Mick tests the 2024 Specialized Levo SL Pro
When it comes to lightweight electric mountain bikes, the Specialized Levo SL is no doubt one of the best and most popular options on the market. First introduced in early 2020, the Levo SL was then totally revamped in 2023 with a brand new chassis, a mullet setup, a more powerful motor, and a suite of other improvements to help reassert its dominance on the lightweight e-MTB scene.
Wil reviewed the second generation Specialized Levo SL Comp Carbon last year and came away mighty impressed with its agile handling, sublime suspension performance and slick user interface. In fact, he reckons it’s the category benchmark and has held onto that test bike since to compare with other lightweight e-MTBs.
More recently I got my hands on a new Specialized Levo SL Pro Carbon, which sits one step down from the premium S-Works model. Despite having ridden every generation of the full-powered Levo since its release in 2015, I hadn’t spent a lot of time on the Levo SL. I was eager to change that and see how the two platforms compare not just on the trail, but also from a day-in, day-out usability perspective.
An overview of the 2024 Specialized Levo SL
The Specialized Levo SL is the lightweight counterpart to the full-powered Levo. Both bikes share a similar suspension platform with a 160mm travel fork and 150mm rear travel, and each comes standard with a mixed wheel setup.
Whereas the Levo utilises a huge 700Wh battery and a 90Nm motor, the Levo SL is built around a lighter 320Wh battery and a 50Nm motor. This allows for a notably sleeker frame design and a significant weight reduction. Not only is the Levo SL Pro (17.94kg) a lot lighter than the Levo Pro (22.55kg claimed), its centre of mass is closer to the BB thanks to the shorter battery.
Both the Levo and Levo SL incorporate the class-leading MasterMind TCU display with a Gorilla Glass screen integrated into the frame’s top tube. Numerous metrics can be displayed on the screen utilising Specialized’s own app, while a discreet controller sits next to the left-hand grip for changing assist modes.
Specialized Levo SL sizing & geometry
As with many of Specialized’s latest mountain bikes, the Levo SL features ‘S-Sizing’ geometry. This encourages riders to choose a frame size based on their preferred reach and wheelbase measurements, rather than the traditional method that’s based on leg length.
There are no fewer than six sizes, with S1 being the smallest and S6 being the largest. Each features a short seat tube and plenty of standover clearance and allows you to size up more easily should you wish for a longer reach.
Another big feature on the Levo SL is its adjustable geometry. There’s a High/Low flip chip in the lower shock mount, and you’ll find modular headset cups that lets you to tweak the head angle from 63-65.5°. Furthermore, Specialized has built a flip chip into the chainstay pivot that allows the rear end to accommodate a 29in wheel.
The result is no fewer than 12 different geometry configurations, making this one of the most adjustable e-MTBs on the market by far!
Specialized Levo SL price & specs
There are five models available in the 2024 Specialized Levo SL lineup, with prices starting at $10,200 AUD for the Comp Alloy. For a closer look at the pricing and specs of the full range, see Wil’s Levo SL review for the lowdown.
The bike I’ve been riding is positioned a couple of steps higher in the range. It’s the Levo SL Pro, which has a current retail price of $17,500 AUD.
I’ll be continuing to ride the Levo SL over the coming months, comparing and contrasting against its heavier sibling the Levo Pro. Stay tuned for more coming soon!
2024 Specialized Levo SL Pro Carbon
- Frame | FACT 11m Carbon Fibre, FSR Suspension Design, 150mm Travel
- Fork | Fox 36, Factory Series, GRIP2 Damper, 44mm Offset, 160mm Travel
- Shock | Fox Float X, Factory Series, 210×55mm
- Drive Unit | Specialized SL 1.2, 50Nm
- Battery | Specialized SL1-320, 320Wh
- Wheels | Specialized Traverse Carbon, 30mm Inner Width
- Tyres | Specialized Butcher T9 GRID Trail 29×2.3in Front & Eliminator T7 GRID Trail 27.5×2.3in Rear
- Drivetrain | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS T-Type 1×12 w/SRAM 32T Carbon Crankset & 10-52T Cassette
- Brakes | SRAM Code Silver Stealth 4-Piston w/200mm Rotors
- Bar | Specialized Trail Carbon, 27mm Rise, 780mm Width
- Stem | Deity Copperhead, Length: 35mm (S1-S4), 50mm (S5-S6)
- Seatpost | BikeYoke Revive, 34.9mm Diameter, Travel: 125mm (S1), 160mm (S2-S3), 185mm (S4-S5), 213mm (S6)
- Saddle | Specialized Bridge, Titanium Rails
- Claimed Weight | 17.94kg
- RRP | $17,500 AUD
