How to change your Specialized Levo frame bearings

[@Mr_RichardH]

Turning that spacer is above and beyond, Dave. Excellent service.

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Thank you, the thing is I bloody love doing what I do.

[@Mr_RichardH]

@@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic That shows in every video Dave. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@traildaddi]

Seconded! Great work Dave!!

[@richardharker2775]

The take away from this is if you think you'll save money doing it yourself, don't. Find someone like Dave who has the knowledge, has the tools and can guarantee you will have quality work applied. Thanks for making the video Dave.

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Thanks for watching and your kind comments

[@garyproctor7899]

Hi Dave, iv'e finaly managed to get out on the bike since you changed the bearings and you got the forks sorted for me. It's now like riding a flying carpet it's just so smooth and it dindn't break the bank either. Having bought the bike second hand 2 months earlier i'm glad you spotted that washer that was missing as no doubt if i'd have carried on using it, it would have caused even more problems so ive probably saved quite a few quid there with help of your knowledge.I will be taking your advice and getting a new pin and spacers in the not to distant future so thanks for making up the spacer and realy enjoyed wathching the video you did on it. Keep up the good work and videos .Thanks Gaz.

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Nice one, thanks

[@Dwyeb73]

One of the best repair videos I have watched. Very clear on how and what you need to do the job. Excellent. Now time to start my replacements on a Kenevo. Much appreciated thank you. Now subscribed to your channel.

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Glad it helped, thank you

[@AverageTom91]

Your videos are inspiring. I want to try and make my hobby to a living. Seeing you coming from a shed to a proper Workshop gave me hope. Ofc there is a lot of work done behind the scenes to get there, I appreciate it. Currently I have a 3 Room apt. and work in the 3rd room. One day, I will have a proper shop up and running. I am based in Germany. I will follow your career with great interest.

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Thank you so much, I love my job, I just wish I had more working time, by that I mean am 60 now and need to slow down, hopefully my sone will take it over, good luck

[@nathanross8459]

brilliant watching a craftsman and so well explained. i have the same frame and was wondering which bearings and method of extraction to use. excellent, earned a subscribe :)

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Thank you.

[@tuikapo]

Can you link the bearing tools you used? They look great

[@Paulo-fr3xm]

Great service that Dave, making that spacer, difference between the quality shops right there 👍

[@panhandlemtb4308]

I just wanted to be the 100th comment. Cant leave it on an odd number lol. Awesome video! Im about to do this on my gen 3 levo. I just got my Alt/Alt bearing pullers!!

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Nice!!

[@PhiTri808]

I love this video, especially because i am half way through this job. Since i started riding bikes, I have tried to do my own work used the money I have saved to buy tools. I wish you would provide more information on the tools you are using, and wh where to get them. Many thanks from a Yank!

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, thanks for watching and your comments

[@eder1-l3l]

Your videos are exceptional. Thank you! Yesterday when i was out in the forest i happened to see that the back-triangle was flexing a lot. I stopped and check and tried to wiggle it sideways and then i noticed that on the side of the chain, one could see that it wasn't tight, it was clearly moving sideways. Home again i checked suspension bolts (fine) except one (the one on the side where i saw flex. it was totally loose and would not fit going round and round. I unscrewed it. It went fast (i could not drag it right out so it must have been attached a little at least). I took it out and the bolt looks also fine, but i really would not know if it was broken or not. What can be the problem? Does it mean that if the other end is broken? Could i order a new bolt and try and it will fit? I'm having an awful feeling nowthat the frame inside is broken and "out of repair" so to say. I'm not very technically skilled. What are your advises? Can a good garage with the right tools repair/fix this by making the bolt fit again?

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, I could do with some photos to see what you mean.

[@eder1-l3l]

@@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic Sent an email!

[@bobwilliamson5574]

My everyday ride is a decade-old ladies’ hybrid bought second-hand off eBay for forty quid, chosen largely for its lack of theft appeal. Yet this machine is capable of taking me up and down hills with ease in all weather, in safety and comfort and doing all this while only requiring a monthly squirt of air in the tyres and a dribble of oil on the chain. These new contraptions will soon need an MOT just to keep them on the road.😂

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi Bob, thank you for your comments

[@paulgowing5051]

Great video, you make it very easy to follow. Any chance of a link to get the tools you advertise only they seem elusive to find online. Keep it coming as I love it

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, thanks for watching and your comments. good allround bearing tools can be found atwww.kineticbikebearings.com/tools.html

[@Acceleronics]

Your video skipped over something I really wanted to see! My alloy chain stay had a separate washer behind the outer bearings. I think that spacer is for the carbon chain stay, because that is what the Specialized schematic shows. As you said, the alloy chain stay have a built in ridge between the bearings. Did you use the spacer on the alloy chain stay you show in the video?

[@chrislong1092]

On the bearings where there's 2 bearings and a spacer. How do you get the bolts off? There seems to be a safety screw but none of my hex keys fit

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Please send me some photos

[@foggie8496]

Dave, great info in the video. Do you have any info or a link to the various bearing pullers/bearing press that you used?

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, Thanks for watching and your comments, www.kineticbikebearings.com/tools.html

[@bertfranqui7096]

nice job man, what are you using as tools? have a nice ride

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, thanks for watching and your comments., we use many bearing tools but the one in the picture is a specialized tool

[@veniaminmelnic1035]

Hello there, I am also missing the spacer, any chance you know the dimensions for me to make one? Thanks!

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, its the same size as the one on the other side, please consider a super thanks if you found this video helpful, it helps to support further videos. thanks again

[@veniaminmelnic1035]

Well thing is I don't have either ahahah :)))

[@КАЛОЯНСИМЕОНОВ-г6р]

MR Dave, please tell me what these bearing tools ?? ?

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

we use many different types

[@Rasedan]

Brilliant job! Have to check those bearings as well as the press tools from Kinetic Bearings.

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, Thanks for watching and your comments

[@paulm5025]

Hi Dave, fabulous video, thanks for creating it. Can I check what grease were you using for the bearings and axles? Thanks.

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, I use Motorex Grease 2000.

[@Model6780]

Hi great video .I'm currently changing my bearings at shock rocker on my levo. When I removed the rocker there was only 4 washers none in the middle is that normal or am I missing 2 washers thanks Callum

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, it depends on the year of your levo

[@Model6780]

@@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic thanks its a 2021 comp

[@scoto1976]

Great video., Any links where I can buy the chain ring removal tool and the bearing press tool. Thanks

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, thanks for watching, we sell the lock ring tool uk only though www.cycle-fast.co.uk/cat/186/Tools/ The bearing tools try Kinetic bearings

[@steve_gooner0014]

another great video, how do you check to see if the bearings need replacing, is there a way of testing without removing any of the linkages?

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, if you ride 2 times per week then every 12 months, if not the the retaining pins should be removed and re greased once a year

[@yorkneytrailrider1751]

Great video as ever Dave, don’t suppose you have a video of a full bearing change in a Whyte Emtb in the pipeline have you, I’m going to change mine but I’m not sure what the main pivot is like without tearing it down and so far I’ve hit a brick wall with contacting Whyte, any help would be appreciated please

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, thanks for watching, I don't i'm afraid but I do have customers who own them so maybe soon.

[@yorkneytrailrider1751]

Oh well thanks anyway Dave, I know it was a long shot and I’m not surprised you’ve never had one to repair, from what I’ve heard Whyte’s are pretty much bulletproof, mine is three years old and I’m still on my first set of frame bearings, I hope those words don’t come back to bite me 😁

[@thebikerepairshopformby]

Excellent work Dave, i couldn’t manufacture that spacer……made me feel inadequate 😅

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Thank you Phil, I just love a challenge.

[@DDMMYYYYNZ]

Great video! Where do you get the bearing tool from? Do you have a link?

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, which tool, there is a few in the video

[@michaelGreen-x6r]

Can you assist, please,trying to use cain sonic Mobil phone app when plucking the belt readings left to right the readings fluctuate in between plucks, so how is the average attained Also, why is the left reading box a different colour, I have lent a kriket gauge but am I correct that the colour black is a motocycle one? Thank you

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, thanks for watching, I think you replied to the wrong video

[@LuisManuelHdez]

You're awesome! Wish you were close to me. I need to do this to my 2020 levo SL, as it has a nasty creak under load. Might have to bite the bullet and pay the ridiculous sum of $260.00 for the job cause I don't have the tools.

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Thank you, that seems a bit expensive. I charge £150.00

[@OldManRideing]

Fantastic video is very informative Can I ask where can I purchase this bearing tool if you have a link Please

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi Andrew, sure, www.kineticbikebearings.com/tools.html

[@GNX157]

For those doing this, as faor Allen wrench used, look at the ends of the key, the corners should have machined bevels at the corners, and this will match the way the Allen bolt recess is made, with the end result being the Allen keys goes in deeper and more solidly for a better bite on the bolt. Using a key for example that has been cut down with a hacksaw, is not a good idea as the corners at the end haven’t gotten the machined bevel on them.

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, great comments, I often grind the tips on my keys to get back to a clean key

[@gituser4712]

A bit off topic but What brand is that rear mud guard?

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, Thank you for watching and your comment, if I remember right think is was a mudhugger

[@bdc9165]

What are the chances you have a link to the tools used?

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, sure thing, www.chainreactioncycles.com/lifeline-pro-bearing-press-set/rp-prod202219 www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-FSR-Tool-Kit-12mm-Bearing-Tools_96584.htm?sku=342287&Home%20and%20workshop%20tools&Specialized&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0oagBhDHARIsAI-Bbgcy-uEYWUiicPPjIxwNBj2yvMptjTiOxMn9emwVlfTsSpZ3BEDyDvYaAhGZEALw_wcB www.kineticbikebearings.com/tools.html

[@ka81alex]

The MOST important info not shown. C'mon, we're all here because of hpoing to see the actuall process of removing those f...g double-bearings. Yes, you said - "blind bearing puller" - but which one (there are dozens of types of it.). How did you use it exactly? Because I don't see any chance to use it cause of those alu wahsers inside between bearings.

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, thank you for watching and your comments. I have another spesh knevo in at the minute, I will film the process.

[@sp00n]

@@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic Well, it seems it never came to this.

[@Robbrown92]

do you have a link to the tool?

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/shop/accessories/tools/specialized-fsrtoolkit12mmbearingtools-457994/option/

[@Robbrown92]

@@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic out of stock that’s a pain

[@nigel22347]

Great Dave, who sells the bearing press?

[@maciejwodecki646]

Kinetic Bearings

[@perspectivedetective2703]

Don't specialized recommend Loctite 603 between frame and bearing?

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, Thanks for watching and your comments, yes they do but from experience it's too harsh, bearing housings can be tight on the spesh without any compound, they are very hard to remove with compound.

[@perspectivedetective2703]

@@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic Nightmare!!! lol Im just about to do my Kenevo SL for the first time. So you would advice me not to use 603 when installing new bearings? Any tips on getting the original ones out, which i assume has 603 applied? Thanks for replying, i appreciate your opinion.

[@nigel5695]

Hi Dave What’s your view on ceramic bearings, are they worth the extra cost in your opinion?

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi Nigel, It's an interesting topic, my own personal view is that when you are at the top of your game and looking for every advantage available to get the best performance available then ceramics is the obvious choice, they last much longer than steel but cost considerably more too. They do run with less friction, which offers a significant advantage in industrial applications running at 20,000 rpm. A tiny percentage reduction in friction here can equate to a worthwhile power saving, but when you're only turning at 300 rpm, as you do on a bicycle a small percentage increase in efficiency will make a negligible change to your power output. Certainly not worth the significant increase in cost."

[@nigel5695]

@@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic Thanks Dave really helpful, non ceramic it is

[@paularthur6456]

Wondering what one should expect to pay for this service.

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

The labour charge is approx £60

[@theyreallnamedgeorge6997]

You didn’t show the process for using the drift to remove main pivot! That would have been quite helpful seeing as that’s the hardest part. Then you also skip removing the double bearing at the back end! You went through all that effort of making the video and then you skipped the two hardest parts of the job.

[@jasongunn4557]

I don’t suppose you found out because I’m trying to change them too ?

[@jennchase]

Agreed. He literally skipped over the one part I wanted help with - the double bearing where you can’t push them out like the rest.

[@d1qpi]

Same here. Did you guys manage to remove the double bearings and if so, how?

[@sp00n]

@@d1qpi Meh, my original comment is not showing up, trying again. I was able to remove these bearings using a slide hammer. It's a bit of messy process though, because there is a spacer between the two bearings, which prevents you from getting a good grip on the outer bearing. So either you manage to only grab on the inner ring and extract this way, or you will end up scratching the spacer to create a large enough gap for the slide hammer to get a grip on the backside of the bearing. Either way, it worked (twice now). There is a dedicated tool from BearingProTools though, which was specifically designed for the Specialized rear bearings. It looks pretty good, but I haven't tried it myself.

[@cocoplops4982]

Fantastic content as always. Laying in wait for you to have a cube stereo hybrid with bearings needing changed 🤣

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, Thank you for watching and your comments, should be soon

[@johnf3326]

Tha'll be doin' thysen aaaht onna job!

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, Thank you for watching and your comment

[@edgarsnezinu1439]

Those bearings should be torqued about 5 Nm some 7 Nm but I see owner torqued close to 20 Nm lol ... Interesting you didn't mentioned that

[@TheYorkshireBikeMechanic]

Hi, thanks for watching and your comments, I don't like referring to specific settings too much, I try and refer to manuals

[@miathemalinoisgsdx1320]

Hope you sold that Levo owner some proper flat pedals.

[@sp00n]

- Extensively shows how to extract the easy to access bearings. - Doesn't show any footage of the hard to access ones in the rear. - Disappointed.

[@bobn8605]

Pretty worthless. Does not show how he removed the bearings.

[@janeblogs324]

A hammer and punch, caveman style