2023 EMTB Shootout - Specialized Levo Review
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- čas přidán 10. 05. 2023
- #mountainbike #specializedbikes
Back for another round of reviewing is the 2023.5 Specialized Turbo Levo. If you’ve been following our site for a while, then there’s a chance that you’ll already be well aware of the Specialized Turbo Levo. Taking our Best in Test for the Trail category of our 2022 eMTB Shootout, it’s safe to say the Levo is a bike who’s performance and ride quality we truly appreciate. With fresh spec updates to dress it in the latest components, hence the 2023.5 model year notation. We were excited to include the Turbo Levo in our 2023 eMTB Shootout to see if it still set the benchmark for trail e-Mountain Bike performance.
From the Dissected feature when the latest generation Turbo Levo first launched, through its coverage in our eMTB Shootout last year, we’d say we’ve covered the ins and outs of the Specialized Turbo Levo quite extensively, so let us give you a quick run through and get onto how it stacks up to the latest wave of electric mountain bikes. Click either of the above links if you want to dive into the weeds of this highly customizable eMTB.
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#turbolevo #specializedlevo #mountainbiking - Sport
You inspired me so much with this video and edit back in august last year to end up a very proud owner of a 2023 turbo levo expert last summer. After replacing the factory rear shock with an ohlins coil shock it absolutely transformed this already jack of all trades amazing bike to an absolute weapon! Thanks so much for the brilliant reviews and hard work with all your projects - ride on!
Louder than a Shimano?! Mine (the Comp Carbon) is whisper quiet.
Absolutely love my Levo
You guys dropped some hints as to the differences between the Shimano, Bosch and Specialized motors. I hope you delve into them in more detail in the round up. Great job, really looking forward to tomorrow!
I've been riding my pro model aggressively for 8 months now and if I absolutely LOVE it you should know of the following drawbacks: 2 times back to the shop for random motor shutdown (it now seems stable), finicky charging protection door will break at the first rock encounter (I bought a huge motor cover), stock carbon wheels are 28 spokes and went out of true after 2 aggressive rides (I'm 70kgs, switched them to hx1700), and the specialized motor, if more silent than the Bosch and has on paper higher torque isn't NEARLY as powerful IRL, neither as efficient (I'm experiencing less power AND less range with the default settings/700wh battery than my friends on bosch gen3-4/625wh or shimano ep8/720wh). All in all with all those fixes, and the micro tune you can end up with a great bike with excellent riding characteristics but it is NOT worth it's full retail price.
Flip chips aside it has 5 sizes to choose. If the Levo don’t suit you probably you need to go back to the zoo cage.
There’s definitely a Levo set up for everyone.
Couple weeks ago I paid 3000US (2700EU) for a new Stumpjumper Comp Carbon. This exact same Bike was over 5k around last Christmas, heck, even the box it came in had the 5k price sticker on it.
So I'm happy now 😁
But I did testride the Scott Lumen eRide and the Trek Fuel Exe for a couple of days, and I have to say I was really impressed!
I just rented an alloy comp version of this bike at Kanuga bike park. My regular bike is an s-works stumpy evo with Fox factory suspension and all the other good stuff.
The comp alloy Levo was awesome. Obviously, it’s heavy, but the weight wasn’t as noticeable once you started going and almost added some stability in the air. It jumped and turned really well. The suspension felt just as good as my Fox factory stuff. The only thing I’d change are the sram brakes, they are noisy and squishy (modulation? Lol!). No way I’d pay 13k for this model when the comp alloy gets the job done and then some.
Ok good, no buyers remorse on my ‘22 with no life changing updates on the ‘23 😂 these bikes truly are a do it all bike, I love it
Another rad series! Thank you
If you can get past the lack of a screen the alloy comp when on sale is around $5k. Upgrade the brakes, dropper to 200mm+, and drop a marzocchi coil in the fork and you'll have a solid bike
Sounds like a recipe for a good time!
I've been eyeing the comp Kenevo that is 6k right now, comes with a 180 Z1 and Fox Float X. I've just struggling to find up to date reviews and rider input on the Kenevo as it seems unpopular compared to the Levo and SLs. What sucks is comp only gets a 500w battery, and to upgrade to the expert with a 700w is $6.8k, at that price for me I might as well consider one of these other bikes brand new. I want a full 27.5 ebike but I'm worried Kenevo being overkill.
Exactly what I did :). Phenomenal bike!!
@@LastAphelion the alloy comp has the 700w battery, the standard alloy base model is the one with a 500w battery
@@chawkins45ify I don't know what you're correcting but all they have is Kenevo Comp with 500 and Kenevo Expert with 700 like I said
Nice bike, thank guys !
Hi Guys, good review, Wondering if it possible to know what suspension settings you ended with?
How long do these motors and batteries last before they wear out?
You guys bring it on point! 👌🏼😉
Thank you.
Woud love to see a giant reign e+ too
Tremendous even more excited for my Expert model to show up! I think I will upgrade it to the transmission as time passes but will likely wait for an update to correct a few issues I've heard. Plus, yeah, that shifter needs to go.. What a step backwards from the previous. I know a local shop is recommending everyone buy the older pod when they order the new transmission.
Congrats and you are definitely going to be excited on that new bike. Enjoy.
Just got a s3 levo carbon best bike love it
I've got a 22 Levo coming off a KSL, it's superb, really impressed with the handling, power, integration of TCU/battery/Motor and overall build quality. The 'Expert' level has always been the sweet-spot in my opinion, switch out a few key components and you've got the perfect bike and saved a few $k
do you miss the travel of the KSL? i like to get a little sendy and im worried the levo wont be enough
Hey guys - very good presentation! A real beast for enduro and dh is the one and only - Specialized turbo Kenevo Expert. You should test it. No limits...
Been riding my 23 expert Levo for about 8 months, it absolutely does tick a lot of boxes. Suspension is amazing, she is an extremely fast and capable bike. One drawback IMO is the wheels. Upgraded these (which seems a bit crazy for a bike at this price point) and she really shines. Next is the cascade link, and I look forward to seeing your review! BTW next year you should do your E-bike shootout here in Bentonville...
If we have another annoyingly long winter like we did this year, we might just have to make our way back east again.
@Loam Wolf Do you think a Specialized Turbo Levo S-Works or an Orbea Wild FS M-LTD is a better bike? Why or why not?
Great review
Thank you.
Brakes!!! How are you guys getting along with the brakes? My 22 Expert, squeals while braking and feel soft. Rather not upgrade if I can, otherwise looking at MT7 or Saint. What is your secret Loam Wolf Team ?
so the 2022 expert at £7500 is the bike to get then, or the 2022 pro at £9500?
can you review the fox v1 pilot
Hello drew. Would you choose the full power levo over the new levo SL and why?
I personally would go with a full power but some of the crew may pick SL. I like more range and more power.
@@TheLoamWolf thanks drew. I am testing the SL next week I will report back.
I happened to buy the Orbea Wild m-team last month and wholeheartedly agree with your eMTB of year 😁😁😁
I weigh 204 lb with gear. I’d love to see your suspension settings and how much they changed between riders and why.
Personally I want a nice plush ride but still want to pop off the occasional feature.
I wish I would have bought an expert. I bought an alloy comp and put a 38 elite up front. Bikes were full price when I got it. For a 1300.00 more now could have ended up with the expert.
Help me wrap my head around the high cost of these high-end e-mtb's. I can't get to the point to where manufactures can justify $13K for bicycles. Compare a bicycle to a $13K motorcycle such as an Indian Scout. Componants on a bicycle doesnt come close to componants on any motorcycle. Some will say there is research and developement that goes into e-bikes that increase the final product. I would say there is also research and developement that goes into a Indian Scout motorcycle. I also don't buy into carbon fiber frames as a reason to sell these bikes at these prices. What am i not getting (other than this bike)?
As someone who’s owned a manufacturing company for many years, I’ll be the first to tell you that’s it’s mostly marketing first and R & D second but I realize that it’s more complicated at the same time. Remember, it’s mostly the rider. Peace to all.
Is worth a $500 upgrade from the Expert?
What would you say the average distance you could get on charge?
Tons of variables there.. but you could get either 45+ miles or 20 depending on.
Don’t know about the new one, but my 2020 Levo Comp Alloy with the 700wh battery does pretty good. Just yesterday I rode it 24 miles with 4800 feet of climbing, and it still showed 40% battery remaining.
Didn’t know any Levo’s came with Transmission…how do we get one?
Its a running update for the 2023.5 models. Specialized has told us they will be available to consumers and hitting showroom floors around June 6th.
I didn’t care so much for the new POD shifter/controller either so I went with the previous version controller and I have no complaints.
We are right there with you, new POD shifter feels like a step backwards in ease of use / ergonomics. We'd likely switch to the original shifter too if we had one lying around.
These bikes have been on sale on specialized or many bike shops since November. I feel like specialized needs to just change their prices if you can regularly get them way cheaper. The aluminum version is also a great value with all the sales.
Yes, I just got one no upgrades needed yet.
My 2020 levo motor is louder than shimano, so this new one is the same. interested in this bike or fezzari timp peak. which one more nimble / playful ?
New levos come with gen 3 motor they are much quieter. I would say levo are much more nimble due to mullet set up and the geo adjustments
$13,000……. are you sh!tting me!!!
No surprise, still the king of e-bikes.
The only con is with SRAM’s less than ideal , very expensive wireless shifter. I would be perfectly happy with a cable and conventional shift lever.
It’s the 911 of the e-bike world.
Nope, NEVER warranting 13k for a bicycle, even with a motor! 1/2 that is even pushing it.
For anyone disgusted with the price, do yourself a favor and find a comp alloy to try. Willing to bet the spec is more than enough bike for most, and will leave you smiling.
no cons, do it all well. thats the levo❤
$13,000. That could buy a modified Honda CR450R...a real motor bike.
I have a 2023 levo expert. It has been defective from purchase. I’ve had it to 4 shops. No success and once again it’s in the shop. No help from specialized. $9,000 plus is a lot for a bike that does not function. If that is acceptable for you then this bike is for you! It looks super cool.
Did you really just end this video with the statement that 'you get $13k worth of performance out of this bike'? Give me a break
I’m sure he meant that it’s a bit louder than a Bosch motor and a little bit quieter than a Shimano motor😅
Only 13k? What a great deal!🤑
Couple weeks ago I paid 3000US (2700EU) for a new Stumpjumper Comp Carbon. This exact same Bike was over 5k around last Christmas, heck, even the box it came in had the 5k prise sticker on it.
I personally think 13k is just to way much 🙃
Can you tell me max speed of this bike
Depends on how steep of a downhill you're on and how little you touch the brakes! 😂 If you're asking about max pedal assist speed, then it's the same as all other Class 1 eMTB's, which is 20mph.
@@TheLoamWolf Thank You.
I can run faster🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You must be a fast runner!!
add a cascade link and bigger fork this thing charges even harder!!
We got one for our Alloy model! Stay tuned
I've had a cascadelink on my gen 3 levo for just about a year now. It transforms the bike to an Enduro bike. Even if you don't want the added 10 mL suspension, it makes it more plush with better traction.
@@TheLoamWolf I actually own the alloy model as well
@@steve4296 How much do you weigh? I am 200. new comp carbon and I run my Float X at 248 like recommended. It absolutely rips flow trails due to the support but anything chunky is a tooth rattling hang on ride! . Think the link will help? I really want to put an X2 once fox figures the issues out.
@@Chris-rh5lv I weigh 175. I love the X2 even though it has its reliability issues. The tooth rattling you are talking about might be your suspension setup. Have you, or someone who knows how to properly tune the suspension, set it up? If not then that’s most likely the problem in the chunky stuff. And I don’t mean just tuning the shock, the fork and shock have to be balanced, otherwise it’s going to perform poorly in rough terrain.
Buy a house -vs- buy a bike
Though decision.
22 levo carbon expert on sale for 8200... mo betta
You'll hear no arguments from us haha.
I have a 2021 Turbo levo Comp and was thinking of getting a newer 2022 or 2023 model . But I don't want the small 27.5 back wheel and I prefer my Shimano drivetrain and brakes. I have a 700 kw battery. I really don't see any incentive to buy a newer bike .
Yeti water bottle 😜
I really don't like the huge carbon blob that surrounds the motor on this bike.....
I agreed at first, but then i love it, its not a bike, but an ebike, as you know. But when you ride it, it feels so slim. i said to a friend, that have focus sam that it is chuncky down there, he agree, but then said, look at my tube from seat to steering, its huge, when you sit on that bike, you cant forget its a ebike, with turbo levo you do... when going down!
Not so good paint scheme though. I wish they kept the Turbo Levo pro 2022 color scheme.
I believe Specialized has the best bang for the buck for any model you choose, and when you consider rider/warranty support. No other company covers you as well and you can alway find a dealer
They do a good job for sure. Not sure the ultimate value is incredible though.
Best bang for the buck?!?! Please share where u buy your crack from😂
@@mtbmike9866 Just got last years comp for 5200 and with the dealer support a great deal!
You're right but for me there's a trek shop close and the only specialized dealer is a ridiculously overpriced bike shop that charges for everything
Just my opinion...talking about ebike bottom bracket height/drop is completely useless, as the bulkiness, rotation and placement of the motor determines the real life height of your bike...
Thanks for sharing but we hit our cranks and pedals way more than we hit the moto or frame, so to us, these numbers are important.
13k have a laugh....