Electric, light and efficient: here are three adjectives to properly describe the Specialized Turbo Vado SL in its new version. An electric bike using carbon and high-end equipment, but with a price that matches its technical sheet.
Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2. Crédit : Specialized
Specialized renews its electric city bike, the Turbo Vado SL 2 uses a rigid carbon frame and a lightweight in-house motor!
A frame inspired by the best racing bikes
If you follow the world of road cycling, you know that Specialized has made a name for itself at the heart of performance with its Tarmac. A super versatile road bike judged to be very efficient. Praised by many professional teams, the American manufacturer has made a truly worldwide reputation.
And based on this experience with the best racers on the planet, Specialized has developed the expertise to say that the Turbo Vado SL 2 frame is inspired by the best racing bikes on the planet.
But as this is a city bike, comfort must not be forgotten. So Specialized has integrated a Future Shock suspension which is a shock absorber integrated into the steering pivot, so it is invisible and does not spoil the line of this bike.
A homemade engine
Integrated into the carbon frame is the in-house engine, the 1.2 SL Custom Rx Trail Tuned producing up to 50 Nm of torque. The battery is 520 Wh, the manufacturer mentions 5 hours of riding without charging, an additional 160 Wh battery can be added.
This engine does not act as an anvil on the weight of this bike. The high-end version LTD: Forward 50 remains under 14.9 kg according to the manufacturer's measurements. For this, this lightweight version uses Roval Terra Carbon CL wheels, a Sram Force XPLR AXS group (wireless) or a carbon handlebar. The price of this exclusive version is announced at 9,000 euros!
More accessible, the 6.0 Carbon version uses DT SWISS G540 aluminum wheels, a Shimano Deore XT 8100 derailleur or a Specialized aluminum handlebar as well. The price of this version is 6,200 euros and the weight is 15.9 kg.
Only 1 kg difference, or 6.75% additional mass compared to the LTD: Forward 50 for €2,800 more, the weight gain seems a high price to pay as is often the case in the bicycle sector. But the distinctive color of the LTD: Forward 50 celebrating the Olympic year, during which Specialized will have been highlighted in the men's road race with the victory of Remco Evenepoel, may justify the purchase if you are really a fan.
