Specialized continues the expansion of its Turbo Levo family of eMTBs with the addition of the brand-new Levo R S-Works Ultralight. Launched earlier this year, the Levo R added a lighter mid-travel model alongside the Levo 4 and Levo 4 Evo. The new S-Works Ultralight build sheds a whopping five pounds from the existing S-Works Levo R, bringing starting weights down to just 41.4 pounds / 18.8 kg — with a full-power motor.
The Ultralight features the same lightweight carbon frame and powerful S-Works 3.1 motor as the standard S-Works Levo R, but is built up with some very fancy and light components to reduce its overall weight. Perhaps the biggest factor contributing to its weight reduction, however, is the smaller 600Wh battery, which weighs 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg less than the 840Wh included on the other builds.
Levo R S-Works Ultralight Details
The S-Works Ultralight shares the same frame design as the rest of the Levo R lineup. It features a FACT 11m Carbon frame with 130mm of rear-wheel travel, a 140mm fork, and 29” wheels front and rear. It shares the same versatile, trail-oriented geometry, along with the same geometry adjustments for head angle, bottom bracket height, and chainstay length. The Levo R Ultralight is currently only offered in sizes S2 to S5. For all of the details, you can get the full Levo R rundown here.
Lightweight Components
Like the standard S-Works Levo R, the Ultralight comes with the same Fox Float Factory GENIE shock and Fox 36 SL Factory fork. The drivetrain setups are nearly identical as well, with the Ultralight opting for the slightly lighter XX SL derailleur. After that, however, the Ultralight build starts to resemble that of a high-end XC bike.
That lightweight, high-end rabbit hole starts with the Trickstuff Direttissima 4-piston brakes. The Roval Control SL VI wheels with Industry Nine Solix hubs and Vonoa Carbon spokes weigh just 1,275 g for the pair and spare no expense at $2,900. Those wheels are wrapped in a light-for-an-e-bike set of Specialized Trail Control/Ground Control tires.
The cockpit includes a lightweight Roval Control SL RISE integrated setup with Supacaz foam grips. The Bike Yoke Revive 3.0 dropper is topped with an S-Works Power Mirror saddle with carbon rails and shell. The Ultralight comes in Satin Carbon only, with classy-looking silver accents on the dropper, brake calipers, brake levers, and fork.
S-Works 3.1 Drive System
As an S-Works model, the Levo R Ultralight comes with Specialized’s more powerful S-Works 3.1 drive unit. This top-spec motor puts out up to 111Nm of torque and 850W of peak power, versus 105Nm and 810W of the standard 3.1.
To save weight, Specialized specced the Levo R S-Works Ultralight with a 600Wh battery. Not only does this reduce the total weight by 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg compared to the 840Wh battery, but it also lowers the center of gravity in the frame, which, theoretically, improves handling and agility. For longer rides, the Ultralight is also compatible with Specialized’s 280Wh range extender, which adds “up to 90 minutes more ride time.”
Specialized Levo R S-Works: Availability
The Levo R S-Works Ultralight retails for $13,000 / £11,999 / €13,999 and is available now. Head to the Specialized website or your favorite local Specialized dealer to learn more about this tricked-out lightweight e-MTB.
