Specialized Levo R review: Nobody had this new e-bike on their radar

Specialized is unveiling its new trail e-bike, the Levo R. The target audience is wide-ranging: from the average consumer and beginners right through to experienced riders looking for a motorised alternative to their zippy trail bike. Or to put it another way: the American manufacturer is targeting this newcomer at all those who want to experience the downhill potential of the the standard Specialized Turbo Levo 4 (reviewed here) – and that of many other full-suspension e-mountain bikes – are unable or unwilling to make the most of.

There are many reasons for this: a lack of riding technique or willingness to take risks, the sluggish and sometimes laborious handling – or simply local trails that aren’t challenging enough and lose their appeal as soon as you glide over them on a high-travel e-bike. But whatever the deciding factor, in practice the end user always benefits more from a light, zippy e-bike than from maximum suspension travel, brutal tyre grip or stoic smoothness.

​In particular, the 29er rear wheel and the weight-optimised setup would also suit the Levo 4 very well. - Max Fuchs, BIKE editor

Less is more: Key specifications of the Levo R

Technically speaking, the Levo R is more of a targeted reinterpretation of the current Levo 4 than a completely new development. The Levo frame platform and familiar technologies remain, but are combined to create a more manageable and lighter overall package. To tailor the new model precisely to the everyday trail riding needs of the general public, the front and rear suspension travel have each been reduced by two centimetres to 140 and 130 millimetres respectively. Naturally, this also changes the geometry: less long, less flat, less stable at full throttle – but more balanced, more direct and more manoeuvrable. In addition, Specialized has moved away from the ‘mullet’ tyre setup. The Levo R now features 29-inch wheels at both the front and rear. The bike is available in three spec options: the S-Works model for 13,999 euros, the Expert version for 9,999 euros and the Comp version for 7,999 euros. All models feature a full-carbon frame. Aluminium versions will not be available at launch.

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Why is the Levor R so light?

The Levo R S-Works weighs in at just 21.3 kilograms in size M – despite its large, removable 840 Wh battery and powerful S-Works motor. By way of comparison, the S-Works Levo 4 weighs 2.4 kilos more. According to Specialized, 530 grams of that is down to the frame alone. How is this possible? Visually, the two frames look exactly the same. The rear triangle, suspension linkage, battery access and even the shape of the main frame show hardly any differences at first glance. The key lies inside: in the carbon lay-up.

With its shorter travel and lighter components, the Levo R is less suited to wild downhill action than the Levo 4. Consequently, its ability to absorb impacts takes a back seat. This gives the developers some leeway: thinner wall thicknesses here, a weight-optimised fibre arrangement there. Specialized has also reduced the weight of the rear triangle. Whilst on the Levo 4 only the linkage is made of carbon, the Levo R also uses carbon fibre for the shock mount.

The Levo R saves the remaining 1,870 grams on its components. Instead of the heavy-duty SRAM Maven, it features the lighter SRAM Motive. The massive Fox 38 Factory makes way for the significantly slimmer Fox 36 SL. The Fox Float Genie shock, which does not require a reservoir, also helps to reduce the overall weight further. The final contribution to the lighter weight comes from the handlebar-stem assembly, the Roval Traverse SL carbon wheelset and the lighter tyres.

The drivetrain of the Specialized Levo R

The top-of-the-range Levo R S-Works is powered by Specialised’s in-house 3.1 S-Works motor. The specially developed drive system has Specialized has recently been optimised via an over-the-air update. The new performance figures: a whopping 850 watts of peak power and 111 Nm of torque. In the more affordable Levo R Expert and Levo R Comp models, the 3.1 motor also provides the power, albeit without the S-Works add-on and therefore limited by the software. As with the Levo 4, Specialized only unlocks the full power on the S-Works model. Those who aren’t quite so willing to dig deep into their pockets will have to make do with 810 watts of peak power and 105 Nm of torque – still powerful enough, but slightly less so than the motor in the high-end model.

The Levo R comes as standard with an 840 Wh battery. As with the Levo 4, the battery is secured with a screw inside the down tube and can be folded out to the side. Those looking to save weight and improve handling can upgrade to the smaller 600 Wh battery – at an additional cost of 999 euros. Those aiming for maximum range can pair the 840 Wh battery with Specialized’s Range Extender. The additional 280 Wh costs 699 euros.

​Weighing 3.18 kilos for the motor and 4,383 grams for the 840 Wh battery, the Specialized combo is one of the heavier systems on the market. Both DJI and Bosch offer a lighter overall package.

With a wide range of adjustment options for perfect geometry

The new Levo R also offers pleasing versatility when it comes to geometry. An offset bushing on the lower shock mount raises or lowers the bottom bracket by five millimetres. Flip chips in the Horstlink bearings lengthen or shorten the chainstays by six millimetres. Fine-tuning of the head angle is also possible. It is set to 65 degrees as standard. However, using the eccentric headset cup supplied, the head angle can be adjusted by one degree to be flatter or steeper, depending on your preference.

Welcome added value + attention to detail

The Levo R features the same storage system as the Levo 4. Above the battery is a magnetically secured SWAT bag with space for tools, a inner tube and CO₂ cartridges. If you fit the smaller 600 Wh battery, you gain extra storage space – enough for a jacket or some snacks. No other e-bike frame currently offers this much ‘boot space’. A bonus for frequent riders: Specialized offers a lifetime warranty on the frame and free replacement of all rear hub bearings – valid only for the original owner.

The Genie shock on the Specialized Levo R

As with the Stumpjumper, Specialised has also incorporated its patented Genie technology – based on the Fox Float shock – into the Levo R. To recap: the Genie shock features two air chambers: the inner main chamber and a small outer chamber. The increased air volume improves responsiveness and shock absorption in the mid-travel range. Once 70 per cent of the travel has been used up, the outer chamber closes, the air volume shrinks and the progression increases significantly as a result – a Genie feature that enables maximum comfort and traction without compromising on end-stroke progression.

This is what the new Specialized Levo R is like to ride

During the press camp in Málaga in mid-January, I had the opportunity to put the Levo R S-Works through its paces for two days. The terrain: classic touring style with undulating singletrack, longer gravel transfers, technical climbs and moderate descents – in other words, exactly the sort of terrain Specialized has designed the new Levo R for. As I’m currently putting a Levo 4 through its paces in a long-term test, I was particularly keen to see how the Levo R’s more understated look would stand up.

The first thing you notice is as soon as you sit on the bike: Specialised has succeeded in setting it apart from the Levo 4. Despite their striking visual similarity, the two bikes are worlds apart in terms of ride characteristics – particularly when it comes to the riding position. Whilst riding the standard Levo with its 160mm fork and 50-millimetre-high riser handlebars feels like cruising relaxed through the terrain in a monster truck, the sporty Levo R initially feels about as comfortable as a VW Beetle in rally trim. The flat monocoque cockpit, with a 50-millimetre stem and a lower stack, positions the rider in a forward-leaning, drive-oriented stance with a lot of pressure on the front wheel. Too much pressure for my liking, as my palms start to ache on long flat stretches. Comfort? Not a chance. So, on the second day of testing, I fitted a classic cockpit and more rise. This noticeably relaxes the riding position. On the non-S-Works models, this configuration is standard anyway and suits the Levo R’s ‘for everyone’ ethos far better than the top-of-the-range model’s race cockpit.

From there on, the Levo R makes good progress thanks to the lightweight Traverse SL carbon wheels and the comparatively fast tyres. Long reach, steep seat angle: the riding position remains sporty, but after a minor adjustment it’s comfortable enough to get you through even long days in the saddle without any strain. The shock’s characteristics blend seamlessly into the overall performance-oriented package. The Genie shock is set high in the travel, remains stable when standing on the pedals and provides plenty of support when pushing through corners or over bumps. As a result, the Levo R accelerates effortlessly and maintains its pace well – exactly as you’d expect from a lively trail bike.

When the terrain gets rougher, the 29er rear wheel really comes into its own. Particularly when riding in the seated position, the Levo R rolls noticeably more smoothly over roots and rocks than its bigger brother with mullet tyres. On descents, the Genie shock takes centre stage. The compact shock delivers significantly more travel than the nominal 130 millimetres would suggest. Its responsiveness to fine bumps is just as impressive as its traction. The rear end reliably smooths out small rocky sections or root-covered terrain. As soon as the Genie shock closes its second air chamber during hard impacts, the progression increases noticeably. Bottom-out? Not a chance. You never get the feeling that you’ve reached the end of the travel. This impressive suspension quality, combined with the 29er wheels and the long geometry, creates a healthy level of smoothness without robbing the Levo R of its playfulness. Balanced and straightforward – that sums up the handling of this newcomer. Nevertheless, the Levo R can’t work miracles. With just 140 millimetres of fork travel and a sporty riding position, you’ll sooner or later reach its limits on steep enduro terrain.

​The Levo R comes with the short chainstay as standard. If you want an even smoother ride, you can switch to the long setting. It sounds tempting, but be careful: the longer rear end shifts the centre of gravity further forwards. And as the sporty Levo R already has a front-heavy ride, the improved straight-line stability comes at the expense of riding position.

The biggest drawback: the high centre of gravity of the large 840 Wh battery. To allow for side-access removal, the 4,383-gramme battery is positioned relatively high up in the down tube, above the motor. This compromises weight distribution – and means that the nominally lightweight Levo feels heavier off-road than some heavier e-bikes with a lower centre of gravity. Models such as the Canyon Spectral:ON or the Moustache Clutch show how it can be done better: on these bikes, the battery is positioned directly in front of the motor, as low as possible in the down tube. Although removing the battery from the bottom is less convenient, it does improve handling. So here’s my tip for the Levo R: invest in the smaller and lighter 600 Wh battery. It lowers the centre of gravity and noticeably improves handling.

Conclusion by Max Fuchs

So is the Levo R the Levo that nobody knew they needed? Unfortunately, not quite. Whilst the Levo R does a number of things better than its longer-travel sibling – in particular, the 29er rear wheel and the weight-optimised setup would also suit the Levo 4 well – its range of use remains quite limited due to the short suspension travel. The bike really comes into its own on gentle trail rides and when covering the kilometres at a brisk pace. When the terrain gets more technical, the bike – with its sporty riding position and limited suspension travel – reaches its limits and demands a steady hand on the handlebars. Even though its riding qualities meet the requirements of most touring cyclists, the Levo R lacks a certain degree of composure to be considered a true all-rounder.

Specialized Levo R Model Overview