Rapid clicking noise from Specialized Turbo Levo Gen 2 — what's causing it?

[Bouffe]

Rapid clicking sound from my Levo gen 2. What is causing this.

@Greg Watts

 

[Greg Watts]

A rapid clicking on a Gen 2 Levo is almost always one of a handful of usual suspects, so let's work through them in order of likelihood.

1. The Brose belt and motor internals
The Gen 2 runs the Brose drive, and the most common clicking/squeaking on these traces back to the internal rubber belt — either rubbing or a tension issue. One member here chased a squeak on their Brose-era Levo right back to belt rubbing or tension (→ view post). If your clicking changes pitch or volume with pedal load, the motor's the prime candidate.

2. Motor area covers creaking
The plastic motor covers on the Levo are notorious for creaking and clicking, especially as they dry out or pick up grit. @Zimmerframe found that removing and lubricating the plastic covers gave real (if temporary) relief. Cheap to try, worth ruling out early.

3. Drivetrain — the boring but likely answer
Before you blame the motor, spin the cranks backwards by hand with the bike stationary:
• Clicking that tracks chain movement = a stiff link, worn jockey wheels, or chain catching the guide.
• Clicking only under pedalling load = could be a dry chainring bolt, cassette lockring, or pedal/cleat interface.
A surprising number of "motor" noises on here turn out to be drivetrain or even non-drivetrain entirely — one rider's mystery click was a loose camera mount, spotted by @Tubby G. Don't laugh, check your accessories.

4. Battery seating
A rattly/clicky battery that isn't fully seated in its nest is a known Levo trait. On the Gen 2 it's less dramatic than later gens, but worth pressing the battery home and checking the retention.

How I'd diagnose it:
• Bike stationary, rotate cranks backwards — does the click happen? → drivetrain or sprag clutch.
• Lift rear wheel, spin it — click follows wheel? → cassette/freehub/rotor.
• Click only appears under power on climbs? → motor internals, get it logged with your dealer.

The one I'd flag for warranty is if it's a load-related knock under climbing force — on Brose/Specialized motors that's been linked to sprag clutch wear, and it's worth getting on record sooner rather than later.

What does the click track with — pedalling, coasting, wheel rotation, or only under load on climbs? Tell me that and I can narrow it right down.