2022 Specialized

Turbo Levo Hardtail

If ever there was a bike that I totally misjudged, it was the original Specialized Levo SL. Launched in Feb 2020, it instantly had what appeared to be outdated geometry and sizing where the 35Nm motor seemed seriously underpowered too. Factor in the flimsy tyre casings and a Fox 34 fork, both fitted for impressive weight saving, rather than impressive performance, and I basically looked the other way. Not the most professional approach for a professional bike tester, I know, but the numbers simply didn’t add up. Want to know more about the updates in general? Find out more about the new Specialized Turbo Levo SL Gen 2 updates and range overview. Need to know Full carbon frame with no side-arm – more freedom for linkage/kinematics and shock options Moves to S sizing, S1 to S6 – Travel is 160/150mm (S1:150/144mm) New SL 1.2 Motor has 50Nm torque, 320W peak power with two-piece honeycomb casing to reduce noise – 43% more torque 33% more power Battery capacity is 320Wh integrated, S-Works build come with 160Wh range extender Mastermind TCU on both models, customisable via Mission Control app Adjustable geo – three features – Horst link flip chip adapts geometry for 29in rear wheel, head seat cups offer +/- 1.25º adjustment 63º-65.5º, shock eyelet flip-chip offers +/- 5mm of BB height adjustment Revised kinematics give a more rearward initial axle path and increased anti-squat Two models: S-Works and Comp £7,000, stock builds come with MX wheel sizes S-Works bike get’s new SRAM XX1 AXS T-type drivetrain, without a jump in pricing Fork offset changes from 51mm to 44mm, to reflect new geometry and sizing To be fair, Specialized was breaking new ground, so it had no way of knowing how the Gen 1 Levo SL would be received, let alone how riders would use and abuse it. It was, after all, in a category all of its own. Twelve months on, Specialized had the feedback it needed and it was clear that the Levo SL frame was much more capable than the original build kit adorning it. As such, the fork got bumped up to a Fox 36, the shock grew a reservoir for better heat management, and the tyres got tougher casings. Sure, the overall weight crept up, but it was all lean muscle, which gave the Levo SL a swagger that it lacked previously. Now it had my full attention. I tested the Expert model in 2021 and the S-Works verison in 2022, and both times I was impressed by the overall feel of the Levo SL. The supple suspension response offers ridiculously high levels of grip and control, combined with the subtle frame flex that mirrors the response of an analog bike. Sprinkle on the assistance of the motor and the Levo SL totally won me over. Yes, the frame proportions were short-ish and a touch tall, and other brands were beginning to catch up and even exceed the power output of the SL motor, but in our …Continue reading »

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