The new Specialized Tero X 6.0 costs € 6,200 and wants to be a true all-rounder: e-trekking bike for weekend adventures, fully-equipped eMTB for trail fun, and off-road commuter for everyday use. We exclusively tested the new Tero X 6.0 for you to see if it manages to live up to its claim.

Specialized Tero X 6.0 | € 6,200 | Specialized Full Power 2.2/710 Wh | 130/120 mm (f/r)
26.5 kg in size L | | Manufacturer’s website

Many e-SUVs are adaptations of existing eMTBs that were originally designed for trail use, which often entails compromises in certain details and functionality, such as tire clearance, mudguards, suspension design, loads that change the weight distribution, etc. With the new Tero X, the Californian brand claim to have started with a blank slate to build a bike specially designed for all-round use.

The new Specialized Tero X is the logical progression of the Tero line, which was launched in 2022 as the hardtail version Specialized Turbo Tero 4.0 EQ ST. Even back then, we would have liked a bit more comfort at the rear, and with the new Tero X 6.0, our wish becomes reality. It’s a full suspension trekking bike designed to be ridden comfortably in a seated position, to carry loads, and to provide smooth handling and a high fun factor in all situations. This was Specialized’s intention. The development of the Tero from hardtail to full-suspension wasn’t all that simple and several problems had to be solved along the way – the product manager Mattia Berardi in the Specialized development centre in Switzerland exclusively explained to us what challenges they faced.

In the Swiss town of Cham am Zugersee, Specialized has bundled its ebike know-how in a former paper factory.
Here, an interdisciplinary team is continually working on new, innovative bikes, aiming at setting standards.

With its motor churning out up to 90 Nm power, its capable suspension, solid construction, 2.35″ wide, knobby tires, and many other mountain bike features, it immediately becomes clear what the Tero X 6.0 is all about: outdoor fun, superior handling both off and on the road, and a high level of comfort. However, if these were the only features that the bike needed to offer, Specialized could have chosen the Specialized Levo as the platform with no questions asked. But since the Tero X 6.0 also needed to handle loads, the daily commute to the office, and the leisurely weekend ride, Specialized chose to develop a completely new bike. The Tero X 6.0 wants to be a bike for any eventuality, cutting a fine figure in various situations, equally as an e-trekking bike, an eMTB, and a commuter – a balancing act in which clever compromises had to be made.

Technical details and fancy features of the Specialized Tero X 6.0 2023

The e-trekking bike is designed to be ridden in a seated position and to carry loads of up to 20 kg at the rear and up to 10 kg in the front. This places completely different demands on the frame than with, say, a mountain bike that moves downhill while the rider is standing centrally on it. Specialized uses an aluminium frame and a single-pivot rear triangle on the Tero X 6.0, which connects the rear wheel, the rear rack, and the mudguard with a fixed swingarm to the damper via a single main bearing. This makes for a very stable construction and ensures comparatively low maintenance, as only one bearing is installed. The brakes, drivetrain, and suspension components contain solid mountain bike components designed for use in rough terrain. In general, Specialized emphasise that they apply the same quality standards to the Tero X 6.0 as to their eMTBs.

If you take a look at the luggage rack, you might think something’s missing …

The luggage carrier of the Tero X has only lateral fastening options – and this is deliberate. For optimal weight distribution, the load must be placed as low and centrally as possible above the wheel axis. In combination with the flexible rear triangle and the very low seatpost, according to Specialized, this is the only way to prevent the luggage from hitting your back when the suspension is fully compressed. If the two bags or baskets are not enough for you, an additional front rack can be installed via an attachment that’s nicely hidden in the head tube. Thus, you can transport another 10 kg there.

And if that still isn’t enough storage space for you, the Tero X 6.0 is designed to tow a trailer weighing up to 60 kg, so you can take the kids, the dog, more luggage, whatever you fancy. You could make a point that it’s a mountain bike with some cargo bike capability. With so many loading options and a maximum loading capacity of 136 kg, the bike obviously also needs a lot of engine support. That’s why Specialized use their Specialized Full Power 2.2 motor with 90 Nm torque for the top model Tero X 6.0. – the same motor as in the high-end eMTB Specialized Levo. Together with the 710 Wh battery, nothing stands in the way of long tours with full motor support. If you’re interested in one of the cheaper versions of the Tero X, though, you should know that Specialized throttle their motors down to 70 Nm or 50 Nm via software. If you want to transport heavier loads (or if you weigh a little more), you should test whether the motor support is sufficient on the mountain for your intended use.

Specialized’s Mission Control app allows you to adjust the motor settings to your preferences, record and analyse entire rides, and customise the data layout on the display. In addition, the bike can be rendered unusable via system lock. When the system lock is engaged, the motor can only be activated via an app or by punching a PIN code into the handlebar remote. If the bike is moved while locked, an alarm sounds – in combination with a good lock it’s quite an effective deterrent against thieves.

Although the functionality gets a nod from us, we shouldn’t neglect the look of the bike. And the Tero X 6.0 manages to look cool despite all its features. The bike has a sporty, stylish vibe, and shows openly what it is: an off-road SUV that not only looks cool but can also deliver. The Tero X is made for sporty off-road excursions just as much as for relaxed tours or commuting in style.

If eMTBs were off-roaders, this would be an SUV.

The first ride review of the Specialized Tero X 6.0 2023

We went to Specialized’s Turbo development centre in Cham, Switzerland, for a first ride review of the new Tero X. Apart from exclusive insights and a lot of background information, we also got the chance to ride the new eSUV. Since the Tero X 6.0 wants to excel at so many things, we tested its handling in different areas of use. With the looks, the components, and the frame, we couldn’t resist heading straight for the nearest forest first thing to see how the Tero X 6.0 behaves on the trail. In short: really solid! The Specialized Ground Control tires offer plenty of grip, the chassis smooths out all bumps, roots, stones and potholes – all of it while sitting as well as standing on the bike. Thanks to the dropper post and the low upper tube, you have plenty of freedom of movement off-road and can easily put your feet on the ground when stopping. The bike is relatively long, which results in a good straight line stability and a feeling of safety. What’s absolutely positive is that the Tero X 6.0 is quiet on the trail. The battery, mudguards, and cables are so well mounted that nothing rattles – which tends to be an issue with fully-equipped eMTBs! The wide mudguards protect against dirt even in muddy conditions, but they don’t reach down as low as the predecessor’s, providing more clearance for obstacles, such as steps. The lockable battery can be easily removed from the lower tube and charged separately.

Since we see the Tero X 6.0 with its added functionality and its affinity for forest paths and easier trails as an exciting alternative to the Levo, we put it to the test there. And our test has confirmed it, the Tero X 6.0 feels right at home there. The bike conveys a feeling of safety and control, has enough power for steep climbs, and is altogether a lot of fun to ride. The riding position is rather sporty, so if you prefer to sit more upright, you may have to go for a shorter stem or a different handlebar. The Tero X 6.0 is easy to ride even with weight on the rack. Thanks to full suspension, going over a step or a kerb with luggage is also much safer, as the impact isn’t passed onto the rider. The seat tube brace doubles up as a handle, which makes lifting the 24.8 kg bike (in size M) and manoeuvring it much easier.

The RockShox Lyrik Select+ suspension fork with 130 mm travel and the RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock, which manages 120 mm travel at the rear, are more than adequate for use on gravel roads, forest tracks, and choppy tarmac, both ensuring a very high level of comfort. Vibrations and shocks are completely absorbed even when seated. Kerbs or potholes can be traversed in comfort.

The MasterMind display is well-positioned and easy to read. Unfortunately, there is no navigation function, but the display has a USB-C port that can be used to charge your mobile phone.
Unfortunately the cable management up front is a little untidy and does not really fit in with the look of the bike.

Another interesting feature is that the display shows your cadence and encourages you to pedal at a minimum of 70 RPM. This allows the motor to work at optimum speed, which increases efficiency and thus saves battery power. Specialized show a practical approach by allowing to manually adjust the support level in 10% steps to increase mileage. That way, the motor power can be finely adjusted to the required support, which can mean the difference between an empty battery on the home stretch and a few remaining ions for the motor to do its thing. Unfortunately, cable integration on the cockpit is not up to 2023 standards. A tidier front would have been nice on the otherwise stylish Tero X 6.0. The built-in front light allows you to switch between full and dipped beam and with up to 1,000 lumens it should illuminate your path brightly enough. The rear light ensures that you won’t be overlooked – it’s clearly visible and doubles its brightness during braking. Excellent!

SIZES / MODELS / PRICES SPECIALIZED TERO

Model Motor / Torque Battery capacity Drivetrain Travel Price
Tero X 4.0 Specialized Full Power 2.0 Motor / 50 Nm 530 Wh SRAM SX Eagle 130 mm front / 120 mm rear € 4,350
Tero X 5.0 Specialized Full Power 2.0 Motor / 70 Nm 710 Wh SRAM GX Eagle 130 mm front / 120 mm rear € 5,200
Tero X 6.0 Specialized Full Power 2.2 Motor / 90 Nm 710 Wh SRAM X01 Eagle 130 mm front / 120 mm rear € 6,200

The three versions of the Tero X come in sizes S, M, L and XL. The travel of the dropper post is adapted to the respective frame size from 150 mm to 200 mm. All models will be available from 28.02.2023.

Who is the Specialized Tero X 6.0 2023 for?

The Tero X 6.0 is a very versatile bike with great off-road capabilities. Sporty commuters who like to take the occasional trail will be just as happy as tourers who like to bike to a mountain hut at the weekend. The bike remains calm and easy-to-handle even in difficult riding situations and offers plenty of reserves in terms of grip, suspension, braking power, and motor support – even when loaded. If you’re looking for a chic ebike for everyday use that can handle any situation with ease, this is the one for you. However, the cheaper models with less motor power can reach their limits on steep climbs when carrying loads or heavier riders.

Conclusion

Our first test has left us thrilled with the Tero X 6.0. Specialized delivers an all around coherent package with high performance and superior functionality. A cool all-rounder that might even poach fans from the Levo sector, as some of the high-performance Levos are primarily used on gravel roads and only occasionally seen on the trail. Here, the Tero with its added functionality might even be the better choice. In any case, we are looking forward to upcoming test rides and further experiences with the Tero!

Tops

  • plenty of freedom of movement
  • high functionality
  • cool design
  • good off-road capabilities

Flops

  • no integrated navigation system
  • untidy cable management in the front

More information at specialized.com.

Words: Jan Richter Photos: Peter Walker