New e-bike: The new Specialized Turbo Vado SL - Light e-bike as a sporty everyday combination

First Ride/ Test: With the Specialized Turbo Vado SL, the well-known US manufacturer is presenting its latest e-bike for sporty everyday use. The daily commute to work, the weekly shop or sporting activities and workouts become child's play with the Turbo Vado SL. In particular, the low overall weight, the performance, the range and the ride quality should set the bike apart from comparable models. We were able to test the extent to which this concept worked for you before the official launch.

The new Specialized Turbo Vado SL is a versatile e-bike for sporty everyday use. With its ride quality, range and performance, as well as an appealing total weight, the bike can not only provide support on commutes, shopping or city tours, but also offers a sporty character thanks to its high-quality equipment, which also enables the Vado SL to be used as a piece of sports equipment.

The combination of features suitable for everyday use, such as lighting, racks and mudguards with performance-oriented properties such as low weight, Future Shock System, hydraulic disc brakes, shifting without front derailleur and ergonomically appealing grips and saddle, make the Specialized Turbo Vado SL an all-rounder when it comes to everyday use - and leisure trips.

Specialized Turbo Vado SL – The engine

In recent years, Specialized has been able to make a name for itself in the e-bike world with its powerful, in-house drive systems. The Turbo Vado SL is also equipped with the same know-how and technology as the performance models and has the Specialized SL 1.1 motor. Designed in California and developed in Switzerland, the motor, which weighs just 1,95 kilograms and has a magnesium housing, offers up to 240 watts or 35 Nm extra, which is released up to 25 km/h finely tuned to the individual cadence, what a absolutely natural driving experience.

You can choose between four support levels. "ECO, SPORT and TURBO as well as SMART CONTROL." ECO supports up to 30% of the engine power, SPORT up to 60% of the engine power and TURBO up to 100% of the engine power, which in this case would be 240 watts. All three modes can be further adjusted and tailored to individual needs via Specialized's Mission Control app. One of the most important requirements in the development process was resistance-free pedaling behavior in "OFF" mode, so that the Specialized Turbo Vado SL can be ridden like a normal bike even at speeds over 25 km/h or when it is switched off.

So that you never sit dry, the powerful drive was paired with a powerful battery, which has a lot of power with 320Wh and offers a first-class range. In ECO mode, you can expect a range of up to 130 kilometers. With an optional range extender, a further 65 kilometers of range can be achieved. To get the Specialized Turbo Vado SL ready for use again and to charge the battery, it takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes to go from 3% to 100%. A range extender will charge from 3% to 20% in about 3 hours and 100 minutes. Both the internal battery and the range extender charge simultaneously from 3% to 20% in approximately 3 hours and 100 minutes using a “Y” cable.

Specialized Turbo Vado SL – First Ride

As already announced, we had the opportunity to test the latest e-bike from Specialized and take a close look at it before the official launch. With a high-quality design, simple look and clean workmanship, the Turbo Vado SL is well received at first glance and fits perfectly into the urban lifestyle. Equally appropriate is its appealing weight, which is worth its weight in gold in everyday life and makes it easier for us to lift or carry it. Our test bike (5.0 equipped version) with mudguards and carrier device in size L weighed 16,8 kilograms, which is certainly one of the top values ​​for an e-bike of this type. The way to the basement or the apartment is hardly an obstacle for the Turbo Vado SL.

The driving performance is also impressive. Because the Vado accelerates evenly with a pleasant boost and offers a stepless transition as soon as the motor decouples at 25 km/h+. Of course, the 35 Nm are not the highest values ​​that we have ever ridden on an e-bike, but in our opinion they are completely sufficient for use in the city. Nevertheless, with a high overall weight of bike, rider and payload, it can happen that you sometimes reach your limits when it gets steeper. Nevertheless, the vast majority of routes that you want to cover with such a bike can be mastered without any problems. The handling when switched off is also impressive, because the Vado rides like a normal bike except for the slightly more weight due to the existing motor. And the upright and slightly stretched seating position is also suitable for everyday use as well as for sportive use.

A great feature of the Specialized Turbo Vado SL is the proven Future Shock System, which is also used on the sporty bikes from Specialized. With the 1.5 variant, the Vado SL has 20 millimeters of spring travel at the front, which ensures very pleasant comfort both in the city and off-road and skilfully hides bumps. In combination with the ergonomically appealing handles and saddle, the Vado is not only ideal for the city and as a commuter bike, but can also be used for fitness laps or an after-work workout. Thanks to 38 millimeters of tire clearance for mudguards and 41 millimeters of clearance for the unequipped version, you have enough tire width to be safe on gravel roads and easy terrain. In addition to the tyres, the Vado also offers a safe driving experience thanks to its smooth running and sits firmly on the road and in the curves, even when things get faster.

The high-quality lighting system from Lezyne with 310 lumens at the front and 11 lumens at the rear is particularly pleasant. High-visibility stickers and reflective tires also ensure more visibility and safety. Should things get critical, the hydraulic disc brakes are always there and offer maximum braking power.

The models at a glance

The models in the Specialized Turbo Vado SL series are available as a sporty version, as well as an EQ upped version, which is equipped with a rack and mudguards.

Vado SL 5.0 EQ

 

VadoSL 5.0

Vado SL 4.0 EQ

VadoSL 4.0

 

WEB: specialized.com