Specialized

Specialized just released a 36 pound electric mountain bike, but it's not for you

Special zed's super lightweight electric mountain bike isn�t for you; it�s for your kids. The premium bicycle manufacturer�s newest model, the Levo SL Kids, is a slightly smaller version of its popular Levo SL electric mountain bike. It comes with a reduced frame size and 24″ wheels, among other child-friendly modifications, to get kids into the adrenaline-pumping sport of electric mountain biking.

I know what you�re thinking, �Kids and e-bikes? Just tell �em to pedal!� I hear you, but perhaps you haven�t gone electric mountain biking before.

This isn�t an effortless recreational cruise along the boardwalk on your balloon tire Pedego (which is fun in its own right!). Electric mountain biking is fast, intense, and draining � even with the assistance of a battery between your knees.

Electric mountain bikes can help take the pain out of a long uphill climb on a pedal bike, but they still require the rider to be an active participant, churning away on those pedals and getting that heart pumping.
specialized levo sl kids

The new Specialized Levo SL Kids is designed to help get more kids into that sport and experiencing the fun of overcoming obstacles while exploring the trails. And part of its attraction is that it helps tame some of those steeper hills that younger riders might not have yet developed the muscle mass or stamina required to conquer.

It also gives them a chance to �keep up� with parents or more experienced riders without getting bogged down in the more arduous sections of many trails.
specialized levo sl kids

We�ve seen kids e-bikes before, but they�re generally more of the Walmart bike design, with cheap frames and cheap components.

That�s not the kind of bike that Specialized builds.

The Levo SL Kids uses many of the same components as the Levo SL for adult riders. It�s got the same Specialized SL 1.2 mid-drive motor and battery, which are designed to be both powerful and ultra lightweight.

The bike includes a dropper seat post, 100mm Reba air fork, a SRAM NX 11-speed drivetrain and adjustable reach SRAM Level T hydraulic brake levers to make sure smaller hands can comfortably and safely control the stoppers.
specialized levo sl kids

While the new ride features a number of high quality parts normally found on adult-oriented electric bikes, the fitment has been optimized for kids and shorter riders. That includes a lower standover height and slackened head tube angle. The shortened chainstays help provide more maneuverability and responsiveness, giving kids more control.

The company tells us that the same setup can fit kids from 48″ to 60″ (122 to 152 cm). A bike that can accommodate a six year old just as easily as a twelve year old means that it can grow with a kid, preventing the need to get a new model every year or two.

The bike is also quite lightweight, which the SL moniker should have already hinted at. While the adult version of the Levo SL is svelte itself at around 19 kg (41 lb), the new Levo SL Kids floats on the scale at just 16.6 kg (36.6 lb).

As far as range goes, Specialized seems to think that�s a non-issue:

�The same 320 wh battery and motor that powers the adult�s Levo SL drives the new Levo SL Kids. The full-size Levo SL, piloted by an adult, gives you up to 5 hours of range. With a much smaller rider on Levo SL Kids, the range goes up considerably. Trust us, the only juice you should be worried about running out of is the kind squeeze from a fruit.�

specialized levo sl kids

Speaking of that squeeze, your kid might need to put in a few extra hours at his or her lemonade stand. Pricing is set at US $3,800 in the United States (or in other markets: �4,000 in the EU, �3,500 in the UK and AUD $5,000 down under).

And as a nice little addendum, Specialized shared with us that in tandem with this launch, they will also be donating 500 kids bikes and helmets to local Outride programs so that young riders can harness the cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical well-being benefits of cycling.
Electrek�s Take

While that�s a bit more than tooth fairy money, this isn�t your typical kids e-bike. Specialized builds high quality bikes that are designed to last, and this is one of those bikes. Sure, it�s not quite as top tier as the adult version of the Specialized Levo SL, but it�s got most of the bells and whistles, plus all of the same electronics.

I think it�s great to see the company expand into kids e-bikes, especially since these are of course Class 1 e-bikes and don�t have throttles. That means kids are going to be getting a workout, no matter what power level they choose.

I got my nephews a pedal assist e-bike and they quickly learned that if they want the battery to last, eco mode is their friend (though it had less than half the battery capacity of this Specialized Levo SL Kids.) So I don�t think kids are going to be keeping this thing in higher power modes all the time unless they want to reach the next uphill section with no charge left.

For the growing sport of electric mountain biking, getting kids started out on a quality machine seems like a great way to begin� if the parents can afford it.

Trek

Trek Bicycle Corp., of Waterloo, Wis., is recalling about 96,900 Promax hydraulic disc brakes sold on Trek bicycles.

The brake hose can detach from the brake lever, posing a crash hazard.

The firm has received 195 reports of brake hoses detaching from the brake lever in the U.S. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Trek bicycles with revision 1 of the Promax Solve DSK-925 and Promax F1 DSK-927 hydraulic disc brakes installed as original equipment on the bicycle models listed in the table found here.

The serial number is printed on a sticker under the bike frame.

The disc brakes, manufactured in Taiwan, were sold at Trek dealers nationwide and online at www.trekbikes.com from June 2021, through March 2023, for between $730 and $3,300.
What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the bicycles with the recalled brakes and contact their local authorized Trek dealer for a free inspection and repair.

Consumers may check their bike�s serial number at www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/promax-recall-inquiry/ to determine if their bike is included in this recall.

Consumers may contact Trek at (800) 373-4594 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday, or online at www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/company/legal_policies/safety_recalls for more information.

A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years, Jim Limbach covers the federal agencies for ConsumerAffairs. Previously, he was a reporter and news anchor for Associated Press Broadcast Services, where he covered business and consumer news as well as space shots and other major spot news events.

Giant

Bicycle Market Gain Impetus Due to The Growing Demand Over 2030 | Giant Bicycles, Kross S.A., Fuji Bikes
Skyquest Technology Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
6�7 minutes

PRESS RELEASE

Published June 13, 2023

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Leading Market Research Firm: Skyquest Technology has announced the release of its latest report on Bicycle Market. It provides an in-depth analysis of the drivers, restraints, market dynamics, trends, opportunities and challenges, and competitive landscape that are expected to shape its future growth trajectory.

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Bicycle Market was valued at USD 59.32 Billion in 2021, and it is expected to reach a value of USD 89.80 Billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 6.1% over the forecast period (2022 � 2028).

Bicycle Market Top Player�s Company Profiles:

Giant Bicycles
Trek Bicycle Corporation
Specialized Bicycle Components
Merida Industry Co. Ltd.
Accell Group
Hero Cycles Ltd.
Dorel Industries Inc.
Scott Sports SA
Derby Cycle Holding GmbH
Kross S.A.
Fuji Bikes
Cannondale Bicycle Corporation
Raleigh Bicycle Company
Cervelo Cycles Inc.
Santa Cruz Bicycles
Yeti Cycles
Pivot Cycles
Intense Cycles
Norco Bicycles
Ibis Cycles Inc.

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Bicycle Market Forecast | Influencing Factors | Historic Data

Market Size Forecast: Global Overall Size, By Type/Product Category, By Applications/End Users, By Regions/Geography.
Global Meditation Apps Market Drivers: Growing Demand, Reduction in Cost, Market Opportunities and Challenges.
Key Data (Revenue): Bicycle Market Size, Market Share, Growth Rate, Growth, Product Sales Price.
Global Meditation Apps Market Sales Revenue: Market Share, Growth Rate, Current Market Analysis.
Competitive Landscape: By Manufacturers, Development Trends.
Industry Trends: Global Revenue, Status, and Outlook.
Market Segment: By Types, By Applications, By Regions/ Geography.
Product Revenue for Top Players: Market Share, Growth Rate, Current Market Situation Analysis.
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The research study can answer the following Key questions:

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(4) Does any player dominate the Bicycle Market?
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Competition: This section includes information on market conditions and trends, analyzes manufacturers, and provides data on average prices paid by players, revenue and revenue shares of individual market players, sales and sales shares of individual players.
Company Profiles: This part of the research provides in-depth, analytical information on the financial and business strategy data of some of the top players in the Bicycle Market. This chapter of the report also covers a number of other specifics, such as product/service descriptions, portfolios, regional reach, and revenue splits.
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Cannondale

The Habit has long been Cannondale�s mid-travel trail bike. In 2023, the range is split in two, with the Habit 3 and Habit 4 sporting 130mm travel with 140mm forks, and the Habit LT 2 and Habit LT 1 featuring 10mm more at either end.

The bike has been brought right up to date, with a new geometry that places it slap-bang in the middle of the thoroughly contemporary bell-curve.

Cannondale claims each size of bike has been tuned for the corresponding rider heights, with adjustments made in both the geometry and suspension kinematics to suit.

At �2,950, the Habit 3 is the cheapest bike in my Trail Bike of the Year test. The spec list might not have the bells and whistles of the pricier bikes, but it�s the ride quality that takes precedent in this test.
Cannondale Habit 3 frame and suspension
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
It�s great to see Cannondale update its trail-ready Habit for 2023.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

Cannondale�s SmartForm C1 alloy is used for this 130mm-travel bike. This hydroformed construction provides flowing lines along all the tubes.

The top tube drops towards the seat tube, giving standover height, with a little brace to offer support.

The down tube curves along from the head tube to the belly of the bike, aiding fork crown clearance, with ample weld seams. The kinked seat tube enables Cannondale to place the rocker pivot just where it wants it.
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
SRAM�s NX and SX Eagle drivetrain is heavier than more expensive groups, but performs well when new.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

The frame has guided internal cable routing, a Universal Derailleur Hanger, ISCG05 chain guide mount, and down tube and chainstay rubber protection.

A four-bar suspension linkage, with its chainstay-located rear pivot, completes the picture. The asymmetric rear triangle offers stiffness, and a svelte rocker link drives the shock.

Cannondale says its Proportional Response philosophy alters suspension kinematics, as well as geometry, across the sizes, to ensure all riders get the same bike feel on the trail.
Cannondale Habit 3 geometry
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
The Habit 3�s design is contemporary, but not radical.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

Cannondale has updated the Habit with a shape that�s right up to date, without going to the extreme � suitable for a bike of this style and price point.

The size-large bike I tested has an ample reach of 480mm, which is pretty long in the context of a 130mm-travel bike.

This is paired with a 65.5-degree head angle. That�s middle of the road and slack enough to ensure stability, but steep enough to aid snappy handling. The seat angle is 77.3 degrees at my 75cm saddle height.

Cannondale has given the bike 29in wheels, though the XS size gets 27.5in hoops.

The chainstay lengths change with bike size, from 43.4 to 44.5cm. It�s not a huge change, but it�s good to see some lengthening on bigger bikes because it should help keep handling characteristics more comparable across sizing.
Cannondale Habit 3 specifications
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
RockShox�s Pike fork has a decent trail-focused chassis.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

At �2,950, the Habit 3 is one of the cheapest bikes in my test this year, and this is reflected in the spec list.

Suspension comes from RockShox, with a 140mm Pike Select fork at the front, with its more basic Rush RC damper, and a deluxe Select+ shock.

SRAM�s NX and SX gears are specced, with a 30t chainring combining with the 11-50t cassette to get you up steep inclines.
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
The SRAM DB8 brakes aren�t as good as equivalent stoppers from Shimano.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

SRAM also provide the brakes, in this case the new mineral oil DB8 stoppers with 180mm rotors at each end. This is contrary to the spec list on Cannondale�s website, which lists the G2, so check with your retailer if this is of importance.

A Stan�s rim is a nice tubeless-ready touch.

The wheels are wrapped in Maxxis tyres � a low-profile and fast-rolling Rekon at the rear, and a Dissector at the front, both in 2.4in widths with the standard EXO casing.
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
Cannondale-branded componentry gave nothing to complain about.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

The inclusion of Torque Caps on the hubs is a really nice touch from the product manager. It makes getting the wheel in the fork and the axle seated nice and easy, and theoretically boosts stiffness too.

Cannondale�s cockpit is well-shaped and its TrailShroom grips comfortable.
Cannondale Habit 3 ride impressions
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
The Habit is stable in the air and boosts lips well.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

This bike was tested as part of our 2023 Bike of the Year test. It was compared to seven of the best trail bikes, listed below.

I took all the bikes to the same locations and trails for some dedicated back-to-back testing on a wide variety of terrain.

From hand-dug tracks in the woods to trail-centre laps and BikePark Wales� rocky runs, I ensured the trail bikes were exposed to every type of trail such a bike is likely to be ridden on.

Riding the bikes back to back, usually with four in each testing session, ensured I was able to pick out the finer performance points of each one.
Cannondale Habit 3 climbing performance
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
The Habit climbs well.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

The Habit, like many trail bikes these days, climbs pretty well. The steep seat angle puts your body in a good position over the cranks, leading to an efficient-feeling pedalling position.

With a long-ish top tube, the seated position feels roomy, so moving your body back and forth to balance the competing demands of rear-wheel traction and front-wheel directional control is easy. You�re centred nicely between the axles, so that balance is easy to find.

Stand up on the pedals and you can get the suspension to bob up and down. It�s not overly distracting, and there are bikes in this year�s test that perform worse in this regard. Still, if I was going to head up a long, smooth climb, I�d be flicking the compression switch on the shock to quell any complaints.

On more technically challenging climbs, the suspension does a good job of helping the bike smooth the way over rocks or roots.

However, the Rekon rear tyre�s relatively low tread depth compromises grip both in the mud and over slimy roots.
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
The Maxxis Rekon is a fast-rolling tyre that adds zip to a bike.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

On the flip side, the rear rubber gives the bike noticeably more zip along fire-road and tarmac climbs, with less speed-sucking drag than noisier rubber would provide.

This helps give the Habit some pep in its step.

Thanks to the fast-rolling Rekon rear tyre, the Habit absolutely rips around trail centre loops. The minimal rolling resistance helps the bike pick up speed quickly on groomed surfaces, and jabs at the pedals result in suitably quick spurts of speed, too.
Cannondale Habit 3 descending performance
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
The long geometry adds stability over marginal terrain.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

The Habit turns quickly, giving the bike a real zing as you push through twisty woodland tracks, while the pop on offer makes it fun to pull into the air and look for a landing.

At the front, the Dissector tyre does okay on these surfaces. Its central tread roll fairly fast, and so long as you can lean the bike onto its shoulders, the tyre digs in and grips reasonably well.

However, there is a dead zone between the central treads and the shoulder treads, thanks to the gap that runs along the length of the tread pattern.

To get the best out of this tyre, on the front, you really need to commit to the turn. Therefore, it feels like an odd spec choice � the Dissector is far more commonly found on the rear of bikes.
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
I like the Maxxis Dissector on the rear of a bike, but it�s not suited to the front in my opinion.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

On muddier and rooty or rocky trails, the Dissector also fails to shine up-front. The gap between the treads is noticeable, especially because the rim seems to pinch the tyre in a little more than desired, and grip levels don�t inspire huge confidence. At the back, the Rekon feels vulnerable on more techy terrain.

Additionally, the low tread height limits braking prowess.

The geometry of the bike is great, however. The long reach and moderately slack head angle work together to give a decent blend of agility in twisty terrain, along with an ability to carve long corners � get the aforementioned shoulder treads up-front engaged into the dirt, and it�ll rail with the best of them.
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
Cannondale�s stable geometry leads to decent cornering characteristics.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

The rear suspension is also effective. It�s pretty well supported, so the bike doesn�t wallow through berms, nor does it feel soggy under power.

It stays in its mid-stroke well over choppy tracks and when you do encounter larger hits, it ramps up without trying to blow your feet off the pedals.

There is a bit of a mis-match in feel between the front and rear suspension, though.

I couldn�t get the (relatively) budget fork to feel as plush and composed on rocky trails at the bike park, leading to a bit of a stuttery ride.
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
RockShox�s Deluxe shock sits in the middle of the bike.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

I preferred running around 30 per cent sag at the rear to help the rear wheel track the ground better under braking. This may have exacerbated the disparity in feel, because it helped make the rear end feel really plush in comparison.

On steep terrain, a better set of mountain bike tyres would really help the Habit.

The fork, though not as smooth on rocky chatter, does offer decent support and a trustworthy chassis. The geometry puts the front wheel well ahead of your weight, boosting confidence.
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
The DB8 lever is chunkier than SRAM�s G2 brakes, and uses mineral fluid, rather than DOT 4.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

The spec list on Cannondale�s site and my test bike differ in the brakes department.

While I�m not overly sold on the SRAM G2 R that should appear, I�d take it over the DB8s that appeared on my test bike.

They�re not hugely powerful and have a wooden feel. I�d also like a longer dropper post on the bike.
How does the Cannondale Habit 3 compare to the Marin Rift Zone XR 27.5?
Marin Rift Zone XR 27.5 full suspension mountain bike
The Marin Rift Zone XR 27.5 has a more attractive spec list than the Habit 3.

Andy Lloyd /Our Media

Both the Cannondale and the Marin come in at similar prices, however it feels as though Marin has done a better job in the speccing of its bikes.

The Marzocchi Z1 is a lovely-feeling fork at this price, and the Float X a better shock overall.

The pair of Assegai tyres on the Marin is also better overall than the Dissector/Rekon setup on the Cannondale for riders looking to tackle more aggressive terrain.

However, trail centre heroes may prefer the Habit�s faster-rolling setup.

The Cannondale pedals better and the bike is calmer at speed, thanks to its bigger hoops and greater overall length.
Cannondale Habit 3 bottom line
Cannondale Habit 3 full suspension mountain bike
Front and rear ends felt a little mis-matched in performance, with the frame out-performing the fork.

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

With a change of tyres and brakes, I feel the Habit would sing on all but the roughest of tracks, boosting grip and ultimately confidence, and making the most of the geometry on offer.

A simple damper upgrade to the fork would be my next relatively cheap change.

The bike performs best on fast and flowing tracks, with twists and turns, and jumps and berms. It has a light, whippy and agile feel, which is playful too.
Trail Bike of the Year 2023 | How we tested

This bike was ridden as part of our 2023 Bike of the Year test. It was compared to seven of the best trail bikes.

I took all the bikes to the same locations and trails for some dedicated back-to-back testing on a wide variety of terrain.

From hand-dug cheeky tracks in the woods to trail centre laps and Bike Park Wales� rocky runs, I ensured the bikes were exposed to every type of trail such a bike is likely to be ridden on.

Riding the bikes back to back, usually with four bikes in each testing session, ensured I was able to pick out the finer performance points of each one.