Specialized Turbo Levo: How to choose your bike

Published on 13 June 2024

Frequently mentioned as an essential reference, the Specialized Turbo Levo is a flagship model in the E-MTB market. The electric mountain bike has revolutionized the way we approach trails, and among the most sought-after models, this Specialized stands out for its exceptional performance and innovative design. Lightweight e-bike particularly suitable for trail riding, it is considered by some as the best E-MTB combining comfort, performance, and maneuverability.

In this buying guide, we will help you understand the essential features of the Specialized Turbo Levo, compare the different available options, and determine the model that best suits your needs and expectations.

Specialized Turbo Levo: Range Overview

The Levo is the enduro-style E-MTB from the American brand Specialized. It shares similarities with its non-electrically assisted counterpart: the Stumpjumper Evo. Indeed, the Levo features the famous asymmetrical frame of the Stump. It has 150mm of travel at the rear and 160mm at the front, with Mullet wheel setup (27.5″ rear and 29″ front) offering agile handling.

The Levo range starts at €5,200 with the Levo Alloy model (featuring an aluminum frame) and reaches €14,000 for the exceptional S-Works model equipped with high-end components, including Roval Traverse carbon wheels and handlebars, Sram Eagle XX drivetrain, Reverb AXS seatpost, and Sram Code RSC Ultimate brakes. However, the LTD model stands out for its wireless suspension control system RockShox Flight Attendant, as well as its Lyrik fork and Super DeLuxe Ultimate shock.

The Levo's assistance is provided by a motor developed in close collaboration with motor manufacturer Brose, coupled with a Specialized 700Wh battery.

The Californian brand does not offer its trail bike in different travel variants but considers it as its "do-it-all" bike.

The Levo offers several riding modes - Turbo, Trail, and Eco - suited to different effort levels and battery conservation needs. These modes are further customizable through the Specialized Mission Control app, which also allows cyclists to monitor power usage, track routes, and adjust settings for optimal performance. The app is a crucial tool for managing the e-bike's capabilities, especially for tailoring it to personal riding styles and specific trail requirements.

Key Features of the Range

• Specialized 2.2 Motor: powerful and silent, it provides smooth and natural assistance.
• 700 Wh Battery: impressive range for long rides.
• Advanced Suspension: designed to absorb shocks and provide comfortable riding on the most demanding terrains.
• Connectivity compatible with Mission Control app to customize your MTB settings and track your performance.
• Premium Materials: Use of carbon fiber and high-quality aluminum for lightweight and robust frames.

👉 Discover our different Specialized Turbo Levo models in reconditioned version

Specialized Levo Comp Carbon vs Specialized Levo Expert? 3 Major Differences

These 2 models both feature 90 Nm of torque, a 700 Wh battery, and a Mastermind TCU with digital display. However, there are 3 notable differences:

1. Wheels

Both models are equipped with a mullet configuration. However, the Expert comes with a pair of Roval Traverse wheels known for their high performance on the terrain.

2. Suspension

Each is equipped with a Fox suspension. However, the Comp Carbon has limited stability. At the front, it features a Rythm 36 and a Float X at the rear. These are very good suspensions, but the Expert benefits from a higher-end model: an integrated FOX Performance Elite suspension.

For an experienced rider who wants to adjust suspension level and bike performance, there are many more adjustment possibilities with the Performance Elite suspension.

3. Transmission

The transmission on these bikes is excellent. The Turbo Levo Comp Carbon is equipped with GX/NX transmission. As for the Expert, it features the reliable GX Eagle AXS wireless transmission.

The Turbo Levo Comp Carbon is an excellent choice, but if you want to enhance gear shifting performance, fine-tune settings, refine your riding, you'll need to opt for the Turbo Levo Expert, a higher-level model than the Comp.

Turbo Levo Expert or SL Expert Carbon? 

Now that you know more about the Expert Levo, let's talk about the SL Expert.

What does SL mean? What sets them apart?

With its 18.4 kgs compared to 23 kgs for the Expert, the SL is simply Super Light.

As for the fork, the SL Expert is equipped with the Fox Performance Elite Float 36 while the Expert benefits from the 38. The choice between the two frames will depend more on your practice and riding style. The Fox 36 will better suit lighter and more precise bikers, looking for tolerance and enjoying well-dosed flexibility at the front. On the other hand, the Fox 38 is intended for heavier and more aggressive riders, who will benefit from this reinforced frame. So, it's not relevant to say that one is better than the other. The important thing is to know yourself well, understand your riding, your desires, and your limits, to choose the most suitable frame. Avoid choosing the Fox 38 simply for its appearance or current popularity, as you might miss out on the advantages offered by the new Fox 36.

Specialized Levo Comp Carbon or Comp Alloy? Our Thoughts 

Turbo Levo Comp Carbon

Although the 2023 Turbo Levo Comp Carbon is more affordable than the Expert (€9,600), Pro (€11,000), and S-Works (€14,000) models with its price of €7,700, it remains out of reach for many people. Despite its high-quality frame, 700 Wh battery, six sizes to choose from thanks to the S-Sizing system, and various EVO options allowing to adapt the geometry according to riding style and practice, the cost remains high.

However, for this price, you still get a Fox Float X Performance shock, GX Eagle transmission, and the new Mastermind TCU console integrated into the top tube. However, for the fork, you have to settle for a Fox 36 Rhythm, instead of the Fox 38 that equips the Turbo Levo models in the higher range.

It also features 160 mm of front travel and 150 mm at the rear, as well as a mixed wheel setup of 29 inches at the front and 27.5 inches at the rear.

Turbo Levo Comp Alloy

The best deal seems to be the 2024 Levo Comp Alloy at €6,400. For €1,200 less than the Comp Carbon, it offers exactly the same components, technical features, and geometry, as well as a 700 Wh battery.

Despite its significant weight, typical of full-power e-MTBs, the Turbo Levo maintains a balanced feel that competes with lighter, non-motorized trail bikes. This balance is enhanced by a geometry that significantly changes with adjustable settings, allowing for customized riding that can be agile or more controlled depending on the rider's configuration choices. The SRAM GX 12-speed transmission offers a wide range and reliable performance, and although the bike is equipped with shorter 160mm Praxis cranks, pedal assistance ensures optimal performance without the usual drawbacks.

The integrated Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor in the Levo stands out for its power and refinement. With a torque of 90 Nm and a peak power of 565 watts, this motor is both powerful and relatively quiet, although it may be audible when the torque is high.

And what about the basic Specialized Turbo Levo Alu?

For €5,200, this basic version is equipped with a RockShox 35 fork, a DeLuxe shock, and SX transmission. It retains the advantages of the new M5 aluminum frame from the Expert, the S-Sizing system, the EVO option for adjustable geometry, and the Specialized Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor.

This new Levo, equipped with the smooth and powerful Specialized 2.2 motor, paired with a 500 Wh battery, offers a torque of 90 Nm and a peak power of 565 watts.

Specialized Turbo Levo SL Pro Carbon vs Pro Carbon

1. Weight 

The notable difference between these 2 models is obviously the weight. The SL (Super Light) Pro Carbon weighs only 17.7 kgs vs 22.6 kgs for the Pro Carbon.

2. Battery

The SL Pro Carbon is equipped with a 320 Wh battery compared to 700 Wh for the Pro.

Battery capacities typically range between 300 and 1,000 Wh. Larger capacity batteries are ideal for cyclists who want to cover long distances without worrying about weight.

3. Transmission

The SL Pro is equipped with SRAM X0 transmission while the Levo Pro offers exceptional value for money thanks to the new robust SRAM X01 Eagle AXS 12-speed transmission.

Specialized Turbo Levo SL vs Alloy: Two Almost Similar Models

Thanks to its carbon frame and lightweight motorization, the Specialized Turbo Levo SL is one of the lightest full-suspension models from the brand. However, this lightness comes at a cost, with the most affordable model in the series, the Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon, priced at €7,900. To offer a more economical option, Specialized is launching the Alloy version with an aluminum frame, priced at €6,600.

Unsurprisingly, the aluminum adds weight to this version, which now weighs 20.2 kg in size S4, compared to 18.83 kg for its carbon equivalent. However, the Turbo Levo SL Comp Alloy still retains most of the features of the carbon version. The bike also benefits from the same adjustable geometry, allowing users to tailor the bike to their riding preferences.

In terms of components, there is no change in the suspension. It features a Fox 36 Rhythm fork and a Fox Float X Performance shock, with respective travels of 160 mm and 150 mm.

The differences from the carbon version are in the transmission and braking. The Alloy version is equipped with a Sram NX groupset (compared to GX on the carbon version) and Sram Code R brakes (compared to RS). Otherwise, it features the same Specialized 1.2 SL motor delivering a maximum torque of 50 Nm. The internal battery remains unchanged, with a capacity of 320 Wh. For those who want to increase autonomy, it is possible to add an additional battery.

So, the Turbo Levo SL Comp Alloy offers a more aggressive price-performance ratio. Although you don't get the dynamic qualities of the carbon frame of the other models in the series, the bike's behavior should remain fairly close.

To summarize:

Specialized Turbo Levo: Which Type of Cyclist?

The Levo is easy to control, even for beginners, and proves to be a good climber that generates a lot of traction.

In true Specialized fashion, the Turbo Levo puts you at ease right from the start. The freedom of movement is excellent, which, coupled with the central riding position, instills great confidence, encouraging even beginners to tackle technical sections with its predictable and intuitive handling. The weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear, ensuring equal traction on both wheels and maintaining control on challenging terrain.

Whether for the novice cyclist or the more experienced rider, models like the Specialized Turbo Levo SL, Orbea Rise, or the Moterra SL are perfect for experiencing sensations close to traditional mountain biking with a slight assist.

Highly motorized versions (with torque exceeding 80 Nm) and equipped with large batteries (beyond 600 Wh) are suitable for experienced cyclists looking to have fun both downhill and on long climbs. Models like the Specialized Turbo Levo, Orbea Wild, or the Cannondale Moterra illustrate this category well.

With its intuitive handling, Specialized's lightweight eMTB is a good choice for both beginners and experienced riders and impresses with its excellent qualities. However, it's primarily aimed at sporty cyclists looking for a natural riding experience while still wanting to put in some effort themselves.

From their Trail models to their electric versions, feel free to check out our complete guide on Specialized MTBs.