Specialized Levo R: We Rode It. Here's What You Need to Know

[Georgedukesa]

Boys and girls, did anyone actually take the two frames, Levo 4 and Levo R and compare them side by side for geometry. They may have different carbon layup to save the some weight, but I would say the rear tringle from one frame is likely mounted with the same hardware on the other frame, meaning, I would not be surprised that the triangles could be interchangeable. So if you have Levo 4, perhaps it can be made into 29er, with triangle from Levo R. Then all one needs to is swap a link and a shock and it might end up with very similar bikes, plus minus some extra weight. I know it is mix and match, but if I was designing it, I would go this route to preserve some design features to re-use as much hardware between bikes as possible.

I own both bikes and the lengths are different the angles are also different again THEY ARE NOT THE SAME like I mentioned in an earlier post they look similar but that’s where the buck stops the rear linkages also complete different The actual length of the top tube is shorter so on and so forth

 

[Citylad77]

Get to ride one of the new R later this month, really looking forward to it based on the feedback from those that I know that have ridden it. Sadly looks like sales are slow here in UK one shop had not sold any as of last Monday.

 

[Polar]

Get to ride one of the new R later this month, really looking forward to it based on the feedback from those that I know that have ridden it. Sadly looks like sales are slow here in UK one shop had not sold any as off last Monday.

My LBS sold out the first week.

 

[Ribinrobin]

Definitely different Frames may look similar but that’s it the angles the lengths all different

the shock mountings the most obivous change

 

[Georgedukesa]

I own both bikes and the lengths are different the angles are also different again THEY ARE NOT THE SAME like I mentioned in an earlier post they look similar but that’s where the buck stops the rear linkages also complete different The actual length of the top tube is shorter so on and so forth

Right lads brakes are 2 grams heavier Hope Evo 4 Gr4 weighed with matchmaker the SRAM is 302 grams vs Hope 305 with clamp

 

[Albertocsoares]

Rode a Comp Carbon R yesterday and really enjoyed it. It's 2 kg lighter than my old G4 Expert. I rode mostly in Turbo and Auto+ modes, trying my best to beat my Amflow Strava times but unfortunately the power difference is too big. If I decided to buy a Specialized again, that’s the one I would choose based on my riding style.

 

[Georgedukesa]

Rode a Comp Carbon R yesterday and really enjoyed it. It's 2 kg lighter than my old G4 Expert. I rode mostly in Turbo and Auto+ modes, trying my best to beat my Amflow Strava times but unfortunately the power difference is too big. If I decided to buy a Specialized again, that’s the one I would choose based on my riding style.

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I’ve got the same bike , I changed the seat to a Specialized Sworks , the dropper to one up V3 ,cranks to xx the handle bars to Raceface Arc and stem to industry 9 A35 lastly the pedals to Look Ti clips and the weight came down to 21.6 kg it’s a very different bike now

 

[DuncanDoughnuts]

can anyone check what the clearance is like on the back chain stay yoke and the seat post tube when fully compressed?

And is there any truth to the rumour that the fox float has a travel reducer spacer in it and taking it out would give 140mm rear travel? anyone keen to experiment?

 

[DylanJM]

can anyone check what the clearance is like on the back chain stay yoke and the seat post tube when fully compressed?

And is there any truth to the rumour that the fox float has a travel reducer spacer in it and taking it out would give 140mm rear travel? anyone keen to experiment?

If it came with a 190x40mm shock I would say yes but coming with a 190x45mm makes me think it's unlikely.

 

[berglex]

I dunno, I mean I’m struggling to see how this isn’t an attractive bike? Looks are always subjective, and fashions change.

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For some, it’s clearly important that looks come first, for others it’s not.

Good to hear that it actually rides well, which for me is one of the important things for, er, actually riding a bike?!

I just think it’s a shame that every review is followed by “lolz, look at the phat batteryz tube thingy” as the main takeaway.

It’s perfectly possible to like this bike and aesthetically different ones like the Mith or even the Amflow, at the same time. When did things get so tribal in the land of EMTB?

Now more than ever people need to just get out and ride whatever it is you’ve got and get over ourselves.

I dunno, I mean I’m struggling to see how this isn’t an attractive bike? Looks are always subjective, and fashions change.

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For some, it’s clearly important that looks come first, for others it’s not.

Good to hear that it actually rides well, which for me is one of the important things for, er, actually riding a bike?!

I just think it’s a shame that every review is followed by “lolz, look at the phat batteryz tube thingy” as the main takeaway.

It’s perfectly possible to like this bike and aesthetically different ones like the Mith or even the Amflow, at the same time. When did things get so tribal in the land of EMTB?

Now more than ever people need to just get out and ride whatever it is you’ve got and get over ourselves.

lolz, look at the phat batteryz tube thingy

 

[erider1]

lolz, look at the phat batteryz tube thingy

Looks like Aventon, with their full suspension "Current" model, is teaching some lessons to Specialized designers now. Hope they are paying attention !!
* Narrower downtube.
* Properly removable battery- slide out saves likely a ton of weight, compared to side door..
* Touch screen and plenty of functions that would be really nice to have, customization of the screens and functionality of remote.*
* Perhaps even the wireless-ness of remote
* And most importantly the PRICE !!!

 

[DylanJM]

* Properly removable battery- slide out saves likely a ton of weight, compared to side door..

I mean Spoecilized had this on the Levo 2/3 and Kenevo. It was a deliberate move to go away from that design on the Levo 4.

 

[erider1]

I mean Spoecilized had this on the Levo 2/3 and Kenevo. It was a deliberate move to go away from that design on the Levo 4.

Fair enough, maybe deliberate, but not necessarily good decision, just my opinion...
Building door like this weakens the tube, add more material, makes bike heavier, makes it unsighly...
With the prices for spare batteries as they set them!! , I seriously doubt that many users will keep on hand another $1000 spare battery. and do any swapping frequently.
And to spend 3-5 mins to slide the battery out on bottom after removing the bottom cover is pretty fast.

 

[luna87824]

What was the update on the Levo 4 SWAT™ Bag? Is it also new and improved!!

 

[Ride 2d@y]

With the prices for spare batteries as they set them!! , I seriously doubt that many users will keep on hand another $1000 spare battery.

I wish Specialized offered a choice of 600 or 840 at original sale and/or offered a discounted price for a second battery then people would enjoy the benefits of battery modularity etc

 

[jlwoody]

I rode the Levo G3 and now the G4 expert. Probably been said, but I don’t get this R model — totally feels like a non-starter if they don’t:

1) use the 600 W battery

2) slim down the fat large battery frame

3) utilize the battery extender option to make it 840W (600 + 240), if folks wanted to … As they could also JUST use the extender sometimes … for a really rally e-ride!

What’s the point of making a ‘rally’ bike, if those 3 are not addressed… not that I care, as I don’t want one … but Spesh had a great opportunity here… as it’s a very different style of riding, and folks like me, could actually buy each for different conditions / trails…

 

[erider1]

3) utilize the battery extender option to make it 840W (600 + 240), if folks wanted to … As they could also JUST use the extender sometimes … for a really rally e-ride!

right, I am also wondering why someone did not come with modular battery design yet. Might be more challenging, for sure. I believe there would be a market for it and perhaps the $1000 price tag would be justified for that as well.
Have the 840Wh consist of 3 modules and use which ever number of modules you like.
I understand there are challenges of safety and load balancing those individual module and varied degradation of separate modules but I still would be interested in that option and believe others too... close to home use one pack say 2/5 of the full battery and for longer trips perhaps 4/5 or 5/5 of full battery. Considering that 840 Wh battery is using 50x 21700 cells. and I believe even with the modules they should be able to keep the same current weight.
If 50x 21700 ~ 50x 70g = 3500g (weight if the batteries).... they currently use full 1000g for BMC and shell ??.. that is crazy heavy. So a bit more weight added for individual modules casing, which could be super lightweight and then removing some weight from current full battery case, could leave overall battery weight unchanged, perhaps....