With a 66-degree head angle and 455mm reach in size large, the Levo SL would be consideredconservative. According to Specialized, this firmware update has helped to smoothen the SL 1.1 motors output. The remainder would be low intensity. These are matched to 200mm rotors front and rear. The Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon EVO features out Fact 11r carbon chassis. Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Carbon: first ride review - MBR Smooth, responsive and powerful. The Levo SL is a 150mm-travel trail e-bike with 29in wheels. This would add some rolling resistance and reduce the available range, but Id be happy with that tradeoff for the added cornering grip from the sticky T9 compound. You can check out the modifications hes made over that time, along with a discussion about the pros and cons hes encountered in our Living With The Levo feature. 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. Of course, there is a compromise of shrinking the motor. Theres a short 435mm reach and a fairly relaxed 75 seat angle. The integrated SWAT tool in the fork steerer tube is also a nice touch. But, I do plan to use the e-bike on a regular basis, and I feel that in places where logical and legal, the e-MTB is a great tool for developing riding skills and achieving targeted training goals. A limited run of 250 founders edition SL bikes will also be made, featuring snazzy paint, a custom saddle, and even higher-spec components than the S-Works model. The SL 1.1 motor is quiet on the descents, though makes a high-pitched whine in the higher assistance modes. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Either the wattage display or my input into the bike was only updated to the system every three seconds. - Fantastically agile and playful handling Expensive considering the parts package. 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 motor disengages when its off or above the assistance speed limit, so theres only a 3W (claimed) drag penalty over a conventional bottom bracket. 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. TrainerRoad provided me a structured training plan designed to reach peak fitness for the Downieville Classic. 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. IT'S YOU JUST GOING FASTERAND FURTHER The Turbo Levo SL is effectively a . Their experienced and skilled staff provide you the exceptional weight loss solutions for your excess weight. If any e-bike can claim to handle like a conventional trail bike, this is it. 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 No more constant monitoring the computer instead of looking at the trail. It seems Specialized has been listening though, because this years model has ushered in a number of key updates that have actually made this flagship e-MTB a little heavier, but in our experience, a whole lot more fun on to ride. After testing the bike in South Africa, I managed about a thousand vertical metres from a full battery, in ideal conditions (dry trails and warm weather), using mostly the highest assistance mode. The three training philosophies are Sweet Spot Training (medium intensity most of the time), High-Intensity Interval Training (short, maximal efforts), and Polarized Training. Turbo Levo SL is a new, lightweight breed of eMTB that harnesses the quick and lively ride of our Stumpjumperand adds just enough power to introduce a whole new dimension of kick ass. The trails that I spend most of my time on include massive climbs. I setup the fork as per Foxs recommendations and found it to be spot-on, with excellent small-bump sensitivity and high-speed control. For what it's worth, I use this same logic to justify riding moto.. On the higher-end Levo SL models, Specialized has moved away from the skinny Fox 34 fork and in-line Float DPS shock. SpecializedTurbo Levo SL Expert 8,699 Specifications MotorSpecialized SL 1.1 35 Nm BatterySpecialized SL1-320 320 Wh DisplaySpecialized TCU ForkFOX 34 Performance 150 mm Rear ShockFOX DPS Performance 150 mm SeatpostX-Fushion Manic 125 - 170 mm BrakesSRAM G2 RSC 200/180 mm DrivetrainSRAM GX Eagle 1x12 StemSpecialized Trail 40 mm There was already a lot to like about the original Specialized Levo SL Expert we tested last year. Nothing! Theres also been a change from SRAM G2 brakes to the bigger Codes, which are a little heavier but significantly more powerful. Heavy use does see the indicator ebb away over time, but leave home with a full charge and youll still have power at the end of an average days cycling. 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. This involves climbing up a tarmac road with a 10% average grade, in order to access a variety of descending trails for the way back down. TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Will I use it for all of my easy days? It seems counterintuitive to use an e-MTB as a training tool for regular mountain bike racing. When it comes to the best electric bikes, premium models like the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon model are always going to be big-ticket items. 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. Specialized has achieved this by shrinking. - Fox 36 GRIP2 is the fork this bike deserves 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. 155/143mm, X-Fusion Manic, infinite adjustable, two-bolt head, bottom mount cable routing, remote SRL LE lever, 34.9mm. The Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon electric mountain bike will make an awful lot of sense if youre looking to get off the beaten track in serious fashion. Enjoy the convenience of having fresh, organic meals delivered directly to you, or pick them up at our Los Angeles facility. This really is a non-issue for most riders though. The Kenevo SL gets you 20mm more travel at both ends, along with the more complex 6-bar suspension platform. Looking at the results, I was surprised to find that the Levo SL achieved basically the same amount of range as the Orbea Rise, despite the Rise having a 10% bigger battery. The 780mm wide riserbar has a great profile, and even the ergonomics for the dropper post and shift levers were appreciated. 2023 Liv Intrigue X E+ Review | A beautifully sleek and lightweight e-MTB with a mullet, Review | The Specialized S-Works Recon shoes are the lightest weve ever tested, 2023 Thok TK01 R Review | A surprising package from an Italian e-MTB specialist, Trek Rail Review | A plush, powerful & frustratingly near-perfect electric mountain bike, This website requires Javascript for optimum viewing purposes. Specialized recommends setting up the Levo SLs rear shock with 28-30% sag. The touch points are excellent, including the Bridge saddle and Deity grips. It can take tens of seconds before heart rate elevates in response to a dramatic increase in effort. Product: Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert C electric mountain bike review No. The battery alone is around 2kg lighter than the 700Wh whopper used in the regular Levo, and the difference is noticeable. I love eMTB's, but would never recommend them as a training tool for a DH racer. Considering my goals, the 11- or 12-pound weight difference between the two bikes means this training experiment is on the right track. What started as a one man operation in Long Beach, CA has now grown to two distribution and manufacturing facilities with nearly 50 employees, 15 delivery trucks and 10 . The e-bike's extra weight and low distribution of that weight, provides a similar on-trail feel to a bike with updated angles like the new Stumpjumper. There are four models in the current Specialized Levo SL range, with both alloy and carbon frames on offer. However, the addition of several key spec updates has helped to address what we didnt like, while unlocking more potential out of this lightweight e-MTB. Replies 117 Views . You get plenty of power when you need it and, despite the battery and motor combination, the Levo is light, agile and dynamic. In fact, SRAM components appear elsewhere too, with the hydraulic brake disks not only looking fantastic but working to great effect, just as youd expect. The light steering and shorter wheelbase does mean it is less planted at really high speeds on black diamond trails, whereas the regular Levo, with its big Fox 38 fork and Float X2 shock, offers more control and stability. We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure youre buying the best. 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. On an e-bike at full power assist, you could do the same training session but descend 400% more vertical and (in theory) have way more mileage to work on your descending skills. Seb Stott is a former technical writer for BikeRadar. I suffered no punctures after three days of riding rocky trails, and while Id prefer SRAMs Code brakes, its G2 trail brakes worked well enough in this case. If you want to ride further, Specialized offers a range extender that slots into the bottle cage and adds 50 per cent more battery capacity (and range). In comparison, the Levo SL sits right in the trail bike camp. Our test bike is the Levo SL Expert Carbon, which is a full $7K cheaper than the S-Works model. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? I steadily bumped up the pressure until I was up at 220psi with just 25% sag. But, running and mountain bike racing are distinctly different. This isnt surprising when you consider that the geometry is almost identical to Specializeds Stumpjumper trail bike, and the fact that a little more weight isnt necessarily a bad thing when descending. But has Specialized gone too far with the weight loss? That being said, its more lethargic than the sprightly Levo SL. Thanks! It offers assistance up to 20mph. Even though youve got the SL 1.1 motor and a battery on-board, the e-MTB doesnt feel at all cumbersome. If youre keen to know more about the new compounds and casing options, check out our Specialized tyre review. I managed to climb the grunts and whoops of Trail 4 with a minimal and controlled effort that was within the range of my training. The problem was the system's exclusive reliance on heart rate. He hadnt been to Boise, so it was hard to accurately convey my process in our brief discussion. Specialized says its worked hard to improve the efficiency of the motor which is thanks in part to a system of spur gears that allow the electric motor to spin 50 times faster than the crank and the system offers maximum power and efficiency between 50 to 130 RPM at the crank. The Downieville Classic is two short marathon races, best suited to a weight-optimized, short-travel trail bike and won or lost on the climbs. About Us. Already have an account with us? Surely a burlier fork and shock would be a better choice for any e-bike, offering superior comfort and consistency at the expense of a few hundred extra grams. With a 66-degree head angle and 455mm reach in size large, the Levo SL would be considered.conservative. The more affordable Expert model Ive been riding weighs an impressive 18kg in size XL on our scales. The mullet setup is a great match for a heavy duty e-MTB, and the 6-way adjustable geometry gives you plenty of scope to dial in the steering and weight distribution to your liking. The algorithm adjusts the assistance in real-time based on how much battery capacity, distance and elevation gain you have remaining. Updated e-bike gets 700Wh battery for increased range This helped me stay in an easy, aerobic effort. The geometry of the Levo SL and the Stumpjumper look very different on paper. Workouts on the e-bike did not come without faults. The lever blade pivots on bushings instead of bearings, resulting in a mushier feel. E-bikes are bicycles with a battery-powered assist that comes via pedaling, so when you push the pedals a motor engages and gives you a boost. Great training tool. As youll see from looking at any of the other best e-bike models on the market, theres something to suit any kind of cycling interest. Those newer Specialized models also feature the snazzy MasterMind TCU display, and we really like the crisp glass screen and how it displays the battery level as a percentage. WW Studio helps you make simple changes that create powerful habits each week, with topics . Overall rating: Score 9 Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert C Pros: Superb suspension and impressive range. Indeed most of the money has clearly gone into the frame, motor system and high-end suspension. We recently tested the Orbea Rise M10, which is the most prominent competitor to the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon. Excited to see how you do, best of luck! In general though, total range isnt that far off full-powered e-MTBs with bigger batteries you just climb at a slower pace on the Levo SL. I just went on my first run with bone conduction headphones, and Im hooked, Volt Infinity review: A comfortable hybrid e-bike with plenty of range, The latest Apple TV 4K test lets you watch four sports streams at once. Well, just program your ride and get pedaling. p3eps; Apr 29, 2020; 2 3 4. 2022 Specialized Levo Comp Carbon - $13,800 AUD Cons: All sizes could be longer. Both are do-it-all full suspension e-MTBs that feature a four-bar FSR suspension design and 150mm of rear travel, but there are some significant differences. This could be useful for those who want to train in a specific heart rate zone. A trainer? 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