Levo Gen 4 Levo 4 Sizing for tall guy

[HackMan162]

Sorry for yet another question. Looking at getting a new Levo 4. I am 6'4" which on the Specialized page puts me on an S6. The S5 geo nearly matches the numbers on my Amish bike for reach, etc. I have never ridden a bigger bike. Trying to find an S6 locally to try out. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Davvee]

I'm 6ft5 on a S5. Fits me perfectly

 

[Euro]

I’m 6’4 and a bit and have ordered an S6 levo. I’ve ridden smaller bikes, 18” hard tails, large S5 fs and iddy biddy BMXs. The largest size always fit us normal sized folk better but you can get away with down sizing at a push. I’d not buy a ‘small for me’ bike new tho, I’d bought second hand and you take what you can get).

 

[Lummox]

6’5” on an s6, reach is slightly longer than my bird am9, however with the head angle cups in and the longer fork etc the real reach/stack feels pretty similar. The s5 is shorter than my am9 and I absolutely love that bike so wouldn’t want to go shorter.

I’d say test ride if you can, if not s6 if you like stability, s5 if you like to mess about. Both will be ace (budget for a longer travel link as my cascade link massively improved the rear end- stopped feeling like it hung up and blowing through the travel.)

 

[Pizzman]

Cockpit style
Specialized leaves room for preference over hard size choice. For me it was
S3. Small maneuverable (better for slow and tight)
S4. Open and stable (better if you go fast)my choice
I ride an S4 but an S3 is the recommended size. I shortened the stem and run 50mm rise bars to reduce my reach.
I prefer a more open cockpit. I like to move around a lot. S4 works great for me. Another 5’10 behemoth may feel this size is too large in tight slow sections and want an S3

If you have a style lean to the size that best reflects it.

 

[Klarg]

I'm 6'4" and had the same question. I was able to find a shop with both S5 and S6 and tried them both just "around the parking lot". For me the S6 clearly felt better and I haven't regretted going with it. The reach figure is higher than my previous bike and several I have rented, but I have found it easier to shift my weight and load the front wheel without feeling like I get my balance disturbed by being pushed farther forward when hitting rough stuff hard. The bike is long though, and I do struggle with tight switchbacks, but that could totally be a skill issue in my case. I am not very highly skilled, and I wouldn't be surprised if people more skilled would favor the agility of the smaller bike over the stability of the larger one.

 

[JRitt]

I'm about 6' 3 1/2" and I went with S5. I am super leggy though...something like a 36" inseam. That means I don't carry as much of my height in my torso and I don't want to stretch my reach out too far forward. I also run a high rise bar so I don't have to lean forward as much. It makes climbing much more comfortable on my lower back, helps me keep my weight balanced going downhill, and helps me get the front end up more easily when I pull.

If you can ride both sizes, I'd try to do so and see what feels right to you. We are so conditioned to 'go by the numbers' these days, but comfort and confidence can only be assessed by being on the bike.

Also keep in mind that there's some adjustment built into these bikes. You could always play with your stem length, bar height, chainstay flip chip, etc. to dial in the bike's comfort. I can tell you that the high rise bars totally changed everything for me. Raising my hands just put me in a much more athletic, natural feeling position. I think all these things will vary by your body and how you ride though.

Another way to think of it could be...is it easier to make the S6 ride like a smaller bike if you need to adjust it to do so, or would making the S5 ride like a bigger bike be easier if you must?