Consumer Reports

The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp returns to our electric mountain bike test and claims the top step on the podium for the third year in a row. Updated for the 2020 model year, it looks nearly identical to the previous version but has several notable changes, including a more impressive build kit and an upgrade to a 700Wh battery. Add to that the recent updates, including 29-inch wheels, new frame design, and display placement, and the updated Specialized 2.1 motor, and it solidifies its continued dominance. It still has the same on-trail performance, making it "feel more like a mountain bike." It is more playful, agile, and well-rounded than the competition, yet it still manages to charge the fall-line just as hard. Like previous Turbo Levo models, Specialized has very stealthily integrated the battery and motor into the frame giving it a low center of gravity and a very non-e-bike look. The new motor is very quiet, plus it weighs less than most of the other models in this test, even with a larger battery.
Of course, there is still room for improvement, but we found little not to like about the Turbo Levo Comp. There is no handlebar mounted digital display, and while the top-tube mounted display works fine, it's outdone by the competition. The charging port is still located in a non-ideal location and is prone to collecting debris and moisture even when properly closed. The SRAM Guide brakes that came on our test bike also felt relatively underpowered for the 50 lb weight of this bike. Overall though, the Specialized still proved to be the test team's favorite for its versatility, well-rounded performance, and very impressive range and efficiency. 

OutdoorGearLab

The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy returns to our electric mountain bike test and claims the top step on the podium for the fourth year in a row. Updated for the 2022 model year, it looks nearly identical to the previous version but has several notable changes, including the highly adjustable geometry debuted on the Stumpjumper EVO, mixed wheel sizes, and the new Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor. The adjustable geometry is a real highlight, giving the rider the ability to set the bike up in six distinct configurations through adjustable head cups and flip chips in the chainstays. The head cups allow you to change the head tube angle a full degree at a time between 65.5 and 63.5-degrees while the flip chips adjust the bottom bracket height by 7mm between the high and low positions. This unprecedented level of adjustability really allows the rider to set the bike up to suit their riding style, terrain, and preferences, taking the Levo's versatility to another level. Meanwhile, the move to mixed wheel sizes helped to keep the rear end of the bike maneuverable and increases clearance in steep terrain. The 700Wh battery carries over from the previous version, and gives the bike a very impressive range, while the revised motor pumps out some serious torque with three customizable support settings. The refinement and integration of the entire system is excellent, plus the Comp Alloy model we tested comes with a functional and capable build, even if it isn't flashy. 
Of course, there is still room for improvement, but we found little not to like about the Turbo Levo Comp. There is no handlebar-mounted digital display, and while the top-tube mounted display works fine, it's outdone by the competition &#40;more expensive models have a new integrated digital display&#41;. The SRAM Code R brakes that came on our test bike are adequate, but they quickly developed a spongy and inconsistent feel. While we like Specialized tires, the GRID Trail casings that come stock are simply not tough enough for the weight of this bike or its hard-charging capabilities. Overall though, the Specialized still proved to be the test team's favorite for its enhanced versatility through adjustable geometry, well-rounded performance, and very impressive range and efficiency. 
Read more: Specialized Turbo Levo Comp review

Specialized found the perfect balance of power vs. natural handling in the Turbo Levo Comp e-mountain bike. Full-power e-bikes are heavier no matter what, but the Levo has smooth power delivery &#40;an improvement over the abrupt power cutoff of older versions&#41;, is well balanced, and handles the most like a "regular trail bike" out of any of the models we tested. The latest Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor system is well refined and boasts a whopping 90Nm of torque, more than enough power to propel you up hills that would be unconquerable on a standard bike. Mixed wheel sizes and highly adjustable geometry also make the Levo Comp one of the most customizable options available; several minor adjustments make a huge difference and allow you to tailor the bike to different riding styles and terrain quickly and easily. The Levo also ranks near the top of the group for range. We felt confident going on longer rides without running the risk of being stuck miles from the trailhead with a 50lb bike and no power.
While this is undoubtedly one of our favorite electric bikes to take out on the trail, there are a few areas where the Levo was not the top performer. The SRAM Code R hydraulic disc brakes that come on this bike are far from our favorite and the non-e-bike specific Fox 36 Rhythm fork also leaves a bit to be desired. There is also no digital display screen on this bike. The only information immediately available to the rider are the LEDs found on the frame's top tube that show the current support setting and remaining battery life. If you value having lots of information available at a glance, more expensive versions of the Levo come with a digital display, or you can purchase one as a separate accessory. However, we wouldn't let either of these drawbacks deter you from the Turbo Levo Comp, and we recommend it to anyone looking for a refined and highly adjustable electric mountain bike.
Read more: Specialized Turbo Levo Comp review

Following the updates to the Stumpjumper EVO, the Turbo Levo Comp Alloy received an overhaul for the 2022 model year. Much like the unpowered Stumpjumper, Specialized gave the Levo a highly adjustable geometry that allows the rider to significantly alter its character to suit their riding style, terrain, and preferences. With six distinct geometry settings to choose from, you can set it up as a more nimble trail bike, an aggressive gravity-oriented slayer, and everything in-between. This unprecedented level of adjustability truly expands this bike's versatility and puts it in a class of its own. It boasts 150mm of rear wheel travel with a 160mm fork and mixed wheel sizes for a confident front end and maneuverability out back. Specialized's Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor is quite powerful with 90Nm of torque and up to 565 peak watts of output, with three customizable levels of pedaling support. 700Wh of battery is housed in the frame's downtube, providing an excellent distance range, and the whole package has been refined and well-integrated with balanced weight distribution for a natural ride feel. 
The Comp Alloy is one of the least expensive builds of the Turbo Levo offered, and it comes with a functional build, but there are a couple of weak points. The SRAM Code R brakes are far from our favorite, and the GRID TRAIL casing tires aren't as tough as we'd like for the weight of this hard-charging bike. Additionally, the top tube integrated TCU display is quite basic, although the higher-end models now come with a more advanced system. Finally, 700Wh is a lot of battery capacity, but other brands recently surpassed Specialized in the range wars. Regardless, we feel the Turbo Levo is one of the best and most well-rounded electric mountain bikes you can buy. Its adjustable geometry takes its versatility to another level. 
Read more: Specialized Turbo Levo Comp review

pinkbike.com

powerreviews

Canyon really impressed us with the new Spectral:ON CF 8. Redesigned for the 2022 model year, this bike rolls on mixed wheel sizes with 155/150m of travel, a modern trail riding geometry, and a full carbon frame that houses a massive 900Wh battery. The trustworthy Shimano EP8 motor has been angled slightly to accommodate the large battery which has been specially designed to keep the weight as low as possible in the frame. The result is a shockingly well-balanced bike that remains impressively maneuverable and lively despite its heavy weight. At the same time, it's very stable with enough travel to confidently handle just about anything most people would consider riding down without feeling like a handful in mellower terrain. The trail riding geometry strikes a nice balance for climbing comfort, maneuverability, and versatility that make it very well-rounded, while a great build further enhances its performance. Did we mention it has a 900Wh battery? Range anxiety is pretty much a thing of the past as the Spectral:ON packs enough juice to make sure you run out of energy before it does. Canyon's consumer-direct sales model also means they offer this bike at a very competitive price, relatively speaking, and we feel it is an excellent value.
It's not all gold stars for the Spectral:ON CF 8. While it is impressive that they've managed to squeeze 900Wh of battery into the frame, the resulting bulge at the bottom of the downtube reduces clearance quite noticeably. Combined with a relatively low bottom bracket height means that bottoming out on the skid plate may occur in some situations. The Fox 36 Rhythm fork does a pretty good job at the front of the bike, but we found it to be a bit flexy under braking and in rough terrain at speed. And, while we love the Maxxis Minion DHR II and Assegai tire combination, the EXO+ and EXO casings, respectively, are not quite beefy enough to handle the weight and charge-ability of the Spectral:ON. Yes, tires are an inexpensive upgrade, but it should come with something a little beefier, in our opinion. Beyond those concerns, we think you'd have a hard time finding a better electric mountain bike, especially at this price. 
Read more: Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8 review

The Ancheer AN-EB001 is an affordable mountain-style e-bike with consistently solid performance across all of our testing metrics. It rolls on 26-inch wheels and has comfortable and steady handling enhanced by its girthier, slightly knobby tires that help dampen the ride. It has a good range of seat adjustments, with an adjustable stem, and it was a very comfortable ride overall. Its 250W rear hub motor is capable of propelling it up to 17 mph with the throttle, and the three pedal-assist modes provide a nice range of support to magnify your pedaling input. The 288Wh battery is on the smaller side, but we still found it to have a respectable distance range. The suspension fork and knobby tires also increase its versatility and help make this bike suitable for light-duty off-road use.
While perfectly functional, the controls and display of the AN-EB001 were far from the best we tested. We aren't sure how much thought went into the ergonomics of the control buttons, which we found somewhat challenging to access with the thumb while riding. Our taller testers also found the seat height adjustment range inadequate, and those with long legs may need to customize this bike with a longer seat post. Beyond that, we were generally impressed by the overall performance of this affordable electric bike.

amazon.com

In our ongoing quest to find the best value electric mountain bike, we recently picked up the Commencal Meta Power TR Ride from the consumer-direct brand, Commencal. While it's still no drop in the bucket, it is pretty affordable compared to mainstream brands, especially with rising prices. This 29er has 140mm of travel with a 150mm fork and a seriously long and slack geometry. It really comes alive at speed and feels confident and composed in aggressive terrain, yet it's still fun to rip around on mellower trails. A steep seat tube props the rider up comfortably, and the pedal assistance and length help you power up the climbs. The new Shimano EP8 motor works well and is a particularly nice spec on the least expensive build in the range. A 630Wh battery is also a nice touch, and the Meta Power TR has a pretty impressive distance range. The build is definitely budget-oriented, but it all comes together quite well when the rubber hits the dirt.
Commencal wasn't messing around when they designed the Meta Power TR, and this bike is definitely long and slack. It's also pretty heavy at 53+ lbs, and it can feel like a bit of a handful at lower speeds and in tight spots on both the climbs and descents. While the Ride build didn't really disappoint us on the trail, there are some unimpressive components attached to this bike, most notably the suspension. Again, it worked better than expected, but concessions were clearly made to keep the price down. Regardless, we were pretty impressed with the Meta Power TR, and we think it's a great value.

In our ongoing quest to find the best value electric mountain bike, we recently picked up the Meta Power TR Ride from the consumer-direct brand, Commencal. While it's still no drop in the bucket, it is pretty affordable compared to mainstream brands, especially with rising prices. This 29er has 140mm of travel with a 150mm fork and a seriously long and slack geometry. It really comes alive at speed and feels confident and composed in aggressive terrain, yet it's still fun to rip around on mellower trails. A steep seat tube props the rider up comfortably, and the pedal assistance and length help you power up the climbs. The new Shimano EP8 motor works well and is a particularly nice spec on the least expensive build in the range. A 630Wh battery is also a nice touch, and the Meta Power TR has a pretty impressive distance range. The build is definitely budget-oriented, but it all comes together quite well when the rubber hits the dirt.
Commencal wasn't messing around when they designed the Meta Power TR, and this bike is definitely long and slack. It's also pretty heavy at 53+ lbs, and it can feel like a bit of a handful at lower speeds and in tight spots on both the climbs and descents. While the Ride build didn't really disappoint us on the trail, there are some unimpressive components attached to this bike, most notably the suspension. Again, it worked better than expected, but concessions were clearly made to keep the price down. Regardless, we were pretty impressed with the Meta Power TR, and we think it's a great value.
Read more: Commencal Meta Power TR Ride review

bazaarvoice

The Ancheer Blue Spark proved a tester favorite and bested the competition with its power. This mountain-style model was one of the most powerful bikes we tested with a 350W rear hub motor and a top throttle speed of 20mph. Its larger 374Wh battery also translated directly to one of the most extended distance ranges of all the tested models, traveling just over 20 miles in our range test with the throttle only. Testers also loved the ergonomic handlebar-mounted controls and the excellent, easy-to-read digital display that provides information like current speed, remaining battery life, pedal-assist mode, and more. It has a traditional hardtail mountain bike style with fast-rolling, 27.5-inch wheels that provide steady handling and plenty of stability at speed, along with a suspension fork and wider tires that enhance its versatility and comfort.
While we loved the crisp digital display on the Blue Spark, we were somewhat dismayed that it didn't come with instructions. It would have been nice to change its units from kilometers to miles. Also, while it has a suspension fork and knobbier tires, we would hesitate to recommend the Blue Spark for any serious off-road use beyond smooth dirt roads and paths. Otherwise, we found little not to like about this powerful model.

Electric Mountain Bike Comparison