Product news / E-MTB: With the Specialized Levo SL Gen2, one of the great pioneers of the now very popular light E-MTBs is now (finally!) getting its successor. Even if nothing changes in the basic concept, the new Levo SL is likely to cause similar waves as its predecessor.

Nothing has changed in the concept of the Specialized Levo SL for the second generation. The Californians themselves say the goal was to build the ultimate trail bike; the key technical data read accordingly. 150 mm suspension travel at the front and rear and a wheel size mix ex works with 29” at the front and 27,5 inches at the rear. If you want, you can easily convert completely to large wheels afterwards, the frame comes with a flip chip for this. However, this is not the only adjustment option: The steering angle can be individually adjusted to 63, 64,25 or 65,5° via exchangeable bearing shells on the headset.

frame and geometry

When it comes to the dimensions themselves, Specialized naturally relies on the so-called S-sizing on the Levo SL Gen2, as with all sporty (E-)MTBs. Instead of the well-known frame sizes, the designations S1 – S6 (there are six frame sizes!) come into play here: The dimensions increase in length, not so much in height or on the seat tube. The different sizes are not only useful for drivers of different heights, but also correspond to personal preferences much better. If, for example, you are rather small but like to ride long frames, you will find a suitable bike here, while the seat tube is then too long with many other manufacturers.

The dimensions are what you would expect from a modern trail bike and are based in many respects on the tried and tested Specialized Stumpjumper Evo: The very slack steering angle for the spring travel class in particular catches the eye - the Specialized Levo SL Gen2 is definitely a bike that is active wants to be moved!

Drive: stronger, quieter, more efficient?

The Specialized SL 1.1 drive of the predecessor was one of the first light mid-drive motors on the market. With this, the Californians were able to set a real exclamation point when it was introduced - but in the end the drive unit was showing its age compared to some of its competitors, some of which were much younger, such as the Fazua Ride 60. However, Specialized now seems to be catching up on this small gap with the SL 1.2 – at least on paper.

With the same low weight (approx. 1,9 kg for the motor unit), the maximum power could be increased to 320 W and the torque also increased to 50 Nm. This puts you roughly on a par with the two biggest competitors from Fazua and TQ. At the same time, Specialized states that they have reduced the sometimes very high volume of the predecessor and that there should also be improvements in efficiency. The latter, together with the new, integrated 320 Wh battery, plays a major role and should therefore enable ranges of over 1.500 hm in eco mode. We hope to be able to measure all this information ourselves on the test bench in the near future.

The battery, which unfortunately cannot be removed even with the Specialized Levo SL Gen2, can be supplemented with a compact range extender for a further 160 Wh capacity. This takes place on the down tube instead of the bottle holder.

Of course, the Specialized SL 1.2 drive with the well-known Mastermind TCU also has a real trump card up its sleeve and offers one of the best operating systems for sporty E-MTBs on the market. The very bright and easy-to-read color display in the top tube can be easily configured to your own needs using the Mission Control app, and the intuitive, minimalistic control panel can be conveniently placed on any handlebar setup. The support levels can still be individually adjusted via the app, and software updates for the system can also be carried out easily and free of charge.

Specialized Levo SL Gen2: spec levels and prices

The Specialized Levo SL Gen2 will be available in a total of four configurations ranging in price from 7.900 euros for the Levo SL Comp and 15.000 euros for the S-Works Levo SL LTD. We think it's a bit of a shame that Specialized decided on two S-Works versions for 14.000 and 15.000 euros respectively. We would have preferred to see another variant between the entry-level Comp and the already much more expensive Levo SL Pro for 11.500 euros. Both frame variants - S-Works and 'regular' - are made of Fact 11m carbon, but only the S-Works variant with a shock extension is also made of carbon fiber. There are also no differences between the four configurations when it comes to the drive – however, the range extender is already included in the scope of delivery for the S-Works models.

S-Works Turbo Levo SL LTD

Loom: Fact 11m carbon / carbon shock link
Fork: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant
Mute: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Flight Attendant
Circuit: Sram XX Eagle transmission
brakes: Sram Code Stealth Ultimate
impellers: Roval Traverse SL

Price: € 15.000

S-Works Turbo Levo SL

Loom: Fact 11m carbon / carbon shock link
Fork: Fox 36 Factory Grip2
Mute: Fox Float X Factory
Circuit: Sram XX Eagle transmission
brakes: Sram Code Stealth Ultimate
impellers: Roval Traverse SL

Price: € 14.000

Specialized Turbo Levo SL Pro

Loom: Fact 11m Carbon/Alloy Shock Link
Fork: Fox 36 Factory Grip2
Mute: Fox Float X Factory
Circuit: Sram X0 Eagle transmission
brakes: Sram Code Silver Stealth
impellers: Roval Traverse Carbon

Price: € 11.500

Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp

Loom: Fact 11m Carbon/Alloy Shock Link
Fork: Fox 36Rhythm
Mute: Fox Float
Circuit: Sram GX Eagle
brakes: Sram Code RS
impellers: Specialized alloy

Price: € 7.900

Web

www.specialized.com