Levo Gen 3 Cascade Link 2022+ Levo Long Shock Kit

rydeezie

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2020
607
861
san francisco, california
Just finished install. Excited to go for a ride and finish set up.

Stock 210x55 upgraded to 230x65
Will convert stock 150mm travel to 165mm
No more high pressures. Easy bottoming out gone
C4C3A77B-50D0-4626-B912-75C5817634FD.jpeg

861BC5C9-A2B3-419A-8845-4ACFAD2A17ED.jpeg


No clearance issues
55CEE786-2454-4580-81B2-031496AEDE13.jpeg


side by side with a stock gen3 Levo
7B334E8C-45C4-43E6-AC1C-2145DC04BD7C.jpeg


170mm travel up front. 165mm rear!
77403FA8-10E9-4014-A23A-99B498C15BD0.jpeg


Will post the 210x55 for sale soon
** you can see the DU bushing on replaced shock (hole near HSR)
4E6BAAAB-1622-4AD0-9DFD-0CA9215CC69D.jpeg



*Took the 230x65 X2 from my Kenevo and serviced by Fox. Fitted the stock rockshox coil back on.

**i was lucky to already have a DU bushing for the shock. Saved me from dropping what i was doing and making a run to the bike shop. You can use the old bushing from the old shock if you have the tools. But I recommend having a new DU bushing. (Don’t know if this was mentioned on CL site as i did not read any of the instructions lol)
 
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maramouse

Active member
Mar 24, 2018
182
123
Genoa Italy
Just finished install. Excited to go for a ride and finish set up.

*Took the 230x65 X2 from my Kenevo and serviced by Fox. Fitted the stock rockshox coil back on.

View attachment 83395
View attachment 83396

No clearance issues View attachment 83400

side by side with my bros gen3 Levo
View attachment 83401

170mm travel up front. 165mm rear!
View attachment 83402

Will post the 210x55 for sale soon View attachment 83403
Hi, I'm waiting for the link too, I got a fox dhx2 2021 in super offer, I hope it will arrive soon, where are you from and what size of bike do you have? I live in Italy and I have an expert s2, I hope it fits my size, without interference with the seat tube
 

rydeezie

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2020
607
861
san francisco, california
Hi, I'm waiting for the link too, I got a fox dhx2 2021 in super offer, I hope it will arrive soon, where are you from and what size of bike do you have? I live in Italy and I have an expert s2, I hope it fits my size, without interference with the seat tube
I’m in the US with an S4. My understanding for different frame sizes is that the shock area should have the same minimum clearance specifications for all frame sizes. That’s my guess.

As far as rear wheel clearance issues, i’m not sure between the frame sizes.

Cascade link did not make frame size specific linkages (at least i did not notice on their site) and the shock eye to eye/stroke is not different for any of the sizes. I’m assuming all the stock pivot linkages are the same for all sizes. I don’t think there will be a fitment issue

in any case, hopefully it works out for your bike.
 
Last edited:

rydeezie

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2020
607
861
san francisco, california
What does this do to the geometry? How high is the BB now? Fork Rake?
Maintains the same geometry as stock

My fork has 170mm travel and set at slack. Rear is set to high position. Haven’t measured BB height.

I think there are more details in the FAQ’s of cascade links website

all i can say, for me, it’s what specialized should of done for the gen3 Levo
 
Last edited:

rydeezie

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2020
607
861
san francisco, california
First ride with the Cascade link and wow it’s amazing. Exactly what i needed from my Levo. Rode down fast through rocky and rooty chunder. Did several laps and the rear suspension feels so good. It actually feels like it has rear suspension lol. Still need to fine tune to get more pop on the jumps.

My 2020 Kenevo and gen3 Levo get the same amount of riding time. I switch between them throughout the week. I love the Levos superb handling over the Kenevo especially in tight sections. On the other hand, the Kenevo feels more stable and eats up all the chunder. The Kenevo saves my knees when landing jumps or drops with no transition where as on the Levo will feel harsh or bottom out……

Now, my Levo is almost as plush as my Kenevo while still maintaining it’s own handling characteristics. It’s not so easy to bottom out anymore. I am a heavier rider too.

i never had the cascade link on any of my previous bikes/ebikes. I probably wouldn’t have gotten the Levo link if it used the stock 210x55 shock. When i saw the long shock kit i knew it was a must have. Even if i had to spend on a new shock, there is always someone looking to buy a 210x55 X2

Suspension:
F - 170mm fox 38, vorsprung luftkappe, slack position
R - 230x65 Fox X2 (running 30psi less than with 210x55), high position

1A0AEBE6-21A5-42C5-952D-C6D2621F13DE.jpeg
 
Last edited:

Lightme

Active member
Subscriber
Jul 17, 2020
163
153
Sydney
Mine just arrived today! Looking forward to putting that on. I’m running a 180mm Fox 38 so should complement it well. I’ll write up a quick review once it’s fitted.
 

maramouse

Active member
Mar 24, 2018
182
123
Genoa Italy
Hi, I ask who bought this link, if the communication with David of Cascade was correct or not, I received the wrong link, for the stock shock that I rejected by dhl courier and returned to the sender, then, I no longer have knew nothing about correct link for long shock and nobody in Cascade replies to my emails anymore, I don't like it...
 

rydeezie

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2020
607
861
san francisco, california
Hi, I ask who bought this link, if the communication with David of Cascade was correct or not, I received the wrong link, for the stock shock that I rejected by dhl courier and returned to the sender, then, I no longer have knew nothing about correct link for long shock and nobody in Cascade replies to my emails anymore, I don't like it...
I saw on their social media that the long shock kit was available for pre-order. I went to their website and placed my order on the long shock kit right away. Their social media stated it would take about 6 weeks because they sent the links out to get them anodized.

Cascade link website showed expected shipping date of March 15th. I got mine ahead of schedule. I probably would of followed up with them if I didn’t get the link after the expected ship date.

It was a smooth ordering process for me. Did not contact them. Just waited

Hope you get it all resolved
 

Four Flusher

Active member
Jun 24, 2019
116
82
Reno
I was all fired up about adding the Cascade long travel link for my S5 Expert and a coil. After going back and forth with Cascade support, it really felt like they weren't big on coils for my bike. Did you consider a coil?
 

rydeezie

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2020
607
861
san francisco, california
I was all fired up about adding the Cascade long travel link for my S5 Expert and a coil. After going back and forth with Cascade support, it really felt like they weren't big on coils for my bike. Did you consider a coil?
i actually just took the X2 from my Kenevo

i'm considering a dhx2 for the Levo

the Kenevo is known to damage coil shafts. maybe same issue with Levo?

IMG_1073.jpeg
 

bgixxer

Member
Dec 13, 2020
6
7
milton keynes
I wonder if it would work with a ohlins ttx
I was all fired up about adding the Cascade long travel link for my S5 Expert and a coil. After going back and forth with Cascade support, it really felt like they weren't big on coils for my bike. Did you consider a coil?
should think a ohlins ttx with a progressive spring would work ok?
 

Darkyhs

Well-known member
Oct 25, 2020
125
131
Lisbon, Portugal
This one has a thicker shaft for E-Bikes?

 

mike172

Member
May 12, 2021
145
85
Surrey
@rydeezie

How's 33% progressivity feel, honestly?


22% stock? Feels nice in terms of how it ramps up and uses its 150mm of travel

I've got a Patrol at 24% or something and that really ramps up at the end
 

Mohawk3a

Member
Mar 20, 2021
47
60
California
Maintains the same geometry as stock

My fork has 170mm travel and set at slack. Rear is set to high position. Haven’t measured BB height.

I think there are more details in the FAQ’s of cascade links website

all i can say, for me, it’s what specialized should of done for the gen3 Levo
I don’t believe this is true, despite what cascade says on their site. I measured my bottom bracket height before and after the long shock kit and my bottom bracket height is definitely higher, a touch more than 5/8 inch / 16mm taller than the stock setup.
 

FreshtotheX

New Member
Mar 12, 2022
5
6
West Virginia
First ride with the Cascade link and wow it’s amazing. Exactly what i needed from my Levo. Rode down fast through rocky and rooty chunder. Did several laps and the rear suspension feels so good. It actually feels like it has rear suspension lol. Still need to fine tune to get more pop on the jumps.

My 2020 Kenevo and gen3 Levo get the same amount of riding time. I switch between them throughout the week. I love the Levos superb handling over the Kenevo especially in tight sections. On the other hand, the Kenevo feels more stable and eats up all the chunder. The Kenevo saves my knees when landing jumps or drops with no transition where as on the Levo will feel harsh or bottom out……

Now, my Levo is almost as plush as my Kenevo while still maintaining it’s own handling characteristics. It’s not so easy to bottom out anymore. I am a heavier rider too.

i never had the cascade link on any of my previous bikes/ebikes. I probably wouldn’t have gotten the Levo link if it used the stock 210x55 shock. When i saw the long shock kit i knew it was a must have. Even if i had to spend on a new shock, there is always someone looking to buy a 210x55 X2

Suspension:
F - 170mm fox 38, vorsprung luftkappe, slack position
R - 230x65 Fox X2 (running 30psi less than with 210x55), high position

View attachment 83440
thanks for posting this. I am sold as well
 

rydeezie

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2020
607
861
san francisco, california
I don’t believe this is true, despite what cascade says on their site. I measured my bottom bracket height before and after the long shock kit and my bottom bracket height is definitely higher, a touch more than 5/8 inch / 16mm taller than the stock setup.
Could they mean same geometry at sag?
I dunno, I went off what their site said

Thanks for the info

What are your thoughts on how the Levo rides now?
 
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rydeezie

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2020
607
861
san francisco, california
@rydeezie

How's 33% progressivity feel, honestly?


22% stock? Feels nice in terms of how it ramps up and uses its 150mm of travel

I've got a Patrol at 24% or something and that really ramps up at the end
I rode my Levo twice since install. It will take me a few more rides to fine tune
Need to replace brake pads and rotors on Levo so I’ve been riding my Kenevo

I’ll get a better assessment next week. Also, I can’t remember if i have volume spacers in the shock. Need to re-check everything
 

Mohawk3a

Member
Mar 20, 2021
47
60
California
Could they mean same geometry at sag?
I dunno, I went off what their site said

Thanks for the info
My bike is taller with the long shock kit so it’s going to be taller under sag as well. I was kind of shocked it was 16mm taller, I advise everyone else to check the before and after. I run my levo in low bb / slack ha configuration. Thinking that the bb height would be the same, I was planning on putting my bike into high bb mode to compensate for the increased travel. After I measured I was shocked at how much it increased my bb height. I obviously left it in low & slack. A 6mm change in bb height changes the head angle .5 degrees so at 16mm we are talking almost 1.5 degree change in head angle.
 

rydeezie

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2020
607
861
san francisco, california
My bike is taller with the long shock kit so it’s going to be taller under sag as well. I was kind of shocked it was 16mm taller, I advise everyone else to check the before and after. I run my levo in low bb / slack ha configuration. Thinking that the bb height would be the same, I was planning on putting my bike into high bb mode to compensate for the increased travel. After I measured I was shocked at how much it increased my bb height. I obviously left it in low & slack. A 6mm change in bb height changes the head angle .5 degrees so at 16mm we are talking almost 1.5 degree change in head angle.
I was just picturing in my head 30% of a 65 stroke is more than 30% of a 55 stroke. So I’m guessing it would sit at around the same height at sag being deeper in travel? Totally just a guess as I did not measure before and after

maybe worth contacting cascade link to hear their explanation
 

rydeezie

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2020
607
861
san francisco, california
Does using a cascade link affect the Specialized warranty?
Most likely will not be covered if you submit a claim with the modification, but…..

Shock warranty is only 1 year and warranty goes through fox. When u buy a 230x65 then it will have it’s own warranty

Frame is lifetime so I guess keep the original linkage and should be fine
 

gbarfoot

Active member
Sep 1, 2020
184
164
Colorado usa
Well BAD NEWS the link does not allow full travel on a S2 alloy. The links interfere with the seatstays before full travel is reached. I'm a bit bummed about this and will be contacting cascade tomorrow. My guess is the alloys will need a separate set of link plates than the carbon bikes.
 

Mohawk3a

Member
Mar 20, 2021
47
60
California
I was just picturing in my head 30% of a 65 stroke is more than 30% of a 55 stroke. So I’m guessing it would sit at around the same height at sag being deeper in travel? Totally just a guess as I did not measure before and after

maybe worth contacting cascade link to hear their explanation
I hear what your saying. My thought is the linkage provides 15mm more travel at the rear wheel. If your bottom bracket is raised 15-16mm prior to suspension load, your bottom bracket will be riding higher throughout the suspension travel. The geometry might be close to stock only when suspension is fully collapsed.
 

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