Almost a year and a half ago, Specialized updated its E-Allrounder and bestseller Levo. The key data: 160/150 millimetres of suspension travel, Mullet tyres, an in-house motor and a removable 840 watt-hour battery. A little later - with the new frame platform as the basis - the Americans expanded the model range with the Levo R: a sportier, less downhill-orientated model series. And now Specialized is rethinking the Levo platform for a third time: with the Levo 4 EVO models. 180 millimetres of travel at the front, 170 millimetres at the rear, 63-degree steering angle - on paper a flawless E-Enduro setup. Two carbon versions (Pro and Comp) are available as well as an aluminium model.
Conclusion on the Specialized Levo 4 EVO
180/170 mm of travel, a 63-degree head angle and beefy components speak for themselves: this bike wants to go downhill - at full throttle and preferably on trails that are as nasty as possible. We still have to test whether the all-mountain DNA of the original Levo 4 shines through and inhibits its descending qualities. But the key data certainly whets the appetite. - Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
The facts about the Specialized Levo 4 EVO
| Spring travel | 180 mm (front) / 170 mm (rear) |
| Impeller diameter | 29" (front) / 27.5" (rear) |
| Weight | from 24.12 kg |
| Frame | FACT 11m Carbon, SWAT Storage, adjustable geo, also available as aluminium model |
| Engine | Specialised Turbo 3.1, 810 W peak, 105 Nm |
| Battery (series) | 840 Wh, IP67, removable |
| Battery (option) | 600 Wh (light) or 280 Wh Range Extender (max. 1,120 Wh) |
| Charging time 0-80% | approx. 90 min (5A standard) / less than 60 min (12A Smart Charger) |
| Prices | 3 models from 6499 to 10999 euros |
Same frame, more suspension travel
The newcomer shares the frame with the classic Levo 4 with only 150 millimetres of rear travel. In order to conjure up a 170 millimetre thick crumple zone from the rear of the Levo 4 EVO, a shorter shock mount is used in combination with more shock travel. Also good: Specialized also offers the shorter shock mount as an aftermarket part. This means that Levo 4 owners with a longer shock and a corresponding fork can convert their bike into an EVO model on their own.
The drive: Turbo 3.1 with 810 watts
At the heart of the Levo 4 EVO is Specialized's own Turbo 3.1 motor, which delivers up to 810 watts of peak power and 105 Nm of torque. Internally, Specialized relies on all-metal gears with HardDrive surface treatment - a hard coating designed to ensure permanently low friction and quiet running. The windings are moulded with CoreCoat, which improves heat dissipation and is intended to further calm the drive.
There is also a decoupled drive housing that dampens structural vibrations. The support can be fine-tuned in 10 per cent increments using Dynamic MicroTune - from full support to 0/100, where the motor mirrors the rider's wattage one-to-one.
Energy: Modular battery system - up to 1,120 watt hours
The standard battery has a capacity of 840 Wh and is IP67-certified. If you need more range, you can switch on the 280 Wh range extender - making a total of 1120 Wh on board, which, according to Specialized, should provide up to 5.33 hours of riding time in Eco mode (80 kg rider, sufficient elevation gain). Those who prefer a lighter ride can opt for the optional 600 Wh battery. The battery can be changed via a hatch in the side of the down tube - Specialized calls this the Wattage Cottage.
Loading: The standard 5A charger manages 0 to 80 per cent in around 90 minutes. The optional 12A Smart Charger (pictured) does the same in under an hour.
The geometry of the Specialized Levo 4 EVO
Geometry (size S4, standard setting)
| S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | S6 | |
| Reach | 425 mm | 445 mm | 470 mm | 495 mm | 520 mm |
| Stack | 625 mm | 633 mm | 646 mm | 659 mm | 672 mm |
| Control tube angle | 63,6° | 63,6° | 63,6° | 63,6° | 63,6° |
| Chain stay | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,208 mm | 1,232 mm | 1,263 mm | 1,294 mm | 1,325 mm |
| Seat tube angle | 76,0° | 76,0° | 76,0° | 76,0° | 76,0° |
| BB height | 356 mm | 356 mm | 355 mm | 355 mm | 355 mm |
All geometry values in standard setting size S4: medium head tube, low BB, long chainstay.
Prices & variants
The Specialized Levo 4 EVO is available in three equipment variants. The top-of-the-range Levo 4 EVO Pro costs 10,999 euros. The Levo 4 EVO Comp is available for 7499 euros. The entry-level model in the Levo 4 EVO line-up is the Comp EVO Alloy for € 6499.
Max Fuchs
Editor
