We have lengthy identified Specialised to be among the many manufacturers charging crazy-high prices for top-spec ebikes, however the brand new S-Works Turbo Levo 4 LTD e-MTB takes the development to alarming heights, pricing in a number of thousand {dollars} greater than a brand-new Nissan Versa. It is as if the corporate charged $1,000 for each character in that run-on product identify. With its marbly blue-swirl paint and “cyborg”-level energy supply system, the LTD is certainly a wondrous piece of equipment, however is it actually well worth the value of a brand-new entry degree sedan?
$20,000 not will get you very far within the auto market, however it’s greater than sufficient for a brand-new 2025 Nissan Versa S with a modest 122 horsepower and 5 seats. In actual fact, you may even have some cash left over to place towards taxes and registration, because the 2025 Versa S costs in at a US$18,435 base, together with vacation spot and dealing with.
Or, you may spend that very same $20K on an electrical mountain bike with a hair beneath 1 single horsepower to associate with its 1 single seat. And you will be by yourself with taxes as a result of the S-Works Turbo Levo 4 LTD prices that entire $20K, minus the token penny that enables Specialised to desperately cling to the “1” on the front-end of the five-figure price ticket.
We understand electrical bikes have been identified to successfully change automobiles when it comes to sure kinds of city journeys, however we did not assume they have been supposed to interchange the whole upfront value, too.
Specialised
So what do you get for that sort of coin? A weight decrease than a non-motorized XC race bike? Limitless vary through a battery that works off ambient humidity? Unique entry to a personal heli-biking lodge within the Selkirks? An precise cyborg to trip the bike for you?
Nope, nope, nope and nope.
In actual fact, we’re not seeing any standout part bump or accompanying privilege value the additional $4,600 stack of payments over the usual S-Works Turbo Levo 4. Each bikes characteristic the identical Specialised S-Works 3.1 mid-motor drive with 720 watts and 111 Nm lb-ft of torque – lofty figures, sure, however past not rising above the $15,400 commonplace Levo 4, they’re truly lower than what you may get on the new DJI Amflow PL (value: $7,499+).
Specialised
As for the “cyborg” advertising and marketing, Specialised calls it “an electrical mountain bike so superior it transforms you right into a biking cyborg,” persevering with: “Collectively you are supernatural, fortified with tremendous energy, traction, management, and vary to beat any off-road terrain.”
Principally, phrases you may use to explain any highly effective mountain electrical mountain bike or, much more precisely, using a motorcycle whereas suited up with certainly one of several new electric sport exoskeletons.
Whereas the LTD shares its electrical drive system and SRAM AXS wi-fi electrical shifting with the usual Levo 4, it does acquire a number of new trick upgrades, beginning with the 280-Wh range-extender battery that is thrown in as a part of the bottom value. Offered as a separate add-on for the usual Levo 4, the bottle-type vary extender provides 33% extra general capability and vary to enhance the detachable down-tube-stowed 840-Wh battery. Specialised estimates as much as 4.75 hours of runtime with each batteries charged, put in and able to trip.
Digging a little bit deeper into the Levo 4 LTD spec sheet does wield some extra upgrades, most notably within the large, highly effective Fox Podium inverted fork. Then there’s the Trickstuff Maxima four-piston entrance and rear brakes, I9 Hydra 2 hubs and Cane Creek printed titanium cranks.
Extraordinarily good provides, for positive, however value $4,600?
Specialised
And for those who’re considering the fancier bespoke part set will avoid wasting severe weight, get able to burst that thought bubble with excessive disappointment. Not solely does that not occur, the Levo 4 LTD truly packs on about 11 oz (312 g) over the usual Levo 4, weighing a not-light-at-all 52.9 lb (24 kg). At $377 per pound, it is a minimum of on the cheap finish of the dimensions … for caviar or truffles.
Specialised finishes the LTD off with a heavy splash of beautiful blue marble-swirl paint it calls Astral Blue. “Our Strata approach weaves a free-flowing, one-of-a-kind sample that softens physique traces, making a dynamic interaction of deep and light-weight blues,” the corporate describes. “A concord of calm and chaos, it shifts with each angle – fluid, daring, and undeniably distinctive.”
We undoubtedly just like the look, however to not the tune of $20K. And even the $3K and alter that Bike Rumor labored out the particular paint job prices after itemizing out the additional value of the person part upgrades.
To be truthful, the positioning was working with a decrease comparative commonplace Levo 4 value than the $15,400 that Specialised lists on its web site now, leading to a widened hole with the Levo 4 LTD. However even utilizing the $4,600 value hole we cited earlier leaves that particular paint job costing over $1,700.
Nonetheless. Not. Value it.
It actually appears Specialised is simply making an attempt to see how a lot it might get away with charging for a top-tier e-MTB earlier than sparking a full-on business revolt. We suppose of us who take a look at an additional $5,000 as little greater than a rounding error is perhaps attracted to grab one up, even when just for no matter bragging rights that include proudly owning probably the most costly ebikes ever created.
Possibly a number of actual, passionate e-mountain bikers will get their palms on one by the secondary market, after the categories above get bored and transfer on to the subsequent shiny, hideously overpriced factor. The remainder of us will simply have to stay content material with extra down-to-earth e-MTBs … or grinding pedals the quaint method, no e-assistance in any respect.
The Specialised S-Works Turbo Levo 4 LTD could be ordered now, full with some really helpful equipment for these itching to spend a number of hundred or thousand above and past $20K.
Supply: Specialized
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