5 best upgrades for the Specialized Levo - Gen 3 top 5 performance mods and upgrades

[@leandroiw2942]

Great video. I made similar upgrades :). 1) 116 2) 220 thick rotors front and back w/ MTX pads. 3) OneUp Dropper. 4) For front tire I went w/ Hillbilly since riding in PNW. Other upgrades: OneUp carbon bar to reduce arm pump. Cushcore front and back. Coil fork upfront. Switchgrade from Aenomaly to tilt your seat depending if climbing or downhill for more comfortable position and additional seat clearance. As you said Turbo Levo is an amazing bike :)

[@TurboLevoSam]

I have owned all of the brakes mentioned and stunned Hope V4 Tech 4 were not in you line up! They are hands down the best brakes on the market right now, coupled with 220mm front and back floating rotors id say they are easily 35% more powerful than MT7's and 25/30% more powerful than TRP Evo's. They deal with heat incredibly well and do steep fast runs these modulate beautifully.

[@Trikk57]

I run the same tech 4 v4 220F/R combo and they’re beastly.

[@boblatkey7160]

Push 11 six in the back, Vorsprung smashpot coil in the front, 220 mm Hope floating disc rotors with MTX Red racing pads, and Onyx vesper hubs. So love my bike.

[@EMTBReview]

Win, win, win!

[@stephendenagy3396]

Agree on the Hayes. Just swapped the lower SRAM for a Hayes set, the “Purple Hayes” in fact. Holy cow, they are amazing. Super well modulated. Finger control for technical, but stops on a dime downhill. Outstanding!

[@thim8009]

I just upgraded my suspension on my decoy. Put rs ultimate coil on. The fork I had the charger 3 and air spring installed. Nicest suspension I've ever had.

[@malvichilado6658]

My set up for my Comp Carbon: 38/ Push 11.6, I9 We are one C, Axs drivetrain/ dropper, Renthal carbon bar and stem, Assegai’s, XTR 4 pistons, Hope 155 cranks, Hope 200 rotors

[@rianhart4143]

Great suggestions. Well done fun to watch as always.

[@onetime242]

I can’t have miss matched tires, brake rotors and suspension. They must all match. 😂

[@EMTBReview]

True, true... these are all test in progress stuff. I'll dial it in now that I know what's working.

[@meronrubinowitsch6686]

Which size caliper bracket did you use for the 220mm rotors ? 45mm magura? Did you do front and back ?

[@thewrx2600]

contact points? Pedals, grips (bars), saddle, and tires would be my first I agree on rear shock, have a push and night and day from stock. I would also say loctite on your rear shock bolt, also a +2 front sprocket. Possibly wheels depending on what model.

[@cuzr702]

Bought my Bike from this guy, didn’t notice him on KZbin until later.

[@zbigniewbohdanowicz8897]

What do you think about the motor? Does it make sense to replace the belt for the more durable one and add sealing to the case and rollers?

[@razorree]

the best upgrade is Cascade Long travel link (and RS SuperDeluxe is perfect). and of course Shimano brakes (get rid of SRAM ! )

[@IADMTB]

Great job on the video. I thought the Jade X wasn’t recommended for this bike. I agree on the TRP DHR EVO’s. Super reliable with no fade. Modulation is awesome too.

[@rezenclowd3]

Ya most coils not recommended for bikes with a suspension yoke that is long like the Levo. Some are find such as the EXT E-Storia. Run any at your own risk, check for wear (usually early in stroke due to having more loading.

[@IADMTB]

@@rezenclowd3 I was bottoming out often with the Float X on my Levo. I installed the “regular” Cascade link on my bike to increase the progression and not bottom out as much. I think with the cascade link I can upgrade “safely” to a coil.

[@EMTBReview]

Yeah TRP DHRs are like Shimanos but modulate quite a bit better. Their big rotors stay calm, cool and warp free too.

[@marklopez5267]

Yeah Specialized only recommends certain coil shocks for the Levo. I went with the Cane Creek DB Kitsuma Coil and I highly recommend it if you are looking to run a coil on the Gen 3 Levo. This coil is so versatile and can handle anything you throw are it. With that and a Fox 38 up front...I've hit some steep gnar chunk and have yet to feel under biked. Love the Levo! Complete Shred Sled!

[@trailbuddiesuk7127]

@@IADMTB i have just bought the 2023 levo carbon. i contacted specialized for coil shock recomendations. they only recomended 2, those are ohlins ttx and rockshox super delux. they stated the fox dhx and dhx2 are 100% NOT compatible. then went on to say any other coil shock outside of the 2 they recommend should only be fitted if the shock manufacturer says it is levo compatible. im getting the rockshox super delux ultimate as they do one that is levo specific. its more expensive than the standard version but worth the extra little bit of cost.

[@josedavalos1223]

Hi, do you use progressive spring or linear spring on your shock?.

[@kangsterizer]

sram also makes thick rotors now, theyre just fine :) id highly recommend the Hayes dominion brakes otherwise, very light lever action required, feels so nice (not that mt7 arent good, but, the dominions feel luxurious)

[@EMTBReview]

True, true. Dominions have such light action. Relaxing!

[@callumcopley6780]

Hi I've had enough of the fox x2 even with new 24 upgrades how have you got on with the push shock ? Do you still use it I may get 1 thanks Callum

[@EMTBReview]

Yeah Fox X2 keeps leaking for most. The Push ElevenSix shock has been absolutedly reliable.

[@briantodd1833]

@@EMTBReview what spring are you using in this video? I am a bigger guy 240 lbs and PUSH only supplies springs up to 230..

[@RichardJacinto]

Now that Rhonda has a Levo, I'm watching your videos closely. Your bar end plug looks transparent.

[@callumcopley6780]

Thanks 👍

[@AnthonyMcCulley]

Does the OneUp dropper work with AXS wireless remote? I would assume no, right? Does OneUp make a wireless option?

[@georgiyonevski3894]

Hey, how is the clearance of the TRP rotor since it’s 2.3 mm thick and Magura are taking up to 2.0 mm? Do you have any rub between rotor and pads?

[@wandeln]

Hi nice could you tell me the brand of your rear mudguard plse ?

[@jquess296]

What’s your opinion on using the Cascade Long Link with a 230x65 rear shock?

[@AaronAvallon]

Anyone compare the Push 11 six vs Avalanche rear coil? I love my Avalanche.

[@albertmargarit7488]

In my opinion with e-bikes the bigger rotor should go on the rear. On the long descents, the rear brake is applied longer, because it allows you more control, so it generates more heat. On my bike with 200mm rotor front/rear, the one on the rear is more black because of the fading I guess it's the rear. There is an article on enduro-mtb magazine about this.

[@onetime242]

Stop dragging your rear brake and use more front brake. Learn how to modulate your brakes. That’s a beginner issue, not an ebike issue.

[@EMTBReview]

70-80% of the stopping power is delivered by the front brake since that's were the weight is focused on significant downhills. Thus... bigger rotor there if needed for power and heat dissipation.

[@lozetchells9164]

Weird, my 2022 comp carbon came with 220mm rotor on the front, albeit with SRAM Code RS brakes

[@EMTBReview]

It seems like the lower end bikes with SRAM Code brakes came with 220mm rotors... perhaps to compensate.

[@Taxdeath]

Up to S3 is 200 S4 and up is 220

[@Taxdeath]

Levo comp with SRAM RSC SRAM SH2 220 and Galfer purple pads is a cheap option

[@mtnmnkymilitia]

Ive cracked 2 Fox dhx2's on my kenevo. When i told Fox what bike it was on, they said they wouldnt warranty coilovers on specialized bikes due to the leverage induced by the suspension geometry. Same for Rockshox. Ohlins is ok due to the thick stancion. The push is ok? Now im running the 2024 X2's on my kenevo and levo, way better than coil in my opinion. Dont blow thru the travel.

[@EMTBReview]

The Push Elevensix is definitely approved for Levo. Push has soo much damping control and flexibility.

[@rsanoian]

How many miles do you have on your Kenevo with the X2? Looking to get one for my Kenevo, the only coil I have heard will last on the Kenevo is EXT's Storia. Talked with them at Sea Otter this year and they have a gnarly steel shaft but with the lack of progressiveness on the Specialized bikes an X2 makes more sense. I love coils and was planning on installing one but even with a progressive spring I know friends that blow through their Kenevo's travel...

[@mtnmnkymilitia]

@@rsanoian gen 1 kenevo. 2000 miles on stock ohlins, 1500 on dhx coil, and about 1000 on the x2. Without a doubt the x2 performs better on that bike. Holds support and doesnt bottom out like the coil. That said, im sure the push coil is dialed....

[@ChezzyDirt]

@@EMTBReview The reason it is approved is the spherical bearings allow the shock to deal with the flex of the linkage. I believe EXT now has spherical as well. I dont think the DVO does. As a reviewer I think its good to explain why things are better in detail and you seem to just gloss over the tech details.

[@kevinlutchmansingh7126]

Hey. Great video. Got the same 2022 Turbo Levo Sworks. Just got the Magura 220 MDR-P for the front. Which adapter did you use? I know your rotor isn’t Magura but the adapter should be the same. I tried the QM45 but it does not work.

[@TheAngryHusky]

I have a Levo Comp Carbon. I’m running a Manitou Mezzer Pro fork with an Eleven Six shock. Also have Hope Tech 4 E4 Brakes and Hope floating rotors 220. So far, not loving these brakes. 3 professional bleeds and I still lose some pressure on steep descents. I think it’s a bleed issue, but man these brakes are finicky to get right. I should have got the MT 7

[@rezenclowd3]

Does your "pressure" come back next time you ride? If so, it's just brakes getting hot. You can try more aggressive pads, using brakes less, but a bleed won't fix it if brake fade is the issue.

[@EMTBReview]

Yep, I'm done with Hope. Looks trick but not the most powerful and reliable. Have not tried the latest offerings.

[@OnlyCalvesLife]

TRP DHR Evo with Freedom Coast levers. BEST

[@timsmith8391]

Don’t you do RCs too, lemme guess you got a 2 stroker

[@EMTBReview]

correct!

[@mondrider994]

I was like didnt this guy talk about crawlers not bikes??? Haha

[@EMTBReview]

Rrrrrright? I've been a bike reviewer for 20 years. But more people recognize me now for my rc crawler videos. Whuuuuut?

[@mondrider994]

@@EMTBReview wow, im into bikes for some time and never seen ya beside a bike, but i see you in the rc all the time

[@wigzzborz6759]

I cliked this video cause in the thumbnail tou looked like the dude that reviews rc crawlers . . . . .

[@EMTBReview]

Rrrrrright. I'm the same guy. And I'm using the same face photos even. Lolol

[@mtnbikerva1]

Why do you hate SRAM brakes? They unlike Shimano and all the fake brake fluid brakes use real brake fluid. DOT brake fluid that has been used for decades all over the world and trillions of vehicles! DOT Brake fluid and has proven to be safe over these decades! Also, SRAM brakes do not make noise like the Shimano brakes. SRAM brakes do not have wondering brake points like Shimano brakes. You can get any kind of parts you want in most places for SRAM breaks, unlike a lot of the others. SRAM RSC brakes work great! SRAM/DOT brakes work, and in a wider range of temperatures than all the other brakes that use fake brake fluid. If you get any brake fluid on something and you’re worried about it, just pour some water on it or wipe with a wet towel or rag and everything will be fine.

[@EMTBReview]

I don't hate them but since I get to use a lot of brakes, I rank them 4rth or 5th in power and modulation compared to the others. Contact point changes all the time too and that's frustrating. They're better now that 5 years ago, especially the ones in the new SRAM transmission but ebikes really push these bikes.

[@davidwallebeck9051]

Most euro vehicles use mineral oil in their brakes.

[@stephanwinter1916]

What are You think about the Sram Code Ultimate Stealth 🤷🏼‍♂️