Article 2026 Specialized Levo 4 S-Works makes a big leap
- Thread starter knut7
- Start date
I think that my impression is that yes and no. Yes it would be an improvement on overall powertrain, no it would not address the appearance of the bikes dated design.
Speaking to design, Research and development, the bike looks like it is lacking innovation and just doing subtle updates year over year to an older legacy design. So who actually builds the bike, is it Merida or Specialized and who does the R&D? With reports of Spec downsizing and cutting back, are there resources for improving the bike or is the effort more stretching margins and staying solvent. Although I understand that Specialized uses various contract manufacturers in Taiwan and China, and not exclusively Merida are they outsourcing their development as well to save money, it certainly looks like something is amiss.
Two things I’d say about the Levo and probably Specialized more generally.
First is that S-Works bikes whether they’re the Levo or anything else have never really made sense from a financial point of view. You can usually get a model a bit down the line up that’s 90% as capable for 50% of the money.
Second is that the Levo is just one bike and one product that Specialized sell, they’re huge, and whilst I’m sure they’d love the Gen 4 to be a success (and I don’t know whether they’re selling in line with targets or not, who does?) I don’t think anybody needs to worry about them.
There is a lot of competition out there now, more so than when the 1st Gen Levo was a mere glint in its fathers eye, and that’s a good thing and the Gen 4 should be having to fight for sales.
First is that S-Works bikes whether they’re the Levo or anything else have never really made sense from a financial point of view. You can usually get a model a bit down the line up that’s 90% as capable for 50% of the money.
Second is that the Levo is just one bike and one product that Specialized sell, they’re huge, and whilst I’m sure they’d love the Gen 4 to be a success (and I don’t know whether they’re selling in line with targets or not, who does?) I don’t think anybody needs to worry about them.
There is a lot of competition out there now, more so than when the 1st Gen Levo was a mere glint in its fathers eye, and that’s a good thing and the Gen 4 should be having to fight for sales.
1st ride out on the Gen 4 S Works yesterday. Got to say... nothing i didn't like about it. Rides great, brakes awesome, changed the tyres for schalbe radials and were great in the Peaks. Did my normal 21 mile, 3500 ft route and got back with 25% in the tank. Early days but i can't fault it at all! 
Citylad77 said:
As you can see above I was referring to AMflow bikes, not Specialized. (Post #177).irie said:
Last edited:
I wouldn't call it a big leap since Specialized has always had the winner position in what's most important to me whilst others don't care about it.
The gasket around the display was a bit loose, I don't know why but I didn't like it and it probably could have been glued to fix it and not often but sometimes it felt like the battery shut off for a fraction of a second.
Talked to my LBS about it and next week they called me and told me to visit them, so I did. A couple of hours later my Levo 4 got a new display and the new updated battery nest with springs.
That's unbeatable Specialized service.
The gasket around the display was a bit loose, I don't know why but I didn't like it and it probably could have been glued to fix it and not often but sometimes it felt like the battery shut off for a fraction of a second.
Talked to my LBS about it and next week they called me and told me to visit them, so I did. A couple of hours later my Levo 4 got a new display and the new updated battery nest with springs.
That's unbeatable Specialized service.
Funny, I was referring the other way around which I find to be applicable, with the Bosch currently being in my number 2 spot for overall performance and possibly having an advantage with noise and efficiency. It will be interesting to see what the future brings us for choices as things become more competitive.
This is what myslef and others thought when we first saw the new bike......
Oh god here we go with the conspiracies. Specialized ebikes are designed and developed at their Swiss office.
Motor was developed with Brose and yes Merida or similar probably do the actual frame manufacture. There is nothing about the Levo to suggest that they outsourced the design/development to a third party. By all accounts this bike was designed earlier and sat for over a year due to gen 3 stock. That's why it now seems a little behind the curve.
I swear the fat downtube has people losing their fucking minds.
Motor was developed with Brose and yes Merida or similar probably do the actual frame manufacture. There is nothing about the Levo to suggest that they outsourced the design/development to a third party. By all accounts this bike was designed earlier and sat for over a year due to gen 3 stock. That's why it now seems a little behind the curve.
I swear the fat downtube has people losing their fucking minds.
This what the Store said over a year before the launch. All ready to go boxed up but just look at all the Gen 3s we have to move first, and more Gen 3 inventory on the way. They should have just launched it when it was ready. The new wonder kid that has disrupted the market would not have been out for another year at this time. I and I am sure others would have had a Gen 4S works if they had done this. As it stands now it’s outdated big time out the Box.
Last edited:
Saw this on fb, dunno if this is a decent price for anyone who wants one of these?
I certainly don't, but someone maybe does. Don't they?
I certainly don't, but someone maybe does. Don't they?
Im not,
In the least bit surprised at these discounts taking into account how overpriced they are and
with all the unsold stock they have and winter coming
Last edited:
You'd have space for 2 ryan air cabin bags !Think of the swat space when they put the battery on the outside again
And a Sunday lunch from what I have seen, must have maxed out the RD budget on this option…lol
robikinkela
Active member
Over the past few days, I've been testing the Levo 4 and the new Amflow, and yesterday I went for a ride on my Gen. 3 Comp Carbon, fitted with a 38 Fox fork. As I pedaled, I thought: "There's nothing I can't do with my bike compared to the new offerings." I'd probably do it more easily, especially in terms of motor performance, but ultimately, the Gen. 3 is still a capable e-bike. The only thing I really envy is the Chinese bike's fast charging capability, which would allow me to do longer rides in a day. I found the Levo 4 to be very fun and surprising in terms of dynamic performance, but unfortunately, the battery life hasn't changed, and the bike is heavier on bunny hops and nose presses. The Chinese model is very powerful, but chassis-wise, I feel like I'm back to my old Levo 2. The engine is impressive, not so much for its power as for its smoothness. Basically, what everyone knows and says by now... I feel like we're heading towards a plateau that reminds me of smartphones, which change every year without offering any significant advantages. I'm skeptical; I think I'll keep my Gen 3 for a while; until batteries get smaller and lighter, it'll be difficult to do anything truly different.
Took my daughter to the local Specialized store for a new helmet this morning, there was a guy picking up his new Gen 4. Didn’t have the heart to tell him that he’d purchased the wrong bike according to some sages on EMTB forums…
He seemed pretty pleased with it anyway. No in-store price reductions on display, no idea if you could get one by speaking to somebody, but as I’m not interested in buying one I didn’t waste anybody’s time.
May as well add that to all the tea leaves being swirled around, for all the good it’ll do!
He seemed pretty pleased with it anyway. No in-store price reductions on display, no idea if you could get one by speaking to somebody, but as I’m not interested in buying one I didn’t waste anybody’s time.
May as well add that to all the tea leaves being swirled around, for all the good it’ll do!
Excellent observation, as the thought had come to mind as well. "reminds me of smartphones, which change every year without offering any significant advantages" Apple has gone from product engineering to revenue engineering. It was innovation that put them on the map which sadly is lacking.
I have done a ride of 33 miles several times mainly using some eco but mostly trail, on my class 3 EP801 with a 720wh battery, I routinely return with 30-31%...Did the same ride using some eco but mostly trail on my new S-Works and returned with 47%...So I think the battery life is great!!
And I like the fact that the big 840 will run with full power to 1% before going empty (vs limp mode like other e-bikes) So you probably could do two of your 33 mile loops on only one charge.
PS: You can get better mileage by reducing settings like shuttle and responsiveness - but then your new G4 will feel like a G3, but at least you have options etc
Last edited:
I am curious what the per cell voltage is at the 1% level. I use 3.7 to 4.2 volts as the range that I stay within although the battery has a low voltage minimum of 3.3 volts in general for Lithium batteries. It would be nice to have a 20% minimum with the ability to override in a situation that a reserve to get home would be important.
Yes and it is good for battery health and range anxiety to plan on having 20% left at ride end. For me, having 840 gives me faster or longer rides without the hassle of a RE
Hicksy 92
Active member
My old gen 3 levo , 3000 miles no issue what so ever , my new gen levo 4 s-works 700 miles in , no Issue as of yet and the thing is flying . I love it
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.The new Levo is ugly and plagued with issues, so really it’s just like any other
Of course it's not the only wheel sensor, I know that very well, but the fact remains that a sensor that reacts in fractions of a second instead of acting every turn of the wheel is a step forward. The new Mahle engine also uses it, and in the future it will be the choice of other brands too, we bet?
But okay, let's talk about the new Levo G4: Can I say that it is a total disappointment ?? NO big leap for me !
(I have owned all previous Levo models).
Last edited:
Yes, it's an universal human brain feature....or bug.Amazing how people have sales figures to back up their statements!
Either that, or they’re just makingup…
Similar Threads
-
Specialized Levo 4 Firmware Update: 850W, 111Nm, and a Free OTA Power Unlock- Started by EMTB Forums Staff
- Replies: 161
-
Specialized Levo R: We Rode It. Here's What You Need to Know
- Started by EMTB Forums Staff
- Replies: 196
-
-
Avinox M2S: 1,500W, 150Nm, and a PR Offensive
- Started by EMTB Forums Staff
- Replies: 218
-
SRAM Maven B1: Same Power, Better Delivery, and Upgrade Kits from £65
- Started by EMTB Forums Staff
- Replies: 76