Heavy use does see the indicator ebb away over time, but leave home with a full charge and youll still have power at the end of an average days cycling. Compared to average high performance offerings, the Levo SL lands smack dab in the middle of a standard mountain bike and a standard full power e-mountain bike. Save 25% + DMR Trail Gloves + DeathGrips when you subscribe to MBUK magazine, *Spring Savings* Try 6 issues of Cycling Plus for just 9.99 | Save 74% today, Instantly familiar trail-bike handling; one of the smoothest, most refined motors on the market; impressive range while being much faster than a regular bike, Some components, especially the fork, compromise performance for gram-counting; harder work / won't keep up with full-power e-bikes on steep climbs, weight isnt necessarily a bad thing when descending, Rims: Roval Traverse Carbon 29. hookless carbon, 30mm inner width - Sleek frame design If I podium at Downvielle, I'll write it. The suspension rate is quite linear, which means its very plush and comfortable, something you do appreciate during seated climbing on rough sections of trail. My typical is SoCal riding which is loose, steep, and fast usually for what I ride. 2023 Liv Intrigue X E+ Review | A beautifully sleek and lightweight e-MTB with a mullet, Review | The Specialized S-Works Recon shoes are the lightest weve ever tested, 2023 Thok TK01 R Review | A surprising package from an Italian e-MTB specialist, Trek Rail Review | A plush, powerful & frustratingly near-perfect electric mountain bike, This website requires Javascript for optimum viewing purposes. 653mm. In comparison, the Levo SL sits right in the trail bike camp. Also interesting was the increased range over the Kenevo SL. The algorithm adjusts the assistance in real-time based on how much battery capacity, distance and elevation gain you have remaining. Otherwise both drive systems work well, despite having their quirks. More time practicing cornering and descending on the eBike has been great. Anyone know for certain? E-bikes are bicycles with a battery-powered assist that comes via pedaling, so when you push the pedals a motor engages and gives you a boost. You dont even need the bar-mounted controller or head-up display if you want maximum simplicity. Frame | FACT 11m Carbon Fibre, FSR Suspension Design, 150mm Travel; . This isnt surprising when you consider that the geometry is almost identical to Specializeds Stumpjumper trail bike, and the fact that a little more weight isnt necessarily a bad thing when descending. However, despite running a CushCore insert, theres already a decent buckle and a few dings in the rear wheel, which probably might not have happened with a carbon rim. Forget all the gadgetry and just go for a ride. The lower weight and tighter geometry means the Levo SL offers a more playful feel with agile handling. 2022 Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon Contact Specialized https://www.specialized.com/ Price $15,200 AUD Weight 17.84kg Positives - Sleek frame design - Low weight - Fantastically agile and playful handling - Active, traction-seeking suspension - Fox 36 GRIP2 is the fork this bike deserves - Intuitive power delivery Negatives 2022 Specialized Levo Comp Carbon - $13,800 AUD If you're staying aerobic, you're 32x51 and nursing it which sucks because you actually descend very little within a given ride. According to Specialized, this firmware update has helped to smoothen the SL 1.1 motors output. From the rest to interval portions of the work, I can use the Levo SL's motor, as well as its built in power meter. For example, check out the likes of the S-Works Turbo Levo SL or the Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon if youre in the US. The Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon features a full carbon frame, full FOX suspension and a SRAM Eagle NX drivetrain Save for Later Technical Specifications Specialized bills the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon as a new, lightweight breed of e-MTB and it is certainly distinctive. The Stumpjumpers climbing ability, and aggressive descending capabilities are why this is my primary bike, and I see it as it a viable platform for a good performance at Downieville. It shares much with the regular Specialized Turbo Levo, but weighs around 4kg less. The addition of power data results in a much more responsive and effective ride. This comes as standard on the S-Works model, but costs 300 /$450 as an aftermarket option, and weighs about a kilo. No more manually increasing or decreasing motor power with my finger via the bar-mounted control. Trail 4 was an extreme case, but it highlighted the issue. This involves climbing up a tarmac road with a 10% average grade, in order to access a variety of descending trails for the way back down. The Levo SL has FOX 36 up front while the Stumpjumper has a 34, so it's not a perfect, straight-across comparison when it comes to sturdiness of componentry, but the complete package of the Levo SL as a training tool is more than optimal for my training plan. It also helps that the Levo SL is one of the lightest e-bikes available. I got my 2018 comp carbon levo down to 20.7 kilos, i dont understand how they can ask the same money for a bike that has less battery, frame and motor weight, and really only saving +2kilos. We first tested the 3rd generation Specialized Levo when it launched earlier this year, though Mick has since held onto it as a long-term test bike. This really is a non-issue for most riders though. I managed to climb the grunts and whoops of Trail 4 with a minimal and controlled effort that was within the range of my training. The battery on the bike we tested featured the Specialized SL1-320, 320Wh power pack, which proved more than capable of coping with a full days mayhem out in the sticks. Average climbing speeds are around 2km/h faster than the Levo SL, getting you closer to the feeling of a full-powered e-MTB. The 780mm wide riserbar has a great profile, and even the ergonomics for the dropper post and shift levers were appreciated. All bikes use a Fox 34 fork and Fox DPS shock, SRAM G2 or Guide trail brakes, and SRAM Eagle 12-speed drivetrains. It shares much with the regular Specialized Turbo Levo, but weighs around 4kg less. As a result its the heavier of the two bikes, clocking in at 18.54kg despite its light-duty rubber. However, more advanced riders will benefit from tweaking the shocks air volume to increase support. I wish they were available in my racing days. On less demanding trails, its a comfortable and intuitive bike to ride, which makes it well suited to newer riders and those who arent necessarily ripping at warp speed. On an acoustic' bike (non-motorized bicycle), you dont cover any ground. I learned a lot about cycling training as I pedaled my heart out. With a 66-degree head angle and 455mm reach in size large, the Levo SL would be considered.conservative. New York, While the chassis, motor and battery are unchanged from last years bike, the latest Specialized Levo SL features some key updates to its component spec. Levo Pro Details Wheel size: 29" front / 27.5" rear Carbon frame Specialized 2.2 motor 700 Wh battery Travel: 150mm (r) / 160mm fork Specialized has achieved this by shrinking. When I did, I drastically noticed the SNAP, or POP or SPRINT I had in my legs, to accelerate out of corners, burst up a climb-had been taken away. 635mm. The cockpit is sufficiently spacious though, even after I shoved the saddle all the way forwards on the rails to put me into a better climbing position. Theres also been a change from SRAM G2 brakes to the bigger Codes, which are a little heavier but significantly more powerful. Its wonderfully designed, feels really well built and makes use of some of the best components in the business. Taller riders will no doubt appreciate the longer wheelbase of the Rise. Like you say, the race is almost entirely fitness based. Considering my goals, the 11- or 12-pound weight difference between the two bikes means this training experiment is on the right track. I would pick the Expert if it came with. On easy days, I just set the parameters, put my phone in my pocket, and carry on. Theres no discernible lag when you start or stop pedalling and the power delivery is smooth and predictable: theres no delayed kick as the electric torque engages like you get with some motors. Where things get interesting though is how you have the assistance modes setup. In fact, SRAM components appear elsewhere too, with the hydraulic brake disks not only looking fantastic but working to great effect, just as youd expect. But for a trail bike, the handling is well-balanced and easy to get used to when riding mellower terrain. Experienced riders with good fitness will appreciate the spry handling and playful nature of the Levo SL. Seems like the main benefit is in training you can meter your wattage while still getting to ride fun trails. I turned around and descended 2,400 feet, through drifting turns, rain ruts, moto-bermed corners and suspension-flexing g-outs for my cool down. There is no way this ride would have been possible, on that trail, with workout goals in mind on a motor-free mountain bike. That being said, its more lethargic than the sprightly Levo SL. This is true for weight, with the average trail/all mountain bike being roughly 30 pounds, an e-MTB with similar travel being around 50 pounds and this Levo SL coming in just under 40 lbs. These are matched to 200mm rotors front and rear. There was already a lot to like about the original Specialized Levo SL Expert we tested last year. As youll see from looking at any of the other best e-bike models on the market, theres something to suit any kind of cycling interest. does any serious athlete only use a single tool for training? They are both excellent bikes though, and for those on the fence about which one to go for, it may simply boil down to whats available such is the landscape we find ourselves in 2021. - Taller riders may wish for a longer wheelbase. The Levo SL is very easy to get used to and ride dynamically. Personally speaking, Ive also found the pedal stance to be a little too broad on Specialized e-MTBs. If youre looking for battery and motor assistance when you head for the hills then the lightweight but powerful Levo will hit the spot. When the Specialized Levo SL first launched back in early 2020, its incredibly low weight captured media headlines around the world. Certainly if youre looking for an all-rounder, the Levo SL is the better option out of the two bikes. The Turbo Levo SL Expert Carbon features a full carbon frame paired to full FOX suspension and a SRAM Eagle X01 drivetrain. I have been using a similar strategy for myself and have only noticed improvements from using a variety of bikes and riding styles. In their place youll now find a Fox 36 GRIP2 fork and a Float DPX2 piggyback shock. If money were no object, I'd have one [e-MTB]. The 2020 Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert Carbon is a E-Mountain and Trail mountain bike. Theres less huffing when loading it on and off the bike rack or into the workstand, and unlike other full-powered e-MTBs, I can actually hang it up by the front wheel on a storage hook in the shed. No aftermarket power meter required. Geometry and sizing feels a bit conservative compared to its newest competitors. Seb Stott is a former technical writer for BikeRadar. - Intuitive power delivery, - Motor is still quite noisy
I am in the gym ~4 times a week and doing the vast majority of my workouts that are a few hours in duration each on my mountain bike. Enter the BLEvo app. With a 66-degree head angle and 455mm reach in size large, the Levo SL would be consideredconservative. yup. - Sticky brake pistons
At the time of writing, the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon is on offer too, and this bike maker regularly runs similar discount deals for different markets. Its still a noisy little bugger though, with a high-pitched whine that gets louder as the motor spins harder and faster. Free shipping on orders of $99 or more (U.S. only). Its gained some weight over last years version, which clocked in at just 16.9kg for the S-Works model, and 17.6kg for the Expert. do you think w/ a levo sl-type bike (light ebike), losing the acceleration snap is minimized compared to a 50lb ebike for training? Really awesome article. We recently tested the Orbea Rise M10, which is the most prominent competitor to the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon. Id also love to see Specialized incorporate some of the adjustable geometry features found on the latest Levo and Kenevo SL, particularly the option to adjust the chainstay length. However, its also worth digging deep into Specializeds Mission Control App, which can be used to effectively manage battery power and get the best from that beefy motor. The increased power and consistency of the Code RS brakes has been a welcome improvement over the G2s, though theyre not as sharp and snappy as the higher-end Code RSCs. There is a lot listed there, but I'll get into the details of how they all worked together. - Low weight Breaking through the 17kg barrier in its premium S-Works form, the Levo SL debuted as a lightweight full suspension electric mountain bike that came incredibly close to the weight of a non-motorised Enduro. If the two bikes were fitted with identical tyres, the Rise would be a full kilo heavier than the Levo SL. For more skilled riders, its brilliantly adept on twisty singletrack. 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). The integrated SWAT tool in the fork steerer tube is also a nice touch. I was able to achieve from the work out precisely what I was hoping. As a purpose-built electric enduro bike, it really is ideal for shuttling laps at the bikepark, boosting huge doubles, and bombing down steep, double black diamond singletrack. The low weight is the obvious drawcard for the Specialized Levo SL. Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert Carbon E-Bike, Specialized SL 1.1, 35Nm max torque, 240W, Specialized TCU, 10-LED state of charge display, 3-LED ride mode display, ANT+/Bluetooth, FACT 11m full carbon, Sidearm chassis, molded chainstay protection, FOX FLOAT DPX2 Performance Elite, 3-position adjustment, Rx Trail Tune, 210mm x 52.5mm, FOX FLOAT 36 Performance Elite, GRIP2 damper, high/low-speed compression adjust, high/low-speed rebound adjust, 51mm offset, Specialized Trail, 7050 alloy, 6 upsweep, 8 backsweep, 30mm rise, 780mm width, 35mm clamp diameter, Roval Traverse 29, alloy, 30mm inner width, 2Bliss ready, hand-built, 28 hole, Roval, 15x110mm Boost front, 12x148mm Boost rear with DT Swiss 360 3-pawl freehub and XD driver, Front: Specialized Butcher, GRID TRAIL casing, GRIPTON compound, 2Bliss ready, 29" x 2.3", Specialized Bridge Comp, hollow CrMo rails, X-Fusion Manic dropper, infinite adjustability, two-bolt head, SRL LE remote lever, Cast Battleship/Black, Gloss Sage/Forest Green, Satin Redwood/White Mountains, Lifetime frame and Roval wheels, 2 years Specialized components, 2 years or 300 charge cycles for battery, - Custom battery and motor management via Mission Control smartphone app, 2022 Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon LT 1 E-Bike, Vital Test Sessions - 4 eMTBs Reviewed Head-to-Head. 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