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Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Review

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Electric Bike Review

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Brose S Mag Mid Motor 90 Nm Torque Lightweight

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Battery Removal Bike Upside Down

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Tcu Display Unit In Top Tube Buttons On Left Bar

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Rotating Stem Cap With Swat Multi Tool

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Sram Code R Hydraulic Brake Levers Adjustable Reach

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Front View Tapered Head Tube

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Rockshox Pike 150mm Air Suspension Fork Black Anodized

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Command Post Dropper 34 9mm

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Custom Side Arm With Internal Cable Routing

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert 29 2 6 Plus Sized Tires

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Rockshox Deluxe Rt3 Rear Air Shock

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert On Frame Battery Charging Port Left Side Of Drive Unit

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Sram X1 11 Speed 10 42 Tooth

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Roval Traverse Rims Butcher Grid Tires

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Battery Details 36v 19ah

Specialized Turbo Levo Generation 2 Battery Pack

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Magnetic Battery Charger

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert 4 Amp Ebike Charger

Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Stock High Step Black Green

A lighter, stiffer, even more powerful second generation Turbo Levo platform, custom side-arm rear suspension design improves cable routing, tubeless ready rims and tires, unique hidden SWAT multi-tool under stem cap
29er wheel size with narrower 2.6" tires reduce friction and improve steering precision, new battery design provides higher capacity for improved range, two colorways, four frame sizes, vast network of dealers, great warranty
Brose Drive S MAG (magnesium) is lighter, smaller, more powerful, and even more efficient than older aluminum motors but just as smooth and still very quiet, works with Mission Control smartphone app, new Shuttle mode adjusts torque at lower pedal cadence for slow steady climbs
Improved control interface is easier to reach on the top tube and can be set to stealth mode so no LED lights shine while riding, control ring allows you to adjust assist without taking your hands off of the grips, still no locking core to protect the battery against theft, single-shift SRAM triggers protect the drivetrain but feel slower and less satisfying than multi-shift

Make:

Specialized

Model:

Turbo Levo Expert

Price:

$8,250

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Trail, Mountain

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Comprehensive, Lifetime Frame and Fork

Availability:

United States, Europe

Model Year:

2019

Total Weight:

47.8 lbs (21.68 kg)

Battery Weight:

8.4 lbs (3.81 kg)

Motor Weight:

6.39 lbs (2.89 kg)

Frame Material:

Specialized FACT 9m Carbon Fiber with M5 Alloy Rear Triangle

Frame Sizes:

14.96 in (37.99 cm)16.14 in (40.99 cm)17.91 in (45.49 cm)19.88 in (50.49 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Medium 410mm Measurements: 16.25" Seat Tube Length, 22" Reach, 28.5" Stand Over, 34" Minimum Saddle Height, 31.5" Width, 77.5" Length

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Carbon with Monster Green Accents, Storm Grey with Rocket Red Accents

Frame Fork Details:

RockShox Pike RC29 Air Suspension, 150mm Travel, Charger Compression Adjust, Rapid Recovery Rebound Adjust, DebonAir, Magnesium Lowers, 35mm Stanchions with Black Anodized Coating, Boost 110mm Hub Spacing, 15mm Maxle Thru-Axle with Quick Release

Frame Rear Details:

RockShox Deluxe RT3 Air Suspension, 150mm Travel, Compression Adjust (3 Position), Rebound Adjust, DebonAir, Black Anodized Coating, Boost 148mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Thru-Axle with 6mm Hex Bolt

Attachment Points:

Bottle Cage Bosses

Gearing Details:

11 Speed 1x11 SRAM X1 Derailleur with Roller Clutch, SRAM XG-1175 10-42 Tooth Cassette

Shifter Details:

SRAM E-MTB Triggers on Right (One-Way High, One-Shift Low)

Cranks:

Praxis, 2D Cold Forged Aluminum Alloy, Custom Offset, 165mm Length, Steel 32 Tooth Narrow-Wide Chainring, 104 BCD Spider, New Trail Plastic Guide (Tool Free)

Pedals:

Specialized Dirt Nylon Platform Pedals with Fixed Nubs

Headset:

FSA Hella Flush, Threadless, Cartridge Bearings, Tapered 1-1/ 8" to 1-1/ 2"

Stem:

Specialized Trail, Forged Alloy, 4-Bolt, 6° Rise, 40mm or 50mm Length, Four 5mm Carbon Fiber Spacers, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter

Handlebar:

Specialized Trail 7050 Alloy, 8° Backsweep, 6° Upsweep, 27mm Rise, 780mm Length

Brake Details:

SRAM Code R Hydraulic Disc with 200mm Rotors, Quad-Piston Calipers, SRAM CODE Two-Finger Levers with Tool-Free Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Specialized Sip Grip, Half-Waffle, S/M: Regular Thickness, L/XL: XL Thickness, Light Lock-On

Saddle:

Body Geometry Phenom Comp, Hollow Cr-Mo Rails, 143mm

Seat Post:

Specialized Command Post (Dropper), Small: 130mm Travel, M/L/XL: 160mm Travel

Seat Post Length:

250 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

34.9 mm

Rims:

Roval Traverse 29, Hookless Alloy, Double Wall, 622x30, 34.5mm Outer Wide, 28 Hole, Tubeless Ready

Spokes:

DT Swiss Revolution, Stainless Steel, 15 Gauge, Black with Nipples

Tire Brand:

Specialized Butcher Grid, 29" x 2.6" (66x622)

Wheel Sizes:

29 in (73.66cm)

Tire Details:

20 to 40 PSI, 1.5 to 3.0 BAR, 2 BLISS Ready, GRIPTON Compound, Reflective Print

Tube Details:

Presta Valve

Accessories:

Zee Cage II Right Bottle Holder, SWAT Stem-Integrated Tool, Full-Wrap Rubberized Chain Stay Slap Guard, Rubberized Seat Stay Slap Guard, Rubber Steerer Bumpers, Optional Lightweight Battery Pack 504 Watt Hour ($900), Optional Replacement Battery Pack 700 Watt Hour ($1,200)

Other:

Downtube-Integrated Battery Pack with 6mm Bolt, 1.9lb 42 Volt 4 Amp Charger with Rosenberger Plug (Magnetic EnergyBus Standard), Optional 1.3lb Portable 2 Amp Travel Charger, IP67 Water and Dust Protection Rating on Battery Pack, IP56 Water and Dust Protection Rating on Motor, Battery Stops with 4% at Top and Bottom to Avoid Straining Cells, Internal Cable Routing, KMC X11ET Chain with Missing Link

Motor Brand:

Brose S MAG, (Specialized Turbo 2.1), 120 RPM Max Support

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

250 watts

Motor Peak Output:

560 watts

Motor Torque:

90 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Sony, LG, Samsung, 21700 Cells

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

19 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

700 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

3.75 hours (7 Hours with Optional Travel Charger)

Estimated Min Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Estimated Max Range:

80 miles (129 km)

Display Type:

Turbo Connect Unit (TCU), Rubberized LED Console on Top Tube (Blue)

Readouts:

Battery Charge Level (10 Bars), Assist Level (0-3)

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad Near Left Grip, Buttons: S, +, -, (Pressing S Jumps to Highest Assist Level), Mission Control App (Bluetooth, iOS and Android), ANT+ Wireless (For Heart Rate Monitors)

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Measures Rear Wheel Speed, Pedal Cadence, and Pedal Torque, 410% Peak Multiplication Force of Rider Input)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by Specialized. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Specialized products.

The second generation Specialized Turbo Levo, like the first gen, is inspired by the non-electric Specialized Stumpjumper platform. It’s a bike that performs well on cross country, trail, and light all mountain terrain. The company no longer offers a hardtail Levo, and has moved to a 29″ wheel size vs. the slightly smaller 27.5″ before The larger wheel diameter is somewhat offset by the narrower 2.6″ plus sized tires vs. 2.8″ from before. This means the tires are narrower, produce less drag and noise, and can squeeze through tighter sections of rock and roots. Specialized has always done an amazing job with frame design, and the new 2019 Levo has an asymmetric rear with right-arm section that now houses the cabling. This allowed the downtube to become narrower, reduced material, and apparently adds stiffness to the frame. My initial thinking was that cables could be run through the top tube and the rear shock supports could go symmetrical again (which is slightly narrower) but that would interfere with the seat tube and seat post insertion. The bike comes in two colors and four frame sizes, so you can find a perfect fit for your style and body. The dropper seat post makes mounting, ascending, and descending a breeze, and I like that they opted for a thicker seat tube, since the main section of frame is carbon fiber. The rear triangle is lightweight M5 aluminum alloy. One thing I’ve always noticed about Specialized is their marketing/branding naming approach. You get the M5 aluminum and “Hella Flush” headset… it reminds me that the team there has scrutinized everything, but sometimes makes it difficult to compare bike to bike. I’ve done my best to list out all of the specs in human-readable terms above and describe the bike on camera with Charlie (the owner of ElectriCity Bikes in Washington DC). Other big updates for the 2019 second generation Turbo Levo platform include a SWAT toolset that fits into the steering tube, under a swivel-top stem cap, a much more reachable Turbo Connect Unit (TCU) button pad on the top tube, awesome slap guards on the chain stay (top and bottom) as well as the right seat stay, an improved tool-free adjustable chain guide, smartphone app features like stealth mode that turn off the LED lights and shuttle mode that let you dial in motor torque at low RPM, a new S button that jumps all the way up to the highest level of assist with just one click, a much more reachable control pad with S, +, and – keys vs. a single button with circular selections, an enormous 700 watt hour battery pack, and of course, the brand new Brose Drive S Mag (magnesium) mid-motor that’s lighter, more powerful, and more efficient than previous iterations. The bike is incredible… it’s lightweight, beautiful, relatively quiet, extremely well balanced, and just a blast to ride. Consider checking with your dealer to get the correct size and color on order early because I’m guessing this bike could be on short supply come summer, especially the Expert model.

Driving the bike is a compact mid-motor from Brose with redesigned casing that uses less material. It’s also using a lighter weight material; magnesium verses aluminum alloy. My guess is that the internals are similar to the Drive S ALU but the weight dropped from 7.5lbs to 6.39lbs. You still get a very narrow Q Factor, optimal spindle placement (to reduce chain stay length for snappier turns and a shorter overall frame length), and excellent ground clearance. This motor is compact and the casing is color matched to the rest of the frame with carbon fiber and plastic surrounds. There’s a sturdy plastic skid plate below, in case you do take a rock or log strike with the suspension fully compressed on a drop. Note that the crank arms are 165mm vs. 170mm to reduce pedal strikes. I love that Specialized included some decent plastic pedals for test rides, because I tend to not get clip-in shoes for riding ebikes and find it annoying when you have to spend more money for them. I’d still consider swapping the stock pedals for some sturdier alloy or magnesium pedals with adjustable pins over time, but again, these aren’t too bad to start. So, the motor unit is small, but it really packs a punch. You get 250 to 560 watts of power output with up to 90 newton meters of torque! That’s extremely high for a mid-drive unit. Power is delivered based on your rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal pressure. These signals can be adjusted in the optional smartphone app called Mission Control. The new Shuttle mode is all about torque, allowing you to raise it in lower cadence situations, sacrificing battery efficiency for more help if you prefer to pedal slow and reduce cardio while climbing. I personally love this feature because my knees are sensitive and I don’t always want to pedal fast. If, however, you do want to spin, the Brose motors all support 120+ pedal RPM. This means it won’t drop out on you while downshifting on approach to a big hill. Moreso than many other competing products, the Brose motor really hangs in there at high pedal speeds. The Drive S Mag is light, more powerful, and amazingly… more efficient than its predecessors, but it’s still quiet and smooth because it contains a Gates Carbon belt drive that transitions from gears to spindle output. This reduces vibration and provides an organic feeling to the pedal experience that I can vouch for. The older Drive S was my favorite between Bosch, Shimano, and Yamaha for this reason, and Brose is expanding its support and presence in North America. There’s no pedal drag if you do choose to pedal unassisted (no reduction gearing) and the motor is decoupled from pedal strokes beyond the maximum supported speed of 32km/h (20mph). It’s a outstanding drive system, but I do feel that the charging port positioning, on the left side of the motor bulge, requires additional bending over and is in the travel path of the left crank arm… which could get snagged or bumped out of position. At least it’s magnetic, so it won’t break, and the cover seems very durable.

Powering the bike is a high capacity 700 watt hour lithium-ion battery pack. The cells are high-density 21700 cells arranged in a 36 volt 19 amp hour configuration. That’s a lot of energy to spend on range or steep climbs, and the bike spends it efficiently if you shift gears thoughtfully. The pack itself is a long cylindrical tube that slides up into the downtube from the bottom bracket area, securing with a 12mm bolt and standard hex key head. I removed the pack for photos and weighed it with my hand scale at roughly 8.4lbs. Unfortunately, the pack is not backwards compatible with first generation Turbo Levo or current generation Turbo Kenevo electric bikes. My guess is that we will eventually see the first generation batteries phased out in favor of this new design, and that means you may be able to get a deal on last generation Levo. Again, this pack does not incorporate a button pad and light ring like the older one. You either have to lift the bike or flip it upside down to remove the battery, since it doesn’t click up into the downtube like most other frame-integrated designs from Bosch, Shimano, and BMZ (as we see with BULLS products). One of the really neat parts of the Brose drive system is that they leave it open for custom battery integration and displays. Specialized has capitalized on this opportunity, and they’re big enough to make it work and provide a sense of support ongoing, but it’s not nearly as universal or cross-compatible as the Bosch PowerPack. This battery is priced around $1,200 all on its own… so be careful when removing not to drop, and keep it charged at least 50% if you know you won’t be riding. Extreme heat and cold can degrade and limit the performance of lithium-ion packs, so keep that in mind. Charging is pretty efficient because the bike comes with a faster 4 amp charger, and the compact size and ~1.9lb weight makes it easy to stow in a backpack. I believe that Specialized also sells a compact 2 amp travel charger that’s slower but smaller and lighter at 1.3lbs.

When you’re ready to power the Turbo Levo Expert up, make sure the battery is charged up, seated, and screwed in securely, then press the rubberized power button at the lower section of the Turbo Connect Unit (TCU). This unit is mounted on top of the top tube, and includes the necessary circuitry to pair with Bluetooth Mission Control smartphone app. Optionally, I’m told that users can also buy and install the Turbo Connect Display which is a little grayscale LCD with feedback about current speed, trip distance, battery percentage and more. I’ve spent some time with this display on the Turbo Como and Vado urban models, and it works well. Everything critical is summed on the TCU with 13 blue LED lights. There’s a stack of ten that represent 10% steps in battery charge level and a circle of three that represent assist levels 1-3 (the third being Turbo). So, the lower portion of the TCD has the power button, then you get the ten bars, and in the center of the assist level readout is another button that cycles through assist levels, but interestingly… it only goes 1-3 and won’t let you cycle to zero. In order to completely turn off assist while still keeping the TCU on, you have to use the button pad near the left grip. This button pad has an S at the top (which jumps you to assist level 3 immediately) and a + and – button that navigate up and down. Now, why would you want to navigate to assist level zero and still leave the TCU on? Why not just ride the bike without any power! I’m guessing that aftermarket lights could be wired in, or you could run the Mission Control app to interact with the bike and still keep assist at zero to conserve battery life. Anyway, those are the little quirks I noticed. The TCU is much easier to reach than the older downtube-side mounted control ring, and this one can be turned to stealth mode where the lights go out. That’s nice if you are riding in the evening or on a trail where people aren’t friendly to electric bikes. The Turbo Levo is truly one of the most stealthy electric bikes I’ve ever seen. It’s intuitive to use, the control systems are placed in such a way that they shouldn’t get damaged easily in the event of a crash, and they adapt to you vs. forcing you into workarounds like black electrical tape to cover the LED lights (which was apparently done by Gen 1 owners who didn’t want to stand out).

There’s always a lot to say about high-end electric bikes, so much thought has gone into the design, and so many aspects have been custom made vs. off the shelf. That’s absolutely true of the Levo lineup, and Specialized products in general. It’s neat to see ebike specific suspension and drivetrains (derailleur) that can withstand the forces of electric drive with added weight. The brakes on this bike are another highlight for me, because they offer 200mm rotors (larger for leverage and cooling) with tool-free adjustable levers. It’s the kind of component I’d expect to see at this price range, but it’s still worth celebrating. You want larger rotors when you’ve got such large wheels. The brake lines, like the shifter line, and electrical line, have been internally routed. Balancing out the SRAM trigger shifters on the right side of the handlebar is a shifter-like dropper post lever on the left. I much prefer this lever design to the above-bar levers on many competing products. As always, I welcome your feedback, corrections, clarifications, and deeper observations in the comments below and the Specialized forums. This is a space meant to be ad limited and open so you can share your bike, provide your own experience with Specialized customer support and dealers, and post your custom setup. Have fun out there, and ride safe!

Pros:

The second generation Levo frame design is lighter and stiffer than the first because they were able to route cables through the side-arm suspension design vs. the downtube, apparently they chose not to route through the top tube because that would interfere with the seat post
No compromises here, I love that the frame has provisions for a bottle cage on the downtube and the stem has a pop-up multi-tool that’s easier to access than below the bottle cage like before
All Levo models are now 29ers, the effective diameter of the wheel is very similar to the 650b 2.8″ plus sized tires but the 29″ x 2.6″ is more efficient and nimble, the lower attack angle allowed me to climb a set of stairs
Significantly improved slap guard design protects the paint and alloy tubing on the top and bottom of the chain stay as well as the lower edge of the right seat stay
Ebike specific RockShox suspension fork, SRAM X1 drivetrain with single-shift, and frame geometry are dialed in for the increased weight and mechanical forces of the electric drive systems… linear suspension performance with DebonAir, reduced mashing and drivetrain wear, and improved climbing performance are the result
The Brose Drive S MAG is 15% lighter than the S ALU, more powerful, and yet also more efficient… it’s very quiet and smooth thanks to the Gates Carbon belt drive system inside, and it offers a narrow Q Factor and shorter chain stay length than some of the competitors
Plastic chain guide reduces drops, along with the narrow-wide chainring, and is tool-free so you can perform maintenance easier than generation 1 which required a tool
The SRAM X1 derailleur is lighter than Eagle, rated for E-MTB use, and includes a roller clutch that locks in for easier drivetrain maintenance (the little circular button with a lock icon on it, extend the derailleur and then press it in)
Extra thick 34.9mm seat post fits into a wider, stronger seat tube and allows for longer travel dropper, it just felt sturdy and reliable on the Expert’s carbon frame
Incredibly stealthy design… even more than the first generation Levo, the motor and battery are truly integrated into the frame which improves the aesthetic and sort of hides the fact that they offer assist, the LED control console can be switched to dark mode so you don’t have these lights shining when the bike is on
Motor activation is very smooth and fluid (both powering up and cutting out), it’s much less noticeable than on some of the other mid-drive ebikes I’ve tested, there’s a new Shuttle mode that allows you to dial up torque at low cadence which is useful for climbing long fire roads with slower pedal RPM… but this will drain the battery a bit faster
Tight tolerance on the battery pack alignment and locking system, you don’t hear it rattling around at higher speeds off-road, a sturdy 12mm bolt holds it in securely from the base, and it can be charged on or off the bike!
Available in two distinct frame colors (matte black with green and grey with red) as well as four sizes to accommodate different body types
Built with high-end lightweight materials like carbon fiber and M5 aluminum alloy, at roughly 48lbs you’re getting a lot of power and range thanks to the Brose Drive S Magnesium motor and 700 watt hour lithium-ion battery
The Mission Control App works with iOS and Android, it offers GPS, trip planning (to arrive with a set power level remaining), troubleshooting diagnostics, and the Shuttle tuning option
The bike is extremely well balanced, we weighed it using a hook connected to the nose of the saddle and it stayed fairly straight
Extremely responsive motor, since it measures rear wheel speed, cadence, and torque I noticed that the chainring wasn’t spinning as long after I stopped pedaling and this is very important for technical terrain… on the flip side, the motor can support up to 120 rpm pedal speeds, so you don’t lose out when dumping gears for a big climb
Very low top-tube makes the bike easier to mount and less dangerous if you have to hop forward and put your feet down, this is especially nice given the higher weight of Levo vs. a traditional unpowered Stumpjumper platform
Boost hub spacing with 15mm front axle and 12mm rear axle provide a sturdy bracing angle for the spokes and stiffer, stronger performance overall, only the front wheel has quick release but the included SWAT tool makes rear wheel trail maintenance easy
The brake levers have tool-free adjustable reach so you can dial things in on the trail as you need more control or switch from bare hands to gloves
Vast network of dealers makes it easier to see, touch, and get fitted on the bike, excellent two year comprehensive warranty with lifetime frame and wheelset… Specialized seems committed to the ebike space as one of the first big players to introduce a bike way back in 2012
Large oversteer bumper protector piece on the downtube near the steering tube, helps protect the tubing from oversteer (especially in the event of a fall) so the crown of the fork doesn’t wreck the frame
I like how the magnet for the rear wheel speed sensor is connected using a little plastic arm off of the disc brake rotor mount vs. a spoke-mount because those get bumped out of place much easier
The bike frame was designed to accommodate 27.5″ wheel size if you prefer that to the 29″ and there’s a flip switch on the rear swing arm that changes the geometry to fit correctly

Cons:

While the battery does lock in securely with the unique thru-axle pin, it does not rely on a locking core and key like all of the other city Turbo models, so in that sense it could be stolen more easily
Limited display options without the app, you get 10 LED’s that show your battery charge level and three more LED’s that show your assist, older versions of the bike didn’t have a remote button pad, so you had to take your hand off of the grip to change assist… but the new Levo does have a S, +, – pad that is easy to click while riding
Considering how minimal the integrated LED console is, how much juice the battery contains, and how cool the advanced Mission Control App is, I think a USB charging port that feeds off of the button pad or battery pack somewhere would be cool to help maintain your phone battery
There’s no shift sensing built into the Brose motor controller and this can lead to increased chain and sprocket wear if you don’t back off a bit on your pedaling while shifting… I believe it’s the reason that Specialized opted for single-shift triggers from SRAM vs. the multi-shift Shimano levers
In order to remove the batter pack, you have to either lift the frame or flip it over, this takes more time and energy to do and could be inconvenient if you store the pack separately from the bike (worth doing to avoid extreme heat or cold)
The charge port on the bike frame is very low, so you have to bend way over, and it’s positioned in the path of the left crank arm which could snag and pop the plug out
No provisions for a kickstand, this is a minor gripe considering the use case of this full-suspension electric bike (off-road where you don’t want rattling or extra weight), but it would be nice to have the option to add your own for easier storage or city use

Resources:

Official Site: https://www.specialized.com/us/en

January 29, 2024 (10 months ago)

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MODEL YEAR: 2020

A lightweight gravel grinder road ebike with flared handlebars, wide treaded tires, a seat post dropper, and unique Future Shock 2.0 steer tube suspension. Available in six frame sizes, sold through a vast network of dealers with professional fitting systems, solid two-year comprehensive warranty. The frame offers provisions for two bottle cages, fenders, and a rear rack, wide range of color options. Boost hub spacing with sturdy 12mm thru-axles provide stiffness and control at higher speeds, sturdier…...

Specialized Turbo S-Works Levo SL Review

MSRP: $13,525
MODEL YEAR: 2020

Extremely lightweight and satisfying. 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). It comes with an electronic dropper post, gold colored 12-speed SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain, and Fox Factory Kashima coated 150mm suspension. Weighs just ~38lbs, uses a proprietary mid-drive motor and downtube-integrated battery pack that weigh under 8.3lbs combined. Optional range extender bottle-shaped batteries weigh 2.3lbs. You can even remove the downtube battery and rely solely on the range extender packs, which may be eligible for commercial air travel. Boost hub spacing for strength, varied front and rear tire for improved handling and traction,…...

Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 Review

MSRP: $5,150
MODEL YEAR: 2020

A high-speed, feature-complete, urban electric bike with unique tubular fenders that have flexible extensions and water routing system to keep your legs, back and face dry, integrated lights and a tight modern rack. Available in 6 sizes including high-step and mid-step frame styles with gender-specific saddle and grips,…...

Specialized Turbo Como 5.0 Review

MSRP: $4,150
MODEL YEAR: 2020

A great top of the line model for Specialized, starts at $4,150 and has relaxed cruiser riding position, hydraulic brakes, front rack, a smooth mid-drive motor, 28mph top speed, and a lot of great little features. Features a custom Brose S ALU mid-drive motor that was tuned just for Specialized, high…...

Specialized Turbo Como 4.0 Review

MSRP: $3,350
MODEL YEAR: 2020

A great mid point for Specialized, starts at $3,350 and has relaxed cruiser riding position, hydraulic brakes, a smooth mid-drive motor, 28mph top speed, and a lot of great little features. Features a custom Brose T mid-drive motor that was tuned just for Specialized, 36v 14ah…...

Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert Review

MSRP: $7,550
MODEL YEAR: 2019

A purpose built, strong and sturdy, full suspension, all mountain with some enduro, agile and balanced with it’s 50/50 weight distribution, smooth and powerful mid-drive electric mountain bike. This is an extremely sturdy and overbuilt setup, thanks to points of interest like this…...

Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 Review

MSRP: $3,550
MODEL YEAR: 2020

Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 Review

MSRP: $2,950
MODEL YEAR: 2020

A great entry point for Specialized, starts at $2,949 and has relaxed cruiser riding position, hydraulic brakes, a smooth mid-drive motor, and a lot of great little features. Features a custom Brose CB mid-drive motor that was tuned just for Specialized, 36v 12.8ah…...

Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Fat Review

MSRP: $5,000
MODEL YEAR: 2017

A hardtail, fat tire electric bike with high-volume 4.6" tires, four frame size choices, and an extensive network of dealers in the United States. Sturdy thru-axles provide stiffness and strength, the RockShox Bluto air fork provides comfort with lots…...

Specialized Turbo Como 2.0 Low-Entry 650b Review

MSRP: $2,600
MODEL YEAR: 2018

A comfortable, stable, quiet, and efficient electric bike made in two frame sizes and colors, well-suited to neighborhood riding and cruising. Relatively lightweight at ~48 lbs, in part because it comes without lights or fenders, you…...

Specialized Turbo Vado 6.0 Review

MSRP: $4,800
MODEL YEAR: 2017

A high-speed, feature-complete, urban electric bike with unique tubular fenders that have flexible extensions and water routing system to keep your legs, back and face dry, integrated lights and a tight modern rack. Available in four sizes including high-step and mid-step frame styles with gender-specific saddle and grips,…...

2017 Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 Review

MSRP: $4,600
MODEL YEAR: 2017

A high-speed urban electric bike with premium tubular fenders, minimalist rack with integrated light, 600 Lumen headlight, reflective stickers on fenders and rims. Available in four frame sizes but only one style (high-step), rigid alloy fork and thru-axles…...

Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0 Review

MSRP: $3,200
MODEL YEAR: 2017

A feature-complete urban electric bike with premium tubular-alloy fenders, integrated rack and lights, rims and tires as well as a suspension fork with 50 mm travel. Available in four frame sizes and two styles (high-step or mid-step), rigid thru-axles improve handling,…...

Specialized Turbo Levo FSR Expert 6Fattie Review

MSRP: $7,500
MODEL YEAR: 2016, 2017

One of the stealthiest electric mountain bikes around with integrated battery and motor technology from Brose, available to demo and buy from a wide network of shops. Responsive and zippy without producing a lot of noise, you don't get shift detection here…...

Specialized Turbo Levo Hardtail Comp 6Fattie Review

MSRP: $4,000
MODEL YEAR: 2016, 2017

The lowest priced Turbo Levo eMountain bike model from Specialized, it's a hardtail with 10 gears, an air fork and the Brose drive system. You get a slightly smaller battery capacity here but the same beautiful integration into the…...

Specialized Turbo Levo FSR Comp 6Fattie Review

MSRP: $5,500
MODEL YEAR: 2016

A full suspension electric mountain bike with 650b plus "six fatty" tires for improved traction, handling and comfort. Seamlessly integrated Brose motor and downtube battery pack, completely purpose built frame available in two…...

Specialized Turbo S Review

MSRP: $7,000
MODEL YEAR: 2016

An extremely fast, quiet and stiff electric bike with premium drivetrain and brake components and sleek integrated lights, available in four frame sizes for improved fit. Beautifully integrated battery pack, it matches the frame perfectly and even features a bottle cage…...

Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo FSR 6Fattie Review

MSRP: $9,000
MODEL YEAR: 2016

The highest level full suspension e-mountain bike from Specialized, purpose built frame incorporates battery and motor seamlessly. Premium suspension from RockShox Pike RCT3 and Fox Float with Autosag, 11 speed SRAM XX1…...

Specialized Turbo Review

MSRP: $3,800
MODEL YEAR: 2015

Completely purpose built with integrated lights, in-frame cabling and downtube mounted battery pack that blends in. Available in four frame sizes for improved fit, optional city kit with fenders and rear…...

Specialized Turbo X Review

MSRP: $4,000
MODEL YEAR: 2015, 2016

Stealth appearance with integrated battery pack and near-silent motor helps it blend in like a "normal bike". Excellent weight distribution, responsive hydraulic disc brakes, integrated LED lights, rack and fender mounts, nice…...

2014 Specialized Turbo S Review

MSRP: $6,000
MODEL YEAR: 2014, 2015

One of the fastest, quietest and sturdiest road-style electric bikes around, extremely refined. Solid 15mm thru-axles, tapered head tube and alloy frame for efficient power transfer and high…...

2013 Specialized Turbo Review

MSRP: $5,900
MODEL YEAR: 2013

One of the fastest and priciest electric bikes around, Top speed 45kph (27.96mph) at $5,900 USD. Clean aesthetic with internally routed cables, integrated lithium ion battery pack and built in LED…...

SCOTT MCVEIGH

5 years ago

Do you know what if any changes are planed for the LEVO for 2020?

Court

Hi Scott! No, I don’t know those details, but perhaps others would have some input if you ask around in the Specialized ebike forums :)

Adam Green

Hey Court, thanks for the review. I have this bike and needed to know how to get the Bluetooth PIN and bingo, you spelled it out better than the online help at Specialized. : )
ref: the 18:00 minute mark in your video.

Anyway, for 2020, Specialized said they’re having an announcement event on the 18th (this week.)

Who knows, but the 2019 already has the lighter Mag-S Brose motor and Specialized does their own software and calibration (it helps to be big when it comes to R&D.)

There’s a couple of things that are likely: wireless derail and seat post, optional display (already available) and improved water seal of the lower pivot (already in current 2019 production and a free retrofit upgrade to early 2019’s.)

The 2019 bike includes the latest Mission Control functionality and the display can integrate with Steva. The only “upgrades’ I’ve done to my 2019 S-Works is the seat, the pedals and the bike includes the kit to swap the wheels to tubeless, which is a useful weight saving.

I had the 2018 turbo levo and upgraded to the 2019 because it’s a huge leap forward in motor performance, lighter, plus I wanted the “walk” mode and I was already hooked on riding the ’18, so spending more money on an e-MTB was no longer a question of whether it was something I would ride and enjoy.

The ’18 is the better value, much less expensive, so I think you pay a real premium for the lighter bike. I think the ’19 is also a great looking bike that goes unnoticed as an e-bike — Specialized took the already very slim down tube of the ’18 and repackaged the battery to hide away. Also, charging the ’19 and removing the battery is very easy, plus, the assist won’t come on until the plug is secured, so no risk of swiping it off with the crank — the ’19 plug is a lot tougher design and more securely (magnetically) held in place.

I also have to get my bike up two flights of stairs to the front of my house in SF, so the walk mode introduced in the ’19 is quite awesome (it will let you control “flipping” the bike up onto the rear wheel and then “walk” up (great for tight spaces and sharp turns) so having the bike lift its own weight is a gamechanger for me — lugging a e-bike up stairs is not fun, especially if you have a backpack, etc. It’s also nice to be more stealthy and have a power control under your left thumb (great to be able to go from max assist to nothing … I find I do that more frequently than expected … great to have a backpack and want to get up a steep street even one-handed and not arrive at your destination exhausted, but be able to dial back the assist and keep up a steady cadence, take a quick up-hill, etc.) I

Cheers
Adam

Fred

I have a 2019 Levo Turbo Comp. I previously rode a Giant Full E+1 for 3 years. I am having troubles getting used to the way the engine engages and disengages on the Levo. On my Giant the motor stopped powering the bike if I stopped paddling and would engage (without surging ahead) as soon as I put a bit of pressure and movement on the paddles. This was very handy in tight turns where you could inch the bike along with a little pumping action on the paddles and get some power assistance. On the Levo I either do not get any assistance until the magnet on the rear passes the sensor and then the power assist continues for almost a full rotation which (unless you brake) throws you out on the tight turn.

Sometimes when I lay down my Levo and the paddle moves the rear wheel starts spinning and can move the bike. This never happened to my Giant. The Giant felt more natural in its assistance it never felt like the motor was driving you, just helping. Is there anyway to adjust these features on the Levo? Like the way the Levo handles the trail.

ralph

Hi Court, have you ever thought about a points based rating with your in-depth reviews? With so many reviews, it is easy to get lost in details, when trying to do an apples to apples comparison in each category.

Also, then a points based review would be easy to update your top rated bikes at least twice a year or at least minimum once a year, at calendar year end.

Hi Ralph! Great suggestion, I’m in the process of refining the site and my review flow. Points are one possibility, I should definitely update the top rated page more frequently. I’m working on it but tend to just jump into more bike reviews because I feel like that helps people a lot. The forums have grown to become a great place to explore, connect, and zero in on great products> I’m working on it, thanks again :)

T Lawson

Hi Court, I agree that a rating system is essential to make an educated comparison. Perhaps you could add a point system from 1 – 5 starts in a few categories… it would a big improvement for EBR.

Thanks for the feedback! I’ve been talking with a friend about this, trying to figure out the best way to do it… I updated the Top Ebikes page recently with more categories and three selections for each. It’s a step in that direction, trying to provide more guidance and feedback :)