Levo SL Gen 1 Official Levo SL Thread

[dasurpha]

Those views ?????

My feelings exactly. Would be great to ride in an open landscape instead of forest trails.

 

[jmulvaney]

Sizing query, I got some good info a few pages back but not quite there. I’m 5ft 9.5 with a 30inch inside leg. What’s the consensus on large or medium ? I’m fairly sure I’d be in a large, but would need to get the 150mm dropper swopped out to a 125. Any experiences welcome please !

Check out this article. Good piece about the sizing. I am 174cm (5ft 8in) & 30" inch leg so going Medium which I was happy with when tested. Did not try large.

First Ride | 2020 Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon Review

 

[TomH79]

Innovate or die.

 

[p3eps]

Has anyone tried fitting a Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate on the rear?
I’ve always preferred Rockshox over Fox, and feel like I’d like something slightly more adjustable than stock.

Just wondering if it’d fit... and should I be getting 210 x 52.5 like the stock Fox?

 

[jcmonty]

How bad the Guide R stock brakes on Carbon Comp really are?

I cannot read many good things about them and having swapped to XT on my previous bikes I wonder if I should do the same right from the start. That said, my regular trails have no long descents but with all my gear on I’m well in the heavyweight class.

Modulation is ok to good, power is not great , and my front brake had a failure within 2 weeks of riding. I swapped to Magura MT7 and finally got the modulation , power I wanted .

If your trails are mellow, more xc flavor, the stock brakes could be fine. If you ride up as a necessity to hit the downs - I would recommend an upgrade

 

[p3eps]

Has anyone tried fitting a Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate on the rear?
I’ve always preferred Rockshox over Fox, and feel like I’d like something slightly more adjustable than stock.

Just wondering if it’d fit... and should I be getting 210 x 52.5 like the stock Fox?

The only one I can find says it’s for a Stumpjumper - but 27.5.
Would that be right?

Rockshox Rear Shock Super Deluxe Ultimate Rct (210X52.5) Debonair, 3.5 Tokens, Lreb/Lcomp, 320Lb Lockoutforce, No Bushing 90 Standard (Includes 6X20 Hardware) 2019+ Stumpjumper 27.5 | Peddlers Cycles

 

[Killswitch73]

The only one I can find says it’s for a Stumpjumper - but 27.5.
Would that be right?

Rockshox Rear Shock Super Deluxe Ultimate Rct (210X52.5) Debonair, 3.5 Tokens, Lreb/Lcomp, 320Lb Lockoutforce, No Bushing 90 Standard (Includes 6X20 Hardware) 2019+ Stumpjumper 27.5 | Peddlers Cycles

Dann that a lot of money for a none coil shock .
not sure if you seen my bike and update but my rock shox super deluxe ultimate coil fits my frame with range extender with a few mm spare . This is only for large or extra large frames only as this wouldn’t fit a medium or lower with extender fitted .I also had to take the 2 black plastic washers off the inside of the cage and put them both together and put them on the outside of the cage on bottom to bring the slant of the cage up at the the bottom and Down at the top so the piggy back don’t hit the battery . Also my shock is 210x55 and 160mm lyriks .

 

[Adejager58]

First time poster long time stalker.

Work in a Specialized store here in Aus. Just took delivery of my New Comp Carbon in black XL. Parts to be installed later this early next and I will post pics.
~ RockShox Lyrik Ultimate 160mm 42mm offset
~ Rockshox Super Deluxe Air or coil (whichever the rep wants to send me im happy with both)
~ SRAM AXS groupset
~ SRAM AXS dropper 170mm
~ Zipp Moto 3Zero wheels
~ SRAM Code RSC 220mm front and 200mm rear
~ Syncros 1 piece carbon bar and stem
~ Maxxis Assegai front and Dissector rear

Dream bike.

 

[jemen]

Innovate or die.

View attachment 30845

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What about the AVG handguards? Are they any good or more for the styling factor?;-)

 

[ImSundee]

How bad the Guide R stock brakes on Carbon Comp really are?

I cannot read many good things about them and having swapped to XT on my previous bikes I wonder if I should do the same right from the start. That said, my regular trails have no long descents but with all my gear on I’m well in the heavyweight class.

In my opinion, they are unfit for purpose, they hardly stop the bike unless you crank on them like king kong , and I'd upgraded the pads. Swapped mine over to some Zee's and wouldn't go back.

 

[TomH79]

What about the AVG handguards? Are they any good or more for the styling factor?;-)

If there are risk to hit something on your trails, I recommend using them.
On my trails I hit always some stick/dry twick so they have been very helpful.

Also on racing in enduro, they use plastic sticks to mark the route so when cornering on tight inside line, i have had several hits on those sticks. Without avs guards, those hits would have pretty evil on my fingers

 

[p3eps]

Dann that a lot of money for a none coil shock .
not sure if you seen my bike and update but my rock shox super deluxe ultimate coil fits my frame with range extender with a few mm spare . This is only for large or extra large frames only as this wouldn’t fit a medium or lower with extender fitted .I also had to take the 2 black plastic washers off the inside of the cage and put them both together and put them on the outside of the cage on bottom to bring the slant of the cage up at the the bottom and Down at the top so the piggy back don’t hit the battery . Also my shock is 210x55 and 160mm lyriks .

I can get it cheaper than that. That was just a site that listed all the specs.
I’ve never used a coil, so not sure what benefit it would have for me over air?
Might be worth me looking into that, as the coil version of the Super Deluxe isn’t really any more expensive than the air.
I just feel that the stock Fox fork doesn’t offer enough low speed adjustment, and no matter how I set it, it’s not comfortable for trail riding.
Seems good for fast single track and downhill, but it’s very ‘bouncy’ on bumpy slower trails.

Good to see that the piggyback fits ok. My frame is XL, so it should be ok too.
Does fitting a 55 instead of a 52.5 not increase your travel?

 

[CJaMTB]

A coil will give you improved small bump sensitivity, the closest air shock I've ridden to that feeling is a Float X2, but will be heavier and has a linear feeling (unless you get one of those adjustable rate springs). Fitting a 55mm stroke will increase the travel, though I don't know specifically by how much for a Levo SL.

 

[CJaMTB]

Anyone on here using a Rockguardz guard on their SL? I have one on my Kenevo and it's invaluable, as I ride really loose, rocky, high speed trails, where it takes some serious abuse (and saves the bike in the process!). Does the Rockguardz SL guard fit over the existing guard, or replace it? It also looks like it extends the coverage up the downtube?

 

[p3eps]

A coil will give you improved small bump sensitivity, the closest air shock I've ridden to that feeling is a Float X2, but will be heavier and has a linear feeling (unless you get one of those adjustable rate springs). Fitting a 55mm stroke will increase the travel, though I don't know specifically by how much for a Levo SL.

So a coil will save my back end bouncing so much when I’m riding on trails with small bumps?

The DPS performance doesn’t have much in the way of adjustability for this. I thought a shock like the Super Deluxe Ultimate RCT would give me the ability to tune it to my liking as it has LSC and LSR settings.

I was always under the impression a coil added extra weight, and needed to be set up by a specialist? Probably because I know nothing about them!

 

[CJaMTB]

Yes, a coil will give you a much more 'glued down' feeling to the back end, when set up correctly. The trick with any coil shock is to get the correct spring rate, from there you tune it the same as any other shock. This is where air shocks have an advantage, as they give you the ability to tune the spring rate to very precise figures, whereas with a coil you are using the closest spring rate you can fit. The payoff here is that a coil has less interfaces to cause friction, therefore you get the increased small bump sensitivity and that 'glued down' feel. In short, once you have the correct spring rate and tune, a coil shock will give you much better compliance on rough trails, but it will be heavier than an air shock. If you buy from somewhere like TF Tuned, they will tune the shock for you and your bike, before posting it out.

 

[Killswitch73]

And no there is no

I can get it cheaper than that. That was just a site that listed all the specs.
I’ve never used a coil, so not sure what benefit it would have for me over air?
Might be worth me looking into that, as the coil version of the Super Deluxe isn’t really any more expensive than the air.
I just feel that the stock Fox fork doesn’t offer enough low speed adjustment, and no matter how I set it, it’s not comfortable for trail riding.
Seems good for fast single track and downhill, but it’s very ‘bouncy’ on bumpy slower trails.

Good to see that the piggyback fits ok. My frame is XL, so it should be ok too.
Does fitting a 55 instead of a 52.5 not increase your travel?

yes it increases the travel . Not by much .

And I agree with the stock shock being to plush on slow stuff . You should have no problems with XL frame .

 

[Fivetones]

Isn’t the use of a coil on these bikes (Levo, with such linear curves paired with linear coils) just fashion?

 

[p3eps]

Isn’t the use of a coil on these bikes (Levo, with such linear curves paired with linear coils) just fashion?

I’m not caring about fashion! I’d prefer an air shock if it’s lighter - if I can get a more adjustable one!

I thought the Rockshox Deluxe Ultimate (air) was the equivalent of the Fox DPX2? A few people here had success with the DPX2... but I’d rather have a RS shock.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

A coil also has disadvantages.

It will remove a lot of the pop / playfulness that you get with the Levo SL - it is not as progressive as air, as @Fivetones noted. It will also be slightly heavier (if that bothers you).

 

[p3eps]

The DPX2 or Deluxe Ultimate are going to be heavier than my DPS Performance. I’m not fussed about adding a little extra if it makes a difference to the performance.

I enjoy the playfulness of the SL... and if a coil will lose that, then that’s not what I’m after. Maybe I want to have my cake and eat it - to be able to smooth out some of the smaller bumps AND keep the pop?
I find the DPS bounces quite a bit when pedalling along bumpy trails, and thought a higher spec air shock would have the ability to tune that out?

I’m no suspension expert, so hoping some of you guys here who are can point me in the right direction.
I’ve just sold my original parts - Fox 34 Performance, GX Groupset, x-fusion dropper, G2 RSC brakes... (and my old Garmin 820 auction finishes tonight), so I have a few £’s spare that I can put into the bike!

 

[TomH79]

There is no air shock in the market that offers so much traction ect over coil shock. Dealers will keep telling "coil feel" "coil like" ect but you just cant beat coil when it comes to traction, smoothness, supple... At least my coil il is very poppy and bike is very playful.
Imo little weight extra wont matter really much in ebikes.

When you have coils front and back you can say like vorsprung:

Run over everything.

 

[Killswitch73]

Remember there is sprindex springs that are adjustable . I will get one soon .

 

[eMarc]

In my opinion, they are unfit for purpose, they hardly stop the bike unless you crank on them like king kong , and I'd upgraded the pads. Swapped mine over to some Zee's and wouldn't go back.

I totally agree. I opened a conversation with SRAM support who talked me through the pad advancement process, in the end we both agreed that they were low end brakes and if I wanted more power I should upgrade to a lever with swinglink technology.

I think Specialized spec'd the wrong brakes for this bike.

 

[jcmonty]

Small update - finally got around to adding Cushcore XC (the lighter, smaller version) to my bike. Stock Comp wheels and tires. Pressure F/R dropped from ~ 24/26 to 21.5/23.5 PSI.

Wow! Traction was much improved over how I had the stock, tubeless setup. The damping quality of the setup was the most impressive features as it felt like it maintained momentum over the chatter and small chunk. Cornering felt improved, but I didn't great to smack any berms at high speed.. I might have been able to feel the weight, but only on smooth roads, but keep in mind that the XC variants are significantly less than tubes in terms of weight.

The "feel" to put in perspective made this bike much more akin to my 180mm kenevo with 2.5/2.6 tires and coil in terms of holding a line without bouncing around. Yet, the SL is obviously still more nimble.

If you ride loose, chunky, chattery terrain -or really anything that's not smooth - I highly recommend checking CC out. I think the XC variant is perfect for this bike.

 

[dasurpha]

I totally agree. I opened a conversation with SRAM support who talked me through the pad advancement process, in the end we both agreed that they were low end brakes and if I wanted more power I should upgrade to a lever with swinglink technology.

I think Specialized spec'd the wrong brakes for this bike.

Right, looks like it is unanimous. Probably my old M785’s would be an upgrade.

 

[MrBrownstone]

Rode around on an expert Carbon today. Was shocked how light it was and felt. Motor was quiet with pretty impressive power delivery in all 3 modes. Due to the weight the 35nm of output felt like more than that but definitely didn’t have the fun/wow factor that the more powerful Shimano/Brose/Bosch etc motors give you. I can definitely see fitter/skeptical (haha) folks coming from acoustic bikes loving the SL. Size large fits me perfect (5’11 32 pant) as all large spesh bikes do. I have an epic carbon hardtail. Geo wise I wasn’t wow’d by the SL. Feels like an XC bike with too much travel haha.

 

[jemen]

New motor came yesterday. Took all in all two weeks, even Specialized is a little bit slower during Corona.;-)
I will change it tomorrow, excited how it sounds/feels. I´ll let you know.

 

[TomH79]

Carbon wheels and light shoes, - 900g

 

[soundwave]

Hi all. New user here. I tested Trek Rail 7, Levo Comp Carbon and Levo SL Comp Carbon yesterday and I loved the SL. I felt more like a passenger on the Levo and Trail, but more like a rider on the SL

I am now probably going to buy one. It looks like the Comp Carbons are sold out in Finland in black color and XL. The LBS has Experet Carbon in my size and color, but it doesn't seem to get much love in this thread. It does have carbon wheels, but the SRAM set is still something I might replace with Shimano. Tough choices...

EDIT: The LBS offered a deal on Expert Carbon for 8250€