Where Razor is churning out MX models for kids (read MX350 and MX650 reviews), the Specialized Turbo Levo SL is for adults who want to join the e-MTB movement.
We all know that mountain bikes are generally heavy, but this model is incredibly lightweight, rated at 20 kg.
Besides the stellar design element wrapped around one of the best improvements in the e-bike industry — especially if I compare it to models such as the Giant Trance E+ 3 Pro 2020 Electric Mountain Bike — this unit offers good bang for the buck.
That is why I have taken the magnifying glass to this Specialized Turbo Levo SL.
Table of Contents
Turbo Levo SL Specs
MOTOR & TOP SPEED
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BATTERY & RANGE
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CONTROLLER & RIDING MODES
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FRAME
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DRIVETRAIN SYSTEM
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BRAKES
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OVERALL WEIGHT
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TIRES AND SUSPENSION
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| FEATURES
Infinite Tune Mission Control App is available to fine-tune your riding style. |
Riding the Turbo Levo SL Comp Alloy
What did the brand use for the motor and the battery?
Every year, the company slaps extra battery power on the Turbo Levo.
SL fully integrated battery
This model has a 320Wh battery embedded in the frame’s down tube. I liked that it was easy to monitor the battery level from the center console when riding.
I love how seamlessly the battery was placed there.
Read More: eBike Batteries – Best Practices for Beginners.
The mid-drive motor
The motor is rated at 320 watts nominal power; however, I believe it can reach 500W peaks. This configuration makes the bike legal under the Class 1 requirements (more on this later).
I was instantly impressed with the motor’s quietness. It is also highly lighter than the former model, even though it packs more power this time around.
The motor’s weight is part of the SL concept.
I believe the new S1.2 motor efficiency and battery performance will deliver about 70 miles (110 km) of range when riding (in ideal conditions).
Handling and riding
Assist level (Turbo Connect Unit – TCU)
Once the e-bike was on, I found it set itself to Trail mode. To get more, five (5) pedal-assist levels (PAS) are offered:
– Turbo: it provides 100% of the motor power.
– Trail: 75% assistance.
– Eco: efficient power delivery between 35% and 50%.
– Walking mode: it is specially tuned to deliver 5% of power to help push the bike at 6 km/hr (3.7 mph).
– Smart Control: I found this mode quite awesome. It is very similar to the tech offered with the Giant Ride Control One. It was so easy to ride in any terrain inclination and have the specific power needed.
As you see with the TCU configuration, each mode is displayed as per the image below, so I recommend reviewing the user manual or remembering this little image:
If you want to know more about the Mission Control App, read the Specialized Turbo Levo FSR eMTB Review.
Why two different tires?
The tires come to mind next on the handling front.
The company chose the 29-inch, tubeless tires for this model. I was curious why they chose two different types of tires: Butcher Grip (front) and Eliminator (rear).
When looking closer at the Eliminator design, it seemed to me the purpose was to offer more traction, whereas the Butcher was for better control. This is not uncommon to find in e-MTBs.
E-MTB suspension system
A good mountain bike is not complete without a good suspension system. It is, thus, a welcome addition to having a full-suspension front fork and an adjustable seat suspension system to boot on the bike.
The front suspension is adjustable and lockable, allowing you to customize various aspects of their experience even better.
With 150mm travel (compression) of the front system, it was comfortable to absorb the bumps in the terrain.
Read More: Tires for electric bikes – Guide for Beginners.
Drivetrain
One important thing to mention here is that the single-click shift levers I saw don’t allow the simultaneous dropping of multiple gears.
Even with this configuration, I found navigating it surprisingly easy, taking turns, making bends, and rolling into corners.
Design and safety
Choosing a premium aluminum frame (instead of steel, for example) makes sense from multiple standpoints:
– The e-bike is already weightier than most standard bikes of the same standing – but the choice of frame material makes it a lightweight e-bike. This helps improve the grip, control, and maneuverability of the bike.
– The seat adjustment lever on the left handlebar increased my safety and comfort.
– One part of the design that interested me was the location of the TCU. As you know, it is located in the high tube, which eliminates the need for the Turbo Connect Display (TCD) (not included in the original buy).
– The SRAM Code RS brakes on this machine were very impressive. It is not uncommon to have thinner and bigger brake rotors on bikes – 200mm rotors made a difference.
What is the maximum speed using its PAS only?
As part of the requirements to keep this at a Class 1 level in many countries, the Turbo Levo SL has a 15.5mph (25 km/h) maximum speed.
If you care about the safety and legality of the machine, I recommend not manipulating the motor configuration.
How it fits according to e-bike regulations (US, EU, and AU)
In a few places around this review, I mentioned that the Turbo Levo SL ships as a Class 1 e-bike.
It is rated as having a 320W motor that doesn’t exceed its top speed in PAS mode. That makes it legal in the US, across Europe, and in Australia, too.
Since this is a mountain bike, there is a high chance you will not be riding it on street roads. Most e-bike rules apply to street and city riding anyway, so you have an extra blanket of legality there.
If riding on the roads is the case, you might want to get an electric bicycle designed for street riding instead for the best experience.
Final Thoughts
– I liked the brand and made it available for entry-level riders to the experts.
– I was very impressed with the torque/power and how efficient the battery is with all this power, offering a long range.
– It seemed a bit heavier than I expected, so that could be something to consider when riding downhill.
I believe it has a lot to offer, but it is recommended that you test ride to see if this fits your riding style.
Images courtesy of Specialized.
