Our team of engineers here at Direct Current needed some hard data on how the Specialized Turbo Levo SL performs. Specifically, how do the numbers compare between Eco, Trail, and Turbo power modes. And how do those modes feel to the rider?
Unfortunately, I was the only test dummy they had on call that day, so this test ended up being kind of unscientific.
Seriously though, I think a lot of riders just put their e-MTBs in Turbo mode and run the batteries as hard as they can until they’re out of juice. Maybe that’s best for their rides. But maybe it’s worth exploring how the different power modes feel and perform in different circumstances. For one, you could get more life out of a charge, but in this test, I also discovered some of the nuances of the power modes for specific terrains.
The Test
While it’s not the most ambitious or inspiring loop, there’s a 2.16-mile lap at the local enduro trails with and 534 feet of climbing. It has smooth fire road climbing, a few steep, technical pitches on the way up, some high-speed, wide-open descending, jumps, berms, braking bumps, and a couple of minor rock gardens — essentially everything you could ask for in such a condensed loop.
I rode this loop four times with different power modes for each: Turbo, Trail, Eco, and Rider’s choice. I stuck with the stock Specialized motor settings for each of those modes. Here’s the data, once my team cracked open the blackbox and downnloaded to the mainframe:
| Power Mode | Time | % Slower vs. Turbo | Battery Usage |
| Turbo | 13:12 | – | 16% |
| Trail | 14:56 | 12% | 10% |
| Eco | 17:19 | 23% | 5% |
| Rider’s Choice | 16:01 | 18% | 6% |
Beyond the Numbers
No one should be surprised to see how much faster the Turbo mode is, given the amount of climbing in this short test loop. It would be interesting to compare the power modes on rolling trail with less sustained climbing to see if that difference is quite so apparent.
More than just the lap times, a cross-comparison between time and battery usage is interesting.
Although Eco mode looks like a real dog, going 23% slower, it spends only a third of the battery that Turbo mode does. This is a speed trade-off that could be worthwhile on a longer ride or a route with less severe climbing.
As the “mama bear” of power modes, it’s not surprising that Trail mode offers a nice balance between battery life and speed. If you don’t want to think too hard about another set of buttons on your bars, this is a sensible option for rides longer than a couple of hours.
However, for me (and my somewhat obsessive personality type), I really prefer Rider’s Choice.
Why You Shouldn’t Ride Your E-Bike In Only One Power Mode
Even though I gave up almost three minutes in this unscientific test when I toggled between the Turbo Levo SL’s three power modes, this was my favorite way to ride the test lap.
For starters, it’s tremendously efficient to adjust the e-bike’s power mode to suit the trail — I only spent 1% more of my battery life, compared to Eco mode!
Above all though, this style of riding feels more natural to me, as someone who comes from a mountain biking background. Unless you’re racing or doing a specific workout, your effort matches the trail and terrain. You go harder on steep climbs. You crest little hills to gain momentum. You ease up and take a breath on descents.
I took this same approach to the Levo SL’s power modes on my fourth and final lap.
Putting it into Turbo mode makes a big difference on steep climbs. Honestly, it’s a drag to ride those pitches in Eco mode. The bike’s motor drag is most noticeable in that mode, which exacerbates the extra 10 pounds of weight this bike carries compared to an acoustic ride.
On sections of the fire road climb that were flat and rolling, I perceived little difference between Turbo and Trail modes. So, it was nice to tune down the motor to the middle mode for a smoother, more natural ride feel — and less battery drain.
Finally, on the fast downhills, I strongly preferred the feel of Eco mode. Although Turbo mode seems Iike it would be fun all of the time, the power delivery is a bit abrupt if you’re pedaling out of a corner on a descent. I hesitate to compare it to “whiskey throttle” on a dirt bike, because it isn’t so severe, but even with the Levo SL’s modest 35nm of torque, Turbo mode can affect the bike’s balance and feel.
Numbers Don’t Lie, but They Don’t Tell the Truth Either
Sure, my half-baked motor test isn’t the final word on how this bike’s three motor modes perform. I did my best to ride consistently for each lap, but I wasn’t watching a power meter or anything like that.
However, unless you’re racing the e-EWS, an e-MTB like the Specialized Turbo Levo SL is more about fun times than lap times.
The Levo SL’s three power modes are essentially three different tools you can have at your fingertip (or I guess it would be your thumb) to adjust the bike to suit the trail. When you use the modes effectively, the climbs are quicker and less taxing, the battery lasts longer, and the downhills are more fun.
Above all, just don’t set it and forget it.
P.S. We use affiliate links here at Direct Current. If you’re considering buying a Specialized e-bike, we’ll get a little kickback if you purchase using a link from this story. 😀