Levo Gen 4 Opinions Wanted - S-Works Levo 4 Frame buildup versus Levo 4 Expert complete bike

[HackMan162]

Looking for opinions and plusses/minues. I am getting ready to pull the trigger on my first emtb. Trying to choose between grabbing an S-Works frame and caniblaizing my Amish bike, or just getting an Levo Expert. For complete bikes, the Expert seems to be the sweet spot for features per dollar at $8500. Buying the S-Works frame at $6000 I would only need a rear wheel and tire, and a seatpost after pulling from my parts pile and canibalizing my other ride.
I could then slowly replace the canibalized parts so I can give that bike to my son.
The S-Works comes with the smart charger, which I think is a nice bonus. I would eventually put a Zeb Ultimate (or Ohlins 38) fork on it.

Thoughts?

 

[LouCyffer]

I went frameset build via my LBS. Initially I looked at the Levo 4 Pro, but after talking to the guys in my shop, they said I could go down the S-Works frameset route. It cost less, but some of my existing bike bits were already upgraded (Fox Factory 36 and factory shock, wheels), and I needed new brakes (Thanks @crazyknowledge for the Hope stoppers). I rebuilt my old Levo with the original bits, and sold it to my friend. I’m very pleased with the new build and I ended up with an S-Works build with my choice of bits.
If you can do similar, I’d recommend it, if you have most of the bits you need.

And I like the paint job. YMMV

 

[JRitt]

@HackMan162 I just sent you a private message about this topic.

 

[Ride 2d@y]

Looking for opinions and plusses/minues. I am getting ready to pull the trigger on my first emtb. Trying to choose between grabbing an S-Works frame and caniblaizing my Amish bike, or just getting an Levo Expert. For complete bikes, the Expert seems to be the sweet spot for features per dollar at $8500. Buying the S-Works frame at $6000 I would only need a rear wheel and tire, and a seatpost after pulling from my parts pile and canibalizing my other ride.
I could then slowly replace the canibalized parts so I can give that bike to my son.
The S-Works comes with the smart charger, which I think is a nice bonus. I would eventually put a Zeb Ultimate (or Ohlins 38) fork on it.

Thoughts?

My first thought, honest to God, is that "you do not know what you do not know" (your first ebike) so my recommendation is to buy a lowly Levo Comp Alloy and ride it for a while.

 

[HackMan162]

My first thought, honest to God, is that "you do not know what you do not know" (your first ebike) so my recommendation is to buy a lowly Levo Comp Alloy and ride it for a while.

I do know I like quality suspension and components. Coming from a moto background, and working with suspension tuners, I am very picky about suspension settings and love to tinker with them.

 

[Ride 2d@y]

I do know I like quality suspension and components. Coming from a moto background, and working with suspension tuners, I am very picky about suspension settings and love to tinker with them.

Levo Evo may suit your background and skills better?

 

[HackMan162]

Levo Evo may suit your background and skills better?

I think it's to much travel for my local trails here in the Austin area. I would love it for the bike park and New Mexico/Colorado trips. But I can Cascade Link/Lon Shock and up-fork the bike if feel the need.

 

[Pizzman]

One way you have 1 bike, the other way 2? Son have a bike ATM? Can you ride together then?
Smart charger is cool
But
I say get the expert. Swap to good suspension after you use up the stockers, put them on the kids bike.

I did the Expert route so I’m sure it’s the right way.
I swapped the entire suspension setup for a 170/170 setup. (Podium/cascade link, EXT Storia)
I enjoy spending money on quality
Suspension. It was worth every penny.

 

[AirKuhl]

Is just buying the S-Works outright an option? My son did this and between the recent huge price cut and our LBS willingness to discount further, there was no way he could have built it to the same level at the price he paid.

 

[HackMan162]

One way you have 1 bike, the other way 2? Son have a bike ATM? Can you ride together then?
Smart charger is cool
But
I say get the expert. Swap to good suspension after you use up the stockers, put them on the kids bike.

I did the Expert route so I’m sure it’s the right way.
I swapped the entire suspension setup for a 170/170 setup. (Podium/cascade link, EXT Storia)
I enjoy spending money on quality
Suspension. It was worth every penny.

I am fairly convinced I will go with the Expert. Either way, it won't happen until mid-July or August, so I may be at the mercy of what's available. I can see doing the 170/170 (or even 180/170) for summers where I typically spend up in the mountians.

 

[HackMan162]

Is just buying the S-Works outright an option? My son did this and between the recent huge price cut and our LBS willingness to discount further, there was no way he could have built it to the same level at the price he paid.

Honestly, I think the Expert is still best bang for the buck even with the new pricing. Here in Austin, no LBS do any discounting (at least that I am aware of).

 

[Ekim]

Looking for opinions and plusses/minues. I am getting ready to pull the trigger on my first emtb. Trying to choose between grabbing an S-Works frame and caniblaizing my Amish bike, or just getting an Levo Expert. For complete bikes, the Expert seems to be the sweet spot for features per dollar at $8500. Buying the S-Works frame at $6000 I would only need a rear wheel and tire, and a seatpost after pulling from my parts pile and canibalizing my other ride.
I could then slowly replace the canibalized parts so I can give that bike to my son.
The S-Works comes with the smart charger, which I think is a nice bonus. I would eventually put a Zeb Ultimate (or Ohlins 38) fork on it.

Thoughts?

When I looked at the components on the Sworks I didn’t think that I would have to replace too much. But after getting the bike I was surprised with how poorly the suspension worked. I ended up changing both the fork and air shock. I have never been very fond of SRAM with the exception of their derailleurs. Then the Maven brakes were a surprise let down for me also. Now after a year and a half I am going to have to replace my rear hub and my rim is possibly not going to make it much longer. You would figure that for a 14,500 dollar bicycle that everything should’ve been great but it just wasn’t the case. Now after talking to other Sworks owners of e-bikes I would definitely build my own.

 

[Ride 2d@y]

When I looked at the components on the Sworks I didn’t think that I would have to replace too much. But after getting the bike I was surprised with how poorly the suspension worked. I ended up changing both the fork and air shock. I have never been very fond of SRAM with the exception of their derailleurs. Then the Maven brakes were a surprise let down for me also. Now after a year and a half I am going to have to replace my rear hub and my rim is possibly not going to make it much longer. You would figure that for a 14,500 dollar bicycle that everything should’ve been great but it just wasn’t the case. Now after talking to other Sworks owners of e-bikes I would definitely build my own.

As as S-Works owner, my major gripe is that they dropped the price after I bought mine! My only unresolved issue or gripe is that I cannot get the 80% setting on my charger to work (it used to work) Otherwise, I really like it a lot, including the power upgrade etc etc etc