Levo Gen 3 Levo: Whistling or Squeaking Noise?

[Black Bear Trail]

When I'm riding, my Levo makes a kind of whistling or squeaking sound. It has become quite irritating. The old guy who owns the small Specialized dealership near me blew me off back in the spring when I asked him about it. I asked him to ride it, but he refused. I'll take it back to him, and ask if he can help me figure it out. But, in the meantime, does anyone here know what the possible problem might be? It seems to be coming from the rear of the bicycle - i.e., the rear wheel. Here's an audio that I took with me mobile phone on today's ride: Vocaroo | Online voice recorder

 

[Mikerb]

First see if the sound is there rotating the rear wheel in a work stand. You can at least then eliminate the tyre if the noise is still there. Next repeat that but with the brake pads removed. If still there look to see if the wheel is making contact with anything...chain stay/ mudguard / speed sensor etc. If no joy it would then suggest a inspection of the hub and freehub.

 

[Black Bear Trail]

First see if the sound is there rotating the rear wheel in a work stand. You can at least then eliminate the tyre if the noise is still there. Next repeat that but with the brake pads removed. If still there look to see if the wheel is making contact with anything...chain stay/ mudguard / speed sensor etc. If no joy it would then suggest a inspection of the hub and freehub.

Thanks. I'll try that.

 

[Black Bear Trail]

The whistling sound is not coming from the wheel. The guy at the shop checked it out on the work stand and watched me ride it around the parking lot. He said that it is coming from the motor, maybe. But the sound continues even when the assist is off. The sound also continues even if I am not pedaling.

 

[wenna]

Maybe the belt in the motor. Belts can make squeking/whistling sounds when rubbing.

 

[Black Bear Trail]

Maybe the belt in the motor. Belts can make squeking/whistling sounds when rubbing.

Thanks. I just watched a few YouTube videos on how to open the motor and have a look at it, but it's not something I can do at home. The guy at my Specialized shop won't do it, though. I'm also wondering if it is not the motor and something else. I'll keep searching for an answer, but if anyone else wants to comment, I'm interested in hearing what they might think it is.

 

[boBE]

We had one like that (a Vado with 6000 miles) it sounded like cicadas. It got louder but never had any problems running. Our LBS contacted Specialized, they gave us a good deal on a replacement motor even though ours was well out of warranty.
We also bought four Specialized e-bikes from the LBS within about a year so they want to treat us well.

 

[Black Bear Trail]

it sounded like cicadas.

Interesting comparison. Did you listen to my audio file? I called it a "whistling" or "squeaking" sound, but it might also fall under your "cicada" sound description. It does not seem to be the back wheel, but I'm not convinced that it's the motor, either. As you probably can relate, it's frustrating to know there's a problem but no one knows what it is - aha!

 

[boBE]

Interesting comparison. Did you listen to my audio file? I called it a "whistling" or "squeaking" sound, but it might also fall under your "cicada" sound description. It does not seem to be the back wheel, but I'm not convinced that it's the motor, either. As you probably can relate, it's frustrating to know there's a problem but no one knows what it is - aha!

Vocaroo only made some crunching noises like gravel, no whistling that I could hear. Ours was definitely the motor. We wanted to know the results but the deal was "replace and send back to Specialized, do not open the motor" so we never got any further information.

 

[Black Bear Trail]

"replace and send back to Specialized, do not open the motor"

That's what my Specialized shop told me. He said, we just change the motor, we do not open it up.