STUMPY ON STEROIDS!

Specialized’s Turbo Levo e-bike is now sleeker, stiffer and more powerful

Hot on the heels of their new Stumpjumper trail bike, Specialized are releasing an updated Turbo Levo e-MTB, which shares many of the same features. Here are the five key changes…

As on the Stumpy, the Levo now has an asymmetric mainframe with a single-sided ‘Sidearm’ reinforcing strut between the top tube and seat tube. This is designed to increase stiffness and minimise frame flex when the rear suspension is active. The shock link has been updated too – its strengthening ‘bridge’ now sits behind the seat tube, not in front, to further increase stiffness.

The top-end S-Works and Expert models get a new 700Wh battery. All things being equal, this should provide a 40 per cent increase in range over the 504Wh battery on last year’s Levo. Other models come with a 500Wh battery.

Specialized’s new Brosemade ‘2.1’ motor has slightly more power than the old 1.3 drive unit but is 15 per cent smaller and 400g lighter thanks to a magnesium casing. A new directto-frame mount saves another 400g. The updated aluminium frame is lighter than the old S-Works carbon fibre chassis.

The bike has been designed around 29in wheels with 2.6in tyres, because Specialized reckon these give better trail feedback and feel less vague than plus-size rubber. A flip chip lets you raise the bottom bracket by 10mm so you can fit 650b wheels with up to 3.0in tyres.

Travel has been boosted from 135mm to 150mm and changes to the kinematics mean the rear suspension is more progressive, so the bike shouldn’t blow through its travel. A new ‘Rx’ (Recommended eXperience) shock tune provides more mid-stroke support to combat pedal bob.