Welcome to a tour of my flippin’ awesome 2027 E-bike, supplied by the OG Specialized Concept Store, Chester and fully kitted out with tip-top Hope Tech components.
The Build:
Fork: RockShox ZEB Select+, 160 mm
Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ with GENIE, 150 mm
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission
Dropper: BikeYoke REVIVE MAX 3.0, 160 mm
Wheelset: Hope Fortus 30 mullet
Hubs: Hope Pro 5
Crankset: Hope Narrow Offset 155 mm
Pedals: Hope F22 flat pedals
Brakes: Hope Tech 4 EVO GR4
Stem: Hope Gravity 35mm/35mm
Handlebar: Hope carbon, 35mm rise
Tyres: Specialized Butcher Grid Gravity T9, radial casing, front and rear
Battery options: 840 Wh, 600 Wh and 280 Wh Range Extender
I need an E-bike that comes as close to a “quiver killer” as possible because it has to work hard for both sides of my riding life. Through RideHigh MTB, I use it for guiding and coaching; outside work, I ride and race it for fun. Living in North Wales means tackling everything from high-mountain ‘jank’ , steep, slippery enduro and DH style trails to flowy trail centres and bike parks packed with big jumps and high-speed berms.
First and foremost, I want a bike that feels amazing to ride and makes me smile. The Levo 4 Expert delivers that in spades. Of course, there will always be compromises, but its adjustable geometry and three battery options make it incredibly versatile.
Quick after-work blast on the steeps? Leave the big battery at home and fit the range extender. Long mountain ride with loads of climbing ? Drop in the mighty 840 Wh battery, fit lighter tyres and carry the range extender for a monster day out. A morning of coaching at a local trail centre? That’s a job for the 600 Wh battery. You get the picture.
One of the biggest improvements over the fiddly Gen 3 system is how easy the batteries are to swap: it takes less than a minute and needs only an Allen key. And, drum roll, please—there are no rattles. The batteries sit securely in the frame, leaving only the reassuring purr of the motor. I do love a quiet bike!
Micro Tune and Dynamic Micro Tune
I’m particularly keen on the Micro Tune and Dynamic Micro Tune features. Their 10% power increments help conserve battery and make it easier to ride comfortably with mixed groups of E-bike and pedal-power riders, without constantly feeling as though you’re in the wrong assistance mode. Many of my guiding and coaching groups are mixed, and this makes my job even more enjoyable.
Ride quality: RockShox GENIE
Next up is one of the bike’s most interesting features: the new-for-2027 RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ with GENIE shock technology, a departure from the previous year’s FOX suspension.
I’ll admit, GENIE is still a bit of a mystery to me. Suspension setup hasn’t always been my strong point, but I’m learning—and I’m confident enough to say that it feels very different from the shock on my previous Levo Gen 3. My best “non-tech-bro” explanation is that it gives an air shock a coil-like feel: smooth, supportive and almost bottomless.
Whatever the terrain, it seems to calm the trail, which is exactly what you want on a heavy E-bike. Anything that saves energy and improves ride efficiency is a win. The bike feels incredibly settled and grippy—a real magic-carpet ride over rocky mountain trails, slick roots and steep mud.
I’m still experimenting with the compression settings and geometry options, all of which affect the ride. With so many variables, it will take more than a few weeks to understand the bike’s full potential, so I’ll revisit these thoughts in a few months.
Hope components
A huge thank you to all at Hope Tech Ltd for the amazing support of the Hope WMN Ambassador scheme.
Hope Tech 4 EVO GR4 brakes
First and foremost, let’s talk brakes. The EVO GR4 replaces the V4, trading some of the V4’s brutal stopping power for more subtle control and easier modulation. You can also choose the lever shape, so finding one that suits the size and shape of your hands is a doddle. Braking performance matters enormously to me because injuries—and surgery—to the ligaments and tendons in both thumbs have left me with weakness and pain in my hands. In the past, I’ve been reduced to tears and had to push my bike down Alpine descents because I could no longer control my speed. It’s a terrifying feeling. Put simply, Hope brakes have saved my riding career. On a heavy E-bike, dependable, controllable braking is essential if you want the confidence to point it down steep, technical terrain.
Hope Pro 5 hubs
The Pro 5 hubs are smooth, dependable and easy to service, with that satisfyingly distinctive Hope click. More importantly, they are built to last, and their bearings can be replaced relatively painlessly—a major bonus.
Crankset and pedals
The 155mm Hope E-Bike-specific crankset, narrow offset, paired with the dependable F22 flat pedals, makes those all-important contact points feel secure and perfectly sized for my feet. The shorter cranks are spot-on for this bike and have greatly reduced the pedal strikes I experienced on the Gen 3 Levo. Plus, shorter cranks enable a higher pedalling cadence to be reached more naturally. This optimizes motor performance.
Finishing details
The quality of every Hope component is exceptional. Each detail feels carefully considered; even the Matchmaker mounts for the shifter pod and dropper lever are small pieces of mechanical and aesthetic beauty.
The verdict so far
The Levo comes impressively close to being the one E-bike that can do it all. Its adjustable geometry and flexible battery options make it easy to adapt for quick blasts, coaching sessions or big mountain days. Although it weighs a little more than the Gen 3 with the 840 Wh battery installed, its calm, grippy and supportive ride quality more than offsets the extra weight, inspiring confidence across everything from steep, slippery tech to fast, flowing trails. The Hope components finish it off a treat. It’s versatile, capable and seriously good fun.
