Bike test: Specialized Turbo Levo SL and S-Works Turbo Levo
For many sports enthusiasts, e-mountain bikes are still a taboo. Fairly or unfairly? MXMag tested two top performers in the segment for you: the Specialized Turbo Levo SL and the S-Works Turbo Levo. For this occasion, test driver Yente brought along a special guest: Jurgen De Kinder.
Although Yente already spent many hours on the bike, Jurgen was really the perfect rider for this assignment. De Kinder has won several Belgian motocross titles (including Nationals 125, Inters JRT, etc.) with the BMB and has been making waves in the national amateur mountain bike scene for several years now. He is, among other things, the reigning ATB Cross champion.
Despite the relatively recent rise of e-mountain bikes, electric bicycles have become an indispensable part of the street scene. From seniors who could use a push to the trendy bird who 'speed-pedelect' back and forth to the office by Stromer: e-bikes are here to stay!
Light yet powerful: Turbo Levo SL
After the first version of the Turbo Levo SL in 2015, Specialized's popular e-mountain bike was put on a diet. The result is a super light e-MTB with 150 mm of suspension travel that doubles your pedaling force by as much as twice.
It handles like an agile “trail bike” and weighs only 17,35 kilos, which is extremely light for an E-MTB. And even lighter than the S-Works we tested! This is also astonishingly light compared to competitors such as the Merida E-one Sixty, Trek Rail and even the Mondraker Crafty Carbon RR SL (less than 20 kilos).
In terms of appearance, it is very similar to the well-known Specialized Stumpjumper. The Turbo Levo SL has a slim but above all stiff frame, a super light engine and advanced power. All this ensures that it is very agile and feels like a normal 'fully' mountain bike.
The Turbo Levo SL doubles your power and can provide up to 240 watts of support. This is a major advantage, especially during a climb. This way you come up refreshed and then rush down with full concentration. With a torque of 35 Nm you can perfectly start uphill without wasting much extra energy. The advanced motor and lithium-ion batteries of the Turbo Levo SL provide immediate speed and a long range. According to the specifications, the bike has a range of 5 hours with a power of 320 Wh.
Versatile Mission Control app
In addition, the Mission Control app can immediately manage the battery, so you always have enough power to get home. With the Mission Control app you can manually adjust the support, control the range, record rides, sync with Strava... It's all possible. This technology allows you to concentrate on the ride and our app ensures that everything is technically arranged. A very nice feature of this app is heart rate regulation. You can connect your heart rate monitor to the app and set the heart rate at which you want to cycle during your training. The Turbo Levo SL is a perfect training companion!
If you run out of battery on the way home, you can still turn the pedals yourself. The Levo SL is so light that when cycling without support you have the feeling that you are on the track with a normal 'fully' MTB.
The top model: S-Works Turbo Levo:
The S-Works Turbo Levo is the big, more expensive brother of the Specialized Turbo Levo SL. Probably also the best known (most sought after?) electric mountain bike on the market. Inspired by the 'Stumpjumper', the S-Works Turbo Levo was given a light, stiff and capable frame. This e-MTB is also equipped with the smoothest and most powerful motor that Specialized has ever designed. In short, everything you expect from an electric bicycle and with a weight of just under 20 kilos.
With a peak power of 565 watts, the ultra-smooth and quiet Specialized 2.1 motor system is easily one of the most powerful electric mountain bike systems currently available. This system allows you to tackle any terrain, even the steepest off-road climbs in the Ardennes. The Specialized 565 watt 2.1 motor of the Turbo Levo quadruples your effort with a smooth and natural feeling on the pedals. You can reach the top of your favorite descent with just a quarter of your effort.
With a battery of up to 700 Wh you can drive for about 5 hours. With the Smart Control function in the Mission Control app you can automatically manage the support level of the Turbo Levo. This can provide extra battery life. This is the bike we definitely recommend when someone asks to describe an electric bike. Powerful, fast and smooth. Admittedly, the torque of 90 Nm sometimes even makes you feel like you're sitting on a motorcycle!
One powerhouse is not the same as the other
Lots of specifications, but we didn't immediately know what to expect. So time for the test, towards the Kluisbos. 9am at the appointment in the sports medical center of Pulso-Preventielab. There they stood shining, ready to be tested, the legs of Jurgen De Kinder. Nothing could be further from the truth, I finally saw my chance to get rid of Jurgen. There were two beautiful bicycles in front of us, one more robust than the other. Yet both bikes radiate enormous power.
Fully charged and ready for a long trip in the Kluisbos. My choice was quickly made, I immediately started with the S-Works Turbo Levo and the difference was noticeable from the start. I expected a clear difference compared to the Levo SL that Jurgen rode and that was the case. The Levo SL is much easier to cycle on the road without support and above 25 km/h compared to the S-Works Turbo Levo.
Pure power
“Made the wrong choice,” I thought to myself, until we arrived in the Kluisbos. One climb after another went smoothly and without many problems. I know almost every trail in the forest and even climbs that I would rather avoid during training because they are too steep or too difficult, I now rode without any problems. Behind me, a sighing Jurgen emerged who was clearly more bothered by the succession of steep climbs. Yet he showed that he could cycle up comfortably. That opinion changed completely once we switched bikes. It was clear, the stronger engine in the Turbo Levo has twice as much power as the engine in the Levo SL.
There is clear support on both bikes, with the Mission Control app you can perfectly adjust your bike and limit it yourself according to your heart rate, which actually makes these bikes extra interesting for those who want to train seriously. Recreational cyclists who want to experience the fun of fun off-road & single tracks are certainly in the right place with Specialized's Turbo bicycles. These bikes also allow you to make longer rides.
Check out Jurgen's opinion about these two bikes below:
Playing or recovery training?
Striking observation for the Levo SL: the motor support works so smoothly that you never have the idea that there is any kind of throttle response. Riding feels like a normal fully mountain bike. Things are a bit different with the S-Works, but that is no surprise given the power. One thing is certain, the in-house developed power sources also give these Specialized toppers a completely different character than bicycles equipped with Shimano Steps or Bosch.
A competition athlete (MX or enduro rider) can use both bikes for gentle recovery training, technique training, but also for tough structured interval training where you can turn the support on and off. MX trainer Pierre Schroyen also uses his Bultaco Brinco in this way, for example.
Both Jurgen and I were extremely impressed with both bikes. Admittedly, the cost of the S-works Turbo Levo is on the high side at €11.499. On the other hand, you are assured of a beautiful appearance and top quality. The cheaper version, the Levo SL, is more affordable with an entry price of €5.999. When choosing an electric MTB, you should always keep in mind that you are buying a full-suspension mountain bike in the first place. The cost of an electric bicycle is therefore quickly €2000 to €3000 above the cost of a full-suspension MTB.
Once you've taken the step towards E-MTB, you won't want to go back. We expect to see more and more e-mountain bikes on the trails!
Tekst: Yente Dourte
Photos: Specialiazed, Yente Dourte, Jurgen De Kinder
Also to read
VIDEO: Highlights MXGP Galicia 2024
After the mud of Agueda, the FIM MXGP-MX2 World Championship continued on Jorge Prado's home circuit. The local hero wins and takes the lead...Perfect Prado takes back the lead
In his hometown, Jorge Prado let the crowd enjoy a perfect match. The Spaniard won both heats on Sunday afternoon at the Lugo circuit. Jeffrey Herlings (4-2) climbs…Lucas Coenen wins his first of the year
Lucas Coenen booked his first Grand Prix victory of this season in Lugo. The Husqvarna rider won with a fourth and first place. Andrea Adamo (1-4) and Liam Everts (3-2)…Wilkinson takes the 2nd heat in Heerde but Lielbardis wins the Grand Prix!
The British Wilkinson/Millard have won the second heat of the Dutch Grand Prix sidecar cross. However, we saw other teams on the overall podium. The Dutch Hermans/Van den Bogaart came third, ...
Your reactions