They are saying good issues come to those that wait. If by ‘good issues’ you imply unimaginable e-mountain bikes, then ready for the brand new Specialised Turbo Levo SL Gen 2 is certainly price it.
The authentic Turbo Levo SL was launched again in 2020, and rather a lot has modified since then. The e-bike business remains to be making an attempt to determine the candy spot between energy, torque, and vary – however now the loudness of the motor is an element as effectively.
Take all of that into consideration, and you’ve got the all-new Specialised Turbo Levo SL Gen 2. Technically, that is nearly Gen 3 as Specialised had this body able to go final yr. Nevertheless, they determined it might be higher and went again to the drafting board on the motor.
All-New Specialised 1.2 SL Path-Tuned Motor
And it’s the motor that makes a giant distinction right here in comparison with the unique Turbo Levo SL. Notably, the brand new motor is completely totally different. Specialised claims that not a single bolt was reused from the 1.1 to make the 1.2. Additionally they managed to extend each energy and torque with out altering the motor dimension or weight. The Specialised e-Bike crew obsessed over each element on the brand new motor – proper all the way down to the end on the casing.
Levo SL Gen 1 had a Specialised SL 1.1 motor with a reasonably meager 240W of energy and simply 35Nm of torque. Listening to suggestions from check riders and clients, Specialised decided the bike wanted extra energy. The brand new 320w motor supplies 33% extra energy to be particular.
It will get an excellent greater bump in torque transferring from 35Nm to 50Nm, for a 43% enhance. Specialised managed this with out a lot of an affect on the vary despite utilizing the identical SL1-320Wh inner battery.
Relying in your feeling on e-bikes, one of many largest enhancements could also be within the sound of the system itself. The Turbo Levo system is all about “you, solely quicker,” however a whiny e-bike motor is a useless giveaway that it’s extra than simply you pedaling. Due to an up to date gearbox design and a brand new two-piece motor housing with an built-in honeycomb construction, the brand new motor is quieter. A lot quieter. Specialised claims a 34-45% discount of noise in comparison with the SL 1.1 motor.
Turbo Levo SL Battery Vary
| BATTERY | ECO (35/35)* | TRAIL (75/80)* | TURBO (100/80)* |
| Inside (320 wh) | 2000 – 2300m (climbed),
45 -55km (Complete distance), 3:30 – 4:30h (journey time) |
800 – 900m, 20 – 30km, 1:30 – 2:00 h | 750 – 850m, 20 – 25km, 1:15 – 1:30 h |
| Inside + Vary Extender (480 wh) |
3000 – 3450m, 70 – 85km, 5:15 – 7:00 h | 1200 – 1350m, 30 – 45km, 2:15 – 3:00 h | 1100 – 1300m, 30 – 38km, 1:45 – 2:15 h |
* Motor help/peak energy in %, default values, customaizable in Mission Management App
Based mostly on 15 mph/ 25kph max. motor help velocity. Deduct 10-20% vary for 20 mph / 32 kph velocity setting, relying on route profile and journey fashion.
Should you’re new to e-bikes, a battery’s vary will range enormously based mostly on using circumstances, rider weight, help mode, and using fashion. As a baseline, the chart above provides you a tough concept of what to anticipate. Regardless that that is thought of a light-weight e-bike, it nonetheless has a formidable vary that may be elevated in the event you add the 160Wh Vary Extender exterior battery.
Out of the field, the brand new Levo SL will likely be set with a default mode with 80% of peak energy in Turbo mode which is alleged to optimize simple climbing and lengthen battery life. If you need 100% peak energy although, it’s simple to regulate utilizing both the onboard MicroTune setting, the Mission Management App, or you’ll be able to ask a retailer to do it for you within the store utilizing their Turbo Studio program.
Think about modifications that you could make utilizing the Specialised Mission Management App, and you may squeeze each final drop of vary out of the battery to ensure you nonetheless get residence with some juice. Utilizing the Good Management characteristic permits you to inform the bike how lengthy you’ll be using, and it’ll robotically regulate the help to maintain you rolling.
New Built-in Digital Show
Should you don’t wish to have to interrupt out the smartphone, that’s nice too. It’s even simpler now with the brand new MasterMind Turbo Management Unit that features a show display screen to let you know very important data like help mode, remaining battery life, velocity, time, and extra. The strong display screen is created from Gorilla Glass, and the TCU additionally features a energy button for the entire system.New Built-in Digital Show
In whole, there are a whopping 120 totally different attainable show configurations, and the TCU is ANT+ & Bluetooth suitable permitting for over-the-air-updates.
When using, you’ll be able to toggle via the settings utilizing the slim handlebar distant. The default settings embrace Off, Eco, Path, and Turbo, although you’ll be able to shortly get to the MicroTune management by holding down a button on the distant.
All New Body
Whereas rather a lot has modified with the Levo SL motor, much more has modified with the body. Nearly every part is new with FACT 11M carbon used for all fashions. With the Gen 2 Levo SL, Specialised is transferring away from their Sidearm body design counting on superior FEA and Machine Studying to provide you with the ultimate design and layup schedule for the brand new frames. Like earlier bikes although, it nonetheless depends on their Rider-First Engineered design course of which ends up in comparable journey qualities throughout body sizes.
Not solely is the body totally different, however the wheel sizes are totally different as effectively. Levo SL Gen 1 was 29/29 solely, whereas Gen 2 strikes to blended wheel sizes with a 29″ up entrance and 27.5″ out again. This isn’t one thing Specialised took frivolously, stating that they went forwards and backwards a number of occasions, ultimately deciding on the blended wheel dimension as probably the most enjoyable configuration of the bike. Nevertheless, if you wish to run 29/29 you continue to can by benefiting from the flip chip on the chainstay. Word that in the event you do wish to run 29″ wheels back and front, solely the chainstay and wheelbase numbers will change – all the opposite geometry figures stay the identical.
Adjustable Geometry
Additional adjustment is obtainable on the shock extension with two positions that increase or decrease the underside bracket top by about 6mm. If that wasn’t sufficient, there are additionally three head tube positions, altering the HTA from 63.8-65.4º (S3 dimension). In whole, there are 12 totally different attainable configurations (six 29/27.5, six 29/29). All bikes will ship out with the Nominal (center) headset place, the Low BB setting, and the chainstay chip in 27.5″ mode. The efficient geometry is similar to the wonderful Stumpjumper EVO, for good motive – the EVO is extremely enjoyable to journey and is kind of versatile.
When it comes to sizing, the Gen 2 can also be totally different in that it strikes to the Specialised S-Sizing system. As an alternative of the standard S-XL sizing, the S-1 via S-6 body sizing is supposed to permit the rider to select the body they’re most comfy on for his or her using fashion.
Apart from the S1, all the Levo SL Gen 2 frames provide 150mm of rear journey paired with a 160mm journey suspension fork. In an effort to lower standover top, the smallest S1 dimension runs 144mm of rear journey with a 150mm journey suspension fork.
Within the Levo Gen 2 SL, Specialised got down to create the “Final Path Bike”. To them, which means creating a motorcycle that may do every part from move path laps, to huge days within the alpine, or sending it down chunky terrain. To make a motorcycle that’s as enjoyable as it’s succesful, the suspension leverage curve has been reworked to be flatter with extra help off the highest. That retains the bike playful, however a extra rearward axle path retains the bike secure when plowing via tough sections of path.
How A lot Does Levo SL Gen 2 Weigh?
Specialised doesn’t name this a light-weight e-bike for nothing. Specialised claims you’ll discover fashions that may be as mild as 17.71kg (39.04lbs) – with none foolish elements. That’s a giant a part of the general Levo SL package deal. This must be a succesful bike, so skimping on components simply to save lots of weight will not be an possibility.
Due to that, you’ll discover spec like SRAM Code 4-piston brakes with 200mm rotors, Roval Traverse wheels, Fox 36 suspension forks and Float X rear shocks, and even room for 34.9mm dropper posts. After all, increased finish builds get the brand new SRAM Eagle Tranmission drivetrain too, with all fashions together with a SRAM UDH.
You may make these bikes lighter. However Specialised thinks the construct spec chosen will lead to probably the most enjoyable journey attainable, with out weighing you down.
Fashions, Pricing, and Availability
Initially, there will likely be 4 ranges of Levo SL Gen 2 full builds, together with an S-Works frameset possibility. That begins with the Comp Carbon, then Professional, S-Works, and a loopy $16,000 S-Works LTD construct. Notably, the UK won’t get the S-Works LTD mannequin or the Frameset possibility. Right here in the USA, all the fashions will likely be provided at launch except for the Professional mannequin, which will likely be “avaialble later.”
Levo SL S-Works LTD – $16,000
There’s no query once you have a look at that price ticket, the S-Works LTD is the top quality. It will get a particular Black Carbon/Smoke end, plus matching graphics on the Rock Shox Final Flight Attendant electronically managed suspension package deal. Specialised factors out that they labored with RockShox on this construct so that you don’t have the use the usual pedal sensor for Flight Attendant. As an alternative, it depends on the cadence sensor constructed into the bike’s motor. Different construct highlights embrace the brand new SRAM XX Eagle Transmission, new SRAM Code Final Stealth brakes, and ending touches like a Deity Stem and Knuckleduster grips.
Levo SL S-Works – $14,500
Barely cheaper is the Levo SL S-Works. Pushing previous $15k with tax, the construct is unapologetically excessive finish with the primary distinction being the shortage of RockShox Flight Attentdant and the finishes. As an alternative, you’ll discover Fox Manufacturing unit suspension and some different small modifications.
Turbo Levo SL Professional – TBA
Specialised hasn’t launched the pricing for the Professional mannequin but, however to offer you an concept when it comes to Euros, the Professional is priced at €11,500, in comparison with €14,000 for the S-Works mannequin. The Professional stage drops all the way down to SRAM X01 Eagle Transmission for the drivetrain, with Code Silver Stealth brakes, and Fox Manufacturing unit suspension for a still-impressive construct.
Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon – $8,000
For probably the most “reasonably priced” model of the Levo SL, look to the Comp Carbon. At $8,000 it’s nonetheless a really costly journey, however it’s best to have the ability to get out the door for below $10k – even in the event you want some new equipment as effectively. To get the worth all the way down to that stage, the bike forgoes SRAM Transmission, as a substitute choosing the SRAM GX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain. You’ll additionally discover Code RS 4 piston brakes, the transfer to aluminum Specialised wheels as a substitute of carbon, and Fox Efficiency collection suspension. There’s additionally a slight change to the body with an alloy shox extension as a substitute of the carbon extension on the opposite fashions.
Turbo Levo SL Frameset – $8,000
Should you simply need to construct up your bike your self, the S-Works stage bike will likely be accessible as a frameset. Now framesets are a bit of totally different within the e-bike world, in order that worth consists of the S-Works body with the carbon shock extension, a Fox Float X Manufacturing unit rear shock, SRAM carbon crankset with 32t chainring, a seat submit binder (38.6 to suit the larger not-included 34.9mm seat posts), the 1.2 motor with distant, 320Wh battery, charger, and wiring harness.
Apart from the Professional Mannequin within the U.S., all of those needs to be accessible at launch. Our first journey impressions are up subsequent!
