Article Specialized Levo SL is a 16.9KG Super Light emtb

[Fx1]

If you dont get 15% off then you didnt haggle with the right shop. I'd also say the expert is the minimum spec I'd consider in their whole range now. Anything below is too gimped

I thought 10% off was pretty decent considering the bike was only released 4 days prior to ordering.

15% is available from day 1.

 

[Rusty]

On the ‘free’ bike aspect, all manufacturers loan bikes out to media outlets to test. I have a test bike. It’s not mine. I do not own it. At some point Specialized will ask for it back.

That is how it has always been for pretty much any vehicle. I started test riding MX bikes for some magazines in the 70's and got into all sorts of product testing over the years. From about 1999 onwards I have been involved with several American MX websites with a lot of testing involved and things were pretty much the same as in the 70's. Bikes were either short or long term loans, but things like helmets, boots etc were usually supplied and not required back - which allowed our test riders to always have new looking gear for photo sessions.

Promotion and marketing is what it is and no matter what the noddies at the EU think, things will continue as they have I believe.

 

[p3eps]

15% is available from day 1.

I’ll try some re-negotiation when I go collect it on Monday!

 

[Fx1]

15% is available from day 1.

I’ll try some re-negotiation when I go collect it on Monday!

Bike discounts dont increase until the next years models hit and even then specialized seem to be cutting stock holding rather than dropping price. Dealer margin is the same on day 1 as it is 6 months later I believe. Stock availability is another matter though. But all a dealer does is order from specialized and if they have stock they send it no matter who it is.

I drove an hour to a bike shop to see a whyte with the hint hint promise of a deal on a e180. Got there and battery was flat and the discount was £250. Never again.

 

[miPbiP]

thread getting quite off topic. @Fx1 your points on the SL are fair, I don't think people here are naive about what they're buying.

 

[Zimmerframe]

They do the SL-SL version without the suspension for people who want even lighter or want to save money. You can save £750 on the base model or £500 on the comp carbon. (No savings if want an expert) The Creo is there for you.

 

[Fx1]

They do the SL-SL version without the suspension for people who want even lighter or want to save money. You can save £750 on the base model or £500 on the comp carbon. (No savings if want an expert) The Creo is there for you.

Dont forget the SL SL SL version. Comes with a 3 month diet and 12kg of weight loss. Lose another 4kg and the bike in theory weighs nothing

 

[levity]

Hope you receive and get to enjoy you Decoy soon, @Fx1.
Then you can post in the YT forum. We’ll miss you here ?

 

[etoni]

love that thing. me first ride.

 

[Kiwi in Wales]

love that thing. me first ride.


View attachment 26018

View attachment 26019

Wow, great trail to ride with great scenery and some very sketchy skinny parts to navigate through A long way down if you came off in the wrong place Also, you wouldn’t want to be scared of heights in some places by the look of it
Very good distance and over 1000 metres of climbing on a 320Wh battery? I could not tell in the video if it was a water bottle or an extender in your bottle cage.
What percentage of battery was left after the ride was finished?
What have you got Eco, Trail and Turbo set to?
How much do you weigh?
Becoming more and more interested in the SL after seeing your ride and the statistics from it

 

[Zimmerframe]

Whilst it wouldn't tell you the whole story, it would be interesting to see some stats comparing the SL to 700wh Levo's out in the wild. You'd have to read between the lines a bit as presumably more SL purchasers are riders who are happier to put in more physical effort on climbs compared to FF Levo owners.

Mission Control logs all this. I wonder if Spesh could provide some figures to present a broad overview of real world performance and usage to help prospective purchasers ? For instance , comparing the average distance and climbs of SL and FF owners. The maximum distances and climbs of SL and FF owners. Average and Maximum motor and rider powers over given distances ? Without over thinking it - that sort of thing ???

@Specialized Rider Care ??

 

[Kiwi in Wales]

Agree but with stats from both FF Levo batteries.
The 500Wh and the 700Wh v SL 320Wh and then......
The 500Wh and the 700Wh v SL 320Wh with the 160Wh extender

This would also give people with the older Levos and Kenevos with the older 504Wh batteries a more informed idea of what they could achieve on an SL if they were on the fence and possibly thinking of the impact if they were to move to an SL.

 

[R120]

Just thinking about it, you should really be able to get pretty decent range out of the SL. The ride below was the first ever EMTB forums group ride from 2018, and one of the members on the ride was riding a middle of the range Focus Jam2 with the e8000 motor, and internal 378wh battery. IIRCC they rode mostly in Eco and Trail and managed to finish the ride with 1 bar of battery left, and given that the SL is a more efficient system on a lighter bike, you must be looking at more than that left in the tank over a similar distance.

 

[Peter Hill]

I would like see a comparison test of a difference in rider fitness on the SL as most of the reviewers tend to be fit and athletic riders, who can pedal a std mountain bike up steep hills anyway !

Agree but with stats from both FF Levo batteries.
The 500Wh and the 700Wh v SL 320Wh and then......
The 500Wh and the 700Wh v SL 320Wh with the 160Wh extender

This would also give people with the older Levos and Kenevos with the older 504Wh batteries a more informed idea of what they could achieve on an SL if they were on the fence and possibly thinking of the impact if they were to move to an SL.

I think if your ‘on the fence’ the only way to really decided if the SL is the bike for you is to demo one. ?I would like think I could ride one around the trails I currently use but I’m unsure if I would enjoy it as much. I never really use turbo but I do ride in trail mode quite a lot up the steeper more technical bits. However, these are lighter bikes so maybe it would be a bit easier? I’m definitely not as fit or skilful as the other riders in the group so maybe I would get left behind on the uphill sections as well as the downhill. I could see myself riding in Turbo a lot on the SL to keep up and maybe the battery would quickly drain? All unknowns really any feedback from less fit riders would be useful?

 

[Doomanic]

I was hoping to be able give a view of the bike from a fat bloke's perspective today, but the weather cried foul on that. Hopefully it won't be too long before they reschedule.

 

[Paul Mac]

I was hoping to be able give a view of the bike from a fat bloke's perspective today, but the weather cried foul on that. Hopefully it won't be too long before they reschedule.

I'll be interested in your perspective as a rail owner ?

 

[Fx1]

I was hoping to be able give a view of the bike from a fat bloke's perspective today, but the weather cried foul on that. Hopefully it won't be too long before they reschedule.

Be interesting to hear the logic of a light bike with a heavy rider.

 

[Blinkie]

Just thinking about it, you should really be able to get pretty decent range out of the SL. The ride below was the first ever EMTB forums group ride from 2018, and one of the members on the ride was riding a middle of the range Focus Jam2 with the e8000 motor, and internal 378wh battery. IIRCC they rode mostly in Eco and Trail and managed to finish the ride with 1 bar of battery left, and given that the SL is a more efficient system on a lighter bike, you must be looking at more than that left in the tank over a similar distance.

View attachment 26038

View attachment 26039

When I demo'ed it I probably tanked the turbo mode more than I should've. So for me I reckon I could get more range out of it

 

[Doomanic]

Be interesting to hear the logic of a light bike with a heavy rider.

I don't think there's much logic to it at all. The SL isn't aimed at people like me; it's been developed to get the fence-sitting fit riders onto an eBike and Spesh is the only game in town so will corner the market for a year at least, maybe two.
For me, I expect what I lose on the climbs will far outweigh the gains on the descents but the chance to ride it on my home trails is too good to turn down.

 

[Peter Hill]

I don't think there's much logic to it at all. The SL isn't aimed at people like me; it's been developed to get the fence-sitting fit riders onto an eBike and Spesh is the only game in town so will corner the market for a year at least, maybe two.
For me, I expect what I lose on the climbs will far outweigh the gains on the descents but the chance to ride it on my home trails is too good to turn down.

I think your right Specialised would like to see the riders who are currently on std bikes embrace e-bikes as it’s such a big market if they can be convinced? Guys like me are all already converted and would never go back to a none assisted bike, but a lighter one would be welcome ?Forums like this and EMBN helped me to decide along with the excellent reviews by Rob and the like. Bike manufacturers now realise what an asset the current users are in helping to persuade the masses.

 

[paquo]

The SL isn't aimed at people like me;.

me neither, i need the full phat levo so i can quickly get by all the hecklers, i can't imagine going the same speed and having to endure that all day

 

[p3eps]

I would like see a comparison test of a difference in rider fitness on the SL as most of the reviewers tend to be fit and athletic riders, who can pedal a std mountain bike up steep hills anyway !

I’m an average rider with average fitness.
I cycle for a couple of hours at the weekend, play golf, and don’t do much else. I’m 6ft 1 3/4” tall and weigh about 83kg (not in riding gear).

I did the same route 3 times. First week on a 2017 Stumpjumper Expert, second week on. Trek Rail 9.9, and third week on a Levo SL Expert.
510m elevation and 10.2 miles.
Times are moving time only - and exclude any water stops / rests....
Stumpjumper: 1hr 20mins
Levo SL Expert: 1hr
Trek Rail 9.9: 46mins

I made 3 videos for comparison, but haven’t bothered editing them together yet to make them interesting enough to post!! I thought it’d be good for people to see the same person doing the same route on the different types of bike... rather than a normal guy vs a professional athlete!

 

[Paul Mac]

I’m an average rider with average fitness.
I cycle for a couple of hours at the weekend, play golf, and don’t do much else. I’m 6ft 1 3/4” tall and weigh about 83kg (not in riding gear).

I did the same route 3 times. First week on a 2017 Stumpjumper Expert, second week on. Trek Rail 9.9, and third week on a Levo SL Expert.
510m elevation and 10.2 miles.
Times are moving time only - and exclude any water stops / rests....
Stumpjumper: 1hr 20mins
Levo SL Expert: 1hr
Trek Rail 9.9: 46mins

I made 3 videos for comparison, but haven’t bothered editing them together yet to make them interesting enough to post!! I thought it’d be good for people to see the same person doing the same route on the different types of bike... rather than a normal guy vs a professional athlete!

Do the edit, I think it will be interesting ?

 

[Gary]

I don't think there's much logic to it at all. The SL isn't aimed at people like me; it's been developed to get the fence-sitting fit riders onto an eBike and Spesh is the only game in town so will corner the market for a year at least, maybe two.
For me, I expect what I lose on the climbs will far outweigh the gains on the descents but the chance to ride it on my home trails is too good to turn down.

I'm neither fence sitting or particualrly fit. I can still climb on non-motorised mtbs with 20yr younger riding mates but (mainly due to riding an Emtb too much) I'm nowhere near as fit as I once was. If I had a hankering for a 29er trail bike (I really really don't). I'd be pretty interested in an SL.

To me the main point in the SL would be to have an Emtb that doesn't handle like a 50lb mountain bike.
That doesn't just mean climbs or descents.
The improved handling traits of that 10-12lb lighter overall weight should come into play massively every single time you change direction, hop, pop, manual, brake, accelerate etc.

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

To me the main point in the SL would be to have an Emtb that doesn't handle like a 50lb mountain bike.
That doesn't just mean climbs or descents.
The improved handling traits of that 10-12lb lighter overall weight should come into play massively every single time you change direction, hop, pop, manual, brake, accelerate etc.

Exactly why I want one

 

[Kiwi in Wales]

I would like see a comparison test of a difference in rider fitness on the SL as most of the reviewers tend to be fit and athletic riders, who can pedal a std mountain bike up steep hills anyway !
I think if your ‘on the fence’ the only way to really decided if the SL is the bike for you is to demo one. ?I would like think I could ride one around the trails I currently use but I’m unsure if I would enjoy it as much. I never really use turbo but I do ride in trail mode quite a lot up the steeper more technical bits. However, these are lighter bikes so maybe it would be a bit easier? I’m definitely not as fit or skilful as the other riders in the group so maybe I would get left behind on the uphill sections as well as the downhill. I could see myself riding in Turbo a lot on the SL to keep up and maybe the battery would quickly drain? All unknowns really any feedback from less fit riders would be useful?

Hoping to get one booked in for a demo soon just waiting for the lbs to confirm a date.

 

[Waynetta]

If weather doesn’t go mental again I’ve got one booked for next weekend. Hoping to get a 30 mile 2500ft climbing ride in on Saturday and then a hour n half blasting round trail centre (Haldon hill or Bodmin ) on the Sunday. Fingers crossed.

 

[Fojsum]

I just ordered the YT Decoy. £4300 with full fox elite suspension and XT drive train in full carbon. 160mm travel.

I could buy a spare battery and motor and still have money left over before I even got to specialized expert model price.

Dont be fooled in to this local bike store crap either most are chains and dont give a crap. You ain't supporting a mom and pop store usually and even then they will still fix a problem cheap. Only big warranty claims need to go back. If I cant use the bike I'll go to the pub or do one of my other sports it's really no big deal.

Specialized are ripping off the uk Ive seen a price in europe which was 17% full rrp less. They also breach uk and European law. Explain why euro dealers are not allowed to ship to uk inside the so called single market? Dealers are scared to show discounted 2020 bikes online which is also illegal price control. All the videos online are paid propaganda nearly all breach uk law because they fail to inform it's not a review it's a paid promotion.

That comp model is a joke. My 2016 stumpjumper had better suspension and spec. One levo model didnt even come with a dropper post!!!

Well maybe it's different in the UK. But all my local bike shops are locally owned and operated. Same guy that owns the shop is the same guy that turns the wrench when I take my bike in to have it worked on. They are involved in the community and advocate for local trails and local riders. They spend free time maintaining local trails and residing over local clubs. They have money tied up in a shop and inventory so I can actually see and test what I'm about to buy. So yeah, I want to support them. Now, I also appreciate the YT model and think they build great bikes at a great value. If they had something similar to an SL I would even consider it, but they don't. So you enjoy your decoy and we will enjoy are SL.

 

[Fivetones]

@Fojsum this is exactly why I go to my local bike shop (Blazing Saddles, Hebden Bridge, UK). Community minded folk and a part of a thriving Calder Valley cycling community along with people like Singletrack magazine.

@Fx1 this is also why screwing the bike shop out of every last ounce of discount etc doesn’t pay. I want mine to survive.

 

[Fx1]

I just ordered the YT Decoy. £4300 with full fox elite suspension and XT drive train in full carbon. 160mm travel.

I could buy a spare battery and motor and still have money left over before I even got to specialized expert model price.

Dont be fooled in to this local bike store crap either most are chains and dont give a crap. You ain't supporting a mom and pop store usually and even then they will still fix a problem cheap. Only big warranty claims need to go back. If I cant use the bike I'll go to the pub or do one of my other sports it's really no big deal.

Specialized are ripping off the uk Ive seen a price in europe which was 17% full rrp less. They also breach uk and European law. Explain why euro dealers are not allowed to ship to uk inside the so called single market? Dealers are scared to show discounted 2020 bikes online which is also illegal price control. All the videos online are paid propaganda nearly all breach uk law because they fail to inform it's not a review it's a paid promotion.

That comp model is a joke. My 2016 stumpjumper had better suspension and spec. One levo model didnt even come with a dropper post!!!

Well maybe it's different in the UK. But all my local bike shops are locally owned and operated. Same guy that owns the shop is the same guy that turns the wrench when I take my bike in to have it worked on. They are involved in the community and advocate for local trails and local riders. They spend free time maintaining local trails and residing over local clubs. They have money tied up in a shop and inventory so I can actually see and test what I'm about to buy. So yeah, I want to support them. Now, I also appreciate the YT model and think they build great bikes at a great value. If they had something similar to an SL I would even consider it, but they don't. So you enjoy your decoy and we will enjoy are SL.

The light concept is a good idea. Nothing wrong with that.

I went for a decoy because it's a proper gravity focused enduro bike. The easier I can go back up the more time I can go back down. The levo doesnt have the geo for me. Which is why you see so many people falling off them on YouTube. Same happens when you push a stumpjumper.