Levo Gen 4 Specialized Gen 4 Levo - Official Thread

Hitorogoshi said:
"that sound you hear when slowly moving the bike backwards is quite normal on most motors"
Click to expand...
Starocca said:
"It’s a characteristic of that motor."
Click to expand...

So, meanwhile I'm also convinced, that this clicking noise (slowly rotating backwards) is a normal characteristic of the new specialized 3.1 motor.
From my research / survey (results from different platforms, e.g. MTB-news.de, YouTube comments, this thread) it seems that the vast majority of those who responded (owners who checked actually and gave feedback), so 8 out of 10, have this clicking noise when turning backwards. Means, no need to worry about that, its anyway only noticeable in very few situations when handling the bike without sitting on it. IT doesn't bother me and the Bike is anyway super fun on the trail.

However, I still experience a kind of rattle which sounds similar, so like chain/motor rattle when going through rough sections on trail, which I didn't experienced with my old Shimano E8000 motor. (Its definitely not the battery, I adjusted the battery-nest and also added some foam in that area, so everything is fixed and quiet there.) It's nowhere near as noticeable as with a friend's EP8 motor, but it's still there and its kind of disappointing, cause I really believed that the 3.1 motor is as silent as the new Bosch G5.

I would like to know, how is that for you? Do you also noticed some limited rattling like I described or not at all and your bikes are dead silent :)
 
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I've had a G4 Comp for 3 months and driven over 1,000 km in various terrains and situations, and so far I haven't had any engine noises. The only noise that bothers me is the SWAT, which shakes on rougher terrain. I recommend removing the SWAT to check if it makes any noise.
 
PaulH2B said:
So, meanwhile I'm also convinced, that this clicking noise (slowly rotating backwards) is a normal characteristic of the new specialized 3.1 motor.
From my research / survey (results from different platforms, e.g. MTB-news.de, YouTube comments, this thread) it seems that the vast majority of those who responded (owners who checked actually and gave feedback), so 8 out of 10, have this clicking noise when turning backwards. Means, no need to worry about that, its anyway only noticeable in very few situations when handling the bike without sitting on it. IT doesn't bother me and the Bike is anyway super fun on the trail.

However, I still experience a kind of rattle which sounds similar, so like chain/motor rattle when going through rough sections on trail, which I didn't experienced with my old Shimano E8000 motor. (Its definitely not the battery, I adjusted the battery-nest and also added some foam in that area, so everything is fixed and quiet there.) It's nowhere near as noticeable as with a friend's EP8 motor, but it's still there and its kind of disappointing, cause I really believed that the 3.1 motor is as silent as the new Bosch G5.

I would like to know, how is that for you? Do you also noticed some limited rattling like I described or not at all and your bikes are dead silent :)
Click to expand...
Does that mean im going to explode the motor when I do a fakie ? My gen 3 does fakes no problem.
 
PaulH2B said:
So, meanwhile I'm also convinced, that this clicking noise (slowly rotating backwards) is a normal characteristic of the new specialized 3.1 motor.
From my research / survey (results from different platforms, e.g. MTB-news.de, YouTube comments, this thread) it seems that the vast majority of those who responded (owners who checked actually and gave feedback), so 8 out of 10, have this clicking noise when turning backwards. Means, no need to worry about that, its anyway only noticeable in very few situations when handling the bike without sitting on it. IT doesn't bother me and the Bike is anyway super fun on the trail.

However, I still experience a kind of rattle which sounds similar, so like chain/motor rattle when going through rough sections on trail, which I didn't experienced with my old Shimano E8000 motor. (Its definitely not the battery, I adjusted the battery-nest and also added some foam in that area, so everything is fixed and quiet there.) It's nowhere near as noticeable as with a friend's EP8 motor, but it's still there and its kind of disappointing, cause I really believed that the 3.1 motor is as silent as the new Bosch G5.

I would like to know, how is that for you? Do you also noticed some limited rattling like I described or not at all and your bikes are dead silent :)
Click to expand...
So the Bosch turned out to be completely silent, the amflow rattles a tiny bit but how much?

I'm really picky about noise so it would be cool if you guys could go to the bottom of this so I know which motor I should aim for in my next bike. ^^
 
Hello everyone, especially to all Levo 4 owners, I've got some good news and some bad news for you.

Yesterday, I had a chat with Specialized Rider Care support, and afterwards I went to my local dealer to discuss the motor rattling issue in more detail.
So, according to Specialized, there’s no known issue with the motor making problematic noises. What we’re hearing and talking about (the sounds I showed in my video and which we talked about on the last pages) is considered “normal” and nothing to worry about. If there are unusually loud rattling sounds or actual problems, they recommend contacting your dealer.

At the shop, I spoke with a bike mechanic about the issue. He listened carefully, took the bike for a test ride, understood what I was pointing out, and was open to reasonable solutions.
Then we went into the showroom where about a dozen brand-new Levo 4s were on display. We ran a few tests on those bikes to see if we could reproduce the motor rattling. Turns out, every single one of them had the same kind of rattling noise to some extent. On the alloy models, it was a bit less noticeable because the frame doesn’t resonate as much.

So it became clear: even if we swapped the motor on my bike under warranty, it would behave exactly the same.
The good news: our bikes are technically fine.
The bad news: the Specialized 3.1 motor just isn’t rattle-free like, say, the Bosch Gen 5.

Those who claim their Levo 4 motor doesn’t have this issue are usually just people who aren’t sensitive to it—or it’s simply not something they care about or even notice. You could say those people are lucky. Some also say the noise doesn’t come from the motor at all, but from the chain, well that also says something when folks cannot distinguish between the noise cause.

Honestly, I’m pretty disappointed with Specialized. I believed the marketing hype and all those YouTube influencers claiming the motor was silent. Well, it’s not, or at least not completely. During the test ride before buying, on paved roads and light off-road sections, I didn’t notice it right away—so yeah, partly my fault. If I had known what I know now, I would’ve seriously reconsidered buying the Levo 4.

Now the only options are to live with it or try solutions like the O-Chain or e*thirteen Side-Kick hubs,so parts which reduce pedal kickback and should help minimize the motor rattle.
 
I have 500kms on my SW gen4, and i am on the Lucky side as i never noticed any rattle noise even in very rocky hard fast sections we have here in south of France

The only noise i have noticed is when i drop off the bike from my van and when i push my bike backward
 
PaulH2B said:
Hello everyone, especially to all Levo 4 owners, I've got some good news and some bad news for you.

Yesterday, I had a chat with Specialized Rider Care support, and afterwards I went to my local dealer to discuss the motor rattling issue in more detail.
So, according to Specialized, there’s no known issue with the motor making problematic noises. What we’re hearing and talking about (the sounds I showed in my video and which we talked about on the last pages) is considered “normal” and nothing to worry about. If there are unusually loud rattling sounds or actual problems, they recommend contacting your dealer.

At the shop, I spoke with a bike mechanic about the issue. He listened carefully, took the bike for a test ride, understood what I was pointing out, and was open to reasonable solutions.
Then we went into the showroom where about a dozen brand-new Levo 4s were on display. We ran a few tests on those bikes to see if we could reproduce the motor rattling. Turns out, every single one of them had the same kind of rattling noise to some extent. On the alloy models, it was a bit less noticeable because the frame doesn’t resonate as much.

So it became clear: even if we swapped the motor on my bike under warranty, it would behave exactly the same.
The good news: our bikes are technically fine.
The bad news: the Specialized 3.1 motor just isn’t rattle-free like, say, the Bosch Gen 5.

Those who claim their Levo 4 motor doesn’t have this issue are usually just people who aren’t sensitive to it—or it’s simply not something they care about or even notice. You could say those people are lucky. Some also say the noise doesn’t come from the motor at all, but from the chain, well that also says something when folks cannot distinguish between the noise cause.

Honestly, I’m pretty disappointed with Specialized. I believed the marketing hype and all those YouTube influencers claiming the motor was silent. Well, it’s not, or at least not completely. During the test ride before buying, on paved roads and light off-road sections, I didn’t notice it right away—so yeah, partly my fault. If I had known what I know now, I would’ve seriously reconsidered buying the Levo 4.

Now the only options are to live with it or try solutions like the O-Chain or e*thirteen Side-Kick hubs,so parts which reduce pedal kickback and should help minimize the motor rattle.
Click to expand...
There was a 3.1 motor that was cut open on the gearing side on the Specialized stand at the Riva del Garda bike festival in May. You could touch it, hold it, turn the gears, axle, see the gears turn, etc. I wrote it already few posts back that motor had a clear distinctive gear backlash clunk sound when turning the drive axle back&forth quickly. Unfortunately I didn't record I video of it, rememberd that that would be useful to late when I already left Riva.
I must say though I didn't hear motor rattling during the test ride, as the headset bearing on my test bike was crying louder, but honestly it was only a 30min ride with 2 decents and I was a bit hyped.

At first, when I noticed the gear backlash on the display motor my reaction was, WTF it's 2025, eveyone is asking for rattle free motors, all expectations on Spesh, was a bit bummed actually as the bike was a candidate, after the weight penalty, this almost did put the nail in the coffin, still waiting for the 600Wh(did a bit of research batteries are made by a Japanese company) to see if the range figures with a dowtuned motor will be enough for my home hill. As I was impressed with the smoothness of the motor(not power) and the new Shock working so smooth), the Levo it's still among the candidates.

I am pretty sure they wouldn't put a motor like that on display in Riva if it wasn't more or less designed like that. My thoughts are that the 105 mil budget cut that Merida had to do, also relating to Specialized probably had some affect on everything, probably r&d also suffered and the product wasn't finished as wished unfortunately.

Oh well the choice of bikes and motors is getting huge, plenty new options in 2026...so happy hunting and good riding to all the existing and new Levo riders even if it rattles a bit ✌️ everyone will know you're coming down the hill, saying...ahh there comes Joe with the Levo 😜
 
there were/are plenty of comments a bouts freewheel motor rattle on the Gen4 Bosch, yet I have not experienced it on any of my Bosch motored bikes........all the same brand, Whyte enduro bikes, and a Cube hardtail.

The cause of the rattle is the meshing of 2 metal gears and whether straight cut or helical there has to be some free play or the meshing of the gears would create too much resistance. What agitates those gears when coasting is the chain tugging the chainwheel since the chain length effectively shortens and lengthens as the rear triangle compresses.....................just how much of that effect you get depends on how you set up the shock and the kinematics of the rear triangle. one you can change...one you are mostly stuck with!

My advice is firstly to ensure you have a rear shock with full compression and rebound adjustment and then try different settings to smooth out chain grab as much as you can.Typically a slower high and low speed rebound should help. ( I always set SAG on my shocks at 30%.
 
PaulH2B said:
Hello everyone, especially to all Levo 4 owners, I've got some good news and some bad news for you.

Yesterday, I had a chat with Specialized Rider Care support, and afterwards I went to my local dealer to discuss the motor rattling issue in more detail.
So, according to Specialized, there’s no known issue with the motor making problematic noises. What we’re hearing and talking about (the sounds I showed in my video and which we talked about on the last pages) is considered “normal” and nothing to worry about. If there are unusually loud rattling sounds or actual problems, they recommend contacting your dealer.

At the shop, I spoke with a bike mechanic about the issue. He listened carefully, took the bike for a test ride, understood what I was pointing out, and was open to reasonable solutions.
Then we went into the showroom where about a dozen brand-new Levo 4s were on display. We ran a few tests on those bikes to see if we could reproduce the motor rattling. Turns out, every single one of them had the same kind of rattling noise to some extent. On the alloy models, it was a bit less noticeable because the frame doesn’t resonate as much.

So it became clear: even if we swapped the motor on my bike under warranty, it would behave exactly the same.
The good news: our bikes are technically fine.
The bad news: the Specialized 3.1 motor just isn’t rattle-free like, say, the Bosch Gen 5.

Those who claim their Levo 4 motor doesn’t have this issue are usually just people who aren’t sensitive to it—or it’s simply not something they care about or even notice. You could say those people are lucky. Some also say the noise doesn’t come from the motor at all, but from the chain, well that also says something when folks cannot distinguish between the noise cause.

Honestly, I’m pretty disappointed with Specialized. I believed the marketing hype and all those YouTube influencers claiming the motor was silent. Well, it’s not, or at least not completely. During the test ride before buying, on paved roads and light off-road sections, I didn’t notice it right away—so yeah, partly my fault. If I had known what I know now, I would’ve seriously reconsidered buying the Levo 4.

Now the only options are to live with it or try solutions like the O-Chain or e*thirteen Side-Kick hubs,so parts which reduce pedal kickback and should help minimize the motor rattle.
Click to expand...
I feel your pain. I have been chasing minor rattles in my gen4 expert and was worried it was the motor but I have been able to fix them so i dont think you can blame the motor internals. Lose bolts are the main problem. got to check every one and add locktite to any lose ones, battery cover can make noise even if its dirty so clean and lube the edges. cables can get unsnapped in the down tube and flop around. Take the motor out (which is very easy now) and tighened the battery plate with bike upside down, pushing it down firmly while tightening. also check the mess of wires above the motor, can be cleaned up and secured better with zip tie. I got mine rattle free and then something started to rattle again after a couple days in the park and a DH race, turned out to be lose main suspension bolt and dusty battery cover. Point is don't hate on the bike because a shop mechanic (with limited time) can't get it quiet. yes its not easy to get and keep quiet but its possible and the bike is awesome so spend some time and do the work yourself.
 
WatermanJim said:
do the work yourself.
Click to expand...
Does this mean that you mean that when you have bought a new emtb or other product for many thousand that you should repair obvious defects to a greater or lesser extent yourself?
No way I'm doing it for free at my spare time when it's a couple of weeks old.
 
PaulH2B said:
Hello everyone, especially to all Levo 4 owners, I've got some good news and some bad news for you.

Yesterday, I had a chat with Specialized Rider Care support, and afterwards I went to my local dealer to discuss the motor rattling issue in more detail.
So, according to Specialized, there’s no known issue with the motor making problematic noises. What we’re hearing and talking about (the sounds I showed in my video and which we talked about on the last pages) is considered “normal” and nothing to worry about. If there are unusually loud rattling sounds or actual problems, they recommend contacting your dealer.

At the shop, I spoke with a bike mechanic about the issue. He listened carefully, took the bike for a test ride, understood what I was pointing out, and was open to reasonable solutions.
Then we went into the showroom where about a dozen brand-new Levo 4s were on display. We ran a few tests on those bikes to see if we could reproduce the motor rattling. Turns out, every single one of them had the same kind of rattling noise to some extent. On the alloy models, it was a bit less noticeable because the frame doesn’t resonate as much.

So it became clear: even if we swapped the motor on my bike under warranty, it would behave exactly the same.
The good news: our bikes are technically fine.
The bad news: the Specialized 3.1 motor just isn’t rattle-free like, say, the Bosch Gen 5.

Those who claim their Levo 4 motor doesn’t have this issue are usually just people who aren’t sensitive to it—or it’s simply not something they care about or even notice. You could say those people are lucky. Some also say the noise doesn’t come from the motor at all, but from the chain, well that also says something when folks cannot distinguish between the noise cause.

Honestly, I’m pretty disappointed with Specialized. I believed the marketing hype and all those YouTube influencers claiming the motor was silent. Well, it’s not, or at least not completely. During the test ride before buying, on paved roads and light off-road sections, I didn’t notice it right away—so yeah, partly my fault. If I had known what I know now, I would’ve seriously reconsidered buying the Levo 4.

Now the only options are to live with it or try solutions like the O-Chain or e*thirteen Side-Kick hubs,so parts which reduce pedal kickback and should help minimize the motor rattle.
Click to expand...
Like I’ve posted above. My new motor doesn’t rattle on downhills any more since it’s been replaced. My wife’s motor doesn’t rattle on downhills either. Both bikes are silent and I was extremely sensitive to it.
 
Starocca said:
Like I’ve posted above. My new motor doesn’t rattle on downhills any more since it’s been replaced. My wife’s motor doesn’t rattle on downhills either. Both bikes are silent and I was extremely sensitive to it.
Click to expand...
Well, than you are one of those who are lucky and happy with bike. Perhaps the rattle which you had before the motor change was something else or another type of rattle, then most folks here are experiencing or at least talking about.
However, happy that you are fine and thanks again for sharing your case.
 
Does the motor seem to rattle when pedaling and hitting the rough stuff?
 
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Starocca said:
Go away troll
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Just click “ignore” and you shouldn’t see his posts any more.

IMG_1622.jpeg
 
It’s just odd that reviews don’t mention the rattle, almost like they being paid not to. Glad Bosch fixed their rattle, this Gen 4 Spesh is a head scratcher for sure, so many issues and so heavy.
 
Did anyone have the stick on skid plate unstick itself? I'm not sure how to reattach it now that the adhesive is defunct.
 
Question about sizing for the Levo 4: I'm 179 cm (5.87) and can fit both the S3 and S4. What will you choose and why? I'm not quite sure about it myself.
 
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