Specialized Turbo Levo SL, when less is much more

In the universe of electric mountain bikes, Specialized has led the way with its Turbo Levo. With this new Specialized Turbo Levo SL, the brand has done it again. It is an e-MTB mountain bike with 150mm of travel, super light and that transmits sensations very close to a conventional mountain bike. Its price starts at 5,999 euros.

Specialized Turbo Levo SL: features, models and prices

For this new e-MTB concept, Specialized has chosen something that many would dismiss as crazy. They have incorporated a new smaller and less powerful engine. But with this "genius" they have made sure that they can build a very balanced mountain bike that leaves this Specialized Turbo Levo SL at 17.35 kg, in size L. Which means to be under 17 kg in lower sizes.

At first glance the Levo SL looks like a standard mountain bike, in fact it is almost identical to the Specialized Stumpjumper, of which it shares geometry with a 66° steering angle and 75° saddle angle. The difference lies in a slightly more over-dimensioned bottom bracket that houses the new engine. It also shares the Side Arm system, as does the standard Levo, which adds a side section in the shock area for greater rigidity.

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Both the 240W engine and the 320Wh integrated battery system are the same as the brand already mounts on its Creo and Creo SL off-road road bikes. Although this Turbo Levo SL includes the assistance function when the rider is walking and pushing the bike.

Specialized has shifted completely to find a balance that allows the user to have again the sensations of a standard bike in terms of riding and handling but without sacrificing assistance

Another important new feature of the 2020 Specialized Turbo Levo SL is the ability to include a 160Wh external battery in the bottle cage for connection and use directly on the move. The battery is included in some models and can be purchased separately, but it will only be compatible with the Turbo Levo SL not with previous models.

The external battery is priced at 369 euros and it is included in some carbon versions.

It is important to clarify that Specialized will keep in its catalogue the current Turbo Levo, whose only differences with the Levo SL are that the second one has the pods a little bit shorter and incorporates the new engine and battery system already mentioned.

If the current market trend was to present electric mountain bikes with more and more battery capacity and powerful motors, Specialized has shifted completely to find a balance that allows the user to have again the sensations of a standard bike in terms of riding and handling but without sacrificing assistance. Without testing it seems a masterstroke of the American brand that we will soon see if it creates a trend in the rest of the competitors.

Models and prices of the Specialized Turbo Levo SL 2020

S-Works Turbo Levo SL Founder's Edition - 14.999€ LIMITED EDITION OF 250 UNITS

• Frame: FACT 11m full carbon, 29 Trail Geometry, Integrated down tube battery, enclosed internal cable, Command Post routing, 148mm spacing, fully sealed cartridge bearings, 150mm of travel
• Fork: FOX FACTORY 34 FLOAT 29, Kashima Coating, FIT4 damper, 51mm offset, 3-position adjustment, 15x110mm, tapered alloy steerer, 150mm of travel
• Rear shock: FOX FLOAT DPS Factory, Kashima coating, 3-position adjustment, 52.5x210mm, Rx Trail Tune
• Shift levers: SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS, trigger, 12-speed
• Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS, 30.9mm, S: 125, M:150, L/XL: 170mm
• Brakes: SRAM G2 ULTIMATE, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 200mm in front break and 180mm in rear brake, rainbow
• Battery: Specialized SL1-320, fully integrated, 320Wh, also included two Specialized SL1-160, external batteries w/Cable, 160Wh 
• Rims: Roval Traverse SL 29, hookless carbon, 30mm inner width, 2Bliss Ready, hand-built, 28h 
• Price: 14.999€
• Available in sizes S, M,L, XL

S-Works Turbo Levo SL - 12.999€

• Frame: FACT 11m full carbon, 29 Trail Geometry, Integrated down tube battery, Command Post routing, 148mm spacing, fully sealed cartridge bearings, 150mm of travel
• Fork: FOX Factory 34 FLOAT 29, Kashima Coating, FIT4 damper, 51mm offset, 3-position adjustment, 15x110mm, tapered alloy steerer, 150mm of travel
• Rear shock: FOX FLOAT DPS Factory, Kashima coating, 3-position adjustment, 52.5x210mm, Rx Trail Tune 
• Shift levers: SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS, trigger, 12-speed
• Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS
• Brakes: SRAM G2 ULTIMATE, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 200mm in front brake, 180mm in rear brake. 
• Battery: Specialized SL1-320, fully integrated, 320Wh, also included a Specialized SL1-160, external battery w/Cable, 160Wh.
• Rims: Roval Traverse SL 29, hookless carbon, 30mm inner width, 2Bliss Ready, hand-built, 28h 
• Price: 12.999€
• Available in sizes S, M,L, XL