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The initial Turbo Levo, launched in 2016, is a completely distinct bicycle compared to the current model. Specialized has recently introduced the new Turbo Levo 4. Comparing these isn’t fair, yet it highlights how far eMTBs have come in merely a decade. We’ll examine every controversial update Specialized introduced with their newest iteration of the Turbo Levo e-mountain bike.
The latest fourth-generation Specialized Levo is here, boasting an extensive array of enhancements and asserting itself as a total game-changer within the electric mountain bike market. Although several upgrades seem quite promising, not every modification aligns perfectly with what I’d like to witness across the sector. What really stood out to me was the option to enable a Class-3 setting, boosting the maximum velocity up to 28 mph.
The Levo 4 goes beyond being merely a dubious assistance feature. Built upon the dependable Stumpjumper 15 frame, this updated Levo model incorporates the Genie shock from Fox. This provides a larger capacity with progressively damped air suspension aimed at reducing rough end strokes. Throughout most of its journey—more than halfway—the shock stays soft and responsive. It only becomes firmer towards the final third of its movement, providing enhanced stability when needed—an excellent trait for electric mountain bikes.
Apart from the suspension details, the main focus is on the updated motor and battery choices for the Levo 4. Working together with Brose, Specialized introduced an advanced motor and battery setup specifically for this model. The high-tier S-Works 3.1 drive unit boasts an astounding 111Nm of torque along with a remarkable 720W of extra power to augment our limbs' strength. Even without being part of the S-Works lineup, the standard version manages to provide substantial assistance with 101Nm of torque and a formidable 666 watts of support.
Impressions
To be honest, I found it challenging to go through both the press release and the accompanying video. Given my experience in Public Relations and Marketing, the extensive use of industry lingo and exaggerated statements promoting the new Levo 4 made me somewhat uncomfortable. Although I don’t question the claimed advancements and innovations of Specialized regarding the Levo 4, I believe we're currently at a standstill with regards to bicycle tech improvements. Real breakthroughs would require significant strides forward, rather than continuous assertions about being superior, quicker, more powerful, and lightweight. However, what probably exhausts consumers the most is the price point set for these products.
I can't seem to make a case for buying any of the contemporary eMTBs that I have tested recently; however, this doesn’t mean they lack enjoyment value or fail to play an important role within today’s market. Electric bikes certainly offer loads of entertainment, and I love testing them and observing how each brand gives its own unique twist to them, but I enjoy pedaling bicycles using my own strength. Moreover, the recent claims about e-bikes benefiting everybody may not be completely accurate. While they are indeed useful and enjoyable to use, for your typical cyclist, a conventional mountain bike remains the superior choice. It offers significantly better value for money compared to those high-end models that currently lead the market.
Everything considered, I'm eager to evaluate how the new Levo 4 measures up against rival models and whether its pricing and advertised features hold water. Ultimately, these opinions are mine alone, so without further delay, let’s dive right into our review of the Specialized Turbo Levo 4.
New Motor
The distinctive feature of the new engine becomes apparent when adjusting the settings. A lockable level-three setting enables drivers to achieve an aided maximum velocity of 28mph, which personally seems excessive. It bothers me that a forward-thinking company like Specialized would continually push for higher speeds on trails since this might encourage competitors to follow suit just to stay competitive.
Certainly, the capability to travel to and from the trailhead at higher speeds would be beneficial; however, the chance of this feature being misused on the trails seems likely and might result in additional problems. After riding numerous electric mountain bikes lately that have their maximum speed limited to 20 mph, I've never felt the desire for increased power.
Although the new motor isn't entirely negative, a shadow of reduced class-3 speed hangs over the system. However, the updated 3.1 motor has received several improvements. Engineers revamped both the torque delivery and sensor technology to provide a smoother throttle response and enhanced assistance across various pedaling rates. Unlike many systems where power drops significantly at faster cadences, the 3.1 continues to deliver effectively even when spinning fast or slow. This makes the Levo 4 notably better during uphill climbs in turbo and trail settings.
The components inside version 3.1 have undergone revisions to produce a gentler humming sound during outdoor rides. This new feature, referred to by Specialized as CoreCoat, functions as a protective layer around the windings, which improves heat dispersion, increases toughness, and guarantees smooth, dependable functioning. Additionally, the gear set is twice as large and made entirely of metal, making them less prone to expanding due to heat, thus maintaining steady performance over time. A special coating applied to these gears yields a very hard yet slick exterior, contributing to their enduring efficiency and silence. However, I would think that extensive usage of the Class-3 setting could potentially impact the overall lifespan of this mechanism. Moreover, the drivetrain has been isolated from the casing to reduce structural vibrations, leading to a quieter and more sophisticated operational experience.
Updated Features and Power Choices
The updated Levo 4 frame has undergone significant changes, introducing something unprecedented in the market—the "big S" now offers a feature where riders can stash small items within the frame. Just like when Specialized introduced SWAT and down tube storage to mountain biking, they've extended this innovation to electric mountain bikes. However, due to the inclusion of the new 840Wh battery, space for additional storage is quite limited, necessitating removal of the battery to reach what little storage does exist.
You might choose a compact 600Wh battery, sacrificing some travel distance but gaining extra room within the down tube for additional storage. Alternatively, combining the small battery with a range extender gives you an effective 880Wh by substituting the second battery for a water bottle in the cage. If you couple this setup with an 840Wh unit, your total power capacity jumps significantly to 1,120Wh.
In addition to the updated battery choices, Specialized has launched a new SuperCharger. While the standard charger delivers at 5 amps and 200 watts, this advanced SuperCharger accelerates the process, enabling quicker power-ups compared to any other system available today. As an upgrade option, the SuperCharger comes as a powerful 12-amp, 700-watt smart charger capable of taking an 840Wh battery from empty to fully charged within just under sixty minutes. Furthermore, it includes an eco-friendly setting designed for more sustainable charging practices. This rapid charge-up feature helps extend battery longevity during storage or whenever a complete recharge isn’t required for your Levo 4 model.
The updated drive mechanism required a fresh interface, and the Specialized MasterMind introduces a novel control panel at the handlebars featuring a high-definition screen to present essential data, similar to how the Saiyans located Goku upon their arrival on Earth. This advanced display is complemented by an innovative controller that enables cyclists to customize and adjust assistance levels simply by pressing buttons. While I favor using the straightforward Bosch Smart Controller, this new setup offered by Specialized provides an excellent choice for enthusiasts looking to meticulously fine-tune the system’s settings.
These new settings can be adjusted using something called Micro-Tune and Dynamic Micro-Tune as specified by Specialized, allowing for finer tweaks while riding. However, should you prefer not to make live changes, you have the option to preset assistance levels for various modes via the Specialized app—similar to how it’s done with the Bosch Flow app—but unlike the latter, this lets you incorporate your Levo 4 into the Apple Find My network.
Geometry Adjustments
The Levo 4 comes with numerous frame adjustments due to flip chips and adjustable headset components, enabling cyclists to customize the bike’s geometry according to their preference. These adjustment options include chips located at the shock, chainstays, and upper headset cups, each capable of being modified separately.
The shock chip enables you to adjust the bottom bracket to either a low or high position. The seatstay extends the wheelbase, while the headset alters the steepness of the head tube angle. A notable feature of the updated Levo 4 is its use of mismatched wheels, which might be seen as an advantage or disadvantage based on personal preference.
Sizes and Build Options
The Levo 4 comes in five sizes, spanning from S2 to S6, with each size featuring MX wheels. There are also four distinct build configurations offered; however, purchasing just the frame isn’t an option right now. Prices vary widely, starting with the high-end S-Works Turbo Levo 4 priced at $13,499.99 down to the more affordable Turbo Levo 4 Comp costing $7,999.99. For those who want something balanced between performance and cost, mid-range trims seem like the best choice. Given my budget constraints, I’d probably opt for the Turbo Levo 4 Expert model, which retails for $9,499.99. This particular configuration includes components such as the SRAM GX transmission system, Maven brakes, along with Fox Performance Elite suspension.
S-Works Turbo Levo 4 - $13,499.99
- Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Factory featuring Specialized GENIE Shock Technology, tailored for optimal ride dynamics with their Trail Tune, includes a 2-position lever offering 3 settings in Open mode along with an adjustable Low-Speed Rebound (LSR), dimensions 210x55mm.
- Fork FOX FLOAT 38 Factory with GRIP X2 damping system, adjustable high-speed and low-speed rebound as well as compression settings, equipped with a 15x110mm thru-axle, featuring a 44mm offset and providing 160mm of travel.
- Brakes SRAM Maven Ultimate (220mm HS2 disc rotor upfront, 200mm at the back)
- Drivetrain SRAM XX Drivetrain (160mm Crankarms)
- Wheels Roval Traverse HD MX DT with Swiss 240 hubs
- Tires Butcher, with GRID GRAVITY housing, featuring GRIPTON® T9 material
- Stem : Industry 9 Mountain stem with a 35mm clamp and a 40mm length
- Handlebars RaceFace Era Carbon handlebar, designed as a riser type with an angle of 5 degrees upwards sweep at the end and 8 degrees backward curve towards the rear, available in two size options: S2 model has a rise of 20 millimeters, whereas models S3 through S6 feature a higher rise setting of 40 millimeters; overall width measures 800 millimeters.
- Grips : Deity Lockjaw grips
- Seatpost Fox Transfer NEO (S2: 150mm, S3: 175mm, S4-S6: 200mm)
Turbo Levo 4 Pro - $10,999.99
- Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Factory featuring Specialized GENIE Shock Technology, customized forTrail Tune performance, includes a 2-position lever offering 3 settings in Open mode along with an adjustable Low-Speed Rebound (LSR), dimensions at 210x55mm.
- Fork FOX FLOAT 38 Factory with GRIP X2 damper, adjustable high-speed and low-speed rebound and compression settings, 15x110mm axle, 44mm offset, and 160mm of travel.
- Brakes SRAM Maven Silver (front with a 220mm HS2 rotor, rear with a 200mm one)
- Drivetrain : SRAM XO Drivetrain (160mm Cranks)
- Wheels Roval Traverse HD MX DT with Swiss 350 hubs
- Tires Butcher, with a GRID GRAVITY housing and GRIPTON® T9 material
- Stem Industry 9 Mountain stem with a 35mm clamp and a 40mm extension
- Handlebars RaceFace Era Carbon handlebar, designed as a riser type with a 5-degree upsweep angle and an 8-degree backsweep. Available in two rise options: S2 at 20mm and S3 through S6 at 40mm. The width of the bar measures 800mm.
- Grips : Deity Lockjaw grips
- Seatpost Bike Yoke Revive Max (S2:125mm, S3:160mm, S4: 185mm, S5/S6: 213mm)
Turbo Levo 4 Expert - $9,499.99
- Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Performance Elite featuring Specialized GENIE Shock Technology, Ride Dynamics Trail Tuning, 2-mode Lever with 3 Setting Open Mode Adjustment Range, LSR Configuration
- Fork FOX 38 Performance Elite line, 29 inches, equipped with GRIP X2 shock absorber, 15x110mm hub, 44mm offset, and featuring 160mm of travel
- Brakes SRAM Maven Silver (front with a 220mm HS2 rotor, rear with a 200mm rotor)
- Drivetrain SRAM GX Drivetrain (160mm crankarms)
- Wheels Roval Traverse Alloy hubs with DT Swiss 370 centers
- Tires Butcher, with a GRID GRAVITY housing and made from GRIPTON® T9 material
- Stem : Alloy Trail Stem
- Handlebars Alloy handlebars with a 35mm width, featuring an 8-degree backsweep and a 6-degree upsweep. The S2 size measures 780mm, while sizes S3 through S5 are 800mm each.
- Grips : Deity Lockjaw grips
- Seatpost PNW Loam post with travel adjustment (S2: 150mm, S3: 170mm, S4/S5/S6: 200mm)
Turbo Levo 4 Comp - $7,999.99
- Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Performance featuring Specialized GENIE Shock Technology, tailored Ride Dynamics Trail Tuning, 2-mode selector, and Low-Speed Rebound adjustability
- Fork FOX FLOAT 36 Rhythm with GRIP damper, dual-mode Sweep adjustability, 15x110mm axle, 44mm offset, and 160mm of travel
- Brakes SRAM Maven Bronze (220mm HS2 disc rotor at the front, 200mm at the back)
- Drivetrain SRAM S1000 Drivetrain (160mm Crankarms)
- Wheels Alloy enclosed cartridge bearings from MX DT Swiss spokes
- Tires Butcher, with a GRID GRAVITY cover, using GRIPTON® T9 material
- Stem : Alloy Trail Stem
- Handlebars Alloy handlebars with a 35mm diameter, featuring an 8-degree backsweep and a 6-degree upsweep. The S2 size measures 780mm, while sizes S3 through S5 are 800mm each.
- Grips : Specialized Trail Grips
- Seatpost Xfusion Manic, infinitely adjustable, dual-bolt head design, Remote SLR LE lever, diameter 34.9mm, with S2 measuring 125mm, S3 at 170mm, and S4 through S6 each at 190mm.