Brose

Crockers

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 19, 2014
821
689
70
Has anyone bought a Brose motored ebike? If so what are your opinions. Did you try others? If so what and why did you choose Brose?

Thanks
 

mab13

Pedelecer
Jun 23, 2015
153
120
45
Peak District
My next eMTB will be a Brose (Specialized Turbo Levo HT) and I've just sold my Bosch powered eMTB.

In my opinion, the main advantages of the Brose are:

- it's really quiet
- it enables the motor and battery to be better integrated
- power delivery feels more natural somehow
- feels like the motor completely disengages when switched off so pedalling without assistance is easier

The disadvantages are:

- regardless of the numbers, it felt less powerful to me (although my dad disagreed and said he could feel more torque... and that was before he knew it had a higher torque rating)
- I feel it's a little more battery hungry than the Bosch
- overall, it just felt to me as though there was a little less 'oomph' from the Brose motor

This is based on only a weekend's riding on a Brose powered eMTB, so not a view informed by ownership (yet). I've probably missed a couple of thoughts, but will post an update if anything more comes to mind...
 

Crockers

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 19, 2014
821
689
70
My next eMTB will be a Brose (Specialized Turbo Levo HT) and I've just sold my Bosch powered eMTB.

In my opinion, the main advantages of the Brose are:

- it's really quiet
- it enables the motor and battery to be better integrated
- power delivery feels more natural somehow
- feels like the motor completely disengages when switched off so pedalling without assistance is easier

The disadvantages are:

- regardless of the numbers, it felt less powerful to me (although my dad disagreed and said he could feel more torque... and that was before he knew it had a higher torque rating)
- I feel it's a little more battery hungry than the Bosch
- overall, it just felt to me as though there was a little less 'oomph' from the Brose motor

This is based on only a weekend's riding on a Brose powered eMTB, so not a view informed by ownership (yet). I've probably missed a couple of thoughts, but will post an update if anything more comes to mind...
What made you choose Specialise over Bulls and BH?
 

mab13

Pedelecer
Jun 23, 2015
153
120
45
Peak District
What made you choose Specialise over Bulls and BH?
I don't know much about BH so that brand never made it to my maybe list.

My next bike must be a hardtail and must be 'plus size'. Surprisingly, that really limits the available options whereas all the Levo models come in a '6Fattie' setup (Boost standard with 38mm rims and 3" tyres).

The Bulls model which meets that requirement (Bulls E-Stream EVO 3 27.5 Plus) is about the same price as the Levo HT. It has Shimano vs SRAM components which is personal choice, although it does have a better fork and a higher capacity battery (an incredible 650Wh!). However, the Bulls has 2 chain rings and I'm not interested in anything other than 1x now having loved it on my last eMTB, the Bulls is heavier, the geometry is more XC than trail (70 vs 67 head angle - I've not ridden the Bulls but I found the Specialized very comfortable with great setup for my style of riding) and the Specialized looks better to my eye.

Specialized also has a network of Levo retailers with a couple based near to where I live which meant it was easy to demo and will be easy should I have any warranty issues. I've also been to a couple of eMTB demo days, but Bulls has not attended. Would have been nice to try the Bulls, but too difficult to do so.
 

dinger19

Pedelecer
Jun 30, 2014
234
178
65
Kent
Nice choice of bike however did you look at Rotwild as they use Brose.??
 

mab13

Pedelecer
Jun 23, 2015
153
120
45
Peak District
Nice choice of bike however did you look at Rotwild as they use Brose.??
I'm not aware that they do a plus size hardtail so, after brief consideration, they didn't make it on to the list.

Limited UK retailer network too, as with Bulls, making it tricky to demo one.

edit: oh, and don't they have a 2x drivetrain as well? I'm quite set on 1x.
 
Last edited:

dinger19

Pedelecer
Jun 30, 2014
234
178
65
Kent
I think it's one looking at the pictures,but your right very limited uk network.

When's collection day.?????
 

mab13

Pedelecer
Jun 23, 2015
153
120
45
Peak District
I think it's one looking at the pictures,but your right very limited uk network.

When's collection day.?????
No set date yet, but should be in the next week or so. I'll be sure to post some photots when it arrives!
 

Crockers

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 19, 2014
821
689
70
Nice choice of bike however did you look at Rotwild as they use Brose.??
Trouble with Rotwild is the battery is intergrated in the frame. Bit of a problem if you want to take just the battery in to charge. I was interested in them until that was pointed out to me.
 

mab13

Pedelecer
Jun 23, 2015
153
120
45
Peak District
Trouble with Rotwild is the battery is intergrated in the frame. Bit of a problem if you want to take just the battery in to charge. I was interested in them until that was pointed out to me.
Integrated... as in not removable? That would be a deal breaker for me too.
 
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Croxden

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2013
2,134
1,384
North Staffs
Integrated... as in not removable? That would be a deal breaker for me too.
I was told not removable by user, only the shop personnel.
I went off the idea of having one at that point.
 
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