Bumped into this. Specialized is expanding their model range. Really nice looking bikes, can't wait to test ride these.
http://overvolted.com/specialized-turbo-levo-hardtail/
http://overvolted.com/specialized-turbo-levo-hardtail/
New Specialized Turbo Levo models (hardtails, fat bikes)
- Thread starter Sherman
- Start date
I've tried them, but only on very tame terrain.
Visually, the integration of the battery is truly superb and I don't think there's a better looking eMTB on the market.
The motor is very quiet compared to Bosch, almost silent in fact. It didn't feel like it give quite the equivalent 'push' as the Bosch, although the power and torque figures look good so perhaps this could be tweaked using settings in Specialized's Mission Control app.
There doesn't appear to be any shift detection with the Brose so, whereas the Bosch system reduces power when you change gear, mechanical sympathy for the drivetrain is completely down to the person riding it. However, even letting off slightly when changing gear, the motor could still be pushing a fair amount of torque without appreciating that let off so it's easier said than done. In short, there is a lot more clunking through the gears on the Brose powered Levo compared to my Bosch powered Cube.
There is no display on the Levo, nor bar mounted power mode controls. In one way it's great as the cockpit looks uncluttered and stops you looking at cadence, ascent, speed, whatever else... you're just riding a bike... but on the other hand, if you're someone who regularly changes power settings then the downtube mounted buttons are completely impractical in my view and in my experience riding the bike.
The geometry of the hardtail is really nice, moreso aggressive trail riding than cross country. As I mention above, I've not put that to the test as the terrain I've ridden the bike on was very tame indeed. The FS bikes felt great too.
Those are my immediate thoughts and hoping to get some more time on one on more technical terrain in the near future. Happy to answer any questions anyone may have... if I can.
Oh, and I've only tried the 6Fattie versions of the FS (Expert and Comp) and HT (Comp) Levos. I've not tried the 29er or the fatbike.
Visually, the integration of the battery is truly superb and I don't think there's a better looking eMTB on the market.
The motor is very quiet compared to Bosch, almost silent in fact. It didn't feel like it give quite the equivalent 'push' as the Bosch, although the power and torque figures look good so perhaps this could be tweaked using settings in Specialized's Mission Control app.
There doesn't appear to be any shift detection with the Brose so, whereas the Bosch system reduces power when you change gear, mechanical sympathy for the drivetrain is completely down to the person riding it. However, even letting off slightly when changing gear, the motor could still be pushing a fair amount of torque without appreciating that let off so it's easier said than done. In short, there is a lot more clunking through the gears on the Brose powered Levo compared to my Bosch powered Cube.
There is no display on the Levo, nor bar mounted power mode controls. In one way it's great as the cockpit looks uncluttered and stops you looking at cadence, ascent, speed, whatever else... you're just riding a bike... but on the other hand, if you're someone who regularly changes power settings then the downtube mounted buttons are completely impractical in my view and in my experience riding the bike.
The geometry of the hardtail is really nice, moreso aggressive trail riding than cross country. As I mention above, I've not put that to the test as the terrain I've ridden the bike on was very tame indeed. The FS bikes felt great too.
Those are my immediate thoughts and hoping to get some more time on one on more technical terrain in the near future. Happy to answer any questions anyone may have... if I can.
Oh, and I've only tried the 6Fattie versions of the FS (Expert and Comp) and HT (Comp) Levos. I've not tried the 29er or the fatbike.
I've tried the Specialised Levo this morning on a ride up through the Forrest path.
Wow, I love this bike. Not obviously an electric bike, so nicely has the Brose motor been integrated into the frame. The Battery can be removed if required and the big fat tyres ride over the loose stone paths effortlessly.
The power seems to be up on the Bosch and the bike is most comfortable.
It beats my Haibike, I want one.
Wow, I love this bike. Not obviously an electric bike, so nicely has the Brose motor been integrated into the frame. The Battery can be removed if required and the big fat tyres ride over the loose stone paths effortlessly.
The power seems to be up on the Bosch and the bike is most comfortable.
It beats my Haibike, I want one.
He had it from here but seems it is out of stock. http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/13779/products/specialized-turbo-levo-fsr-expert-6fattie-electric-bike-2017-black.aspx
Perhaps as well, I may easily have ordered one.
Your a lucky to have 3 bikes as my Mrs told me that I had to sell the two bikes I had first before I could get a new one or she would divorce me .......that gave me something to think about
only joking dear.(just in case she reads this)
Is she a good cook? If no keep the bikes...Your a lucky to have 3 bikes as my Mrs told me that I had to sell the two bikes I had first before I could get a new one or she would divorce me .......that gave me something to think about
she is a great cook which made me think bikes or belly and the belly won.Is she a good cook? If no keep the bikes...
Promises, promises. I have four bikes but one is in Lynn's top chicken shed.Your a lucky to have 3 bikes as my Mrs told me that I had to sell the two bikes I had first before I could get a new one or she would divorce me .......that gave me something to think about
Wife is called Pat.
Don't be such a cheapskate - get yersel' a £7K Turbo.
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/2862/products/specialized-s-works-turbo-levo-fsr-6fattie-electric-bike-2017-black.aspx
I demoed a Turbo Levo 6Fattie HT (hardtail) extensively last weekend on a combination on terrain - tarmac, fire roads, rocky ascents, rocky descents, forest singletrack, etc.
I made a few observations above (informed by tamer riding a couple of weeks ago) and those observations remain valid. However, I can now add a little more based on last weekend's riding:
------------------------------------
+ Brose motor is very quiet indeed; you rarely hear it above the rolling noise of the 6Fattie tyres
+ The visual integration of the motor and battery is wonderful and market leading in my view
+ The lack of bar mounted controls is visually pleasing and really refreshing; no buttons, no screens, you just ride
+ 6Fattie tyres are awesome; they inspire confidence looking down and take the 'sting' out of the HT when FS may be more suitable
+ The geometry 'felt right'; it worked on all terrains and certainly wasn't too upright for the more aggressive descents
+ The motor was somehow less intrusive, feeling slightly less e-bike like and more like I had awesome power and stamina
+ The bike was put together very well indeed; it felt high quality, all cables internally routed, no rattles or play in anything (I appreciate you'd expect this of a £3,200 bike but I felt it oozed quality)
- Regardless of the numbers, the Brose felt less powerful to me than the Bosch CX (both in Turbo)
- The lack of shift detection does result in aggressive / clunky shifting at times, even when letting off slightly to shift
- Assist mode selection on the downtube is undoubtedly inconvenient, particularly if you're wearing gloves
- Not scientific, but the battery seemed to drain a little faster; this is likely because I didn't knock the assist level down as often because of the downtube inconvenience (I tend to change settings a lot on the Bosch)
- there were a few cheaper component choices on this HT Comp (even compared with the FSR Comp); for example, DB5 brakes vs Guide (although the DB5s were excellent to be fair), cheap dropper post which really wasn't great, 11-40 cassette rather than 11spd 10-42 (I know, 11-40 is still sufficient), etc. I didn't necessarily feel this compromised the bike, but the components on an equivalently priced Bosch CX powered Cube would be better / more expensive without question
------------------------------------
For the eagle eyed of you, you'll spot that some positives above have a corresponding negative; for example, clean cockpit is great but comes with the inconvenience of downtube mounted controls, Brose feels less 'intrusive' but also felt less 'powerful'. However, it's my post and I'll conclude as I like - I make no apologies for that.
Overall, I felt the 6Fattie HT was a great compromise for those who benefit from full suspension for a proportion of their riding but not all; the 120mm travel, the aggressive geometry, the bigger tyres running at lower pressure, etc. meant I felt the bike was supremely capable of everything I threw at it (noting I'm not not the world's most accomplished MTBer... I'm not even my village's most accomplished MTBer!). However, I certainly put it through its paces over a couple of days and didn't find it materially wanting in any department.
As usual, it comes down to what you're using the bike for and which characteristics you favour in a pedelec motor...
I made a few observations above (informed by tamer riding a couple of weeks ago) and those observations remain valid. However, I can now add a little more based on last weekend's riding:
------------------------------------
+ Brose motor is very quiet indeed; you rarely hear it above the rolling noise of the 6Fattie tyres
+ The visual integration of the motor and battery is wonderful and market leading in my view
+ The lack of bar mounted controls is visually pleasing and really refreshing; no buttons, no screens, you just ride
+ 6Fattie tyres are awesome; they inspire confidence looking down and take the 'sting' out of the HT when FS may be more suitable
+ The geometry 'felt right'; it worked on all terrains and certainly wasn't too upright for the more aggressive descents
+ The motor was somehow less intrusive, feeling slightly less e-bike like and more like I had awesome power and stamina
+ The bike was put together very well indeed; it felt high quality, all cables internally routed, no rattles or play in anything (I appreciate you'd expect this of a £3,200 bike but I felt it oozed quality)
- Regardless of the numbers, the Brose felt less powerful to me than the Bosch CX (both in Turbo)
- The lack of shift detection does result in aggressive / clunky shifting at times, even when letting off slightly to shift
- Assist mode selection on the downtube is undoubtedly inconvenient, particularly if you're wearing gloves
- Not scientific, but the battery seemed to drain a little faster; this is likely because I didn't knock the assist level down as often because of the downtube inconvenience (I tend to change settings a lot on the Bosch)
- there were a few cheaper component choices on this HT Comp (even compared with the FSR Comp); for example, DB5 brakes vs Guide (although the DB5s were excellent to be fair), cheap dropper post which really wasn't great, 11-40 cassette rather than 11spd 10-42 (I know, 11-40 is still sufficient), etc. I didn't necessarily feel this compromised the bike, but the components on an equivalently priced Bosch CX powered Cube would be better / more expensive without question
------------------------------------
For the eagle eyed of you, you'll spot that some positives above have a corresponding negative; for example, clean cockpit is great but comes with the inconvenience of downtube mounted controls, Brose feels less 'intrusive' but also felt less 'powerful'. However, it's my post and I'll conclude as I like - I make no apologies for that.
Overall, I felt the 6Fattie HT was a great compromise for those who benefit from full suspension for a proportion of their riding but not all; the 120mm travel, the aggressive geometry, the bigger tyres running at lower pressure, etc. meant I felt the bike was supremely capable of everything I threw at it (noting I'm not not the world's most accomplished MTBer... I'm not even my village's most accomplished MTBer!). However, I certainly put it through its paces over a couple of days and didn't find it materially wanting in any department.
As usual, it comes down to what you're using the bike for and which characteristics you favour in a pedelec motor...
Yes... yes, I would.Mab13 good report,
Hi dinger any luck with the cube? I am struggling as well to find one. I am trying a Haibike on Wednesday. So all being well I shall be up and running.
I've had a hardtail itch for a few months now, which I've decided I'd like to scratch... so I'm going to try and sell my full sus Cube.Mab13 good report,
Should it sell, the Levo HT is currently the front runner... although I will try to demo a lightweight (17-18kg) hardtail too, probably one of the Bosch CX powered carbon Cubes. I picked up and held one of the carbon Cubes in Leisure Lakes recently and the weight really shocked me (in a good way).
So we may soon see the real life answer to your question!
I was lucky as I had a choice of two a Elite Hybrid C62 which I was going to get then I had an offer of a Reaction Race 500 at a really great price and should be delivered by this Friday fingers crossed.
A range of 51 e-bikes and not one that ticks all my boxes! OK so I am the niche market client by excellence but come on, why so little variety in frame shapes?
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