The American manufacturer Specialized is boosting the performance of its current Levo 4 e-mountainbike with an over-the-air update. The new software increases the performance of the 3.1 motor by 18 per cent, and for the 3.1 S-Works it is even 22 per cent.
However, the update is not just limited to bare performance data. Among other things, the update brings a new Dynamic MicroTune function for maximum natural power delivery from the motor, optimised coasting and a revised pushing aid. This underlines Specialized's approach of continuously developing e-bikes through regular software updates. The update will be available for all customers to download from the Specialized app at market launch.
With over-the-air updates, every Turbo bike becomes a living, evolving machine that gets better and better over time. With a simple software update that can be carried out from the comfort of your own home, the bikes become more powerful, more refined and more personalised. - Marco Sonderegger, Head of Turbo Technology at Specialized
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Highlights of the Levo 4 over-the-air update
- S-Works models increase peak power by 18 % (850 W instead of 720 W) and 111 Nm.
- All other models benefit from 22% more peak power (810W instead of 666W) and a torque boost to 105 Nm.
- Dynamic MicroTune with "1x You": The new setting adjusts the motor support precisely to the rider's input - for a maximum natural riding experience.
- Smoother speed limit: More natural drop in performance when the maximum permitted speed is reached.
- Quicker coasting: The motor continues to push as soon as you stop pedalling.
- Personalised pushing aid: Three walking speeds for relaxed pushing.
More power than the Bosch Performance CX
850 watts of peak power and 111 Newton metres of maximum torque - these are the values Specialized's updated 3.1 motor delivers in the S-Works version. As usual, the US manufacturer slows down models below the S-Works level on the software side. There, the unit delivers 810 watts of peak power and 105 newton metres of torque. For comparison: The Bosch Performance Line CX has reached 100 Newton metres and 750 watts of peak power since the latest software update.
Smart theft protection
Did you already know? The original Levo was the first e-mountainbike with its own app. As an app pioneer, Specialized has also worked hard on the smartphone interface for this update. The Specialized app continues to combine personalisation, system diagnostics and safety in one central platform. Riders can analyse their riding data, call up information about the bike and synchronise data with Strava and Garmin.
With the latest update, Specialized is primarily improving the anti-theft protection. A new feature is the option to lock the Turbo system. If the bike is locked, it can only be reactivated - similar to two-factor authentication - using a PIN in the app. And if the bike does fall into the wrong hands, the integrated Apple Find My function on iOS devices shows where it is at all times.
Super Natural - the name says it all
Specialized's MicroTune functions are not new territory: if you want maximum control over the motor power, you can adjust the support and maximum power synchronously in 10 per cent increments. The Dynamic MicroTune function works in a similar way, with the motor support also being adjusted in 10 per cent increments.
However, the maximum motor power always remains at 100% and is only released when you start sprinting. This means you can ride long distances economically with little assistance, but can call up full power on a sudden climb - automatically, simply by pedalling harder. And the best thing is that all the fine-tuning can be done directly on the bike without an app.
What's really new in Dynamic MicroTune mode is the 0/100 setting, or what Specialized calls "1x You". Here, the motor support reacts one-to-one to the pedalling input: If 200 W of pedalling power is applied, the Specialized unit provides 200 W of support, 250 watts of pedalling generate 250 watts of motor output - and this is proportional up to the maximum system power.
How to drive the engine update
Fans of the previous Specialized motor can rejoice: the powerful, good-natured character is also retained in the updated units - just a tad more powerful and finely tuned overall. The 3.1 motor now pushes up steep ramps even more confidently and develops impressive power reserves even at low cadences.
Despite the increase in power, the engine can still be precisely controlled and never feels impetuous. The slow, controlled ascent of key technical sections - where maximum traction and plenty of torque are required - is one of the 3.1 drive's specialities.
The optimised caster now also intervenes even more directly and pushes the rider powerfully over terrain edges or steps where there is a risk of touching down with the pedals without caster.
What the update cannot fix, however, is the background noise: In rough terrain, the familiar gear rattling from the bottom bracket area is still audible.
Conclusion on the Specialized motor update from Max Fuchs
From a marketing perspective, it is understandable that Specialized is also entering the motor arms race with better performance data. Some end users will also be pleased that the Specialized Levo can now push them uphill even faster.
However, the Specialized motor didn't really need the performance update. Because even the normal 3.1 unit is by no means lacking in power and performance without the update.
I therefore find the super-natural 0/100 Dynamic Micro-Tune mode much more exciting than the sharpened performance data. In my eyes, no other full-power motor feels so natural and powerful at the same time. The anti-theft protection and the Apple Find My function also offer great added value.
Max Fuchs
Editor
