Levo: annoying noise... (SOLVED)

[npatrix]

Today, I went for my second ride, I did a nice 60km, the bike is fantastic... but on downhills I hear an annoying noise coming front the front of my bike (sounds like clamping), I though that it could come from the mudguard, or the cables but not sure... ?

I remember a few time ago to read here in the forum, something about internal cables, need some help here... anyone experience something similar?

 

[SteveVentoux]

Front brake rotor rubbing slightly maybe ? I'll see if I get anything from my new Levo when I take it out for it's first ride, hopefully not!

 

[npatrix]

Front brake rotor rubbing slightly maybe ? I'll see if I get anything from my new Levo when I take it out for it's first ride, hopefully not!

doesn't sound like metal... more plastic

 

[Joeri]

after 10 rides my headset bearings were broken. Maybe you have some play on your bearings

 

[npatrix]

after 10 rides my headset bearings were broken. Maybe you have some play on your bearings

 

[npatrix]

I think I got it... and is also very worrying... checked my shock pressure, and it were 50psi ... I ride with 235psi! I hope I don't have a malfunctioning shock (read bad things about this shocks), will test it next weekend.

I can't find the benefit in auto-sag technology... most like people say you lose pressure through it!

 

[Cyclone]

The rear shock issue is interesting.
On my bike (before I returned it) I would pump my shock to 275psi, jump on, hit auto sag and the bike would rest at 25% sag.

After locking the vales etc and cycling the bike 5 times, I would immediately connect the pump, and now check the pressure (to see how much air pressure auto sag removed) .

After connecting the pump my rear shock would read 50psi yet the auto sag was indeed still at 25% when I sat on it?

So I re-pumped the shock which did indeed allow me (and require me) to fill it again to 275 and performed the test again. Exactly the same results.

Now I am around 70kg so I don't suspect my body weight constitutes a 225psi reduction?

So I think, either these shocks work in an usual way, or are all broken because everyone says "my shock is fine" but I have never, ever seen anyone, ever repeat this test above and get different results. In fact, many here suspect their shock is fine, and state it as fine, but they don't actually have evidence to back it up. I read in a thread recently that even rob and others had stated their shocks were perfect, but hadn't tested the pressure since buying the bike?

So my point is, the shock may read 50psi but show the correct sag? Either this is a design feature, or they are broken. I would like to see owners actually perform the shock cycle, pump it, auto sag it, then after 5 cycles of the shock, re test the PSI from the same pump.

My guess is ALL of them will read 50ish psi and anyone saying it won't, either won't do the test and will just argue, or doesn't own that shock and can't try anyway.

I think those shocks show a messed up / incorrect PSI even when they are pumped correctly, auto sagged correctly and functioning correctly. But even then, when I mentioned this to my dealer, and demonstrated this to him when I returned the bike for a refund, he stood there scratching his head saying he had no idea the Rockshox worked that way and couldn't explain why

Specialised are clearly excelling at training staff and looking after customers

 

[ccrdave]

i had to have a firmer shim stack fitted to mine as the tune that comes with the bike was too soft for me. I dont use the auto sag feature I dont like it. I just set mine up manually and so far its held its sag setting.
Its a cheap and nasty shock anyway at least the one on my comp is, gonna get changed for a coil shock soon as I can

 

[villho]

Well... if someone gets 25 % with 50 psi, either: 1) the person is really (I mean really) anorectic, OR 2) the reading is off OR 3) the pressure behind the shock valve is not the actual air spring value.

If we leave out the possibility of anorexia, 50 psi simply just does not give 25 % sag, so either the shock pump shows wrong value OR the pressure behind the valve is not the same than the actual air spring pressure.

I have nowadays a CC coil shock, but when I still had RS Monarch RT on my '18 Levo, I can absolutely guarantee that after initially filling the shock, then using Auto sag and after taking a ride (with few bottom-outs (or at least close-to)), the shock pump showed a reasonable value for my weight. I don't remember these exact values but most certainly they weren't 50 psi or even close.

One needs also to remember that when a shock pump is connected, the shock pressure is used to fill also the pump. Now, depending on the pump type this may mean big or small reduction of the actual pressure.

 

[Cyclone]

Well... if someone gets 25 % with 50 psi, either: 1) the person is really (I mean really) anorectic, OR 2) the reading is off OR 3) the pressure behind the shock valve is not the actual air spring value.

If we leave out the possibility of anorexia, 50 psi simply just does not give 25 % sag, so either the shock pump shows wrong value OR the pressure behind the valve is not the same than the actual air spring pressure.

I have nowadays a CC coil shock, but when I still had RS Monarch RT on my '18 Levo, I can absolutely guarantee that after initially filling the shock, then using Auto sag and after taking a ride (with few bottom-outs (or at least close-to)), the shock pump showed a reasonable value for my weight. I don't remember these exact values but most certainly they weren't 50 psi or even close.

One needs also to remember that when a shock pump is connected, the shock pressure is used to fill also the pump. Now, depending on the pump type this may mean big or small reduction of the actual pressure.

No what I'm saying is this.
I pumped my monarch shock up to 275psi (so did my lbs) after it was at full psi I sat on the bike and hit autosag.
As soon as you do this and you reconnect ANY pump the display WONT show you what the actual PSI of the chamber is.

Ask ANYONE here to test it, and I guarantee that not one will, or those who will will get the exact reproduction described above. Because it's how that monarch works.

The shock will dump out the PSI from the chamber based on the weight of the rider, but due to the way autosag works when you reconnect the pump it won't display the actual pressure inside the chamber. It will only / a,ways display around 50/75psi ALWAYS. But if you sit back on the bike, your sag will be perfect at 25%.

Even the dealers don't know why this funcations this way, nor do the riders (hence many think it's broken)

No what 70kg I should not lose 225psi out my shock but while my pump reads 50psi when I connect to the shock, my sag was only at 25% which means the reading from inside the shock to my pump is clearly wrong (or just not accurate due to the way auto sag functions and how the shock functions).

Ask anyone with the Levo monarch to check it, anyone.

Just pump your rear monarch rt3 to 275,
sit on it,
auto sag it,
and now re test the psi and I guarantee that it will (bizarrely) read 50/75psi on the pump even though the sag will report 25% using the rubber ring.

There are hundreds of Levo users here, I'm sure someone will show you, I returned mine so I can't, but even my dealer could not explain it. It's just how that shock works.

If not 1 person posts a video explaining otherwise, you know why
Rob has a Levo and posts video, what about the next video being a basic maintenance video rob showing these things and explaining these things. It would clear up a lot.

 

[villho]

Well, then it's the option 3) that I listed: the pressure behind the valve is not the actual air spring pressure value.

In any case, if sag is 25 % and it suits rider's preferences, I wouldn't worry a bit. I must be the way how autosag works.

 

[ccrdave]

ok just did mine pumped to 275 sat on bike pressed autosag measured sag ,its 30% remeasure pressure 170psi im 107kg in my riding kit

 

[c.tonus]

Today, I went for my second ride, I did a nice 60km, the bike is fantastic... but on downhills I hear an annoying noise coming front the front of my bike (sounds like clamping), I though that it could come from the mudguard, or the cables but not sure... ?

I remember a few time ago to read here in the forum, something about internal cables, need some help here... anyone experience something similar?

What is your bike model?

 

[npatrix]

ok just did mine pumped to 275 sat on bike pressed autosag measured sag ,its 30% remeasure pressure 170psi im 107kg in my riding kit

question regarding the sag, do you press it once or till no more air comes out?

Another question, after a day in the trails, where is the measure? (mine now is at 100%, in my previous bike would stay around 80%)

 

[ccrdave]

I sit on the bike and press the button and hold it pressed until no more air comes out you should feel the bike "buck" a little then settle, cycle the shock a couple of times and then measure.
I like mine at 30% and I expect the red oring to be at the end of the stroke or even off the bottom. my opinion if you are not using all the stroke its set too hard but you have to temper that with how big are the hits and what is the shocks tune

 

[Cyclone]

ok just did mine pumped to 275 sat on bike pressed autosag measured sag ,its 30% remeasure pressure 170psi im 107kg in my riding kit

Can you post a video of the Monarch RT RC3 Behaving in this manner as it contradicts every single specialized monarch rt rc3 monarch on all levos that myself and dealers have witnessed.

This would be an incredible and viable piece of information / evidence that could literally SAVE every LEVO from running a "broken" or "dangerous" shock and would give them demonstrable, practicable evidence to show the manufacturer that it's actually working not in accordance with what they state.

THere are a LOT of users here who claim the Monarch works EXACTLY as I state and many have replaced it with coils, floats etc and some even trurned their bikes, this video could save hundreds of Levo users a huge headache.

Looking forward to seeing it.

 

[ccrdave]

Yes will do my best but my shock is not rc3 it is a basic rt as fitted to the 2018 comp

 

[ccrdave]

Ok i have done some video but it says too large for the server im really crap at this @Rob Hancill what am i doing wrong i have three clips about 30 secs each

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Ok i have done some video but it says too large for the server im really crap at this @Rob Hancill what am i doing wrong i have three clips about 30 secs each

Can you upload to YouTube and link? File size limit here isn’t great for video links.

 

[ccrdave]

ok heres a drop box link sorry movies are really crappy
1 shows the gauge at 275b
2 shows the pressing of the sag button and the ending pressure after cycling the shock to fill the neg chamber
3 is the amount of sag that was set, a bit much for me but I would just adjust to my liking
Public

 

[npatrix]

ok heres a drop box link sorry movies are really crappy
1 shows the gauge at 275b
2 shows the pressing of the sag button and the ending pressure after cycling the shock to fill the neg chamber
3 is the amount of sag that was set, a bit much for me but I would just adjust to my liking
Public

Thanks for the video @ccrdave !!!
I was trying to go through the process... And just realized that my shock in lock position has the same sag and behavior as in unlock , or I am doing something very wrong or specialized should have better quality control.

 

[ccrdave]

I think there is a difference but its not very noticable, they dont call it lockout just pedal i think.
What is the tune on your shock? You. Can tell by the lablel on the air can you should have a L M or H this is from memory but i think they sre couloured red

 

[Cyclone]

Hey I'm unsure what I'm seeing in the video? It doesn't represent what was described, but I appreciate you posting it.

To replicate what was described, you MUST follow the instructions exactly as described.

Step 1:
Set shock to "open"
Pump shock to 275 psi
You MUST NOW REMOVE the pump (after reaching 275psi)

Now SIT on bike
Hit auto sag
Seal /close auto sag
Reconnect pump
Show pressure without adding any additional air/pumps.

You will NOW see that the reading is incorrect. It WILL display around 50/75psi.

I appreciate you posting a video, however it doesn't accurately represent, or even follow the instructions provided that exhibit the way in which the shock reports incorrect values.

The video, is a video of something completely different, but I appreciate you taking the time to post it.

If you post a video that follows the actions described that would be more useful.

 

[ccrdave]

I get the same results if i remove the pump it was just hard to show what was happening if i did
And i do know how to use the autosag i have been riding spesh bikes for about 10 years
I can assure you it does NOT Read 50bar the only difference you would see is the slight drop in pressure by reconnecting the pump

 

[Cyclone]

I get the same results if i remove the pump it was just hard to show what was happening if i did
And i do know how to use the autosag i have been riding spesh bikes for about 10 years
I can assure you it does NOT Read 50bar the only difference you would see is the slight drop in pressure by reconnecting the pump

You can't possibly have the same results? (physics does not allow you to)
Removing the pump loses a small amount of PSI and then re-adding the pump fills the pump chamber with air too, therefore vastly reducing the PSI.

You have a pressurised container that equilibrites with the non pressurised container when it connects, unless you are defying physics, I question why this video was made in a way that purposely did not follow the instructions provided and presented the information in about. Misleading way.

Followed by excuses as to why it was made and presented this way and not the correct way.

The video is useful, but it in NO WAY follows or demonstrates what was asked/required to perform a successful reproduction of what was presented/requested. It's misleading but useful in its own right.

 

[Doomanic]

Just a thought, but my on RS shock when you connect the pump it only shows FULL pressure after you have equalised the pump and the shock by pumping it once or twice. Has anyone tried that to see what happens?

 

[Doomanic]

You can't possibly have the same results? (physics does not allow you to)
Removing the pump loses a small amount of PSI and then re-adding the pump fills the pump chamber with air too, therefore vastly reducing the PSI.

the only difference you would see is the slight drop in pressure by reconnecting the pump

Err, isn't that what he said?

 

[Cyclone]

Err, isn't that what he said?

What he said... LITERALLY is that he gets the SAME results leaving the pump connected VS unconnected. Which I and the laws of physics disagree with.

I get the same results if i remove the pump it was just hard to show what was happening if i did
And i do know how to use the autosag i have been riding spesh bikes for about 10 years
I can assure you it does NOT Read 50bar the only difference you would see is the slight drop in pressure by reconnecting the pump

 

[ccrdave]

The point is all riders will end up with different psi due to different rider weights they cant all end up with 50 psi and anyway even if they do who cares as long as its correct sag and the shock works if it doesnt its broke take it back

 

[npatrix]

I think there is a difference but its not very noticable, they dont call it lockout just pedal i think.
What is the tune on your shock? You. Can tell by the lablel on the air can you should have a L M or H this is from memory but i think they sre couloured red

You are right, I've checked the manual and on the RT model, there are two positions, OPEN and PEDAL, they are very similar.
Mine is the M (Red) what is the diiference?