Specialized has released two aluminium additions to its Turbo Levo 4 electric mountain bike line-up, dropping the entry-level price while still featuring the same 3.1 Motor, battery and geometry as the recently-released carbon Turbo Levo 4.
The new bikes also feature a lower spec level than the carbon counterparts, with the US brand said to be “offering a more attainable option without sacrificing performance”.
The base Levo 4 model uses Marzocchi suspension, while the Levo 4 Comp uses a Fox 38 Rhythm fork and the co-developed Fox Float GENIE rear shock first seen on the Stumpjumper 15.
Prices start at £5,199 for the Turbo Levo 4 Alloy, while the Levo 4 Alloy Comp is priced at £5,999 (international pricing TBA).
For comparison, the carbon-framed bikes start at £6,799 / $7,999 for the Levo 4 Comp.
We were big fans of the S-Works Levo 4 when we tested it, awarding it 4.5 stars, so it's hard to see this being far off the mark.
The same, but different
The 3.1 Motor, as specced on the carbon Levo 4, is used on the new alloy bike.
While not sharing the same punchiness as the S-Works variant, it's still competitive compared to the competition.
Alongside the motor, the 840Wh batter is carried over, which Specialized says gives an average of 5.3 hours of ride time when combined with a 280Wh aftermarket Range Extender.
Controlling the system is Specialized’s Mastermind TCU screen. This is embedded into the top tube, and enables you to cycle through modes and see key performance metrics and range estimations.
| | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | S6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 64.5 | 64.5 | 64.5 | 64.5 | 64.5 |
| Chainstay (mm) | 435 | 435 | 435 | 435 | 435 |
| Seat tube (mm) | 390 | 405 | 425 | 445 | 465 |
| Top tube (mm) | 578 | 599 | 627 | 655 | 689 |
| Head tube (mm) | 95 | 103 | 117 | 132 | 149 |
| Fork offset (mm) | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 |
| Trail (mm) | 132 | 132 | 132 | 132 | 132 |
| Bottom bracket drop (mm) | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Bottom bracket height (mm) | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1200 | 1223 | 1254 | 1286 | 1323 |
| Standover (mm) | 753 | 754 | 753 | 758 | 761 |
| Stack (mm) | 618 | 626 | 638 | 652 | 667 |
| Reach (mm) | 435 | 455 | 480 | 505 | 535 |
The geometry of the electric mountain bike is also carried over from its carbon siblings. This includes the adjustability seen on the carbon model, which is said to enable riders to fine-tune their geometry for a personalised ride.
The head angle sits at 64.5 degrees as stock, but can be adjusted by 1 degree in either direction using cups in the headset.
You can also run the bike with a 29in rear wheel, or with a 27.5in mullet setup.
The only difference, Specialized says, is the frame material, which instead of using the brand’s Fact carbon fibre, uses its premium M5 Alloy.
Unlike some brands, Specialized has managed to keep its internal frame storage with the Alloy model, with its signature SWAT box featuring on the downtube and able to carry spares such as multi-tools and tubes.
The bikes continues to use a 160mm fork up front, with 150mm of rear travel.
If you’re looking for a similar ride to the carbon-framed bikes, the Levo 4 Alloy Comp uses the same GENIE shock technology.
The GENIE system uses two air springs to create a flatter spring curve, which gives it a more coil-like feel as you move through the stroke.
For the first 70 per cent of the travel, both air chambers are open.
Close in on that last 30 per cent, though, and the GENIE band slides over and closes a port to the outer chamber, reducing the volume dramatically and creating a nice, progressive ramp up right where you need it most.
Specialized Levo 4 Alloy specification and price
Specialized Levo 4 Alloy
- Fork: Marzocchi Bomber Z1, 160mm
- Shock: Marzocchi Bomber Inline
- Motor: Specialized 3.1 Motor
- Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle 70 T-Type
- Brakes: SRAM DB8 Stealth
- Wheels: Roval Traverse DH Alloy
- Price: £5,199
Specialized Levo 4 Alloy Comp
- Fork: Fox 38 Rhythm, 160mm
- Shock: Fox Float Genie Performance Elite
- Motor: Specialized 3.1 Motor
- Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle 90 T-Type
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Bronze
- Wheels: Roval Traverse DH Alloy
- Price: £5,999
