Article 2026 Specialized Levo 4 S-Works makes a big leap

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Let's start by saying that I'm a Specialized fan, I've converted some of my friends to "Specialized" and really everybody were (still are) happy :-)

If people out there like Levo 4, that's fine, good for them. But if they're people that don't like what Levo has become, that's fine too, good for them.
No need for an appointment to a psychologist. Maybe a study based on people age would give some insigths. I would venture to guess Levo 4 is more for middle aged people than previous generations.

I'm one of the later category, sadly, although I entered middle age territory. Or not, as I still have a gen 3 to ride the trails and spare motors to last a human lifetime :-) I haven't given up the project of upgrading a levo gen2/3 battery to 850-900Wh.

As for latest gen, I agree with @Ndanger and many others. Levo 4 might be a good bike but by no means is making a big leap. Not in 2025.

As for R&D, not impressed by Levo 4, regarding electrical system. Motor itself is nothing revolutionary. Time will tell how reliable it is. Potentially, this might be the only thing better than previous generations, belt driven. I don't care about more power, mostly use 60-70% on trails with most full power motors out there.

Battery wise...I could drain my BULLS E-stream evo BMZ battery to 0% with no significant drop in power and this was pre Covid. I was amazed by that, back then...it was my first Brose powered ebike. It used a 10s5p 18650 pack configuration (approx 650Wh). Also 48V system is not something new. They used that system in Levo SL, Mahle powered. Fast charging is indeed a bonus but overpriced charger, if you ask me. Running with a range extender only, at half power, again, is not revolutionary, at least not from their side. I could build a range extender to power gen1-3 Levo without a main battery, at least a prototype.

As for the TCU...DJI's HMI unit is light(heavy) years ahead. As for the Specialized mobile app...leap is in the wrong direction.

I'm curious as how this thread will evolve by this time next year :-)
 
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cream said:
Let's start by saying that I'm a Specialized fan, I've converted some of my friends to "Specialized" and really everybody were (still are) happy :)

If people out there like Levo 4, that's fine, good for them. But if they're people that don't like what Levo has become, that's fine too, good for them.
No need for an appointment to a psychologist. Maybe a study based on people age would give some insigths. I would venture to guess Levo 4 is more for middle aged people than previous generations.

I'm one of the later category, sadly, although I entered middle age territory. Or not, as I still have a gen 3 to ride the trails and spare motors to last a human lifetime :) I haven't given up the project of upgrading a levo gen2/3 battery to 850-900Wh.

As for latest gen, I agree with @Ndanger and many others. Levo 4 might be a good bike but by no means is making a big leap. Not in 2025.

As for R&D, not impressed by Levo 4, regarding electrical system. Motor itself is nothing revolutionary. Time will tell how reliable it is. Potentially, this might be the only thing better than previous generations, belt driven. I don't care about more power, mostly use 60-70% on trails with most full power motors out there.

Battery wise...I could drain my BULLS E-stream evo BMZ battery to 0% with no significant drop in power and this was pre Covid. I was amazed by that, back then...it was my first Brose powered ebike. It used a 10s5p 18650 pack configuration (approx 650Wh). Also 48V system is not something new. They used that system in Levo SL, Mahle powered. Fast charging is indeed a bonus but overpriced charger, if you ask me. Running with a range extender only, at half power, again, is not revolutionary, at least not from their side. I could build a range extender to power gen1-3 Levo without a main battery, at least a prototype.

As for the TCU...DJI's HMI unit is light(heavy) years ahead. As for the Specialized mobile app...leap is in the wrong direction.

I'm curious as how this thread will evolve by this time next year :)
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I would like to think that they will be on the Gen4.5 already even more so as the Chinese wonder kid has now landed in there back yard and from what I am told flying off the Shelf’s were as the “ Donkey “ Bike is a hard sell…
 
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Citylad77 said:
and me , I really wanted this new Gen 4 to be a great bike based on all the the Hype from the store. It’s “ a revolution this time round not an evolution “ Bottom line is they got caught out by waiting to long to launch to sell the old models. Hopefully they will learn from this . I wonder how many people would have gone on to Purchase one of these new Gen 4S if they had been offered a test ride on one first, even more so if coming from a Gen 3.
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I know the launch week of the gen 4 my dealer sold over 30 , half of which was s-works , and since then they are going Out the door at the same rate the gen 3 did , they are having a good time selling them , I was at the launch night and placed an order there and then and definitely not regretting it , plus my dealer gave me a good trade in price like he hascwith my other bikes, one of the reasons I’ve stayed with the levo
 
I think this Levo will last 2 or 3 seasons despite the less than stellar reception. Specialized have quite a few models that need updating that will likely take priority. Enduro, Demo, Levo SL and possibly Kenevo SL will happen first imo.

I could potentially see them going all out on a next gen Levo or Kenevo SL to try and offer something more like the Amflow/Avinox bikes. Compact, full power motor with a slim, non removable battery giving you a 20ish kilo bike.
 
salko said:
But all this exactly describes where Amflow is today, and you don't have to wait 2-3 seasons for it ...

Imho, Levo4 sales won't survive 2-3 seasons ...
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Yeah, no kidding. My point was that Specialized might try and use the next gen of Levo SL as a basis to develop something to compete with the Amflow/Avinox bikes in the shorter term. I imagine there will be a new Levo SL in 2026.
 
DylanJM said:
Yeah, no kidding. My point was that Specialized might try and use the next gen of Levo SL as a basis to develop something to compete with the Amflow/Avinox bikes in the shorter term. I imagine there will be a new Levo SL in 2026.
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salko said:
But all this exactly describes where Amflow is today, and you don't have to wait 2-3 seasons for it ...

Imho, Levo4 sales won't survive 2-3 seasons ...
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I agree its already dead in the water based on the rate at which the DJI bikes are selling.
 
Citylad77 said:
I agree its already dead in the water based on the rate at which the DJI bikes are selling.
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Which is how many?

People keep talking about sales figures, but they all seem to be based on conversations with shop owners, based on what they sell.

My local bike shop sells more Specialized bikes than anything, but they’re a Specialized dealer…

The nearest shop to me in Lincs can only sell you an XL Amflow, nothing else until September/October because they don’t have any. They only got a limited number to begin with. 100 DJI Crestlines worldwide, a handful of Unno’s hitting the UK, a few other boutique brands ‘on the way’, and all at big ticket prices. They aren’t taking over just yet.

A quick look around the trail centres I go to says the most common bike isn’t a Gen 4 Levo, but nor is it an Amflow.

Look, the DJI is a fantastic motor and software setup, especially if you’re running them in ‘NZ mode’ like everybody I know with one does, and I’m sure it will be in a lot of bikes at some point. Specialized dropped the ball with the Gen 4 Levo, it’s not a bad bike, it’s just not a great one, but hey life goes on.

But, all this talk of numbers means zip unless you’ve got some official sales figures, we’re all just guessing.
 
Tooks said:
My local bike shop sells more Specialized bikes than anything, but they’re a Specialized dealer…
Specialized dropped the ball with the Gen 4 Levo, it’s not a bad bike, it’s just not a great one, but hey life goes on.
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At least the G4 Levo has a "makes a big leap article" vs other brands like Trek Rail and their new G5. Maybe Trek is flying under the radar and laughing all the way to the bank?
 
I know to lots that were in the same boat as myself. Big Levo previous customer well up for a Gen 4 , saw the bike and thought Fk that and moved on to something else.Only got to look at the amount of shops that have gone on record to say that the Amflow has saved them to see that they have killed it sales wise.
 
Citylad77 said:
I know to lots that were in the same boat as myself. Big Levo previous customer well up for a Gen 4 , saw the bike and thought Fk that and moved on to something else.Only got to look at the amount of shops that have gone on record to say that the Amflow has saved them to see that they have killed it sales wise.
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I'm starting to think you are on Amflow's payroll at this point. Every post from you is essentially the same at this point. I've never seen someone so wrapped up in a bike they don't like.
 
DylanJM said:
I'm starting to think you are on Amflow's payroll at this point. Every post from you is essentially the same at this point. I've never seen someone so wrapped up in a bike they don't like.
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They don’t need any help from me to sell there Bikes. The Bikes sell them selfs I have lot count of the amount of people that have had a ride on mine then immediately gone out and Placed an order. I hear they are killing it over in the US and more motor and battery lines are about to come on in Q4 in order to try and keep up with demand.
 
Citylad77 said:
They don’t need any help from me to sell there Bikes. The Bikes sell them selfs I have lot count of the amount of people that have had a ride on mine then immediately gone out and Placed an order. I hear they are killing it over in the US and more motor and battery lines are about to come on in Q4 in order to try and keep up with demand.
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I rest my case
 
Dax said:
Anyone get the feeling that this thread didn’t go the direction the Specilized marketing team had in mind when they wrote the article?
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It is unfortunate that the discussion is weighted down by the bikes attempt to stretch a design beyond it's time. Owners of the bike deserve better when they buy a top of the line item. This should be a place for sharing positive qualities of a prized possession.
 
DylanJM said:
I'm starting to think you are on Amflow's payroll at this point. Every post from you is essentially the same at this point. I've never seen someone so wrapped up in a bike they don't like.
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Far from it, I speak as I find. If I thought the AMflow was sht I would say so. I don’t think this Gen 4 is bad bike it’s just that’s it’s very expensive for what it is , and the competition have moved on several generations, and it has features that to me are just cutting corners to try and justify its price. Interesting I did not bat an eyelid when paying 14k for my Gen 3 S works back in 22, thought it was so good I went out and bought another one to use in EU.
 
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I'm sure the Amflow is great, but I could get a g4 now and be riding it with prolific dealer support nearby. I also really like having a range extender.

I'd say the lack of range extender is the big glaring weakness of the Amflow. You can't do mega rides with it unless you have some place you can charge it during the ride.
 
DirkWisely said:
I'd say the lack of range extender is the big glaring weakness of the Amflow. You can't do mega rides with it unless you have some place you can charge it during the ride.
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Ideally I'd like to have the range extender option AND a fast charger I could bring with me. The Spesh one is too large and heavy.
 
TorAtle said:
Ideally I'd like to have the range extender option AND a fast charger I could bring with me. The Spesh one is too large and heavy.
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Agreed. I think if they can add a range extender, and have a removable battery option for manufacturers that want it (The Rotwild one looks sick), there'd really be no reason to buy anything else (Other than local dealer support, which I suspect will come in time).
 
Admittedly I’m biased against DJI and their “military-civil fusion” with the CCP. Add that the Levo is made by an American company and Amflow is starting from a serious deficiency with me.
When I look into them both just as bikes I’m still going Levo 4. Its setup fits what I want more; and feel it’s a more polished and refined product. Add the superior support network from Specilized and the choice is even easier.
I can imagine a CCP bike that I’d choose over a bike sold by an American company but the Amflow isn’t it.
 
What happens when a person buys a bike because it is made in the USA and then discoveres that it is mostly made in China (common term for the country) . Does that qualify as accurate marketing.
 
Ndanger said:
What happens when a person buys a bike because it is made in the USA and then discoveres that it is mostly made in China (common term for the country) . Does that qualify as accurate marketing.
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Nobody said anything about Made In USA. However if a bike was Made In USA it would inspire significant favoritism. Even that can still be overcome with an outstanding product though.
 
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Can’t fault the back up from Spec over the past 7 years have ran there EMTBs , even when out of warranty. Though looking back at 12 months and 1500 miles of fault free use on my AMflow I would much rather I didn’t have to suffer the inconvenience of taking my bike back in several times a month for things to be put right.
 
I have been interested in why a mountain bike costs more than my race quality motocross bike which is technically in a different universe. I understand that a emtb is a group of parts made by different companies and the it means a "middle man " markups.

How many different manufacturing companies are there in a production bike. As a start I found this post by a reliable source "All these frames are manufactured in the same factory... VIP Composites. Same as tons of other brands (Forbidden, Trek, Spesh, Crestline etc etc etc!)" in regards to a Taiwan company.
 
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