What bike you will pick as a first e-mtb? Turbo Levo carbon comp 2025 vs Turbo levo 2025 vs Turbo levo SL comp 2025 with new genie shock

[Stefan Mikes]

Levo (Alloy) is a sure bet. In a highly improbable situation of an alloy frame crack, it is possible to weld it. Now, if the carbon frame cracks, you will need a very good specialist to glue it; or you have to buy a new frame at an exorbitant price!

Now, I do not recommend a Levo SL for you. Yes it is true you could use a Range Extender with an SL e-bike. The total available charge will be 480 W compared to 700 Wh on the full power Levo. I need to mention any Specialized e-bike has several tools to tune the assistance, so you can ride in a low power on road and with higher power uphill and especially in the terrain.

My own experience:
I used to own a Giant Trance E+ that was very similar to the full power Levo of the same generation. There was no hill I could not conquer! That full power e-MTB could climb any hill like a mountain goat! (I gave that e-bike to a family member after I discovered I was not really into technical singletrack mountain biking).

Later, I rented a Levo SL (one generation back) out of the curiosity, and went for a terrain ride in my area that almost had no hills but a lot of sand instead. While I liked how Levo SL was handling rough terrain, I felt it was underpowered for my expectations, and especially it rode very slowly.

Interestingly, I ride a Vado SL for a similar terrain to the one I rode with the Levo SL, and Vado SL meets my expectations: a different geometry (more a gravel bike), and faster gearing.

I would say: a Levo SL is for connoisseurs that can provide a lot of technique and leg power in hard terrain. It is decidedly not an e-MTB for the beginners! It does not help the SL e-bike is a couple kilogrammes more lightweight than the full power brother. What you need in the beginning is the motor power and a big battery.

Additionally: do not push ideas such as extra wheel-set or upgrading the Levo. It comes with premium components. Many newcomers think they would need to upgrade anything. Incorrect. Why improve the industry reference e-bike?

 

[Prairie Dog]

This is typical of the local trails that I ride on with the Levo. I feel that I can push the bike to its limits and attack singles aggressively without ever having to worry about whether or not the suspension is compliant enough over roots or drops or if the brakes will let me down on steep technical descents. FYI, I only ride tarmac when I’m transitioning to a different trailhead. Otherwise, it’s a serious trail bike.

As a newcomer to the discipline of MTBs, perhaps the Tero X might be the ideal compromise if you find yourself dividing time between commuting, touring or as a weekend warrior ready to hit the trails whenever the urge compels you. FS is nice albeit short travel and it sports a dropper post when you might encounter the occasional gnarly drop BUT also has a versatile side to it for urban riding with rack, integrated lights, fenders.

 

[Slayer2ez]

Levo (Alloy) is a sure bet. In a highly improbable situation of an alloy frame crack, it is possible to weld it. Now, if the carbon frame cracks, you will need a very good specialist to glue it; or you have to buy a new frame at an exorbitant price!

Now, I do not recommend a Levo SL for you. Yes it is true you could use a Range Extender with an SL e-bike. The total available charge will be 480 W compared to 700 Wh on the full power Levo. I need to mention any Specialized e-bike has several tools to tune the assistance, so you can ride in a low power on road and with higher power uphill and especially in the terrain.

My own experience:
I used to own a Giant Trance E+ that was very similar to the full power Levo of the same generation. There was no hill I could not conquer! That full power e-MTB could climb any hill like a mountain goat! (I gave that e-bike to a family member after I discovered I was not really into technical singletrack mountain biking).

Later, I rented a Levo SL (one generation back) out of the curiosity, and went for a terrain ride in my area that almost had no hills but a lot of sand instead. While I liked how Levo SL was handling rough terrain, I felt it was underpowered for my expectations, and especially it rode very slowly.

Interestingly, I ride a Vado SL for a similar terrain to the one I rode with the Levo SL, and Vado SL meets my expectations: a different geometry (more a gravel bike), and faster gearing.

I would say: a Levo SL is for connoisseurs that can provide a lot of technique and leg power in hard terrain. It is decidedly not an e-MTB for the beginners! It does not help the SL e-bike is a couple kilogrammes more lightweight than the full power brother. What you need in the beginning is the motor power and a big battery.

Additionally: do not push ideas such as extra wheel-set or upgrading the Levo. It comes with premium components. Many newcomers think they would need to upgrade anything. Incorrect. Why improve the industry reference e-bike?

Okay thank you! i think the same about SL, also we currently live not in year of SL 1.2 launch and there a lot different motors and brands trying to get higher power&less weight and SL probably will be slowly more niche option for people who exactly like SL geometry or going for S-works which is still super low weight. In my case 19.1 kg SL comp carbon will be not crazy light and power will be significant lower from what i can have with turbo levo
i ll take turbo levo and give a big bet on it to cover all my needs

Last question if you will have a chance to check Technical Specifications of Turbo levo line of 2025, There Turbo levo 2025, Turbo Levo comp alloy and Turbo Levo Comp Carbon
I ll send links hope it's ok, help me to choose best value for money between that 3, currently after all i read and understand i m staying with Turbo levo 2025, the cheapest version
If there no any big improvements in other 2 options comp alloy and comp carbon to pay extra i ll just get Turbo Levo and will be waiitng for delivery of it ^_^
I anyway need to think about bike for my wife and hope to step by step get a car in 2025 for my needs and going somewhere with bikes and my dog
1. Turbo Levo 2025: https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/turbo-levo/p/4231082?color=5369824-4231082
2. Turbo Levo comp alloy 2025: https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/turbo-levo-comp-alloy/p/4231879?color=5432534-4231879
3. Turbo levo comp Carbon 2025: https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/turbo-levo-comp-carbon/p/4274924?color=5430535-4274924
I not sure that 23,17 kg on Turbo comp carbon will win a lot for me vs Turbo Levo with 24,21 kg, there Sram GX vs Sram NX chain/cassette,shift levers, Sram Db 8 brakes vs SRam Maven Bronze, Marzocchi bomber vs Fox Float X, and some more little differences.
What would you recommend if we compare it and prices? I will be totally fine with alloy and money saved?

And btw about size i m 179 height (5,87) and ~86,5kg (190,5 LB) weight atm, i plan to buy S4 size, when i tested Tero i was on L and it was pretty comfort, i found that S4 for my height is totally ok, i still can be on S2/S3 as i understand but S4 gives a bit more stability on bike on high speeds, that probably what more important for me

And thank you for your replies guys! You really saved me on purchase, i was almost purchasing SL a day ago and at current moment i think i was wrong with it

 

[Slayer2ez]

This is typical of the local trails that I ride on with the Levo. I feel that I can push the bike to its limits and attack singles aggressively without ever having to worry about whether or not the suspension is compliant enough over roots or drops or if the brakes will let me down on steep technical descents. FYI, I only ride tarmac when I’m transitioning to a different trailhead. Otherwise, it’s a serious trail bike.

As a newcomer to the discipline of MTBs, perhaps the Tero X might be the ideal compromise if you find yourself dividing time between commuting, touring or as a weekend warrior ready to hit the trails whenever the urge compels you. FS is nice albeit short travel and it sports a dropper post when you might encounter the occasional gnarly drop BUT also has a versatile side to it for urban riding with rack, integrated lights, fenders.

Yes, friend! Tero x6.0 or X5.0 was my first idea after Tero 3.0 drive test but sadly there only x4.0 version in stock and no any news about when it wil lcome back to delivery
Tero x6.0 probably could be an all in one for all my needs without any limitations, it not great in everything but it pretty good in all

I will re ask a shop but i think from Tero line i can get only: 3.0, X4.0 XL (no fit my height i think), 5.0 EQ and probably 4.0 pass-through EQ that what available

So i think my way to stack with Levo and if i will need road ride for long time i will look for some road/gravel used bikes on second market

Hope some medium rides on levo on road/park will not make any big problems or components wear out much faster. If a way to get tires for road can save me for days when i ll go just on roads mostly, i can look to buy it, but i suppose it not that easy to change it quick unless i ll have extra wheels which is too difficult and expensive. I m not good in mechanical part, i still have a lot things to learn about service such premium bike and make sure to good handle it
And i already keep in mind that i ll need to ride 80 cadence to save motor longer and of course not start to go climb hill with small gear. After every clean add some oil on chain and scroll it, after purchase i ll ask for service maintance to prepare everything for my use and will use service check every ~300 km of ride. And never wet wash area with battery
That what i keep in mind about service, i m sure that not all i need to know but something

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Yes, friend! Tero x6.0 or X5.0 was my first idea after Tero 3.0 drive test but sadly there only x4.0 version in stock and no any news about when it wil lcome back to delivery
Tero x6.0 probably could be an all in one for all my needs without any limitations, it not great in everything but it pretty good in all

My personal experience is Tero X is a very heavy e-bike, and I would not buy it for myself

Hope some medium rides on levo on road/park will not make any big problems or components wear out much faster.

No problems until you derestrict or reprogram the e-bike to a higher max assisted speed than planned for the e-bike (Levo is 25 km/h in Europe, and 32 km/h in Canada and the U.S.) The e-MTB is designed to climb not to ride fast on roads. If you want to ride a Levo fast on roads, you will need to use a lot of assistance and ride in the highest gears, so:

• The smallest sprockets of the cassette will wear out soon... (read on to understand the consequence)
• Your battery will need a bigger number of recharges, which will degrade the expensive battery sooner than you think.

Levo is designed to climb, and ride downhill unassisted (gravity). While the climb is always slow, the gravity downhill ride is fast without assistance or pedalling (you often ride standing on the pedals, the dropper seat-post down, your butt far in the rear). Normally, the rides on the flat are occasional on a Trail e-bike such as Levo. Trust me, even 25 km/h is a lot on a trail!

If a way to get tires for road can save me for days when i ll go just on roads mostly, i can look to buy it, but i suppose it not that easy to change it quick unless i ll have extra wheels which is too difficult and expensive. I m not good in mechanical part, i still have a lot things to learn about service such premium bike and make sure to good handle it

Please even stop thinking of multiple wheelsets or changing the tyres on the fly. Nobody does it for a day's ride.

And i already keep in mind that i ll need to ride 80 cadence to save motor longer and of course not start to go climb hill with small gear. After every clean add some oil on chain and scroll it, after purchase i ll ask for service maintance to prepare everything for my use and will use service check every ~300 km of ride. And never wet wash area with battery
That what i keep in mind about service, i m sure that not all i need to know but something

You actually need to:

• Recharge the battery before each ride
• Check the tyre pressure and re-inflate in case of need
• Degrease and lube the chain once in a week if you ride regularly.

Also, please visit your Local Bike Store for the first service post the first 200-300 km. The dealer will regulate anything necessary in your e-bike and re-tighten any loose bolt or screw. No need for more servicing in, say, 1 year. Yes, you should occasionally check the chain wear, possibly after 1600 km ridden.

1. Turbo Levo 2025: https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/turbo-levo/p/4231082?color=5369824-4231082
2. Turbo Levo comp alloy 2025: https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/turbo-levo-comp-alloy/p/4231879?color=5432534-4231879
3. Turbo levo comp Carbon 2025: https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/turbo-levo-comp-carbon/p/4274924?color=5430535-4274924

Please understand that the Turbo Levo is already the gold standard in the market The even higher end components on Comp or Comp Carbon can only be appreciated by experts who bomb the most difficult trails. However, these have a very nasty feature: they are as expensive in the maintenance as your eyes would be watering!

You may think your expenses will end when you have paid for the e-bike. No, the expenses will just begin

• Chain needs to be checked for the stretch (you check it with a special inexpensive gauge). When is has stretched past 0.75%, you must replace the chain, and the new chain is not free
• If you haven't replaced the chain in time, ride at high speed in high gears, or after a longer mileage, the smallest cassette sprockets will wear out. SRAM cassettes are not serviceable, so you have to replace the entire cassette. The higher groupset of the drivetrain, the more expensive cassettes become to the point a cassette may cost several hundred dollar.
• And yes, you have to replace the worn brake pads from time to time.

FYI: In the U.S., the cassette used on Comp Carbon or Comp Alloy costs over $200 before tax. The cassette for basic Turbo Levo costs $85. Do I need to say more?

Now, 24 kg for a full power e-MTB is absolutely not very much.
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@Prairie Dog: Slayer has a dream. Let his dream come true! People need to learn

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Slayer2ez: Before I forget. The Levo (as any e-MTB) has extremely powerful brakes, most of people not being used to that.

A typical scenario: You are riding your Levo on road with the suspension unlocked (active). Now, you need to suddenly stop (a kid, dog, whatever). You press your brake levers with all your force. Now, the front suspension goes all the way down, the bike stops immediately, and you are flying Over-The-Bars Learn riding slowly, learn braking, and always wear a good helmet! Also, at least partly lock the suspension while on road.

Ask me how I know (Yes, a Levo SL demo ride!)

My buddy suddenly stopped in front of me!

 

[Extreme1]

I just need to chime in here, and make another vote for the alloy frame. When you crash or drop the bike and it lands on a rock or tree branch, the alloy frame will just dent slightly. The carbon frame will crack and will need to be replaced. There is not much of a weight savings with the carbon frame over an alloy frame, especially on a Mtb. The Mtb is going to be quite heavy anyways compared to a road bike.

I have a buddy and his wife that were born and raised in Tbilisi. He moved to California and is now in Portugal.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Yes, friend! Tero x6.0 or X5.0 was my first idea after Tero 3.0 drive test but sadly there only x4.0 version in stock and no any news about when it wil lcome back to delivery
Tero x6.0 probably could be an all in one for all my needs without any limitations, it not great in everything but it pretty good in all

I will re ask a shop but i think from Tero line i can get only: 3.0, X4.0 XL (no fit my height i think), 5.0 EQ and probably 4.0 pass-through EQ that what available

So i think my way to stack with Levo and if i will need road ride for long time i will look for some road/gravel used bikes on second market

It sounds a lot like you’re caught between a rock and a hard place with regards to what models to choose from and available inventory. It’s reasonable to have your cake and eat it too so perhaps the addition of a used commuter might be a good compromise. The Levo certainly won’t disappoint if you deliberately opt to ride in more extreme terrain.

 

[Slayer2ez]

My personal experience is Tero X is a very heavy e-bike, and I would not buy it for myself

No problems until you derestrict or reprogram the e-bike to a higher max assisted speed than planned for the e-bike (Levo is 25 km/h in Europe, and 32 km/h in Canada and the U.S.) The e-MTB is designed to climb not to ride fast on roads. If you want to ride a Levo fast on roads, you will need to use a lot of assistance and ride in the highest gears, so:

• The smallest sprockets of the cassette will wear out soon... (read on to understand the consequence)
• Your battery will need a bigger number of recharges, which will degrade the expensive battery sooner than you think.

Levo is designed to climb, and ride downhill unassisted (gravity). While the climb is always slow, the gravity downhill ride is fast without assistance or pedalling (you often ride standing on the pedals, the dropper seat-post down, your butt far in the rear). Normally, the rides on the flat are occasional on a Trail e-bike such as Levo. Trust me, even 25 km/h is a lot on a trail!

Please even stop thinking of multiple wheelsets or changing the tyres on the fly. Nobody does it for a day's ride.


You actually need to:

• Recharge the battery before each ride
• Check the tyre pressure and re-inflate in case of need
• Degrease and lube the chain once in a week if you ride regularly.

Also, please visit your Local Bike Store for the first service post the first 200-300 km. The dealer will regulate anything necessary in your e-bike and re-tighten any loose bolt or screw. No need for more servicing in, say, 1 year. Yes, you should occasionally check the chain wear, possibly after 1600 km ridden.


Please understand that the Turbo Levo is already the gold standard in the market The even higher end components on Comp or Comp Carbon can only be appreciated by experts who bomb the most difficult trails. However, these have a very nasty feature: they are as expensive in the maintenance as your eyes would be watering!

You may think your expenses will end when you have paid for the e-bike. No, the expenses will just begin

• Chain needs to be checked for the stretch (you check it with a special inexpensive gauge). When is has stretched past 0.75%, you must replace the chain, and the new chain is not free
• If you haven't replaced the chain in time, ride at high speed in high gears, or after a longer mileage, the smallest cassette sprockets will wear out. SRAM cassettes are not serviceable, so you have to replace the entire cassette. The higher groupset of the drivetrain, the more expensive cassettes become to the point a cassette may cost several hundred dollar.
• And yes, you have to replace the worn brake pads from time to time.

FYI: In the U.S., the cassette used on Comp Carbon or Comp Alloy costs over $200 before tax. The cassette for basic Turbo Levo costs $85. Do I need to say more?

Now, 24 kg for a full power e-MTB is absolutely not very much.
-------------
@Prairie Dog: Slayer has a dream. Let his dream come true! People need to learn

I think you absolutely right about cost of service, for me as a beginner who can easy do mistakes, probably much better to buy Turbo Levo in base, save some money and get little cheaper services
I will keep in mind all advices about bike
and soon will do final decesion to buy a bike and start riding on it

 

[Slayer2ez]

I just need to chime in here, and make another vote for the alloy frame. When you crash or drop the bike and it lands on a rock or tree branch, the alloy frame will just dent slightly. The carbon frame will crack and will need to be replaced. There is not much of a weight savings with the carbon frame over an alloy frame, especially on a Mtb. The Mtb is going to be quite heavy anyways compared to a road bike.

I have a buddy and his wife that were born and raised in Tbilisi. He moved to California and is now in Portugal.

That nice! ye i wll go with alloy ty for advice!
And glad to hear about your buddy's wife story, Tbilisi -> Ca -> Portugal is a big life journey i m sure
I m here more like a long stay tourist, later probably will continue my way to other places, will see

 

[Slayer2ez]

It sounds a lot like you’re caught between a rock and a hard place with regards to what models to choose from and available inventory. It’s reasonable to have your cake and eat it too so perhaps the addition of a used commuter might be a good compromise. The Levo certainly won’t disappoint if you deliberately opt to ride in more extreme terrain.

Yes that what i think too, with Levo i ll have a bike ready for any extrime conditions, well dome motor to help with any clims and turbo version will allow me to easy ride for 50-100 km depends on my style and heights
Im sure now that i no need SL for extra 3-4 kg less but much less power and distance motor, my case is probably about turbo version to get a bike ready for easy climbs and a lot support.

And Tero 5.0 will be a good commuter for different terrain or climbs but if i will want to use bike more agressive and take it on different trails and difficult terrain i ll have something not so ready for it. With levo i ll have no problems

I l try to take some test ride in close days on trails near me, probably i ll find some bike close to levo or some levo for a test and will see if i enjoy it more than common ride drives

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Slayer: For your information, all Specialized e-bikes are Turbo What makes the difference is SL