FIRST RIDE: Specialized Launches the Levo SL Gen 2

Specialized was one of the first major brands to venture into the lightweight eMTB segment with their Turbo Levo SL. At a time when most were focused on stuffing as much power and range into e-bikes as possible, the Levo SL challenged the notion that electric assistance meant accepting a uniquely different on-trail experience. The manageable weight and governed power created a responsive and maneuverable bike that could take a rider further faster. Dare we say, it rode kind of like a mountain bike?

Since then, numerous brands have introduced sub-40-pound eMTBs. Trail bike-focused builds and geometry have risen to dominate the segment, while power output and range have continued to increase. Now in a highly competitive landscape in 2023, the Levo SL had undeniably fallen behind. Eager to reclaim their dominance in a category they played a vital role in creating, Specialized has dropped the curtain on its completely revamped Levo SL Gen 2. Sporting a new frame design, more powerful motor, modern geometry, trail-rated components, and Specialized's highly intuitive SL system, the new Levo SL is posed to again raise the bar of what's expected from a lightweight eMTB.

Highlights

FACT 11m carbon frame
150mm (5.9-inches) rear wheel travel // 160mm (6.3-inches) fork (150mm fork on size S1)
Updated Horst Pivot suspension design
Mixed-wheel or dual 29-inch compatible (no custom link required)
Adjustable head tube angle: 63.5, 64.5, 65.5 degrees
Adjustable bottom bracket by +/-5mm
Turbo SL 1.2 motor with 320 watts / 50Nm of torque
320-watt hour battery
160-watt hour Range Extender battery sold separately (included with S-Works build and Frameset)
MasterMind Turbo Control Unit
Six sizes (S1 - S6)
Four build kits and Frameset options
Measured weight as tested (size S4 S-Works build, no pedals): 39.44-pounds (17.8kg)
MSRP $8,000 - 15,000 USD

When the Levo SL Gen 1 launched, Specialized focused on pushing the narrative 'lightest eMTB to date.' And they weren't wrong, as the S-works build weighed only 38.25 pounds, which is still impressive by today's standards. The downside of this narrative was that to achieve such a low weight, the build kits often featured lightweight components that limited the bike's abilities. Combined with a geometry package that mirrored the Levo and Stumpjumper at that time, the first Levo SL lacked the confidence and stability to be deemed a capable trail bike.

At the end of 2020, Specialized rolled out the latest Stumpjumper EVO that essentially created the benchmark for modern-day trail bike performance and geometry. Realizing they had struck gold with the Stumpy EVO, Specialized used the same blueprints to develop the new Levo SL. However, this time, the narrative was less focused on being the brand with the lightest eMTB but rather on creating a bike with electric assistance that rides as similarly as possible to a mountain bike.

Levo SL Gen 2 Overview

The Levo SL Gen 2 boasts 150mm of rear wheel travel paired with a 160mm fork. The bike ships in a mixed-wheel configuration but can be set up with dual 29-inch wheels via a flip chip in the horst-pivot (no custom link required). The frame uses Specialized's FACT 11M composite technology that methodically places carbon in key areas to achieve a laterally and torsionally stiff frame. Each size also receives unique layups to optimize stiffness and weight while achieving a similar ride quality.

Geometry - Stumpjumper EVO With a Motor?

Glancing over the original Levo SL's geometry chart will quickly take you back to when brands weren't dubbing every bike as long, low, and slack. Oh, the dark times they were! Desperately in need of some modern angles, Specialized took the Stumpjumper EVO geometry and copied and pasted it onto the new Levo SL. Numbers aren't exactly the same, but they successfully achieve the same goal of increasing descending stability, providing better rider-centric sizing, and improving climbing comfort.

Six frame sizes are available that use Specialized's S-sizing system, which sees lower standover heights across all sizes, allowing riders to pick a frame size based on riding style, not just rider height. Because of this, the S1 only has 144mm of rear suspension with a 150mm fork to maximize standover height.

The lower shock eyelet flip chip adjusts the bottom bracket height

The Levo SL comes with two headset cups, giving riders three head angle options. Combined with a flip chip in the shock eyelet that adjusts the bottom bracket height by +/- 5mm, riders have six possible geometry packages per wheel configuration. The bike comes stock with a 27.5-inch rear wheel, the neutral headset position, and the lower bottom bracket height, giving the Levo SL a 64.6-degree head tube angle, 75.8-degree effective seat tube angle, and 432mm chainstay length.

Suspension Updates - The Death of the Sidearm?

The most obvious change to the Levo SL is the lack of the asymmetric sidearm brace connecting the top tube and seat tube. A debated design element since its introduction, Specialized remained pretty tight-lipped on why they ditched the design. The only explanation we received was that the bike uses a lower overall leverage rate to improve small bump and mid-stroke sensitivity, which changed the amount of stress put on the frame and warranted an updated front triangle. If we had to place our bets, we'd wager that Specialized is continuously learning how to maximize frame stiffness in conjunction with the performance of its now-classic horst-link suspension design, and the Levo SL represents the current iteration of that marriage. Like many Specialized mountain bikes, the Levo SL has an Rx Tuned rear shock custom valved by their Ride Dynamics team to compliment the bike's kinematics.

Turbo SL 1.2 Motor - More is Better

At the heart of the Levo SL Gen 2 is Specialized's all-new Turbo SL 1.2 motor that smoothly delivers up to 320 watts of power and 50Nm of peak torque. By comparison, the previous SL 1.1 motor produced 240 watts of power and 35Nm of peak torque. An obvious and necessary update to keep the Levo SL on par with the power output of other lightweight motors, the 1.2 motor also features an all-new gearbox design and two-piece motor housing with an integrated honeycomb structure that better dissipates noise. Specialized claims noise has been reduced by a perceived 34-45%. We, too, aren't exactly sure what that means. While the 1.2 motor was mostly unnoticeable on the trail, a side-by-side comparison with the 1.1 motor is the only viable way to determine which is quieter.

The Levo SL continues to use an integrated 320-watt-hour battery. A 160-watt-hour Range Extender is sold separately and conveniently slips into the bottle cage, extending the range by 50% (the Range Extender is included with S-Works builds and Frameset). Putting definite values on how long the battery will last is complicated as many factors contribute to battery range. Still, Specialized claims the battery will last for up to 5 hours in Eco mode or 7 hours with the addition of a Range Extender.

Eco, Trail, and Turbo remain the default assist modes. The motor characteristics of each mode, including support, peak power, and acceleration, can be adjusted within the Mission Control App. Other features include Walk assist mode for the unfortunate times you have to hike your bike and MicroTune, which allows you to change the assist amount in 10% increments.

MasterMind Turbo Control Unit (TCU)

First introduced on the latest Turbo Levo and a welcomed update to the Levo SL, the MasterMind TCU (Turbo Control Unit) remains one of the cleanest and most well-executed eMTB data displays. Located on the top tube, the TCU is a one-stop-shop for just about any mid-ride information you might need, displaying such analytics as assist mode, battery life, speed, distance, cadence, elevation, heart rate, and power. Riders can customize multiple display screens in the Mission Control App, connect most ANT+ and Bluetooth devices, and even see Jump Stats during a ride. Now, you don't have to prove to your friends that you can indeed jump further than them. Lastly, the MasterMind TCU enables over-the-air updates to receive new features as they're developed.

Mission Control App

Specialized's Mission Control App offers all the usual motor adjustments and the ability to run system diagnostics or record riders like most e-Apps. One standout feature of the App is Smart Control, which allows riders to input how much battery they want remaining at the end of a ride based on distance or duration, and the system will provide the correct amount of assistance to achieve that goal. Riders can also enter a target heart rate, and the system will then adapt the support it provides to keep you in that zone.

Build Kits

Price is always a point of contention with new eMTBs, and the Levo SL is not cheap. The S-Works build we tested retails for $14,000, and while there are two cheaper build options, the entry-level Comp Carbon still costs a whopping $8,000. Rounding out the build kits available in the US are the S-Works LTD build at $15,000, the S-Works frameset at $8,000, and the Pro build that doesn't have an MSRP at this time but will slot between the S-Works and Comp build. The good news is that even though getting on a Levo SL will cost you both arms and legs, all build kits come specced with FOX 36 forks, reservoir shocks, and trail-rated wheels and tires to complement the bike's abilities. And even though Specialized didn't place weight on as high of a pedestal this go-around, the Levo SL Gen 2 is still impressively light, with our size large S-Works build tipping the scales at just 39.44 pounds.

We know the S-Works build will only be within the budget of some riders, so we won't dive too deep into component performance. But, two aspects of the build stood out during our short testing period. First, SRAM's all-new Transmission drivetrain has managed high-load shifts with exceptional precision while providing new levels of cockpit simplicity. And second, FOX's Factory level 36 fork and Float X shock were easy to set up and dial into our liking, and perfectly matched the hard-charging abilities of the Levo SL.

On The Trail

My time with the new Levo SL started three weeks ago at a two-day press camp, and since then, I've only logged five additional rides on my usual San Diego test tracks. This is obviously not enough time to snuff out everything a bike has to offer, but my initial impressions should serve as a glance into the versatility and performance of the Levo SL. And thus far, all signs point towards one badass, all-around bike that is incredibly fun, responsive, zips uphill, and can be ridden harder than most 150mm travel bikes.

I also want to mention that I haven't tested every other brand's lightweight e-model. However, comparing my impressions of the Levo SL against our reviews of bikes like Orbea's Rise or Trek's Fuel EXe illustrates that the Levo SL will be a direct competitor against the current crop of lightweight eMTBs.

Turbo Levo SL 1.2 Motor Performance

Smooth and natural power delivery were the defining characteristic of the new Turbo SL 1.2 motor. Like the 1.1 motor, Specialized has created an assist experience that feels more like a gentle push than an aggressive shove. The motor doesn't feel heavily tied to cadence to provide power but slowly ramps up torque as you approach a normal pedaling speed.

I did struggle to feel the increase in watts and torque provided by the 1.2 motor. This isn't to say the motor didn't pump out enough juice to crush any climb I encountered. In Turbo mode or when riding between 70-100% in MicroTune, the peak output was snappy and powerful. But without riding the 1.1 and 1.2 motors back to back, it's tough to claim the new Levo SL crushes its predecessor. And at the end of the day, motor output is relative, as the Levo SL feels unstoppable compared to what's possible under the power of just your two legs until someone on a full-power e-bike flies by you.

I have yet to mess with tuning the three assist modes within the Mission Control App. The Levo SL ships with Turbo mode set at only 80% peak power. You can unlock max power in the app, or you can use the MicroTune feature to obtain 100% output. MicroTune is my favorite feature available in Specialized's Turbo operating system. The ability to adjust assistance in small increments has allowed me to receive the exact amount of power I want for a given section. Like shifting gears to maximize cadence and watts, I'm constantly toggling between assist levels. I have found that the power difference between 10-30% is minimal, but a noticeable jump occurs between 30-40%. Power then remains fairly constant between 40-60%, with another noticeable jump at 70%. Regardless, having ten assist modes instead of three has been epic for technical climbs. For those with a set-it-and-forget-it mentality, the classic three-mode setup is still there for you.

Specialized claims the SL 1.2 motor is quieter than the SL 1.1 motor, and while I believe them, I'd have to ride each back-to-back to make an official statement. Personally, my mind is so in the weeds when climbing that I hardly notice the hum of e-bike motors. The SL 1.2 motor has been far from loud or obnoxious, and I don't expect its low buzz to be a deal breaker for many riders.

Descending Performance

When I tested the first-generation Levo SL, I quickly learned that the bike lacked adequate stability and confidence the moment speed or pitch increased. Thankfully, Specialized's choice to slap the Stumpjumper EVO's geometry on the new Levo SL has drastically improved the bikes descending capabilities. I might only be a handful of rides into testing, but the Levo SL has quickly become one of the most fun and capable trail bikes, electric-assist or not, that I've ridden in recent memory. Whether I've been dicing up jumps and slapping corners on flow trails or confidently bombing into a rowdy section, the Levo SL has maxed out my fun meter.

The Levo SL has kept its lively demeanor that made the first-generation SL such an anomaly in the e-bike space. Thanks to its manageable weight, short chain stay length, and 27.5-inch rear wheel, the Levo SL continues to be highly responsive to rider input, making it easy to generate speed on low-angle trails, maintain control in technical sections, and get the wheels off the ground with little effort.

In really rough and demanding sections, the Levo SL has not backed down from any challenge, performing more similarly to an enduro bike than a trail bike at times. I've been able to attack trails with the same mentality and line choice as my mountain bike, and I've rarely had to muscle the bike into submission.

Overall, For a 150mm travel, lightweight eMTB, the Levo SL has continuously surprised me with its ability to mitigate gnarly terrain while simultaneously making me forget that it's an e-bike. And that pretty well sums up why the Levo SL has again risen to the top of the lightweight eMTB segment, as it will allow riders to go further or longer without drastically changing the on-trail experience relative to a typical mountain bike ride.

Potential Weaknesses?

It's difficult to poke holes in the new Levo SL after only a few rides, and any potential long-term issues will take time to snuff out. Specialized is pretty good about doing its homework and ensuring newly launched bikes are bulletproof, which leaves me pretty confident that the new Levo SL will withstand gobs of abuse while remaining a relevant model for years to come. The only potential weaknesses I see with the Levo SL come down to price, motor size, and battery capacity.

Complaining about the price of a new eMTB in 2023 is about as annoying as complaining about headset-routed cables, but I'll do it anyways. Having to drop a minimum of $8,000 to experience the new Levo SL is a tough pill to swallow and will keep many riders from swinging a leg over the bike. I don't have the answers on how to lower the barrier of entry for such a bike, but if your budget is tight, there are other lightweight eMTBs with lower price tags.

As for motor and battery size, the new Levo SL offers plenty of assistance and range to meet the needs of most riders. However, compared to other lightweight e-bikes, the Levo SL does not have the most powerful motor or largest battery. Is this a negative or a weakness? That depends on what you prioritize. The Levo SL might not allow you to Turbo up climbs for as long as other bikes, but it does offer exceptional on-trail performance, making it a joy to ride.

What's The Bottom Line?

Building off the success of their inaugural lightweight eMTB, Specialized's Levo SL Gen 2 combines modern trail bike geometry with a more powerful motor to deliver riders a capable and versatile 150mm travel bike. Boasting significantly improved descending confidence matched with the same climbing dominance and lively personality that made the inaugural Levo SL so revolutionary, riders can expect a highly engaging, natural, and fun on-trail experience.

The Levo SL may no longer be the lightest bike in the lightweight e-segment. Still, it has remained incredibly maneuverable and now features trail-rated components to match its hard-charging abilities. Finally, with numerous geometry adjustments and endless motor and display customization, the Levo SL is positioned to remain a relevant and class-leading bike for the foreseeable future.

We are definitely on the verge of eMTBs providing a nearly identical on-trail experience to our mountain bikes, and the Levo SL Gen 2 makes a strong bid for only needing one bike to tackle any ride. Let us know in the comments what you think of the new Levo SL and if you think a lightweight e-bike could someday replace your mountain bike.

View key specs, compare e-bikes, and rate the new Specialized Turbo Levo SL in the Vital MTB Product Guide.

About The Tester

Jason Schroeder - Age: 28 // Years Riding MTB: 16 // Height: 6' (1.8m) // Weight: 180-pounds (79.3kg)

A once-upon-a-time World Cup downhill racer turned desk jockey, Jason has spent years within the bicycle industry from both sides of the tape. A fan of all-day adventures in the saddle or flowing around a bowl at the skatepark, he doesn't discriminate from any two-wheeled activity. A SoCal native who doesn't spend too much time in any single place, you can find Jason camped out in his van most weekends somewhere on the West Coast.