Specialized has launched the third generation of its Levo e-MTB, sporting refreshed geometry that provides a more "stable and natural ride" and a new Turbo Full Power motor with a 700Wh battery that has a range of up to five hours.
The new e-MTB comes solely as a mullet setup, with a 29er wheel in the front and a 27.5-inch wheel in the back. Mullet setups have become increasingly popular with enduro and downhill riders, as the bigger wheel leads to more roll-over ability while the smaller wheel supports nimble precision. The Levo uses 150mm of rear travel and 160mm of fork travel.
The Levo features a MasterMind Turbo Control Unit, which is operated using a display integrated onto the top tube. The MasterMind allows riders to adjust how much power the motor is providing in 10 percent increments, which means riders can control how fast or slow they want to go during a ride as well as conserve battery life. The unit also can display a real-time miles-per-watt-hour measurement to track pedaling efficiency. In addition to that, the unit has 30 different data categories, of which a rider can choose up to four to display at a time.
In terms of geometry, the Levo has gotten longer and slacker. The smaller rear wheel allowed engineers to shorten the chainstays too, which adds to the nimble feeling of the mullet setup. Specialized has also made the seat tube steeper for a better climbing position.
The geometry is also adjustable. The headtube angle can be adjusted from 63 to 65.5-degrees, and the bottom bracket can be adjusted up or down by 7mm, depending on rider size, preference, or intended use.
Speaking of sizes, the new bike uses Specialized's "S-Sizing" system, ranging from S1 to S6. Smaller numbers indicate a shorter reach and therefore more nimbleness, while larger numbers indicate a longer reach and more stability.
For the suspension, Specialized says it borrowed the leverage rate from the brand's Stumpjumper Evo and optimized it for an e-MTB. In addition, the engineers gave the suspension a custom RxTune, a specific valving that's meant for the bigger speed and forces of an e-MTB. Like every bike brand will claim, Specialized says that the suspension has supple small-bump sensitivity, strong mid-stroke support, and full-travel support for large hits.
The Levo S-Works and Pro models are available today, while an Expert model will be available in the summer.
The S-Works model features a SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS electronic drivetrain, Fox Factory suspension, and a RockShox Reverb dropper post. It rolls on Specialized's own 2.6in tires - a Butcher in the front and an Eliminator in the rear, both with Grid Trail casing. Magura MT7 brakes paired with 203mm rotors provide stopping power.
The main difference on the Pro model is that it uses a SRAM XO1 mechanical drivetrain, SRAM Code RSC brakes, and a Fox Transfer dropper seatpost. The Expert model also uses an XO1 drivetrain but is downgraded to Fox's Performance Elite line of suspension and an X-Fusion dropper post.
Specialized Levo pricing
- Levo S-Works: $15,000.00 / £13,000 / EU 13,999.00
- Levo Pro: $13,000.00 / £10,750 / EU 11,499.00
- Levo Expert: $11,000.00 / £8,500 / EU 9,299.00
