2019 Specialized Turbo Levo. All the details confirmed S-Works PICS

[Lxmaso]

Let’s turn it like this: from the price point all mtb and road bike are way to much priced, no matter the brand! Just compare the scooter or motor bike offer: there is no understanding why a normal frame with two normal wheels should cost much more than a motor bike that use more materials, more components that are also much more expensive! Omologation, tests, regulations, safety roules makes the motor bikes much more expensive than a symple bike but from the price point it’s exactly the opposite!
An old and very known Italian brand of motor bikes, FANTIC, was in bankruptcy but they started to make emtb, in the beginning just bullshit emtb but now fantastic emtb, fantastic machines! Now the company is very healthy because the margin per unit on emtb is much much more than before on the motor bikes. So that’s the market....
Ps: I own an orange Levo Expert 2017 (I love it) and I’m buying the new one (I ‘ll keep the old one too) and a Cervelo R5 DI2 2019, 9’500 Eur guys... so I’m myself victim of this market. Anyway we have only one life, I really understood it few years ago after winning the cancer. So, let’s have our party!

 

[Slowroller]

I wonder how many manufacturers will follow suit with steep price hikes? It would for sure open up the direct to consumer market for those who feel comfortable with it. I'm not sure I would, I can fix anything on a bike, but once you start talking about software and voltages, you've lost me. But when top of the line competitors are half or less than a Levo, you'd have to think hard about it.

 

[Norange]

I suspect a large part is economy of scale. You also have luxury vs practicality. Also, looking at Fantic, it's possible that they were just really really bad at making money on motorbikes! I think it's a bit disingenuous to state as fact your assumptions about the supply chain. Unless you're an insider, in which case I apologise.

 

[Norange]

As I understand, costs are rising in China, plus plenty of other economic factors in play. What kind of price points have other brands hit? Is there a discrepancy between them and Spesh?

 

[Lxmaso]

China factories arised the costs of about 8% this spring. I have suppliers there.
Average income of factory workers are around 600 Usd.... I’m in the Baby business so talking about strollers (metal frame and wheels), the materials used are the same as on bikes. Costs I believe are quite similar.

 

[Dusty]

I wonder how many manufacturers will follow suit with steep price hikes

Commencal have had a slight change for 2019 as I can see it the prices not gone up but looking at 2018 models you get more for your money comparing them on there website ....but am not expert

 

[eFat]

I’m in the Baby business so talking about strollers

Hey, this is an overpriced market, I never understood the price of these strollers!

 

[R120]

Agree to a point. They are definitely trying to position themselves as a premium brand for ebikes, and the high prices are part of that, but look at them overall as a company and they are more Ford or GM (producing bikes at pretty much every price point) than BMW or Mercedes. And whilst Specialized are still considered at or near the top of the road bike world, I'm not sure that's been the case with their acoustic mountain bikes for a fair while now, though the new 2019 Stumpy is being considered a return to form.

Obviously with the Levo and Kenevo you are paying more for the LBS no questions asked support, but they still seem to a chunk more spendy to me even with that factored in. Perhaps they make more per ebike and that's helping them perform better overall? It's certainly not the LBS's making a packet off them, that's for sure...

Actually i would say that Specialised and Trek are the BMW and Mercedes of the bike world, ranges covering all bases at a premium price, somewhat aspirational appeal to many people as well, making play of superior engineering etc. If you asked the average lay biker who likes riding but doesn't follow any bike media what the best bikes are they would probably say Trek or Specialized

Your Ford/GM's of the bike world are more your Vitus, Canyon, Giant, Kona etc etc

Your Porsches are the BMC's of this world, and then you have the likes of Pivot, Intense, Santa Cruz, Yeti which are the super bikes.

 

[comtn]

From what I understand the battery is loaded in the down tube from the top, so opposite of the current system? It wasn't visible in the leaked photos. I wonder if the top of the battery will be painted to match.

 

[Norange]

China factories arised the costs of about 8% this spring. I have suppliers there.
Average income of factory workers are around 600 Usd.... I’m in the Baby business so talking about strollers (metal frame and wheels), the materials used are the same as on bikes. Costs I believe are quite similar.

Prices going up again now...
Trumps potential trade war...
No offence, but I'm not sure a baby stroller would require the same tooling investment or materials as an emtb made from carbon and strong enough to withstand being smacked into the dirt at speed on a regular basis. Perhaps you've missed a trick, carbon stroller

 

[Doomanic]

Perhaps you've missed a trick, carbon stroller

Stick a stylised S on it and you're golden.

 

[Lxmaso]

Prices going up again now...
Trumps potential trade war...
No offence, but I'm not sure a baby stroller would require the same tooling investment or materials as an emtb made from carbon and strong enough to withstand being smacked into the dirt at speed on a regular basis. Perhaps you've missed a trick, carbon stroller

Tooling is not an issue with these numbers. Specy will be paid back quite soon... I meant regarding raw materials (plastic, steel, etc) and “working pipeline” bikes and strollers are quite similar: both endure the same influences, of course bikes to a much higher price level.

 

[Norange]

I have no idea how many bikes Spesh will make.

Bike EU

This is probably relevant though?

 

[MarkH]

Holy crap. So a new expert will run me 9k in the states. Spec are out to lunch with these prices. I'm going to keep my carbon comp until they are sub 40lbs in 2-3 years.

That has always been my plan anyway.

 

[Levorunner]

Follow the pictures. View attachment 4980 View attachment 4981 View attachment 4982

I find that battery percentage indicator really tacky. I hope its not that big looking IRL. IMO!

 

[Al Boneta]

6mo ago an Expert Levo was $7500 now it's $9,300 (with sales tax it's over $10,000) what justifies the price jump? New motor, maybe $100 more max, bigger battery, another $100 max increase? With all the same equipment? They will price themselves out of the US market before they get any traction.

Wrong on the pricing. The 2018 was $7500 and had to raised to $7800 because of rising costs. The new Expert isn’t as expensive as you are claiming it is. I just sat through a major presentation about these bikes. I am not going to give any details so I hope nobody feels slighted by this.

 

[Mission MTB]

That command post is going straight into the bin

Maybe I'm alone here but I actually like the Command Post. I had one on my Enduro, it got moved to my hardtail, and it's still going strong. Sure, it tries to implement an alternative approach to birth control, but once your balls have been forcibly rammed into your intestines once, you tend to stay out of the way. Joking aside, I've found it to be the most reliable dropper post I've owned. And I like it waaaay more that the daft Woo post that came on my Kenevo.

 

[Dusty]

I am not going to give any details so I hope nobody feels slighted by this.

I think I personally have sat through the drama long enough to wait another week so no hard feelings here if your unable to divulge.

 

[Stuckmojo]

Hey, this is an overpriced market, I never understood the price of these strollers!

I'm new to bicycles, coming from motocross/other motorcycles and I agree. Margins on anything cycling must be astronomical. I can buy a race ready KTM 450 bike for the same price of a high spec Specialized ebike, which might cost 1/5th in terms of development, components etc.

Also, cyclists get rinsed twice on equipment and everything else. Unobtanium stuff for 20stone riders to save 25grams?

Still, we're all suckers in a way. I just paid £58 (with a 50% discount) for a pair of Five Ten trainers that in the end are not that special.

 

[jwrx]

I'm new to bicycles, coming from motocross/other motorcycles and I agree. Margins on anything cycling must be astronomical. I can buy a race ready KTM 450 bike for the same price of a high spec Specialized ebike, which might cost 1/5th in terms of development, components etc.

Also, cyclists get rinsed twice on equipment and everything else. Unobtanium stuff for 20stone riders to save 25grams?

Still, we're all suckers in a way. I just paid £58 (with a 50% discount) for a pair of Five Ten trainers that in the end are not that special.

*gasp*....been riding over a decade...i would rate 510s among my top three best MTB innovations/gear....along with droppers and 1x11 drive

 

[James_MTB]

I have no idea how many bikes Spesh will make.

Bike EU

This is probably relevant though?

That is grim reading for the US. You would think Specialised import direct into Europe

 

[Al Boneta]

That is grim reading or the US. You would think Specialised import direct into Europe

They do import straight to Europe.

 

[Halcon]

They do import straight to Europe.

Export to Europe ?

 

[Hedge Monkey]

I agree with wanting champagne at lemonade prices..
All craved higher wattage
Sleek battery integration
Snazzy led displays
The R&D that goes into specalized
Bikes.
So when they release them they don’t die and lose their reputation.
And now you want all that for less
LOL....
More costs more
Stuff going up All the time .
If you want the best
Just man up and do it.
If not perhaps Halfords maybe more suited..

 

[ccrdave]

I dont think thats the point at all , all of us here already own a quality bike which we paid a lot more than halford prices for the point is simple is dropping a load more cash on a 2019 bike going to be a load more cash worthy bike, and this doesnt just apply to spesh it applies to all brands

 

[michaeldorian]

Let’s turn it like this: from the price point all mtb and road bike are way to much priced, no matter the brand! Just compare the scooter or motor bike offer: there is no understanding why a normal frame with two normal wheels should cost much more than a motor bike that use more materials, more components that are also much more expensive! Omologation, tests, regulations, safety roules makes the motor bikes much more expensive than a symple bike but from the price point it’s exactly the opposite!
An old and very known Italian brand of motor bikes, FANTIC, was in bankruptcy but they started to make emtb, in the beginning just bullshit emtb but now fantastic emtb, fantastic machines! Now the company is very healthy because the margin per unit on emtb is much much more than before on the motor bikes. So that’s the market....
Ps: I own an orange Levo Expert 2017 (I love it) and I’m buying the new one (I ‘ll keep the old one too) and a Cervelo R5 DI2 2019, 9’500 Eur guys... so I’m myself victim of this market. Anyway we have only one life, I really understood it few years ago after winning the cancer. So, let’s have our party!

The reason is economic of scale. Honda or KTM sell way more motorbikes for a particular model then something like the LEVO. And in the motorcycle world you don't have to deal with sizing too. KTM shares platforms across many models. Same with Honda. I do think bikes are overpriced but the cost of manufacturing a motor vs a carbon frame is more similar then you think.

 

[Andre Conway]

Anyone riding the levo in a size large at the hight of 6.1and been happy with it? Just think the new one will be longer

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

I think were also on the bleeding edge of technology here with electric bikes. We're talking of Tesla style batteries, magnesium materials, carbon fibre frames, wiring harnesses, software development (which barely exist a few years ago on bicycles) and a lot more, like::

• Financial implications like foreign exchange fluctuations impacting costs
• R&D costs. These new bikes surely have cost a colossal amount to develop
• Distribution and shipping of huge batteries, that's got to cost a lot of money

We are all pretty much living in the era of early adopters with these bikes too. Its pretty exciting.

 

[R120]

EMTB Forums, doing the beta testing so the great unwashed dont have to

 

[Gatano]

The prices are going up also "thanks" to dumping , an ebike uses components from all over the world and dumping wars are not helping, even if the price is higher, the only logical reason I won't eventually buy the improved Levo expert 2019 will be the inability to use Blevo, I always drive with the smart power and the smart heart rate monitor enabled, I can't go back to a "stupid" e-bike anymore