Levo Gen 3 Adding gx axs to gen 3 levo

[BigBen73]

Has anyone added gx axs to a levo? I have a gen 3 levo comp with gx drivetrain. I find that I have to be super careful to let off the pedals and wait a sec for the motor overrun before I downshift or else I get terrible clanking. I hear that the axs is supposed to shift better under load, but I’ve also heard that it’s not that big of a difference. Any experience out there? Tia

 

[RichMorr]

I have a GX Axs none T type and it runs fine but had to switch the shift mode to single shift for it to be smooth, however if I ever needed to buy a new drivetrain I would go for Shimano 10 or 11 speed link glide for the additional durability which is good for an E Mtb

 

[Plummet]

Yeah +1 for link glide.

I burnt gx in 900km before it started skipping in my winter mud conditions.

2600km of link glide in the same conditions. Still shifts like a bullet.

 

[Montana St Alum]

Has anyone added gx axs to a levo? I have a gen 3 levo comp with gx drivetrain. I find that I have to be super careful to let off the pedals and wait a sec for the motor overrun before I downshift or else I get terrible clanking. I hear that the axs is supposed to shift better under load, but I’ve also heard that it’s not that big of a difference. Any experience out there? Tia

Are you having this problem with a new drive train?
Is it a problem that developed with an older drive train?
How old?
Always on the downshift, in all gears or just some?
Could it be a chain, derailleur hanger or cassette problem?
If so, the underlying issue likely isn't the shifter or derailleur.
Years ago, on my mountain bike, I replaced the XO rear D and shifter with the GX AXS upgrade and it works very well and has for years.
My Nebo has the XO Eagle (but with a UDH) electronic shifting and it's flawless.
I have seen some reviewers complain about AXS on ebikes with the traditional derailleur hanger, while the same people seem to really like the newer UDH Eagle transmission.

 

[BigBen73]

Are you having this problem with a new drive train?
Is it a problem that developed with an older drive train?
How old?
Always on the downshift, in all gears or just some?
Could it be a chain, derailleur hanger or cassette problem?
If so, the underlying issue likely isn't the shifter or derailleur.
Years ago, on my mountain bike, I replaced the XO rear D and shifter with the GX AXS upgrade and it works very well and has for years.
My Nebo has the XO Eagle (but with a UDH) electronic shifting and it's flawless.
I have seen some reviewers complain about AXS on ebikes with the traditional derailleur hanger, while the same people seem to really like the newer UDH Eagle transmission.

The bike is almost new, has 102 miles on it. It happens on the downshifts when I’m transitioning from downhill to uphill.

 

[Montana St Alum]

The bike is almost new, has 102 miles on it. It happens on the downshifts when I’m transitioning from downhill to uphill.

Thanks. Good info. I'm inclined to think it just needs a tune up. Possibly, when they build it up, they didn't quite get it right. It's also possible that there was a little cable stretch. If this has a UDH (Universal derailleur hanger) upgrading to the AXS (Eagle) would be fine, and very easy, but it shouldn't be necessary. When I got my Trance X Elite, the shop owner told me to come back at 100 miles, as ebikes are a bit harder on drive trains. If you're close to the dealer, I'd take it back and have them look at it. I think they'd be happy to help you out.

If the trouble was shifting in the middle gears, that would be a classic example of a derailleur hanger being bent. It doesn't sound like that's an issue.

If you want to check it out yourself, there are very good YT videos on setting up a rear D.
Good luck.

 

[Mikerb]

100 miles in is a bout right for cable tension needing to be a djusted. It is not due however to cable stretch....it doesnt stretch! What does happen is that the cable further settles into any outer cable stops. The usual fix is a couple of turns anti clockwise on the cable adjuster of the shifter.
Re your question on AXS. I have the original AXS on one bike ( mounted on UDH). 3 years and 1500 miles and I have never needed to adjust it. Shifting is so smooth it is often difficult to know if it actually changed gear with a 12 speed having such close ratios! It has been faultless. I always back off slightly to change gear.

I have GX Transmission/T Type ( direct mount) on another bike and changing to a lower gear a ctually works better with reasonable crank pressure...ie not back off....although I dont change gear with huge crank pressure. Changing to higher gears is smoother and quicker and no back off required. That bike is a year old and also has required no adjustment etc.

 

[FjClay]

Approximately 3000 miles on GX AXS with a SLX cassette and chain and it’s been flawless

 

[RustyIron]

Has anyone added gx axs to a levo? I have a gen 3 levo comp with gx drivetrain. I find that I have to be super careful to let off the pedals and wait a sec for the motor overrun before I downshift or else I get terrible clanking. I hear that the axs is supposed to shift better under load, but I’ve also heard that it’s not that big of a difference. Any experience out there? Tia

Your observations are correct: you need to be precise in shifting while at the same time reducing power. This has been the case since François de Railleur invented the multiple speed bicycle from his cell in the Bastille during the French Revolution... or something like that. The first AXS derailleurs were no different. They're just electronics added to and old style derailleur that works with existing cassettes and chains. If you get too sloppy with your technique, you'll grind gears and break chains.

What you might be thinking of is the SRAM Transmission drivetrains. The system is FAR more tolerant of shifting while under load. I believe the Gen 3 Levo can be fitted with this, but you can't use your existing parts.

 

[Cactus Jack Slade]

I would recommend the T-type if you can.... it was designed to shift under a load, as to the AXS was not intended to be shifted under load. That said, I run AXS on my full power Ibis Oso and yes, I do have to think about shifting more and try to back off before shifting. It will still shift, but I can tell it would rather not be under load. On my Heckler SL I have the T-Type and I don't really think about letting off much when shifting, although just from habit I think I still let off a bit... but shifts just fine under load. Hope this helps.

 

[Acee]

Approximately 3000 miles on GX AXS with a SLX cassette and chain and it’s been flawless

I've a 2023 Levo Pro Carbon with all Eagle GX, and an AXS derailleur ready to be fitted. Is it simply 'swap the SRAM chain and cassette" for Shimano? Does a Shimano cassette simply pop on to the same hub as the SRAM cassette fits? Thanks.

 

[Montana St Alum]

I've a 2023 Levo Pro Carbon with all Eagle GX, and an AXS derailleur ready to be fitted. Is it simply 'swap the SRAM chain and cassette" for Shimano? Does a Shimano cassette simply pop on to the same hub as the SRAM cassette fits? Thanks.

You currently have a Shimano 12 speed cassette and want to put on a SRAM 12 speed cassette, correct?

The SRAM cassette uses an XD driver (hub interface), which is different from the Shimano standards. IDK what hub you currently have, but I expect it's a Microspline (hub interface). You'll need to see if you can get the XD driver for your specific hub.

Also, some front chainrings can be used with both chains. You may want to swap in a SRAM specific chainring if your chainring is Shimano specific.

 

[Acee]

You currently have a Shimano 12 speed cassette and want to put on a SRAM 12 speed cassette, correct?

The SRAM cassette uses an XD driver (hub interface), which is different from the Shimano standards. IDK what hub you currently have, but I expect it's a Microspline (hub interface). You'll need to see if you can get the XD driver for your specific hub.

Also, some front chainrings can be used with both chains. You may want to swap in a SRAM specific chainring.

Thanks for the reply. I have all SRAM Eagle GX at the moment, (and about to put on a Eagle GX AXS derailleur) and wondering, when the SRAM chain and cassette conk out, should I replace with Shimano cassette & chain (big Shimano fan)? I believe my SRAM hub is XD - does a Shimano cassette-compatible new hub mean a new wheel / re-lacing the current one or is it a component that simply attaches to my current wheelhub? Thanks.

 

[Montana St Alum]

Thanks for the reply. I have all SRAM Eagle GX at the moment, (and about to put on a Eagle GX AXS derailleur) and wondering, when the SRAM chain and cassette conk out, should I replace with Shimano cassette & chain (big Shimano fan)? I believe my SRAM hub is XD - does a Shimano cassette-compatible new hub mean a new wheel / re-lacing the current one or is it a component that simply attaches to my current wheelhub? Thanks.

You can't put a Shimano cassette on an XD hub.
All you have to do is replace the driver on the hub.
I have run a Shimano cassette with AXS, and it worked okay. But the SRAM cassette does work better in conjunction with AXS. I have not tried a Shimano cassette with Eagle (T-type with UDH). I wouldn't be inclined to try it.

 

[Acee]

You can't put a Shimano cassette on an XD hub.
All you have to do is replace the driver on the hub.
I have run a Shimano cassette with AXS, and it worked okay. But the SRAM cassette does work better in conjunction with AXS. I have not tried a Shimano cassette with Eagle (T-type with UDH). I wouldn't be inclined to try it.

Thanks Montana, I'll give the full GX AXS a go and see... There are so many "industry standards" in mountain biking nowadays it's difficult to get to grips with

 

[Montana St Alum]

Thanks Montana, I'll give the full GX AXS a go and see... There are so many "industry standards" in mountain biking nowadays it's difficult to get to grips with

Yeah, it has gotten ridiculous!
I went to the XT 12 spd cassette on my mountain bike because I don't particularly like the big jump between 1st and 2nd on the SRAM. On an ebike, I prefer the better shifting of the SRAM cassette, and the exact gearing is not much of an issue.

 

[FjClay]

I've a 2023 Levo Pro Carbon with all Eagle GX, and an AXS derailleur ready to be fitted. Is it simply 'swap the SRAM chain and cassette" for Shimano? Does a Shimano cassette simply pop on to the same hub as the SRAM cassette fits? Thanks.

My Levo came with SLX drivetrain and I simply went with a GX AXS upgrade and kept the SLX cassette and chain

 

[DuncanDoughnuts]

My Levo came with SLX drivetrain and I simply went with a GX AXS upgrade and kept the SLX cassette and chain

Might do that when my GX Cassette wears out .... The Shimano cassette is a 1/2 of the price of a GX here. And I have a Microspline FH body lying around.

Is the shifting ok ? there are a few mills difference in the distance from low to high between the cassettes

 

[FjClay]

Might do that when my GX Cassette wears out .... The Shimano cassette is a 1/2 of the price of a GX here. And I have a Microspline FH body lying around.

Is the shifting ok ? there are a few mills difference in the distance from low to high between the cassettes

Shifts 100 times better then the SLX mechanical ever did.