The Specialized Podcast

Specialized

Going behind the curtain to talk to the riders and creators working hard to make your ride better.

Episodes

  1. Levo R: The Birth of Electric Rally | Guest Brian Gordon, Mountain Bike Product Manager

    1 DAY AGO

    Levo R: The Birth of Electric Rally | Guest Brian Gordon, Mountain Bike Product Manager

    Levo just became a family. With Levo R, Specialized introduces “Electric Rally”—full‑power e‑MTB that feels lighter, sharper, and more connected on trail, all while delivering the SuperNatural ride feel riders love. In this episode, host Ben Capron talks with Brian Gordon, Mountain Bike Product Manager at Specialized, about how full‑power e‑MTBs evolved from brute strength to intuitive control, what has to be true for a bike to feel SuperNatural, and how “usable power” shows up on steep tech climbs, loose-over-hard corners, and slick root webs. Together they map the Levo lineup: Levo 4 as Electric Trail (benchmark versatility and balance) and Levo R as Electric Rally (full power with rally‑car precision). From rider archetypes to real setup guidance, Brian breaks down who benefits most from each bike and why. Then they dive into Levo R’s three pillars: SuperNatural Power via the Turbo 3.1 system (up to 850 W peak and 111 Nm, metered with adaptive traction control), Super Agile through a purpose‑built 140/130 chassis, a frame that’s hundreds of grams lighter, rally‑ready spec, and the GENIE shock that delivers coil‑like comfort with bottom‑out control. They also cover practical details that matter every ride, like geometry adjust, storage, and serviceability. Finally, they demystify Super Range with a modular system—840 Wh, 600 Wh, and a 280 Wh extender—plus efficiency gains you can actually feel over long days. You’ll hear how to choose the right battery for your rides, why charging to 80% can extend longevity, and how Levo R’s efficiency translates to consistent support and less heat fade. The conversation ends where great rides begin: the emotional heart of Electric Rally and what the perfect Levo R day feels like. GUEST: Brian Gordon Mountain Bike Product Manager, Specialized GET MORE FROM SPECIALIZED:  Instagram: @iamspecialized  Instagram: @iamspecialized_mtb  TikTok: @specializedbicycles  Facebook: specializedbicycles Subscribe to Specialized Bicycles on YouTube for more conversations with the engineers, athletes, and creators shaping the future of cycling. Outride Instagram: @outride

    49 min
  2. Keegan Swenson & Sofia Gomez Villafañe | Performance, Partnership, and Racing With Purpose

    20 JAN

    Keegan Swenson & Sofia Gomez Villafañe | Performance, Partnership, and Racing With Purpose

    What’s really behind the biggest gravel racing news in years? In this episode of the Specialized Bicycles Podcast, Keegan Swenson and Sofia Gomez Villafañe sit down to tell the story in their own words. The media has called Keegan’s move to Specialized Offroad Racing the gravel transfer of the decade. And with a roster that includes top male riders Matt Beers and Mads Würtz Schmidt, Keegan’s transfer has sparked a conversation about the dawn of the “super team” in gravel—and what real team tactics might look like at the pointy end of the biggest gravel races. Keegan and Sofia cut through the noise and share the real story behind the move, the thinking that led to it, and what it means for the future of gravel racing. This conversation goes deeper than headlines, covering: Why gravel is evolving, and what that evolution demands from athletesHow Keegan approaches long-form gravel and MTB racing, strategy, and self-directed performanceSofia’s tireless, principled, and effective advocacy for equity in gravel racing, including realizing separate women’s starts at some of the sport’s biggest events.What it actually takes to build sustainable dominance in gravel, season after seasonHow partnership, independence, and preparation intersect at the highest levelRather than hype or speculation, this episode offers an authentic and spirited, first-person look at where gravel racing is headed and what it takes to lead it. Hosted on the Specialized Bicycles YouTube channel. Follow the athletes and team Sofía Gomez Villafañe  Instagram: @sofithevilla Keegan Swenson  Instagram: @keegels99 Specialized Off-Road Racing  Instagram: @specialized_offroadracing Subscribe to the podcast for more athlete conversations, behind-the-scenes racing insight, and the real stories shaping the future of cycling.

    1h 10m

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Going behind the curtain to talk to the riders and creators working hard to make your ride better.

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