All New 2019 Specialized Turbo Levo launched

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Thomas

Well-known member
Aug 29, 2018
248
254
Europe
Serious question - why would you spend the money on the Specialised when you can get a better spec bike for same money from another manufacturer? Interested to know.

Let me tell you why.
First off all, I would like to support my friends Specialized Shop, which I'm a customer for over 10 years now. Good discount don't need to mention. ;) The main thing is the support, as from main company and all the staff in the shop, that we all know each other for years. So every problem, upgrade, new or test bike purchase is easily resolved.
For this reasons, I'm basically "stuck" with Specialized, for better or for worse...:p:cool:
 

Thomas

Well-known member
Aug 29, 2018
248
254
Europe
Well, if you don't need a dropper then I guess you won't ride it on places that require a 150mm fully. That's all good and in that case, the Sektor fork, and the Level T brakes are sufficient no need to upgrade.
No no, would like to, really admire what you guys do on MTB&EMTB bikes, but you can't teach old dog new tricks... :LOL:
Have enough stress on the road bike with "watchful" drivers, so this would be doing and enjoying something different.
 

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,185
Surrey
Is it wrong that i actually really like this colour o_O

Screen Shot 2018-09-18 at 22.35.19.png
 

Tamas

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Founding Member
Jan 22, 2018
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503
Hungary/Bosnia and Herzegovina
No no, would like to, really admire what you guys do on MTB&EMTB bikes, but you can't teach old dog new tricks... :LOL:
Have enough stress on the road bike with "watchful" drivers, so this would be doing and enjoying something different.
Cool, then it's sorted and really no need to spend more... :)
 

Firefighter Guy

New Member
Sep 15, 2018
11
23
Minnesota, USA
My dealer in Minnesota said the XL's are going to be late build. Won't arrive until Dec/Jan? Thought someone on here said they were sitting in a warehouse waiting for the launch. Very disapointed to hear this.
 

Rob Rides EMTB

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Staff member
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Jan 14, 2018
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My dealer in Minnesota said the XL's are going to be late build. Won't arrive until Dec/Jan? Thought someone on here said they were sitting in a warehouse waiting for the launch. Very disapointed to hear this.
Im picking up an XL tomorrow. Possibly your dealer didn’t order in time for initial batch?
 

E CRAFTYRR+

New Member
Sep 13, 2018
41
16
Cannok chase
The expert is only $400 more than last year. They just made the biggest investment in a new platform in the company’s history, which came a year after previously developing a carbon Levo that only saw one model year.
The new motor is more expensive and so is the battery. The new software is unique and exclusive to Specialized. They didn’t just buy a standard Brose Mag S system.
The costs of manufacturing are up, the cost of shipping is up. The cost of materials is up.
The fact that my new Expert is only $700 more than an aluminum version I bought in 2017 and $400 more than a 2018 Carbon Expert and now I get a 700wh battery is a miracle. They are not greedy, just a company that knows what it needs to be sustainable.
2 weeks ago I paid and got another big brand Ebike knowing full well this was coming im more than happy with the bike I've chose and clad I'm not feeling like a cloned sheep. Spec have clearly advanced and hats off but sorry I want diffrant from others
 

Halcon

New Member
Apr 27, 2018
115
104
Texas
My dealer in Minnesota said the XL's are going to be late build. Won't arrive until Dec/Jan? Thought someone on here said they were sitting in a warehouse waiting for the launch. Very disapointed to hear this.
The US is a couple months behind but we get to go to 20mph and the prices are less compared to abroad.
However, I went to my dealer and it really depends on which model, which size and even what color you want. I go the Comp Carbon in Blue for Nov the one in Red was Dec. I would ask the dealer about the different options and when they come in.
 

Firefighter Guy

New Member
Sep 15, 2018
11
23
Minnesota, USA
The US is a couple months behind but we get to go to 20mph and the prices are less compared to abroad.
However, I went to my dealer and it really depends on which model, which size and even what color you want. I go the Comp Carbon in Blue for Nov the one in Red was Dec. I would ask the dealer about the different options and when they come in.

Yeah, I want the Comp Carbon Blue in XL. I could get red in December or Blue in January. Either way we could have 2 feet of snow on the ground here by then. Might as well wait for the one I want for $7K.

I found a Red Comp Carbon online in CA in stock now. Really want the local dealer support for a big purchase though.
 

Will Ridealpine

New Member
Sep 18, 2018
146
79
Idaho
Im picking up an XL tomorrow. Possibly your dealer didn’t order in time for initial batch?
Rob, how tall are you? I am 6’2 with 33” inseam and long torso, should I go XL like you? How tall are you since youre getting the XL? I think put the 40 mm stem on it. Also would you make the pike into a 160mm?
Im picking up an XL tomorrow. Possibly your dealer didn’t order in time for initial batch?
 

Will Ridealpine

New Member
Sep 18, 2018
146
79
Idaho
Yeah, I want the Comp Carbon Blue in XL. I could get red in December or Blue in January. Either way we could have 2 feet of snow on the ground here by then. Might as well wait for the one I want for $7K.

I found a Red Comp Carbon online in CA in stock now. Really want the local dealer support for a big purchase though.
Youre getting the XL, how tall are you? I’m 6’2 and have 33” inseam and long torso, might go XL instead of L...?
 

jwrx

Well-known member
Jul 22, 2018
206
243
Malaysia
And thats a good reason, just genuinely interested and thanks for the honest reply.

In my area, only Specialized had a large fleet of demo's to ride. My group spent hours on the trails on diffrent size Levo's before we decided. I had always had M bikes...but trying the spez M and L back to back, convinced me that i was much more comfortable on a L

Dealer support is also excellent, got the command post warrantied no questions asked last week
 

RockinRick

New Member
Sep 13, 2018
5
0
USA
My dealer in Minnesota said the XL's are going to be late build. Won't arrive until Dec/Jan? Thought someone on here said they were sitting in a warehouse waiting for the launch. Very disapointed to hear this.
LBS in Utah has an XL in the shop but only the Turbo Levo, said November or longer for the Expert and S-Works...
 

RockinRick

New Member
Sep 13, 2018
5
0
USA
2 weeks ago I paid and got another big brand Ebike knowing full well this was coming im more than happy with the bike I've chose and clad I'm not feeling like a cloned sheep. Spec have clearly advanced and hats off but sorry I want diffrant from others
So what did you get instead? I'm leaning the expert but kinda on the fence, seems like there are some really good bikes out there.... but certainly less brands available in the US.
 

Surge

Active member
Aug 20, 2018
142
75
Toronto
This new alloy rims (hub complety re-design) is (in my opinion) better than the previous carbon 6fattie wheels.
The 6fattie carbon wheels was too much stiff for 95% of people who rode it.
So better control/confort/grip with easier wheels (alloy).

The fact is the Expert 2019 is the first model which come with the 700w, and a lot of people will take this one for the interesting range. But to ride on big fire road (cos the all mountain/enduro/downhill riders are not representative about the ebike community today) , the bike need to be comfy and that’s the case with this wheels if you chill, BUT they are still stiff and strong if you want to ride it gnarly.
Trust me, way better than a lot of carbon wheels !

I have carbon wheels on my 2018 SWorks, and love them. The ride is not harsh at all, and the added strength of the rims makes carbon the way to go (if you don't mind the cost).
 

Mountie

Well-known member
Apr 29, 2018
421
254
Canada
The new Expert is so much more expensive BUT comes with alloy wheels and lower components vs the 2018 Expert. Roval Traverse 29, hookless alloy, 29mm inner width, tubeless ready, 28h.
Specialized is so greedy now.
But bigger battery is very expensive
 

Surge

Active member
Aug 20, 2018
142
75
Toronto
Translated:
Previously there was a backdoor for illegal engine tuning: With third-party apps you could manipulate the wheel circumference so that the engine of the Turbo Levo supported over the allowed 25 km / h and not infrequently you saw Levos at high speeds the ice cream parlor. The software developers of Specialized have now announced the fight to this illegal activity and close all the behind-the-scenes for illegal tuning.

I'm sure it will be hacked again. I'm thoroughly enjoying reaching 40 kph on my 2018 S-Works!
 

Surge

Active member
Aug 20, 2018
142
75
Toronto
I'm very happy for this, because, in my opinion, but it is only my opinion, the speed limit should be not removed because the Levo is a eBike for mountain and on trail on mountain is not safety to go over 25km/h..
May be the other parameters could be changed also on the new Levo.. we will see..

Paolo, I love the higher speed because I can get to the mountain trail faster. At 40kph, on the paved roads, I can get to the trails in half the time - that can make the difference between going for a ride, or not at all.
 

Surge

Active member
Aug 20, 2018
142
75
Toronto
Specs are kind of 'meh' if not disappointing. The base AL model comes with a Sector, 32mm fork with 150mm travel, Level T brakes and if you want something half decent (and the 700Wh battery) you need to fork out £7250 for the Expert carbon.
No more Ohlins front fork for the S-Works, and considerably higher (~+20%) price!
 

Al Boneta

Dark Rider
Patreon
Founding Member
Jan 18, 2018
1,351
2,602
California
2 weeks ago I paid and got another big brand Ebike knowing full well this was coming im more than happy with the bike I've chose and clad I'm not feeling like a cloned sheep. Spec have clearly advanced and hats off but sorry I want diffrant from others
I am “clad” you’re not feeling like a “cloned sheep” either. No need to apologize for making the best choice for you. I sell Specialized, Bulls and Haibike in my store. I still prefer my choice. I get a better deal with Specialized as a shop employee, I used to work for the company and I have rare insider knowledge and friends of mine design most of the products I buy from Specialized. I get a better resale value with Specialized as well. I am a brick and mortar shop, so direct to consumer is my enemy which is why we have to offer stellar service and support.
But I understand why consumers that are more hung up on what rear derailleur it has than the actual design and development that goes into a premium brand, go with what they consider a better value proposition.
 
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DL7

Member
Mar 29, 2018
3
0
New Zealand
About to pull the trigger on the 2019 Levo but can't decide on the Comp or base model. I'm an intermediate rider who rides grade 3 singletrack and rail trails. Any reason to stump up the extra $$ for the Comp? Many thanks
 

Al Boneta

Dark Rider
Patreon
Founding Member
Jan 18, 2018
1,351
2,602
California
It came down to allocation. When there are only so many bikes available in the first shipment it comes down to a few factors. All of the first order of bikes were ordered before they were announced. Our shop sells plenty of Levos, but we are not a concept store. We are an old school independent shop. The concepts get the first crack at the new bikes and then they move on to the top elite dealers and it’s first come first served. Large is the most popular size, then medium, then extra large and finally small. Some shops don’t order every size in every model. Some shops will only pick one color over the other choice.
The shops that order later or are lower on the totem pole, get the leftovers. Its a huge commitment to order just 10. We ordered 30, that’s well over a couple hundred thousand dollars. Only 9 of those have shipped and I will get them Thursday. It’s also not certain how many of these bikes we will sell now that we are having trail access issues. But judging by the reaction and enthusiasm we have seen, I think we’ll be okay.
 

Al Boneta

Dark Rider
Patreon
Founding Member
Jan 18, 2018
1,351
2,602
California
No more Ohlins front fork for the S-Works, and considerably higher (~+20%) price!
It’s not the same bike. If it was the same S-works bike as last year with no Öhlins fork and 20% more expensive you would have a more compelling argument.
40% more range
Lighter frame
Stiffer frame
Better Geometry
90Nm of torque
And I would take Fox Factory suspension over any of that Öhlins stuff.
 

Tamas

Well-known member
Founding Member
Jan 22, 2018
483
503
Hungary/Bosnia and Herzegovina
About to pull the trigger on the 2019 Levo but can't decide on the Comp or base model. I'm an intermediate rider who rides grade 3 singletrack and rail trails. Any reason to stump up the extra $$ for the Comp? Many thanks
The base model is seriously ‘underforked’ with the 32mm stanchions @150mm travel and the Level T brakes are not for an ebike if you are riding trails and you will need a dropper. The Comp with the Revelation fork, Guide RE brakes and dropper seatpost is a better choice but you might be able to do these upgrades for less than the price difference. If you don’t want to deal with changing some parts the Comp is a better choice - if you want to stick to Specialized.
 
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