Specialized Turbo Levo Gen 3 Review | Buy Now, or Wait For Next Version?

Specialized keeps things minimal with its top-tube color display, offering an unobtrusive yet easy-to-read interface. The screen provides color-coded indicators for Eco, Trail, and Turbo modes, along with a percentage-based battery readout, speed, and a few other metrics you can sort through.

Two standout features define the Turbo Levo’s ecosystem: on-the-fly tuning and app customization.

The stock three power settings worked well for us, but riders who want finer control can adjust power in 10% increments mid-ride by long-pressing the control buttons. Different trails call for different levels of assistance, and tweaking power output without pulling out your phone is a unique benefit.

But man, the app takes customization to another level. The three power settings have three overarching power profiles—Universal, Racing, and Battery Friendly—that you can choose from. Or, you can adjust the three power modes how you see fit to fine-tune overall power output and engagement levels to your preference.

Beyond power adjustments, the app offers enhanced security options and trip-planning tools. A unique feature lets you set a desired ride distance, and the bike automatically regulates power to ensure you have enough battery to complete it. Want to cover 50 miles in a day? Let the bike handle the power management, and you can focus on the ride without fear of having to hoof out the last few miles on a dead battery.

Since this review takes a slightly different approach—examining an older bike—we thought it would be fun to change up our usual range test. Instead of running it at max power on a mixed-difficulty course, we opted for a couple of runs on more realistic, conservative power levels while training on our local True Grit course. The results? Pretty impressive.

In Eco mode, the Turbo Levo covered 51.92 miles and climbed over 5,000 feet of elevation while staying in its stock power configuration. When we ran the test again in Trail mode, with access to a bit more power, it managed 39.43 miles on a single full charge.

That’s solid mileage for a high-output motor, and we suspect it would still reach close to 30 miles if ridden exclusively in its max power setting like we’ve tested other bikes.

When we tested the bike’s feature for meeting preset mileage, we found it a bit conservative at first, delivering less power in the early miles. But once the system calculated that there was enough battery to complete the ride, it increased output in the second half, making a 50-ish mile ride feel easier by cranking out more watts. Overall, it’s a handy tool for riders planning longer adventures.

Each eMTB we review is put through two different hill test locations. The first is our standard test for every e-bike we review—the infamous Hell Hole Trail—where everything from eMTBs to beach cruisers gets a turn. It’s a ⅓-mile paved multi-use path with a grueling 12% average grade. The second is the Water Tower climb, an eMTB-exclusive dirt trail spanning 0.86 miles with a 5.5% average grade.

On Hell Hole, the Turbo Levo reached the top in 1:20, averaging 13.6 mph. As of this writing, eMTBs, on average, complete the climb in 1:30 at 12.2 mph. Over on the Water Tower climb, the results were similar—3:35 to the top, averaging 14.5 mph. That edges out the current average of 3:39 at 14.4 mph.

The 2.2 motor performs above average, delivering noticeable bursts of power that make short climbs feel quick while sustaining long, drawn-out ascents at a strong pace. Speed is a useful benchmark, but what really stands out is how intuitive and responsive the motor feels. That’s the part we still geek out about most.

There really isn’t a hill we don’t trust this bike on. It has all the peak power capabilities you’d need for any situation, but what sets it apart is how well it adapts to the terrain. It syncs effortlessly with the rider’s needs, making climbs feel more natural and controlled rather than just brute-forced.

On rare occasions, when the stars align and everything comes together just right, a bike can feel familiar from the very first ride. Our team has only really experienced that sensation with the Pivot Shuttle AM, and the Turbo Levo Gen 3. If you’re good with mullet-style e-bikes, there’s just so much to love here. It’s an easy bike to ride and feels nearly limitless in what it can do.

The geometry is outstanding. The wheelbase and chainstay length strike a perfect balance between stability and maneuverability, while the smaller 27.5” rear wheel makes the bike feel snappy and playful. You can carve through trails with ease, and the rear end responds effortlessly to every movement.

The combination of the wide 800mm bar, 477mm reach, and 635mm stack height (of our S4 frame) provides an excellent platform for rider weight distribution, further enhancing the bike’s grounded and stable feel.

There’s also plenty of adjustability. The head tube angle can be set between 63 and 65.5 degrees, and the bottom bracket height can be tuned up or down by 7mm. Whether you want a more trail-friendly setup or a slack, enduro-ready ride, it’s entirely up to you—we’re mostly in enduro country.

The 150mm rear / 160mm front suspension setup offers outstanding versatility for all-mountain riding. Dial it in for a plush, forgiving feel over rough terrain or stiffen it up for a more responsive and aggressive ride. The Fox suspension components work well and we had virtually zero complaints.

The stock tires roll fast and provide solid traction. Wider tires could further improve stability for enduro riders and offer better float on softer terrain, but as far as stock setups go, they perform well. However, the bike doesn’t allow for a full 29er conversion, meaning you’re locked into a mullet setup—like a late ‘80s Billy Ray Cyrus haircut. Most of our team prefers it this way, though some lament the lack of 29” compatibility—to each their own.

The brakes on our slightly older test bike (SRAM Code R) have since been upgraded to Maven Rs. From our experience testing Mavens on other bikes, we know they deliver incredibly powerful stopping force with great modulation. The switch to mineral oil over DOT fluid should also result in fewer required service intervals.

Specialized backs its products with a lifetime warranty on the frame and two years on the motor and battery. Their nationwide support network ensures easy access to servicing and repairs, adding peace of mind to an already well-rounded package.

Even the harshest critics would say you were only getting what you paid for on the Specialized Turbo Levo Gen 3. That still comes out as a positive, seeing as the premium price would be warranted. With the Gen 4 ushering in a new era and Specialized likely lowering the price of the Gen 3, this is about to be one of the best deals in eMTBs.

The motor is terrific, and while we’re speaking marginally here, it’s probably the best we’ve experienced in terms of combining power and natural feel—It’s truly terrific, and it can be set up exactly how you would like it to respond.

The bike is surprisingly playful. Thanks to the high degree of adjustment with the flip-chip and other adjustments you can make to the geo, it can be a weapon on the downhills or a plush and easy-going trail ride.

Do I think the Gen 4 will be the better bike? Probably, but likely just marginally so. It, like the MSRP of the Gen 3, will likely be worth every penny. But with an abundance of Gen 3 still available and lower-than-MSRP price tags now part of the equation, I don’t think you’ll encounter much FOMO should you decide to go for the better deal; the Gen 3 is a stellar bike that riders will thoroughly enjoy.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Specialized Turbo Levo down in our comments section.