E-mountain bikes: First Ride: Specialized Turbo Levo 2019 FSR – the next generation in the first test

Test: Specialized launches their new Specialized Turbo Levo 2019 in the beautiful resort of Rabac (Croatia). The new Turbo Levo gets a completely new frame design that is very similar to the one introduced a few months ago, new Specialized Stumpjumpers remembered. The battery has been integrated into the frame and now holds up to 700Wh. The Brose motor has also been updated and is now smaller, more efficient and lighter. In addition, the battery level and support levels can now be read on the top tube. All models are only delivered as 29 inches. 

Rabac (Croatia) is best known for its beautiful beaches and deep blue sea. But the area around Rabac is more than just a bathing resort - the tourist board recently laid out super beautiful, stony and at the same time flowing single trails with sea views. There is also a bike park association inland, which provides a total of seven single trails. So the region is painted for the presentation of the new Specialized Turbo Levo 2019.

Specialized Turbo Levo 2019: frame / geometry

So far, Levo buyers have had the choice of wheel size, but the Californian company from Specialized has decided on this for the 2019 version of the Trail E-MTB: The completely newly developed sidearm frame made of FACT 9m carbon or M5 aluminum is only available with 29-inch wheels and tires be. So you want to ensure an agile and efficient chassis with very good handling properties.

The FSR rear end has been optimized, which is said to have increased the frame rigidity again. To avoid annoying chain slaps, all Turbo Levos also use the new chainstay protection, which Specialized fans already know from the new Stumpjumper. To remove the battery, a screw must be loosened as usual. The battery can then be removed from below - if the Levo is upside down or lying on its side, access is also very easy. You can see at first glance that a big step forward has been taken in terms of integration compared to the predecessor. A lot has changed, not only in terms of looks: the total weight of the frame including the motor has been reduced by up to 1,2 kilograms.

The engine is now housed in a lighter mount where it is said to be even better protected than before. In addition, the positioning favors a low center of gravity. The frame itself is based on the current Specialized Stumpjumper, both visually and technically. However, since the requirements of an E-MTB differ somewhat from those of a non-motorized bike, the geometry of the Levo is a bit different - an even longer reach and longer chainstays than the Stumpjumper should ensure good performance both uphill and downhill.

The lines and trains that run completely inside are a visual icing on the cake. The Specialized Turbo Levo Expert is said to weigh just over 20 kg. To keep the weight differences to the current Levo in mind: The 2019 model with an aluminum frame weighs about the same as the previous S-Works top version.

Specialized Turbo Levo 2019: engine and battery

The Custom Turbo 2.1 engine with Rx Trail Tune software is approximately 15% smaller and 11% lighter than the previous version. In addition, it should respond noticeably faster and Specialized is also very proud of the new heat management. As before, the transmission disengages at top speeds - so it can also be pedaled comfortably with pure muscle power. The Specialized E-MTB is now switched on and off on the top tube. A new control element makes it possible. The charge level and support levels can also be seen on the Turbo Connect Unit (TCU). As usual, the support levels can be controlled using a small control element on the handlebars, which keeps the cockpit nice and clean.

The TCU system has ANT+ and Bluetooth and is the brain of the e-bike, so to speak. The Levo can therefore still be adjusted to the needs of the driver with the smartphone and the new Mission Control app. A new display called TCD, which can be attached to the handlebars, is now optionally available. The display gives you all the necessary information such as speed, kilometers, cadence and battery charge level. A heart rate monitor can also be connected to the system. The display costs around 90 euros and can be upgraded on all previous Levo and Kenevo models.

Depending on the equipment variant, the Turbo Levo has a 500 or 700 watt battery. The new Specialized M2 battery with 700 Wh has 40% more capacity and delivers even more range and trail fun. The 700 Wh battery can be retrofitted to any 2019 model. The battery and motor are ventilated through a special opening on the lower part of the down tube, which is connected to the battery.

Specialized Turbo Levo 2019 Expert: Equipment

Specialized offers seven model variants for the Turbo Levo. These include two women's models in aluminum and carbon. During the test days in Rabac I tested the Specialized Turbo Levo Expert FSR. As with many other trail models from Specialized, the Californian company also offers all models in the Turbo Levo series exclusively with 29 inch wheels and 2.6 wide Specialized Butcher tires. Thanks to the Boost standard, 27,5+ inch wheels can still be ridden with tires up to 3.0 wide.

The Expert model I tested has a carbon frame, a RockShox Pike RC with 150 millimeters and a RockShox Deluxe RT3 also with 150 millimeters of travel. The Turbo Levo is slowed down by a SRAM Code R 4-piston brake, each with 200 mm brake discs. Specialized continues to rely on an 11-speed drive for the gears. The SRAM X1 11-speed is very robust and copes better with the raw power of the motor than, for example, a 12-speed group. Specialized sources attachments such as the dropper seat post, saddle, handlebars, stem, grips and wheels from their own brand. For the Expert model, Specialized uses the Roval Traverse alloy wheels. The seat post can now be lowered by 130 mm on frame sizes SM and up to 160 mm on frame sizes L-XL. The Specialized Turbo Levo Expert FSR is priced at 7999 euros.

Specialized Turbo Levo 2019: FSR models and prices

Specialized Turbo Levo 2019: On the trail

Visually, the new Specialized Turbo Levo is definitely a real eye-catcher. But how does it ride on the trail? If you lift the Levo, the weight saving compared to the predecessor is clearly noticeable. If you switched to a 700 Wh battery instead of the new 500 Wh battery, you could save another 800 grams. I also felt the lightness on the trail. In conjunction with the 29 inch wheels and the 2.6 Specialized Butcher tires, the Turbo Levo is slowly approaching a trail bike without a motor.

Of course, at 25 km/h the support is over and you can clearly feel that there are a few kilograms more on the scales, but you can still maneuver agilely through curves. In fast trail passages, the Specialized Turbo Levo Expert FSR ran very smoothly thanks to the 29 inch wheels and the stiffer frame chassis. The chassis also adapts well to the ground and works reliably.

The Brose Custom Turbo 2.1 motor now offers 410% support, which is a whopping 30% more than the previous model. So it's even stronger on paper than the Bosch CX motor. With the Brose, Specialized remains true to the very soft response. Switching between support levels while riding also felt almost like a seamless transition. If you reach a higher cadence in Trail or Turbo mode, the motor gets slightly louder, but it pushes noticeably more. The power reserves are noticeably larger than in the predecessor. Trail mode is the perfect mode for technical climbs - plenty of power and good control in corners without being pushed out of the corner. I usually only used the turbo mode on long gravel roads.

The new brain (TCU) has also been nicely integrated into the top tube. The battery charge status and support levels can also be easily read while driving. Thanks to the new display (TCD), speed, cadence, heart rate, etc. can now also be read. Some buyers will certainly appreciate the optional display. If you want to look for a hair in the Levo soup: The prices of some models are very high in view of the equipment offered.

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