2019 Turbo Levo Sizing

[Robin Grant]

Hey guys

Any advice on frame sizing on the new Turbo Levo?

Asking as I read this snippet from 2019 Specialized Turbo Levo first ride - MBR

At 5ft 10in, we rode both L and XL frames, and felt most comfortable on the L as the motor and battery weight adds so much stability that, even though the reach numbers feel relatively conservative, the smaller frames are rock-solid at high speeds. In other words, fight the urge to size up

And they're right about the reach numbers!

A 2019 Turbo Levo has a reach of 455mm in L and 480mm in XL

where as:
A Pole Machine has a reach of 480mm in M and 510mm in L (yes you read that correctly).
A Mondraker Foxy 29 has a reach of 470mm in M and 490mm in L
A (2019) YT Jeffsy has a reach of 454mm in M and 474mm in L

So, like the MBR author, I'm also 5ft 10in, so would at least need a size M, if not a size L of the bikes mentioned above - so despite the quote from the MBR artice, I'm currently thinking I should get an XL Levo?

HELP!!! - Those of you already with 2019 Levos, what are your thoughts?

 

[Mattwilko92]

Im 5ft 10 and have ordered a medium because the reach is 435 which is the same as my Nukeproof Mega. I tried both in the shop and large felt too big.

 

[Robin Grant]

I currently ride a 2015 Specialized Enduro in L which has a reach of 445mm - but the trend is for longer reach bikes, and there seems to be good reason for it:
What’s the future of MTB geometry?
Pole EVOLINK 140 29 Review | ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine
#thegeometryaffair - Page 2 of 3 | ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine <- This guy is only 5ft 11in!
#thegeometryaffair - Page 3 of 3 | ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine
etc etc...

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

L. It's a big heavy bike. At your height it's large every day of the week. You'll be swamped on XL I think. What's your inseam? Ape index etc?

 

[Robser]

Hi Robin,
I'm 180cm, 5.9ft and have Size Large. Inseam 84cm. Fits perfect. Had always Size Large with Spec. Should the bike be playful then Size M with your height. Should it be for long distance rides..then could probably be size L better for you. Ride both.
Greets

 

[njn]

Large

 

[deanphoto]

Hey guys

Any advice on frame sizing on the new Turbo Levo?

Asking as I read this snippet from 2019 Specialized Turbo Levo first ride - MBR



And they're right about the reach numbers!

A 2019 Turbo Levo has a reach of 455mm in L and 480mm in XL

where as:
A Pole Machine has a reach of 480mm in M and 510mm in L (yes you read that correctly).
A Mondraker Foxy 29 has a reach of 470mm in M and 490mm in L
A (2019) YT Jeffsy has a reach of 454mm in M and 474mm in L

So, like the MBR author, I'm also 5ft 10in, so would at least need a size M, if not a size L of the bikes mentioned above - so despite the quote from the MBR artice, I'm currently thinking I should get an XL Levo?

HELP!!! - Those of you already with 2019 Levos, what are your thoughts?

I know Danny personally and he loves BIG bikes, so if you're the same size I'd do the same. For what it's worth he's also extremely talented on a bike! I'm 6ft2" and ride a Large Comp Carbon, I rode an XL Stumpy (very similar numbers, obviously) and it felt massive.

 

[galaga187]

I’m 5”10’ also and ride the 2019 Comp Carbon in L. It does look bigger to me than the 2018 but rides fine I do make use of the dropper. I’d recommend trying both a L and M if you are not sure.

 

[Mattwilko92]

I’m 5”10’ also and ride the 2019 Comp Carbon in L. It does look bigger to me than the 2018 but rides fine I do make use of the dropper. I’d recommend trying both a L and M if you are not sure.

Im worried now, im 5ft 10 but my inseam is only about 78cm , I’ve ordered a medium as the reach is similar to my current bike. I did try both but i couldn’t say i felt much difference.

 

[Robin Grant]

Thanks guys for the feedback guys - really useful (especially @deanphoto's insight into the MBR author preferences!).

@Mattwilko92 Is it too late to change your order to an L at least?

Have to say I'm still surprised no-one around our height has tried upscaling to XL???

 

[Moose]

I am 5'10" went from a 2018 Trek Powerfly 9 18.5" to a 2019 Levo Carbon Comp Large. Levo is perfect fit for me.

 

[Mattwilko92]

I am 5'10" went from a 2018 Trek Powerfly 9 18.5" to a 2019 Levo Carbon Comp Large. Levo is perfect fit for me.

Whats your inseam length?

 

[Moose]

Whats your inseam length?

inside leg 30"

 

[GP6OWEN]

Hi Robin
I’m also 5”10 and recently brought a 2019 levo in a large. On the Spesh graph I was right between a medium and large after a fitting at the specialized concept store the large was definitely right for me I felt a little cramped and over the bars on the medium and as soon as he set up for the large it was a perfect fit. Also a point was I wanted the dropper seat to be fully extended and the right height when I brought it back up which I couldn’t get right on the medium. In my apinion a large will also be perfect for you definitely not the xl.
Cheers Gary

 

[knut7]

I was surprised to see the choice is between L and XL. I'm 5'11 and would go either M or L. Probably M as I prefer to size down. But the front on the M is very low.

 

[fat&grey]

If it helps I’m 5.10 13.5 stone and jeans normally 32” leg and have a M Levo.

 

[Mattwilko92]

Whats your inseam length?

inside leg 30"

Thanks, same as me! I think the medium may be small then. I want to use the bike to cover some ground as well as a play / trail centre.

I may change my order to large after reading this!

 

[Levo Lution]

I am 5'10, tested levo 2019 both M and L, felt almost like different bikes to me. I definitely prefer (and ordering) M size. I can though imagine people of my high prefering L size. In my opinion, the main difference is in high of the front end of the bike. I always liked smaller bikes. Test both sizes and you will (should) feel which is better for you.

 

[Mattwilko92]

Well i went and sat on a L in a specialised store, i’m glad i’ve ordered the medium!

 

[Tony01]

Well i went and sat on a L in a specialised store, i’m glad i’ve ordered the medium!

Picked up my 2019 Levo today. I am 178 (5.10) and also between sizes. Agonized between M and L, ended up taking M after test riding both sizes: for it me it was harder to keep the front wheel planted on L on steep ascents. Having said that, I still have some residual concerns about going smaller. Had the dealer both sizes for my preferred built available in stock and not just M, I would have probably kept agonizing.

 

[Fivetones]

From one Robin to another...

I’ve got a M Levo Comp on order and I’m 176cm in height (5’9.3”). I have exactly the same worry as you. I’ve always regretted going too big in the past (man, road etc) and I’m active on the bike so after being in my local shop today I still think medium.

However try both and feel it for yourself. I’m doing that.

I’m also looking at an Orange Alpine 6 E just in case delivery dates slip again. I’ll try a M in that too.

 

[Levo Lution]

Picked up my 2019 Levo today. I am 178 (5.10) and also between sizes. Agonized between M and L, ended up taking M after test riding both sizes: for it me it was harder to keep the front wheel planted on L on steep ascents. Having said that, I still have some residual concerns about going smaller. Had the dealer both sizes for my preferred built available in stock and not just M, I would have probably kept agonizing.

Hi, I am also 178 (5.10). I tested both sizes, felt almost like different bikes to me. Mostly due to different stack. I went with M without hesitation. Still did not get the bike because of delivery delays...
I have been riding M size specialized Epic regular bike for many years and it still feels perfect . I can ride it for hours and never feel any pain in the back or elsewhere. Hope this helps.

 

[Mattwilko92]

Another 5ft 10 here riding medium, the large felt huge!

 

[Tony01]

Here’s how my sizing saga ended. After approximately 60 km on the bike it began to feel really small and cramped, especially going down. So I sold it and ordered YT in L. Luckily, I bought my Turbo with almost a 30% discount, so selling was not too difficult.

 

[Max-E]

Is anyone here riding a small? A 2019 small Levo is bigger in reach/stack than a 2018 medium!

This ties into a topic I started:

A chat about old school geometry/riding against modern sizing/geometry/handling (Levo content). - EMTB Forums

And a post I made here:

Specialized Levo Sizing Questions and 2019 Models - EMTB Forums

".....I'm sure there are hundreds of members on here (say 5’7 to 5’10) who ran or still run medium 2018 Levos and were/are very happy with them and don’t suddenly think they are too small or geo a year ago was all wrong.

However (where it matters in the two most important fit dimensions to determine size) a 2019 small Levo is actually *bigger* than a 2018 medium Levo: reach 415 vs 411, stack 606 vs 603.

I’m 5’ 8.5” but still considering a small 2019 Levo as I can get the length required (with a longer than stock stem) but gain a lower minimum seat height and keep a bit of old school handling which many still prefer. I’ll reserve judgment until I’ve ridden both sizes... "

So, as above really plenty of guys 5'11 (or even taller) are happy on mediums therefore wondering if anyone like me just over 5'8" and liking a smaller bike has gone down to the small maybe with a 60mm stem...?

 

[Max-E]

Bump - anyone on the small?

 

[DS.]

I’m 5.5 and ride a small and it fit just right if I was any taller I would have gone for the medium if you buy the one with a dropper you won’t get the seat high enough if your 5.8

 

[Indigo]

I'm 172.5cm (5'8"), I test rode a 2017 Levo Fattie M -- with seat fully dropped I could only just touch the ground with tip toes on one foot. On closer inspection the seat post collar was ~30mm above top of seat tube (not the original post and could not be lowered any further). On my test ride although it initially felt large (probably due to not being used to wide bars), but by end of ride I thought it was the right size for me, however I wouldn't buy one because the dropper post was near useless.

Thankfully, the 2019 Levo has shorter seat tube and it appears improved seat post insertion.

I then tried a 2019 Levo L (50mm stem). It immediately felt too big just sitting on it, and when riding it although I became more comfortable it was still too long.

I then tried a 2019 Levo M (40mm stem). It was immediately comfortable, and when riding it, I found it felt slightly short when performing a tight U turn. I knew that with a 50mm stem (Expert or S-Works) it would be perfect for me. To confirm it was the right size, I checked the adjustment height of seat post.

I ordered an S-Works in Dec 2018 and it finally arrived in May 2019. My lbs set the seat post collar to 22mm above top of seat tube. I have since raised it to 30mm, perfect for commuting; I just have to remember to drop down when coming to a stop. I could theoretically fit a 175mm dropper post, but I'm finding 160mm feels like more than enough.

I have moved the cockpit in to that of 710mm bar width but have not yet trimmed the ends off. I find that width much more comfortable, however I'm returning to mtb'ing from a time (late '90s) when 560mm bars was the norm.

@Max-E Based on comparing the geometry numbers with that of my '90s bike, I originally thought I wanted a small but once I test rode a medium I knew a medium was right for me.

 

[MadDash]

I had a 2017 S-Works Levo in a Medium. I'm 5'10.5" and my inseam is about a 32.5". I have very broad shoulders, jacket size 44. I had well over 6,000 miles on the bike. I rode it with both spacers in the headset. Only after many, many miles did I begin to question the sizing and whether I should consider a Large on the next bike.
I didn't have a choice as my new 2019 S-works replacement bike showed up as a Medium as well. However the 2019 had at least a 2cm longer reach and wheelbase.
My riding is mostly on single track that is somewhat technical. If my riding was long and fast I might have considered getting a Large. However, I think that the 2019 Medium is going to be great and more playful a bike than a Large. Also with the new slightly more slack 150MM fork, I think I am in very good shape. I will give an update in a month or two of riding.

Hope this helps.

-Cheers!