While electric cars get all the press, Specialized believes the fastest growing electric vehicle segment over the next five to 10 years will be the electric bicycle and has just announced updates to its Turbo Active line, which includes an all-new, all-terrain Turbo Tero.
The brand reckons that electric bikes are a valuable tool for personal wellness and local transportation – and we agree – and has taken lessons learned from Specialized's mountain bikes to inform its more utilitarian range of Turbo Active bikes.
Specialized's Turbo Active line of bikes aren't super-aggressive, high-performance machines, though, they've been designed to be everyday companions, to help keep you active, provide efficient transport and cut down on car miles.
Specialized describes the Turbo Vado as a 'vehicle for life', while the Turbo Como has a more upright, step-through design to make it easy to ride in everyday clothes and by those with potentially limited mobility. The new Turbo Tero is a more all-terrain solution.
Comfort is a key aspect to the range's design, and Specialized's development engineers in California and Switzerland are said to have spent a lot of time refining the feel of both the bikes and the motors – built by Brose to Specialized's specs.
Specialized Turbo Tero
The new Turbo Tero is designed as a true all-terrain vehicle, built for getting across town, picking up shopping and then hitting local trails should you wish.
As such, the bike features a suspension fork with 110mm of travel, 2.3in mountain bike tyres, luggage-carrying and trailer-towing capabilities. The Tero EQ models come with integrated lights.
The base-level Tero 3.0 / 3.0 ST (step-through) model uses Specialized's 2.0E motor and gets a 530Wh removable battery, for charging away from the bike, while the top-spec Tero 5.0 uses Specialized's Full Power 2.2 motor, as seen on its high-end electric mountain bikes, and is fitted with a 710Wh battery that Specialized claims gives the bike a real-world 90-mile range.
Specialized Turbo Vado
Specialized says the Turbo Vado is designed to do everything from commutes to riding roads and trails.
The bike has a large carrying capacity, with the maximum load on the rear rack boosted from 20kg to 27kg compared to the previous generation Vado.
The bike can tow up to 60kg and carry an extra 15kg with Specialized’s yet-to-be-released front rack attachment.
The bike has also switched from 700c wheels to 650b, which Specialized says allows for more nimble handling and improved comfort. Its suspension seatpost and 80mm suspension fork should also increase comfort.
The Vado is available in 5.0, 4.0 and 3.0 models. The bikes are the same apart from the motor, battery and drivetrain.
All models are equipped with fenders, integrated lights and Specialized’s new MasterMind+ display unit. Again, we are waiting on full specs, pricing and photos of the bikes.
Specialized Turbo Como
The Specialized Turbo Como bears a resemblance to classic town bikes with its upright position and low step-through.
In fact, Specialized say it’s the lowest step-through frame it has ever designed, with the step-through height dropping from 526mm on the previous generation to 355mm on the new generation in a size large.
Specialized has achieved this by changing the frame from a two-piece design to a new one-piece monocoque.
Like the Turbo Vado, the Turbo Como has moved from 700c to 650b wheels with 2.3in Pathfinder tyres.
The handlebar is integrated and houses Specialized’s MasterMind+ display unit. The bike also has integrated lights and mudguards.
Smart upgrades
The range also sees a few extra features, to bolster security, useability and safety.
The on-bar MasterMind+ controller has a colour, customisable display, which you can alter via the Mission Control app on your phone. This allows it to show a wide array of data in numerous forms to suit your needs.
For example, there's a feature that compares your cadence to the most efficient for the motor – 70 to 80rpm according to Specialized – to help you get the most out of the bike's battery. It'll also look at your power input and the bike's battery levels to work out the remaining range.
The Mission Control app features on-ride diagnostics too, to quickly assess any issues and help get them fixed at a dealer. Also possible now are over-air updates to the bikes' software, for when Specialized adds additional features.
The MasterMind+ will also work seamlessly with Garmin Varia radar units. This is a small box that sits at the back of your bike to alert you when cars are approaching. Top models of the Como and Vado will come with a Garmin Varia built onto the bike.
Other security features include a motion-sensitive alarm and system lock, so thieves won't be able to access the motor's power and will also have to listen to a constant alarm.
In terms of liveability, Specialized has worked with a rack mount company to bring easily swappable, click-on-click-off rack carriers and child seats to the bikes, all of which fit onto the rear rack.
Furthermore, there will be a new Tailwind range of panniers. These are said to be aerodynamically shaped, and Specialized claims they offer a 6 per cent boost to battery range when compared to less aerodynamic panniers.
Closing the loop
Finally, Specialized is aware that building tens of thousands of bikes with large batteries has an environmental impact.
In the US, it's working with its retailers so old batteries can be taken and passed on to logistics partners, to then be taken to material recovery companies. Furthermore, Specialized says that parts for the bikes will be available for 10 years.
2022 Specialized Turbo Tero range and pricing
Specialized will initially offer four models of the Turbo Tero, but we're yet to see full specs, international pricing and photos of all models.
Specialized Turbo Tero 3.0 / 3.0 ST (Step-through)
This base-level Tero comes with a Specialized 2.0E motor, 530Wh battery, Shimano Alivio groupset and SR Suntour XCM fork.
- £2,900
Specialized Turbo Tero 4.0
The 2.0 motor is powered by a 710Wh battery and driven by a SRAM NX drivetrain, while a RockShox Recon TK props up the front end.
- £4,000
Specialized Turbo Tero 4.0 EQ / 4.0 EQ ST
This fully-loaded bike is the same as the 4.0 but comes with lights, fenders, a rack and a kickstand.
- £4,200
Specialized Turbo Tero 5.0
Specialized's top-level 2.2 motor and large 710Wh battery feature here. Elsewhere there's a SRAM GX drivetrain, dropper post, rack and fender.
- £4,500
2022 Specialized Turbo Vado range and pricing
Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0 / 3.0 ST
The Turbo Vado 3.0 has a 50Nm Turbo Full Power 2.0E motor with a 530Wh battery.
- £3,200
Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0 IGH
The Turbo Vado 3.0 IGH is the belt drive model with a 50Nm Turbo Full Power 2.0E motor and 530Wh battery.
- £3,900
Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 / 4.0 ST
The Turbo Vado 4.0 is specced with Specialized’s 70Nm Turbo Full Power 2.0 motor and 710Wh battery.
- £3,700
Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 / 5.0 ST
The Turbo Vado 5.0 uses Specialized’s 90Nm Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor and 710Wh battery.
- £4,200
Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 IGH / 5.0 IGH ST
The Turbo Vado 5.0 IGH has an integrated gear hub and belt drive, 90Nm Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor and a 710Wh battery.
- £5,000
2022 Specialized Turbo Como range and pricing
Specialized Turbo Como 3.0
The entry-level Turb0 Como 3.0 is specced with a 50Nm Turbo Full Power 2.0E motor and 530Wh battery.
- £3,200
Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 IGH
The Turbo Como 3.0 IGH has a belt drive and the 50Nm Turbo Full Power 2.0E motor with a 530Wh battery.
- £3,900
Specialized Turbo Como 4.0
The Turbo Como 4.0 uses Specialized’s 70Nm Turbo Full Power 2.0 motor and 710Wh battery.
- £3,700
Specialized Turbo Como 4.0 IGH
The Turbo Como 4.0 IGH has a belt drive and 70Nm Turbo Full Power 2.0 motor with a 710Wh battery.
- £4,000
Specialized Turbo Como 5.0
The Turbo Como 5.0 comes with Specialized’s 90Nm Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor and 710Wh battery.
- £4,200
Specialized Turbo Como 5.0 IGH
The top of the range Turbo Como 5.0 IGH has a belt drive and Specialized’s 90Nm Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor with a 710Wh battery.
- £5,000
