So I just want to say most people would do this many upgrades and now I love my Turbo Levo but it took some work for me to love it. Really, really consider the components and I also know this because if you love Shimano you are not going to like SRAM IMO at all. When I got my 2019 Turbo Levo Expert I scrapped the specialized tire which are absolutely inferior to anything Maxxis. Then, because I am a bigger rider, I changed the suspension to DVO which was a significant world changing upgrade.
So I just finally switched over my SRAM Code brakes and drivetrain to Shimano XTR on a 2019 Turbo Levo. This is an absolutely huge difference in braking ability compared to SRAM Code and now you can shed speed faster and later into corners and with 1 finger with zero arm and hand fatigue. I am a bery big guy that goes fast on a heavy bike and after having both I can tell you for sure that all that modulation that people talk about is absolute rubbish. The Shimano difference is so wide and confidence inspiring I cannot believe people even compare the two in the same sentence. I also think that they have enough modulation for anyone. On SRAM I was looking to upgrade the discs from 200 to 220 but then just decided to switch Shimano XTR 9120 with 203 Ice tech and the power difference is significantly better. I would say the XTR 9120 4 pistons would allow you to downgrade your rotor size from 203 to 180 for most riders but with SRAM I was looking to increase. Then switched the shifter, derailleur and rear cassette to twelve speed, everything but the crank, to Shimano and I can tell you that Shimano blows away SRAM in all ways. Want to save a few bucks get XT. The bike is a whole new bike and way better IMO in all ways and I was thinking about getting a new bike but this upgrade made this bike a totally new bike. After this back to back test of components on the same bike Shimano wins by a huge margin! No, I don’t work for Shimano. Yes I realize most people don’t want to do all these upgrades.
I also thought the shock upgrade to DVO Onyx in front and Topaz in rear are significant changes. I love this bike now and at the beginning I could never get it to feel right.
So...
Bottom line is Specilaized should spec Shimano 12 speed and Shimano 4 piston brakes it would rate way higher. I mean way, way higher. The feel is so dramatically different and better it’s amazing.
Trek does spec Shimano and I think if you rode the Trek with Shimano vs. the Specialized with SRAM you might just choose Trek as the winner. Why? Shimano just make your bike far more agile braking into corners and the shifting is significantly superior and more crisp IMO especially with steep shifting and climbing.
I have far faster times with Shimano. Period.
The ideal dream situation is to buy a new Turbo Levo frame and motor only and do this:
-DVO Onyx from fork custom tunes (I do not think the big brands have any comparable technology to DVO at this time
-Rear shock DVO Topaz custom tuned(this is a great rear shock and really helps climbing)
-Maxxis Tires or Maxxis Assegai front and Schwalbe Eddy Current rear
-XTR drivetrain and 4 piston brakes
-Replace the crank with a shorter crank to 155 or less for clearance
-I was going to replace wheels but decided to add Cush Core and that solved roll over and flats, etc.
...of course that is a dream and I had to remove and sell parts to achieve.
I know weight isn't that big of an issue with e-mtbs but does that come into play comparing the two? it's hard to find #s but it looks like it's 45 lbs for the levo and 52 for the rail.
