Specialized Levo 2022 in the first test: Small changes, big impact

Product news / test: That Specialized with the Turbo Levo practically shaped the era of e-mountain bikes, is certainly no secret. All the more exciting when the Americans announce a successor to the popular E-MTB in 2021. The third generation of the Turbo Levo is only available in carbon for the time being and at first glance it hardly differs from its predecessor. Nevertheless, it offers innovative innovations and is a very exciting E-MTB overall. You can find out why this is the case as well as the first riding impressions with the noble S-Works version of the Specialized Levo 2022 in the following lines.

Specialized Levo 3rd Gen Review: Contents

• Frame & wheel size
• New Geometry
• Modernized drive with display
• models and trim levels
• comparison to the predecessor
• Impressions from the trail

The Levo has always played the role of all-rounder within the Specialized E-MTB portfolio. If you want even more travel, you can use the Kenevo. For those who place more value on low weight, the "SL" models come into question. The new Turbo Levo remains true to this categorization, but still looks refreshed and clearly modernized - without obviously flaunting it to the outside world.

Specialized Turbo Levo 2022: in a nutshell

• New carbon frame
• 160 mm / 150 mm travel (front / rear)
• Mix of mullet wheel sizes: 29 inches at the front, 27,5 inches at the rear
• Specialized 2.2 motor with max. 90 Nm torque
• Removable 700 Wh battery
• New TCU "The Mastermind" display
• Price from 11.499 Euro

New frame and new wheel size

Only at second glance does it become apparent that the frame is a completely new development compared to the previous model. The lines of the new Levo remain almost unchanged, slim and well-proportioned tube shapes dominate and the well-known, asymmetrical frame encloses the damper mount. Thanks to the slightly modified design, a true-to-life DH damper and reservoir can now be accommodated in combination with a drinking bottle in the frame triangle.

It's also new Impeller size. While previous Levos used 29 inch wheels, the Specialized Levo 2022 now has one impeller mix. According to the Specialized engineers, the combination of 29 inches on the front wheel and 27.5 on the rear (each with a width of 2.6 inches) should not only improve handling, but also increase tire clearance on the rear end.

New geometry - now even with geometry adjustment

The geometry of the new Levo has also been adjusted: the chainstays can now be shorter at the rear due to the smaller wheel size; the seat angle is steeper and the head angle is about 1 degree flatter. In addition, it is now possible to further adjust the geometry.

The bottom bracket height can be adjusted via a flip chip on the dropout and special headset cups allow the steering angle to be changed by +- 1 degree. Specifically, this means that those who want to ride the steering angle of the "old" Levo can do so, as can those who prefer progressive setups. Top!

The sizes are also new: As already known from other Specialized models, the Americans rely on a size scaling from S1-S6. This means that the different sizes are no longer primarily defined by the length of the seat tube, but rather by the length of the bike. This should enable small riders to ride long bikes and vice versa. The size S6 is remarkable: with a reach of 532 mm, even tall riders should feel comfortable right away.

Motor, battery, display: everything new?

At first glance, the changes to the new Turbo Levo also appear to be rather small in terms of the drive system. The well-known "Specialized Motor" is used as the unit, which now gets the suffix "2.2". Based on a Brose motor, it provides a maximum of 90 Nm of torque and the latest revision features a number of hardware and software upgrades: an adapted freewheel and an updated belt are intended to increase reliability. Redundantly sealed plugs provide even more protection against water ingress. Thanks to the new firmware, it should also respond even more sensitively and naturally and deliver its performance even more consistently over the entire ride (no derating).

When it comes to the battery, everything stays the same. The slim, with 700 Wh quite ample battery can be removed by means of bolts and is elegantly integrated in the down tube. The currently available (carbon) versions also do not have the 500 Wh option.

display? Hasn't the Specialized Turbo Levo always distinguished itself by not having a display? Correct! The new Levo now has a real display for the first time, even if it is hardly noticeable and it sits in the usual place on the top tube.

The unit called "Mastermind TCU" is not only the brain of the drive system, but also features some innovations compared to previous versions. The color display can be freely configured via the well-known "Mission Control App" and now shows data on the remaining range, altitude and energy consumption, among other things. “Micro Tune” is also new. At the touch of a button, the support levels can no longer be changed in the usual way (Eco, Trail, Power), but finely adjusted in 10% increments - while riding. According to Specialized, this should allow for easy adjustment of different performance levels for group rides.

Features of the Mastermind TCU:

• Over-the-air updates
• Charge level in percent
• Fine adjustment of the support level in 10% steps (Micro Tune)
• Personalized display arrangement
• Time of day
• Live Consumption
• heart rate coupling function
• Precise altitude measurement

Specialized Turbo Levo 3rd Gen: models and trim levels

Initially there will be two models of the new Specialized Turbo Levo to choose from. Both without exception in carbon, both with 700 Wh and both equipped to a very high standard. However, one can assume that further models – also made of aluminum – will follow.

Specialized Levo 2022 S-Works

Loom: FACT 11m full carbon
Drive: Specialized 2.2
Battery pack: 700 Wh

suspension fork: Fox 38 Factory Grip2
Mute: Fox X2 Factory

Circuit: Sram XX1 Eagle AXS
brakes: Magura MT7 203/203mm
impellers: Roval Traverse SL
Seat post: RockShox Reverb AXS

Price: € 13.999

Specialized Levo 2022: The differences to the predecessor at a glance

• 160mm travel at the front
• Mullet mix
• Geometry: Flatter steering angle, longer main frame, steeper seat angle, geometry adjustment
• New display: Mastermind TCU
• Engine upgrades: hardware and software
• Revised protection against wetness
• Space for dampers with reservoirs
• Finally with 12-speed drivetrains

Specialized Levo 2021: first test in video

Of course we were excited to see the practical performance. The fact that the test bike then arrived with us in the noble and exclusive S-Works equipment variant further increased our anticipation. Finally it could Levo have already proved this in the past and convinces like hardly any other e-bike with the predicate "Sit on and feel good!" Whether that is the case with the new Levo should soon become apparent.

To make it short: Yes, the new Levo is still the "get on and feel good bike". The geometry is now much more modern, but does not embarrass even beginners.

There is nothing to criticize when it comes to the equipment of the S-Works variant - but we expected that in view of the price. Amazing: Specialized consistently focuses on maximum performance in the components (Fox 38, X2, Magura MT7, stable tires) and still manages to keep the weight at a low level. Our test bike in frame size S3 weighed an impressive 22,0 kg!

Drive? (Brose) typical top! However, we did not find the unit to be as quiet as previous Specialized motors. Possibly a tribute that the hardware updates have to pay. New display? Fantastic! Almost as inconspicuous as before, the new Mastermind TCU still offers a real gain thanks to the Mission Control app. What information did we view most frequently? The time of day! 🙂

driving behavior? Modern and even more powerful than the previous models! It's certainly too early for a detailed test at this point, but we're already looking forward to more extensive test kilometers on the new Specialized Turbo Levo. For more impressions, here is the S-Works Turbo Levo in our test video:

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