Product news: Which mountain biker doesn't want a bike that is agile on trails and doesn't miss any jumps, no matter how big? My personal experiences with e-bikes so far have mostly left a lot of room for improvement, since agility and playfulness are usually lost at well over 20kg. This is exactly where the concept of the new Levo SL comes in. Based on the Levo platform, the US bike brand is presenting a new generation of e-MTBs, which are intended to convey the feeling of a thoroughbred trail bike with 150mm spring travel, low weight and 240W maximum support. In order to offer the widest possible range for the end customer, five model variants are available, including a Levo SL Founder's Edition limited to 250 pieces.
The Specialized Levo SL - A new generation of E-MTBs
Thanks to the new Specialized SL 1.1 motor and the intelligent battery integration, the Levo SL is up to four kilograms lighter than its sister model, the Levo, and above all, according to the manufacturer, the riding characteristics should be less reminiscent of an e-bike than a traditional trail bike . Specialized wants to have reduced the weight of the new Levo SL down to 17,3kg (size S for the S-Works Turbo Levo). Here they play in the top league and are approaching the regions that weigh conventional long-travel fullies without a motor can.
Customizable power with the new Specialized SL motor, optional range extenders and Mission Control
The new Specialized SL 1.1 motor is already out of the Specialized Turbo Creo known. However, the Levo SL is also equipped with different software and a pushing aid. This motor differs significantly from the Specialized 2.1, which is installed in the Levo and Kenevo, as the focus here is not on the greatest possible performance, but rather on a low weight (1,95 kg) and a particularly slim design during development . In order to offer the driver optimal support, 240 watts and 35 Nm are available here.
However, this support is only available up to 25 km/h. If you pedal beyond that, the motor disengages and the Levo should feel like a conventional mountain bike. There are three support modes: Eco supports with a maximum of 30%, Trail with up to 60% and Boost mode provides the full 100% power. These modes can be individually adapted to any driving style via the Mission Control app. With all models of the Levo SL series, the support level can be selected on the top tube via the Turbo Connect control unit. The top variant, the S-Works Levo SL Founder's Edition, also offers a remote on the handlebars.
All models are equipped with a fully integrated 320Wh battery as standard, which should provide energy for up to three hours of driving pleasure and, according to the manufacturer, charges from 35% to 3% in around two hours and 100 minutes. The Founder's Edition of the Levo SL comes with two range extenders of 160Wh each, which mean 1.000g of additional weight when used. The S-Works Levo SL is equipped with a 160Wh range extender and all other models are optionally available as an aftermarket product. According to Specialized, these additional batteries each offer up to 2 hours of extra riding time and should be charged from 3% to 20% within 3 hours and 100 minutes.
A so-called "Y-cable" is supplied with the S-Works Levo SL and the Founder's Edition in order to charge the internal battery and range extender at the same time. A special 48 V charger is supplied with all Levo SL models, which is plugged into the connection at the lower end of the seat tube. In addition, battery management can be carried out using the Smart Control function of the Mission Control app to further increase the range.
Geometrie
So that the Levo not only handles well downhill, but also cuts a good figure uphill, Specialized placed great value on a balanced geometry. The result is a moderately aggressive driving position at the market launch, which with a 66° steering angle should be a good compromise between agility and smooth running. The relatively steep seat tube angle of around 75° should have good climbing characteristics. The short chainstays, which are typical for Specialized, should ensure that ambitious riders can also carry out daring maneuvers with precision. The values specified in the following table apply to all carbon variants, but not to the Levo Comp made of aluminum, here the values deviate slightly.
S | M | L | XL | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stacks in mm | 606 | 606 | 633 | 647 |
reach in mm | 415 | 435 | 455 | 480 |
Head tube length in mm | 95 | 95 | 125 | 140 |
Steering angle in ° | 66 | 66 | 66 | 66 |
Bottom bracket height in mm | 348 | 348 | 348 | 348 |
Fork length in mm | 560 | 560 | 560 | 560 |
fork offset | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 |
Center bottom bracket - center front axle in mm | 729 | 749 | 781 | 812 |
Chainstay length in mm | 437 | 437 | 437 | 437 |
Wheelbase in mm | 1165 | 1185 | 1217 | 1248 |
Horizontal top tube length in mm | 574 | 597 | 629 | |
Standover height in mm | 787 | 790 | 807 | 814 |
Seat tube length in mm | 3909 | 410 | 455 | 505 |
Seat angle in ° | 75,3 | 75 | 74,6 | 74,2 |
Crank length in mm | 165 | 165 | 170 | 170 |
Specialized Levo SL: features, prices and models
The US manufacturer offers the Levo SL in five different configurations and a total of seven different colors. This offer ranges from the Levo SL Comp made of aluminum for €5.999, through high-quality carbon variants to the absolutely elegantly equipped S-Works Levo SL Founder's Edition for €14.999. Everything is offered here, from inexpensive add-on parts to high-end equipment. All models differ in terms of equipment, color selection and, in some cases, also in the size selection, because the Levo SL Comp, unlike the other models, is also available in size XS. However, the motor and battery are always the same – from the entry-level to the limited special model.
Loom: FACT 11m carbon
Mute: Fox Float DPS Factory
Fork: Fox Float 34 Factory Fit4
Circuit: Sram XX1 Eagle AXS
Brake: Sram G2 Ultimate
wheelset: Roval Traverse SL
Seat post: RockShox Reverb AXS
Price: € 14.999
Loom: FACT 11m carbon
Mute: Fox Float DPS Factory
Fork: Fox Float 34 Factory Fit4
Circuit: Sram XX1 Eagle
Brake: Sram G2 Ultimate
wheelset: Roval Traverse SL
Seat post: RockShox Reverb AXS
Price: € 12.999
Loom: FACT 11m carbon
Mute: Fox Float DPS Performance
Fork: Fox Float 34 Performance Elite
Circuit: Sram GX Eagle
Brake: Sram G2RSC
wheelset: Roval Traverse Carbon
Seat post: X Fusion Manic
Price: € 8.699
Loom: FACT 11m carbon
Mute: Fox Float DPS Performance
Fork: Fox Float 34 grip
Circuit: Sram NX Eagle
Brake: Sram Guide R
wheelset: Roval traverse 29
Seat post: X Fusion Manic
Price: € 7.299
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