The Specialized Turbo Vado SL is an incredibly smart electric bicycle that is incredibly light.
The Turbo Vado SL boasts a stellar lineage, a wonderful cocktail of outstanding components, and an astonishingly lightweight exceptional build quality because Specialized has been producing bikes since the beginning of the 1970s.
Despite its unique look, you can glance at this Specialized Turbo Vado SL electric bike and not even notice that it has a battery because the power pack is a structural component of the frame. Although the bike somewhat resembles a standard hybrid, if you begin to examine its characteristics, you’re rewarded with a variety of technical treats.
With a smart motor and 320wh battery at its center, the Specialized Turbo Vado SL can travel up to 130km/80 miles in the most efficient and cost-effective assistance setting.
If you pair the bike with Specialized’s Mission Control software, the ride will be much more pleasurable and have an added dynamic edge. Physical exercise and technical assistance are ideal complements to one another. The Turbo Vado SL is, however, simply a dream to ride. With the battery and electric motor package working together, you’ll soon be clocking up the miles. With its clever settings, this bike is really simple to ride and requires very little e-bike expertise to achieve effortless pedaling.
Design of the Specialized Turbo Vado SL
The Specialized Turbo Vado SL is an attractive bike that is also modest in appearance. Its creative characteristics are often overlooked at first sight, which is perhaps a positive thing if someone is trying to steal it. However, a closer look reveals that the e-bike is packed with a tonne of high-end, innovative features that put it on the correct course to earning its hefty price tag.
The frame, which is composed of lightweight E5 aluminum and has a battery integrated into the forward down tube, is the main component of that. Using a button on the top tube, the custom Specialized SL 1.1 motor can be started up and is integrally fitted. This displays your battery level as well.
The gear selector knobs are located on the right side of the handlebars, and the driving assist modes can be selected using the ‘+’ and ‘-‘ buttons on the left side. The excellent front and rear disc brakes are better controlled with the Tektro brake levers, and shifting through the 12 gears using the up/down levers is incredibly smooth and satisfyingly loud. It goes without saying that everything just works because Shimano and Praxis provided the crank and group set components, respectively.
Highlights are frequently unexpected, like the flat pedals, which appear to be simple design elements but are actually incredibly comfortable to rest your feet on.
The lights are integrated and on by default, however, they can also be turned off. When it was driven along a gravel road, the model’s wrap-around mudguards performed a good job of shooting out pieces of stone. Behind the saddle is a modest yet useful baggage rack.
Mission Control, a piece of software created by Specialized, allows you to control every aspect of your bike. The primary divisions of the page are Ride, Tune, Diagnose, My Rides, and Settings. Once downloaded (for iOS or Android), it can be connected to your bike to help with two-wheeled adventures and track data.
Performance and Charging of the Specialized Turbo Vado SL
Attaching the pedals and adjusting the handlebars was all that was required to set up the test bike. Designers rode the Specialized Turbo Vado SL a few times around the block to make sure everything worked as it should despite the fact that it had already been used.
When they first took the Specialized Turbo Vado SL out on the open road, they found it to be really likable. You can simply mount and start riding because of the bike’s minimal weight and hassle-free flat handlebar configuration.
The Turbo Vado SL feels quick and very responsive when the battery button is turned on and set to the greatest assist level, followed by applying average pedal power. You truly smile as a result of it. With the motor, you may easily reach the legal limiter level of 15 mph in the UK and 20 mph in the US. If you just want to keep riding, there is also an extra range extender that provides an additional 40 miles (65 km), although the regular package is sufficient on its own.
The Tektro disc brakes, which are very efficient, handle slowing down and stopping immediately flawlessly. Given how quickly you can accelerate down the road, the Turbo Vado SL can be stopped with ease in a matter of seconds. The Turba Vado SL really drives over smooth ground, and the ride isn’t at all uncomfortable. Additionally, it creates a terrific whine as you go quickly through the gears, adding to the adrenaline-pumping experience. However, poorly paved roads underlined the drawback of the narrow but grippy Pathfinder tires and thinner wheels.
The battery stays on the bicycle during charging because the supplied cable connects to a socket at the bottom of the frame. The stated time for a full charge according to Specialized is two hours and 35 minutes. incredibly impressive
Price of the Specialized Turbo Vado SL
The Turbo Vado SL 5.0 was introduced in June and has an RRP of $4,500 / £3,299 (about $6,500 AU). The cheaper Turbo Vado SL 4.0 costs $3,500 / £2,499 (approximately AU$5,000).
Conclusion
The Turbo Vado SL from Specialized is an excellent combination of superior engineering and cutting-edge e-bike technology. The end result is a genuine rider’s bike with the bonus of electric-powered assistance. The bike itself is obviously made to last, but the software allows you to get even more power out of its excellent power unit which makes it Both an enjoyable and wise investment.
Buy the Specialized Turbo Vado SL if-
You desire a lightweight bicycle for commuting- The Specialized Turbo Vado SL is ideal for this job because it handles beautifully and can really be lifted when necessary.
For a variety of reasons, you desire to increase your cycling- With how much fun an e-bike is to ride and how well-rounded it is, you feel like you can take it almost anywhere.
You’re looking for an e-bike with endurance- Although it’s a sizable investment, the bike’s performance features and build quality should ensure that you get a lot of use out of it in the long run.
