If youre looking for battery and motor assistance when you head for the hills then the lightweight but powerful Levo will hit the spot. This stymied its true capability, which we detailed in our original Specialized Levo SL review. I actually saw the Levo Expert's carbon frame as a net liability, as 1) the difference in weight savings made an insignificant difference to the overall bike in a mid-level full-fat eMTB, and 2) the 2nd-gen carbon frames were weaker, being rated to 109kg vs. 136kg for the 2nd-gen aluminum. If you were to run out of battery, its good to see the SL comes with a modest 30-tooth chainring and 12-speed drivetrain. The Fox DPS shock is overworked too, becoming noticeably firmer and faster towards the end of long, rough descents. In the stock Trail mode, Ive been able to rack up around 1,400-1,500m of elevation gain over a 40-50km ride. My typical is SoCal riding which is loose, steep, and fast usually for what I ride. The motor disengages when its off or above the assistance speed limit, so theres only a 3W (claimed) drag penalty over a conventional bottom bracket. Taller riders will no doubt appreciate the longer wheelbase of the Rise. Compared to the vague LED display on the Rise, there is no doubt the Levo SLs TCU is the better interface, and the Mission Control app is also far more user friendly. Finding my way back into MTB a few years ago, I am now taking my running and fitness success over to competitive mountain bike racing with my eyes set on the Downieville Classic. Its another success story from the Specialized stable. In comparison, the Levo SL is easier to pilot on twistier singletrack, which will be more noticeable for lighter and smaller riders. Will I use the Levo SL for all of my workouts? Leatherman, yes. Yup, the initial response of an e-bike has been an issue.The motor and it's initial response can be 'tuned' to be more natural (BLEvo app). The Levo SL has FOX 36 up front while the Stumpjumper has a 34, so it's not a perfect, straight-across comparison when it comes to sturdiness of componentry, but the complete package of the Levo SL as a training tool is more than optimal for my training plan. Enjoy the convenience of having fresh, organic meals delivered directly to you, or pick them up at our Los Angeles facility. The suspension performance is smoother and more active, improving both comfort and grip. Afterward, I realized I this concept will easily transfer to the expanse of e-bike-legal trails in the surrounding area. I repeat, nothing will replace a mountain bike in my stable. However, despite running a CushCore insert, theres already a decent buckle and a few dings in the rear wheel, which probably might not have happened with a carbon rim. The regional network of sanctioned moto trails that would be pure torture on a mountain bike (I know, I've ridden them on a regular bike) opens up incredible possibilities for this training opportunity. S snowbro New Member Jun 1, 2018 52 42 USA Feb 11, 2020 #8 @Stiksandstones I had always assumed that the weakness of riding an ebike for "training" was that it was not the same handling, weight distribution, braking points, shift points, power distribution and overall instantaneous feel of a regular MTB. The use of a polarized training plan was a familiar concept, but the sheer volume of aerobic work in conjunction with the descending volume is exciting. What that means is that the e-bike will automatically provide more assistance in steeper gradients than on sections that are more gradual. You get plenty of power when you need it and, despite the battery and motor combination, the Levo is light, agile and dynamic. Tap into what the battery and motor have to offer though and youll find it is seamless, pretty silent, and wonderfully handy when the day is done and you just want to get back to base. Human physiology is a constant, but how it is utilized in each sport requires specific stimuli. Free shipping on orders of $99 or more (U.S. only). As a purpose-built electric enduro bike, it really is ideal for shuttling laps at the bikepark, boosting huge doubles, and bombing down steep, double black diamond singletrack. For the spec, we included a 1x Shimano GRX group to take on shifting and braking duties, while DT R470 Boost wheels get wrapped in wide 38mm Pathfinder Pro tires to keep you rolling . With a 66-degree head angle and 455mm reach in size large, the Levo SL would be considered.conservative. Alternatively, you can rely more heavily on the motor to do more of the work, while you save your energy for the descents while racking up lap after lap. So here is one review that says the Expert comes with the range extender: Exclusive review: New sub 17 kg Specialized S-Works Levo SL 2020 with a brand new motor concept - a new way of riding bikes? The problem was the system's exclusive reliance on heart rate. Turbo Levo SL is a new, lightweight breed of eMTB that harnesses the quick and lively ride of our Stumpjumperand adds just enough power to introduce a whole new dimension of kick ass. The battery alone is around 2kg lighter than the 700Wh whopper used in the regular Levo, and the difference is noticeable. However, it is lighter, more agile and livelier. Squish duties are handled by a Fox Performance 34 Float fork and Fox Float DPS Performance rear shock on the Expert Carbon model. Then, the fun and skill-building began. . The stock suspension tune will likely suit beginner riders and those who arent spending a lot of time with their wheels off the ground. In the rare moments he's not working he's usually out and about on one of numerous e-bikes in his collection. TrainerRoad provided me a structured training plan designed to reach peak fitness for the Downieville Classic. Central to the appeal for many will be the capability of the 150mm suspension front and rear, which is made all the more effective courtesy of Foxs 36 Performance Elite fork and DPX2 shock combination. Because its more compact than other frame-mounted engines, this has allowed Specialized to shrink the chainstay length from 455mm to 437mm. Specializeds Mission Control app allows you to fine-tune the level of assistance in each of the three modes. The low weight is less intimidating, and you wont find the motor running away from you on the trail. However, the weight savings have gone too far with the Fox 34 fork. By manually actuating the motor on the Levo SL, I can mitigate the terrain's impact on my output. There is a lot more that BLEvo app can do, but that would be an entire article in itself. After testing the bike in South Africa, I managed about a thousand vertical metres from a full battery, in ideal conditions (dry trails and warm weather), using mostly the highest assistance mode. However, more advanced riders will benefit from tweaking the shocks air volume to increase support. Adjustable geometry with six different settings; Horst link chips adjust bottom bracket height (by 7mm) and chainstay length; eccentric upper headset cups and a spherical lower bearing allow three head angle positions (63-65.5 degrees). - Not a lot of bling the high-end price tag Lighter weight and less powerful, this is the e-bike for the rider who seeks a "regular" trail bike experience with a just a little pedal assistance View at Specialized Price: $7,000 List Manufacturer: Specialized By Jeremy Benson, Joshua Hutchens, Chris McNamara Mar 7, 2022 72 OVERALL SCORE RANKED #7 of 7 Downhill Performance - 30% 9.0 More time practicing cornering and descending on the eBike has been great. Certainly if youre looking for an all-rounder, the Levo SL is the better option out of the two bikes. It's a fun fitness and technical skills challenge. I have been using a similar strategy for myself and have only noticed improvements from using a variety of bikes and riding styles. With the tyres setup tubeless, our Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon came in at 17.84kg, without pedals. On consistent, smooth gradients and easy days this isn't much to worry about, but on a trail with undulating terrain, the lag time between each wattage reading left me floating above or below my target range on occasion. Frame | FACT 11m Carbon Fibre, FSR Suspension Design, 150mm Travel; . If this were my bike, Id for sure fit a Butcher up front with the new T9 rubber compound to improve traction even further. Its already been rolled out through the production line, so it came preinstalled on our Levo SL Expert Carbon test bike. There no surprise hills around the corner to spike your heart rate if you choose. Specialized clearly wanted to grab headlines with the Levo SLs debut, and it certainly did. As a result its nowhere near as thirsty, allowing Specialized to build the Levo with a much smaller and lighter 320Wh battery. Tyre pressures were set at 22-23psi on the front, and 25-26.5psi on the rear, depending on conditions. What if an e-MTB could make you a fitter, faster mountain bike rider? Size 143mm / Weight 252g Size 155mm / Weight 253g . . The charge port door is simple but effective, and I like that it takes just 2.5 hours to fully charge the battery. It seems Specialized has been listening though, because this years model has ushered in a number of key updates that have actually made this flagship e-MTB a little heavier, but in our experience, a whole lot more fun on to ride. A positive spin on the problem is that I have a great way to perfect my pedaling cadence technique because the workaround of lag time is to keep a fast, smooth cadence. Along with the trainer, I signed up to TrainerRoad for workouts. My experience has been mixed: I haven't raced in a few years and haven't been actively "training", but I have been focused on progressing my technical/downhill skills over that same time period. I managed to climb the grunts and whoops of Trail 4 with a minimal and controlled effort that was within the range of my training. The price range varies from $11,100 AUD for the entry-level Levo SL Comp, and goes up to a dizzying $22,300 AUD for the S-Works Levo SL. For a better understanding of what these adjustments mean, be sure to check out our Specialized Levo tuning tips article. The three training philosophies are Sweet Spot Training (medium intensity most of the time), High-Intensity Interval Training (short, maximal efforts), and Polarized Training. It carves through sharp turns, pivoting off the back wheel with nary a hint of understeer. However, there were concessions to get the weight down to that level. I will not be losing anything because i am just there to spin. Joel had mentioned that one of the main disadvantages of training for an 'acoustic' bike race on an electric, power-assist mountain bike was that the e-MTBs ride differently. Seb Stott is a former technical writer for BikeRadar. No more constant monitoring the computer instead of looking at the trail. I have a lot of training knowledge when it pertains to running. no. The weight of an e-bike impacts performance on the trail, for better or worse, when compared to a regular mountain bike. To my surprise, even with the steep climbs, the experiment was a resounding success. The company has been quite clever in designing a range of electric mountain bikes that can be tailored to different kinds of users, as well as specific budgets. In their place youll now find a Fox 36 GRIP2 fork and a Float DPX2 piggyback shock. On less demanding trails, its a comfortable and intuitive bike to ride, which makes it well suited to newer riders and those who arent necessarily ripping at warp speed. - Fantastically agile and playful handling All models have Specializeds SWAT multi-tool hidden in the steerer tube and water bottle cage fitted. Otherwise both drive systems work well, despite having their quirks. Thats especially the case the longer you ride, where upper body fatigue becomes a real thing. Anyone know for certain? Expensive considering the parts package. The Levo SL weighs in at around 38 lb. Because of its length and the reduced offset fork, I did find the Rise benefits from a more assertive riding style. That said, if you're racing on acoustic bikes, there's the obvious disadvantage of the two bikes riding quite differently, which is probably worth noting in your article. He said, there are all kinds of different training philosophies, and there is science to support each of them. 2022 Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon Contact Specialized https://www.specialized.com/ Price $15,200 AUD Weight 17.84kg Positives - Sleek frame design - Low weight - Fantastically agile and playful handling - Active, traction-seeking suspension - Fox 36 GRIP2 is the fork this bike deserves - Intuitive power delivery Negatives Its occasionally vague when pushed hard into hardpack turns and harsh over rough terrain. Specifications Product Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Carbon E-Bike Model Year 2021 Riding Type Enduro / All-Mountain Rider Unisex Sizes and Geometry SM MD LG XL View Geometry Wheel Size 29" E-Bike Class Class 1: Pedal Assist (Pedelecs) Motor Specialized 2.1, custom Rx Trail-tuned, 250W Battery Specialized M2-700, integrated, removable On an e-bike at full power assist, you could do the same training session but descend 400% more vertical and (in theory) have way more mileage to work on your descending skills. The Levo SL has otherwise held up well throughout testing, with no rattles or groans to speak of. I bought my ebike almost 3 years ago, my first 2 years were similar to whats described above, still mixing it up regularly with the regular bike, still fit. Great training tool. 2020 Turbo Levo Expert Carbon $8,275 Color Spruce / Sage Green Select a Size S M L XL Size Guide Find In-Store Here's where the gloves come offthe Turbo Levo Expert Carbon sheds serious weight with its advanced carbon front triangle and brings a high level of technical capability with a FOX 36 fork and DPS shock. Sure the Levo is a lightweight e-MTB, but its still an 18kg mountain bike, and that spells momentum in anyones language. The program itself is well-thought out and insightful. Specialized says the internal battery will last for approximately 3.5 hours ride time in Eco mode. Specialized reckons the bike is easily comparable to Stumpjumper models and it is incredibly agile. The trails that I spend most of my time on include massive climbs. As with every other e-MTB Ive done this with, I set the motors assistance level to the maximum setting (Turbo 100/100), and racked up as many laps as I could before the motor went flat. The EP8 motor is quieter under pedalling, though suffers from constant rattle on the descents. carbon-reinforced shell with flexible Adaptive Edge technology. Since 1946, family owned Better Beverages has been servicing the carbonic gas and fountain syrup needs of Southern California's restaurant and hospitality community. This comes as standard on the S-Works model, but costs 300 /$450 as an aftermarket option, and weighs about a kilo. This really is a non-issue for most riders though. Problem eventually you start ridding with guys who only e-bike, and/or (usually correlated) you buy a second battery, and little by little the regular bike seems like you get so little done. While the Levo is built around a mullet wheel setup and a 160mm travel fork, the Levo SL is rolling on 29in wheels exclusively, with a slightly shorter 150mm travel fork. I broke my wrist near the end of summer 2020. Keeping within that easy effort range on a mountain bike would result in a fraction of the descending and skill-building time. According to Specialized, because the cable tethers it to the bike, combined with the side-entry bottle cage, it makes dropping the range extender a non-issue. The Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon electric mountain bike will make an awful lot of sense if youre looking to get off the beaten track in serious fashion. The added extender range is comparable to a full-size e-MTB, albeit with a bit more effort required from the rider. The Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert C gets its own Fact m11 carbon frame that builds into an impressive 18.57kg (40.94lb) complete bike. Always passionate, and somewhat obsessive, bikes and their performance have been on my mind as I raced all forms of pedal-powered machines as youngster. Thanks for turning me on to BLEvo. Seb studied experimental physics at university, and he's now happily using his degree experimenting with and testing different mountain bike setups, trying to work out what works best and why. Replies 117 Views . 4.3 (87) 1540 West Rialto Avenue, Fontana, CA 92335. Specializeds Grid Trail tyres appear to be an improvement on the puncture-prone Grid tyres weve become accustomed to seeing on Specialized bikes. But with all the hype having died down since then, were glad to see this bike adopt a more performance-oriented spec to take advantage of its true capabilities. It incorporates the components of the Mission Control app, in addition to what I was wanting. Suspension quality and handling are also brilliant. No aftermarket power meter required. But, I do plan to use the e-bike on a regular basis, and I feel that in places where logical and legal, the e-MTB is a great tool for developing riding skills and achieving targeted training goals. 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