The Specialized Turbo Levo has long become an integral part of the eMTB world and has already secured victory in several E-MOUNTAINBIKE group tests. The new alloy version might look a lot like its carbon counterpart on the paper, but then again, the devil is in the details. How did it fare against the competition in our 2023 sub € 7,000 group test?
23.70 kg in size S4 | € 6,000 | Manufacturer’s website
With its unmistakable frame silhouette, the Specialized Turbo Levo has become a true institution in the eMTB universe. Since its launch in 2015, the Turbo Levo has played a major role in shaping the eMTB segment. This is mainly due to the Californian manufacturer’s development philosophy, which is based on the harmonious interaction of all components. It therefore comes as no surprise that the Turbo Levo has secured our coveted Best in Test badge in several of our group tests. The latest descendant of the Levo dynasty, the Turbo Levo Comp Alloy, preserves the unmistakable frame silhouette with rounded tubing and semi enclosed shock. Except for the visible weld seams, the aluminium model looks confusingly similar to its carbon counterpart. Despite using an alloy frame, it’s one of the lighter contestants in this test, tipping the scales at 23.7 kg. Specialized’s holistic approach also extends to their sizing concept and the bike’s geometry. The low seat tube with generous insertion depth allows you to insert the dropper post all the way into the frame, ensuring excellent freedom of movement on the bike – even for short-legged riders – while at the same time allowing most riders to choose from at least two frame sizes. Using the flip chip in the dropout and the adjustable headset cups, you can alter the geometry of the Levo to suit your needs and riding style. Retailing at € 6,000, the Turbo Levo Alloy Comp is the most affordable bike in this test, which is rather unusual for a premium brand like Specialized.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2023 for € 7,000 – 7 budget eMTBs in our eMTB group test
Cast from one mould – What sets the Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy apart from the competition?
The drive system comes as a complete package and was tailored specifically to suit the Levo. Churning out a whopping 90 Nm torque, the Specialized 2.2 motor is the most powerful in the entire test field. The drive unit draws its power from a 700 Wh Specialized M3 battery, which can be charged both on and off the bike. To charge it externally, you can remove the battery from the bottom of the frame by undoing the 6mm Allen bolt. However, the cheaper alloy model doesn’t feature Specialized’s SWAT minitool, which comes standard with the carbon models, so we recommend carrying a 6 mm Allen Key with you all the time. To charge the battery directly on the bike, you just have to plug the charger cable into the double-sealed charging port positioned in front of the bottom bracket. The old LED display was replaced with a MasterMind TCU display, which is neatly integrated into the top tube of the Levo, and shows all of the important riding data like the speed and current support mode. Despite giving you access to a fair amount of riding data, the display doesn’t look overly crammed. Connectivity freaks will love Specialized’s Mission Control app, which can be used to fine-tune the motor’s behaviour or, for example, to track your airtime data.
The 90 Nm Specialized 2.2 motor, 700 Wh battery and Mastermind TCU display form the proprietary drive system, which is tailored to specific requirements of the bike.
The 700 Wh battery is secured with a 6 mm Allen bolt and can be easily removed from the bottom of the closed downtube.
The MasterMind display is seamlessly integrated into the top tube of the Levo and functions as the brain of the drive system. This allows you to call up all relevant riding data, and can be customised using the Mission Control app.
For the suspension, Specialized rely on fellow Americans FOX, combining a 160 mm 36 Rhythm fork and 150 mm FLOAT X Performance shock. SRAM supply the CODE R four-piston brakes. Apart from the RADON DEFT, the Turbo Levo is the only e-mountainbike in this test to rely on a big 220 mm rotor at the front. For the rest of the spec, Specialized use countless in-house components, including the handlebars, stem, and mixed-sized alloy wheelset, which is paired with their own brand Butcher and Eliminator tires. All in all, the Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy has a well-considered, reliable spec.
A flip chip on the chainstay allows you to adjust the geometry of the bike. Additionally, you can play around with the different headset cups.
SRAM CODE R four-piston brakes with a 220 mm rotor at the front and 200 mm disc at the rear provide powerful and reliable deceleration.
Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy
€ 6,000
Specifications
Motor Specialized 2.2 Custom Rx Trail Tuned 90 Nm
Battery Specialized M3-700 700 Wh
Display Specialized MasterMind TCU
Fork FOX 36 Rhythm 160 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Performance 150 mm
Seatpost X-Fusion Manic 175 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE R 220/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle 1x12
Stem Specialized Trail Stem 50 mm
Handlebar Specialized Trail Alloy 780 mm
Wheelset Specialized 29"/27.5"
Tires Specialized Butcher GRID Trail T9/Eliminator GRID Trail T7 2.6/2.6
Technical Data
Size S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6
Weight 23.70 kg
Perm. total weight 136 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 112 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no
| Size | S1 | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | S6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 380 mm | 390 mm | 405 mm | 425 mm | 445 mm | 465 mm |
| Head tube | 105 mm | 105 mm | 115 mm | 125 mm | 135 mm | 145 mm |
| Head angle | 64.5° | 64.5° | 64.5° | 64.5° | 64.5° | 64.5° |
| Seat angle | 78.0° | 77.2° | 76.7° | 76.2° | 76.2° | 76.2° |
| Chainstays | 442 mm | 442 mm | 442 mm | 442 mm | 442 mm | 442 mm |
| BB Drop | 25 mm | 27 mm | 27 mm | 27 mm | 27 mm | 27 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,179 mm | 1,200 mm | 1,225 mm | 1,255 mm | 1,284 mm | 1,318 mm |
| Reach | 412 mm | 432 mm | 452 mm | 477 mm | 502 mm | 532 mm |
| Stack | 605 mm | 617 mm | 626 mm | 635 mm | 644 mm | 653 mm |
Shorts POC Infinite | Kneepad POC Joint VPD | Shoes Crankbrothers Mallet BOA
Socks Crankbrothers Icon
The epitome of “all-rounder”? – The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy in review
As soon as you swing your leg over the saddle, the Levo puts you in a compact yet comfortable pedalling position, albeit with a light pressure on your hands. As the gradient increases, the pressure eases, and the Levo makes its way to the trailhead in relaxed fashion with the powerful motor pushing hard. This packs a punch even on steeper ramps, where the efficient suspension transfers its power reliably to the ground, generating tons of traction even on loose forest tracks. The long overrun of the motor assistance helps to push you up over steps when you can’t pedal. When the climbs gets steep, you’ll have to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking. Although the Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy proved one of the best climbers in this test, it can’t quite keep up with Moustache’s mountain goat, the Samedi 29 Trail 5.
The efficient suspension transfers the torque of the powerful motor reliably to the ground, allowing you to negotiate even steep climbs.
The Turbo Levo ploughs its way through nasty rock gardens and inspires huge amounts of confidence in the process. However, active riders could do with a tad more feedback from the ground.
When you’ve had enough of the views and drop into a trail, the Specialized makes you feel at ease from the get-go, integrating you nicely between its wheels and always letting you know what’s going on underneath you. The weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear, ensuring predictable handling and equal traction between both wheels, allowing you to negotiate open corners at higher speeds, regardless of your riding skills. On rough trails, the Turbo Levo shines with great composure and ploughs its way through obstacles like there’s no tomorrow. The suspension offers enough reserves to bail you out on botched landings and always generates sufficient traction, even on loose terrain. The Levo is as quiet as a mouse, allowing you to enjoy the birdsong while shredding your way back down into the valley. When you do so, the intuitive handling makes it easy to stay in control in most situations, whether you’re a beginner or seasoned trail veteran. Active riders who love to play with the trail features could do with slightly more feedback from the ground, and should take a closer look at the more defined RADON DEFT.
The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy covers a wide range of applications and is suitable for both beginners and experienced riders.
Who should consider the Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy?
While some of the bikes in this test are aimed mostly at beginners, and others require an expert pilot to perform at their best, the Specialized Turbo Levo is an excellent companion for pretty much everyone, allowing you to improve your riding skills regardless of your level. Whether you embark on an epic backcountry expedition or a rowdy trail session with your mates, the Levo’s up for it, facing up to any task with its excellent all-rounder qualities. Specialized’s unique sizing concept coupled with highly adjustable geometry allow you to fine-tune your ride while the proprietary drive system and matching app make the Levo an interesting option for tech and connectivity nerds.
Tuning tip: None
Riding Characteristics
DESIGN
- unbalanced
- coherent
USER FRIENDLINESS
- cumbersome
- clever
VALUE FOR MONEY
- flop
- top
TREKKING & COMMUTING SUITABILITY
- low
- high
HANDLING
- demanding
- intuitive
FUN FACTOR
- boring
- lively
Intended Use
Gravel roads
Technical climbs
Flowtrail descents
Technical descents
Our conclusions about the Specialized Levo Comp Alloy
The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy convinces above all through its harmonious overall package. The motor system was tailored specifically to the bike, making it look as if cast from one mould. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, the intuitive handling makes it easy for beginners to improve their skills – only active riders could do with a tad more feedback from the ground. The Levo skillfully combines touring qualities and shredding capabilities, covering a wide range of applications and delivering a tremendous performance in almost every situation – our undisputed Best Buy Tip!
Tops
- State of the art motor system integration
- Good compromise between composure and agility
- Excellent trail performance for all levels
- Quiet downhill
Flops
- Little feedback for active riders
You can find out more about at specialized.com
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2023 for € 7,000 – 7 budget eMTBs in our eMTB group test
All bikes in test: Bulls Sonic Evo EN-SL 1 Carbon (Click for review) | Haibike Nduro7 (Click for review) | Moustache Samedi 29 Trail 5 (Click for review) | RADON Deft 10.0 750 (Click for review) | SCOTT Lumen eRide 910 (Click for review) | SIMPLON Steamer Pmax (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy
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Words & Photos: Mike Hunger
