Levo SL Gen 1 Levo SL 2023 Megathread

[G-Sport]

I really like my Gen1 SL, it's around 18kgs with a pretty bomb proof build and I still get a reasonable amount of exercise, adding the mastermind TCU to get microtune has been a good upgrade, but I resent how difficult/expensive Specialized make that. I have no interest in an R. I would probably consider an SL1.2 motor if it was offered as an upgrade, but it isn't and probably wont ever be. And if it were you know the price would be eyewatering like the Mastermind TCU.
Meanwhile, Bosch etc are putting out updates to give existing customers motors extra power and features.
I really can't see myself buying another Specialized, which is a shame, because they were one of the pioneers of low power light weight bikes but they seem to be abandoning it.

 

[Dave_B]

Yeah, I noted the sales prices on the SL2 in my local shop. I asked if it was being discontinued and the suggestion was the Levo R would be replacing it. This was from a Certini Cycles store. I was looking at the Carbon Comp SL2 at £4800.

It’s a good price compared to the Trek Fuel+ which is at £7600.

I agree speak needs to up the battery size on the SL and maybe increase the motor torque a little, but the current SL2 still ticks a lot of my boxes.

 

[Pauliemon]

Yeah, I admit the SL is a bit anemic, especially the gen 1. But I like that about it. It feels more like a regular non motorized bike. When the terrain points down, I like it better than my full power Levo. If I go on a ride with a bunch of full powered bikes, I'll be sucking wind on the SL. I'll ride my full boat on those rides. Like I was saying, I got a smokin' deal on a gen 1 SL S-Works frameset. That's from a shop here in the US. There are probably different deals going on across the pond. I can't wait to build it. I'm just waiting on some carbon rims.

 

[guglez]

I was looking at the Carbon Comp SL2 at £4800.

Levo SL Expert Carbon 2025 was noticed for just for 4299 Euros, which is an absolute bargain (ibkbike).

 

[snotrag]

I asked if it was being discontinued and the suggestion was the Levo R would be replacing it.

It does seem to be the case for now, pending any more product releases from Specialized.

But if it is, then they have massively missed the point of their own bike.

The SL2 is a really good longer travel trail/all mountain bike, that happens to have some electric assistance. Its a Stumpy Evo, that makes you feel like you have the legs of a world cup racer. Bike first, 'E' second.

The Levo R is the total opposite, all about the stupidly masive battery (why on earth they didnt even use their own 600wh option!?) and silly powerful motor, 'E' bits first.
Then they have had to strip back the travel, the spec, the capability, to get it down to a lighter weight (thats not even that light!). So now its not a bike that can do it all, its too limited in its use case. Not enough travel to go to the Bike Park etc.

The Trek Fuel+ seems like a much better 2026 replacement for my 2024 Levo SL (If i actually wanted to change, which I dont!).

 

[Mcharza]

Yeah, I noted the sales prices on the SL2 in my local shop. I asked if it was being discontinued and the suggestion was the Levo R would be replacing it. This was from a Certini Cycles store. I was looking at the Carbon Comp SL2 at £4800.

It’s a good price compared to the Trek Fuel+ which is at £7600.

I agree speak needs to up the battery size on the SL and maybe increase the motor torque a little, but the current SL2 still ticks a lot of my boxes.

Specialized has stopped making the SL line, which is a shame. I don't like Levo R huge down tube.

 

[Pauliemon]

Here's what I get when I ask the internet. Personally I don't think the R is a replacement for the SL. The R is a totally different, short travel bike. My Specialized rep also confirms my belief. He says the sales are a result of an over abundance of stock. I could be wrong but I'm never wrong.

"No, Specialized has not stopped making the Levo SL; in fact, the 2nd Generation Specialized Levo SL was released in 2023 as a heavily updated, high-performance, lightweight e-MTB. It remains a core part of their lineup, with newer models continuing to feature the updated SL 1.2 motor for improved power and torque.

YouTube +2

• Current Status: The Gen 2 Levo SL (launched in 2023) is considered a major update to the original, featuring a stiffer frame and better, more adjustable, and more capable geometry.
• Technology: The current generation uses the Specialized SL 1.2 motor, which delivers 320 Watts and 50Nm of torque, a significant upgrade over the first generation.
• Future Outlook: While there has been speculation about a future Gen 3 model due to competitive market pressures, the Levo SL remains in active production. "

 

[DylanJM]

Why do users in this forum constantly post the answers from stuff they asked ChatGPT? It adds nothing.

 

[Pauliemon]

Why do users in this forum constantly post the answers from stuff they asked ChatGPT? It adds nothing.

1. Don't spit into the wind.
2. Don't eat yellow snow.
3. Don't post relevant shit off ChatGPT.
Got it.
1 and 2 I already practice. I can't promise I won't do 3 again.

 

[Utah Rider]

My LBS in Utah has this beautiful carbon Kenevo (1.1 motor) that they can't get rid of. I really wanted it but I'm afraid it doesn't have enough pow pow to move my lard ars. I'm 220 lbs.

 

[Pauliemon]

My LBS in Utah has this beautiful carbon Kenevo (1.1 motor) that they can't get rid of. I really wanted it but I'm afraid it doesn't have enough pow pow to move my lard ars. I'm 220 lbs.

View attachment 179240

Holy crap that's a good deal! I just paid $2500 for a Levo 1.1 frameset. You'll notice the lower power going up, but it will get you there no problem. Going down it will rock! I weigh 170 and have no problem with it.

 

[Utah Rider]

Holy crap that's a good deal! I just paid $2500 for a Levo 1.1 frameset. You'll notice the lower power going up, but it will get you there no problem. Going down it will rock! I weigh 170 and have no problem with it.

Thanks, maybe I'll test drive it to see how loud the motor is.

 

[Pauliemon]

Thanks, maybe I'll test drive it to see how loud the motor is.

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It's loud. This is a early model SL, like a 2021.

 

[eMullet]

Finally some summer conditions, spring is here! Good first ride impressions!

 

[wolfbane1967]

Finally some summer conditions, spring is here! Good first ride impressions!



View attachment 180059

Nice, what fenders are you using

 

[eMullet]

Nice, what fenders are you using

Front: mudhugger evo long bolt-on with öhlins specific adapter

Rear: mucky nutz rear (some clearance must be done because of the seat stay bridge)

I'm glad that Öhlins uses beefier fender bolts (M4) on the arch compared to the M3 that Fox uses.

 

[wolfbane1967]

Front: mudhugger evo long bolt-on with öhlins specific adapter

Rear: mucky nutz rear (some clearance must be done because of the seat stay bridge)

I'm glad that Öhlins uses beefier fender bolts (M4) on the arch compared to the M3 that Fox uses.

Thank you

 

[TorAtle]

The Levo 4 rides great, but once in a while I still miss my old Levo SL. Do we not know anything about a gen 3? No leaks or rumors?

 

[G-Sport]

It's all about super over powered 20+kg "lightweight" bikes at the moment. The 18-20kg market can gtf.

 

[rpr]

I still have my old Levo SL but I haven’t been on it in years. I miss it as well and was just thinking I need to take it out.

It’s been a long time since I had the software in the SL updated. Any improvements in the past ~4 years that’s worth me bringing it to a shop? My biggest complaint was lack of power on long slow climbs.

 

[G-Sport]

I still have my old Levo SL but I haven’t been on it in years. I miss it as well and was just thinking I need to take it out.

It’s been a long time since I had the software in the SL updated. Any improvements in the past ~4 years that’s worth me bringing it to a shop? My biggest complaint was lack of power on long slow climbs.

Nope. Not specialized's style, they are only interested in making you buy a new bike. Won't even sell you the newer motor.

 

[rpr]

Yeah, that’s a shame. I would probably be a buyer if the newer motor was an option.

 

[Streddaz]

The Levo 4 rides great, but once in a while I still miss my old Levo SL. Do we not know anything about a gen 3? No leaks or rumors?

I'd be surprised if Specialized continue the SL. They seem to be paring down the variations of bikes at the moment.
The XC range just has the Epic 9, when before there was the World Cup/Epic/Epic Evo, the Trail category did have the Stumpy and Stumpy Evo and now there just one.
It does seem like the Levo 4 is the replacement for the SL.
I would be interested if you had a TQ motor and a more efficient battery like the Avinox system uses, how light you could make a 60Nm bike with around 400-500wh of battery these days. I think you would still need to be at least 16-17kg right now to differentiate yourself enough from a 21kg full powered bike.

 

[snotrag]

Back to the current Levo SL's -

Does anyone know what the max 'real' seatpost insertion depth is on an S4?

A Oneup V2 will slam into the frame, thats 267mm, any ideas how much further I can go before it hits things? Its hard to judge what the internal structure is like as you get closer to the kink and the bearing mounts.

 

[guglez]

more efficient battery

As far as I remember our motor is more efficient than TQ. Even with a smaller battery it has slightly more range than TQ HPR50 with 360 wh battery, there were some tests on youtube. Avinox is not a light e-mtb system by any means. It's slightly lighter than a typical full power emtb system. ANd our bike is way lighter than anything else on the market. Even if you put the range extender on it lol. Original amflow is a joke because they ship it with a thin tyres, they are unusable in a real world. And if you put a proper tyres then you have 21-22kg which is not a lightweight bike.
So if you want a lightweight e-mtb - Levo SL is one of the best if not the best option.



Question: did anyone experienced a pedal kickback on a Levo SL after replacing the rear wheel? I need to replace mine and liiking for options. Some of the wheels on my list (hope pro 5) have 3.3 deg engagement angle which may introduce a pedal kickback, I would like to avoid that. Any advice?

 

[snotrag]

As far as I remember our motor is more efficient than TQ. Even with a smaller battery it has slightly more range than TQ HPR50 with 360 wh battery...

The Levo SL2 & 1.2 Motor was widely tested as being more efficient than the TQ HPR50 when they were both new a few years back.

However users of the the new TQ HPR60 are reporting back that it is remarkably efficent, much more so than the older HPR50. I think that was one of the key aims of TQ with the development. Its this motor, not the Avinox, that impresses me more.

When Specialized decided to go down the route of the Levo R (Big motor, but specced down with a flimsy short travel build) then this confirmed to me that the real successor to the Levo SL Gen 2 is one of the bikes with the TQ HPR60.

The Yeti MTE, the very impressive Trek Fuel+ range, the Scott Voltage, Propain Sresh SL or the Norco Sight VLT TQ are all similar in travel, geo and intended use to the Levo SL2 but with the very impressive motor system.

All other than the Scott (currently) are available with the 580wh battery. I think A Trek Fuel+ modified to 160/160 but with a lighter build will come in about the same as my current Levo SL when it has its RE fitted, so 580wh plays 480Wh, AND its more efficient too...

The fans of the Levo SL are few and far between, but for those of us who really love this format, IE those of us who appreciate handling and the dynamics of a lightweight but capable mid to longish travel trail bike, Specialized have really dropped the ball.

I had a ball on my 18kg 'outdated' oretty customised Levo SL yesterday!

 

[G-Sport]

Question: did anyone experienced a pedal kickback on a Levo SL after replacing the rear wheel? I need to replace mine and liiking for options. Some of the wheels on my list (hope pro 5) have 3.3 deg engagement angle which may introduce a pedal kickback, I would like to avoid that. Any advice?

Pedal kick-back seems pretty substantial to me, having the bike in a high gear and keeping your speed up makes it acceptable to me but it is still there. Hub engagement angle doesn't make a huge difference unless it is a hub like the E13 or DT deg where there is constant "slack" in the system.

Coming from a regular bike; I don't just compare my 18kg SL with 21kg EMTBs, I compare it to a push bike. My non-motorised bike is about 16kgs. When you come from that perspective, gaining 2kgs (12.5%) is not great but it is acceptable to get substantially more riding done, and the hit to feel isn't too big.
Gaining 5kgs (31%) for a bit more seems like too much of a compromise on the feel. And many "lightweight" builds end up much higher than this when you add decent tyres and pedals.
Comparing a Zendit to a FoxyRR for example the Zendit would be nearly 60% heavier!

 

[Streddaz]

As far as I remember our motor is more efficient than TQ. Even with a smaller battery it has slightly more range than TQ HPR50 with 360 wh battery, there were some tests on youtube. Avinox is not a light e-mtb system by any means. It's slightly lighter than a typical full power emtb system. ANd our bike is way lighter than anything else on the market. Even if you put the range extender on it lol. Original amflow is a joke because they ship it with a thin tyres, they are unusable in a real world. And if you put a proper tyres then you have 21-22kg which is not a lightweight bike.
So if you want a lightweight e-mtb - Levo SL is one of the best if not the best option.



Question: did anyone experienced a pedal kickback on a Levo SL after replacing the rear wheel? I need to replace mine and liiking for options. Some of the wheels on my list (hope pro 5) have 3.3 deg engagement angle which may introduce a pedal kickback, I would like to avoid that. Any advice?

Yes the Mahle motor is slightly more efficient than the TQ motor but the TQ so much quieter.

The Avinox batteries are quite good. The 800Wh battery weighs 3.74kg so that's 214Wh per Kg. In contrast the Levo SL battery weighs 1.8Kg and is 324Wh, so that's only 180Wh per Kg.
If the SL had the Avinox battery it with the same weight as the SL current one it would be a 385Wh battery. That's a 19% improvement.

 

[Doomanic]

That's down to cell type; the SL battery is made up of 18650 cells, the Avinox is 21700 or 20700. An SL battery made up of 21700 cells would be a significant increase in capacity for a minimal increase in weight. Whether it would fit in the downtube is a different matter...

 

[guglez]

If the SL had the Avinox battery it with the same weight as the SL current one it would be a 385Wh battery. That's a 19% improvement.

I'm not sure about this, but in my typical ride I use 10-20% of my battery at best, I have 0 range complaints. The capacity is only relevant if you riding in a big mountains or doing self shuttling. But even then my personal record was 100% to 13% in one riding session in a nearest bike park. At the end I was deadly tired and fully satisfied. I also believe if you take a rather big battery and calculate Wh per kg - it does not mean that with the same tech you can achieve the same Wh numbers for a smaller battery.