Sleek integration, natural driving feel, successful handling: with the Levo set Specialised set new standards in the e-mountainbike sector a good three years ago. For the 2019 season, the Levo is entering its third generation - and has been completely redesigned. With the Brose Drive S Mag motor, the Americans have set a new benchmark in terms of drive, the bike is lighter and the battery has more capacity. In terms of frame design, Specialized has based its new Levo on the newly launched Stumpjumper, while the geometry and suspension have been significantly modernised compared to its predecessor. There is also 150 millimetres of travel at the front and rear. Visually, the innovation is immediately noticeable due to the asymmetrical design of the frame triangle, which the Levo and "Stumpi" share. Also new: all models are fitted with 29er wheels with 2.6 inch wide tyres. However, thanks to geometry adjustment using a flipchip, wheels with 27.5 plus tyres in 2.8 inch width can also be used.
The new Levo engine - more power
The DNA of Brose motors has so far been characterised by natural riding characteristics, low noise levels and a wide range of customisation options. While the first generations were not quite able to keep up with the competition in terms of maximum power, the German manufacturer worked together with Specialized to continuously address this shortcoming. The latest stage of development seems to have arrived at the very top: The data communicated by the manufacturer: 410% support, 90 Newton metres of torque. In addition, the full power should be available over a wide speed range. Maximum assistance should therefore be available regardless of whether the rider is pedalling at a very high cadence or cranking slowly. Impressive: Thanks to a magnesium housing, the weight of the new Brose motor in the Levo has been reduced by a whopping 400 grams and the dimensions have also been reduced. In an initial test with the new Specialized Levo, we were completely convinced by the drive. Full power at almost any cadence, the natural riding feel is retained, the deceleration when reaching the 25 km/h limit is extremely soft and barely noticeable. Without having a direct comparison to its predecessor: It feels like the drive has become minimally louder in turbo mode, but remains significantly quieter than the competition from Bosch, Shimano or Yamaha. The pedalling assistance has also become significantly stronger.
We have already subjected a first test bike with Broses Drive S Mag to a bench test. Read on to find out how the new motor compares to the competition from Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha and co. in EMTB 4/2018, on newsstands from mid-October.
Exciting: Specialized is expanding the customisation options for the motor. The three riding modes can be continuously adjusted using the app. The maximum power can now be adjusted independently of the minimum assistance provided. The user can therefore determine whether the motor works constantly or dynamically, i.e. depending on the rider's input. And separately for each level. In addition, the acceleration sensitivity and shuttle mode can be fine-tuned. The former influences the starting behaviour of the motor, while the latter determines how quickly maximum support is reached. Specialized is of the opinion that there is no one motor setup that suits all e-bikers. That's why the new Levo should be as customisable as possible to suit personal preferences.
The new Levo battery - more capacity
Specialized continues to rely on a battery in the down tube, but has completely changed the way it is integrated. The down tube is no longer cut open, but retains its shape. The battery is inserted into the down tube from below in the motor area. The battery is longer but thinner. This has allowed the down tube to be designed even slimmer. Thanks to the latest generation of cells, the capacity of the battery has been increased to 700 watt hours. However, there will also be a 500 Wh battery that relies on the classic cell design. This is used in the lower-priced models and is 700 grams lighter. Both variants are the same size. To change the battery, a screw must be opened, as with the predecessor, and then the battery can be removed from the bottom. This only works really smoothly when the bike is upside down. This is also Specialized's recommendation. Apart from that, changing the battery is quick and easy.
The sticking point: at 64 centimetres, the new battery is even longer than its predecessor, making it very difficult to stow a removable battery in a rucksack - at least in standard bike rucksacks. That is a limitation. Specialized's philosophy: before the 700 watt hours of the battery are empty, the rider is finished. Thanks to the large battery and efficient motor, the Americans don't see the need for a second battery. The 700 watt-hour battery will of course be available as an upgrade for the entry-level models, which come with a 500 watt-hour version. A first range test of the Brose Drive S Mag on our test bench can be found in EMTB 4/2018, on newsstands from mid-October.
Weight - a key criterion
An e-MTB should ride like a normal mountain bike, according to the philosophy of the Specialized development team led by Jan Talavasek. An important criterion for this is the weight. The new Levo is even lighter than its predecessor. This makes Specialized one of the very few companies to combine battery integration and low weight. How do the Americans manage to reduce the weight? The new battery integration makes it possible to leave the down tube in one piece. This means that less material is needed to make the frame stable and stiff enough. Another important component is the new Brose Drive S Mag motor. The motor itself is 400 grams lighter than its predecessor thanks to its magnesium casing. It saves a further 400 grams as the mounting does not require an interface, i.e. an adapter. With a 500 Wh battery, the S-Works version in size M weighs in at 19.9 kilos.
Levo 2019: models and prices
The new Levo will be available in carbon as well as with an aluminium frame, starting at 4499 euros, with the S-Works model with a full carbon frame at the top end for 10999 euros. The Expert and Comp Carbon models have a carbon main frame and an aluminium rear triangle.
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
