Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy – In our big 2024 eMTB comparison test under € 7,000

Specialised have grow to be part of the furnishings within the e-mountainbiking family, having created one of many sector’s undisputed best-sellers, the Turbo Levo. Final 12 months, the Levo secured the coveted Greatest Purchase badge in our price range comparability check. Will it make it onto the rostrum for the second 12 months working?

Whenever you discuss eMTB stuff together with your driving mates over a pint, it by no means takes lengthy for the Specialised title to come back up. The American bike colossus has been an integral a part of our business since 1974 and has set loads of new requirements with lots of their bikes, together with the 2015 Turbo Levo. For our newest comparability check beneath € 7,000, we picked one of the best Turbo Levo mannequin we may get inside the constraints of the price range. Retailing at € 6,400, the Turbo Levo Comp Alloy is the second least expensive competitor on this check. To your cash, you’ll get a 90 Nm Specialised 2.2 Customized Rx Path Tuned motor and a 700 Wh battery. For improved dealing with, Specialised gave the Turbo Levo a mullet haircut, which mixes a 29″ entrance wheel with a smaller 27.5″ wheel on the rear. As common, the Levo follows Specialised’s proprietary S-Sizing idea (S1 to S6) and includes a flip chip within the shock mount which, along with the adjustable headset cups, permits you to superb tune the geometry of the bike. Our check bike in dimension S4 ideas the scales at 23.7 kg, which makes it the lightest eMTB in the whole group check, regardless of its aluminium body. Learn the total evaluate to learn how it fared in opposition to the competitors.

For an summary of the check fleet head to the group check: The most effective eMTB of 2024 beneath € 7,000 – 5 inexpensive fashions in our comparability check

Seems like a Levo! What units the Specialised Turbo Levo Comp Alloy other than the competitors?

With its harmonious, curved body silhouette and semi-enclosed shock, the Turbo Levo Comp Alloy is distinctly recognisable as a Specialised. The weld seams are seen, however discreetly hid beneath the darkish Satin Midnight Shadow paint end, which makes them come out so much lower than with the MERIDA. Regardless of being very near getting into its third era, the Specialised Turbo Levo nonetheless seems glossy and fashionable. The one element which may look barely old style in opposition to the competitors is the cumbersome backside bracket space. Notably hanging is the Harvest Gold Metallic paint end and lettering on the aspect of the down tube. The cables are routed neatly within the cockpit space and disappear into the body via standard cable ports on the body.

The Specialised MasterMind TCU show is built-in into the highest tube, straight behind the headset. This makes it one in every of solely two bikes on this check with a full show, alongside the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 875, although Specialised supply the extra neatly built-in resolution. The MasterMind TCU affords a very good overview of the motor system and exhibits all important driving information, together with battery cost standing, velocity, present assist degree and different data. On the coronary heart of the Turbo Levo Comp Alloy sits Specialised’s in-house 2.2 Customized Rx Path Tuned motor, which delivers 90 Nm of torque and offers as much as 410% help. That’s probably the most torque of any of the motors in the whole check discipline. In our massive eMTB motor check, you’ll discover an summary of all the present eMTB drive methods.
The motor attracts its energy from a 700 Wh Specialised M3-700 battery, which is built-in into the bike’s down tube. This may be charged each on and off the bike utilizing the double-sealed charging port, which is positioned proper on the entrance of the motor and is protected against dust and moisture by an extra plastic cowl. For exterior charging, you’ll have to achieve to your software field as a result of, sadly, the cheaper alloy model doesn’t characteristic the SWAT software within the steerer tube which you get with the higher-end Levo fashions. To take away the battery, simply take a 6 mm Allen key, loosen the bolt on the backside of the down tube, disconnect the connector between the motor and battery, and pull the battery out from the underside of the body.

Shifting is taken care of by a 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain. For the wheels, Specialised depend on their in-house Roval Traverse alloy wheelset, consisting of a much bigger 29″ rim on the entrance and smaller 27.5″ rim on the rear. The wheels are paired with 2.6″ Specialised tires, with a Butcher within the softer T9 rubber compound on the entrance and an Eliminator within the tougher T7 compound on the rear. This mixture offers higher traction on the entrance whereas on the identical time making certain decrease rolling resistance and an extended service life on the rear. Each tires come within the GRID Path casing, which ought to supply ample puncture safety for many riders.

FOX provide the suspension, consisting of a 160 mm 36 Rhythm fork and matching 150 mm FLOAT X Efficiency shock, which each supply wonderful adjustability and ship a stable efficiency on the path. SRAM CODE R four-piston brakes with a 220 mm rotor on the entrance and 200 mm disc on the rear present dependable and highly effective deceleration.

Tuning tip: If Specialised are too stingy to incorporate a SWAT software, then why not attempt the competitors: you can go for OneUp’s EDC software, or Bontrager’s Bits software.

Carefree? The Specialised Turbo Levo Comp Alloy on the path

The Turbo Levo Comp Alloy locations you in an upright, snug pedalling place. In your technique to the trailhead, the Specialised 2.2 Customized Rx Path Tuned motor offers highly effective help, propelling you over bumps and obstacles with out breaking a sweat. Regardless of delivering extra torque, Specialised’s in-house motor can’t fairly sustain with the Bosch Efficiency Line CX motor of the Canyon Try:ON CFR, which could look weaker on paper however affords extra usable energy in actual life. When the climbs get steeper, you’ll should weight the entrance wheel barely to remain in your line.

When gravity takes over, the Specialised makes you are feeling relaxed from the get go and integrates you properly between its wheels, with the burden evenly distributed between the entrance and rear. The Levo implements steering inputs predictably, with the intuitive dealing with making it a superb alternative for each learners and superior riders.

With its plush FOX suspension, the Levo absorbs bumps effectively, and actually irons out the path.

When the going will get steeper and tough, the Turbo Levo Comp Alloy is reassuringly composed, with comparable driving traits to the Propain Sresh CF and Merida eONE-SIXTY 875. On steep, demanding descents, it’s higher to show the flip-chip into the low setting, which ensures a really easy trip. On flowing trails, then again, it’s simpler to tug the Levo onto the rear wheel within the greater flip chip setting, which ensures a extra playful character on winding trails. If you wish to alter the top angle of the Turbo Levo, you possibly can simply flip the bearing cups. Even when driving at excessive speeds, the Levo is as quiet as a mouse – the one noises you possibly can hear are the tires biting into the loam.

When making your technique to the trailhead on fireplace roads, the Specialised 2.2 Customized Rx Path Tuned motor offers highly effective help, permitting you to barter bumps and obstacles with out breaking a sweat.

The SRAM CODE R brakes present dependable and highly effective deceleration, even on steep trails. The plush FOX suspension absorbs bumps with nice eagerness, smoothing out the path forward. General, the Turbo Levo feels much more plush and composed than the Propain Sresh and Merida eONE-SIXTY, inspiring large quantities of confidence and offering a comfortable, sofa-like trip. When you get somewhat too excited, it’s best to have sufficient air within the rear tire to get you out of hassle, as the two.6″ Specialised tires and smaller rear wheel rapidly flip the Levo right into a imply shralping machine.

Who ought to take a more in-depth have a look at the Specialised Turbo Levo Comp Alloy and who ought to look elsewhere?

The Specialised Turbo Levo Comp Alloy is an efficient alternative if you wish to change off and trip with out having to suppose an excessive amount of. With its plush suspension and intuitive dealing with, the Turbo Levo virtually rides by itself, doing many of the arduous give you the results you want and permitting you to concentrate on the path forward. This is available in notably helpful for learners, who will discover within the Levo a secure, confidence-inspiring gateway to the eMTB dimension. The Turbo Levo is appropriate for a variety of rider varieties, though sporty riders may do with a smidge extra suggestions, and may be subsequently higher off taking a more in-depth have a look at the Canyon Try ON.

Our conclusions in regards to the Specialised Turbo Levo Comp Alloy

You may’t go fallacious with the Specialised Turbo Levo Comp Alloy, which proves to be a dependable companion for many functions. Specialised have created a powerful all-rounder that’s appropriate for each learners and seasoned path bums, in addition to a superb long-distance tourer. And whereas that’s all fairly superior, it’s not sufficient to safe the rostrum on this 12 months’s comparability check beneath € 7,000.

Tops

• Glorious path efficiency for a variety of riders and abilities
• Broad space of software
• Excessive feel-good issue
• Quiet downhill

Flops

• Little suggestions for lively riders
• No SWAT software within the steerer tube

For extra data, go to specialised.com

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For an summary of the check fleet head to the group check: The most effective eMTB of 2024 beneath € 7,000 – 5 inexpensive fashions in our comparability check

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Phrases: Benedikt Schmidt Images: Mike Starvation