Specialized Turbo Levo Pro – In our huge 2024 e-mountainbike test

The Specialized Turbo Levo Pro runs like a red thread through the eMTB world and is undeniably one of the most established models currently available on the market. The Levo generates 160/150 mm of travel (f/r) and comes equipped with Specialized’s in-house 2.2 motor, which churns out a whopping 90 Nm of torque. However, after being an innovation leader for many years, it’s starting to look a little outdated. Does it still have the potential to secure Best in Test in our 2024 group test?

The Specialized Turbo Levo has become part of the furniture in the eMTB household. It’s considered a pioneer in many respects and is known above all for its strong all-round capabilities, wide range of applications and holistic design approach. The frame silhouette has hardly changed over the years and might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Whether you like it or not, the unique design language is distinctly recognisable and makes the Levo stick out from the crowd of eMTBs.

We’ve already tested the Specialized Turbo Levo in every conceivable spec variant and put it through the wringer on countless trails. The third generation of the Levo was introduced in 2021 and has remained mostly unchanged ever since. In Specialized’s portfolio, the Levo covers a range of applications that other brands fill with two or even three bikes. Unlike the competition, the Californian brand doesn’t offer their trail bike in different travel variants but sees it as their “do-it-all” bike. The Turbo Levo rolls on a mullet wheel setup and generates 160/150 mm of travel, at the front and rear, respectively. For 2024, Specialized’s engineers made a few adjustments to the spec of the Pro model, which is the one we tested. In a nutshell, they paired the existing frame platform with a new groupset, positioning the Pro spec variant just below the S-Works flagship model. Our test bike retails at € 11,000 and tips the scales at 22.4 kg, which is below average in this test field. How did Specialized’s evergreen keep up against the younger competition in our 2024 eMTB group test?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

What sets the 2024 Specialized Turbo Levo Pro apart from the competition?

With its unmistakable frame silhouette and harmonious lines, the Specialized Turbo Levo stands out from the crowd with a high recognition value. Particularly striking are the enclosed shock design and cross brace on the frame. Despite its “old” age, the Specialized Turbo Levo still looks relatively modern, although the motor area looks a little old-fashioned next to the competition, due to the big, high-torque 90 Nm Specialized 2.2 motor. The drive draws its power from Specialized’s in-house 700 Wh battery, which is secured with a bolt and can be removed from the bottom of the frame for external charging, like the Canyon Strive:ON. You’ll also find a SWAT tool hidden in the steerer tube, which includes all essential tools for basic trailside repairs – forgetting your multitool at home is no longer a problem! The battery can also be charged directly on the bike via the double-sealed charging port, which is positioned just above the bottom bracket. When doing so, make sure you close the cover when you disconnect the cable to prevent it from getting stuck between the cranks and frame when you start pedalling – this could easily break the cover! The MasterMind TCU display in the top tube shows all relevant riding data, including speed and battery charge status. The display view can be customised using the comprehensive Mission Control app. The latter also offers countless additional functions and keeps up perfectly with the competition in terms of connectivity. However, Specialized focused primarily on sporty features and forgo a navigation system, which other motor manufacturers like Bosch offer as an optional function with their ebike systems.

Specialized take it a step further with their geometry concept, which is based on their proprietary S-sizing, combining a relatively short seat tube with a generous seatpost insertion depth. This allows you to choose your bike based on your desired reach, without having to compromise on your freedom of movement: size up for more stability or size down for more agility, all without getting the saddle between your legs! Moreover, a flip chip in the dropouts and the adjustable headset cups allow you to adjust the geometry of the bike to suit your needs and preferences. Specialized’s S sizing includes a total of 6 sizes, providing a suitable option for riders between 149 cm and 198 cm tall.

The Specialized Levo Pro we tested comes equipped with a wireless SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission drivetrain, which is extremely robust and ensures butter-smooth shifting, even under load. The rear derailleur forgoes a mech hanger, bolting directly into the frame. The remote cable of the Bikeyoke REVIVE dropper post is neatly routed into the frame through a cable port behind the head tube. At 185 mm, the dropper post offers more travel than most of its competitors in this test – only the Orbea WILD (230 mm) and MERIDA eONE-SIXTY (230 mm) offer more!

For the rest of the spec, Specialized rely on a top-tier FOX Factory suspension coupled with in-house components, like the wheels, motor, battery and display. The Roval Traverse carbon wheelset is paired with Specialized Butcher Eliminator tires, though both in the thin GRID Trail casing. Heavy and aggressive riders in particular should upgrade to more robust tires with the tougher GRID Gravity casing.

Tuning tip: More robust tires with tougher GRID Gravity casing for heavy and aggressive riders

What is the 2024 Specialized Turbo Levo Pro capable on the trail?

As soon as you swing your leg over the saddle, the Turbo Levo places you in a comfortable, upright pedalling position, which is particularly relaxed and comfortable for longer tours. Despite bobbing slightly, the active rear suspension works efficiently and generates plenty of traction, which comes in particularly handy on technical climbs.

The powerful motor of the Turbo Levo delivers a pleasant shuttle feeling, and even keeps up with the powerful Bosch Performance Line CX drive system on climbs, while at the same time making less noise than Bosch and Shimano motors downhill. The motor is easy to modulate and feels more natural than the Giant SyncDrive Pro2, for example. As a result, the Levo is easy to control even for beginners, proving to be a strong climber that always generates plenty of traction.
In typical Specialized fashion, the Turbo Levo makes you feel at ease from the get-go. There’s excellent freedom of movement, which, together with the central riding position inspires huge amounts of confidence, encouraging even beginners to commit to daring lines with its predictable, intuitive handling. The weight is distributed evenly between the front and rear, ensuring equal amounts of traction on both wheels and providing huge amounts of composure on challenging terrain, keeping you in control.

The Specialized Turbo Levo Pro remains a true classic and is suitable for riders of all skill levels!

The plush suspension ensures a comfortable ride and conveys a high sense of security. When the going gets rough, it ploughs its way through nasty rock gardens and root carpets, while at the same time providing huge reserves with bigger hits and botched landings, inspiring huge amounts of confidence in the process – albeit providing very little feedback to the rider. As a result, the Levo is an optimal choice for beginners who really want to push their limits.

If you’re looking for a bike you can trust and that inspires huge amounts of confidence, the Specialized Turbo Levo Pro might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Advanced riders, on the other hand, could do with a little more feedback and mid-stroke support, which bikes like the Orbea WILD and Canyon Strive:ON offer aplenty. As a result, the Levo isn’t quite as playful, making it harder to jump from corner to corner or pump through rollers and berms. Nevertheless, the Levo’s motor is significantly quieter downhill and doesn’t bother you with any annoying noises, leaving you just with the celestial symphony of the tires carving through the dirt.

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 Specialized Turbo Levo Pro and who should look elsewhere?

With its predictable, intuitive handling, the Specialized Turbo Levo is quite simply a bike for riders of all levels. It doesn’t get easily overwhelmed, which makes it an excellent companion for beginners who want to improve their skills and push themselves beyond their comfort zone. However, experienced riders who are looking for a fast bike that provides plenty of feedback should take a closer look at the Canyon Strive:ON. The Specialized Turbo Levo impresses with excellent all-round potential and is perfect for leisurely tours, fast-paced trail laps and even the odd bike park session – the Levo is ready for anything!

Our conclusions about the Specialized Turbo Levo Pro 2024

The Specialized Turbo Levo Pro is and remains a top all-rounder that covers a wide range of applications and delivers a tremendous performance on the trail, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider. Even after all these years, it can keep up easily with most competitors, and is still one of the best bikes in the test field. When pushing it to the limit, it no longer keeps up with the best bikes in test.

Tops

• Top trail performance for riders of all levels
• Quiet motor downhill
• Short seat tube allows you to pick the frame size according to your riding style
• Integrated mini tool

Flops

• Look is a matter of taste

For more information, visit specialized.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

All bikes in test: BULLS VUCA EVO AM 2 (Click for review) | BULLS SONIC EVO AM SX-I (Click for review) | Canyon Strive:ON CFR LTD (Click for review) | Canyon Torque:ON CF Roczen (Click for review) | CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i (Click for review) | CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 (Click for review) | FLYER Uproc X 8.70 (Click for review) | FOCUS SAM² 6.9 (Click for review) | GASGAS ECC 6 (Click for review) | GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 (Click for review) | KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime (Click for review) | Lapierre Overvolt GLP3 (Click for review) | Merida eOne-Sixty 10K (Click for review) | Mondraker Neat RR SL (Click for review) | Moustache Samedi 29 Game 11 FOX (Click for review) | Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review) | Pivot Shuttle AM Team (Click for review) | Propain Ekano 2 CF (Click for review) | RADON RENDER 10.0 HD (Click for review) | ROTWILD R.X 1000 Ultra (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV (Click for review) | SCOR 4060 ST (Click for review) | SCOTT Voltage eRide 900 Tuned (Click for review) | SIMPLON Rapcon Pmax Pinion (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo Pro | Spherik E-SMT XX AXS (Click for review)

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Words: Antonia Feder Photos: Mike Hunger