WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE SPECIALIZED TURBO LEVO SL 2
We’re fans of the Specialized platform. The brand makes bikes that just ride so damn good. And the Turbo Levo SL 2 was no exception, especially when equipped with new Shimano goodness. As for the Turbo SL 1.2 drive unit, we’re not so sure.
DRIVE UNIT AND ELECTRONICS | The second generation of the Specialized Turbo Levo SL sees the brand’s sub-2kg motor, the SL 1.2. The drive unit delivers 50Nm of torque and 320W of power, powered by a 320Wh internal battery. Those seeking to go a bit further can add Specialized’s 160Wh range extender.
Specialized uses its MasterMind TCU to display all the information needed, which is set into the top tube. Specialized boasts 120 different display configurations, though the display isn’t as refined as some of the modern crop.
A small wireless remote on the handlebars allows you to toggle between displays and set the power mode — Eco, Trail, or Turbo. And not forgetting Specialized’s microtune feature, which helps to deliver the exact assistance levels you desire to find the perfect efficiency and power blend.
FRAME AND FEATURES | Specialized offers 13 Turbo Levo SL 2 models, including a frameset option and three S-Works offerings. The frames will work with a variety of shocks, but nearly all Levo SL frames are equipped with the Specialized and Fox collaborative GENIE shock.
As was the case with earlier versions of the Turbo Levo SL, Specialized still offers a good deal of adjustment for their light eMTB. The bike comes with angle-adjust headset cups, adjustable BB height, and MX or full-29er wheel capabilities. Specialized also stuck one of their SWAT multitools into the steerer tube, just in case anything needs a quick adjustment on the trail.
The Turbo Levo SL 2 is equipped with a driveside chainstay guard to keep chain slap quiet, and decent downtube protection. Tidy cable ports at the front of the bike keep things nice and snug and quiet, and, best of all, keep hoses and cables out of the headset!
SUSPENSION | Specialized uses its tried-and-true FSR Horst-link suspension platform to deliver 150mm of travel on the Turbo Levo SL 2. To provide a supple and supportive 150mm, Specialized uses its Ride Dynamics Trail-Tuned GENIE Shock at the Performance Elite level on the Expert Di2 build we tested.
Some have said this unique shock isn’t necessarily needed, and that it is perhaps all a “marketing ploy”. Well, we disagree, but regardless, the shock makes the bike feel amazing, and its two-stage air chamber design offers up tuning possibilities that many others don’t.
GEOMETRY | Depending on the geo settings and headset angle adjustment, there can be many different geometry configurations for the Turbo Levo SL 2. We’ll discuss the numbers for how we received the bike from Specialized.
Specialized uses a number system for bike sizing, with our Turbo Levo SL 2 being an S4. In all, Specialized offers the Levo SL 2 in six sizes. We are somewhat between sizes with the Turbo Levo SL 2 and some other Specialized bikes. While reach numbers on the S4 are on the shorter side, the S5 seems longer than we would like at 495mm.
The reach on our S4 is 470mm, and the chainstays are a very short 432mm, which is consistent across all sizes. Combined with a 635 stack height, our Turbo Levo SL 2 has a wheelbase of 1238mm.
The HTA is 64.6°, paired with a STA that is on the slacker side at 75.8°. The bottom bracket sits relatively high at 348mm, with a BB drop of 29mm.
BUILD SPECS | We were very pleased with the build spec on our $9,699 Turbo Levo SL 2 Expert Di2. As we mentioned earlier, Specialized offers 12 build options and one frameset in their SL eBike range.
Our Expert Di2 build came with Shimano’s new Di2 XT drivetrain and their new XT brakes, with 203mm rotors front and rear. Fox’s Performance Elite level suspension took care of the squish, with a Grip X2 damper-equipped 36 and a Float X Genie shock.
Specialized’s Traverse Alloy wheels are laced to DT Swiss 370 hubs. Specialized also takes care of some touchpoints like the stem, bars, and saddle. Lastly, the build is completed with a PNW adjustable Loam Dropper Post set to 200mm.
And not to forget the important touchpoint with the ground. As with the other 12 Lightweight eMTBs in our 2025 shootout, we fitted the Levo SL 2 with our Schwalbe control tires. Up front we used Schwalbe’s Magic Mary Radial Gravity, and in the rear the Albert Radial Gravity. This delivered stellar traction across the spectrum of trail scenarios, and impressively we sustained zero flats.
With the Schwalbe control tires fitted, our size S4 Specialized Levo SL 2 Expert Di2 weighed in at 42.5 lbs (19.3kg).
THE DIRT
SETUP | Getting the Levo SL 2 up to speed on trail was incredibly simple. However, if you’d like to get out the data logbook and tune to your heart’s content, you’re more than able to. With plentiful geometry adjustability, GENIE shock tuning and Micro Tune on the drive unit, riders have a lot to play with on the Levo SL 2. If you’d like to just set and forget, you won’t miss out on much either, as the performance of this light eBike was dialed out of the box.
ELECTRONICS AND INTEGRATION | While the Specialized Levo SL 2 had lots to brag about in terms of riding performance, the electronic aspect of this eMTB wasn’t one of them. The SL 2 was tied with the TQ HPR50 as the only units with 50Nm of torque. Though it had 320W of peak power compared to the HPR50’s 300W, it was still far off keeping up with the Bosch SX, Dyname or even TQ’s HPR60 in many scenarios.
We’re not just power hounds here at Loam Wolf, though. We could certainly get by with the relatively underpowered SL 1.2 unit on the Levo SL if we had to, and could potentially give it a pass in the right areas because it is just such a good mountain bike.
However, the underpowered drive unit combined with the 320Wh battery (the smallest in our group test) meant it struggled when riding with the rest of the bikes in this group test. It meant that for almost every ride, we had to sacrifice the bottle cage for a 160Wh range extender. This still left us below the TQ’s HPR60 580Wh internal battery and 350W Peak Power.
CLIMBING | Understandably, the Levo SL 2 isn’t going to win any KOMs on the way up. The less powerful drive unit kept it towards the back of the pack in terms of speed. If you are looking for a more natural mountain biking experience – where fitness and your own pace dictate the speed at which you climb up the hill – then you may be happy on the Levo SL 2. It felt like “mountain biking assisted”, rather than the sometimes more artificial push of some eMTB drive units.
Moving on from the motor, the Levo SL 2 was comfortable on the climbs. The suspension platform handling made it a great bike for most riding scenarios. However, some complaints of the short rear end and slack seat tube angle meant longer-legged riders struggled to keep the front end down on steeper climbs at times.
DRIVE UNIT RANGE TEST RESULT | We compared drive unit performance and efficiency with a standardized test. We created a 13-mile, 1,300-foot elevation “Battery Efficiency Loop” and rode every bike in its highest assist mode until the loop was done. Our test rider, Travis, weighs 193lbs and was diligent about his efforts and physical state for each ride.
The Specialized SL 1.2 system completed the loop in 01:03:34 (7th/8), and used 252.8Wh of its 320Wh capacity (79%). This placed it 3rd poorest in capacity remaining (predicted range: 16.5 miles, 1,645 feet).
To see more detailed feedback on the drive unit of this bike, head over to the Main Page of the SL Shootout. We dive into the details of each drive unit, what we like about them and what we don’t.
DESCENDING | When it came time to drop in, the Specialized Levo SL 2 quickly moved back to the front of the pack in the Lightweight eMTB space. It’s not hard to see why the bike is so capable, as it is essentially an electrified Stumpjumper. The Stumpy is one of the most praised mountain bikes available from a handling standpoint, and the Levo SL backs it up.
Our crew described this bike as “The most non-eBike riding eBike in the test.” The way the Levo SL 2 moved and transitioned from corner to corner, pre-hopped over features and responded to rider input was truly impressive. Combined with the ability to fine-tune the bike’s suspension and geometry even further, Specialized has provided most riders with the ability to create a bike that excels for the trail ahead. It’ll never be the most stable and planted machine on the trail, but as an all-mountain machine to ride everything from steep natural tech to groomed flow trails, the Levo SL was a riotous SL eBike.
Most of our testers really felt comfortable and at home on the Levo SL. The Shimano XT Di2 drivetrain worked flawlessly, and some of our testers who’d never ridden Shimano before were instant converts, preferring it to the SRAM drivetrains on their own bikes. We loved the consistency and feeling of the XT brakes, too.
FINISH AND VALUE | Specialized bikes hold a presence when lined up among other bikes. The have strong lines, nice colors and subtle graphics that lure our eyes to look deeper. The Levo SL 2 is no different. Our crew thought this bike gave off a nice, luxurious vibe, despite not having flashy gold stanchions. The paint is deep, the rubber used on the chainstay protectors and guards is dark and quality. Kicking the tires as you walk around the Levo and you can see attention has been paid.
When looking at the spreadsheet and comparing spec to dollars, arguments could be made both good and not so good on this build. While we believe the quality of product overall and ride quality can demand a slight price premium, some may not agree. The Shimano XT DI2 drivetrain is something 4 out of 5 testers really enjoyed, and all 5 of us really liked the power and reliability of the brakes. While the MicroTune feature is nice, the simple display, smaller internal battery and lower powered drive unit are topics of debate if you’re counting cents per Watt Hour. Overall, the Levo SL is a premium product and oozes refinement from a visual standpoint as well as its handling prowess.
COMPARISON AND RANKING?
The Levo SL 2 was a tough bike for us, because it is easily one of the most loved bikes in the group when descending. However, the entire test crew agreed that the small battery combined with the underpowered drive unit would keep it off their list of bikes to buy. If you’re a rider just looking to take the edge off the climbs and value descending performance and fun-factor above all else, the Levo SL is still a Light eBike worth considering.
Moving beyond the “E” aspect of this eMTB…The bike was beautiful and had some of the best-feeling geometry and suspension on test. It was a bike that shone bright in a variety of terrain, and provided an engaging rider experience on the way down the mountain.
The Wolf’s Last Word
As much as we absolutely love the Specialized Levo SL for its handling, suspension, geometry, and all-around descending capabilities on the trail, the small internal battery combined with the low-powered drive unit held it back in our lightweight eMTB group review. Years ago, we used to see Specialized’s “Innovate or Die” phrase blasted all over magazine adverts, banners, and posters. We’re hoping that the SL 2 is about to be re-E-nnovated, because that ride feeling is just too good to die. 
Price: $9,699
Weight: 42.5 lbs
Website: Specialized.com
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