Emtb Advice Specialized Levo & Levo SL

SiRich

SiRich

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I’m swaying towards these two as I want to get back to mtb riding mainly the local towpaths and go farther afield, new to these but having researched there is 1. an SL version, smaller battery, less assistance, lighter bike that can be ridden with no assistance, or 2. the standard bike, heavier, greater assistance, potentially better range as standard.

Budget 4K absolute max so won’t be a new specialized.

There won’t be much technical mtb riding a combo of tow path and roads but one route I do is on a loop 38miles (tiring on road bike) with nasty climbs on road to get to the canal towpath/flatter section which I’d then ride about 20 miles on flat, a few mixed bits and with a steep mile long hill at the end of this to my house (this is one of the reasons for wanting an ebike, it kills me at the end of a long road ride, can’t imagine it would be enjoyable on an MTB). Quite like the idea of doing the above on a Saturday morning and not being goosed for the rest of the weekend!

Is the svelte SL too tame for my needs as in won’t last 38 miles even with a range extender. My thinking probably yes?

Do I need the full fat Levo version and are there any alternatives? I have seen trek bikes in the shops and they look good.

Any sensible advice appreciated
 
I'd avoid a full sus ebike, with what you're planning to ride, you could do it on a hybrid (friend of daughter did Leeds-Liverpool on the canal towpath on a road bike...131 miles without issue)
I'd look at something like these

https://www.onbike.co.uk/electric-bikes/lightweight/

(Wife and I have literally just come back from looking at eMTBs for her. We are more swayed to a hybrid (her use will be similar to yours), she looked better suited on one than a MTB round the car park)
 
JohnnyBoxer said:
Why just Specialized?
Bosch Gen4 and 5 engines are very good nowadays
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Cos I’m shallow and I think the Brand is cool! :D

for my budget appears not much choice with full suspension. I did sit on a cube and the seat was awful…trek, giant am open to any suggestions up to 4K that should give me 40-50miles range.
 
Davey B said:
I'd avoid a full sus ebike, with what you're planning to ride, you could do it on a hybrid (friend of daughter did Leeds-Liverpool on the canal towpath on a road bike...131 miles without issue)
I'd look at something like these

https://www.onbike.co.uk/electric-bikes/lightweight/

(Wife and I have literally just come back from looking at eMTBs for her. We are more swayed to a hybrid (her use will be similar to yours), she looked better suited on one than a MTB round the car park)
Click to expand...

Thanks yep hear what you’re saying but I poss want to get a bit more into the mtb route eventually (got a replacement shoulder op coming up first) for all the local trails, so want a full sus with lockout.

Orbea look interesting though
 
I have both, a Turbo Levo and a Kenevo SL. For what you describe, neither will be ideal, but I would suggest the "Full fat" Levo model would be best to start with as they are cheaper originally, and will get you further. You can always turn the assistance down to give you more of a workout/ increase range if you wish, but the SL versions are aimed at people who increase the range by pedalling harder.
Mark
 
As said, both of these bikes really aren't suited to your current needs. Rear suspension would be a hindrance for what you need the bike for, even on an ebike.

Look at the Orbea Kemen, it looks ideal.

Also look at the Cube Touring Hybrid series, Haibike Trekking series, well......I could go on.

If you really insist on going 120mm + emtb, then Orbea Rise is the one I'd have.
 
SiRich said:
Cos I’m shallow and I think the Brand is cool! :D

for my budget appears not much choice with full suspension. I did sit on a cube and the seat was awful…trek, giant am open to any suggestions up to 4K that should give me 40-50miles range.
Click to expand...

A seat is £20 , dont rule a bike out based on its seat. A good bike shop would swap one out for little or no cost.
 
OP, from what you describe as your type of riding could I suggest you look at some 'Trekking' style e-bikes. They manage to be both well suited to road use and will tackle tracks and trails too. Very comfortable, big 29 wheels will roll over the imperfections of our current roads and also have a wide choice of rufty tufty tyres if you want to tackle proper rough stuff. I'm sure there are several to choose from within your budget. I bought a Cannondale Tesoro Neo x2, front suspension, Bosch motor, managed 80+ miles on one occasion on one charge. Have now had it over two years and managed approx 3k miles, so good we sold our second car as I use this pretty much all the time. Cheers:beerjug:John B
 
I have a Trek Proclaibre Carbon 2022 Hard tail hardly used it ,its non E, but very very light and would be much better suited for your needs.,rather than an E bike.. Its prob done 50 miles form brand new and if you are interested in it, I would look at selling it on ,as I ma looking for a full suspension MTB for what I am doing next. drop me a PM if of any interest and I can mail you some pics.
 
steve hughes said:
A seat is £20 , dont rule a bike out based on its seat. A good bike shop would swap one out for little or no cost.
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What he said. :thumb

First thing I do with any push bike is change the seat to one of my choice. (SDG Bel-air is my current fave)
Mark
 
DC said:
I have a Trek Proclaibre Carbon 2022 Hard tail hardly used it ,its non E, but very very light and would be much better suited for your needs.,rather than an E bike.. Its prob done 50 miles form brand new and if you are interested in it, I would look at selling it on ,as I ma looking for a full suspension MTB for what I am doing next. drop me a PM if of any interest and I can mail you some pics.
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I’ve got a 2021 specialised Allez road bike that I’ve done about 1000 or so miles on in last year so I can do the route I mentioned avoiding the tow path. Some of The hills around here are monsters it’s really hilly and I’m no racing snake at 100kg hence wanting some boost power and I am thinking of getting more into mtb stuff after my shoulder replacement op in Feb.

This thread has made me re think on cube and other brands, I’m coming to the conclusion specialized levo aren’t the best value or perhaps most reliable.
 
I love Specialized as well (used to be sponsored by them for MTB racing >30yrs ago!), however I am a fan of Trek nowadays that are brilliantly built and very comfy by relaxed frame geometry. I ride a Powerfly 7 and would recommend the same for your needs.
 
I paid £3300 when new for my Giant Trance E+2 Pro in 2019 as it was the run out model with RRP £4k with a very good specification. My advice is to buy the outgoing model and save a packet over the latest colours.

I had liked the look of the Specialised Ebikes (I had a specialised stump jumper analog, a 29er hardtail plus a cannondale 26er for downhill) but the amount of Specialised motor failures under warranty steered me towards the Giant with its Yamaha motor which has been simply superb and I love the thing. I mostly ride singletrack trails and avoid tarmac wherever possible, most local circular routes I ride such as the South Downs Way, Solent or Meon Valley routes are about 25 miles at a time with a variety of terrain. The South Downs Way can be pretty hard work in some sections with long climbs on chalk trails where the motor comes into its own.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions , I’m a saddo so got myself a ‘list’ now :Dplenty of food for thought.:beerjug:
 
Hi, I bought a second-hand Turbo Levo SL a couple of months ago and really like it. I've done 25 miles and come back with 45% battery remaining, on mildly hilly terrain, with no problems. Two things to bear in mind: 1) Its really light compared to a full fat emtb (21.5 kg, I think), which is handy if you're putting it in the boot of car and 2) They're not as torquey as the full fat ones, so not as quick up hills. It rides more like a standard mtb than a big electric job. Just my tuppence worth.
 
Zog said:
Hi, I bought a second-hand Turbo Levo SL a couple of months ago and really like it. I've done 25 miles and come back with 45% battery remaining, on mildly hilly terrain, with no problems. Two things to bear in mind: 1) Its really light compared to a full fat emtb (21.5 kg, I think), which is handy if you're putting it in the boot of car and 2) They're not as torquey as the full fat ones, so not as quick up hills. It rides more like a standard mtb than a big electric job. Just my tuppence worth.
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I did nearly buy an SL last night, im worried the full power bikes might feel too artificial/removed from ‘proper’ cycling, problem is it is really hill round here i think it might chew through the SL battery with me on it.
 

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Try and rent one for a couple of hours, a lot of the bike shops offer that then you can find out how they feel. If you can try a full suspension (which I bought and really like) and a hard tail then you'll know pretty quickly what's for you.

Everyone commenting on here has their own favourite but you need a shot yourself. Most of the bike shops here rent and we even have a community scheme where you can have a free loan of a hardtail for a month.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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