Table of Contents
The Specialized Turbo Vado SL was designed to improve the commuting experience. Really?
The guys behind the creation of this electric commuter bike have quite the experience of making something that works.
After receiving constructive feedback from the cycling community, the brand created a new design to address some technical issues and improve overall performance.
One of those changes was to make it available for all genders, something not most brands consider.
One thing that I have always wanted to know is the name of the model. Let me explain it:
– Vado: refers to being an urban bike with flat handlebars and,
– SL means super lightweight.
Turbo Vado SL 5.0 Specs (basic)
| YEAR: 2024
MOTOR & TOP SPEED
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BATTERY & RANGE
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CONTROLLER & RIDING MODES
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FRAME
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DRIVE-TRAIN SYSTEM
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BRAKING SYSTEM
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OVERALL WEIGHT & CARRYING CAPACITY
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TIRES AND SUSPENSION
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ADDITIONAL ACCESSORIES
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My Experience Riding the Specialised Turbo Vado 5.0 SL
If you are here, it is because you want to know about this Specialized lightweight electric bike. Here’s a general overview of what to expect.
Its design
I was wondering what the outline had to do with the ride! Well, it has everything to do with it. Having the battery inside the frame’s down tube paid off in keeping things clean and, most importantly, balanced. This was what I experienced when taking corners at 20 km/h. Of course, having the motor in the middle contributed to it.
Another thing I noticed was the size of the frame tubes. Compared to other brands, they were generally small in diameter. I liked this because it kept things less bulky.
This rack set came with a rear rack only. I was not overly impressed with the rack’s sturdiness. It looked basic, just to carry lightweight objects around the city. However, I liked the frame, which had a few more fitting points to add a bulky front rack for additional carrying capacity.
Understandably, this version didn’t come with a suspension system (that is why it is called SL, right?); however, I loved the front handlebar shock system at the stem; as far as I’m aware, the brand is the first to incorporate this feature.
Is there any difference with the 4.0 EQ version (previous model)?
Over this entire review, I’m only discussing the characteristics of the 5.0 model; nevertheless, I want to explain some of the main differences with the 4.0 model:
– I found an improved braking system using SRAM tech. Stopping felt very smooth and controlled over corners.
– The addition of a head shock (1.5 version) on this model to reduce the excesses of front-wheel vibrations. It indeed did the job.
The 5.0 model came with a 12-speed drive-train instead of 10. This was not such a big deal in flat terrain, but I appreciated the extra two shifts on a couple of steep hills I had to tackle.
– I didn’t see any noticeable improvement from the EQ (equipped) models on the ride, though.
Read More: eBike Frame Material Overview – Steel, Aluminum or Carbon?
Motor, standard battery, range, and their enhancements
On the spec sheet, the brand mentioned that they have equipped this unit with a 240W electric motor and a battery rated 320Wh.
That sounded too low and seemed like they were trying to fit into the legal system around e-bikes today. However, this motor and battery can go fast (15mph—25 km/h).
Now, I thought 35Nm of torque was on the low side for an electric bike in this category; however, knowing the brand’s philosophy was to keep things lightweight, the torque should’ve been enough to haul it without issues. And, indeed, I found the Vado SL 5.0 doing just fine.
I wonder what its responsiveness would be once it is loaded?
What about the battery? According to the manufacturer, this model slaps an 80-mile range (130 km/h) on this unit. I noticed this could be possible only in ideal conditions, but we all know it is not like that. My calculation indicated around 120 km (unloaded).
Fortunately, if 130 km was not enough, I was pleased to see there was an option for an extended battery (an extra 60 km). Why would I want an extended battery? Great, but what would be sacrificed?
NOTE
The brand offers a separate battery that can be installed on the seat tube section. I would recommend reading the reviews about this enhancement.
Efficiency of the tires and assistance modes
Commuter style tires
The tires looked like a crossover between a hybrid and an electric road bike; they handled just okay. A concern about the tires: having a smoother mid-line and threaded outer area made it tricky to lean in and out when riding on smooth tarmacs—at least, that was my experience.
PAS levels
Eco mode Trail and Turbo were the three (3) main modes on the Turbo Vado SL 5.0.
The Eco mode was set to give 35% pedal assist, while the Trail mode was up to 65%. The Turbo mode had 100% power. I honestly couldn’t tell what that meant regarding power; it was just that each mode provided better torque.
The Turbo mode was great and pleasant indeed.
I also noted one other thing when starting the e-bike: The Trail mode was automatically set. I found this interesting in case I felt lazy and wanted medium power at once.
The Mission Control App
Connecting your e-bike to the “Mission Control App” opens up many speed tuning options, something I have only seen in Bosch systems.
By using the App, I was able to adjust the amount of pedal assistance I received in the different standard drive modes, the maximum speed I could max out at, and more.
What was very interesting was the possibility of telling the system how far I wanted to ride, which allowed the system to choose the best settings. I believe this was awesome for improving battery performance.
To learn more about the app, check the brand input here.
How Does It Fit According to eBike Regulations (US, EU, and AU)?
The company was smart enough to keep the motor under 250W, which is usually the cut-off rating for the legality of pedelecs and e-bikes in this category.
While I was able to travel over 25 km/h, the motor was cutting off at this speed.
Read More: Electric Bike Laws – Be Aware Before Riding One
Is the Specialized Turbo Vado SL Worth Buying?
From my perspective, from my review, the short answer is Yes.
On the design front, I think the company could have done something more with the negative space on the unit.
Those are just small concessions for a generally good-looking, street-legal, and safe commuter electric bike.
In contrast, I actually liked the three basic PAS modes offered; generally, most brands bring a five-PAS system, but from my experience, most middle modes are useless.
Lastly, the brand has been known to offer users complaining of factory defects complimentary changes, repairs, and fixes. This applies here, too.
Overall, the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 E.Q (or not equipped) offered a lot of fun, comfort, and power on my ride.
Image courtesy of Specialized.
