Recently, Specialized e-bikes have been on a diet. First it was the Turbo Creo SL which introduced us to their SL 1.1 motor. Roughly half the weight of other crank based motors at 1.95kg, the design along with new battery options allowed for Specialized to build a road e-bike as light as 26.2 lbs. Then it was the Levo’s turn, with the new Turbo Levo SL checking in as low as 37.26lbs with the same SL 1.1 motor. Naturally, that drive unit has now come to the commuter and fitness crowd with the new Turbo Vado SL.
The crank based SL 1.1 motor offers up to 240 watts of power with assist speed limited to 28mph. Using only the integrated 320Wh internal battery, the bike will provide up to 80 miles of range. Add in the external range extender (sold separately), and you can add another 40 miles of range for a total of 120 miles on Eco mode.
With controls built into the top tube, the bike has five different riding modes – Off, Eco, Sport, Turbo, and Smart Control which utilizes the Specialized Mission Control App to customize the assist.
Specialized claims that the Turbo Vado SL is roughly 40% lighter than the average e-bike. Officially, we are told that they will weigh as little as 33lbs. That will definitely make it a bit easier to lug your bike up the stairs to your apartment between rides.
Built with an aluminum frame, the Turbo Vado SL rolls on 700c wheels and tires, and has clearance for up to 42mm tires or 38mm tires with fenders. Thru axles are used front and rear, with 12 x 110mm up front and Boost 12 x 148mm out back.
With everything that’s going on, it’s easy to almost completely miss important details like the Future Shock 1.5 integration upfront – though this is only an option on the higher end 5.0 models.
Sold in two main styles, you have the choice of Equipped or Unequipped. Equipped includes full coverage fenders, a front and rear Lezyne e-bike light set, a rear rack, and a kickstand. The unequipped version loses all of that except for the front and rear light set for a lighter bike that’s better suited to fitness riding rather than commuting.
Sold in four sizes and four different models, pricing starts at $3,350 for the 4.0 or $3,500 for the 4.0 Equipped, and tops out at $4,350 for the 5.0 or $4,500 for the 5.0 Equipped.
