Specialized

Turbo Levo SL 2023

Discontinued✎Lightweight · TrailLegacy · 1.2/10iFreshness 1.2/10
How current the bike is — newer chassis, motor and battery score higher. 10 = brand-new, 0 = legacy.

Light SL trail bike with natural handling and adjustable geometry

Motor

Specialized SL 1.2 · 50Nm · 320W↗

Battery

Specialized SL1-320 · 320Wh

Travel F/R

160/150mm

Wheels

MX (29F / 27.5R)✎

Frame

Full carbon✎

Weight

17.8 kg

Price

From £7,000

View the Specialized Turbo Levo SL on Specialized’s site

Specialized Turbo Levo SL 2023

From £7,000

The 2023 Turbo Levo SL was Specialized's second-generation lightweight trail eMTB and a clean-sheet redesign of the original sidearm-framed SL. The FACT 11m carbon frame carries the new Specialized SL 1.2 motor (50 Nm and 320 watts, roughly a third more power and around 40 per cent more torque than the old SL 1.1) plus a fully integrated 320Wh battery, with an optional 160Wh range extender that drops into the bottle cage for 480Wh total. Travel grew to 160mm up front and 150mm at the rear (150/144mm on the smallest S1), running mixed 29in front and 27.5in rear wheels across Specialized's S1 to S6 sizing.Geometry is firmly trail-to-light-enduro: a 64.6-degree head angle, 75.8-degree effective seat angle, short 432mm chainstays on S2 upwards and an adjustable head angle and bottom-bracket height via a flip-chip. The range spanned the SRAM GX Eagle Comp Carbon at GBP 7,000, the GX AXS Transmission Expert Carbon at GBP 9,000, the X0 Transmission and Fox Factory Pro Carbon at GBP 10,250, and the XX Transmission, Reverb AXS and Roval carbon-wheeled S-Works at GBP 13,700, with claimed weights from about 17.8kg on the S-Works to 18.8kg on the Comp Carbon.For its era this was one of the more capable lightweight assist bikes, trading outright power for a quiet, natural-feeling drive and genuine trail-bike handling. It has since been discontinued and superseded by later Levo SL generations, so any examples now are end-of-line or used stock.

EMTB Forums verdict

The 2023 Turbo Levo SL was Specialized's second-generation lightweight trail eMTB and a clean-sheet redesign of the original sidearm-framed SL. The FACT 11m carbon frame carries the new Specialized SL 1.2 motor (50 Nm and 320 watts, roughly a third more power and around 40 per cent more torque than the old SL 1.1) plus a fully integrated 320Wh battery, with an optional 160Wh range extender that drops into the bottle cage for 480Wh total. Travel grew to 160mm up front and 150mm at the rear (150/144mm on the smallest S1), running mixed 29in front and 27.5in rear wheels across Specialized's S1 to S6 sizing.

Geometry is firmly trail-to-light-enduro: a 64.6-degree head angle, 75.8-degree effective seat angle, short 432mm chainstays on S2 upwards and an adjustable head angle and bottom-bracket height via a flip-chip. The range spanned the SRAM GX Eagle Comp Carbon at GBP 7,000, the GX AXS Transmission Expert Carbon at GBP 9,000, the X0 Transmission and Fox Factory Pro Carbon at GBP 10,250, and the XX Transmission, Reverb AXS and Roval carbon-wheeled S-Works at GBP 13,700, with claimed weights from about 17.8kg on the S-Works to 18.8kg on the Comp Carbon.

For its era this was one of the more capable lightweight assist bikes, trading outright power for a quiet, natural-feeling drive and genuine trail-bike handling. It has since been discontinued and superseded by later Levo SL generations, so any examples now are end-of-line or used stock.

Geometry read

What the numbers mean on the trail

Computed from this bike's geometry, spec and build kit — reach, wheelbase, chainstay, head and seat angles, travel, motor, weight and the fork/tyre/brake spec — and worked out per size, because a fixed chainstay can make an S and an XL feel very different.

Size

Descending

A solid all-round descender (64.6° head angle, 150mm) — capable in the rough and steep without being an all-out bruiser.

Playfulness

Short 432mm rear and a lighter build — easy to pop, manual and throw around.

Size balance

Rear-long with a planted front in S3 (FC:RC 1.80) — easy to weight the front and quick to turn, though it can feel light at the back at real speed.

Technical climbing

Climbs well — a 75.8° seat keeps the front planted. 320W of peak power and 50Nm of torque.

Best suited toPlayful trail riding — jumps, pumps and tight, techy singletrack.

Easy to throw around; happiest when you're active on the bike.

Watch out forNo major red flags in the S3 geometry.

The numbers are well balanced for its category.

How it stacks up vs other Lightweight · Trail bikes (from 92 bikes in the database)

Weight17.8 kg1.1 kg lighter than average

Battery320 Wh114 Wh below average

Motor torque50 Nmabout average torque

Value for money25/100from £7,000 · comparable bikes ~£5,999

Computed from geometry + spec, not a paid review. Scores are guidance, not gospel.

Paste into any thread to embed this live, interactive panel.

💬 Forum discussion

Levo SL 2023 Megathread

2.7k replies · 614.2k views · last reply 7 days ago

Join the discussion →

“Everyone is always so concerned when it comes to the weight of our bikes, which I suppose is subjective. Here’s my take on it. I’ve been riding for over thirty years and have seen some incredible advancements in mtb’s. I live in B.C…”

— SteveRS · ♥ 13 · most-liked post

Geometry · hover a row to highlight the measurement on the bike

	S1	S2	S3	S4	S5	S6
Reach	405 mm	425 mm	445 mm	470 mm	495 mm	525 mm
Stack	609 mm	617 mm	626 mm	635 mm	645 mm	654 mm
Seattube	385 mm	385 mm	405 mm	425 mm	445 mm	465 mm
Chainstay	433 mm	432 mm	432 mm	432 mm	432 mm	432 mm
Headtube Angle	64.6°	64.6°	64.6°	64.6°	64.6°	64.6°
Seattube Angle (eff)	75.8°	75.8°	75.8°	75.8°	75.8°	75.8°
Wheelbase	1158 mm	1184 mm	1208 mm	1238 mm	1267 mm	1301 mm
Headtube	95 mm	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm	130 mm	140 mm
BB Height	343 mm	348 mm	348 mm	348 mm	348 mm	348 mm
Standover	727 mm	763 mm	766 mm	767 mm	773 mm	778 mm
Front Centre	725 mm*	752 mm*	776 mm*	806 mm*	835 mm*	869 mm*
FC:RC	1.67	1.74	1.80	1.87	1.93	2.01

Trims · 4

	Comp Carbon £7,000	Expert Carbon £9,000	Pro Carbon £10,250	S-Works £13,700
Motor	Specialized SL 1.2 · 50 Nm · all trims
Battery	Specialized SL1-320 · 320 Wh · all trims
Travel F/R	160/150 mm · all trims
Frame	Carbon · all trims
Fork	Fox 36 Rhythm, 29", 44mm offset, Grip damper, S1: 150mm, S2-S6: 160mm travel	Fox 36 Performance Elite, 29", 44mm offset, Grip 2 damper, S1: 150mm, S2-S6: 160mm	Fox 36 Factory, 29", 44mm offset, Grip 2 damper, Kashima, S1: 150mm, S2-S6: 160mm	Fox 36 Factory, 29", 44mm offset, Grip 2 damper, Kashima, S1: 150mm, S2-S6: 160mm
Shock	S2-S6: Fox Float X Performance series, 210x55mm; S1: Fox Float DPS Performance series, 210x50mm	S2-S6: Fox Float X Performance Elite series, 210x55mm; S1: Fox Float DPS Performance Elite series, 210x50mm	S2-S6: Fox Float X Factory series, Kashima, 210x55mm; S1: Fox Float DPS Factory, Kashima, 210x50mm	S2-S6: Fox Float X Factory series, Kashima, 210x55mm; S1: Fox Float DPS Factory, Kashima, 210x50mm
Stem	Alloy Trail Stem, 35mm bar bore	Alloy Trail Stem, 35mm bar bore	Deity, 35.0mm	Deity, 35.0mm
Handlebar	Specialized, 6061 alloy, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 30mm rise, 780mm width	Specialized Trail, 7050 alloy, 8-degree backsweep, 6-degree upsweep, 30mm rise, 780mm, 35mm clamp	Roval Traverse SL Carbon, riser bar, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 30mm rise, 780mm, 35.0mm	Roval Traverse SL Carbon, riser bar, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 30mm rise, 780mm, 35.0mm
Grips	Specialized Trail Grips	Deity Grips	Deity Grips	Deity Knucklebuster
Saddle	Bridge Comp, Hollow Cr-mo rails, 155/143mm	Bridge Comp, Hollow Cr-mo rails, 155/143mm	Bridge, 155/143mm, Hollow Ti rails	Bridge, 155/143mm, Hollow Ti rails
Seatpost	X-Fusion Manic dropper, infinite adjustable, two-bolt head, 34.9mm; S1: 100mm, S2: 125mm, S3: 150mm, S4/S5: 170mm, S6: 190mm	OneUp dropper, 2-bolt, 34.9mm, 120/150/180/210mm travel, 0mm offset (345/405/465/525mm), w/ UFT remote	BikeYoke Revive Max dropper, 34.9mm; S1: 120mm, S2-S3: 150mm, S4-S5: 185mm, S6: 213mm	RockShox Reverb AXS, 30.9mm, 1x remote; S1: 100mm, S2: 125mm, S3: 150mm, S4-S6: 170mm
Brakes	Front: SRAM Code RS, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 200mm; Rear: SRAM Code RS, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 200mm	SRAM Code Silver Stealth, 4-piston hydraulic disc, 200mm front and rear	SRAM Code Silver Stealth, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 200mm front and rear	SRAM Code Silver Stealth, 4-piston hydraulic disc, 200mm (per BikeRadar; 99spokes lists hydraulic disc)
Rear derailleur	SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed	SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission	SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission Derailleur	SRAM XX Eagle Transmission Derailleur
Crank	SRAM Alloy Crankset, Dub interface, New SL 1.2 spider, 104BCD w/ SRAM 32t Transmission-compatible alloy ring	SRAM Alloy Crankset, Dub interface, New SL 1.2 spider, 104BCD w/ SRAM 32t Transmission-compatible alloy ring	SRAM Carbon Crankset, Dub interface, New SL 1.2 spider, 104BCD w/ SRAM 32t Transmission-compatible alloy ring	SRAM Carbon Crankset, Dub interface (New SL 1.2 spider, 32t)
Shifters	SRAM GX, trigger, 12-speed	SRAM AXS POD Controller	SRAM AXS POD Controller	SRAM AXS POD Controller
Cassette	SRAM XG-1275, 12-speed, 10-52t	SRAM GX Eagle Transmission Cassette, 12-speed, 10-52t	SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission Cassette, 12-speed, 10-52t	SRAM XX Eagle Transmission Cassette, 12-speed, 10-52t
Chain	SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed	SRAM GX Eagle Transmission Flattop Chain	SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission Flattop Chain	SRAM XX Eagle Transmission Flattop Chain
Drivetrain	SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed; SRAM Alloy Crankset, Dub interface, New SL 1.2 spider, 104BCD w/ SRAM 32t Transmission-compatible alloy ring; SRAM GX, trigger, 12-speed; SRAM XG-1275, 12-speed, 10-52t; SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed	SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission; SRAM Alloy Crankset, Dub interface, New SL 1.2 spider, 104BCD w/ SRAM 32t Transmission-compatible alloy ring; SRAM AXS POD Controller; SRAM GX Eagle Transmission Cassette, 12-speed, 10-52t; SRAM GX Eagle Transmission Flattop Chain	SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission Derailleur; SRAM Carbon Crankset, Dub interface, New SL 1.2 spider, 104BCD w/ SRAM 32t Transmission-compatible alloy ring; SRAM AXS POD Controller; SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission Cassette, 12-speed, 10-52t; SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission Flattop Chain	SRAM XX Eagle Transmission Derailleur; SRAM Carbon Crankset, Dub interface (New SL 1.2 spider, 32t); SRAM AXS POD Controller; SRAM XX Eagle Transmission Cassette, 12-speed, 10-52t; SRAM XX Eagle Transmission Flattop Chain
Wheels	Specialized 29/27.5, hookless alloy, 30mm inner width, tubeless ready (DT Swiss Industry spokes; alloy hubs, 28h)	Front: Roval Traverse 29 Alloy, 30mm inner width, hand-built, 2Bliss Ready (15x110mm, 28h); Rear: Roval Traverse 27.5 Alloy, 30mm inner width, hand-built, 2Bliss Ready (DT Swiss 370, Ratchet LN, XD driver, 12x148mm, 28h)	Front: Roval Traverse Carbon 29; Rear: Roval Traverse Carbon 27.5 (DT Swiss 350 hubs, Star Ratchet 36t, XD driver, 12x148mm, 28h; DT Competition Race spokes)	Roval Traverse SL Carbon, 29 front / 27.5 rear, 30mm inner width, hand-built, 2Bliss Ready (Roval Traverse SL hubs, DT Swiss Star Ratchet 54t, XD driver, 12x148mm)
Tyres	Front: Butcher, GRID TRAIL casing, GRIPTON T9 compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.3"; Rear: Eliminator, GRID TRAIL casing, GRIPTON T7 compound, 2Bliss Ready, 27.5x2.3" · all trims
Weight	18.8 kg	18.3 kg	17.9 kg	17.8 kg
Price	£7,000	£9,000	£10,250	£13,700

Rides similarly

Other eMTBs with the closest geometry to this one.

Spot a mistake?

Suggest a correction. We review every submission before publishing.