How To Setup Your MTB Suspension: Featuring Rob Drew and the Specialized Levo SL

#mtbsuspensionsetup #specializedbikes #richdrew #drewbros
Well, many of you have been waiting for it and here it is! Rob Drew breaks down some MTB suspension setup using our 2021 ‪@specializedbicycles‬ Levo SLs. Come along as Rob breaks down some best practices when it comes to suspension setup and provides some solid insight into on trail tuning and performance. Please drop your setup and suspension questions for Rob down in the comments.
Follow along behind the scenes on Instagram for even more insight to the OZ Trails: www.instagram....
Are YOU ready to come shred the OZ Trails? Shoot us an email at [e-mail] to book a skills session or some on trail time with Rich.
Suspension setup certainly isn't easy, but it's made even more difficult with the onslaught of "experts" out there expounding on how it's done. So why is this different? Truth be told, it's up to you to make that determination. If you've followed me for awhile, you will know that I don't claim to be any sort of a suspension guru. As a matter of fact, I'm very much ok with my role as "Cole Trickle" when it comes to bike setup!
Rob takes some time to talk about setup using his experience with the 2021 Specialized Levo SL. Although there's a solid amount of info in this video, we still have a dedicated suspension setup video in the works.
Hopefully you can glean some solid insight from this one and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you might have.
Peace out dumpers!!

[@themiddleagemasher8108]

Loving these videos. I know those trails well and ‘the Rob father’ slays it

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thank you! He slays them indeed.

[@SUPERFUDSTER]

This is a really great vid, i have new bike day coming. hopefully this saturday, thanks

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Awesome, congrats!

[@johnglynn7795]

Hey guys, appreciate the video and look forward to my new Specialized E Bike back home in Phoenix. Jg

[@hoppy760]

Father and son? Dad is a beast. Old guys rule!

[@69mjar]

Love Robs bike color.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

It’s rad! I’m jealous

[@Jacob99174]

Dem shoes

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Oh yeah!

[@brennen-nwamtb789]

So does lower sag numbers (like 15%) always mean that it will make the suspension less supple/more harsh than at higher sag numbers (like 20-25%) thanks!

[@vivek_v]

Short answer: yes Long answer: depends on when your midstroke ramp happens. If you have too much sag, any small bump will cause the fork to go into its midstroke. Almost all forks and shocks have a significant ramp in pressure when you reach the midstroke, leading to the fork feeling very harsh. The position of the midstroke ramp depends on your suspension, and how often you reach it depends on your riding and terrain.

[@driftlessareasingletrack2933]

thanks for the video. this will be my second season on an SL, good to see they went to a 36, I ditched the 34 recently for a Diamond D1 at 160mm and a topaz T3 Air out back. Would have loved a coil but read about the warranty issues and decided to stick with air. A coil would be sweet though.

[@chawkins45ify]

spring provides the support, damper controls the energy. sounds like Rich needs more air pressure to prevent bottoming and use hsc to get the control he needs for bigger hits

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Hey there! Rob wanted me to ask you if you could explain exactly what happens internally when you add in HSC?

[@chawkins45ify]

@@richdrewtherideseries most of your Hsc comes from your shim stack and with the grip2 damper it puts a pre -load on the shims to create more damping force (limiting the amount of oil allowed to pass) which hydraulically controls the motion. The newer grip2 damper to my knowledge has decreased the range of HSC availible which is probably why you're maxing out the adjuster and volume spacers.

[@chawkins45ify]

@@richdrewtherideseries check with fox as you maybe able to run a thicker fluid or may need a custom tune if the increased air pressure and max'd out hsc is creating harshness from either the spring rate or hydraulic spiking (oil can't flow fast enough on big hits)

[@chawkins45ify]

@@richdrewtherideseries maybe a prior generation air spring with less negative air volume would work too

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

Shouldn't sag have been the first thing you measured and set?

[@amandioapereira]

Hi Rich , Thanks for your vídeo . I have a Levo SL Expert and i Ride it in Portugal for a few months now . I notice That in the video wend setup the rear shock and change the flip chip to the high position mentioned that the flip chip have four ( 4 ) setup positions !!!??? Can you confirm that please .?? I thought that it have only two ( 2 ) positions setup ( high and low ) ?? Thanks

[@KB-vs6re]

Hi Drew’s, have you checked the warranty on coil shocks used with the extended fork, it’s trashed a Bomber from my understanding the only coil warrantied is Ohlins, which I now use. You did say Zeb in a previous video I went Lyric as it had a better axle to crown dimension. I’m also using a Cascade link and 210 x 55 which works for me. What do you think Rob?

[@halnogaies1256]

So that gate keeper trail is only for ebikes? What about a non ebike hardtail?

[@benwithrow5044]

Nice video, as always. What wall bike rack does Rob have?

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thanks Ben! Rob built that one himself.

[@benwithrow5044]

@@richdrewtherideseries That would be a great idea for a video, in case you're into that sort of thing ;)

[@johnglynn7795]

Hello Rick, I live in the Mesa area and enjoyed your video despite the fact I do not have an E Bike. That said, I noticed in your video the floor bike rack called a "Smile." Can you verify and let me know where to purchase one in the PHX metroplex? Blue skies, Jg

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Hey John! They come from MTB Hopper and I believe you have to order them direct if I'm not mistaken. It's a great stand!

[@kyleroxasphoto]

Can we get another flat pedal vs clipless pedal video from you guys again?

[@lathamstylemtb]

4 spacers on a fox 36 tells me your probably running too much sag

[@MTBMOR]

Jumping an XC bike and bouncing on the landings. I tried adding rebound damping and had difficulties with traction. I added some air and will try again. I have maxed out the number of volume spacers....Any other suggestions?

[@vivek_v]

It seems as if you are trying to have one setup for everything. Have a setup for more bumpy trails, and a setup with more air, more tokens, and more rebound damping for jumping. The easiest adjustment would be to add a bunch of rebound damping temporarily when you want to do jumps. ^^That's what I do Bouncy landings can also be caused by incorrect jumping technique But as with everything related to suspension, experiment

[@lenbata]

I got my 2021 Turbo Levo Comp before the crazy price went up 😅

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Heck yeah, good for you! Such an awesome bike.

[@jf8534]

Stop playing with the pump says Drew as he gently extends his hand and touches the other guy.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Glad you caught that!

[@TriDaddy]

Hey Rich, how can we meet up with you in OZ March12-14th?

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Hey Matt! Shoot an email to [e-mail] . That'll go to the boss (my wife.) She'll be able to tell you if we have something scheduled. ;)

[@reaps89]

What bike stand is the bike on ?

[@richdrewtherideseries]

It’s the Smile stand from MTB Hopper

[@downundermtb4744]

I’ve been seeing 15-20 percent sag in the front and 20 -30 in the rear..Anyone running okay with that setup?

[@vivek_v]

Most bike manufacturers should have recommended sag for the specific bike on both the fork and the shock

[@alexandrucovaliov8989]

Do you see.... you guys explain things, but... don't forget there are lot of noobs like me that don't know all the details and tricks. You added 2 extra volume spacers, but you didn't say why 2 and not 1 and not 3 more. Then, when you started pumping air inside, did you open for to full open or kept in the middle? Rear shock... good you mentioned to hold the frame while removing the shock, but you didn't mention yellow towel you used to avoid frame scratches when removing the shock. Also... what started confusing me for last time is why volume spacers and not pump more air into the fork? What/How volume spacers work in this case? And when you bottom, is that when the switch is to full open position or medium? In other words, there are lot of details we see if we pay attention what's in the background also when you could deliver it by saying what did you do and why do you do, etc, etc. Hope you will take into consideration it as a constructive criticism. :)

[@alexandrucovaliov8989]

btw, what position is your front and rear fork is switch position, when you are riding on these rocks? I found when front is open it digs when the wheel meets and obstacle that might cause nose dive down....

[@ziggy_rampage]

how much pressure would you say you lose, when you unscrew the shock pump? i always hear a fair bit coming out, so i add about 10% . is that ok?

[@ROZAY305BOSS]

You don't lose any pressure when unscrewing the shock pump. That pressure you hear is the air coming out of the hose on the shock pump.

[@seanknight9898]

But, you’ll notice a drop when attaching the pump back on because the hose steals some.

[@tiptopimdakillah3776]

11:35 😂

[@fuzzfadel6141]

That's Zakk Wylde

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Who’s that?

[@fuzzfadel6141]

@@richdrewtherideseries oohh sorry 😁... Rob looks like Zakk Wylde... The heavy metal guitarist. Played with Ozzy Osbourne 😬