Can This Specialized put the FUN back into Biking?

I've been riding the brand new Specialized Turbo Levo SL for the past 3 months to discover if it can inject some fun back into riding backs that I think has been lacking in recent years.

Content
00:00 Intro
1:22 Ride impressions
4:50 e-bikes are cheating?
5:44 Am I having fun?
7:34 Bike check
10:25 Summary

This video was NOT sponsored by Specialized, but they kindly loaned me a demo bike.

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[br]

I got a Kenevo SL (35nm version) 18 months ago, after having COVID I really couldn’t do the amount of riding I’ve time for. Previously I’d manage a couple of 3-5, 000ft MTB rides and one or two gravel 2-3 hours rides in a week, post COVID and suddenly a 5, 000ft day would screw me for the week.
Did 150 rides last year, half on the Kenevo SL and the rest on my other bikes (FS, HT & gravel).
I’m 60 next year, I reckon I’ve earned a bit of ‘assistance’, especially as pretty much everyone I ride with is younger than me, some half my age.

[rob]

Been riding since 1988…..still participating in gravel ultra marathon races, road races, Mtb ultra marathons, xc sprint races . Also have a LEVO SL which I ride 1x or sometimes 2x a week when I’m too tired to ride my other bikes and or I just want to have fun on gnarly downhill runs. So enjoy my e-bike . Allows me to ride 7 days a week

[whatnomadtravelnursemtb]

This is what ebikes are all about, us people in above 40ish....with busy lives and still loving mountain biking but no time to keep fitness up or spending 4 hours grinding a ride out!

[grantwise]

G'day David.
Grant here in Tasmania.
I like road bikes but I'm a mtb rider and own a 2022 scott scale as rode xc here for 15 years and still love xc bikes. I'm now over 50 and have hired both the turbo levo and the sl version from the local specialized shop.
Both are fantastic and are the best bike here as Tasmania is full of hills. I like the full power levo as you can ride all day 6+ hours and have battery remaining.
Mate, if you have friends who give you grief for riding an e bike.. Time to find new friends.
Thanks and keep the great reviews coming.

[wingerdinger]

Easily one of the best reviews I have watched and I have watched loads! If I could afford one, would buy tomorrow. Sixty four and still "enjoying" the pain of climbing on a normal bike (nukeproof scout 29er)... At least that's what I tell myself 😁😂.

[BurntToast]

I can totally relate, and would echo most of your thoughts. In fact I got the same bike a couple of months ago. I still have a high fitness level and can make up most of the difference between the SL and what a full power eMTB would offer, while the SL rides just like a normal bike.

[RobertWooten-jrly]

Love my e mountain bike and my e road bike and my gravel bike and my motocross bike. At age 60 I still love any thing with two wheels.

[paulbrook]

Great video, “ FUN” is why I ride now, suffering around the steep climbs in the Peak District on my road bike is getting less appealing to me these days . E bikes are great to keep us all cycling as we get older, also great for a novice rider to keep up with fitter friends 👍👍

[jbatlanta]

At 70yrs of age, my girl and I ride these ( me S5, her S2) and have great times together. I paid more for her bike than her diamond ring!
Engagement bike anyone?

[nottyR]

Ive got a RB, GVB, XC and a Trek Fuel Exe ebike SL. The ebike comes in to its own in proper steep terrain where its v.hard pedalling up hill and brown pants time coming back down - trail/enduro stuff. The only limiting factor then is the pilot! I carry a full spare battery for proper rides but I think the Trek Fuel is one of the few ebikes where you can change the whole battery, most will only take a range extender. There is definitely a place for an ebike but its a +1 for me, I wouldnt be without my XC bike.

[chriswaggett]

Deferred buying the Turbo SL instead going for my 3rd in the line, v3 Niner JET9 RDO as it, & my Niner RLT9 RDO, are my perfect pair of bikes for summer & winter.
However, I’m 61yo & my next bike will definitely be a Specialized Turbo SL when I no longer enjoy the climbs.
Great review, honest & balanced with many comments reinforcing the age/eMTB switch dilemma.
Confirmed my recent & future decision!
Ride on.

[cadman]

Great review. I think ppl can get caught up with the bigger number equals better, but your review shows you don’t need the biggest & badest to have a great ride/workout. My wife & I are 51 & 49 & we are considering e-bikes more & more now

[Trailjunkie]

Seeing you labor on that climb makes me think twice on pulling the trigger on the levo sl. E-Bikes are suppose to be fun all around including the climb. Rode a Norco fluid vlt with the bosch sx motor and it was fun and provided some uphill zip at maybe 3 lbs heavier.

[UKMitchy]

I'm coming up to 66 years old in July. I have ridden mtb's for pretty much 30 years. I bought a 2022 Orbea Rise M20 a year ago. I definitely have lost fitness due to age, but at least I can still get out. If I manage the power properly I can get a good mileage for a long ride. I learnt to turn the power off when descending or on flat trails. I still have a human powered fs mtb, but use it less and less.

[Silverbeardedsurfer]

I've got the orange blaze model and yes it is fun. But I also have space for my full fat Levo too. Very different experiences. I'm 49 and emtbs are awesome.

[davemtb]

Really informative video and the trails look great fun! What area of England are these? Also I'm interested in this bike and this was very helpful. 3450 atm 😮. Many thanks from Manchester 👍👌

[kippen]

I'll be sixty in May and recently I conceded to myself that maybe I don't have the physical capabilities that I had in twenties.

[stevesnailfish]

You should do more MTB stuff bike but it's a lot to shelve in mind I'm an old git (above 60), there is a thought in my head that I should try an eBike of some the riding around my area (flat and windy Peterborough), a hardtail 29er or chunky tyred gravel bike would suit my needs is, I'd have to sell a few of my bikes to even think about affording ?

[harkleroadster]

Levo sl = Multi bikes in one. Just change the assist levels. Obviously you can fine tune them in the specialized app, but MICRO TUNE is awesome, +/- assist on the fly. Figure out the assist that just overcomes the weight = now you have a regular bike…just sayin…The sl can also easily be pedaled when turned off😊

[Motleymick]

Why do so many people want a challenge to ride their bike? I ride bikes for fun. That's it!