It carves through sharp turns, pivoting off the back wheel with nary a hint of understeer. There no surprise hills around the corner to spike your heart rate if you choose. For example, check out the likes of the S-Works Turbo Levo SL or the Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon if youre in the US. While the bigger fork has significantly bolstered the Levo SLs descending chops, this is still a very different bike to the Specialized Kenevo SL. The problem is that these rides require far more energy output from the rider than would ever be specified in a structured training regimen. It shares much with the regular Specialized Turbo Levo, but weighs around 4kg less. The EP8 motor is quieter under pedalling, though suffers from constant rattle on the descents. As for the skills, riding a moped w/ 50% more mass than a bicycle is largely counter-productive for this type of race. Polarized training spends most of the time, 70-80%, at low intensity, and then 20-30% at higher intensity. Hubs: DT Swiss 370, three-pawl system. However, it is lighter, more agile and livelier. Specialized has achieved this by shrinking. The Downieville AM is an exercise in riding the most efficient, lightest setup you can still ride downhill at race speed without blowing it up. I've demo'ed a Levo SL, it's so much fun! I learned a lot about cycling training as I pedaled my heart out. We recently tested the Orbea Rise M10, which is the most prominent competitor to the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon. Specialized says the internal battery will last for approximately 3.5 hours ride time in Eco mode. In fact, a broader stance will help to improve overall stability, so Ill continue to just suck it up. Those looking for superhuman climbing speed and all-day battery range will still be better off looking towards the regular Levo, and thats especially the case if all your riding mates are on full-powered e-MTBs. - Intuitive power delivery, - Motor is still quite noisy It also made the Levo SL feel significantly more lively, with greater mid-stroke support that kept the back end riding high through the chop and when pushing into berms and rollers at speed. Its also a significantly longer and slacker bike, and its equipped as such with a bigger Fox 38 fork, a Float X2 shock, stickier rubber and even bigger brake rotors. The Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon electric mountain bike will make an awful lot of sense if youre looking to get off the beaten track in serious fashion. Wheels are another highlight, which has clearly been beautifully put together and feels robust enough to survive the rigors of everyday ruts, potholes, tree trunks, or rocks. Also good to see is that Specialized hasnt resorted to paper-thin tyres, with both the Butcher (1,045g) and the Eliminator (998g) using reinforced GRID Trail casings. It could be a good choice for those who need help to keep up with faster riders or squeeze more laps into their schedule, but otherwise want the most unadulterated ride-feel possible. However, the pinned GX cassette is cheap on a $15K bike, and its indicative of the overall build kit erring towards functionality rather than outright bling. Enter the BLEvo app. Finding my way back into MTB a few years ago, I am now taking my running and fitness success over to competitive mountain bike racing with my eyes set on the Downieville Classic. yup. The Traverse wheels are only a little bit heavier (1,947g confirmed), and perhaps theres an argument that an alloy wheelset is a more practical choice for an e-MTB, since alloy rims are much cheaper to replace. Since he's been all-digital he has run the Innovation channel during a few years at Microsoft as well as turning out regular news, reviews, features and other content for the likes of TechRadar, TechRadar Pro, Tom's Guide, Fit&Well, Gizmodo, Shortlist, Automotive Interiors World, Automotive Testing Technology International, Future of Transportation and Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International. My experience has been mixed: I haven't raced in a few years and haven't been actively "training", but I have been focused on progressing my technical/downhill skills over that same time period. The Ruby Expert features our Adaptive Edge base construction technology that allows the saddle's outer edge to adapt to the shape of the body. There is a lot more that BLEvo app can do, but that would be an entire article in itself. The program itself is well-thought out and insightful. Anyone know for certain? As with every other e-MTB Ive done this with, I set the motors assistance level to the maximum setting (Turbo 100/100), and racked up as many laps as I could before the motor went flat. The grips are fab on your hands, while the Bridge Comp saddle is deceptively comfy even if you don't spend much time sitting on it. It awesome to ride steep and fun trails and stay in z2. BLEvo let's me set my preferred heart rate range, as well as power range. In turn, I achieved a massive increase in the volume of descent skills practice. The e-bike's extra weight and low distribution of that weight, provides a similar on-trail feel to a bike with updated angles like the new Stumpjumper. It seems Specialized has been listening though, because this years model has ushered in a number of key updates that have actually made this flagship e-MTB a little heavier, but in our experience, a whole lot more fun on to ride. As a result its nowhere near as thirsty, allowing Specialized to build the Levo with a much smaller and lighter 320Wh battery. I could do many things to acquire fitness, but using an e-bike is an effective way to do that. Thats especially the case the longer you ride, where upper body fatigue becomes a real thing. Specialized says its worked hard to improve the efficiency of the motor which is thanks in part to a system of spur gears that allow the electric motor to spin 50 times faster than the crank and the system offers maximum power and efficiency between 50 to 130 RPM at the crank. I mainly race Xc and out several hours a week in it, but then use ebike so I dont have to ride a trainer or road bike for recovery. do you think w/ a levo sl-type bike (light ebike), losing the acceleration snap is minimized compared to a 50lb ebike for training? The Butcher front tire and Eliminator rubber at the rear deliver substantial dollops of grip on loose ground, though fair less well on hard, wet surfaces. Compared to the vague LED display on the Rise, there is no doubt the Levo SLs TCU is the better interface, and the Mission Control app is also far more user friendly. The light steering means it is twitchier at high speeds, and it doesnt inspire as much confidence when pointing down near-vertical chutes. Seems like a fun tool to have in the quiver if you have the coin for it, but maybe not necessarily the most cost effective. You get plenty of power when you need it and, despite the battery and motor combination, the Levo is light, agile and dynamic. The low weight is the obvious drawcard for the Specialized Levo SL. I have been using a similar strategy for myself and have only noticed improvements from using a variety of bikes and riding styles. The Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon is designed to perform, but its also comfortable to ride, especially for long days out. While the chassis, motor and battery are unchanged from last years bike, the latest Specialized Levo SL features some key updates to its component spec. The Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert C gets its own Fact m11 carbon frame that builds into an impressive 18.57kg (40.94lb) complete bike. Turbo Levo SL is a new, lightweight breed of eMTB that harnesses the quick and lively ride of our Stumpjumperand adds just enough power to introduce a whole new dimension of kick ass. We also got on famously with the SRAM Eagle X01 12-speed drivetrain. All models have Specializeds SWAT multi-tool hidden in the steerer tube and water bottle cage fitted. IT'S YOU JUST GOING FASTERAND FURTHER The Turbo Levo SL is effectively a . Having lived with the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon for a while now theres little to grumble about with this high-end eMTB. If i was explosive every day, then I will quickly over train. Like the Lapierre eZesty, its one of a new breed of e-bikes designed for people who dont need all the assistance of a full-power e-bike, but want something thats more similar to an analogue bike in both weight and handling. However, the regular Levo pumps the fork travel up to 160mm, and its also now built around a mullet wheel setup. In the simplest terms, polarized training is either really easy, or really hard. Using a Specialized Turbo Levo SL e-Bike to Train for Mountain Bike Racing. In the rare moments he's not working he's usually out and about on one of numerous e-bikes in his collection. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? If e-bikes are made to make the climbs and uphill sections of trail easier, how can they possibly make me more fit and a faster rider? After years of running, I have recently changed gears with an obsession for improving my descending skills on a mountain bike. Seems like the main benefit is in training you can meter your wattage while still getting to ride fun trails. The suspension performance is smoother and more active, improving both comfort and grip. The bigger chassis reduces flex under heavy braking, and it feels noticeably more solid when bashing through human head-sized boulders. Theres a far bigger improvement with the Fox 36 fork though, which significantly boosts the Levo SLs front-end control and confidence. The turbo levo comp is available with a carbon fiber or aluminum frame. Agree with the stickman, but you need to take into consideration his "80-90%" use of an ebike, which is not far from my current usage. I got my 2018 comp carbon levo down to 20.7 kilos, i dont understand how they can ask the same money for a bike that has less battery, frame and motor weight, and really only saving +2kilos. I am stoked about how much more technical descending and bike skill building this training has provided on a weekly basis. There was already a lot to like about the original Specialized Levo SL Expert we tested last year. The 780mm wide riserbar has a great profile, and even the ergonomics for the dropper post and shift levers were appreciated. Also interesting was the increased range over the Kenevo SL. NY 10036. Once dialled in, I found the Levo SL to be a really comfortable bike and a nice change from the latest crop of uber-long reach bikes. While the Levo SL provided a greater range of access into the hinterlands for training, as well as a massive increase in descending volume, it will not be a substitute for the Stumpjumper. Even manualing, bunny-hopping and jumping are barely harder than with a regular trail bike. From a practical standpoint, its just easier to deal with. Levo SL Levo SL Expert - my build thread. The Turbo Levo SL Expert Carbon features a full carbon frame paired to full FOX suspension and a SRAM Eagle X01 drivetrain. All bikes use a Fox 34 fork and Fox DPS shock, SRAM G2 or Guide trail brakes, and SRAM Eagle 12-speed drivetrains. Whether you're looking for diet meals to help you lose weight or hearty, healthy meals for weight gain, NutriFit will create a plan specifically for you. Thats over 4kg heavier than the Levo SL. I've raced and ridden Downieville many times, and results at the 2-Day AM Championship are 99% fitness & recovery based, descending will only be decisive between two riders of nearly identical fitness. - Sticky brake pistons Those Specialized Trail alloy handlebars feature an 8-degree backsweep with a 6-degree upsweep. The Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert Carbon is an agile eMTB that allows you to easily forget it's electric when you're out on the trails. To like about the original Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon just GOING FASTERAND FURTHER Turbo... 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