Levo Gen 4 Just got 600 Wh battery and wow!

[Jeff McD]

Wow I just installed the 600 Wh battery in my gen 4 levo comp and I can't believe the difference. It's a better bike in every way in my opinion. It unweights the front end of the bike dramatically. We're not talking about a subtle change here. The front end is so more poppy, turning is so much easier with less grabbing on the ground by the tire tread. The front end is so much easier to lift, and in fact when riding with a 15 to 20 pound tool pack, I must consciously get my nose down near the stem to prevent looping out on ultra steep ups.

I ride a cross country super lightweight wheelset (I only weigh 155 pounds dripping wet fully kitted out and consciously ride light from the cross country racing days years ago). I have other lightweight parts on the bike so I have it under 48 pounds (S4-54.2 pounds stock on my bathroom scale ), but still with just the recent change of battery I'm having fewer pedal strikes when I ride our very technical rocky terrain. I have started riding one heavier gear on almost every section on our trails that I know well compared to the heavier battery. I will never go back to the big battery. This is so much fun I can't give it up.

I recall the Pinkbike evaluation of the gen 4, and realize this is what they were criticizing about the balance of the bike. With that big battery it is just too front heavy. I really think this is an incredible upgrade, although admittedly expensive. This has energized my riding and given more fun than I could ever have imagined. Of course I'm someone who has an insatiable need for speed both up and down, rides aggressively, and who loved the power update recently.

 

[YokoOno]

Wow I just installed the 600 Wh battery in my gen 4 levo comp and I can't believe the difference. It's a better bike in every way in my opinion. It unweights the front end of the bike dramatically. We're not talking about a subtle change here. The front end is so more poppy, turning is so much easier with less grabbing on the ground by the tire tread. The front end is so much easier to lift, and in fact when riding with a 15 to 20 pound tool pack, I must consciously get my nose down near the stem to prevent looping out on ultra steep ups.

I ride a cross country super lightweight wheelset (I only weigh 155 pounds dripping wet fully kitted out and consciously ride light from the cross country racing days years ago). I have other lightweight parts on the bike so I have it under 48 pounds (S4-54.2 pounds stock on my bathroom scale ), but still with just the recent change of battery I'm having fewer pedal strikes when I ride our very technical rocky terrain. I have started riding one heavier gear on almost every section on our trails that I know well compared to the heavier battery. I will never go back to the big battery. This is so much fun I can't give it up.

I recall the Pinkbike evaluation of the gen 4, and realize this is what they were criticizing about the balance of the bike. With that big battery it is just to front heavy. I really think this is an incredible upgrade, although admittedly expensive. This has energized my riding and given more fun than I could ever have imagined. Of course I'm someone who has an insatiable need for speed both up and down, rides aggressively, and who loved the power update recently.

What's the weight difference from the 800W battery?
Sometime I ride only with my range extender battery - agreed, it feels like a completely different bike. But the extender throttles power and its external water bottle mount design is somewhat unseemly

EDIT: Google says it's a 1 kg, 2.2 lb difference; never mind

 

[Suns_PSD]

I keep hearing this over and over from those that have tested multiple configurations, that the long skinny (most being the 800wh and larger) batteries have a real dramatic and negative effect on bike handling.

 

[ntm95]

I keep hearing this over and over from those that have tested multiple configurations, that the long skinny (most being the 800wh and larger) batteries have a real dramatic and negative effect on bike handling.

It feels heavier in your hands, even more so on the dji's.
When my dread-e shows up here in a few weeks, Ill be looking to trade it's 800wh battery for a 600wh for sure.

 

[Suns_PSD]

Battery tech will advance in time, but right now current battery technology might be a major contributor to limiting how much power people actually use in the real world. Although I'll download the Bosch power update next month I'll continue to operate the bike in the lower power settings, just because I intentionally purchased a 600wh bike.

Can't believe I'm saying this, but I think if my riding required an 800wh battery I'd insist on a pregnant e-bike that keeps the 800wh battery low, either the Norco VLT or the Yeti LTe. Both are noted for their exceptional handling, and most reviews even call the Norco 'poppy' and 'light feeling'.

I'd love to see an outright test of the Rogue vs. the VLT Range. They are nearly identical in geo and suspension systems with nearly the only difference being the motor system, and where the weight of their respective 800wh batteries are located.

Man, the more you learn...Looks or handling...Which would you prefer...

I feel that early reviewers of the Avinox system failed to pick up on this 'quirk' of the aesthetically pleasing and very powerful Avinox system, no low center of gravity 800wh battery available.

 

[jeanmarc]

Just picked up on your original post, glad to see the 600Wh makes a difference, that is why I went with a VALA instead of the long awaited Spesh Levo4 last year. There were no signs of that 600 battery even after 3-4 months of product intro. I think the industry is due for a brutal awakening on power vs range vs weight numbers. I updated my Bosch CX to the new 120Nm but very unlikely to ever use it because I like to ride for a few hours… Running an Avinox 150Nm / 1,500Watt bike with 800Wh battery will not last very long on any trail. Cheers everyone!

 

[Yotaismygame]

Ordered my propain with the 600wh. Figured a top up during lunch on long days would work just fine. Right now I feel like removable batteries around the 450-500wh size is where its at. Personally if i could get 2500-3500 vert out of a battery in lets say mid power I'm happy. Then just swap it out for a fresh one. That's what I currently do on my Older Marin alpine trail E. Two 504wh batteries last me all day.

 

[Plummet]

Oh yeah, Lighter batteries are where its at.

Imagine if you chopped another kg out of the front? That's where im at when i put my 400wh battery.
I have 400wh and 600wh.......

The 400wh is config is just that much nicer again!

 

[BrunoSln]

I am also interested in a 600 Wh battery, I have a Levo 4 Pro and Levo R Sworks. Until recently, the X2 batteries were available in the German online shop, but recently they are no longer there. Could this be related to the discount promotion in North America? Honestly, if this discount promotion is also offered in Germany, I would immediately get a 600 Wh battery.

 

[Gropec]

What a changement with the 600wh battery!!!
In technical uphill it is unbelievibale!!
Bike is way more snappy and fast!!
It make me thinking of buying an ultra light ebike dji powered!!

 

[Jeff McD]

What a changement with the 600wh battery!!!
In technical uphill it is unbelievibale!!
Bike is way more snappy and fast!!
It make me thinking of buying an ultra light ebike dji powered!!

View attachment 185862

 

[Jeff McD]

Yes you're absolutely right that is the biggest pleasure now with the lighter battery. I bought the S4 Comp and transferred my lightweight parts from my '22 Gen3 Levo and the weight came down from 54.2 lbs OEM, ready to ride with pedals, to 43.5 pounds at present, again with pedals! Honestly I was stunned when I saw the weight on a spiffy brand new digital scale in the bike shop.
With the weight loss and lighter front end the bike is a screamer on technical trails both up and down. It takes a lot of focus going down fast because you can shoot right off the trail with that light a front end, but incredible fun. I have adjusted to it just fine. Others will say I should extend the chainstays to slow it down a bit but I need the that easier turning front end for climbing our technical trails. So I am happy with it.
I'm finding that the lighter battery seems to get used up a bit quicker than the heavy OEM one. Not sure why it but also charges much quicker than the OEM heavier battery.

 

[west]

I'm sold on lighter more compact batteries after demoing the druidE with a 600wh battery recently. Could definitely feel the difference compared to other bikes I've ridden with larger batteries that add more weight near the headtube.

My next emtb will definitely be ~600wh with a range extender for longer days out.