Specialized have launched their third gen Turbo Levo ebike with Stumpy EVO-inspired kinematics and geometry, and updated hardware.
Next in line for an update in the Specialized stable was the ever-popular Turbo Levo, which gets tweaked Stumpjumper EVO geometry and suspension kinematics as well as a Mullet wheel setup to suit the ebike platform. The opening three models in the range are carbon fibre-only.
Specialized aim to make the Turbo Levo more of a mountain bike with a bit of assistance than an outright ebike behemoth with their latest update to their enduro eMTB offering. Specialized fans will notice a lot of commonality with the Stumpjumper EVO that Pete tested back in 2020, including the adjustable geometry via the flipchip and headset cups, along with the S sizing allowing multiple sizes for each rider depending on what they’re looking for from their ride.
Three bikes make up the current 2021 Specialized Turbo Levo range. The S-Works sits atop the range at a cool £13,000, the Pro sits at £10,500 and the Expert at £8,500. An S-Works frame will also be available at £6,500. The Expert won’t be available until the summer, though the S-Works and Pro are available now.
Geometry and suspension have been tweaked to fit the ebike platform, and isn’t identical to the Stumpy EVO. The Mullet wheel setup allows Specialized, usually a 29er-only brand, to get the ride they want. 29″ ebike chainstays are notoriously long, and the 27.5″ rear wheel allows the chainstays to be kept at a sensible 442mm. You get 150mm rear wheel travel via a Horst Link, with a hefty portion of the travel rearward and vertical to help deal with the trail ahead.
Specialized have put a lot of work into their proprietary battery, motor and control systems on the new Turbo Levo, but the names of the motor and TCU have yet to be named. 95Nm torque is on tap, and you’ve a claimed five hours ride time via 700Wh battery and a 565W motor. The control unit has been updated to give better battery control, customizable display fields, including the exact percentage of battery level, and an all-new, bar-mounted MicroTune function to adjust power delivery in 10% increments.
Geometry
On the S3 Specialized Turbo Levo, you get a 452mm reach combined with 405mm seat tube. Head tube angle is adjustable between 63 and 65.5 degrees, and the seat tube in the 64.5 degree head tube setting is 76.7 degrees. Wheelbase is 1225mm with a 442mm chainstay. The flipchip allows you to change the BB height +/- 7mm.
2021 Specialized Turbo Levo models
Specialized Turbo Levo S-Works
Key features:
- Fox Float 38 Factory 29 160mm fork
- Fox Float X2 Factory shock
- SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 12-speed drive
- Magura MT7 brakes
- Specialized 565W motor (Name TBC)
- Specialized 700Wh battery
- Specialized Roval Traverse SL wheels
- Rockshox Reverb AXS dropper
- £13,000.00 RRP
Specialized Turbo Levo Pro
Key features:
- Fox Float 38 Factory 29 160mm fork
- Fox Float X2 Factory shock
- SRAM XO1 Eagle 12-speed drive
- SRAM Code RSC brakes
- Specialized 565W motor (Name TBC)
- Specialized 700Wh battery
- Specialized Roval Traverse Carbon wheels
- Fox Factory Transfer dropper
- £10,500.00 RRP
Specialized Turbo Levo Expert
Key features:
- Fox Float 38 Performance Elite 29 160mm fork
- Fox Float X2 Performance Elite shock
- SRAM XO1/GX Eagle 12-speed drive
- SRAM Code RS brakes
- Specialized 565W motor (Name TBC)
- Specialized 700Wh battery
- Specialized Roval Traverse wheels
- X Fusion Manic dropper
- £8,500.00 RRP
