New Owner of Turbo Levo Comp 2022 Questions!

[sammcneill]

Hi Guys,

I've been a regular poster over at then Riese & Muller forum (I own a SuperCharger 2) and tomorrow I'm picking up my new Turbo Levo Comp Allow 2022 - can't wait.

I could not justify/afford the higher spec models, so I see this one has the 2021 TCU - without the full visual display.

Questions:

• Does anyone know if you can buy the TCU Mastermind and replace it into this lower spec model? Any ideas around cost?
• Any suggestions on "must have" additions to make the Turbo Levo experience better?
  • open to any/all ideas here as I've not owned an eMTB before, but have 4 other bikes and just love riding.

Cheers!
Sam

PS = kind of surprised there are not a heap of Turbo Levo threads on this forum....

 

[JRA]

"PS = kind of surprised there are not a heap of Turbo Levo threads on this forum...."

That is because they are all over on EMTBforums. I believe I read over there recently it is not possible.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Congratulations, Sam!

Does anyone know if you can buy the TCU Mastermind and replace it into this lower spec model? Any ideas around cost?

I can ask a friendly salesman at Specialized. It is strange: the new motor, new battery, older controller? And that is true! (Besides, you should ask your Specialized dealer because only he knows what is doable and available and what the cost is). However: Do you really think you would be peeking between your legs while riding off-road? If any e-MTBer would need a display that would be a Garmin Edge or Wahoo ELEMNT, as these GPS bike computers seamlessly connect to Specialized e-bikes, and are mounted where a display is expected to be. Or, even the Specialized TCD wireless display would do.

If I were buying a Levo today, I would be happy with the older TCU... For example, I could still use the invaluable BLEvo app!

Any suggestions on "must have" additions to make the Turbo Levo experience better?

I think you should ride your Levo for a longer while to determine whether anything should be replaced or added. @PDoz: Ideas?

PS = kind of surprised there are not a heap of Turbo Levo threads on this forum....

Owners of Levos typically gather at e-MTB specific fora

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@sammcneill: We want pics of your Levo, and to learn more about your early ride experiences!

 

[sammcneill]

@sammcneill: We want pics of your Levo, and to learn more about your early ride experiences!

@Stefan Mikes so I drove 6hrs to the town to pick it up where I'd agreed to pick it up - near where we have a holiday home so I got to stay two beautiful days and get some rides in. Was very hot - the bike didn't come with any pedals so he just put some cheap plastic ones on for me to go for some rides and I'll get some new ones this week.

Overall, super impressive bike - tackled everything I threw at it, had more than enough power for steep climbs (over 1000m elevation on second ride) and didn't mind the rough stuff either. Motor was surprisingly quiet too.

Will post some more thoughts in due course, but here are the photos as asked for!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you Sam! If I only had storage space... I'd buy Levo Alloy for sure!

 

[tallpaul]

Hi Guys,

I've been a regular poster over at then Riese & Muller forum (I own a SuperCharger 2) and tomorrow I'm picking up my new Turbo Levo Comp Allow 2022 - can't wait.

I could not justify/afford the higher spec models, so I see this one has the 2021 TCU - without the full visual display.

Questions:

• Does anyone know if you can buy the TCU Mastermind and replace it into this lower spec model? Any ideas around cost?
• Any suggestions on "must have" additions to make the Turbo Levo experience better?
  • open to any/all ideas here as I've not owned an eMTB before, but have 4 other bikes and just love riding.

Cheers!
Sam

PS = kind of surprised there are not a heap of Turbo Levo threads on this forum....

Check out this YouTube video, looks like it can work, worth watching.

Getting delivery of my Turbo Levo next week...

 

[sammcneill]

Nice to know - I've done a few rides using a free Garmin IQ app someone wrote on my Fenix Pro 6 and that gives me a bunch of the key data. MIght stick with this for now

 

[tallpaul]

I've had my 2022 S-Works Turbo Levo for about a month or so, put on around 200+ miles.
I wanted the new TCU especially being used to a Nyon on my Haibike, which gives every bit of ride info, and is well located and easy to read.
I must say the new TCU is really hard to read, especially if you are wearing polarized sunglasses. The assist modes are color coded but are typically quite small on the display making it hard to read.
I find myself spending too much time looking down at the display trying to read it, instead of having my eyes looking ahead where they should be.
And in the end I am getting accustomed to not looking so much and being ok with that. And when you are stopped or off the bike Mission Control on the iPhone has lots of info on everything imaginable and many settings that are editable. So in conclusion I don't think having the updated TCU should be a reason to go for a higher end Specialized model.
I went for the S-Works for several other reasons, especially the bluetooth derailleur and dropper seat post. The cassette is a work of art. They all work beautifully together and are a pleasure to use.
Overall I am quite pleased with the bike. It is the only bike I have ever been interested in that comes in a size recommended for my 6'7" height, the S6.
Always thought I'd stick with Bosch but the Brose is quite nice. It's power curves seem smoother, and more powerful. Quiet as can be. Setting it in Trail mode I can go almost the whole ride without changing it. On steep uphills Turbo is very impressive. Battery usage seems very similar to the Bosch. Shocks do a great job, fast responses, deadening the bumps. This is my first carbon bike. The frame definitely dampens vibrations better then the alloy frame. Magura M7 are stellar.
Specialized, the company, have been pretty responsive to my emails. This bike brings me back 40 or so years ago when I bought one of the only mtb's around in those days, the Specialized Stumpjumper.
The S-Works costs are fitting the high end components. I bought this for myself as at 75 years old I figured this was a good celebration icon of being still able to ride!

 

[kahn]

I've had my 2022 S-Works Turbo Levo for about a month or so, put on around 200+ miles.
I wanted the new TCU especially being used to a Nyon on my Haibike, which gives every bit of ride info, and is well located and easy to read.
I must say the new TCU is really hard to read, especially if you are wearing polarized sunglasses. The assist modes are color coded but are typically quite small on the display making it hard to read.
I find myself spending too much time looking down at the display trying to read it, instead of having my eyes looking ahead where they should be.
And in the end I am getting accustomed to not looking so much and being ok with that. And when you are stopped or off the bike Mission Control on the iPhone has lots of info on everything imaginable and many settings that are editable. So in conclusion I don't think having the updated TCU should be a reason to go for a higher end Specialized model.
I went for the S-Works for several other reasons, especially the bluetooth derailleur and dropper seat post. The cassette is a work of art. They all work beautifully together and are a pleasure to use.
Overall I am quite pleased with the bike. It is the only bike I have ever been interested in that comes in a size recommended for my 6'7" height, the S6.
Always thought I'd stick with Bosch but the Brose is quite nice. It's power curves seem smoother, and more powerful. Quiet as can be. Setting it in Trail mode I can go almost the whole ride without changing it. On steep uphills Turbo is very impressive. Battery usage seems very similar to the Bosch. Shocks do a great job, fast responses, deadening the bumps. This is my first carbon bike. The frame definitely dampens vibrations better then the alloy frame. Magura M7 are stellar.
Specialized, the company, have been pretty responsive to my emails. This bike brings me back 40 or so years ago when I bought one of the only mtb's around in those days, the Specialized Stumpjumper.
The S-Works costs are fitting the high end components. I bought this for myself as at 75 years old I figured this was a good celebration icon of being still able to ride!

I hope you get another 10 or 15 years out of it.

Now that my Creo has the power buttons on the handlebar, I have no need to stare down between my legs WHILE biking! I can't imagine having a whole series of info on that little panel.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I can't imagine having a whole series of info on that little panel.

I would connect a Garmin or Wahoo and mounted it out front.

 

[kahn]

I would connect a Garmin or Wahoo and mounted it out front.

Hence my question in the TCD2 or TCU thread.

 

[tallpaul]

I hope you get another 10 or 15 years out of it.

Now that my Creo has the power buttons on the handlebar, I have no need to stare down between my legs WHILE biking! I can't imagine having a whole series of info on that little panel.

Thank you!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Sweet rides @sammcneill and @tallpaul! I recently put a deposit down on a 2022 Levo CC and am looking forward to some epic rides. The LBS where I acquired it advised me there was a two week backlog on new builds so I'm afraid that it will take a bit longer before I can take delivery. On a related note, I was finally able to get out on the Creo today now that warmer weather has finally arrived and the snow is a distant memory.....at least in the interim.

 

[kahn]

Sweet rides @sammcneill and @tallpaul! I recently put a deposit down on a 2022 Levo CC and am looking forward to some epic rides. The LBS where I acquired it advised me there was a two week backlog on new builds so I'm afraid that it will take a bit longer before I can take delivery. On a related note, I was finally able to get out on the Creo today now that warmer weather has finally arrived and the snow is a distant memory.....at least in the interim.

Hope this is not too intrusive a question. What are you moving from and why? Or just an additional toy in the quiver?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Hope this is not too intrusive a question. What are you moving from and why? Or just an additional toy in the quiver?

Not all all. A buddy of mine owns a 1st gen Levo and on more than one occasion we’ve exchanged saddle positions on our local trails to compare rides. The love affair with my Trance is starting to tarnish as singletracks are not its forte with its longish chainstays and wheelbase. For that reason, it’s a beast when it comes to climbing but it’s also heavy and turning it around on tight trails isn’t what I would define as an easy endeavor as I’m a pretty small dude. The nimbler Levo in comparison handles like a dream and I can expect this latest mullet will only enhance its maneuverability. Even the simple task of lifting the Trance onto a hitch rack/tailgate is daunting. Not so with the Levo CC. There’s also the ability to further adjust the geometry on this latest iteration by simply swapping headset cups and raising or dropping the BB an additional 7mm. Mastemind TCU is the proverbial icing on the cake and an improved belt drive will hopefully make motor failures a thing of the past. More torque and a beefier battery won’t hurt either…though admittedly it will be an initial hit on the wallet.

Below is footage from a ride two days ago. It takes all that I can muster to keep up with Kelvin’s Levo and I’m only able to gain some ground at a climb near the end of the video. My apology for the quality the hastily edited footage.

As for the Trance, the situation at the moment appears to be somewhat unresolved as to whether I’ll move on or retain it as my winter ride when the trails become far less technical in snow. That being said, I recently moved an older acoustic rigid out of the garage and its new owner seems happy with it so n +1 might be in the cards.

 

[kahn]

Not all all. A buddy of mine owns a 1st gen Levo and on more than one occasion we’ve exchanged saddle positions on our local trails to compare rides. The love affair with my Trance is starting to tarnish as singletracks are not its forte with its longish chainstays and wheelbase. For that reason, it’s a beast when it comes to climbing but it’s also heavy and turning it around on tight trails isn’t what I would define as an easy endeavor as I’m a pretty small dude. The nimbler Levo in comparison handles like a dream and I can expect this latest mullet will only enhance its maneuverability. Even the simple task of lifting the Trance onto a hitch rack/tailgate is daunting. Not so with the Levo CC. There’s also the ability to further adjust the geometry on this latest iteration by simply swapping headset cups and raising or dropping the BB an additional 7mm. Mastemind TCU is the proverbial icing on the cake and an improved belt drive will hopefully make motor failures a thing of the past. More torque and a beefier battery won’t hurt either…though admittedly it will be an initial hit on the wallet.

Below is footage from a ride two days ago. It takes all that I can muster to keep up with Kelvin’s Levo and I’m only able to gain some ground at a climb near the end of the video. My apology for the quality the hastily edited footage.

As for the Trance, the situation at the moment appears to be somewhat unresolved as to whether I’ll move on or retain it as my winter ride when the trails become far less technical in snow. That being said, I recently moved an older acoustic rigid out of the garage and its new owner seems happy with it so n +1 might be in the cards.

Hastily edited or not, watching your videos is definitely fun - vicarious fun! I was going to ask "old video" but then I saw the snow. Our I-90 closed due to snowy spinouts today. It ain't over yet.

 

[Prairie Dog]

but then I saw the snow. Our I-90 closed due to snowy spinouts today. It ain't over yet.

It’s not uncommon for us to see snow over our May long weekend so I tend to agree with you that it ain’t over yet. After a stellar 20C + road ride yesterday, we will also be returning to less favorable conditions by midweek with snow in the forecast and below freezing temps.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Even the simple task of lifting the Trance onto a hitch rack/tailgate is daunting. Not so with the Levo CC.

What is the difference in weight? Are you talking about the full power Levo Comp Carbon?

 

[Prairie Dog]

What is the difference in weight? Are you talking about the full power Levo Comp Carbon?

Yes, the full blown Levo Comp Carbon not the SL. I was told 22.5 kg or roughly 49 ½ lbs. My Trance sans pedals tips the scales at just over 57 lbs.