Update 5 January 2025: “It’s been a bit since we first wrote about the Specialized Turbo Levo and though there have been changes since, we still don’t know if there’s a better, more well-rounded dose of electronic fun than this bike. Plus, you don’t need to completely plunder your kids’ college savings fund to spring for the highest-spec version. We’re plenty happy with the alloy model with entry-level components. Tons of power and one of the best-designed frames in the business equals more fun and more riding.”
Let’s cut to the chase: the Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy might just be the Best Electric Mountain Bike I’ve ever ridden. Having experienced a range of e-MTBs, from personal ownership to demo models and borrowing from friends, the third-generation Turbo Levo Alloy stands out. This entry-level model in the Turbo Levo lineup achieves something remarkable – a seamless integration of motor and bike. It truly feels like the designers have finally nailed the e-MTB concept. Beyond the electric assist, the Turbo Levo is built upon a fantastic platform, essentially a Stumpjumper EVO mullet with a powerful motor. Equipped with Specialized’s new Turbo Full Power System 2.2, this e-bike has me questioning if I even need a traditional mountain bike anymore. Whether you call them acoustic or analog, the Turbo Levo is making a strong case for electric dominance in my garage.
Let’s dive into what makes this alloy base model tick.
Component Highlights of the Turbo Levo Alloy
The foundation is an alloy frame featuring a mullet wheel configuration – a 29-inch wheel up front for rolling efficiency and obstacle clearance, paired with a 27.5-inch rear wheel for agility. Suspension duties are handled by a RockShox 35 Silver fork offering 150mm of travel and a Rockshox Deluxe Select R shock delivering 160mm at the rear. The drivetrain is a SRAM Eagle mix, utilizing SX and NX components for reliable shifting performance. Stopping power comes from SRAM G2 four-piston brakes with substantial 200mm rotors. A Trans X dropper post, with travel varying by frame size, provides on-the-fly saddle adjustability. Powering the ride is a potent 90Nm motor fueled by a 700Wh battery. This combination delivers significant power, even considering the bike’s weight, which is just over 50 pounds depending on the frame size.
Riding Experience: Balanced, Confident, and Fun
So, how does all this translate onto the trail? In a word: balanced. The Turbo Levo Alloy offers a remarkably neutral and confidence-inspiring ride. While not designed as a dedicated downhill bike, it confidently tackles black diamond trails without hesitation. It’s playful and agile, easily handling jumps and holding your chosen lines thanks to its short chainstays. This e-MTB is ready to party on challenging trails but equally content for more relaxed rides. It’s a versatile machine that adapts to your riding mood.
Seamless and Quiet Power Delivery
The power delivery of the Turbo Levo Alloy is exceptionally smooth and refined. The motor operates with a whisper-quiet demeanor, a noticeable improvement over other e-bike motors I’ve experienced. It doesn’t feel like an afterthought, but rather an integral part of the bike’s design. This e-MTB embodies the original vision of e-bike pioneers – a harmonious blend of motor and mountain bike performance. It redefines what an electric mountain bike can be, moving beyond simply adding a motor to a traditional frame.
Whether this appeals to you is, of course, subjective. However, the objective reality is that the Turbo Levo Alloy makes mountain biking significantly more accessible and enjoyable. With this bike in your garage, excuses for skipping a ride dwindle. Feeling tired? The e-assist has you covered. Too hot? An e-bike makes even summer climbs more manageable. Unlike some bulkier e-MTBs that feel excessive unless you’re tackling extreme terrain, the Turbo Levo Alloy mirrors the ride characteristics of the beloved Stumpjumper, but amplified with speed and ease. And who wouldn’t want more fun on the trails?
When bike designers first sat down at the drawing board to imagine what e-mtbs could be, this is likely what they envisioned coming far in the future.
Beyond the Trail: Versatility and Everyday Riding
One of the unexpected joys of the Turbo Levo Alloy is its versatility beyond demanding mountain bike trails. It’s surprisingly comfortable and enjoyable for casual rides around town or light-duty excursions. During a rare snow day in Marin County, California, I hopped on the Levo and effortlessly climbed 2,000 feet to play in the snow. A similar ride on my acoustic bike would have been a significant undertaking, consuming a large portion of the afternoon. On the Levo, it transformed into a quick lunchtime adventure. If a guest needs a bike to join a leisurely ride around town with my kids and our e-cargo bike, the Levo is perfectly suited, without feeling like overkill. Despite the advanced technology integrated into this bike, it retains a familiar and intuitive feel, more akin to a regular bike than many other e-bikes I’ve ridden.
Tech and Customization (Or Lack Thereof)
Specialized is known for incorporating technology into their bikes, and the Turbo Levo Alloy is no exception. Mechanically, riders can adjust the steering angle using swappable steering cups and fine-tune chainstay length and bottom bracket height with flip chips. Digitally, the Specialized app unlocks extensive customization options for motor power delivery. This includes adjusting acceleration responsiveness, power output for each assist mode, and other parameters.
Interestingly, I haven’t felt the need to delve into these customization options. Setting the bike up for my height and weight was sufficient. For riders who enjoy fine-tuning geometry and power settings, the Turbo Levo Alloy offers ample opportunity for geeking out. However, for those who prefer a simpler approach, the bike performs exceptionally well straight out of the box – just point and ride.
Price Point and Value
The price of the Turbo Levo Alloy is a crucial factor. Currently retailing for around $5,000 on sale at various retailers, including specialized.com, it was initially priced at $5,800. This makes it the most affordable Turbo Levo model (excluding the lighter-powered Turbo Levo SL, which can be found for under $4,000). Stepping up to the S-Works Turbo Levo pushes the price to around $12,000 for the top-of-the-line model.
But here’s the compelling point: the base model Turbo Levo Alloy delivers exceptional performance without requiring a premium price tag. While it features some budget-conscious components like plastic shifters, a basic dropper post lever, and no electronic shifting or carbon fiber, it absolutely excels on the trail. It consistently brings a smile to my face, and I haven’t found myself wanting to upgrade components during rides. Furthermore, the alloy frame offers impressive durability, a quality I can’t always attest to with carbon frames I’ve owned.
Final Verdict: A Truly Realized E-MTB
Specialized has cracked the code with the Turbo Levo Alloy. While e-MTBs have been evolving rapidly, this model, in my opinion, is the first truly realized vision of what an electric mountain bike can be.
Despite my enthusiasm, I’m not ready to trade in my acoustic full suspension bike just yet. There’s a certain intangible connection I haven’t quite found with e-bikes. Perhaps it’s the removal of the physical struggle on climbs, or maybe it’s the reliance on battery power. The ever-ready nature of an acoustic bike, the simple synergy of muscle and metal – there’s a romantic element that resonates deeply. While I haven’t yet forged that same bond with any e-bike, even the best electric mountain bike I’ve ridden, the Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy comes incredibly close. It is, without a doubt, the best e-MTB I’ve experienced.
Words by Justin Housman
