2019 Turbo Levo Owners Thread

[bowser]

i use it in low, also use 55mm shock. Haven't tested it in high yet

 

[StevenM]

A little poll.

Are you using Flipchip in high or low position when you have 160mm front? And why?

-K

High,

More bb hight

 

[Dpca10]

Unfortunately I’m getting a little fed up with specialized. My 2019 levo stoped working on a ride and gave me a red and blue blinking light. It’s been in the shop a week and I went in yesterday to check the progress. Basically my shop which is a pretty big specialized dealer is getting one asinine email after another going through one problem then another but taking a day to reply to each email. They showed me the chain. I’ve already had the bike in the shop for a month having the motor replaced. Anyway I ride my buddies YT decoy the other day and I’m about to put in an order if this keeps up. Anyway needed to vent. They are sending stuff like this in 5 days into the process. Not helpful

 

[Rusty]

My LBS tells me the biggest issue they have is with crap covering the sensors causing false readings.

 

[Murch]

Well after over a year keeping an eye on the e-bike world, watching EMBN, and Rob's videos I finally pulled the trigger on a 2019 XL Expert.

Ebikes are not big here yet and I am one of few that rides 5-6 days a week on my trail bike to buy one, the comments of me being a cheater are constant even from my wife. The smile on my face and the fact I can now keep up with my 17-year-old shredder makes it all worth it. It's been a couple of years since I could ride with him at his race pace and it's amazing to see how fast he rides and how much fun it is to go at that pace and not feel like I am going to die.

 

[Squashyo]

Hey all

Has anyone here had motor fails (specifically with the belt/gears going bad). I am on my third motor fail since I got the bike in Feb. I think I just got a lemon as I have not really heard this happening to anyone else but curious.

Love the bike...when it works.

 

[levity]

... I am on my third motor fail since I got the bike in Feb...

you, sir, are truly cursed! Maybe get a nice used 2018 model with the previous gen motor?

Oh, and please do not come near my '19 as it's running well

 

[Squashyo]

you, sir, are truly cursed! Maybe get a nice used 2018 model with the previous gen motor?

Oh, and please do not come near my '19 as it's running well

Couldn't agree more...My bike is cursed. Nice thing about these issues though is it forces me to ride my other bikes.

 

[seamarsh]

Hey all

Has anyone here had motor fails (specifically with the belt/gears going bad). I am on my third motor fail since I got the bike in Feb. I think I just got a lemon as I have not really heard this happening to anyone else but curious.

Love the bike...when it works.

How could it be a lemon if you have had motors replaced, new motor,new bike right? I recognize the avatar name don’t you do some crazy rides long as well?

Just curious because 3 motors sounds insane!

Would love to but used but stories like these make me think, no way!

 

[Mikerb]

Belts and gears? I understand the lbs is not allowed to strip the motor so is that an assumption or is it feedback from Spesh when they were sent the knackered motors under warranty? I have only just found the Levo Service Manaul that someone ( Karsten?) posted on the forum. That leaves me with a few questions a bout fault diagnosis. There appears to be no wiring diagram and nowhere in the service manual does it even mention using a multimeter. I am not sure what state bikes arrive at a lbs but the manual suggests the electronics are not pre installed. If that is the case I see lots of opportunities for build errors.....multiplied if subsequent modifications are made such as fitting a dropper post or changing the rear wheel or brakes. There are 3 connection ports on the motor that are not used and have be carefully blanked off. All of the a bove also applies for a complete change of motor or the TCU or remote. It seems the lbs is not allowed to change the PCB that is part of the motor assembly which must be a major component in any electrical gremlin.
I see no reason why firmware re flashes and updates could not be done by the owner as that would help resolve software glitches.
I think, just like cars, the day will come when specialists ( like auto electricians) have all the tools and spares to deal with the electrical side of E Bikes.

 

[Mikerb]

...just re read my post!! The point I was trying to make was that if there were the number of systemic motor failures that some posts on here suggest Brose would be in big trouble with Specialized. On the contrary according to the Service Manual and comments on here from the guy from Spesh, motor failures are rare, battery to motor cables apparently with multiple failure reports, when tested at Spesh are in fact not faulty.
Looking at the electrical elements of the Levo there are 4 obvious areas of potential faults.
1. Water or crud ingress into the motor housing. This can destroy the motor bearings but also prevent correct operation of the cadence sensor ring. Water/crud ingress could cause multiple faults if it reached the PCB area or the area where there are 6 connection ports ( especially if the 3 unused ports are not blind sealed.
2. Damage to the connectors such as bent pins or not properly secured
3. Dirt or damage to the exposed speed sensor/magnet.
4. Dirt or damage on the motor to battery connector, and charger connector including damage caused by arcing (caused by connecting with power on).

The problem with fault finding on software controlled electronic circuitry is that something like a connector fault can not only be intermittent but also damage other elements in the circuit and cause software glitches. Changing components may provide a temporary fix but unless the root cause is found and rectified the fault will re- occur when certain conditions are met. If a component fails it is not sufficient to change it...you have to find out why it failed..and fix that.

 

[Mattwilko92]

Had a visit to Berkshire bikes yesterday for new power cable (no faults but noticed mine was cracked), crud deflector revision, fix my swat tool holder, shorter crank arms and while it was there i thought id get them to change my dropper cable along with indexing my gears (few ghost shifts). Dropped it off at about 1230, collected at 3pm. Great service as usual, for me its worth the trip every time!

 

[Elias]

Caution with ccdb coil cs 2019
I heard knocking after 590 km.

 

[khorn]

Sorry but that has been known for a long time, CC COIL shocks do break the shaft on Levos and is NOT supported.

Karsten

 

[Elias]

This is a new model with a 9.5mm shaft.
Sold officially by a dealer for turbolevo.
The shaft is not broken.

 

[khorn]

This is a new model with a 9.5mm shaft.
Sold officially by a dealer for turbolevo.
The shaft is not broken.

Very well known companies like TFTUNED are still recommending not to use any CC coil shock on a Levo, have you asked CC directly if the new upgraded shaft supports Levo?

Karsten

 

[Elias]

Upon purchase, I ordered this configuration. The seller indicated for which model the shock will be.
Sorry my bad english.

 

[khorn]

Upon purchase, I ordered this configuration. The seller indicated for which model the shock will be.
Sorry my bad english.

It’s ok I understand you perfectly, my question is if the fit is approved by CC?

Karsten

 

[Elias]

I did not contact the CC.
All negotiations were conducted by my store seller.
I have no fear if the guarantee is refused.
Through my hands went a lot of shock disassembled)

 

[khorn]

I did not contact the CC.
All negotiations were conducted by my store seller.
I have no fear if the guarantee is refused.
Through my hands went a lot of shock disassembled)

Good luck with everything

Karsten

 

[Murch]

Well, I have had my Expert for a week now and had to make some changes.

1. Renthal Fatbar 800mm, 40mm rise, 31.8
2. Renthal Apex stem 50mm
3. Shimano Saints 203mm front and rear.

I tried really hard to get used to the Code R brakes but they were loud and took a ton of effort to get any real power out of them which would lead to arm pump. The first ride with the Saints and all was good, no noise and best of all tons of power.

Big thanks to @Specialized Rider Care for making replacing the rear brake hose about as easy as could ever be on a bike, just slide the hose up the tube by the motor and out it comes by the head tube. FYI you only need a 1700mm hose for the XL carbon frame as it was plenty long enough.

Next up I need some black Mallet DH pedals as the red just doesn't go with the bike.

 

[Elias]

Good luck with everything

Karsten

Thanks!
Problem solved. The complete lack of fixing compound on the shaft. The eyelet twisted. Red loctite and continue to enjoy the shock.

 

[couplands]

Hi,

I'm looking at buying my first eMTB and have narrowed it down to the Trek Powerfly FS7 or a Turbo Levo (base model) - both around the same price at £3400 at the moment.

But after reading this thread (I know, shouldn't read stuff like this..!) I get the feeling the Levo is a bit fragile. I've seen motor problems, dirt/water ingress, battery issues. I love the tech on the Levo and the motor/app integration, but I like my kit to last and I fear that after the 2 year warranty runs out I may be left with an expensive door stop.

Those who have a Turbo Levo (2019) would you buy another..?

cheers

simon

 

[HGmtb]

If I lost my 2019 Turbo Levo for some reason, I would definitely buy another one.

 

[miPbiP]

Those who have a Turbo Levo (2019) would you buy another..?

I think your concerns re warranty expiry are reasonable, I considered them too. Part of my response was that so many have been sold I'd hope there is a third party market in parts if Spesh pull support. (I don't assume they won't - corporations are corporations, not to be predicted).

Would I buy again? I've not had it long so today, yes.

One reason is that I like 29ers and there aren't that many both-end 29ers. I also rode my mate's Canyon Spectral:ON - I found it a bit sleddy compared to a Levo. Lots of pedal strikes too, not getting those on my Levo.

For a future decision it would depend what other options are available at the time, what happens with support, and my finances (there is no getting away from the fact they're expensive).

I rode with some guys on Haibikes recently. They were 2-3 years old but looked and rode like new. Will my Levo do that in 2 years? No idea.

But life is short and I wanted to ride so I went ahead. The future will be what it will be.

 

[couplands]

I think your concerns re warranty expiry are reasonable, I considered them too. Part of my response was that so many have been sold I'd hope there is a third party market in parts if Spesh pull support. (I don't assume they won't - corporations are corporations, not to be predicted).

Would I buy again? I've not had it long so today, yes.

For a future decision it would depend what other options are available at the time, what happens with support, and my finances (there is no getting away from the fact they're expensive).

I rode with some guys on Haibikes recently. They were 2-3 years old but looked and rode like new. Will my Levo do that in 2 years? No idea.

But life is short and I wanted to ride so I went ahead. The future will be what it will be.

I'm not too worried about parts availability (I assume Specialized/Brose will be around a while), but the cost of a replacement motor and/or battery would be huge once out of warranty.

But as you say, Que será, será...;-)

cheers

simon

 

[miPbiP]

get the bike you want and ride the **** out of it.

 

[DS.]

My Levo is struggling with 3 months on my second warranty claim haven’t seen my bike for nearly 4 weeks worst 6k I’ve ever spent people ask where my bike is and tell them it’s in the shop for repair they say what again.its embarrassing

 

[miPbiP]

My Levo is struggling with 3 months on my second warranty claim haven’t seen my bike for nearly 4 weeks worst 6k I’ve ever spent people ask where my bike is and tell them it’s in the shop for repair they say what again.its embarrassing

seems you've had a run of bad luck, sorry to hear that.

 

[Tony01]

Hello. Has anyone had any experience with 203 mm Clarks disk rotors? My dealer for some reason prefers them to Hope and carries only them in stock. The original brakes on my Levo occasionally overheat on long alpine descents and temporarily loose pressure. The Clarks have additional heat dissipation area which I hope would help.