Turbo Levo SL
Origin
The Turbo Levo SL arrived in 2020 as Specialized's answer to a question nobody else was asking yet: what if an eMTB pedaled and handled like a regular trail bike, only slightly heavier? Built around the lightweight in-house SL 1.1 motor (35 Nm, 240 W) and a 320 Wh internal battery, the first-generation Levo SL weighed around 17 kg — closer to an analog bike than a full-power Levo. Specialized engineers in Morgan Hill worked with Mahle in Italy to develop the original SL drive unit, then brought the second-generation SL 1.2 fully in-house. The Gen 2 Levo SL launched in late 2023 with 43 percent more torque (50 Nm), 33 percent more power (320 W), mixed 29/27.5 wheels, adjustable geometry, and a 34–45 percent quieter motor. The platform pioneered the modern light-eMTB category, ahead of Trek's Fuel EXe and Orbea Rise.
Specifications
- Frame
- Gen 2 carbon trims: FACT 11m full-carbon frame (front + rear triangle). A Comp Alloy trim uses an M5 aluminium frame. Both use a flip-chip near the rear axle to switch between mullet (29"/27.5") and full 29" rear wheel.
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- SRAM XX Eagle Transmission AXS 12sp (S-Works/S-Works LTD), SRAM X0/X01 Eagle Transmission AXS 12sp (Pro), SRAM GX Eagle 1×12 mechanical (Comp Carbon), SRAM NX Eagle 1×12 mechanical 11-50t (Comp Alloy)
- Brakes
- SRAM Code 4-piston hydraulic disc, 200 mm rotors. Code Ultimate Stealth (S-Works LTD), Code Silver/RS (S-Works/Pro), Code RS (Comp Carbon), Code R (Comp Alloy).
- Wheels
- Mullet stock: 29" front / 27.5" rear; flip-chip allows full 29"/29". Specialized/Roval alloy or carbon (S-Works) rims depending on trim.
The verdict
- Class-leading lightweight chassis (from ~17.4 kg) that pedals and handles almost like an analog trail bike, with minimal drag when the motor is off.
- Highly adjustable, adaptable geometry — three head-angle positions, BB flip-chip, and mullet/full-29 wheel conversion let riders tune the bike to terrain and style.
- Excellent suspension feel: 150/160 mm with the Fox-developed Genie shock delivers some of the best descending composure in the light-eMTB class.
- SL 1.2 motor is among the quietest eMTB drive units (34–45% quieter than SL 1.1) and feels natural rather than over-assisted.
- Polished ecosystem: MasterMind TCU, Mission Control app, and optional 160 Wh range extender give strong day-to-day usability.
- Motor lacks outright torque and power (50 Nm / 320 W) — riders accustomed to full-power eMTBs cannot keep up on steep climbs.
- Small 320 Wh internal battery limits range (~32 km with 1000 m of climbing); the range extender adds cost and uses the bottle-cage mount.
- Component spec is mean for the price on lower trims — NX drivetrain and basic SRAM Code R brakes on the Comp Alloy lack power and feel relative to its cost.
- Stock rear tire casing is too light for the bike's capability — it deforms and is prone to pinch flats/tears on rough terrain.
- Dropper posts are shorter than rivals and the display, while functional, is less refined than the newest competing units.
Who it’s for
Related models
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