I am curious about the direction of a brand like Specialized which has decades of goodwill in mountain biking, and many riders that are deeply loyal. I have a few questions and would think that at some point there could be a turning point which could possibly start from technical shortcomings. So is it possible for the concerns to widen into a visible pattern that outsiders can’t ignore. Can the volume of complaints, even given that occasional issues are normal with new tech, create reputational issues, when hundreds of owners share consistent concerns publicly, especially in spaces like social media or reviews.
Specialized Levo R: We Rode It. Here's What You Need to Know
- Thread starter EMTB Forums Staff
- Start date
First Ride Specialized Levo R: Full Power in a Lighter, Faster Package Specialized have launched the Levo R, and we flew out to ride it.
I am curious about the direction of a brand like Specialized which has decades of goodwill in mountain biking, and many riders that are deeply loyal. I have a few questions and would think that at some point there could be a turning point which could possibly start from technical shortcomings. So is it possible for the concerns to widen into a visible pattern that outsiders can’t ignore. Can the volume of complaints, even given that occasional issues are normal with new tech, create reputational issues, when hundreds of owners share consistent concerns publicly, especially in spaces like social media or reviews.
I would still rather support specialized, but their pricing is pretty crazy. $16k for the Levo R. You can literally buy two amflows and as you can see it’ll be lighter, and faster. I do hope this doesn’t significantly affect brands like specialized, but rather forces them to continue to innovate and be competitive.
There is no way it costs more to develop, engineer, manufacture a mtb than a dirtbike. Specialized emtbs are significantly more expensive than dirtbikes. There are also full electric dirtbikes like the stark varg that are cheaper than the s works emtb. The mtb industry neeeeeeeeds a Chinese company like amflow to get their butts back in check.
D
Deleted member 37410
Guest
The price is a feature
Look at any youtube review of the gen 4 and there will be some guy in the comments mentioning hes "got the S-works and its great"
Look at any youtube review of the gen 4 and there will be some guy in the comments mentioning hes "got the S-works and its great"
Great point that you make about much higher price for S-Works R vs Amflow. But why would you rather support Specialized? Brand loyalty, good LBS, good warranty? Those kind of reasons of are worth something too
Agree, but amflow is on this site responding to questions. Many local bike shops carry amflow and can give support just like specialized. Is amflow warranty bad (legit question I don’t know the answer to)? Specialized is gouging the ever living crap out of their customers. If both frames are made in china, why is one marked up 100%. Specialized has had its very fair share of problem bikes. They aren’t immune to it, so you may think that $$$ comes with better quality but does it really? These are all things to consider as well.
Again, I don’t love amflow so much that i see past why people don’t want one. I totally get it. I’m selling mine and supporting crestline, which to me is the ultimate support for a small run mtb brand. I do think having Amflow come and disrupt the industry is a very good thing for us, the consumer.
Ratcliff1893
New Member
I think there’s a difference between the west choosing to outsource industry to china and a Chinese company aggressively targeting a market. It’s going to hurt a lot of companies if they don’t jump on the bandwagon, also Specialized aren’t the only bike company in this high end category but imagine the others are more flexible.
Yes, fair to say and I could not agree more. I look for value in the things I purchase and I have always been rather shocked at the price disparity between my Yamaha YZ250FX which has so much more value, technology and quality than my Emtb. Specialized is definitely in stratified air with their prices but the pricing for any high end bike is remarkably and strikingly expensive comparitively. A fairly priced capabile bike would open the sport to a completely new market.
Specialized’s pricing isn’t unique, Amflow’s is. Specialized is in line with other top legacy brands like Santa Cruz, Pivot, and Yeti for example.
I don’t see the Spec are overly expensive, my last 2 Gen 3 S works were 14.5k Full up list. However you look at AMflow they came in and bought the market with its pricing and Tech, which is great for the customer. Had a good look round the S works R last week , could not fault the fit finish etc, told it rides really well now .If the likes of Anflow and the DJI motor were not available, I would have one in a Blink, based on the back service etc have received from the store over past 12 years.
Somewhat agree, but the highest price Levo 4 is $20k, the non limited s works is $16k
The highest Santa Cruz bullit is $13.5
Highest yeti lte is $14.9
All of these bikes should be around amflow prices imo. $8k for top end build. Again, a freaking brand new 450 dirtbike is under $10k. But we’re to blame here. We throw money around in this hobby like it’s growing on trees. So if amflow sucks in some of that money maybe these other guys will check themselves.
Compare say, GX or XO specced bikes for a better price comparison between top-tier brands.
The level of criticism is unbelievable! It’s almost like an orchestrated attack on Specialized, the hard of thinking have latched on to the talking points and seem to be repeating it endlessly! Populist type aggression! Got my tinfoil hat on now
I don’t hear these constant negative comments against the Whyte Kado or the yeti that have a big downtube.
There’s no doubt there’s a shift in what people want now and it’s certainly redirecting the industry.
The constant slagging off is just bizarre. Why do people need to constantly go on? Are there a lot of teenage boys here?
I asked on another thread what is it that can’t be done on a turbo levo gen 4 or R compared to other e-bikes? No one answered that funnily enough.
You don’t have to like and you certainly don’t have to buy one and you certainly can express that but the endless negativity Is just odd!
I think alot of it is a forums for discussion, and people feel let down by specialized. For some its ticked the boxes but with how the sucessful the gen 3 was people are more prone to express their comments towards it.
Flip back a year or two the gen 3 levo was the amflow people would always be like get a levo etc the scripts switched.
For me looks and weight where factors i couldnt get passed and coming from an amflow i really felt the weight difference. However the bike is a solid bike, great motor, rides well etc, but after experiencing a avinox motor system/battery. The levos system seems clunky, controller theyve made worse, side loading battery ruined the look, the motors alot more noisy than the avinox, comparison is the thief of joy right?
Theres going be people going out their way to slag it off but i still think alot of it is off how sucessful the gen 3 was people feel let down by the brand, and being such a huge company with big price tags they would expect a better effort.
Zedaspedras
Member
I don’t understand some of the opinions here on the forum, because people insist on comparing things that aren’t really comparable.
I completely understand Specialized and the launch of the Levo R. Back in 2018, the brand had the short-travel Levo with 120mm of travel and 29” wheels, and then the “regular” Levos with 140 or 150mm of travel and 650b+ wheels.
With the arrival of Gen2, they probably created the most versatile all-rounder ever — something I can personally confirm, as I still own my 2020 S-Works and have no intention of selling it.
The introduction of Gen3 turned the Levo into a true enduro machine, which even won a title with Yannick Pontal. However, at that point it was already quite far from the original concept.
The problem was that, for several years, people assumed that all bikes had to have 150mm or more of travel, when in reality many riders rarely used more than 100mm.
I think Specialized had a good idea that may be somewhat misunderstood. On many of my local rides, my previous Canyon Strive:ON and Commencal Meta Power SX often made me feel overbiked. In a market flooded with enduro bikes, this approach actually makes a lot of sense.
Moreover, it’s easier idea to sell than an SL version, because some riders are heavier and need a motor and battery with greater capacity.
I completely understand Specialized and the launch of the Levo R. Back in 2018, the brand had the short-travel Levo with 120mm of travel and 29” wheels, and then the “regular” Levos with 140 or 150mm of travel and 650b+ wheels.
With the arrival of Gen2, they probably created the most versatile all-rounder ever — something I can personally confirm, as I still own my 2020 S-Works and have no intention of selling it.
The introduction of Gen3 turned the Levo into a true enduro machine, which even won a title with Yannick Pontal. However, at that point it was already quite far from the original concept.
The problem was that, for several years, people assumed that all bikes had to have 150mm or more of travel, when in reality many riders rarely used more than 100mm.
I think Specialized had a good idea that may be somewhat misunderstood. On many of my local rides, my previous Canyon Strive:ON and Commencal Meta Power SX often made me feel overbiked. In a market flooded with enduro bikes, this approach actually makes a lot of sense.
Moreover, it’s easier idea to sell than an SL version, because some riders are heavier and need a motor and battery with greater capacity.
I agree. Lots of riders are heavier and have more disposable income too. Specialized has the data to know what we want before we know it - they will move the market and the competition will have to adapt to the Levo R now.
Specialized says you can put up to a 150mm travel fork on the Levo R and retain the warranty. Anything more and it’s voided. Should be seen as a clue.
I think its a cool idea but theyve done the same marketing they did with levo 4. CHANGED THE GAME, THE BEST, i remember the levo video they even had a amflow spinning out in the climb video to make it look better. They havent changed the game in years now sadly. Levo sl2 was first one behind curve had to get a update to the old motor then the levo 4 fell further behind. Now dont get me wrong i still think the levo sl2 is a brilliant bike even if it was off mark, and i still think the levo 4 is a good bike but once again its off mark. I've now sold my levo 4 and i think it will be awhile before i return to specialized sadly.
I thought the Gen3 S works were great bikes I kept one in UK and one for use over in Spain. Did around 4k miles on each. Will definitely go back to Specz when they bring out a better looking bike and it has the DJI power unit. Until then Atherton and AMflow will have to take the strain. I do take your point about the cost of these bikes now though, but Tbf back then they were selling with ease at this .i wish i was this rich
Last edited:
I had the same blue gen 3 s works (frame only) these pics really highlight how good looking they where compared to the 4. The larger motor area never really bothered me and i think the way the s works blended the paint towards motor it made it less visually distracting.
Even the Gen1 and Gen 2s were great looking bikes. I can’t believe just how much they messed up with this Gen 4 looks. First rule of Marketing, “ looks sell” you can forgive the rest.
shenzi105
New Member
Received my Levo R yesterday. Still finishing my set-ups before I go get it dirty. Such a hot and sexy bike.
I think you’d have to be a pretty blinkered Levo 4 R hater to think that either of those two bikes look ‘better’ I’m afraid.
They look what they are, which is dated, and it hurts my head to think they cost £14.5k back then…
Things move on don’t they.
Id say both gen 2 and 3 have aged well, and the slim profiles and integration was ahead of times.The 4 looks dated amongst current 25-26 bikes. Its not about being a hater its opinion, same as yours when you say it hurts your head costing 14.5k when specialized sold a 20k levo 4
you are far from alone with this opinion.
That’s right, it’s all good old healthy opinion, until somebody says they quite like their Levo 4….
No, I don’t own one, nor will I, but I had a Gen 3 and still have a Levo SL1, I just think it’s time people got over how the Gen 4 looks and stop trolling owners.
I think the Unno looks painfully thin, but so what, it doesn’t matter as I’m not going to buy one of those either.
Wait until some people see the new reversed stem and high rise swept bar look…
Ratcliff1893
New Member
I can’t un see those toe clips!
Lol
Those were taken when I gave the bikes to family members. I just ride flats.
Has everyone forgotten about the Gen 3 Levo bump? Caused by tipping motor up to so battery could be removed? Now we don’t have the bump, but it is way easier to remove the battery!
Similar Threads
-
Levo Gen 4 Specialized Levo R: We Rode It. Here's What You Need to Know- Started by DuncanDoughnuts
- Replies: 0
-
-
Specialized Levo 4 Firmware Update: 850W, 111Nm, and a Free OTA Power Unlock- Started by EMTB Forums Staff
- Replies: 159
-
Article We rode the 2025 Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL C70
- Started by knut7
- Replies: 3
-
