E-BIKE

With 150mm of rear-wheel travel, a mixed-size ‘mullet’ wheel set-up and adjustable geometry, the Turbo Levo straddles the trail and enduro categories. This model is made from Specialized’s premium alloy, with a ‘Sidearm’ frame brace, internallyrouted cables, integrated chain-slap protection and space for a bottle.

The discreet but strong assistance of Spesh’s updated Turbo Full Power motor defines a large part of the ride. Its progressive power delivery – it tapers on and off like a rider’s own inputs – makes it exceptionally easy to control. Wheelspins are rare and there is no issue finding traction on soft, wet ground despite the 90Nm max torque. With its 700Wh battery, the Turbo Levo can exceed 2,000m of climbing on a single charge if assistance levels are kept low, although the motor isn’t as frugal as Shimano’s EP8.

Generous 447mm chainstays combine with a 76.2-degree seat tube angle and relatively stout top tube to give an upright seated riding position. This makes keeping the front wheel glued to the ground or feeding in traction to the rear wheel much easier, as it positions your hips over the BB, rather than behind it. The S4 size’s 477mm reach, 63-degree head angle and low 342mm BB height made us feel like we were riding ‘in’ the bike, which helped it feel amazing in the turns. It’s easy to lean it over and commit, the bike augmenting your own inputs just the right amount.

Through rough terrain, though, the trail-spec Fox Float X Performance damper is frequently overwhelmed. At the lower pressures required for good comfort and traction, it struggles to provide enough mid-stroke support, even after we added volume spacers. The Fox 36 Rhythm fork – an e-specific version with thicker stanchion walls and a reduced-volume air spring – felt harsh at the start of its travel, too, giving the front end a perceptible pinginess over small bumps, which reduced grip and control, and increased hand fatigue. Add the GRID TRAIL-casing tyres, and control, smoothness and capability are all compromised when the trails get rough and raw.

While the alloy-framed Turbo Levo has the potential to be just as good as the range-topping, carbon fibre S-Works bike, you’d have to upgrade its fork, shock and rubber to unlock the magical ride quality of its pricier stablemate, which would be a costly thing to do. In our eyes, the Comp Alloy doesn’t offer performance equivalent to its asking price, despite its excellent chassis and motor.

The frame and motor have virtually irreproachable performance, but its spec seriously limits its potential