Levo SL Gen 1 Wife's 1 month old Turbo Levo SL - won't switch on and dealer issues

[ant0]

Recently replaced my wife's Trek Rail 7 with a shiny new Turbo Levo SL Comp which she loves. However yesterday it refused to switch on, just nothing at all, only delivered about 3 weeks ago too!

We are in Aviemore Scotland and bought it online direct from a Specialized Concept store (Nottingham) so not in a position to take it into them to look at. No problem we thought, Aviemore Bikes is a specialized dealer and 5 mins away - no, phone them explain the situation and they claim they don't deal with levos?! (odd for an supposed official dealer). Next port of call Alpine Bikes Aviemore - they're not keen as we didn't buy the bike from them and say a 3 week wait to get it in to look at. Next port of call will be a Specialised dealer in Inverness and about to call them.

Anyone else had problems of dealers not interested in helping with warranty issues because you didn't buy from them?

Cheers.

PS: Any tips on what may be wrong with the 'no switch on' also welcome as I have a very unhappy wife.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Did it charge normally ?

Could be a loose cable somewhere or possibly the battery in the TCU needs changing - there are various threads on that.

 

[ant0]

Did it charge normally ?

Could be a loose cable somewhere or possibly the battery in the TCU needs changing - there are various threads on that.

Yes, she said it charged normally, went green and put the charger away, then next ride, nothing. Would the TCU battery go on a brand new bike?

 

[Zimmerframe]

Yes, she said it charged normally, went green and put the charger away, then next ride, nothing. Would the TCU battery go on a brand new bike?

Not normally no, but there have been several cases where they have for some reason. Faulty battery, who knows. Worth checking.

 

[ant0]

Update: After getting warranty book in date of 17th November!!! Took the bull by the horns and got it working ??

Took the TCU out and immediately spotted the cause of the problem... The usb rubber cover was hanging open so zero waterproofing. Disconnected the TCU cables and got the wife's hairdryer into it and then reconnected and bingo! Switching on again. Have taped the TCU cable connections and taped the usb cover closed (as I'd seen recommended in an older levo model video). So hopefully that was it and no recurrence ?.

Pretty bloody awful not fit for purpose design though if the rubber cover pops open (or was open from the start).

 

[Zimmerframe]

and got the wife's hairdryer

It's ok if it's yours .... we won't judge you

 

[ant0]

It's ok if it's yours .... we won't judge you

I'm a baldy so no need for one ??

 

[boBE]

Glad you got it fixed, sad that the bike was sold that way. As for the dealer, I am fairly certain that they have to repair any Specialized bike per their contract with Specialized in order to be a dealer. Specialized should be made aware of the shop's stance, the factory rep may "gently" remind the dealers of their obligations. It is pretty shortsighted and poor business of them to be this way.

When I was ready to buy my SL the local shop said they could not get one and advised me to try the online store. The shop found one in about a week so I bought it from them but they have been very helpful with service.

 

[ant0]

I hear what you say about specialized dealers and that was my thought too, I've tagged specialized UK on a social media post on that exact topic and if I don't hear back I'll be contacting them next week (I've DIY fixed this issue but I'm sure there will be the need in future for warranty work). This local shop has said similar to others I'm told and as you say I just don't understand it... business is business and I also don't understand how they can turn warranty work down being an official dealer.

 

[AlwynM]

Yes, you would have thought they'd have jumped at the chance for some warranty work that they could claim direct from Specialized.

 

[ant0]

UPDATE 2: Just went to switch her bike on again to check... nothing. TCU out again and disconnect/reconnect the two connections, now working again. Will monitor but seems odd and not resolved quite yet.

 

[Zimmerframe]

It could also be a bad connection at the other end. I'd still be tempted to change the battery. Each time you play with it you could be warming it up and eecking out just enough power for it to turn on.

 

[ant0]

Spoke with Rutland Nottingham today (super helpful) and then had a related followup email from Specialized Rider Care. The upshot from rider care is that the local dealer 5 mins away can't be contacted by Specialized (and they know that dealer turned me down) and so they pointed us to a dealer either a 4 hour round trip away or a 2 hour round trip away. Neither of which can even look at the bike until 2nd week sept. Given we'd have to drop the bike off then go back to collect that's either 8 hours driving or 4 hours driving and no idea of how long to diagnose, get parts, fix and return.

Now contemplating returning the bike as faulty for a full refund, and buying a new one. Not ideal as she has this one's suspension and cockpit all dialed in.... However she'd have a working bike a LOT faster than the other option.

 

[boBE]

Spoke with Rutland Nottingham today (super helpful) and then had a related followup email from Specialized Rider Care. The upshot from rider care is that the local dealer 5 mins away can't be contacted by Specialized (and they know that dealer turned me down) and so they pointed us to a dealer either a 4 hour round trip away or a 2 hour round trip away. Neither of which can even look at the bike until 2nd week sept. Given we'd have to drop the bike off then go back to collect that's either 8 hours driving or 4 hours driving and no idea of how long to diagnose, get parts, fix and return.

Now contemplating returning the bike as faulty for a full refund, and buying a new one. Not ideal as she has this one's suspension and cockpit all dialed in.... However she'd have a working bike a LOT faster than the other option.

I would go for the return/replace option. It sure seems like Specialized is not helping much so they should send you a new bike. Over here we have a lemon law (for cars) that notes if it spends more than 30 days in the shop the manufacturer has to buy it back. Bikes should get that too, yours is likely to be there more than 30 days, unacceptable!

 

[Underblu]

Recently replaced my wife's Trek Rail 7 with a shiny new Turbo Levo SL Comp which she loves. However yesterday it refused to switch on, just nothing at all, only delivered about 3 weeks ago too!

We are in Aviemore Scotland and bought it online direct from a Specialized Concept store (Nottingham) so not in a position to take it into them to look at. No problem we thought, Aviemore Bikes is a specialized dealer and 5 mins away - no, phone them explain the situation and they claim they don't deal with levos?! (odd for an supposed official dealer). Next port of call Alpine Bikes Aviemore - they're not keen as we didn't buy the bike from them and say a 3 week wait to get it in to look at. Next port of call will be a Specialised dealer in Inverness and about to call them.

Anyone else had problems of dealers not interested in helping with warranty issues because you didn't buy from them?

Cheers.

PS: Any tips on what may be wrong with the 'no switch on' also welcome as I have a very unhappy wife.

Glad you got it working. I had a similar issue with my Heckler MX-S which turned out to be a loose wire.

How did you wife feel about the difference in power between the Bosch on the Trek Rail and the low torque motor on the comp SL?

I took an SL for a spin and missed the torque straightaway but I’ve been thinking about adding a Orbea Rise which is a detuned EP8.

 

[ant0]

Glad you got it working. I had a similar issue with my Heckler MX-S which turned out to be a loose wire.

How did you wife feel about the difference in power between the Bosch on the Trek Rail and the low torque motor on the comp SL?

I took an SL for a spin and missed the torque straightaway but I’ve been thinking about adding a Orbea Rise which is a detuned EP8.

The bike is actually now being returned and a new one sent out, fantastic service from Rutland Cycling Nottingham branch (Andy) to get my wife rolling again asap.

She loves it and only misses the extra power on really steep climbs, some of which she can now make. Bit she doesn't care as she loves the light weight and more MTB feel of it.

 

[ant0]

Important update: Totally changed my mind about Rutland now after lies and incompetence - this wasn't actually resolved, see this thread Rutland Cycles & Turbo Levo SL - A Cautionary Tale - EMTB Forums

 

[Benson]

As someone who a) has started having Levo electrical issues, most recently today that yet again caused a ride to be aborted and another walk of shame into Berkshire Cycles and b) moving to Aviemore (or the immediate area) in the very near future, this is all rather concerning. I was already starting to think I can’t trust my Levo after recent issues but with no dealer support it would be a disaster.

 

[Snrbrtsn]

Nothing worse than issues with bike, the heart sinks

I had similar TCU issues, was locked on Stealth mode, switch on and display worked as normal then would switched off
I took bike to the shop that I bought bike - Bike Remedy, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire.
They plugged it in, updated software, same effect, called Specialized and a TCU was taken from a shop Bike and fitted
Never missed a ride and was left elated at the service I received with no fuss!

A big shout for Bike Remedy - Stonehaven, exceptional service!
Clearly not all dealers are the same!

 

[ant0]

As someone who a) has started having a Levo electrical issues, most recently today that yet again caused a ride to be aborted and another walk of shame into Berkshire Cycles and b) moving to Aviemore (or the immediate area) in the very near future, this is all rather concerning. I was already starting to think I can’t trust my Levo after several recent electrical issues but with no dealer support it would be a disaster.

Yeah it is a worry, and the "listed" on specialized website dealer in Aviemore doesn't want to know and claim they can't assist. Even specialized can't get them to take their calls!

My bike is a cube, bought online, but fantastic local cube dealer Wee Bike Hub has done warranty work on it no problems. Also being a Bosch motor there are plenty other places that can handle motor issues (eg Tiso/Alpine). We've decided Specialized are too risky to go with now due to no decent local support and the fact they seem to regularly break down with water problems

 

[ant0]

Nothing worse than issues with bike, the heart sinks

I had similar TCU issues, was locked on Stealth mode, switch on and display worked as normal then would switched off
I took bike to the shop that I bought bike - Bike Remedy, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire.
They plugged it in, updated software, same effect, called Specialized and a TCU was taken from a shop Bike and fitted
Never missed a ride and was left elated at the service I received with no fuss!

A big shout for Bike Remedy - Stonehaven, exceptional service!
Clearly not all dealers are the same!

Yeah a good realible local to you dealer/LBS is worth their weight in gold. We have a few like that here but not for specialized.

 

[Benson]

Nothing worse than issues with bike, the heart sinks

I had similar TCU issues, was locked on Stealth mode, switch on and display worked as normal then would switched off
I took bike to the shop that I bought bike - Bike Remedy, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire.
They plugged it in, updated software, same effect, called Specialized and a TCU was taken from a shop Bike and fitted
Never missed a ride and was left elated at the service I received with no fuss!

A big shout for Bike Remedy - Stonehaven, exceptional service!
Clearly not all dealers are the same!

It’s reassuring to know there some decent dealers in the North East of Scotland, I wonder how they’d be if the bike wasn’t brought from them though? I couldn’t take my bike back to the original dealer even if I wanted to, they’re no longer a franchise.