Levo Fork and Shock upgrades

[tabrat]

DVO Topaz in rear 50/52.5/55 Adjustable with spacers galore.
DVO Onyx SC in front (160mm)(Comes in 180mm but they bring down to 160mm)
These guys are a newer company but not really since they all come from deep shock experience. If you don’t know about these guys and how their shocks work you should investigate since it’s at a new level. Giant just partnered with them on their racing team.

Just as an adder to all of the above you can run a 55mm stroke and get about 157mm travel in the rear with no clearance issues with the flip chip in the low or high position and run a 160mm in the front to increase travel or plushness for more sag.

The only issue I have seen is the crank strikes. I added a new Miranda Kappa 155mm to help alleviate. Good looking crank. I flipped the chip in the high position for more clearance which helped with clearance a lot but I like it in the low slack position better.

I also added Cush Core tire inserts since I am a big rider and the bike is heavy and switched to Maxxis Assegai EXO+ and DD Aggressor. Helped with chatter, cornering and pure confidence. Huge difference!

 

[tabrat]

Can those that went from 150 with enough time on it, to 160 express their comments and feelings on how the bike changed. Not pr speak, their own words.

It’s fine. No change in handling IMO.

 

[Saltyballs84]

I have converted from Lyrik Ultimate to Fox 36 today and the frontwheel wouldn’t fit. The RS obviously had torque caps installed on the front hub which I removed. Now it fits, but do I have to use other/smaller caps for the Fox or can I ride without? Sorry if my question is stupid.

 

[ebikerider]

I have converted from Lyrik Ultimate to Fox 36 today and the frontwheel wouldn’t fit. The RS obviously had torque caps installed on the front hub which I removed. Now it fits, but do I have to use other/smaller caps for the Fox or can I ride without? Sorry if my question is stupid.

No other caps are needed. You can even run the Lyrik without those caps, they really only help with aligning the wheel when refitting and nothing else.

 

[Saltyballs84]

Thank you very much

 

[tabrat]

Can everyone who has tell me what Fork and Shock you've upgraded to from the stock ones? Looking at lots of options to go on the base Levo and was considering 160mm forks....your thoughts would be appreciated!!

DVO Onyx 160mm in front
DVO Topaz in rear.
hard to beat this combo.
do the research

 

[tabrat]

Can those that went from 150 with enough time on it, to 160 express their comments and feelings on how the bike changed. Not pr speak, their own words.

It’s fine to go to 160mm and I think it’s better for me because I like more sag. Remember you always have the flip chip as well to mess around with.

 

[Mcharza]

DVO Onyx 160mm in front
DVO Topaz in rear.
hard to beat this combo.
do the research

@tabrat When you change the shock, did you need to use any spacers or went straight to the frame?

 

[Dee Scee]

i'm in the process of FINALLY jumping in to coil up my 2017 levo. i got the vorsprung smash-or conversion kit for the pike and setting at 160mm travel. And I found a 7.5" x 2.0" fox van for the rear which fits with the bike yoke bike yoke. i'm 200 lbs in the natural and about 210 in gear. the levy 20 lbs heavier than a clockwork bike so i ended up on the stiff end of spring rates: 700 lbs x 2.3 in the rear and 55 lbs in the fork. i looked for a long time for used stuff, but it just hasn't come together so i bit the bullet, just under 1000 bucks american. i am so freakin' stoked to get everything mounted up! i've been running a mullet set-up for about 8 weeks now and loving that. 2.8 eddy current on rear has been money this winter and the 2.6 hillbilly on the 30mm 29r on the front is impeccable. got the cushcores in. when these coils are installed and set up, i'll be about as dialed as i can be. (160mm cranks, 180mm oneUP dropper and some sweet surly sunrise mx style bars round out my beast) loving all the changes. each one has made me more comfortable on the bike. cannot wait to ride with the new suspension...

 

[Dee Scee]

Can those that went from 150 with enough time on it, to 160 express their comments and feelings on how the bike changed. Not pr speak, their own words.

i not only raised my 140mm up to 160mm but now have a 29" front tire on and some pretty tall bars. has done nothing but make me more comfortable. still have good weight on my hands in pedaling position, and feel much more confident and in control. really steep climbs do require more effort to hold the front end down, but still climbs the impossible like a goat. finally, these changes should have made it more cumbersome in tight switchbacks, especially uphill, but for me, it has not. feels much better. (disclaimer: i have spent much more of my life on dirt bikes than bicycles)

 

[55plusmxinsanity]

I’ve got a 36 set at 160 and I’m super happy with it.
Smooth and well balanced. I thought I might have difficulties on steep climbs but it climbs like a goat!

Ditto

 

[RodC]

I have converted from Lyrik Ultimate to Fox 36 today and the frontwheel wouldn’t fit. The RS obviously had torque caps installed on the front hub which I removed. Now it fits, but do I have to use other/smaller caps for the Fox or can I ride without? Sorry if my question is stupid.

How do you remove this cap?

 

[Saltyballs84]

they're removable just by hand (in my case)

 

[RodC]

they're removable just by hand (in my case)

the end cap separates from the outside ring by hand?

 

[Saltyballs84]

If i remember correct, the torque caps were on the ends of the front hub.
Just to be peeled off so that the Fox Fork could fit

 

[RodC]

If i remember correct, the torque caps were on the ends of the front hub.
Just to be peeled off so that the Fox Fork could fit

yes. I’m ok now. Just removed the big ends and now it fitted perfect.

 

[RodC]

 

[Saltyballs84]

Tip: Don't mount your bike on the stanchion part of your seatpost.

 

[salko]

Tip: Don't mount your bike on the stanchion part of your seatpost.

Don't agree. Pretty much every shop will mount it like this, you just wanna make sure seatpost is fully extended and everything is perfectly clean.

 

[RodC]

Tip: Don't mount your bike on the stanchion part of your seatpost.

Why?

 

[Traveler99]

The Lyrik fork on the Turbo Comp is reasonably good I’ve found. I wanted a bit more travel and slightly slacker feel so I replaced the air spring with a 160mm unit. It’s still a great trail bike and feels a better on the downhills.

 

[smokin joe's]

hi,all newbie here but 30 years mtber ,ive just ordered a fox 38 fork for my 2019 levo can't wait to fit and try it .also just had the bike back from my dealer shout out to them BIKE SCENE at Guisborough new motor replaced grr but tried it at Dalby Wednesday was much better than before, thinking of going fox x2 at the back too when I can afford it ...will be selling the rock shox revs

 

[smokin joe's]

Can everyone who has tell me what Fork and Shock you've upgraded to from the stock ones? Looking at lots of options to go on the base Levo and was considering 160mm forks....your thoughts would be appreciated!!

i've just fitted a fox 38 factory first ride today was very good need to go find some rock gardens now ,trouble is it shows up the rear sigh

 

[kombos]

Running 160mm ACS3 kit in the front Lyrik with stock Charger damper.
Out back have Ohlins TTX22 with CC 500-610 lb coil & Cascade Link.
Very happy with this setup in rocky desert terrain....

 

[Tobers]

My Ohlins RXF36 M2 coil fork is for sale in the classifieds if anyone fancies some plushness.

 

[ebikerider]

Fox 38 taken off a new Kenevo SL available if anyone interested?

 

[Jeffers]

yeah i have the new RC2 on my bike, and its smooth as you like

Is this on a 2018 Levo, with originally a 150 Revelation fork. And if so, what offset angle pls?

 

[smokin joe's]

no it's on my 2019 offset 51mm same as standard

 

[Jeffers]

Can everyone who has tell me what Fork and Shock you've upgraded to from the stock ones? Looking at lots of options to go on the base Levo and was considering 160mm forks....your thoughts would be appreciated!!

Hi, my Levo is gen 1, revelation 150mm, needed a service so booked it in to TF Tuned, shock specialists. Got a service and air shock upgrade cost was 172 with spring, pick up and return costs. V happy with the service and quick turnaround, v brilliant! Cannot say I am good enough to really notice the diff, performance wise, but it sounds good and differen. I ride mostly trails nth and Sth Downs.

 

[Jeffers]

Hi, my Levo is gen 1, revelation 150mm, needed a service so booked it in to TF Tuned, shock specialists. Got a service and air shock upgrade cost was 172 with spring, pick up and return costs. V happy with the service and quick turnaround, v brilliant! Cannot say I am good enough to really notice the diff, performance wise, but it sounds good and differen. I ride mostly trails nth and Sth Downs.

Btw it is now 160 mm travel.