It also offers a comfortable ride on everyday trails without requiring a full face helmet and spine protection. You can even use the app to set a target heart rate and the bike will provide more assistance if your heart rate goes above this number or drop the assistance when it gets too low. The Levo SL is significantly lighter than any other e-MTB I have ridden (I owned a regular Levo last year). The cheapest Turbo Levo SL Comp uses an alloy frame, while the rest are full-carbon. In the stock Trail mode, Ive been able to rack up around 1,400-1,500m of elevation gain over a 40-50km ride. - Active, traction-seeking suspension The results of my experiment are an obvious increase in elevation compared to a regular mountain bike. Thats despite the retail price having jumped by $2,000 AUD. Thats a hefty difference that youll appreciate when loading the bike into the back of a car, and its also very noticeable on the trail. Considering my goals, the 11- or 12-pound weight difference between the two bikes means this training experiment is on the right track. Hubs: DT Swiss 370, three-pawl system. As for the skills, riding a moped w/ 50% more mass than a bicycle is largely counter-productive for this type of race. Super-light padding with gel inserts for comfort and support on longer rides. Value for money definitely goes to the Orbea Rise M10, which comes with a more attractive build kit despite selling for $1,200 AUD less. This is where the e-bike comes in and gets really exciting. For the spec, we included a 1x Shimano GRX group to take on shifting and braking duties, while DT R470 Boost wheels get wrapped in wide 38mm Pathfinder Pro tires to keep you rolling . What if an e-MTB could make you a fitter, faster mountain bike rider? Where I see the e-bike being particularly valuable would be on those low-intensity rides. This comes as standard on the S-Works model, but costs 300 /$450 as an aftermarket option, and weighs about a kilo. Having lived with the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon for a while now theres little to grumble about with this high-end eMTB. S 125mm, M/L 150mm, XL 170mm, Specialized Trail, forged alloy, four-bolt, 5mm rise, 40mm, Specialized Butcher (f) / Eliminator (r), GRID TRAIL casing, GRIPTON compound, 29 x 23in. Youd rather stick with a cheap and cheerful electric mountain bike. While it's easy enough stick to a specified wattage effort by manually altering the motors output through the bar-mounted control, I decided that I would prefer to reduce mental energy and just ride. When it comes to the best electric bikes, premium models like the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon model are always going to be big-ticket items. The lower weight and tighter geometry means the Levo SL offers a more playful feel with agile handling. New Specialized-developed motor weighs 1.9kg, while motor and battery combined tip the scales less than just the motor on the Turbo Levo Weight and space saving comes from power reduction power 240w output and 320wh battery New Range Extender battery with 160wh fits into bike's bottle cage Why you can trust TechRadar At the time of writing, the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon is on offer too, and this bike maker regularly runs similar discount deals for different markets. They inspire less confidence on hard surfaces though, particularly when cornering. There was already a lot to like about the original Specialized Levo SL Expert we tested last year. Whether you're looking for diet meals to help you lose weight or hearty, healthy meals for weight gain, NutriFit will create a plan specifically for you. The problem was the system's exclusive reliance on heart rate. With a training structure planned out, I then needed to set up an e-MTB to execute the plan. The power assist I believe retrains your muscles and kills fast twitch. I got my 2018 comp carbon levo down to 20.7 kilos, i dont understand how they can ask the same money for a bike that has less battery, frame and motor weight, and really only saving +2kilos. In the rare moments he's not working he's usually out and about on one of numerous e-bikes in his collection. ROWDY DESCENTS. However, this is a well-respected brand, and for good reason. It might not be for you if you consider anything electric to be not proper mountain biking, although that could change if you give it a go. I would pick the Expert if it came with. Nothing! You'll often find him riding the same track ten times in a day, changing just one thing to pin down the differences. | E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine. If I podium at Downvielle, I'll write it. Specialized combine a lightweight Roval Traverse SL carbon wheelset with thin Eliminator GRID Trail tires. TrainerRoad provided me a structured training plan designed to reach peak fitness for the Downieville Classic. Through the Mission Control app, you can tweak the Support Power and the Peak Power for each mode. Otherwise both drive systems work well, despite having their quirks. Once dialled in, I found the Levo SL to be a really comfortable bike and a nice change from the latest crop of uber-long reach bikes. Battery life is displayed on the TCU head unit, which is integrated into the frames top tube. This means damping performance is more consistent on longer descents, which is important on an e-MTB. Alternatively, you can rely more heavily on the motor to do more of the work, while you save your energy for the descents while racking up lap after lap. A trainer? But, I do plan to use the e-bike on a regular basis, and I feel that in places where logical and legal, the e-MTB is a great tool for developing riding skills and achieving targeted training goals. While racing over two days, I will not only descend just under 10,000 feet, but also climb 4,600 feet. In turn, I achieved a massive increase in the volume of descent skills practice. Fork offset is consistent through the sizes at 51mm. All bikes use a Fox 34 fork and Fox DPS shock, SRAM G2 or Guide trail brakes, and SRAM Eagle 12-speed drivetrains. I mainly race Xc and out several hours a week in it, but then use ebike so I dont have to ride a trainer or road bike for recovery. 17.3kg Specialized Turbo Levo SL: first ride review - MBR Yup, the initial response of an e-bike has been an issue.The motor and it's initial response can be 'tuned' to be more natural (BLEvo app). Those Specialized Trail alloy handlebars feature an 8-degree backsweep with a 6-degree upsweep. . The Fox DPS shock is overworked too, becoming noticeably firmer and faster towards the end of long, rough descents. On the trail the Levo dishes out way more power than the Levo SL. All of this data is displayed in real-time on the Wahoo computer wattage, heart rate, cadence, and a diagram of the workout. No more manually increasing or decreasing motor power with my finger via the bar-mounted control. 644mm. Suspension quality and handling are also brilliant. The suspension rate is quite linear, which means its very plush and comfortable, something you do appreciate during seated climbing on rough sections of trail. IT'S YOU JUST GOING FASTERAND FURTHER The Turbo Levo SL is effectively a . As with last years bike, Ive been testing a Medium size in the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon to suit my 175cm height. I'm claiming mission accomplished. As someone who raced pro downhill and has coached a lot of top pros I highly recommend ebikes for part of your training. Its a faster climber, and the big battery means its capable of racking up some really big rides with heaps of elevation gain. The riding skills are obviously similar, like with a moto, but they are not analogous. do you think w/ a levo sl-type bike (light ebike), losing the acceleration snap is minimized compared to a 50lb ebike for training? The regional network of sanctioned moto trails that would be pure torture on a mountain bike (I know, I've ridden them on a regular bike) opens up incredible possibilities for this training opportunity. S snowbro New Member Jun 1, 2018 52 42 USA Feb 11, 2020 #8 And while its no downhill sled, the stronger brakes and improved front-end stability provided by the bigger Fox 36 fork has lifted its technical trail game by several notches. Cons: All sizes could be longer. With the tyres setup tubeless, our Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon came in at 17.84kg, without pedals. Tyre pressures were set at 22-23psi on the front, and 25-26.5psi on the rear, depending on conditions. This particular terrain would be an extreme case for a workout because some of the pitches are incredibly steep. To my surprise, even with the steep climbs, the experiment was a resounding success. This makes the riding experience quite different to full-power e-MTBs. Its a really playful bike, with a willingness to flick the back end out and change direction quickly when asked. You dont even need the bar-mounted controller or head-up display if you want maximum simplicity. Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert Carbon E-Bike, Specialized SL 1.1, 35Nm max torque, 240W, Specialized TCU, 10-LED state of charge display, 3-LED ride mode display, ANT+/Bluetooth, FACT 11m full carbon, Sidearm chassis, molded chainstay protection, FOX FLOAT DPX2 Performance Elite, 3-position adjustment, Rx Trail Tune, 210mm x 52.5mm, FOX FLOAT 36 Performance Elite, GRIP2 damper, high/low-speed compression adjust, high/low-speed rebound adjust, 51mm offset, Specialized Trail, 7050 alloy, 6 upsweep, 8 backsweep, 30mm rise, 780mm width, 35mm clamp diameter, Roval Traverse 29, alloy, 30mm inner width, 2Bliss ready, hand-built, 28 hole, Roval, 15x110mm Boost front, 12x148mm Boost rear with DT Swiss 360 3-pawl freehub and XD driver, Front: Specialized Butcher, GRID TRAIL casing, GRIPTON compound, 2Bliss ready, 29" x 2.3", Specialized Bridge Comp, hollow CrMo rails, X-Fusion Manic dropper, infinite adjustability, two-bolt head, SRL LE remote lever, Cast Battleship/Black, Gloss Sage/Forest Green, Satin Redwood/White Mountains, Lifetime frame and Roval wheels, 2 years Specialized components, 2 years or 300 charge cycles for battery, - Custom battery and motor management via Mission Control smartphone app, 2022 Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon LT 1 E-Bike, Vital Test Sessions - 4 eMTBs Reviewed Head-to-Head. Even manualing, bunny-hopping and jumping are barely harder than with a regular trail bike. I had a downloaded workout that included a series of nine intervals with corresponding rest periouds. Source: www.mtbiker.sk. All models have Specializeds SWAT multi-tool hidden in the steerer tube and water bottle cage fitted. Expensive considering the parts package. Its gained some weight over last years version, which clocked in at just 16.9kg for the S-Works model, and 17.6kg for the Expert. After testing the bike in South Africa, I managed about a thousand vertical metres from a full battery, in ideal conditions (dry trails and warm weather), using mostly the highest assistance mode. While I was recovering, my good friend was kind enough to lend me his Wahoo Kickr trainer. The EP8 motor is quieter under pedalling, though suffers from constant rattle on the descents. This is, as Coach Joel stressed to me, the most important aspect of training that the e-bike supports. The remainder would be low intensity. But, running and mountain bike racing are distinctly different. SpecializedTurbo Levo SL Expert 8,699 Specifications MotorSpecialized SL 1.1 35 Nm BatterySpecialized SL1-320 320 Wh DisplaySpecialized TCU ForkFOX 34 Performance 150 mm Rear ShockFOX DPS Performance 150 mm SeatpostX-Fushion Manic 125 - 170 mm BrakesSRAM G2 RSC 200/180 mm DrivetrainSRAM GX Eagle 1x12 StemSpecialized Trail 40 mm As mentioned earlier, the Levo and Levo SL both share the same amount of rear wheel travel at 150mm. You can also tell the app how far and how high you want to ride, and it will automatically adjust the assistance to get you to the end without running out. 155/143mm, X-Fusion Manic, infinite adjustable, two-bolt head, bottom mount cable routing, remote SRL LE lever, 34.9mm. Even though youve got the SL 1.1 motor and a battery on-board, the e-MTB doesnt feel at all cumbersome. The Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon is available now and is just one of several variations on the theme available directly from Specialized. Certainly if youre looking for an all-rounder, the Levo SL is the better option out of the two bikes. Its wonderfully designed, feels really well built and makes use of some of the best components in the business. Because of its length and the reduced offset fork, I did find the Rise benefits from a more assertive riding style. Will I use it for all of my easy days? The 2.3in tyres arent as easy to manage on loose climbs as fatter tyres either, so if you ride the SL with full-power e-bikes you may get left behind. no. Overall rating: Score 9 Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert C Pros: Superb suspension and impressive range. Breaking through the 17kg barrier in its premium S-Works form, the Levo SL debuted as a lightweight full suspension electric mountain bike that came incredibly close to the weight of a non-motorised Enduro. Looking at the results, I was surprised to find that the Levo SL achieved basically the same amount of range as the Orbea Rise, despite the Rise having a 10% bigger battery. The addition of power data results in a much more responsive and effective ride. Because its more compact than other frame-mounted engines, this has allowed Specialized to shrink the chainstay length from 455mm to 437mm. If the two bikes were fitted with identical tyres, the Rise would be a full kilo heavier than the Levo SL. On easy days, I just set the parameters, put my phone in my pocket, and carry on. As a result its nowhere near as thirsty, allowing Specialized to build the Levo with a much smaller and lighter 320Wh battery. - Fantastically agile and playful handling Heres how Ive currently got the Levo SL setup; To see how the Levo SLs range compares to some of the other e-MTBs weve been testing lately, including the Orbea Rise, I subjected it to our shuttle test. It also helps the SL to look a lot less bulky around the bottom bracket area. The 780mm wide riserbar has a great profile, and even the ergonomics for the dropper post and shift levers were appreciated. We ended up riding more than usual. The weight of an e-bike impacts performance on the trail, for better or worse, when compared to a regular mountain bike. Trail 4 was an extreme case, but it highlighted the issue. The trails that I spend most of my time on include massive climbs. - Intuitive power delivery, - Motor is still quite noisy Even still, the rocks are particularly tenacious around these parts, so as per usual I fitted a CushCore insert into the rear wheel. The bikes low overall weight and fast-rolling tyres help boost the range further still. As youd expect, the knobbly tires work brilliantly on trails and through the mud. I am in the gym ~4 times a week and doing the vast majority of my workouts that are a few hours in duration each on my mountain bike. 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