Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ in review

With the Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ, Specialized have sent a promising urban ebike into the race and rely on their own SL 1.1 motor. Is 35 Nm torque enough for a commuter bike or does the bike squander the chance for a test win? Find out here!

Get an overview of the grouptest here: The best ebike of 2021 – The 19 most exciting concepts for everyday use

**Specialized** Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ | Specialized SL 1.1/320 Wh
16.56 kg in size L | € 4,599 | Manufacturer’s website

Urban mobility and city traffic of the future are complex topics that encompass diverse concepts, theories and approaches. One thing’s for sure: urban mobility solutions are changing and the relationship between cars, public transport, bicycles and pedestrians will be turned on its head over the next decade. While some people still feel secure in their tin can, labouring their way through packed roads at the stop and go pace of a turtle while burning fuel and filling the air and our lungs with polluting particles, others have opened their eyes and discovered an alternative. Electro-mobility on two wheels, packed in a pretty and lightweight package, tied in a bow and given the name Turbo Vado. Sit on board, turn the motor on and you’re ready to ride! During your morning ride through the park, the air doesn’t just rise, so does your quality of life. After the rain of the last few weeks, the lush green of fresh trees, bushes and grass shines, your nose is tickled by the scent of newly risen flowers and your morning soundtrack is delivered by the chirping of birds – here in Stuttgart it even includes wild parrots.

Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ spec in detail

The first look at this purported dream bike unexpectedly raises the question of what it’s doing in a group test of the best ebikes for commuting. Only when you look closer does the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ identify itself as E-powered. A mid-motor could hardly be better or more neatly integrated into a frame, which demonstrates high-quality finishing with clean transitions and delicate lines. On the one hand, the cockpit convinces with its great ergonomics, on the other, it also feel chaotic with lots of cables running freely and entering the frame at various points. The elongated metal mudguards ensure clean suit trousers and intact shoes, not letting a drop of water past. The Shimano 12-speed drivetrain is well-chosen for the sporty character of the bike. However, the combination of a 44 t chainring and the largest 45 t cog is a little too hefty for steep climbs.

Only when looking at the display will you realise that the speed says 30 and the motor is no longer providing support – more natural handling at and above the 25 km/h assistance limit is hardly possible.

**Lots of options**
The TCU unit on the top tube lets you switch the motor on and off, select the assistance mode and display the remaining battery charge. The bar remote allows you to switch between modes as well as activate the excellent push assist. The display serves solely to show data.

**Clean as a whistle**
The Specialized SL 1.1 motor is perfectly and sleekly integrated into the pretty Turbo Vado SL frame.

**Vibration-gobbler**
The Future Shock 1.5 suspension effectively swallows up all vibrations and is worth its weight in gold on bad roads and cobbles.

Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ

€ 7,430

Specifications

Motor Specialized SL 1.1 35 Nm
Battery Specialized SL1 320 Wh
Display Turbo Connect-Display
Fork Specialized Carbon 20 mm
Seatpost Specialized Alloy 30.9 mm
Brakes TEKTRO HD-R510 160/160 mm
Drivetrain Shimano SLX/XT 1x12
Stem Specialized Stealth Alu
Handlebar Stout Mini Rise
Wheelset DT Swiss R500
Tires Nimbus 2 Sport Reflect 700 x 38C

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 16.02 kg

Specific Features

Future Shock 1.5 suspension system
Leyzne lighting system
Mission Control app

**Dirty trousers or shoes? Not with me!**
The extended mudguards don’t just look good but keep all dirt away from your shoes and trousers when it’s wet.

**Watch out!**
The 28 x 1.5″ Nimbus 2 Sport Reflect offer limited braking traction.

**Limited on the hills**
The combination of the 44 t chainring and 45 t cassette with the comparatively weak SL 1.1 motor limit enjoyment on steep climbs.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	415 mm	447 mm	495 mm	535 mm
Top tube	554 mm	587 mm	610 mm	630 mm
Head tube	185 mm	217 mm	250 mm	285 mm
Head angle	70.0°	70.5°	71.0°	71.5°
Seat angle	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°
Chainstays	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm
BB Drop	70 mm	70 mm	70 mm	70 mm
Wheelbase	1,062 mm	1,091 mm	1,110 mm	1,126 mm
Reach	378 mm	401 mm	415 mm	424 mm
Stack	595 mm	626 mm	660 mm	696 mm

Specialized SL 1.1 mid-motor in detail – Is 35 Nm appropriate?

For the motor, the US company trusts just one brand – itself. The in-house Specialized SL 1.1 motor makes do with a comparatively low torque of 35 Nm and is paired with a fixed, 320 Wh Specialized SL1 battery in the diminutive down tube. If that’s not enough for you, you can order the SL Range Extender for € 379.90, which is mounted in the bottle cage, plugged into the charge port and provides you with an additional 160 Wh capacity. Control of the SL 1.1 motor is provided by the easy-to-use Specialized TCU unit on the top tube and the minimalistic bar remote. The removable and conveniently-placed Turbo Connect display on the bars serves only as a readout and can be connected with a heart rate monitor for training. A fourth interface with the SL 1.1 motor is provided by the excellent Specialized Mission Control app. It allows you to configure the three assistance modes individually, check the remaining battery charge and adjust assistance accordingly, as well as view a summary of your rides and performance.

In our test, the motor convinced us with its pleasant and well-modulated handling. However, the limited torque requires you to engage your muscles even in the high assistance modes. The shuttle feeling you get from the R&M Roadster, which is propelled by the Bosch Performance Line CX with 50 Nm more torque, isn’t to be found on the Turbo Vado SL, which will take pride of place in your cellar for € 4,599. But that can also be a benefit: as you’re riding with more of your own strength anyway, the transition at the 25 km/h assistance limit and the end of the motor support is hardly noticeable. In this regard, neither the FAZUA motor of the Canyon Commuter:ON 7 nor the MAHLE Ebikemotion motor of the Schindelhauer Arthur VI/IX can keep up.

Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ on test

At 16.5 kg, the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ is one of the lighter bikes in our commuter bike group test despite the rack, Lezyne light and metal mudguards, making it well-suited to taking on public transport or carrying up and down into your flat or the basement. The Future Shock 1.5 suspension up front is a comfort booster and effectively takes the sting out of small bumps like cobbles and uneven surfaces while at the rear, the seat post generates sufficient comfort. Overall, the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ is a level or even two above the Canyon Commuter:ON 7. However, off the beaten track, caution is advised. The 28 x 1.5″ Nimbus 2 Sport Reflect tires offer limited braking traction off-road.

Tuning tips: for better climbing capabilities: a large cassette with 50 or even 51 teeth | for more compliance at the rear: a Cane Creek suspension seat post | for more off-road performance: fit Specialized Pathfinder tires to expand the range of applications on loose surfaces

Whether as a fitness bike in your leisure time or for commuting to the office: the Turbo Vado SL is ready.

If you put a lot of stock in as quiet a bike as possible, you’ll be disappointed by the Turbo Vado SL. Despite the comparatively limited support, the SL 1.1 motor is one of the loudest in the test. On the other hand, the urban ebike convinces with its agile handling, a touring-suited riding position and shows its two sides during testing: the first as fitness bike 2.0 and your sporty training partner, the other as it carries you to work through the park with your laptop bag on the rack. So can dreams come true and does the Turbo Vado SL snag the win as a universal everyday and leisure weapon? Almost! Due to the comparatively limited E-support, it’s only got enough to take a very solid second place.

Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ conclusion

The Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ checks a lot of boxes if you want to ride sportily and on the flats. Both the modular battery concept, good vibration damping and successful motor integration all know how to impress. However, for hilly terrain and a completely sweat-free ride, the motor support of the SL 1.1 motor is too little, meaning it has to narrowly concede defeat in this group test.

Tops

perfect motor integration
modular battery concept
good vibration damping
full coverage mudguards let you arrive at the office clean
comprehensive spec

Flops

chaotic cockpit cable routing
comparatively low motor support limits range of applications

Rider Type

The trans-urban mile muncher 1

The stylish city explorer 2

The Transporter 3

The short distance whizz 4

The passionate recreational cyclist 5

You can find out more about at specialized.com

The testfield