Buy Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy or Alloy Comp?

[jtridessm]

Hi everyone! I ride single track in Southern California -- mostly blacks, but I’m careful, I don’t bomb or do big drops; I'm very solid, but not hard-core. I self-service my bikes and I'm comfortable swapping all parts/components.

The Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy is on sale for $5000, and the Alloy Comp is $6700. For more $$$, I basically get 1) an electronic shifter vs. mechanical (SRAM 90 vs 70); 2) better fork/shock (Fox Float and Fox Rhythm vs Marzocchi), and 3) Maven Bronze brakes (vs. SRAM DB8 Stealth).

I’m torn because an extra $1700 is quite a bit. I’m wondering a few things:

1) Is an electronic derailleur (vs mechanical) harder to DIY fix if there are issues because of the “electronic” aspect (e.g the way I could do DIY on a Ford, but not a Tesla). Is it super reliable? Is it much better riding-wise?

2) At my riding level, how much of a difference does the better fork/shock make?

3) I’ve tried the Maven brakes and they are incredible — but I can upgrade both brakes for $400 total if I need to.

What should I buy??? (Obv, I know there's no "right" answer here.) Thanks so much

 

[Ou812]

Just an FYI, you don’t have to be in a rush to make decision. Those prices are the new prices, not sale prices. Spesh has had to lower their prices to stay somewhat competitive.

 

[MeatBike]

The Fox 36 Rhythm and Marzocchi Z1 are identical other than the shape of the arch.

 

[DylanJM]

The Fox 36 Rhythm and Marzocchi Z1 are identical other than the shape of the arch.

Is that still the case? I know it was with the first version of the Z1 (Grip damper) but did that not change from 2025 onwards where they budgetised the Z1 even more. The Rail damper it got seemed to be a downgraded Grip damper?

 

[DylanJM]

Hi everyone! I ride single track in Southern California -- mostly blacks, but I’m careful, I don’t bomb or do big drops; I'm very solid, but not hard-core. I self-service my bikes and I'm comfortable swapping all parts/components.

The Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy is on sale for $5000, and the Alloy Comp is $6700. For more $$$, I basically get 1) an electronic shifter vs. mechanical (SRAM 90 vs 70); 2) better fork/shock (Fox Float and Fox Rhythm vs Marzocchi), and 3) Maven Bronze brakes (vs. SRAM DB8 Stealth).

I’m torn because an extra $1700 is quite a bit. I’m wondering a few things:

1) Is an electronic derailleur (vs mechanical) harder to DIY fix if there are issues because of the “electronic” aspect (e.g the way I could do DIY on a Ford, but not a Tesla). Is it super reliable? Is it much better riding-wise?

2) At my riding level, how much of a difference does the better fork/shock make?

3) I’ve tried the Maven brakes and they are incredible — but I can upgrade both brakes for $400 total if I need to.

What should I buy??? (Obv, I know there's no "right" answer here.) Thanks so much

Eagle 70 and 90 are both cable accutated.

I'm not sure if it's still the case but the Levo Alloy initally came with a Fox Float X rather than the spec'd Marzocchi air shock. This might have changed by now but I'd defiinitly check if I had the chance. If it still does I would buy the Base and use the saved money to get a new fork and brakes and you could still be decently under the Comp's price.

 

[Polar]

The first I noticed was different and better on comp was the Genie shock.
Sorry I just noticed both is about alloy not aloy/carbon.

 

[Gila Man]

Hi everyone! I ride single track in Southern California -- mostly blacks, but I’m careful, I don’t bomb or do big drops; I'm very solid, but not hard-core. I self-service my bikes and I'm comfortable swapping all parts/components.

The Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy is on sale for $5000, and the Alloy Comp is $6700. For more $$$, I basically get 1) an electronic shifter vs. mechanical (SRAM 90 vs 70); 2) better fork/shock (Fox Float and Fox Rhythm vs Marzocchi), and 3) Maven Bronze brakes (vs. SRAM DB8 Stealth).

I’m torn because an extra $1700 is quite a bit. I’m wondering a few things:

1) Is an electronic derailleur (vs mechanical) harder to DIY fix if there are issues because of the “electronic” aspect (e.g the way I could do DIY on a Ford, but not a Tesla). Is it super reliable? Is it much better riding-wise?

2) At my riding level, how much of a difference does the better fork/shock make?

3) I’ve tried the Maven brakes and they are incredible — but I can upgrade both brakes for $400 total if I need to.

What should I buy??? (Obv, I know there's no "right" answer here.) Thanks so much

I think you should buy the one with the color that you like. You’re probably going to have it for a while and you’ll look at it a lot. If it’s the base model, ride it before you change any components, it might work for you just fine in stock form. You can always “upgrade” later. If it’s the Comp Alloy that you prefer, and you can afford it, go for it.

I wanted an orange bike which meant base-model alloy or carbon comp. I bought the carbon comp because I wanted (not needed) Fox suspension. The electronic shifting was standard on the carbon comp so that was a bonus. Neither alloy model came with electric shifting. Did I need it? No. Will I get it on future bikes? Definitely. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[jtridessm]

thank you all so much for your helpful replies! i decided to go with the alloy base for $5k and can spend my way up to better components if i need them... really appreciate it and happy trails!

 

[otbmaster]

I also just bought a specialized alloy . It is actually pretty good in stock form suspensionwise , but he brakes would be subject for a upgrade .