USB-C Charging E-Bikes, Specialized’s Turbo Levo Gen 4, Tarrif Price Increases Have Started| TWR Ep 26

The Trump administration previously introduced sweeping tariffs on imports from over 180 countries, with baseline rates starting at 10% and some climbing as high as 49%. The move caused a major hit to the stock market.

Recently, those higher tariffs on countries other than China have been temporarily reduced back to 10%, though they’re scheduled to rise again in 90 days unless new agreements are reached. Meanwhile, China responded to the initial tariffs by raising duties on U.S. goods to 84%, prompting the U.S. to increase tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%. Separate tariffs on cars, steel, and aluminum remain in place.

On Friday, April 11th, China issued its own retaliatory tariffs to 125%

Some e-bike brands have already announced price hikes in response to the earlier tariffs. Tenways and Velotric, for example, are planning increases effective April 15. It remains to be seen if the recent tariff adjustments will impact those plans.

Our Take: Many industries are feeling the whiplash of daily changes to tariff policy, but the e-bike sector is being hit especially hard. Brands have announced price increases, only to reverse course days later while attempting to match ever-changing policy. Our industry contacts say the most difficult part is the uncertainty, with shifting policies making it nearly impossible to plan ahead.

Even companies that tried to prepare by diversifying production away from China to countries like India and Vietnam have found themselves scrambling, as tariffs were temporarily applied to those imports as well.

For now, the instability appears to be hurting both brands and, inevitably, consumers — particularly in an industry with limited domestic manufacturing options and no clear benefit from the new policies.

Specialized has issued a voluntary recall affecting three e-bike models due to a safety issue with their chain guards. In some cases, loose clothing can get caught in the guard, posing a risk of crashes or falls.

The recall applies to the Turbo Como IGH, Turbo Como SL IGH, and Turbo Vado IGH models sold between 2021 and 2024. Only bikes equipped with internal gear hubs (IGH) paired with a chain or belt are affected; models with multi-speed external cassettes and derailleurs are not included.

There have been no reports of serious injuries. However, Specialized is urging affected riders to stop using their bikes immediately and contact their local dealer to schedule a free chain guard replacement.

Our Take: We’re glad to hear there aren’t any serious injuries. Recalls happen with all products, and we’re just happy to see a brand being proactive where rider safety is concerned. With the many Specialized dealers in the country and around the globe, it should be a quick and easy fix to get taken care of..

Specialized has officially unveiled the fourth generation of its Turbo Levo eMTB, bringing major upgrades in power and performance. The new Levo features Specialized’s 3.1 motor, capable of producing up to 111Nm of torque and 720 watts of output—putting it squarely in competition with e-bike industry newcomer DJI (makers of drone and camera equipment), and continuing rivalries with Bosch and Shimano motors.

Despite the added muscle, Specialized claims the new Levo still delivers a natural, rider-focused experience, a claim our early tests seem to support. With a weight of around 52 pounds (on the S-Works model), the bike aims to amplify, not overpower, the ride, making it approachable for both seasoned riders and newcomers alike.

Our Take: The new Turbo Levo surprised us with the power, battery life, and innovations like in-frame storage. This is an early frontrunner for eMTB of the year, and we’ll report back soon with our full in-depth review.

Estonian e-bike maker Ampler has unveiled two new lightweight urban models, the Nova and Nova Pro, featuring a world-first: USB-C charging. Riders can now charge their bikes using a standard laptop charger, a move aligned with the EU’s new “Common Charging Solution” directive, which standardized USB-C ports across most portable electronics at the end of 2024 to help reduce electronic waste.

Both the Nova and Nova Pro are handmade in Estonia and come equipped with 250W motors offering pedal assist up to 25 km/h (16 mph). The Nova features a 9-speed Microshift drivetrain, while the Nova Pro offers either a 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain or a single-speed setup with a Gates carbon belt and included cargo rack.

Each model comes with a 336 Wh battery that can fully charge in as little as three hours, and riders can choose between high-step and step-thru frame designs across three sizes.

While the bikes won’t be available in the U.S., European consumers can expect pricing to start at €2,990 for the Nova and between €3,490–€3,590 for the Nova Pro, depending on drivetrain choice.

Our Take: The concept of one charger for all of life’s electronics is an appealing one, and this is a step in that direction. The advantage here is the smaller batteries the Ampler bikes are using, so we do wonder if you can effectively charge higher capacity batteries compared to some of the other connectors popularly used on e-bike models. Time will tell, and hopefully we’ll get a test in soon.

With tariff price increases hitting the e-bike industry over the coming days, we encourage readers to consult our Best Electric Bikes of 2025 page and consider purchasing before prices go up.

Make sure to tune in to the full episode to see the e-bike trail system highlight and rider of the week! Want to be featured in future episodes? Comment on any YouTube video or page of the website, or send to [email protected].