I rode this ebike until it DIED! Levo SL RANGE TEST
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มี.ค. 2020
- Specailized Turbo Levo SL range test. How far can you get from the single, 320Wh internal battery? I find out and am surprised with the results!
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Honestly Rob, you have one of the best YT channels. Not just for mountain bikes, but for all channels. Great production and content across the board. I have a new Turbo levó comp on order due in large part to your reviews. Im excited to get it going and putting some miles on it. I most definitely appreciate your help.
Another really good video! You're a great resource for e-mountain bikers. Have made several great purchases based on your reviews. Thanks!
Great real world test Rob, looking forward to part 2 the performance test.
Great test Rob
Last week on the Carbon Expert LEVO SL (with a range extender). I rode 39km, 1260m of climbing over 3:05 hours. (I weigh 76kg)
Both batteries (running in parallel) had 50% left after the ride. I rode using a mix of Eco & Trail modes with most of the climbing in Trail mode. If I only used the internal battery, I should have had around 80 w/h left in it without the need for the range extender. It did require a bit of input from me, but you really could get some serious time out on the trails with this bike. But such a fun bike on the trails to throw around compared to a full fat version.
Great informative video, Rob !! Great job ! I am looking forward to your video of the eMTB group ride and see how the SL stacks up against the heavy weight eMTB's.
excellent review on the range! I tested my SL (Eco mode, with TURBO on really steep incline) and used 60% on 26.62 miles, 3176ft. I definitely enjoyed the outdoors for a few hours and didn't get too tired. That was fun!
Great vid Rob & lovin the new gear!
My favourite MTB channel 🤘🤘🤘
You do the best videos bro!!!
Thanks for the great video Rob! Very interested in your next test as I have been reducing the support levels on my Turbo Levo Comp to SL levels to see what kind of range I can get. Unfortunately the lockdown her in Italy has put a halt to all riding for a while...and I guess it's coming to your neighborhood too. Stay safe and ride while you can!
Cheers Randal. Best wishes to you and family too. We will get through this and come out stronger 💪
Awesome video Rob. The bike looks amazing
Hi Rob, thanks for the info. This battery is amazing. Going in Eco limited to 35% mode I managed to ride 42 kmts climbing 2000 mts and remained 30% of the battery!
Hi Rob. This is Fran from south Spain. Very nice video, by the way. I bought a Wild H10 emtb by the end of February (I call her my Bête Noire or black beast in English) . I was not very sure if had done the right thing since I had never ridden an ebike before. My experience was amazing. I am in good shape in spite of being almost 60. My first ride with it took me 3h 15', 53,66 kms, 1931 calories, 1180 mts uphill and maximum altitude 1286 m
ts. The good thing is that the way back was downhill nearly the whole time, which meant I hardly spent any battery. I weigh 64 kg. I still had 33% of battery left at the end of the ride. I had used only Eco power Then, I decided to drain the battery completely doing steep slopes using Tour or Mtb power. I got rather tired and I had 15% battery left when I decided to give in.
Now I have changed my mind, you do lots of exercise with this kind of bike, perhaps it means more money expenditure and the maintenance will be more expensive, too. But it assures you lots of joy and workout.
Thanks again for your video and hope you are well too.
Fran Segura
P;D sorry for any mistakes made with my English
Hi Fran, thanks for your message! Great to hear you are getting some epic rides in! Keep it up! Rob
I love watching a video and your like I know that road and then your like thats Hawley!!! Awesome video really looking at the sl.
I hired a Kenevo SL with an extender - so same motor/battery.
Did 34 miles & 7300ft of the Golfie and Inners with 9% left. 80kg
There are as you say Rob many factors involved in usable range but key to this is not simply elevation but gradient. Rider weight, tyre drag etc does not increase linearly as the gradient increases. I too wanted to test the range of my ebike so went off to Bike Park Wales and did three full climbs out of the carpark to the summit plus sessioning various combinations of trails. 39km and 1800m elevation full to done. Using eco (mostly) and Tour (occasionally). Have to say that when it died it died. Luckily was a short push up to Terry's Belly so got a good finish with slow push up to the carpark. Contrast this to a similar length of trail ride at Cannock with less than 600m of elevation and 70% battery remaining.
Was good to hear you talk about motor drag above 25 kph and with the assistance turned off. This was the main thing I didn't like about my 2020 Kenevo. It was particularly annoying as the bike didn't really come alive until above 20 kph and then the considerable drag could be felt above 25 kph. Peddling to speeds above 25 km was extremely difficult due to the drag. I rode a trek rail 7 and was pleased to find that with the assistance turned off the bike peddled very easily, much like a leg bike.
Nice test Rob, looks the handling of the bike is great. Why you don't try with the Blevo app he calculated the range btw, also in the us the bike assistance is till 20 mph so burn the battery even a least 50% faster...tomorrow i giong to try or test model of the shop for a few days and we will see. Due the lockdown time to spend on the bike in a nice spring sun....keep up the nice vids Rob!
slow tech ride out here in NZ gets me almost 30km on my Focus Jam2, that’s with a potential 70n/m of torque+378 w/hrs. minimum pwr. Like yr vlog..
SICK REVIEW ! 🔥
Yeah a "range test" is pretty much just a fun guide and glad you clarified this as you say there are so many variables. Ultimately it mainly comes down to how much you ask of the assistance by how and what you ride. Lots of climbing with big sustained power burst is the main battery killer IME.
Personally I think there should be some standard measurements, say for example, 75Kg rider, 5% climb at a constant 8mph with an average distance and an altitude in meters output chart for various settings (25,50,75,100%) so you can compare bikes, at least get some %age differentials. It's not a black art nor mysterious but everyone with an Ebike knows the battery bars and % remaining is also just a guide, If I had a pound for every time I heard.. I rode x distance and had x bars left.. so what its simply not accurate.. you need to run to empty.
I personally like a display, especially the Shimano one as its minimal and gets the job done.
£300 for 160 Wh worth of battery is obscene IMO.. that would make an equivalent 504 Wh battery £945 (£1102 @ 350)... utterly ridiculous the control electronics aren't the cost it's the batteries.
My comps on the very high picture quality Rob. Nearly matches quality of content! Insisting on excellence pays off.... Btw wonder how adapting to COVID19 will affect your channel content ...some challenging trails lay before us. Ride safe buddy... Shakkers 🇬🇧
I own this bike - best thing ever. I don't think I'd give up the mode control. It's incredibly handy to be able to instantly grab max power on difficult/punchy tech climbs - too hard to do on the main power switch. Motor noise - it's pretty minimal in eco mode, which is what I use when riding with "acoustic" riders, and nowhere near as loud as say a Chris King hub. True you hear the whine when you're pushing hard at high rpm, but I'm too busy smiling to care! Riding mates say it's no bother. Agree with Rob - turn the motor off and it's just like a slightly heavy regular bike. And I also agree the power is supplied incredibly effectively and naturally. And downhill with some tech, rock gardens, etc., this bike is *great* - I prefer it to my Evil Following. Great handling and suspension, and the added weight actually helps while remaining agile. It is *far* better than the regular Turbo Levo in that regard, which is just too massive. Specialized nailed it (except for the price!)
koho absolutely agree. I did over 100 miles on both a Levo and a Levo SL (demo bikes ) and the SL was much nicer all round. Bought an SL straight away and every ride makes me smile. Such a great bike. Rode with some very fit mates on acoustic bikes today at Exeter trail centre.
Eco was mostly enough to keep the fitter riders honest and after 20 miles and 2000ft climbing I still had 68% battery! I used turbo mode for short sharp climbs and trails occasionally.
@@wayneclare8717 Wayne- yep, I'm a few years older than some fit friends as well, and it's much more fun this way. But I give them about a year before they join the E-brigade, and I'll be at the back again!
@koho 😂 yes most I’ve ridden with have said they’ll end up with one in a year or two...
@koho Thanks for the input! I'm thinking of buying this Bike as well. And also own a Following and Forbidden Druid. How do you find the rear suspension on this Levo SL? is it progressive and poppy? My last Specialized stump jumper was very linear, and I used to blow through the travel on it (hated it) But im very intrigued with this Bike!!!
@@kmagrum76 I'd say it's less progressive than the Following, but feels firm enough if I set it a little over-pressured. The shock is a Fox Float DPS, don't know if that's different than what was on your Stumpjumper. I have not bottomed the travel much, but I'm not hucking giant drops and such (though hit plenty of rocks, small jumps, etc.) To me, the extra sprung weight seems to make the suspension more planted yet able to handle chundry stuff while being reasonably responsive. It's certainly not as poppy as a Following - which is optimally so by design - but it's still easy to unweight the front, if not lift it outright. (I find the Following can get kicked around pretty easily - the ying and the yang.) Still the SL is far more lively than the regular Levo. As always, demo it if you can.
I borrowed one last week from Southdown Bikes and managed 20 miles and only used 1 bar of power. Ride was on the South Downs, 1449ft climb, a good ‘normal’ ride. I have a Turbo Levi and I love it however this is a game changer. The best way to describe this bike is it’s a MTB with a bit of help rather than my Levo which is an electric bike looking like a MTB. The SL also loves to be thrown about and loves jumping! These machines are getting better and better 👍 Agreed about the motor noise and if you accept it doesn’t have the shove the Lego has you’ll really enjoy the bike.
That power customization is such a great idea. I didn't know I could do that. The only reason I would not want to remove the power buttons is it also removes the walk assist.
good point with the walk-assist. was tempted to remove the remote for a cleaner look. guess it's staying haha
Can’t wait for the big test. That’s the one.
Fantastic review and spot-on I own an SL and ride with Levo riders and acoustic riders also. The SL with internal 320 WH battery certainly can keep up range wise with the full fat Levo 500 Wh battery. When the range extender is added to the SL it will meet or beat the range of the 700 hour Levo battery. Of course full fat Levo on steep technical uphill trails will outpace the SL easily, but the SL will outpace the Levo everywhere else due to very low drag of SL when off motor support and better handling almost everywhere else. That is the SL's real surprise. Levo is fantastic as well just don't run out of battery or your in trouble.
Great video and beautiful SL Levo. I’m going to try your custom Mission Control settings on my new Creo SL comp carbon road bike. I also have the range extender battery, so maybe I can get 75+ miles on the two batteries.
Great job Rob, as usual. Super useful as a full fat Levo rider, because I'm now super interested in the SL. My question is how knackered you 'feel' on a 50km ride on the SL versus a 50km ride on the full fat, with as close an average speed as possible for the two rides. Perhaps the best way to test it would be to take the SL and then the full fat on the same exact ride with a day of rest in between, and maybe measure calories burned for the two rides as a quantitative measure, and then qualitative observations about level of fatigue? I know I'm a dork but this stuff is fascinating to me.
Great video Rob. I know you have the Ohlins now, but additional thoughts on the Pike Ultimate with the SL? Stiff enough, or would a Lyrik be warranted? 69kg, and I ride a mix of SoCal loose and rocky with decent size jump lines. Thanks!
you were crushing the trails great vid. Have you noticed that dogs stare at motor when it is humming? what kind of front fender? was it easy to install?
Hey Rob, thanks for this. Just looking into buying the S-Works Turbo Levo SL after your other videos.. Can I ask, what camera are you using on your chest rig?
Hey rob, could you show or tell how you removed your Remote? I got problems to remove it because if the insert cable routing was stuck in the frame. Is there a solution. I didn’t want to wreck it? Greetings from Germany
Wicked video man,
Please review trek rail 9.8 or 9 !
Cheers for the review, I'm after a bikepacking EMtb, but the bigger batteries you cant take on plane. I'm thinking this could work with some 160w top up batteries. Any thoughts / suggestions?
Excellent vid Rob ....I will be definitely trying one out soon ......or not as the case maybe with this bloody Coronavirus . Can you believe it pal ....here in Shropshire we’ve endured 7 months of almost endless rain .....just when you think you are about to turn the corner towards better weather ......we might all be on lockdown ? !
I know man it’s crazy isn’t it. I keep thinking that all this stuff will make the world stronger after we get though it. Hope everyone is well and look after themselves and family whilst we get through these tough times.
Dexter Fletcher same shit here in Belgium....
Good video Rob 👌 bought the Rail 5 a few weeks ago and finding it much easier to cycle compared to my Haibike 5.0, I'm cycling past the assist at 30kph no hassle on flat roads while travelling to my trails 12km away
Great stuff Leo! Heard many good things about the Rail
@@RobRidesEMTB loving it but unfortunately it went into the shop yesterday because of the free hub bearings failing after 480km in four weeks, man I hope that's not the norm because I had no issues with the Haibike after 2000km
Hi Rob, great video. Have you had any issues with a bit of sponge feeling top of the seat post range. My AXS seatpost keeps getting about 1 inch of bounce, tried bleeding it as per instructions but doesn’t fix it
Been waiting a long time for this. Let's watch it
Cool! Thanks for watching.
Rob Rides EMTB great vid rob as usual. Would be really interesting to watch against a full fat 700wh version. I really want the 700 comp levo version but still want the lightweight carbon comp SL especially in the purple colour 💜 just so unsure what to have.
Another great video. One thing, where do get the money for this? Are they worth the money?
Do you think the Command app settings would work similar on the Turbo Levo with a 500wh battery ,distance wise? i.e. 35-100
Can't wait for spring and summer........ Take that back!
The new shirt looks great man :)
great designer!
Hi Rob I ride my Levo in that setting 35-100 eco I do most things in that setting with a bit of trail 45-95 any more and the battery runs out after1.5 hours.
So even though you have more power in the Levo you cant always use it. It’s all about the battery ebikes are sorted as far as a mtb goes company’s need to make battery’s out of a lighter materiel with more power.
Great video, I've got coil suspension both ends on my SL and 27.5 wheels. Just done a dartmoor ride with some technical climbs and very impressed. 30 miles and 3500ft and I had about 50wh after using range extender also. But used turbo a fair bit and quite a headwind in places and draggy moorland grass also. Great fun absolutely loving the SL.
I'm thinking about ordering this bike. Have you climbed higher altitudes with the bike? let's say 1000meters-2000meters in height. If so, how does it work?
How does it go UPHILL on Rooty, Rocky, Punchy sections. Like steep uphill switchbacks and lead in trails to the downhills.
Many areas I ride you have to ride up the equivalent of going UP the downhill track to go downhill. Almost all trails are two way and not designed for leisurely up.
There are few gravel or smooth tracks UP.
Hi Rob; question ; what do you recommand to install iPhone on your turbo levo, thank !
Hey Rob, I really like your way testing the bikes. This is very unique. Thumbs up. As I am riding a fazua system I would be interested in a comparison between the Levo SL Motor Vs the Fazua System. Heard Fazua is presenting a new Firmware update soon which will spice things up a lot.
Thanks Stephan. I have a Fazua powered Nox Helium and I’m planning just that very test real soon!!
Great. That's my Bike and I am loving it :) I am very curious about your test respectively this Fazua black pepper update
Interesting video. Specailized did an amazing job optimizing the motor to get some long range out of such a small battery. Makes me excited for future battery advancements. Just curious, are you going to test the new Canyon models?
Not really, its a small motor so uses a smaller amount of power. If it were the same motor as the Levo with the Levo SL battery size ot would be dead quick smart.
When you pushed it on the climb the motor sounded like a broken coffee grinder. 😃 Regarding to display - you can use Shimano system without it.
Hey Tamas, can you completely remove the Shimano display? That’s cool I didn’t realise that. Yeah, it’s noisy on steep inclines at full power with high cadence.
Rob Rides EMTB Yes, using the EW-EN100 junction box you can remove the display and connect a Garmin or a smartphone.
Neat. Thanks for the tip 👍
with Brose there seems to be 5 main weak points!
1, Brose fitted a lovely water tight seal to cover the right-hand crank bearing, but water still enters the left-hand bearing.
2, Water regularly enters the needle roller bearing between the crankshaft and the sprocket carrier. (This is normally when you hear of people complaining that their pedals are stiff to turn backwards) Sadly, if this is not addressed quickly, it tends to destroy the bearing surface on the crankshaft.
3, There are two clutch bearings inside the motor called sprag bearings, one works when you pedal, one works when the motor assists. The bearings Brose use have plastic cages to keep the sprags in place. These plastic cages crack and the bearing starts to fail. (This normally manifests itself by a slipping sensation through the pedals and sometimes noise and notchy feeling through the pedals.
4, Drive belt tensioner failure. This is where the drive belt tensioner actually snaps, shortly followed by the belt stripping. (Felt as instant failure and loss of drive)
5, Drive belt stripping. (Normally felt as a soft bumping or jumping sensation through the pedals, shortly before all drive is lost).
Is this the case with 2021+ or have they sorted these issues?
Don't know if I've told you yet rob but I've recently rode both of these on a demo run and my normal mtb time is ; 58mins to 1hr 6mins
Sl time; 46 mins
Turbo levo; 36 mins
Same circuit different bikes all ali. I'm sold on the electric bikes it's only a matter of time.
so the Sl's battery is over in 46min?
@@jerryx2000 the 5 mile circuit time was reduced by a 1/4 and halfed by the turbo full fat, if I remember rightly the sl used half its battery and the turbo levo a couple of bars.
how much time the battery could keep up if you are climbing with 7% up to 12 13% slope?
I ride a Yeti sb5c & have ridden a Levo turbo a few times & my wifes Meridia e800, I am considering a Levo SL and was wondering power wise is it similar to the levo turbo in factory setting eco? as I have rarely ridden it in trail & never in turbo .
so with that said would the levo sl be as quick (if not quicker ) than the levo turbo if the levo turbo was ridden jut in eco ??
These new 2020 motors are so efficient. Ive got a Scott genius with a gen 4 Bosch and 625Whr battery. Full to dead range on trails is 86Km. My old gen 2 Bosch motor does half that.
I did the peak trial 44 miles on my giant 400wh battery the hills and terrain are horrendous I was impressed with it 👌
Forgot to mention it’s a Yamaha motor
Hey Rob, did a dealer swap the PIKE for you? If so, who did it and how much to swap? thanks
Great frame but the standard build is whack
Top Rob ,
About 60 Kilm is very good !
Just petty only about 665, 8 meters gain .
My usual raids are about 40 / 45 kilometers but with 1 300 / 1 400 m climbing. With the 2017 Kenevo .
With the levo S.L. I think I will no be possible . .. thanks
Did you upgrade the fork? I hear for 2021 Specialized is going with a Fox 36 160mm.
Hi Rob
Great videos
Can you make a video how to remove the handlebar remote controler
any idea on the average lifespan of the battery under heavy usage and the cost for a new replacement battery might be?
Now put an 18st fella on it and do the same ride, That would be a good comparison video.
Could you do the same test with reasonable hills? Maybe a part of the southdowns? Would be interested to see how it copes.....
I was going to say that, riding flat terrain isn't the most helpful
Brilliant!
I noticed you have a kick-stand on the bike - is that an after-market product and if so, where did you get it please? I like how you rigged the power support - slick!
Hi Rob .....have you had any problems with your new 2020 Kenevo motor ? .....cheers 👍
Hi Rob what make and model is your helmet and where did you get your helmet from? Thanks
Hay Rob have you sold your kenevo/levo and just ride the SL now ?
So Rob, how many miles (or km) did you self-pedal the bike and what did that feel like. Would you do it again. I have only tested ridden a cube stereo ebike and we ran it dry on laps of Whinlatter Forest. The battery eventually died at the very bottom of a big fire road climb and it was an absolute pig to pedal up any incline. This Sp TL SL looks and sounds more promising.
Could you do same trails with your levo or kenvo for a range test / time on them aswell?
Sefton Paske yes rob please do. This would be a make or break for an finally a decision on which one would be made for me
hello Rob, at minute 3:15...what that Fox Jersey called ? can't find it
Haha I literally tried that today at Coed y Brenin. Did Beast and Twrch trail. 57.7km of techy rocky singletrack, 900m climb 3:20 mins (17.1kmh average) still had 26% battery left!
Ok enough about the bike what are those glasses you are wearing?
Hey Rob, you are wearing the 100% S3 right? What's the glass color?
Ok that's so trippy! That's where I go riding everyday! :)
hawley lake area i think
@@harryc2388 Yeah and Minley.
Gonna try me levo like this does sl not have acc response and shuttle ?
That barely looks like an ebike, beautiful bike 😘
what mud guar / fender do you use Rob?
Very interesting Rob. I have a Levo and am interested in an SL too. Be interesting to know what range you get on the same route in Eco rather than Trail.
Looking forward to you putting it up against full fat ebikes 😊
Kev - I own the SL and have ridden the standard Turbo Levo. I can't comment on the range, but has a mountain bike, there is no comparison - the SL is far superior if you ride any tech, up or down.
@@jpravetz Not for me. I use the Eco (lowest mode, maxes at 35%) all the time. It's invaluable when riding with friends on acoustic bikes.
Did you ever get to make the video to see if you can keep up with your friends with other e-bikes? I'm really curious
Yes Rob, back on the tube, more more more and wheres John. We need the bike pilot and we need a live chat! It's been to long. Spring is here tomorrow and the trails don't self isolate on there own.
We are coming back for sure!!
Rob did you changed your tire to 27.5?
Great video Rob... I'm torn between the turbo levo carbon 2019 (on sale for 4999€), the Levo SL or the yt decoy 29. Which bike would you suggest. Thanks...
Love the upgrades! Are you using it more than your Kenevo?
Cheers! At the moment yep!
Rob Rides EMTB Me too! The SL does it all.
@@alex1231235 no dought love mine, makes me smile just thinking about it
I am looking for a battery Reenation DS-6c tiger-shark 48v possibly 12 amp. Can you help?
Hi sorry to trouble you but would you be able to tell me what kick stand you have please.
Here's a thought Rob, as the SL pedals so well (for an ebike) when it gets beyond the 15mph limit would dropping the limit to, say 12mph, help save battery? I'm on my third ride on one and I think it might work
Great studio lighting..
Thanks! Just set up a new studio, have been playing around with a few looks!
60 km, that’s exactly what I did with a 2017 KTM KAPOHO Bosch mark I 400 watts batt. net price 3300,-€. Spe Levo you use is around 6999,- € ? I seek what technical gap we can find on spe 2020 ? Snobism makes a lot in this emtb world ? don’t you think so ?
great feeling bike
spot on rob cracking review 80 % there getting one
Hi Rob, great inspirational videos. I've built up a comp carbon SL bike from the frame up (SRAM Eagle AXS XX1 everything, Ohlins fork and shock, SRAM level ultimate brakes) and am left wondering how to remove the handlebar controller to clean up the cockpit a bit more. Took the bash guard off but no cable there. See you've done this here - any quick tips would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Hey Marcus. Great build! Just remove the TCU, the speed controller plug goes in there. Make sure to seal the plug up after with some tape👍
@@RobRidesEMTB Awesome, found it! Did you manage to disengage the cabling or did you have to cut it?
Good video why the fork change! Would you consider putting something bigger on it like 36s
Fancied a change and never owned a RS fork. Nah I don’t think I need 36 on this. More trail bike than enduro for me.
What drop does the AXS seatpost have?
Dear Rob, hope you're well. Great review and interessting test. I will make a test ride asap on the Levo, Levo Sl and Focus Jam2 with Shimano engine after the corona . Because I will get an impression whats the different in driving a light weight bike against a standard E-MTB.
Have you ever tested the Focus with the small battery and the shimano engine?
What I want to know how good is the focus against the Levo Sl because for the focus you can get a range extender, too. If you comoare the focus jam2 driftet 9.9 you have a high end bike for 5.5k€ in sale at the moment, weight is around 20kg.
Do you think the Levo Sl can bet them if you compare it to a similar price range? Also Standard Levo Sl comp against Focus Jam2 drifter 9.9. Focus is range and Handling because of the low weight.
Am getting the Jam 9.9 to test for this exact reason!
Great! You're doing a great Job and for me your reviews are the best ones. Going further like this 👍
Seems to use a lot of battery compared to the Levo SL I ride - in ECO mode (25/40) 36 km with 220 altitude meters it used 93wh - great great bike!
his using trail mode not eco
Is this the SL or the Turbo version ?
where did you get the bike? How much did you pay for it?
I am considering very much to buy this bike. Do you think it can manage my local trails, I am used to do 900m vertical in two and a half hours, it is 3x300m 3 trails and around 20km and if it managed to do 4 times, like 1200 vertical meters, than it would be a no brainer to me. But I am afraid not. these are really steep climbs. But I am gonna be testing it soon, so we will see....
How heavy are you rob?
Video Biek Amazing pwoer
Crazy how low the elevation is