Preventing spin-out on a 2020 Specialized Turbo Levo — which chainring size?

[TerryH]

I'm on a Specialized Turbo Levo 2020.

I want to prevent spin-out at higher speeds. What chainring do I need.

@Greg Watts

 

[Greg Watts]

Right — 2020 Levo, so you're on the Brose 2.1 motor with the original belt drive. A bit of context before the answer, because "spin-out" can mean two different things and the fix is different for each:

1. Pedal spin-out (legs going round faster than the motor can keep up, ~25 km/h cut-off)

This is the usual one. The 2020 Levo shipped with a 34T chainring as standard. To push the cadence sweet spot higher and stop you spinning out as the assist tapers off at the EU 15.5mph limit, go up to a 36T or 38T. The consensus from older Levo/Kenevo owners on here has been exactly that — @Zimmerframe and others reported a 36T gives a much better gear spread and lets you keep pedalling usefully past the cut-off without that "hamster wheel" feeling. 38T if you spend a lot of time on flatter, faster ground.

Fitment on the 2020 Brose 2.1 motor: it uses the Specialized/Praxis direct-mount spider interface (104 BCD via spider, or direct-mount rings). E*thirteen do a direct-mount chainring that fits the Brose unit, and Praxis offer 34/36/38T options. Avoid anything sold specifically for the Gen 4 Levo — that's a totally new spider mount and won't fit yours (per @Lexle and @Chris_R).

2. Rear wheel spin-out (tyre breaking traction under power on loose climbs)

If that's what you actually mean, a chainring won't help — it's a tyre/pressure/mode issue. Drop a few psi, run a grippier rear (Eddy Current, DHR II, Assegai in softer compound), and back off Turbo on loose stuff so the motor isn't dumping 90Nm into a spinning tyre.

Recommendation

For a 2020 Levo used mostly on UK trails: 36T is the sweet spot — noticeably better top-end without wrecking your climbing gear. Go 38T only if you're frequently on fire roads or tarmac transitions and find yourself spun-out in top gear.

One thing worth checking before you order: confirm whether your bike has the original 2.1 motor or has been updated to a 2.2 under warranty — the chainring fitment is the same, but worth knowing.

Which "spin-out" did you mean — pedals or rear tyre? Happy to get more specific.

 

[TerryH]

Right — 2020 Levo, so you're on the Brose 2.1 motor with the original belt drive. A bit of context before the answer, because "spin-out" can mean two different things and the fix is different for each:

1. Pedal spin-out (legs going round faster than the motor can keep up, ~25 km/h cut-off)

This is the usual one. The 2020 Levo shipped with a 34T chainring as standard. To push the cadence sweet spot higher and stop you spinning out as the assist tapers off at the EU 15.5mph limit, go up to a 36T or 38T. The consensus from older Levo/Kenevo owners on here has been exactly that — @Zimmerframe and others reported a 36T gives a much better gear spread and lets you keep pedalling usefully past the cut-off without that "hamster wheel" feeling. 38T if you spend a lot of time on flatter, faster ground.

Fitment on the 2020 Brose 2.1 motor: it uses the Specialized/Praxis direct-mount spider interface (104 BCD via spider, or direct-mount rings). E*thirteen do a direct-mount chainring that fits the Brose unit, and Praxis offer 34/36/38T options. Avoid anything sold specifically for the Gen 4 Levo — that's a totally new spider mount and won't fit yours (per @Lexle and @Chris_R).

2. Rear wheel spin-out (tyre breaking traction under power on loose climbs)

If that's what you actually mean, a chainring won't help — it's a tyre/pressure/mode issue. Drop a few psi, run a grippier rear (Eddy Current, DHR II, Assegai in softer compound), and back off Turbo on loose stuff so the motor isn't dumping 90Nm into a spinning tyre.

Recommendation

For a 2020 Levo used mostly on UK trails: 36T is the sweet spot — noticeably better top-end without wrecking your climbing gear. Go 38T only if you're frequently on fire roads or tarmac transitions and find yourself spun-out in top gear.

One thing worth checking before you order: confirm whether your bike has the original 2.1 motor or has been updated to a 2.2 under warranty — the chainring fitment is the same, but worth knowing.

Which "spin-out" did you mean — pedals or rear tyre? Happy to get more specific.

Pedal spin-out, what chain ring do I need

 

[Greg Watts]

Pedal spin-out, what chain ring do I need

@TerryH Quick note on my previous reply: I stated the 2020 Levo shipped with a 34T as fact - I should have hedged that. I believe it's correct, but I'd recommend confirming yours physically before ordering (count the teeth or check the stamp on the ring).

That said, the core recommendation stands: Go 36T.

It shifts the cadence range up enough that you're still turning a useful gear as the assist tapers off at the speed limit, rather than spinning out with nothing left to push against. It's the most commonly reported sweet spot for UK trail riding on the 2020 Levo - not so big that you're grinding on climbs, not so small that you're back to the same problem.

38T if you're regularly doing long flat fire-road sections or tarmac transitions where you want genuine top-end. For Essex and general trail riding, 36T is the right call.

Fitment: The 2020 Levo/Brose 2.1 uses a direct-mount spider interface. E*thirteen and Praxis both make compatible rings in 36T - just make sure you're not picking up anything listed for the Gen 4 Levo (different mount entirely).

One extra chain link may or may not be needed - worth checking once it's on, but several owners have fitted 36T without touching the chain length.