Specialized Turbo Levo SL

7000–14000 EUR

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

Drivetrain: SRAM GX/XX Eagle Transmission AXS 12-speed (Pro/S-Works), SRAM GX Eagle AXS 12-speed (Expert), SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed mechanical (Comp Carbon)

Who it’s for

Trail riders who value handling and on-trail feel over raw assistance, especially those who can't or won't accept the weight penalty of a full-power eMTB. Ideal for riders shuttling between analog and electric bikes, those riding flowy singletrack rather than steep alpine descents, and lighter or older riders who want help with climbs without a 24 kg machine.

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