Whyte told me there’s still more to come on their bikes.

Of course the elephant in the room is £8750 for the Expert

 

[Gary]

Everyone I try a newer bike the main thing I notice is how the front end feels heavier requires more effort to get up than my Vitus, which has about the best weight placement of any full fat EMTB I have risen thanks to the low BBheight and the extra low battery only coming half way up the down tube.

I've noticed a similar trait when jumping on pretty much every 2021 Emtb I have tried/ridden. But not only the increased effort required to bunnyhop or manual.. also the reduction in nimbleness and slower less maneuverable feeling from directional change input in comparison to my small 27.5 ESommet. I'm fairly sure the difference is not only from battery weight increase and placement. The combination of a longer front centre and longer fork/bigger wheel will also be a fairly large contributing factor, not to mention the heavier fork, brakes and tyres they're all coming with now .It all adds up. a let's not forget full 29" or 29/27.5 Mullet will have a longer front centre and more weight infront of the bars than a full 27.5 even if they have the same reach measurement and there's no getting round the fact a 29" front wheel behaves differently to a 27.5"
Having said that.. And all other dimentions being the same a LOWer BB actually makes a bike require MORE effort to raise the front wheel. So the fact the old ESommet was easier to get on the back wheel definitely does point towards the benefit of that more centrally placed battery weight.
Riding 25kg Emtb's just doesn't really interest me in the slightest.