Specialized launched their fourth generation Levo based on the lessons learned from their recent releases and Pete spent the summer getting to know the beast.
The Specialized Levo Pro Carbon is the highest spec bike available before you jump to the S-Works model. Complete with a full carbon frame, SRAM XO transmission, carbon wheels and Fox Factory suspension with Genie gubbins, it’s got everything going, topped off with a motor that produces more torque than a Hyundai i10. Does it all add up though?
Photos by Pete Scullion.
Key features:
- Fox 38 Factory GripX2 160mm fork
- Fox Float X Factory w/ Genie
- SRAM XO AXS T-type 12-speed drive
- Specialized 3.1 motor
- Specialized 840Wh battery
- SRAM Maven Silver brakes
- Roval Traverse HD carbon wheels
- Bikeyoke Revive Max 3.0 dropper
- £10,299.00 RRP
- Specialized.com
Geometry
The Specialized Turbo Levo is available in S2, S3, S4 and S5 sizes.
Reach on the S3 455mm with a seat tube of 405mm. Head angle is 64.5 degrees with a seat tube angle of 77 degrees. Chainstays are 435mm across the sizes with the wheelbase on the S3 of 1223mm.
The Pro model comes with a FACT 11mm carbon fibre frame, housing the 101Nm 3.1 motor and an 840Wh battery. A brand new Mastermind TCU is shorter and wider than the previous models as well. Fox Factory is the damper order of the day, with the rear shock having Specialized’s Genie tech housed within the custom Float X body.
A wired version SRAM XO AXS T-type handles the shifting under all that power. Wheels are Roval Traverse HD carbon offerings, 29″ at the front, 27.5″ at the rear, shod with the new T9 compound Gravity casing Butchers. A mix of RaceFace, Deity, Industry 9 and Bikeyoke kit finishes this bike off.
From the off, the Levo offers that same feel that all full suspension Specialized’s do and despite the myriad of geometry options, also just feels right in stock configuration. Suspension feels balanced, and the geometry puts you in the middle of the bike. Sorted.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that 100Nm or more in an off-road bicycle is too much. I realise need and want are not the same thing but 85Nm never felt sluggish and even 60ish felt about right for most work. The stock modes on the new 3.1 motor and MasterMind control unit have fairly large jumps between them, especially between Trail and Turbo. Trail is great for most work but needs a tweak to improve the pedal response on technical climbing, whilst Turbo needs the opposite.
Turbo in 100/100 is mad. The only conceivable reason you might need this is if you’re racing ebikes and are very good indeed, as technical climbs are actually a bit harder with all that power coming on so hot with the over run to boot. Yes, you can micro adjust the power to suit but I can’t imagine having the ten or so more torques of the S-Works is going to make an improvement.
In Trail, there’s very little you won’t get up. The good seated position, steep seat angle, more balanced power delivery once up to cadence as stock, stiff wheels and sticky rubber give you a ‘go anywhere’ feel. Honestly though, I prefer the challenge of less power and to have to do it myself. Personal preferences, innit.
On the downs, the Levo is a very capable beast. The Mullet wheels providing a short back end that tucks under nicely to help haul the 840Wh battery skyward. The Levo frame is heavier than its predecessor due to the side-entry battery as opposed to the previous model that slid out of the downtube. With just the range extender, you can run this bike as an SL ebike.
Whilst the twangier bars did help ease the work my hands had to do, there was something about the bike that kept kicking my ass. The Genie suspension works but might be just as good as a new DHX2 coil… The 38s out front are also excellent. Part of that change in battery removal feels like it has made the frame incredibly stiff. This is backed up by the fact that it’s rated up to 180mm forks.
The Levo will give you the means to go up and down a hill come what may, but it’s a bit of flex away from being an absolute monster. Regardless of my feelings on the amount of power available, it can and will go anywhere you point it. The Brose-built motor sips relatively little of the 840Wh battery and it outlasts bikes that should, on paper, give it a good run for its money.
A 22mile/36km Torridon day taking in over just shy of 3500ft/1000m up and down got me back to the van with exactly 0 juice left. At no point did I opt for Turbo as we were fairly sure we’d be back with little or no battery.
You can check out the Specialized Turbo Levo Pro over on their website here.
