The S-WORKS Levo SL is the most premium offering in the Levo SL lineup, featuring more lightweight carbon fiber and titanium hardware (crank arms, derailleur cage plate, handlebar, saddle rails). The price range varies from $11,100 AUD for the entry-level Levo SL Comp, and goes up to a dizzying $22,300 AUD for the S-Works Levo SL. They do however really give your core and upper body a workout if ridden fast due to their weight being thrown around, and pace carried means less time upper body is relaxed and resting like you get doing laps with a standard or Light Ebike. The battery on the bike we tested featured the Specialized SL1-320, 320Wh power pack, which proved more than capable of coping with a full days mayhem out in the sticks. Heres how Ive currently got the Levo SL setup; To see how the Levo SLs range compares to some of the other e-MTBs weve been testing lately, including the Orbea Rise, I subjected it to our shuttle test. Build spec consists of a SRAM GX eagle drivetrain and G2 brakes with 200mm front and 180mm rear . On the trail the Levo dishes out way more power than the Levo SL. . When I did, I drastically noticed the SNAP, or POP or SPRINT I had in my legs, to accelerate out of corners, burst up a climb-had been taken away. The company has been quite clever in designing a range of electric mountain bikes that can be tailored to different kinds of users, as well as specific budgets. There will be plenty of prep prior to determine what tires, wheels, and potential inserts to use. STEEP CLIMBS? It offers assistance up to 20mph. Adding to that is the design, which is clearly the end product of a seasoned team whove developed bikes for a long time. Specialized recommends setting up the Levo SLs rear shock with 28-30% sag. Yes, that's the same one on the S-Works model, and you'll also get a Future Shock 2.0. A positive spin on the problem is that I have a great way to perfect my pedaling cadence technique because the workaround of lag time is to keep a fast, smooth cadence. 2020 Turbo Levo SL Expert Carbon $9,025 Color Carbon / White Select a Size Size Guide Find In-Store The Turbo Levo SL is a new, lightweight breed of eMTB that harnesses the quick and lively ride of our Stumpjumper.and adds just enough power to introduce a whole new dimension of kick ass. There was already a lot to like about the original Specialized Levo SL Expert we tested last year. The stock suspension tune will likely suit beginner riders and those who arent spending a lot of time with their wheels off the ground. In an effort to eliminate that flaw, and to get the closest match to my preferred race platform for Downieville, the 2021 Specialized Stumpjumper S-Works, I chose the 2021 Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert Carbon. Heavy or fast riders . The problem is that these rides require far more energy output from the rider than would ever be specified in a structured training regimen. Like the Lapierre eZesty, its one of a new breed of e-bikes designed for people who dont need all the assistance of a full-power e-bike, but want something thats more similar to an analogue bike in both weight and handling. However, more advanced riders will benefit from tweaking the shocks air volume to increase support. So here is one review that says the Expert comes with the range extender: Exclusive review: New sub 17 kg Specialized S-Works Levo SL 2020 with a brand new motor concept - a new way of riding bikes? You can even use the app to set a target heart rate and the bike will provide more assistance if your heart rate goes above this number or drop the assistance when it gets too low. Bonus: the Levo SL is just fun to ride. The Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert Carbon is an agile eMTB that allows you to easily forget it's electric when you're out on the trails. This is matched at the front . The Turbo Levo SL's 240-watt Specialized SL 1.1 motor doubles your effort with a smooth and natural feel at the pedals. Not helping things, the rear brake calliper on our test bike suffered from sticky pistons right out of the box, resulting in some irritating brake rub. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? In the stock Trail mode, Ive been able to rack up around 1,400-1,500m of elevation gain over a 40-50km ride. Afterward, I realized I this concept will easily transfer to the expanse of e-bike-legal trails in the surrounding area. The Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon is a bike thats more than ready to be put through its paces. For the spec, we included a 1x Shimano GRX group to take on shifting and braking duties, while DT R470 Boost wheels get wrapped in wide 38mm Pathfinder Pro tires to keep you rolling . The Levo SL requires less input to whip around, and its low weight and short chainstays means it pops up the front wheel with ease. Suspension quality and handling are also brilliant. You can also tell the app how far and how high you want to ride, and it will automatically adjust the assistance to get you to the end without running out. Workouts on the e-bike did not come without faults. | E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine. The design is striking but practical. Seems like a fun tool to have in the quiver if you have the coin for it, but maybe not necessarily the most cost effective. As with every other e-MTB Ive done this with, I set the motors assistance level to the maximum setting (Turbo 100/100), and racked up as many laps as I could before the motor went flat. The Levo SL is a 150mm-travel trail e-bike with 29in wheels. For example, there are plenty of roads and moto trails to ride around the Boise, Idaho, area where I live and train. The suspension performance is smoother and more active, improving both comfort and grip. Its gained some weight over last years version, which clocked in at just 16.9kg for the S-Works model, and 17.6kg for the Expert. It carves through sharp turns, pivoting off the back wheel with nary a hint of understeer. Thats despite the retail price having jumped by $2,000 AUD. 2017 Specialized Turbo Levo FSR Expert 6Fattie E-Bike - Reviews, Comparisons, Specs - Mountain Bike E-Bikes - Vital MTB Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo review - BikeRadar Lightest e-bike ever! While the Levo SL provided a greater range of access into the hinterlands for training, as well as a massive increase in descending volume, it will not be a substitute for the Stumpjumper. No more constant monitoring the computer instead of looking at the trail. This is where the e-bike comes in and gets really exciting. Even still, the rocks are particularly tenacious around these parts, so as per usual I fitted a CushCore insert into the rear wheel. This reduced some of the wallow, but I was still getting a harsh bottom out more frequently than Id like. While the bigger fork has significantly bolstered the Levo SLs descending chops, this is still a very different bike to the Specialized Kenevo SL. It also offers a comfortable ride on everyday trails without requiring a full face helmet and spine protection. The touch points are excellent, including the Bridge saddle and Deity grips. Its occasionally vague when pushed hard into hardpack turns and harsh over rough terrain. As a result its the heavier of the two bikes, clocking in at 18.54kg despite its light-duty rubber. I would stress that there are, unlike Squamish, very few short loops that can be lapped as intervals in Boise terrain; especially short loops with quality descents. Previously the motor could cut out during choppy pedalling, and it also struggled to react during high-RPM bursts on technical climbs. But if youre an existing e-MTB user that typically spends all your time riding in Eco mode, or youre e-Curious and are looking for an experience thats as close to a normal mountain bike as possible, the Levo SL remains as one of the lightest, sleekest and most well-rounded options going. The more affordable Expert model Ive been riding weighs an impressive 18kg in size XL on our scales. Spokes: DT Swiss Industry New Specialized-developed motor weighs 1.9kg, while motor and battery combined tip the scales less than just the motor on the Turbo Levo Weight and space saving comes from power reduction power 240w output and 320wh battery New Range Extender battery with 160wh fits into bike's bottle cage It sports 29" wheels, is priced at $13,200 AUD and comes in a range of sizes, including S, M, L, XL. Its still an agile, comfortable and easy-to-ride bike, which makes it a very approachable option for beginner riders. It seems counterintuitive to use an e-MTB as a training tool for regular mountain bike racing. Yup, the initial response of an e-bike has been an issue.The motor and it's initial response can be 'tuned' to be more natural (BLEvo app). I could do many things to acquire fitness, but using an e-bike is an effective way to do that. For their Light eMTB, Specialized designed the compact and light SL 1.1 motor, which delivers 35 Nm torque and draws its power from a small 320 Wh battery. The addition of the Fox 36 GRIP2 fork has also helped to significantly boost the Levo SLs performance on steep descents and across choppy terrain, and thats helped to narrow the gap in overall stability. You get plenty of power when you need it and, despite the battery and motor combination, the Levo is light, agile and dynamic. The main difference here is the more powerful motor on the Rise, which sucks more energy but also gives you a slightly higher average climbing speed. The geometry of the Levo SL and the Stumpjumper look very different on paper. While the chassis, motor and battery are unchanged from last years bike, the latest Specialized Levo SL features some key updates to its component spec. The result is a much heavier bike that weighs in at 22.06kg for the Levo Pro weve been testing. Mixed ("Mullet") wheels: 29" front, 27.5" rear. 2022 Specialized Levo Expert. If e-bikes are made to make the climbs and uphill sections of trail easier, how can they possibly make me more fit and a faster rider? There's a new Fox Float X shock, a 36 Rhythm fork, SRAM GX Eagle shifting and Code RS stoppers. Its also not overly raked out. I think it is minimized, as is the (possible) loss of twitch muscles due to getting far less power. Trail 4 was an extreme case, but it highlighted the issue. - Not a lot of bling the high-end price tag Breaking through the 17kg barrier in its premium S-Works form, the Levo SL debuted as a lightweight full suspension electric mountain bike that came incredibly close to the weight of a non-motorised Enduro. Geometry is quite conservative. The addition of power data results in a much more responsive and effective ride. The Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon is ideally suited to anyone who wants to up their off-road game with an electric mountain bike. Otherwise both drive systems work well, despite having their quirks. Specialized combine a lightweight Roval Traverse SL carbon wheelset with thin Eliminator GRID Trail tires. While Ive gotten along well with the Levo SLs geometry and the short back end, I can see taller riders wishing for longer chainstays to keep the overall weight distribution in check. In comparison, the Levo SL sits right in the trail bike camp. It features the more powerful Brose-manufactured 2.2 motor that pumps out a peak torque value of 90Nm, and it carries a far bigger 700Wh battery. I could see that in some places. It shares much with the regular Specialized Turbo Levo, but weighs around 4kg less. The grips are fab on your hands, while the Bridge Comp saddle is deceptively comfy even if you don't spend much time sitting on it. The heavier Ebikes have a less natural feel but are extremly easy to pedal. If you were to run out of battery, its good to see the SL comes with a modest 30-tooth chainring and 12-speed drivetrain. Sounds like you havent ridden one, and dont ever plan too. Well, just program your ride and get pedaling. why is that your only takeaway? Theres of course huge adjustability available via the GRIP2 damper, so you can tweak away to your hearts content. The Turbo SL clearly draws its DNA from the Stumpjumper family of trail bikes, with the sidearm FSR frame design giving 150mm of travel to the rear-end of the bike. He's also tested products for Vital MTB. There is a lot more that BLEvo app can do, but that would be an entire article in itself. In turn, I achieved a massive increase in the volume of descent skills practice. Superb integration and brilliant battery range. I got my 2018 comp carbon levo down to 20.7 kilos, i dont understand how they can ask the same money for a bike that has less battery, frame and motor weight, and really only saving +2kilos. It comes with an electronic dropper post, gold colored 12-speed SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain, and Fox Factory Kashima coated 150mm suspension. no. SRAM XD driver body . Perhaps the most appealing aspect of this, and the bike as a whole, is that purists who dont feel immediately drawn to using electric power can enjoy their time on this bike by riding it without assistance. Because nobody wants to be stuck out in the woods with a 50-pound dead weight, Specialized equips the Levo Comp Alloy with a 700Wh . This could be useful for those who want to train in a specific heart rate zone. However, this modest power helps eke out an impressive range from the small battery since the rider is forced to do more of the work. My experience has been mixed: I haven't raced in a few years and haven't been actively "training", but I have been focused on progressing my technical/downhill skills over that same time period. Heart rate is practical data, but has limitations. Leatherman, yes. That goal is only possible with on-trail experience. Cleverly, the app uses the barometer in your phone to measure elevation changes, along with the bikes inbuilt odometer to measure distance. The lower weight and tighter geometry means the Levo SL offers a more playful feel with agile handling. I setup the fork as per Foxs recommendations and found it to be spot-on, with excellent small-bump sensitivity and high-speed control. Tyre pressures were set at 22-23psi on the front, and 25-26.5psi on the rear, depending on conditions. That being said, its more lethargic than the sprightly Levo SL. Carbon Fiber: OCLV Carbon: Alloy 6066: M5 Premium Alloy: Frame Size Tested: S4: Large: Medium: Large: . For gentler terrain, the 240W of assistance feels more than enough, but you may miss the grunt of a proper e-bike in steep and technical climbs. Compared to the vague LED display on the Rise, there is no doubt the Levo SLs TCU is the better interface, and the Mission Control app is also far more user friendly. It awesome to ride steep and fun trails and stay in z2. Its a really playful bike, with a willingness to flick the back end out and change direction quickly when asked. This provides well-balanced weight distribution, and along with the active suspension performance and the chunky cornering blocks on the Butcher and Eliminator tyres, there is excellent cornering grip available. @Stiksandstones I had always assumed that the weakness of riding an ebike for "training" was that it was not the same handling, weight distribution, braking points, shift points, power distribution and overall instantaneous feel of a regular MTB. All bikes use a Fox 34 fork and Fox DPS shock, SRAM G2 or Guide trail brakes, and SRAM Eagle 12-speed drivetrains. 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