When Specialized introduced the Turbo Levo in 2015, it was the most mountain bike-like eBike around and it immediately became the benchmark by which other eMTBs were measured. This week, Specialized launched the fourth generation of the Turbo Levo and it is truly impressive. Here’s why…
Four years ago, Specialized launched Generation 3 of the Turbo Levo. It was a masterfully designed eBike, but it arrived just as several other brands were starting to catch up with Specialized’s ability to design a fully integrated full-power eBike. eMTB technology and design has enjoyed its steepest improvement curve over the past four years and the mountain bike consumer has never been so spoiled for choice.
But in the past four years, Specialized’s engineers have gone back to the beginning, taken all the modern features, added some completely new ones and created the fourth generation Turbo Levo, which is undeniably once again the leading full-power eMTB you can buy.
Here are some of the highlights:
More powerful motor
In collaboration with Brose, Specialized developed a new motor – in two versions. There’s the 3.1 edition, which delivers 666 Watts and 101Nm of torque and the S-Works 3.1 edition, which delivers 720 Watts of power and 111 Nm of torque. These are among the highest numbers you will find in full-power eMTBs and quite a jump up from the 565 Peak Watts and 90 Nm of torque on the Generation 3 Levo.
Refined power assistance
Not only is the motor more powerful, it has been refined to deliver consistent assistance at higher cadences and residual assistance to carry the bike another 2 metres after pedalling pauses to ensure continued momentum and consistent control.
Improved frame
The Levo 4 frame has been designed around ride feel with a relaxed head tube and a steep seattube, putting the rider in a position of power on the climbs and control on the descents. It also has adjustability in three areas: headtube angle, bottom bracket height and seatstay length.
Increased range
The previous Turbo Levo battery offered 700Wh of charge. The Generation 4 offers 840Wh, among the highest you can get. The addition of a 240Wh range extender takes that up to 1120Wh, which delivers up to 5hrs33min of assistance (in Eco mode, with an 80kg rider on a course with a high volume of elevation).
Better suspension
The new Turbo Levo comes with Fox Factory 38 fork with 160mm of travel and the Fox Performance Genie rear shock with 150mm of travel. The Genie offers a flatter spring curve for the first 70% of the travel and ramps up significantly for the last 30%. This means it’s smooth and composed over the small to medium bumps, but handles big hits with confidence.
Plus more
SRAM Maven brakes, SRAM Eagle 1x12 T-Type AXS drivetrain, Roval wheels, incremental on-the-fly power mode modulation, ergonomically sound controls, brighter full-colour feedback screen and SWAT internal frame storage system are just some of the other impressive features on what really is, still, the leader in electronic-assist mountain bikes.
Stock of the new Specialized Turbo Levo 4 will be on the Lynnwood Cyclery floor by the end of April 2025. In the meantime, find out more about the various models here: https://www.specialized.com/za/en/shop/bikes/electric-bikes/e-mountain-bikes/turbo-levo?sortBy=new&sortDirection=
Author, Lynnwood Cyclery