Gen 4 Specialized Turbo Levo! More than meets the eye...

The hotly anticipated Gen 4 Specialized Turbo Levo is finally here, but was it worth the wait? MBR’s Bike Test Editor, Alan Muldoon, heads to the Specialized Turbo HQ in Cham, Switzerland to go behind-the-scenes and talk to the people tasked with updating this benchmark e-bike. Have they delivered? Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:26 Key headlines 1:09 Power and torque 3:34 Prototyping 6:19 Lab testing 8:01 Motor ride impressions 9:17 Modular batter 11:02 Actual weight 13:12 New Apple watch TCU display 14:45 Noise, vibration, harshness tuning 16:01 Fast charging 17:12 Chassis changes 17:52 Stiffness 22:34 Wrap-up Given Specialized’s history, it should come as no surprise that the latest addition to the Turbo Levo family shares the same design language as the current Levo SL, even though it’s a very different beast. With the brand new Specialized designed Brose motor pumping out 720 watts peak power and 111Nm torque the latest Levo is very much a full power e-bike.    • The best lightweight electric mountain bik...   Well, at least the S-Works model is. Because the Pro, Expert and Comp models all have their motors detuned to 666 watts peak power and 101Nm torque, even though they share the exact same drive-unit and full carbon frame as the S-Works bike in this video. So we really hope Specialized has a firmware update ready to roll that will bring all of the new Turbo Levos up to the same power output as the S-Works bike. Especially since it is still shy of the DJI powered Amflow PL Carbon.    • DJI’s Amflow PL Carbon longterm review – B...   Power levels are now ultra controllable with Specialized's Dynamic Micro Tune that’s operated with the new handlebar remote. Also, with the modular battery system, you have the option of 840Wh, 600Wh or a 280Wh range extender to precisely match the range and weight of the bike to your specific needs. The bigger batteries don’t do the Levo any favours on the scale though, where even the flagship S-Works bike at £12,499 tips that scales at a hefty 23.5kg without pedals. Granted, the bike does come with DH casing Specialized Butcher T9 tyres and a Fox 38 fork. But lightweight, the new Levo, certainly isn’t. Swapping out a battery is still a single hex key affair. But instead of sliding it out the bottom of the down tube, Specialized has switched to a side-loading design with a big cutaway in the carbon frame. This means you no longer need to flip the bike upside down. And because the batteries are now fatter and shorter, hence the beefy downtube, they give the bike a more balanced weight distribution. There’s also an optional fast charger that comes standard with the S-Works bike, that will take a flat battery to 80% charge in under 60 minutes. The top-tube mounted display is bigger, brighter and bolder, thanks to the Apple Watch screen. Ride metrics are crystal clear and super easy to read and the display has Apple’s Find My function integrated, so there’s no need to stash an Air Tag somewhere on the bike for extra security. In terms of suspension, the Levo is still designed around a 160mm fork, but it is safety rated for up to 180mm travel, if you want to go full freeride mode. Travel on the rear is 150mm, and the new Levo gets revised kinematics and a Fox Float X shock with Specialized’s Genie shock tech that was first introduced on the Stumpjumper 15. With the Genie dual-stage air spring riders now have the option to tune the mid and end-stroke spring curves independently of each other.    • Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Pro first ride ...   And the Gen 4 Levo wouldn’t be a modern Specialized mountain bike if it didn't come with comprehensive geometry adjustment. You get a drop in headset upper cup for +/1º on the head angle. A flip chip in the shock eyelet for BB height and additional head angle adjustment. The bike comes stock with MX (29in front/27.5in rear) wheels, also known as Mullet, where flip-chips in the chainstay suspension pivots offer two chainstay lengths for adjusting the weight distribution and handling of the bike. This final adjustment also impacts BB height and head angle. The Gen 4 Turbo Levo is also available in 5 unique frame sizes: S2 to S6. Where increased seat post insertion depth on all frame sizes makes it easier to get the perfect fit, regardless of your riding style or body proportions. With more power, more torque and more tuning options, the Gen 4 Turbo Levo easily surpasses the performance of its predecessor. It helps too, that Specialized’s pricing is more competitive, where the entry-level Levo Comp at £6,799 has a decent specification including a SRAM S1000 T-Type AXS drivetrain. But the real question is, has Specialized done enough with the Gen 4 Turbo Levo to regain its position as market leader? Time will tell. Filmed by ‪@Callum017‬ Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/MBRmagaz... MBR: http://www.mbr.co.uk/ Facebook:   / mbrmagazine   Instagram:   / mbrmagazine   #mountainbiking #MTB #mountainbikes