The Turbo Levo is renewed and proposes itself as the reference point for the e-bike world: certainly the most loved and widespread in the Italian territory, thanks to its captivating look, it now passes to the 29 "format (with 2.6" tires) and 150mm travel at the front and rear. The battery, in this model, is 700Wh. Let's get to know her.
The new Specialized e-bike is even more beautiful, with a sleeker look and battery increased to 700Wh (but only on Expert and S-Works models). The choice of a not really plus size (2.6 ") is significant so as not to have that feeling of a“ nautical dinghy ”style driving. Now we find, in addition to the remote control to change the power, also a small monitor on the top tube in order to always have an eye on the level of assistance and the remaining battery ... finally! Also new is the possibility of OFF mode and the possibility of combining the Specialized Turbo Connect TC1 computer (not GPS) to get other info such as mileage, time, speed, cardio and much more (cost € 80). So many news for the new Turbo Levo, even a reduced weight that brings the top model (S-Works) to 20kg round round with 500Wh battery! (as standard we find the 700Wh which however weighs 750gr more). One of the lowest weights in the category together with the Pivot Shuttle.

Price frame + ammo | nd
Italian distributor: www.specialized.com
FEATURES
A full carbon fiber frame with asymmetrical design, like the new Stumpjumper. Rx Tune shock absorber calibration and new dedicated motor with 700Wh battery (Specialized M2) integrated into the frame and removable. The frame has been lightened by 1,2kg, an excellent result thanks to the lack of the aluminum bracket for the engine which is now housed in a safer and lighter way. Geometry called by Specialized Trail 29er with low bottom bracket, wide top tube and rear stay among the shortest in the category. The passage of the cables, improved compared to the last version, is internal and the battery no longer “chokes” them. The Specialized 2.1 dedicated engine with Rx Trail calibration has improved from various points of view that we will talk about in the test. Present a flip chip to slightly modify the geometry in case of insertion of 27,5 ”PLUS wheels which are, therefore compatible. VERSIONS AND COMPONENTS Our test version is the bike of dreams, namely the S-Works Turbo Levo proposed at a price of € 10.999. Just below we find the Turbo Levo Expert at € 7.999, always 700Wh battery and carbon frame with slightly lower mounting such as the RockShox Deluxe RT3 suspension, Roval Traverse29 aluminum wheels and Sram X1 gearbox. The carbon entry base is the Comp Carbon (€ 6.599) with a medium / high mount: Fox suspension (34 at the front DPS Performance at the rear), Sram GX gearbox and Sram Guide RE brakes. Below we find the 2 aluminum models, the Turbo Levo Comp Comp (€ 5.999 for both the male and female model) and the Turbo Levo (€ 4.399 for both the male and female model). The Turbo Levo Comp has a very similar assembly to the carbon model of the same name but with the use of RockShox suspensions (Revelation Charger RC at the front and Deluxe RT at the rear).
Distinguishing features, AESTHETICS - A line so streamlined and slender that it remembers in all respects a normal Enduro. 700WH BATTERY - By rotating the motor it was possible to obtain more space to use a battery with longer autonomy. The weight, however, has increased by 800gr, so it is now difficult to carry a second one in the backpack and the insertion phase is not optimal (see battery paragraph on the final page).
GEOMETRY
The geometry becomes slightly more aggressive, or modern as they say now, compared to the "old" Turbo Levo. The bike we tested is in size L and we were fine (height 1.75 but with long levers). 66 ° head angle is a lot of stuff in 29 ”, with a rear of 455mm, a few mm shorter than the last version. Longer horizontal and therefore, in principle, more stable bike and inclined to descend. The ground clearance is 437mm which, combined with the 165mm cranks, did not give any kind of problem even in technical climbs. The wheelbase is 1235mm.
Sizes S, M, L (test), XL
Steering angle Inline
Vertical tube 455 mm
Head tube 125 mm
Rear wagon 455 mm
Wheelbase 1235 mm
Bottom bracket height 347 mm
Reach 455 mm
Stack 634 mm
THE RESPONSE OF THE TEST
"Ok, the bike is ready ... but no wait, that's the Stumpjumper!" This is how my test begins, this to make you understand the actual dimensions that the e-bike frames have reached or, more precisely, the new Turbo Levo: the look is really nice and the step between e-MTB / MTB is minimal. The 700Wh battery is inside the frame and to remove it you just need to use a handy 5 key. The autonomy has improved, it is now possible to tackle slopes of 2000m in standard ECO mode. Remaining autonomously, a feature that stands out on other engines (already present on the last Turbo Levo but now updated and with more features) is the Mission Control app: it is possible to customize the engine to 100% both as a percentage of help in the 3 assistance modes and as peak power, which controls the maximum power that the motor can extract from the battery when the rider is pedaling hard. So with a 100% peak power, it is possible to reach the Turbo watts in other modes as well (always if we pedal hard), which is not possible if the peak power is set lower. The graphical interface has also changed, much more intuitive, and the Shuttle modes have been added (to obtain maximum engine support with minimum effort on the pedals) and Stealth (to turn off the LEDs of the Turbo Connect Unit). Uphill, the well-balanced geometry makes it an excellent climber and the adjustment, very 'firm', pleasantly pedaled even on very compact terrain and not prone to wheelies. Finally it is possible to see the level of battery charge and motor assistance in real time above the top tube (and also select the OFF mode without switching off the engine). Very solid dropper post with 34.9mm diameter and without saddle that tilts like on the Kenevo (problematic). The top-of-the-range assembly made this electric beast also very snappy and light. Uphill, thanks to the 165mm cranks and the height of the bottom bracket, there is no danger of hoeing on the ground (thanks to the new positioning of the motor, a few cm have been recovered).
Downhill the geometries are excellent and the 29 ”format with 2.6 tires make it more precise. Impressive how a 29 ”can prove to be so well drivable. With a spring-loaded mono it would acquire many more downhill qualities: a pity that, especially on the 2 top-of-the-range models, this solution is not contemplated. The cushioning pattern is very stiff / responsive and often, if you are not very active with the legs, little plush. Blame also for the shock absorbing scheme that pushes a lot (high lever ratio) and that leads to using very high inflation pressures (with our weight, 74kg, we had to inflate on 220psi). A spring would have brought more reliability and softness which, in the e-bike world, would be comfortable. If nothing else, there are now no proprietary standards on the shock but the classic metric. And then it would go more in arm with the mammoth Fox 36 at the front, sublime and with many adjustment possibilities. It must be said, however, that this solution at the rear makes the Turbo Levo very agile and playful in the most agile and flow paths. The gearbox is an 11v, chosen by Specialized for a resistance factor: the 12v is seen as less resistant in terms of chain and materials. We believe, however, that on a bike of this price level, the 12v suited us equally well and we would have had the possibility of having a 50d at the rear, convenient to keep in ECO mode even in the most demanding climbs and save battery. Downhill, however, it is a beast: in the trails that are not too damaged it behaves magnificently. You just have to be careful on steep sections because between 29 ”semi-plus and 20kg of bikes it is not always easy to stop / turn in a short space, but it is a problem of all current e-bikes. Dream of virtuous games on the trails but expect a lot of concreteness: with the Turbo Levo you travel fast and jump in speed, and it is well balanced. The engine is also improved with fantastic delivery and a smoother output: now there is no decisive detachment when you stop pedaling or when you reach 25 km / h, but a slight "fade". Raw power is improved with 410% support, even better on paper than the Bosch CX, with support up to 110rpm, perfect for more trained riders. With true 90Nm of torque between 10 to 40rpm cadence, the engine does not exhibit a power drop of up to 80rpm. The peak power reaches 560 Watts and Specialized claims to have gained 10% overall efficiency thanks to the new motor design. Now the engine is noisier (although it always remains among the quietest in the category), the fault of the small size. We had no problems whatsoever with the wheels and they turned out to be really good but, on a bike of this substance and lightness, they scare. The braking power provided by the SRAM Code is also excellent and the renewal of the plug of the electrical socket (now more solid and precise) was appreciated.
ASYMMETRIC FRAME - Takes the same shape as the Demo and Stumpjumper frame with an asymmetry of the front triangle in the shock absorber area.
Shot put (without pedals) 20,5kg
Fork FOX 36 Factory E-bike, GRIP2 damper, 29 ″ Boost, 150mm
Shock absorber FOX FLOAT Factory DPS, 210 × 52.5, 150mm
wheels ROVAL Traverse SL, hookless carbon, tubeless ready ROVAL Traverse SL, sealed cartridge bearings, BOOST
Service SPECIALIZED Butcher, GRID casing, GRIPTON compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29 × 2.6 ″
Rolling mill chocks PRAXIS, full carbon ISIS, custom offset, 165mm, 32t
Rear gearbox SRAM XX1, 11-speed
commands SRAM X01, single-click lever
SRAM brakes Code RSC, 4 pistons, hydraulic disc, 200mm
Buy Boxes SRAM XG1199, XD, 11s, 10-42d
Motor SPECIALIZED 2.1, custom Rx Trail-tuned motor, 250W nominal
OFFENSE DEITY Copperhead, 31.8mm
dumbbell SPECIALIZED Trail, FACT Carbon, 6 ° upsweep, 8 ° backsweep, 27mm rise, 780mm, 31.8mm
seatpost SPECIALIZED Command Post 34.9mm, 130mm travel (Size: Small), 160mm travel (Size: M / XL)
Battery Turbo M2-700, fully integrated w / rock guard, 700 Wh
Color Petroleum / Carbon / Silver (test)
MINIMAL DISPLAY - Finally comes the TCU, that is the minimal command-display that allows you to manage the level of assistance and view the state of charge of the battery. Simple and always clearly legible, even if the dark blue color sometimes has a see-through effect.
VERDICT
THE EMTB WORLD IS EVER CLOSER
To the detractors of e-bikes, we advise you to put aside the hatred because eMTBs are getting closer and closer, and one who rides the enduro every day tells you this. There is still a little lack of agility but there is concreteness. The Turbo Levo S-Works can be defined as one of the most concrete Enduro eMTBs, a more downhill shock absorber, perhaps with spring, would be enough to be among the reference eMTBs. Clear improvements compared to the last Turbo Levo even if the latter is perhaps preferable to beginners due to the 27,5 ”plus size, more comfortable and easy to drive at low speeds. All this good things, however, has a high price: the high price of excellence.
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• 700Wh battery • Engine customization via APP • Fluidity of motor in / out (improved further • Power in general and high cadenza | • 11v gearbox • Battery insertion that requires lifting / folding the bike • Fox DPS shock absorber (ci it was better a model more downhill). |
