After using this bike since October 2018 and doing all the mods I fancy I though I would share some tips for other existing and future Gen 2 Levo owners.
Biggest change is obviously converting to Mullet which vastly improved the bike for steeper trails.
Fork Lyrik Select 170mm , Rear Wheel Hope Pro4 + DT Swiss EX511 Rim, Super Deluxe Ultimate Shock 210*55m for a little extra travel, about 157mm. All three have been excellent. Running the flip chip in the high position gives HA ~64deg and BB a hair lower. Got a lime sticker for the rim from here -
Rapid Racer Products Mud flap reduces mud/spray from getting in your eyes.
Hope Ebike 165mm Cranks, the original Praxxis were very soft and weak. I bent one when the front slid out on greasy mud with both tyres on the ground. Not a very heavy impact. My shop/Spec UK gave me a replacement for free, very impressive when it was my fault for crashing. I bent another after landing from a waist high drop to a slight upslope without crashing. So changed to the Hopes and they have been perfect for years.
SDG Bel Air Ti saddle, very good colour match to the bike and more comfy for me than the Spec saddle. Probably try a Bel Air 3 next time. The sponge under the nose is for resting on my shoulder while carrying over gates etc.
One-Up 180mm 31.6mm V2 Dropper + V3 lever + Shim. I missed out on a 34.9mm post so got the 31.6mm for a good price. No problems with the shim and the post can slam to the bottom without clashing with the motor if required in the large frame.
DT Swiss RWS 148mm*12mm HWQASM00S2155S rear axle with my own 3D printed spacer (photo has a second spare I made and have not needed). I like carrying the bike in my car with both wheels off so this is very handy. The standard RWS has a flat inner face where the original has a brass 45 degree washer. Also the axle is a little long for the bike and the spacer fixes both these issues. Still got the .STL file if anyone wants it.
SRAM Centreline 220mm front disc + adapter. Think it was an official SRAM adapter…
Mudhugger FRX (or previous version) Mudguard. Reduces the amount of crap fired at the motor vent gap. This fitted ok with the 29" rear wheel but has better clearance with the 27.5".
Also -
Maxxis Doubledown tyres, I demo'd a Comp with Spec tyres and they were wishy washy and punctured within 200 yards.
Nukeproof Carbon Bar. To reduce trail buzz a little compared to Alu.
Uberbike 12T SRAM 11 Speed Jockey Wheels. The original SRAM seized up after only about 1 year, had these on since and still good.
Uberbike Race-Matrix pads which work well, got some E-Matrix to try next.
Green o-rings for shock and fork (not fitted yet), I had to get the fork one from China.
Matt/Gloss PPF applied here and there which is a bit scabby in places.
Specialized updated parts to look out for -
Motor vent area sealing. Lots of people had issues with leaves and mud getting into the motor area via a gap between the motor and rear wheel, this vastly improved the issue.
4 bolt motor casing. Original was 3 bolts, which allowed a bit of a gap at the edge.
Seat stay suspension link. Improved clearance between the link and seat tube at full suspension compression.
Motor to battery cable. The original shroud would tear and allow water ingress, a new cable design improved this.
These 4 updates were supplied by my shop (Pedal Power – West Calder)/Specialized for free in the first couple of years.
The bad news –
Bike was delivered with a battery that had one duff charging light, got a replacement quickly.
I had 2 burps with the standard rear rim. I had never experienced a tyre burp before in 10 years of tubeless riding, or since I changed to the EX511.
I had a rear hub failure where the inner part of the freehub rotated in the shell. I got a complete new wheel rim+hub from my shop after approval from Spec UK.
One motor failure where it was still running but obviously about to die. Got new the new 2.1 version which was noticeably quieter and it’s been perfect since.
Brake hose rub failure where it enters the frame at the front. The metal guide is very sharp and I filed it down a bit but still causing wear.
Overall it’s been great. Not looking to change it anytime soon. Will go for the eBike Motor Centre seal upgrade during the winter to keep it running well. Highly recommend Pedal Power shop.
Biggest change is obviously converting to Mullet which vastly improved the bike for steeper trails.
Fork Lyrik Select 170mm , Rear Wheel Hope Pro4 + DT Swiss EX511 Rim, Super Deluxe Ultimate Shock 210*55m for a little extra travel, about 157mm. All three have been excellent. Running the flip chip in the high position gives HA ~64deg and BB a hair lower. Got a lime sticker for the rim from here -
DT Swiss Ex511 Rim Graphics
DT Swiss Ex511 Rim Graphics 275/650b rim graphics. Set of 10 provided which includes 2 spares. Anodised or Neon colour matched graphics also
www.indibike.co.uk
Rapid Racer Products Mud flap reduces mud/spray from getting in your eyes.
Hope Ebike 165mm Cranks, the original Praxxis were very soft and weak. I bent one when the front slid out on greasy mud with both tyres on the ground. Not a very heavy impact. My shop/Spec UK gave me a replacement for free, very impressive when it was my fault for crashing. I bent another after landing from a waist high drop to a slight upslope without crashing. So changed to the Hopes and they have been perfect for years.
SDG Bel Air Ti saddle, very good colour match to the bike and more comfy for me than the Spec saddle. Probably try a Bel Air 3 next time. The sponge under the nose is for resting on my shoulder while carrying over gates etc.
One-Up 180mm 31.6mm V2 Dropper + V3 lever + Shim. I missed out on a 34.9mm post so got the 31.6mm for a good price. No problems with the shim and the post can slam to the bottom without clashing with the motor if required in the large frame.
DT Swiss RWS 148mm*12mm HWQASM00S2155S rear axle with my own 3D printed spacer (photo has a second spare I made and have not needed). I like carrying the bike in my car with both wheels off so this is very handy. The standard RWS has a flat inner face where the original has a brass 45 degree washer. Also the axle is a little long for the bike and the spacer fixes both these issues. Still got the .STL file if anyone wants it.
SRAM Centreline 220mm front disc + adapter. Think it was an official SRAM adapter…
Mudhugger FRX (or previous version) Mudguard. Reduces the amount of crap fired at the motor vent gap. This fitted ok with the 29" rear wheel but has better clearance with the 27.5".
Also -
Maxxis Doubledown tyres, I demo'd a Comp with Spec tyres and they were wishy washy and punctured within 200 yards.
Nukeproof Carbon Bar. To reduce trail buzz a little compared to Alu.
Uberbike 12T SRAM 11 Speed Jockey Wheels. The original SRAM seized up after only about 1 year, had these on since and still good.
Uberbike Race-Matrix pads which work well, got some E-Matrix to try next.
Green o-rings for shock and fork (not fitted yet), I had to get the fork one from China.
Matt/Gloss PPF applied here and there which is a bit scabby in places.
Specialized updated parts to look out for -
Motor vent area sealing. Lots of people had issues with leaves and mud getting into the motor area via a gap between the motor and rear wheel, this vastly improved the issue.
4 bolt motor casing. Original was 3 bolts, which allowed a bit of a gap at the edge.
Seat stay suspension link. Improved clearance between the link and seat tube at full suspension compression.
Motor to battery cable. The original shroud would tear and allow water ingress, a new cable design improved this.
These 4 updates were supplied by my shop (Pedal Power – West Calder)/Specialized for free in the first couple of years.
The bad news –
Bike was delivered with a battery that had one duff charging light, got a replacement quickly.
I had 2 burps with the standard rear rim. I had never experienced a tyre burp before in 10 years of tubeless riding, or since I changed to the EX511.
I had a rear hub failure where the inner part of the freehub rotated in the shell. I got a complete new wheel rim+hub from my shop after approval from Spec UK.
One motor failure where it was still running but obviously about to die. Got new the new 2.1 version which was noticeably quieter and it’s been perfect since.
Brake hose rub failure where it enters the frame at the front. The metal guide is very sharp and I filed it down a bit but still causing wear.
Overall it’s been great. Not looking to change it anytime soon. Will go for the eBike Motor Centre seal upgrade during the winter to keep it running well. Highly recommend Pedal Power shop.
