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Specialized Turbo Levo 4 First Ride Review

2026 Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Review

By: Victoria Fuchslocher Diaz, evo Crew Whistler | June 26th, 2025
 

I’m mostly used to riding a regular mountain bike, but every time I get the chance to ride an e-mtb and get more laps in, I have to take it. I’m really surprised at how well the new Specialized Turbo Levo 4 performs, both on the uphill and the downhill. With its new Specialized 3.1 motor, the bike shows its power on the climbs, while also showing stability and control on the descents. They made some smart improvements that make this bike a real trail machine, that’s why I call it “la machina,” being able to handle everything I throw at it.

If you’re looking for that pedaling assistance to take on long climbs while still getting great performance on fast, flowy, technical trails, this bike is for you. Stay tuned to read the full review!
Key Details

 

Mixed Wheel (29" Front / 27.5" Rear)

Specialized 3.1 Motor

160mm Fork / 150mm Rear Travel

Integrated 840Wh Battery

64.5° Head Tube Angle (Lo)

SWAT e-MTB Downtube Storage

Sizes: S2 - S6

Lifetime Warranty (Frame)

Technical Details

The main highlight of the Turbo Levo 4 is its new Specialized 3.1 motor, which is more powerful and smoother than ever. It delivers 666 watts of power and 101Nm of torque, which is pretty impressive, and you can feel it the second you start climbing.

They’ve also upgraded the battery options. The main one is a big 840Wh battery that gives you more range to ride longer and explore further, translating to more than 4 hours of riding, depending of course on the modes being used. If you're going for a shorter ride and want a lighter bike, there’s a 630Wh battery option. On the other hand, if you want to keep pushing, there’s a 280Wh range extender that can give you over 5 hours of ride time for those big days out.

Specialized’s goal with this new Turbo Levo was to make the ride feel more natural, like an extension of your body. In my opinion, the power delivery feels super smooth, and the new MasterMind display along with the Specialized app lets you tune your support levels on the go to better match your needs. It also comes with some geometry adjustability upgrades and other extra features, which I’ll mention in the next sections.

Construction and Features​
Turbo Levo 4 comes in both carbon and aluminum models, so there’s an option for different budgets and preferences. The build is super clean, with internal cable routing keeping everything quieter. I have to admit, even riding the carbon frame, the bike does feels heavy at first. If you’re on the lighter side or used to a nimble trail bike, it takes a bit of muscle and time to get used to, but once you find the rhythm, that weight actually helps the bike stay super stable and planted, especially when charging through rough terrain. It really feels like a solid machine built for big days out.

One of the coolest new features is the Swat storage in the downtube, perfect for carrying a tube, tools, windbreaker, or even some Sour Patch candies to keep the vibes high on long rides. A handy Swat multitool lives in the steerer tube, making it super handy for quick on the trail fixes, like adjusting cleats or opening the battery compartment.

Suspension Design
The Turbo Levo 4 features 160mm of travel up front and 150mm in the rear, giving it a great balance for aggressive trail riding. The highlight here is the new Genie shock — first introduced on the Stumpjumper 15 — which provides more support through the travel and helps prevent bottoming out on big hits, keeping the bike stable and in control when it matters most.

I was shown how to add volume spacers to the shock’s X-V chamber, and to be honest, it’s pretty simple. It lets you fine-tune how progressive and supportive the suspension feels, perfect for those flowy trails where you want to maximize traction and control. Overall, the suspension felt smooth, responsive, and balanced, whether I was climbing techy sections or sending it downhill.

Geometry and Sizing​
The geometry is highly adjustable, letting you fine-tune the head tube angle, bottom bracket height, and chainstay length. This flexibility helps tweak the bike to your specific riding style and type of trail, whether you prioritize climbing efficiency or downhill confidence. The sizes available cover a wide range to fit most riders comfortably.

Build Kits

 
 
Comp
Expert
Pro
S-Works
Frame
FACT 11m Carbon
FACT 11m Carbon
FACT 11m Carbon
FACT 11m Carbon S-Works
Fork
Fox 36 Rhythm
FOX 38 Float Performance Elite
Fox 38 Factory
Fox 38 Factory
Shock
Fox Float X Performance
Fox Float X Performance Elite
Fox Float X Factory
Fox Float X Factory
Drive Unit
Specialized 3.1
Specialized 3.1
Specialized 3.1
Specialized 3.1 S-Works
Battery
840Wh
840Wh
840Wh
840Wh
Drivetrain
SRAM S1000 Eagle Transmission
SRAM GX Eagle Transmission
SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission
SRAM XX Eagle Transmission
Brakes
SRAM Maven Bronze
SRAM Maven Silver
SRAM Maven Silver
SRAM Maven Ultimate
Rotors
220mm Front, 200mm Rear
220mm Front, 200mm Rear
SRAM HS2​200mm Front & Rear
SRAM HS2
200mm Front & Rear
Rims
Specialized Alloy
Roval Traverse Alloy
Roval Traverse HD
Roval Traverse HD
Hubs
Alloy
DT Swiss 370
DT Swiss 350
DT Swiss 240
Front Tire
Specialized Butcher 2.3"
Grid Gravity, Gripton T9, 2Bliss Ready
Specialized Butcher 2.3"
Grid Gravity, Gripton T9, 2Bliss Ready
Specialized Butcher 2.3"
Grid Gravity, Gripton T9, 2Bliss Ready
Specialized Butcher 2.3"
Grid Gravity, Gripton T9, 2Bliss Ready
Rear Tire
Specialized Butcher 2.3"
Grid Gravity, Gripton T9, 2Bliss Ready
Specialized Butcher 2.3"
Grid Gravity, Gripton T9, 2Bliss Ready
Specialized Butcher 2.3"
Grid Gravity, Gripton T9, 2Bliss Ready
Specialized Butcher 2.3"
Grid Gravity, Gripton T9, 2Bliss Ready
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Ride Impressions

Test Bike Setup
I tested the S2 size, and according to the size chart, I’m right between S2 and S3. I chose the smaller one because I like a more playful feel and nimble ride, it just feels more fun on tighter trails. The build I tested was the Expert model with a carbon frame, and I rode it mostly in the stock setup. Right away, the geometry felt great for my style of riding, so I didn’t feel the need to change much at first.

That said, it’s cool to have options. If I wanted the bike to feel more stable on fast descents, I’d probably slacken the head angle a bit. For tighter, more technical trails or if I wanted it to climb a bit better, I’d steepen the head angle and raise the bottom bracket. You can also tune the Genie Shock by adding volume spacers, this reduces the air volume, making the suspension feel more progressive and supportive, especially if you like a firmer feel. Important to note as well I tried it with the 840Wh battery which was more than enough for the trails I rode.

I tested the Levo 4 across a variety of trails, including both flowy and technical terrain with a mix of uphill and downhill sections. As you will see in the video, it was an intense rainy day to ride but this allowed me to evaluate the bike’s versatility and performance in different conditions. I focused on climbing efficiency, descending control, and how the bike felt overall, paying attention to maneuverability, suspension behavior, and power delivery.

Climbing / Uphill
What I was most impressed with while riding it was the new Specialized 3.1 motor and how it delivers its power in a smooth and intuitive way. It never felt overpowering, especially on climbs full of roots and rocks. The bike responded naturally to the pedal input, so I didn’t feel that on-and-off or delayed power delivery when you hit roots while climbing. I especially appreciated the Auto mode, which automatically adjusted the pedal assistance based on the terrain and my effort, making it perfect for trails with changing gradient and surfaces.

On long and steeper terrain, the Turbo mode gave me all the boost I needed without spinning out. And for varied terrain, trail mode hit the sweet spot between support and control. The best part of it was to be able to do the full climb on the bike, rather than coming off the bike in technical and steep sections as I sometimes do on my trail bike.

Descending / Downhill
At first, the Turbo Levo 4 felt a bit heavy on the descents, especially coming from a lighter trail bike. I definitely noticed the extra weight when trying to quickly move the bike around or change lines fast. But after a few rides, I got used to it, and honestly, it started feeling really stable and confident on rough terrain.

Once I found my rhythm, the bike felt super planted and predictable. It handled bumps, roots, and rocks really well, and it held its line through chunky sections without getting pushed around. The suspension felt smooth and supportive, especially with the new Genie shock.

Yes, it takes a bit more body to move it around if you’re on the lighter side, but the pedal assistance makes all the extra effort worth it, especially when you're smashing climbs to earn those descents. Overall, it’s a super capable and fun bike once you settle into how it rides.

Pros

Smooth and natural motor power delivery

840Wh battery for long rides

Adjustable geometry

Improved suspension

 

Cons

Quite heavy

Premium pricing

Less nimble than traditional mountain bike

How Does it Compare?

Compared to the previous version, the Turbo Levo 4 feels like a big step forward. The new Genie shock smooths out rough terrain much better, and the updated 3.1 motor delivers power in a smoother and more natural way. Climbing efficiency has improved noticeably, and the bike feels more balanced overall, making it easier to handle technical climbs and descents.

Among other e-bikes in its category, the Turbo Levo 4 stands out for its improved suspension, adjustable geometry, and the powerful yet intuitive Specialized motor system. It’s clearly designed to handle everything from steep and technical climbs to fast, rough descents with confidence.

For context, my usual daily ride is a Specialized Stumpjumper 15. It’s lighter and more nimble, perfect for quick, playful laps. But the Turbo Levo 4, despite being heavier, is still fun to ride and impressively confident on the descents. The pedal assist lets you explore much more challenging terrain and go further, especially on long days. It’s not meant to replace a nimble trail bike, but it definitely opens up a whole new level of riding possibilities.

Who Is It For?

This bike is perfect for riders who want to climb harder and ride longer without getting tired, thanks to its big 840Wh battery that lets you go on extended rides. It’s great if you love technical climbs and fast descents but want extra support on the way up. The adjustable geometry makes it suitable for different styles of riding. If you want to ride more laps, explore new trails, and push your limits, this bike will help you do just that.

The Bottom Line

Riding the Specialized Turbo Levo 4 felt like having a real “Machina” as a bike, giving me all the power I needed to ride harder and longer and to make those steeps and awful climbs into a happy ride out without much sweat. At first, the bike’s weight was a bit of a challenge for me at the downhill, but once I got used to it, I felt unstoppable on climbs and confident and fast on the descents. I loved how smooth the pedal assistance felt, making difficult terrain feel way more manageable. This bike definitely helped me go further and explore more, which for me, is what an e-bike should do.

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2026 Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Reviewer

About the Reviewer


Name: Victoria Fuchslocher Diaz
Age: 25
Location: Whistler, Canada
Height: 5'4" / 1.64m
Weight: 150lbs / 68kg
Size Reviewed: S2

I’m originally from Chile, where I started mountain biking on the dusty, rocky trails around Santiago. Since moving to Canada, my riding has leveled up a ton, thanks to the world-class terrain around here and the chance to ride almost every day in the Sea to Sky.

I actually grew up skiing, but once I found biking, I got hooked on the adrenaline, the challenge, and the feeling of progression. During university, I spent weekends working as bike patrol, which helped me gain even more confidence on the trails and learn how bikes perform under pressure. Now, between riding, working in the shop, and testing gear, I get to mix my passion with my job

2026 Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Geometry

Measurements displayed in 'low' setting

SizeS2S3S4S5S6
Rider Height5'2" - 5'8"5''5" - 5'11"5'8" - 6'2"5'10" - 6'4"6'2" - 6'8"
Reach435455480505535
Stack618626638652667
Effective Top Tube578599627655689
Seat Tube390405425445465
Head Tube Angle64.5°64.5°64.5°64.5°64.5°
Seat Tube Angle77°77°77°77°77°
Chainstay Length435435435435435
BB Height350350350350350
BB Drop29.529.529.529.529.5
Head Tube Length95103117132149
Wheelbase12001223125412861323
Standover Height753754753758761
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