It’s time to cut to the chase: the Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy is, hands down, the best electric mountain bike (e-MTB) I’ve ever ridden. Having spent years on various e-mountain bikes, from personal purchases to demos and borrowed rides, the third-generation Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy, the most accessible model in the Turbo Levo range, stands out. It’s the first e-bike that truly feels like designers have seamlessly merged the motor and the bike into a unified, high-performance machine. Beyond the motor integration, it’s simply a phenomenal mountain bike platform. Think of the Turbo Levo as a Stumpjumper EVO mullet, but amplified with electric power – a truly winning combination. Paired with Specialized’s potent new Turbo Full Power System 2.2, this Specialized Electric Mountain Bike has me questioning if I even need a traditional mountain bike anymore. Let’s dive into why this e-MTB has set a new benchmark.
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what the base alloy model of this specialized electric mountain bike offers. The foundation is an alloy frame configured with a mullet setup – a 29-inch wheel upfront for rolling efficiency and a 27.5-inch wheel at the rear for agility. Suspension duties are handled by a RockShox 35 Silver fork providing 150mm of travel, and a Rockshox Deluxe Select R shock in the rear with 160mm of travel. For shifting, it uses a combination of SRAM SX and NX Eagle components, representing SRAM’s latest value-oriented groupsets. Stopping power comes from SRAM G2 four-piston brakes with substantial 200mm rotors. A Trans X dropper post, with travel varying by frame size, handles saddle adjustments on the fly. And at the heart of it all is a formidable 90Nm motor powered by a 700Wh battery. This powertrain delivers an incredible amount of thrust, even for a bike that tips the scales just over 50 pounds, depending on the frame size.
But how does all of this translate to the trail? In short: exceptionally well.
Ride Quality and Performance of the Turbo Levo Alloy
The ride feel of this specialized electric mountain bike is characterized by balance and neutrality. It inspires confidence across a wide range of terrains. While it’s not designed to be a dedicated downhill bike, it certainly won’t back down when pointed towards a black diamond trail. It handles jumps with composure, holds its line accurately, and feels surprisingly nimble thanks to its short chainstays. This bike is ready for aggressive riding but equally content for more relaxed cruising. It’s versatile enough to be playful on challenging trails and comfortable enough for less demanding rides.
The power delivery from the Specialized Turbo Full Power System 2.2 motor is remarkably smooth and refined. Notably, the motor operates with a whisper-quiet performance, especially when compared to other e-bike motors I’ve experienced. It truly doesn’t feel like a conventional mountain bike with a motor tacked on; instead, it feels like a mountain bike meticulously engineered from the ground up, with the motor’s performance characteristics deeply integrated into its design. This specialized electric mountain bike likely embodies the original vision of bike designers when they first conceived of the potential of e-MTBs – a seamless fusion of human and electric power.
Whether that concept excites you, or perhaps even raises an eyebrow, is a matter of personal preference. However, objectively speaking, this bike undeniably makes mountain biking significantly more accessible and enjoyable. Owning a Turbo Levo Alloy drastically shrinks the list of excuses for not hitting the trails. Feeling tired? Not an issue with an e-bike. Too hot outside? The electric assist makes it far more manageable. Unlike some bulkier e-MTBs that feel excessive unless you’re tackling extreme terrain, the Turbo Levo Alloy rides with the familiar agility of a Stumpjumper, but with added ease and speed. 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.
Versatility Beyond the Trails: Urban and Everyday Riding
One of the unexpected delights of this specialized electric mountain bike is its comfortable and enjoyable performance even beyond dedicated mountain bike trails. It’s surprisingly adept for riding around town or handling light-duty tasks. During a rare snowfall in my area of Marin County, California, I hopped on the Levo to effortlessly climb 2,000 feet to play in the snow. This same ride on my traditional mountain bike would be a strenuous, afternoon-long undertaking. On the Levo, it became a quick lunchtime adventure. Furthermore, if a guest needs a bike to join me and my kids on our e-cargo bike for a casual ride around town, the Levo is perfectly suitable. It doesn’t feel like overkill in these less demanding scenarios. Despite the advanced technology integrated into this bike, it manages to feel more like a regular, approachable bike than any other e-bike I’ve ridden.
Tech and Customization: Fine-Tuning Your Ride
Specialized is known for incorporating technology into their bikes, and this specialized electric mountain bike is no exception. Mechanically, riders can adjust the steering angle using swappable headset cups and modify the chainstay length and bottom bracket height via flip chips at the chainstays. Digitally, the Specialized app unlocks a deep level of customization for the motor’s power delivery. You can fine-tune acceleration responsiveness, adjust the power output for each assist mode, and explore a range of other parameters.
However, personally, I found the stock settings to be excellent. After setting up the bike for my weight and height, I didn’t feel the need to delve into further customization. For riders who enjoy experimenting with geometry and power settings, the Turbo Levo Alloy offers ample opportunity for fine-tuning. But for those who prefer to simply ride, it’s perfectly capable right out of the box.
Price Point and Value Proposition
The price of this specialized electric mountain bike is a significant factor. Currently retailing for around $5,000 at various retailers, including specialized.com, it’s a compelling value, especially considering its original price of $5,800. This is the most affordable Turbo Levo model available (excluding the lighter-powered Turbo Levo SL, which can be found for under $4,000). Stepping up to the top-tier S-Works Turbo Levo will set you back around $12,000.
But is the premium price justified? For most riders, the answer is likely no. While the base model features some budget-conscious components like plastic shifters and a basic dropper post lever, and lacks high-end features like electronic shifting and carbon fiber, its performance on the trail is undeniably impressive. During my rides, I never felt limited by any of the components. Furthermore, the alloy frame offers a robustness that carbon frames sometimes lack.
Final Verdict: A Game-Changing E-MTB
Specialized has truly “cracked the code” with the Turbo Levo Alloy. While e-MTBs have been steadily improving, this model represents a significant leap forward, feeling like the first truly fully realized specialized electric mountain bike.
Despite my enthusiasm for the Turbo Levo Alloy, I’m not quite ready to trade in my traditional full-suspension mountain bike. There’s still a certain intangible connection I feel with acoustic bikes – a romance in the simplicity of muscle power and metal, always ready to ride without needing a charge. While the Turbo Levo Alloy is unequivocally the best e-bike I’ve ever experienced, that deep-seated connection remains with my un-motorized bikes. However, for anyone seeking a top-performing, versatile, and incredibly fun e-mountain bike, the Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy sets a new gold standard.
Words by Justin Housman
