Lightweight, Electric Mullet Feels Like Analog Bike: Specialized Turbo Levo SL 2 Pro E-MTB Review

The tires of my Specialized Turbo Levo SL 2 Pro crunched over small pine needles and twigs that decorated the soft soil of the steep trail. Whoosh, snap, plop. We were riding a loamy, technical, little-known route through dense Douglas fir and lodgepole pines.

Eyes glued to the hand-made route, I followed a 45-degree bend into a root-laden step-down. Booph! The e-MTB smoothly carried me through the tight turn and absorbed the drop with ease, picking up speed into the next one. It felt more like my regular mountain bike than any other e-bike I’ve ridden.

The Levo SL 2 blends a traditional acoustic bike with electric assist. The newest version of this bike has SRAM’s powerful Maven Silver brakes and a custom Fox Genie shock, specifically designed for Specialized bikes on the Fox Float X chassis. Ultimately, it descends well on a range of terrain from rolling cross-country routes to loamy trails and technical steeps.

For nearly a month this summer, I tested the Specialized Turbo Levo SL 2 Pro e-mountain bike on various rides in British Columbia. I used it for singletrack routes, as well as lift-served downhilling. That included mellower, longer cross-country terrain and more technical, steeper segments.

In short: At a mere 40 pounds, the Specialized Turbo Levo SL 2 Pro ($11,000) is a lightweight electric mountain bike for all-around trail use and a range of riders. The SL 2 offers mixed wheel geometry, a modular frame (with a pivot chip), and 160mm front travel/150mm rear travel. The Pro model I tested has a carbon frame and carbon wheels. The SL 2 has a powerful 1.2 motor, delivering 50 Nm of torque and 320 W of peak power. No matter your personal style, workout, or the day’s objective, this bike can adjust to your needs.

Compare this e-mountain bike to other top-tested setups in the Best Electric Bikes buyer’s guide.

Specialized Turbo Levo SL 2 Pro E-MTB Review

I’m just under 5’6″ with a long torso, and I opted for the S3 frame size, which worked well. I could’ve gone with the bigger S4, which would ultimately feel more planted and stable, but I opted for a more playful size.

My preferred setting for the geometry was the steeper head tube angle, which is the high setting for the pivot chip (the bike typically comes in this setting). The steeper head tube results in quicker and more agile handling. This arrangement also raises the bottom bracket slightly for better clearance on technical terrain.

Alternatively, switching the chip to the low setting creates a more slack position, increasing stability at speed and lowering one’s center of gravity for better cornering.

Cumulatively, I rode the Levo SL 2 Pro for close to 70 miles and 17,200 feet of ascent/descent. So far, I’ve logged more than 13 hours in this bike’s saddle.

Throughout the season, I tested two other e-mountain bikes, including the Pivot Lightweight Shuttle AM, for a total of 50,600 vertical gain/loss and 250 miles, providing great cross-comparison.

Turbo Levo SL Series: What Makes It Unique?

The first iteration of the Turbo Levo SL debuted in 2020. It was Specialized’s first-ever lightweight, trail-oriented electric mountain bike in the SL (Super Light) series. The brand’s SL collection includes not only e-MTBs but also bikes for road and non-electric mountain biking.

SL’s goal? To be lightweight, nimble, and performance-oriented — and the Turbo Levo SL 2 checks those boxes.

The Levo collection is for all-around trail riding, from beginner to advanced riders, while the brand’s Kenevo collection is the downhill-oriented enduro capsule. This year’s full-powered Turbo Levo 4 is the fourth generation, and it’s the best full-power model “ever ridden” by former editor Jeremy Benson, as shared in his in-depth GearJunkie review.

On the family’s lighter end, the Levo SL 2 has the 1.2 motor, which delivers 43% more torque and 33% more power than the first iteration of the bike, according to Specialized.

Lightweight “SL” vs. Full-Powered E-Bike

As the lightweight cousin to one of the best full-powered e-mountain bikes on the market (the Turbo Levo 4), the Levo SL 2 is lighter, more agile, and more maneuverable.

Cornering downhill, especially on tight corners, is also easier, thanks to the mullet wheel setup. The nimble personality of this bike stood out on descents with continuous corners — including trails with plenty of zigzags and bends like Drake’s, Miner’s, and Larry’s around Rossland, British Columbia.

Thanks to the reduced battery size and motor, the SL 2 also offers a more natural feel. The handling is more reminiscent of my non-electric mountain bike, which weighs 29 pounds.

Ultimately, you won’t be power-housing your way to the summit on big 20-mile days with the Levo SL 2. While the bike offers power and torque for assistance on ascents, and it can handle bigger rides in a lower power mode, it relies more on human energy. Expect that you’ll be behind the cadence of your full-powered e-bike friends when they’re pedaling at the top end of their power range.

As far as the price tag goes, other lightweight trail e-MTBs fall in the same ballpark. The builds of the SL 2 range from $6,500 up to $13,900. The Norco Fluid VLT is $6,000, while the Santa Cruz Heckler SL starts around $7,300. The SL 2Pro I was riding rang in at $11,000.

Battery Power & Range Extender

I was happy to take the 160Wh Range Extender ($450) on longer rides due to classic “range anxiety.” One thing I noticed during rides was that when the range extender reached 0% and the power draw transitioned to the bike’s internal battery, the output was noticeably more powerful. I felt a surge in the bike.

The most memorable incident was on a 16.5-mile out-and-back alpine ride through a dense old-growth Cedar forest. The battery extender hit 0% near the top of the 2,300-foot ascent. My heart rate and breathing were elevated as I pedaled a steeper, rockier section. When the internal battery kicked in, I heard the motor drive, and I was suddenly passing my ride partner.

The observed power difference is most likely due to the extender having a lower capacity and lower current output than the internal battery system. Based on my ride experience, the extender can’t sustain the same peak power and assist levels as the main battery, which was particularly noticeable when the trail grade increased.

That said, I would rather have the range extender on robust outings than not. I drained the extender, as well as a portion of the primary battery, on bigger rides with moderate mileage, greater cumulative elevation gain, or higher speeds.

On one 12.5-mile route, I rode with the battery extender and pedaled the Turbo Levo SL up 2,558 feet. During the 2-hour ride, the battery’s charge level dropped from 150% to 71%. By the end, the bike’s battery was at 69%.

As a benchmark, Specialized claims that the Levo SL’s battery can provide up to 5 hours of riding time in Eco Mode.

Smooth Shifting, Solid Brakes

Throughout my alpine rides and bike park downhills, the Levo SL 2 delivered consistently smooth, quiet, and reliable shifting. Each shift felt instantaneous and precise.

The Pro model features SRAM’s high-end drivetrain: the X0 Eagle Transmission derailleur paired with a 12-speed cassette. This wireless system operates via the AXS POD controller, eliminating cables and housings while providing precise electronic actuation. It handles shifts well under a moderate load, making climbs feel smoother and more controlled.

On descents, the Maven Silver brakes were powerful enough for my preferences and didn’t feel too spicy. Benson mentioned in his GearJunkie review of the Levo 4 that Maven’s Ultimate (the highest tier, above the Silver) felt too powerful. I didn’t have the same issues.

Shock & Fork: Aggressive Support

The SL 2 Pro has a custom Fox Genie shock. The dual-stage air spring is built around a Fox Float X shock platform. Both air chambers are active during the first 70% of travel. It leads to a supple and sensitive response while navigating small and medium bumps.

Then, only one smaller air chamber is active during the remaining 30% of travel. The reduced air volume sharply increases the spring rate for better resistance to bottoming out.

As with any bike, the setup takes time, which was achievable at a 25% sag for me. The recommended air pressure rating for the fork for my weight range (including a hydration pack, tools, shoes, and helmet) is around 130-150 psi, and I set it up at 150 psi.

The higher-end Fox 36 Grip X2 fork on the Levo SL 2 Pro is very supportive. For me (at 127 pounds), it felt overly stiff out of the box. It required more force than expected to get started, which was noticeable even to my heavier ride partners. While the sag was correctly set, it had too much resistance to start its travel, due to strong compression damping from the factory.

This made chatter, roots, and bumps feel harsh. Lowering the air pressure and opening the compression beyond the shop defaults lets the fork move faster early in the stroke. This made it feel smoother without losing support. The suggested psi range from Fox is 66-74 psi, and I ultimately set it up at a psi of 49.

Thoughtful Details: What I Liked

One of the most under-appreciated elements of an e-mountain bike, in my opinion, is the latch for the charging port. I’ve tested e-MTBs where the designs are flimsy, fall off and get lost, won’t shut, or splay open.

Not this one. The Levo SL 2 has a simple plastic door on a hinge that fully opens and clips shut. And it stays shut. It’s easy to operate and feels durable. The charging port is also where the range extender is attached, so it gets a lot of use!

I really liked the SWAT multitool that comes integrated inside the headset. It’s the best location I’ve seen on a mountain bike, and is super-easy to access. It works well and doesn’t rattle.

The stock seat, the Bridge Expert Mimic, was pretty comfortable. It’s better designed than Pivot or Scott’s stock seats, for instance. The nose of the Mimic is a performance saddle with a soft, flexible material that adapts to the rider.

Critiques

The biggest drawback I found was that when riding with full-powered e-bikers, there was a noticeable gap in my climbing cadence. Even on moderate mileage days, I would arrive out of breath while partners could hold a conversational pace on punchy sections.

Also, the range extender’s connecting mechanism and lock are not completely intuitive. A local bike mechanic shared that his ride partner snapped theirs. So, the range extender’s connector is breakable — and an expensive replacement. Take a few minutes to learn how the range extender seats into the bike, and don’t force it.

I also found that the range extender has a muted assist on steep, punchy climbs. This was especially noticeable when the extender ran out and switched to the bike’s battery power.

As with any mountain bike, the shock and fork need time to dial in to a rider’s weight and preferences. This isn’t really a drawback, but the Fox 36 Grip X2 fork required extra attention. Out of the box, it felt extremely stiff and overdamped, even with correct sag and recommended settings. I worked with two bike shops and several bike mechanics to get a comfortable, supportive setup.

Bottom line: If the fork feels like a block of wood, keep tweaking!

Specialized Turbo Levo SL 2 Pro E-MTB: Who It’s For

I loved the lower weight of the Specialized Turbo Levo SL 2 Pro. This bike feels noticeably light for an e-bike, especially compared to full-powered e-mountain bikes that I’ve tested in the range of 48 to 54 pounds.

While learning to hit jumps in the bike park, this bike had a crisper rebound, better pop, and faster acceleration off the lips. The lower weight class also made it easier to lift onto my hitch bike rack or the bike rack on the chairlift.

Simply put, this lightweight e-mountain bike is a top contender for a broad range of riders and rides. The Turbo Levo SL 2 Pro is a playful, maneuverable, and lightweight design. It feels suitable for smooth and technical trails, steep descents, and climbs. It’s also suited for flow trails and jump lines at the bike park.

It’s a solid pick for those considering their first electric mountain bike and don’t need the highest power output. The Levo SL 2 is designed for bikers who prioritize maintaining fitness and a traditional human-powered feel, along with a range of assistance that helps cover ground at a higher pace.

As a lighter e-mountain bike, it’s also a good choice for older or aging riders, or those lacking the upper body strength to lift a 50-pound e-mountain bike over fallen trees, debris, or into a bike rack.

While the Levo 4 is one of the best full-powered electric mountain bikes on the market, the Levo SL 2 Pro is equally one of the best lightweight e-mountain bikes for all-around trail and mountain bike rides, for beginners and experienced riders alike. The frame even comes with a lifetime Specialized warranty that makes the $6,500-13,900 price tag a little less intimidating.