Levo Gen 3 Cascade Link 2022+ Levo Long Shock Kit

squeegee

Well-known member
Aug 19, 2019
360
267
USA
Per Cascade, the LS kit is intended to be used in the low position
Really per Cascade then eh? I do not see that information on the page for the kit...you'd think they'd have that specification written out right there if so important. Getting the feeling Mr. Light is a shill.
 

Mr. Light

Member
Jan 3, 2023
14
20
Los Angeles
Really per Cascade then eh? I do not see that information on the page for the kit...you'd think they'd have that specification written out right there if so important. Getting the feeling Mr. Light is a shill
I emailed Cascade with a few questions about the link vs LS kit. That is exactly what they said in response to my question about it raising the bottom bracket. Also that it sits a hair lower than a stock bike in the high position.

Calling me a shill is typical of forum behavior I guess? I came here to share my experience specifically because I read every comment in keen interest when I was unhappy with my bike, hoping to hear other’s opinions on the Cascade link. It works for me so I’m adding my positive experience to the pot. I’ll keep it to myself next time
 
Last edited:

squeegee

Well-known member
Aug 19, 2019
360
267
USA
I emailed Cascade with a few questions about the link vs LS kit. That is exactly what they said in response to my question about it raising the bottom bracket. Also that it sits a hair lower than a stock bike in the high position.

Calling me a shill is typical of forum behavior I guess? I came here to share my experience specifically because I read every comment in keen interest when I was unhappy with my bike, hoping to hear other’s opinions on the Cascade link. It works for me so I’m adding my positive experience to the pot. I’ll keep it to myself next time
Well I'm sorry then, my interpretation is off. Maybe was that you have only a few posts and your first post seemed a bit like a commercial for cascade but obviously I'm wrong, my apologies. I like my kit but do I think it was worth the $ invested? only time will tell.
 

javier161

Member
Jan 28, 2022
12
4
miami
I’ve been riding the cascade long link with a Ohlins TTX22 230x65 with the Fox 38 extended to 170mm for the last few months. I’ve ridden BPW and more local trails and I’m very happy with it, slack at the front with high setting on the rear. Back end melts away out of mind now.
I’m on an S3 at 85kg.
we are heading to Morzine this weekend for week. I don’t do massive jumps, but doclear tables and do good size drops.
The bike feels really good, probably lost a bit of fund simply because it is so much more capable now - but that’s what I wanted to be able to soak up big landWhat s

I’ve been riding the cascade long link with a Ohlins TTX22 230x65 with the Fox 38 extended to 170mm for the last few months. I’ve ridden BPW and more local trails and I’m very happy with it, slack at the front with high setting on the rear. Back end melts away out of mind now.
I’m on an S3 at 85kg.
we are heading to Morzine this weekend for week. I don’t do massive jumps, but doclear tables and do good size drops.
The bike feels really good, probably lost a bit of fund simply because it is so much more capable now - but that’s what I wanted to be able to soak up big landings.
What spring rate and how much sag? I am also 85 kg just order the link and a TTX2
 

Wayne509

Member
Dec 4, 2019
19
13
Fife Scotland
Having read this thread from the beginning …. I’m even more baffled than when I started . Bike ordered today with 170mm 38s . I now want the LT kit but have no idea if I want air or coil . I won’t be doing big hits or drop offs. I’m a lard ass at about 112 in riding gear ….


Is the coil set up advantageous for fatties like me ?
 

tubylas

Member
Jun 25, 2022
21
2
Poland
If you sag a coil to 30% and you are even mildly aggressive you will bottom out hard. I'm having to run 600lb 25% sag with a similar setup on a long shock kenevo and still using all travel.
I'm 87kg
Got Levo Gen3 in S4 size, FOX 38 - 180mm up front and and rear FOX X2 - 230x65, got 4 tokens, 290psi, all inside hardware spacers are moved from orginal X2 tuned by specialized for this Levo an Im still using all travel an im just 78-80kg. I'm do some enduro riding some jumps but not very aggressive. Any thoughts?
 

ebikerider

Active member
Oct 1, 2019
706
479
Australia
Having read this thread from the beginning …. I’m even more baffled than when I started . Bike ordered today with 170mm 38s . I now want the LT kit but have no idea if I want air or coil . I won’t be doing big hits or drop offs. I’m a lard ass at about 112 in riding gear ….


Is the coil set up advantageous for fatties like me ?
Air shock for you imo.

Honestly I think the link works better with an air shock overall.
 

ebikerider

Active member
Oct 1, 2019
706
479
Australia
Got Levo Gen3 in S4 size, FOX 38 - 180mm up front and and rear FOX X2 - 230x65, got 4 tokens, 290psi, all inside hardware spacers are moved from orginal X2 tuned by specialized for this Levo an Im still using all travel an im just 78-80kg. I'm do some enduro riding some jumps but not very aggressive. Any thoughts?
What is your damping set at?
 

ebikerider

Active member
Oct 1, 2019
706
479
Australia
To get a decent amount of sag so there is enough droop in the rear end to maintain traction I found the spring rate way too light and bottomed way too easily. When I upped the spring rate to alleviate bottoming I lost small bump compliance and had reduced traction due to running minimal sag.

The inherent ramp up of the air shock helps to add to the bottom out resistance at a decent sag level and grip is better overall ime.

I have a long link kit and a tuned coil shock for sale if you wanted to try it out yourself..
 

freerideandi

Member
Mar 21, 2019
25
3
Germany
Got Levo Gen3 in S4 size, FOX 38 - 180mm up front and and rear FOX X2 - 230x65, got 4 tokens, 290psi, all inside hardware spacers are moved from orginal X2 tuned by specialized for this Levo an Im still using all travel an im just 78-80kg. I'm do some enduro riding some jumps but not very aggressive. Any thoughts?
290 PSI or 190 PSI?
 

javier161

Member
Jan 28, 2022
12
4
miami
To get a decent amount of sag so there is enough droop in the rear end to maintain traction I found the spring rate way too light and bottomed way too easily. When I upped the spring rate to alleviate bottoming I lost small bump compliance and had reduced traction due to running minimal sag.

The inherent ramp up of the air shock helps to add to the bottom out resistance at a decent sag level and grip is better overall ime.

I have a long link kit and a tuned coil shock for sale if you wanted to try it out yourself..
I thought the new long link kit was more progressive. I just ordered the link and a TTX22M.2 with a 550 spring. Hope it works for me. I am 85kg 187 lbs.
 

BikeBert

Active member
Dec 10, 2022
75
438
Croatia
For those looking for an advice regarding spring rate - don't take anything for granted and don't trust anyone ;)

Recommended spring rates are way off even on Cascade Components website!
According to their info, I should use use 550 lbs/in spring for my 85kg [187 lbs].

Based on the info in this thread I collected data for comparison:
-@ Lasse - 500 lbs/in spring @82 kg [180 lbs] with Marzocchi Bomber CR / fork: ZEB Ultimate 170 mm
- @maramouse - 525 lbs/in spring @82 kg [180 lbs] with Öhlins TTX22 M.2 / fork: Fox 38 170 mm
- @cañonaco - 475 lbs/in spring @85 kg [190 lbs] with Rock Shox Super Deluxe
-@ goodaa - ??? lbs/in spring @85 kg [190 lbs] with Öhlins TTX22 M.2 / fork: Fox 38 170 mm

I got confused by the big difference in spring rates used by different bikers (475-525 lbs/in) and that recommended by Cascade (550 lbs/in). So I contacted Cascade Components directly and even showed them the data I collected [above]. They confirmed the recommendation twice: "It should still be nice and supple, the 550 is the correct coil for your weight."

So based on their recommendation I ordered 548 lbs/in spring for my Öhlins TTX22m.2.
Guess what, I got the SAG 23% [15 mm]. The spring was extremely firm!
So I ordered another spring, this time 502 lbs/in and I got SAG 29% [19 mm].

I have no way to test the bike as it's snowing like crazy lately but I have a feeling that the Cascade linkage is more suited for air shocks and their progressive characteristics than for linear coil shocks. If my field tests will confirm this to be true, I will experiment with progressive spring, e.g. Cane Creek VALT.

Nevertheless, lesson learned [money lost]. Honestly, I am really disappointed in Cascade's recommendations, database/knowledge and their support. I understand that you cannot give 100% correct spring rate recommendation but I hoped for little more knowledge from the producer about their own product and base settings for the specific bike and specific rider. 23% SAG I got by using spring they recommended was not even close to expected 28-30% SAG (that they also recommend on their website).

There, learn from my mistakes and experimentation.
I will keep you updated after I get some time on the bike.

Below some photos of the shock, springs weight comparison and linkages:

hlins-TTX22m-2-01.jpg


hlins-TTX22m-2-02.jpg


hlins-TTX22m-2-03.jpg


hlins-TTX22m-2-04.jpg


hlins-TTX22m-2-05.jpg


Fox-vs-Ohlins.jpg


Spings-weight.jpg


Cascade-001.jpg


Cascade-002.jpg


Cascade-Fox-vs-Ohlins.jpg


1674824618464.gif 1674824618487.gif 1674824618524.gif 1674824618505.gif 1674824618700.gif 1674824618565.gif 1674824618543.gif 1674824618585.gif 1674824618739.gif 1674824618604.gif 1674824618759.gif 1674824618642.gif 1674824618622.gif 1674824618779.gif 1674824618660.gif 1674824618797.gif 1674824618817.gif 1674824618835.gif 1674824618679.gif 1674824618718.gif
 

Ou812

Active member
Jun 26, 2022
590
392
Fort William
For those looking for an advice regarding spring rate - don't take anything for granted and don't trust anyone ;)

Recommended spring rates are way off even on Cascade Components website!
According to their info, I should use use 550 lbs/in spring for my 85kg [187 lbs].

Based on the info in this thread I collected data for comparison:
-@ Lasse - 500 lbs/in spring @82 kg [180 lbs] with Marzocchi Bomber CR / fork: ZEB Ultimate 170 mm
- @maramouse - 525 lbs/in spring @82 kg [180 lbs] with Öhlins TTX22 M.2 / fork: Fox 38 170 mm
- @cañonaco - 475 lbs/in spring @85 kg [190 lbs] with Rock Shox Super Deluxe
-@ goodaa - ??? lbs/in spring @85 kg [190 lbs] with Öhlins TTX22 M.2 / fork: Fox 38 170 mm

I got confused by the big difference in spring rates used by different bikers (475-525 lbs/in) and that recommended by Cascade (550 lbs/in). So I contacted Cascade Components directly and even showed them the data I collected [above]. They confirmed the recommendation twice: "It should still be nice and supple, the 550 is the correct coil for your weight."

So based on their recommendation I ordered 548 lbs/in spring for my Öhlins TTX22m.2.
Guess what, I got the SAG 23% [15 mm]. The spring was extremely firm!
So I ordered another spring, this time 502 lbs/in and I got SAG 29% [19 mm].

I have no way to test the bike as it's snowing like crazy lately but I have a feeling that the Cascade linkage is more suited for air shocks and their progressive characteristics than for linear coil shocks. If my field tests will confirm this to be true, I will experiment with progressive spring, e.g. Cane Creek VALT.

Nevertheless, lesson learned [money lost]. Honestly, I am really disappointed in Cascade's recommendations, database/knowledge and their support. I understand that you cannot give 100% correct spring rate recommendation but I hoped for little more knowledge from the producer about their own product and base settings for the specific bike and specific rider. 23% SAG I got by using spring they recommended was not even close to expected 28-30% SAG (that they also recommend on their website).

There, learn from my mistakes and experimentation.
I will keep you updated after I get some time on the bike.

Below some photos of the shock, springs weight comparison and linkages:

hlins-TTX22m-2-01.jpg


hlins-TTX22m-2-02.jpg


hlins-TTX22m-2-03.jpg


hlins-TTX22m-2-04.jpg


hlins-TTX22m-2-05.jpg


Fox-vs-Ohlins.jpg


Spings-weight.jpg


Cascade-001.jpg


Cascade-002.jpg


Cascade-Fox-vs-Ohlins.jpg


View attachment 105295 View attachment 105296 View attachment 105297 View attachment 105298 View attachment 105299 View attachment 105300 View attachment 105301 View attachment 105302 View attachment 105303 View attachment 105304 View attachment 105305 View attachment 105306 View attachment 105307 View attachment 105308 View attachment 105309 View attachment 105310 View attachment 105311 View attachment 105312 View attachment 105313 View attachment 105314
The answer to your problems……

 

javier161

Member
Jan 28, 2022
12
4
miami
For those looking for an advice regarding spring rate - don't take anything for granted and don't trust anyone ;)

Recommended spring rates are way off even on Cascade Components website!
According to their info, I should use use 550 lbs/in spring for my 85kg [187 lbs].

Based on the info in this thread I collected data for comparison:
-@ Lasse - 500 lbs/in spring @82 kg [180 lbs] with Marzocchi Bomber CR / fork: ZEB Ultimate 170 mm
- @maramouse - 525 lbs/in spring @82 kg [180 lbs] with Öhlins TTX22 M.2 / fork: Fox 38 170 mm
- @cañonaco - 475 lbs/in spring @85 kg [190 lbs] with Rock Shox Super Deluxe
-@ goodaa - ??? lbs/in spring @85 kg [190 lbs] with Öhlins TTX22 M.2 / fork: Fox 38 170 mm

I got confused by the big difference in spring rates used by different bikers (475-525 lbs/in) and that recommended by Cascade (550 lbs/in). So I contacted Cascade Components directly and even showed them the data I collected [above]. They confirmed the recommendation twice: "It should still be nice and supple, the 550 is the correct coil for your weight."

So based on their recommendation I ordered 548 lbs/in spring for my Öhlins TTX22m.2.
Guess what, I got the SAG 23% [15 mm]. The spring was extremely firm!
So I ordered another spring, this time 502 lbs/in and I got SAG 29% [19 mm].

I have no way to test the bike as it's snowing like crazy lately but I have a feeling that the Cascade linkage is more suited for air shocks and their progressive characteristics than for linear coil shocks. If my field tests will confirm this to be true, I will experiment with progressive spring, e.g. Cane Creek VALT.

Nevertheless, lesson learned [money lost]. Honestly, I am really disappointed in Cascade's recommendations, database/knowledge and their support. I understand that you cannot give 100% correct spring rate recommendation but I hoped for little more knowledge from the producer about their own product and base settings for the specific bike and specific rider. 23% SAG I got by using spring they recommended was not even close to expected 28-30% SAG (that they also recommend on their website).

There, learn from my mistakes and experimentation.
I will keep you updated after I get some time on the bike.

Below some photos of the shock, springs weight comparison and linkages:

hlins-TTX22m-2-01.jpg


hlins-TTX22m-2-02.jpg


hlins-TTX22m-2-03.jpg


hlins-TTX22m-2-04.jpg


hlins-TTX22m-2-05.jpg


Fox-vs-Ohlins.jpg


Spings-weight.jpg


Cascade-001.jpg


Cascade-002.jpg


Cascade-Fox-vs-Ohlins.jpg


View attachment 105295 View attachment 105296 View attachment 105297 View attachment 105298 View attachment 105299 View attachment 105300 View attachment 105301 View attachment 105302 View attachment 105303 View attachment 105304 View attachment 105305 View attachment 105306 View attachment 105307 View attachment 105308 View attachment 105309 View attachment 105310 View attachment 105311 View attachment 105312 View attachment 105313 View attachment 105314
You are comparing two different lenght coils, 67 travel vs 76 I think that may have something to do with it.
 

Alexbn921

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2021
545
506
East Bay CA
Have you actually measured the spring rate?
Even among the same manufactures spring rates can vary quite a bit.
The number on the side of a spring is just a rough guess in most cases.
 

BikeBert

Active member
Dec 10, 2022
75
438
Croatia
The answer to your problems……

I would rather go back to air shock than install such monstrosity on my bike. ;)
Besides Sprindex would not solve the my problem as I needed to make considerate change in spring rate.
If I will need progressive spring there are plenty producers that offer better looking product.

You are comparing two different lenght coils, 67 travel vs 76 I think that may have something to do with it.
The length of the coil has nothing to do with the spring rate; it is just heavier.
But yes: at first the Öhlins service sent me the longer spring "by accident".
I presume your TTX22M.2 will come fitted with 18077-14 series 548 lbs/in spring.
I am really curious what SAG you will get as we we weigh the same.

Have you actually measured the spring rate?
Even among the same manufactures spring rates can vary quite a bit.
The number on the side of a spring is just a rough guess in most cases.
We're talking about Öhlins. All their spring series come with as little as 4 Nm/23 lbs increments.
Öhlins springs are very high quality and have a very tight tolerance [1,5% for the fork springs], making them more accurate than most other on the market.
 

javier161

Member
Jan 28, 2022
12
4
miami
I would rather go back to air shock than install such monstrosity on my bike. ;)
Besides Sprindex would not solve the my problem as I needed to make considerate change in spring rate.
If I will need progressive spring there are plenty producers that offer better looking product.


The length of the coil has nothing to do with the spring rate; it is just heavier.
But yes: at first the Öhlins service sent me the longer spring "by accident".
I presume your TTX22M.2 will come fitted with 18077-14 series 548 lbs/in spring.
I am really curious what SAG you will get as we we weigh the same.


We're talking about Öhlins. All their spring series come with as little as 4 Nm/23 lbs increments.
Öhlins springs are very high quality and have a very tight tolerance [1,5% for the fork springs], making them more accurate than most other on the market.
How much preload on the spring? I got 25% sag with 602 spring, ttx22m.2 with stock link.
As I understand, Long link needs less spring rate as the stock?
 

BikeBert

Active member
Dec 10, 2022
75
438
Croatia
How much preload on the

How much preload on the spring? I got 25% sag with 602 spring, ttx22m.2 with stock link.
As I understand, Long link needs less spring rate as the stock?
1 turn of preload on my spring, just to eliminate free play.
And yes, long link needs way lower spring rate.
I would say 25% is pretty small SAG, not much small bump sensitivity.
Did you have your TTX22m.2 changed to 230x65 or you are getting a new shock?
 

javier161

Member
Jan 28, 2022
12
4
miami
1 turn of preload on my spring, just to eliminate free play.
And yes, long link needs way lower spring rate.
I would say 25% is pretty small SAG, not much small bump sensitivity.
Did you have your TTX22m.2 changed to 230x65 or you are getting a new shock?
New shock. I should get more than 25%bsag with Long link and 550 spring.
 

javier161

Member
Jan 28, 2022
12
4
miami
I’ve been riding the cascade long link with a Ohlins TTX22 230x65 with the Fox 38 extended to 170mm for the last few months. I’ve ridden BPW and more local trails and I’m very happy with it, slack at the front with high setting on the rear. Back end melts away out of mind now.
I’m on an S3 at 85kg.
we are heading to Morzine this weekend for week. I don’t do massive jumps, but doclear tables and do good size drops.
The bike feels really good, probably lost a bit of fund simply because it is so much more capable now - but that’s what I wanted to be able to soak up big landings.
What is your spring rate on the ohlins?
 

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