Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 eBike Review

In-Depth Review

Frame

The Turbo Vado frame combines a sturdy frame with 50mm of suspension in the front fork for added comfort. As a commuter bike, the Vado is designed to get you through town — and maybe over some rolling grass at the park — but Specialized is assuming this will be a short part of your overall commute, so it has designed the frame accordingly. For urban riding, it is the perfect bike. The Vado handles curbs and pavement seams smoothly. We love the internal wiring that tucks brake and shifter cables into the downtube. The battery is also integrated to streamline the frame. The rear chainstay has a slap guard for protection and the drivetrain is well-powered. A narrow rear fender will hold light cargo or panniers. Rounding out the perfect commuter set-up, the Vado also features a bell, sidewall reflectors, and integrated front and rear lights.

Motor & Battery

The Specialized Turbo Vado is a Class 3 bike with up to 28mph pedal assist.

The motor is a Brose, customized for Specialized, street-tuned motor with 72Nm of torque and 250W nominal to 520W of max power. The motor is designed for commuting, which emphasizes efficiency and range over torque, however, it still has good power — especially in the higher modes. As with other Brose motors, it is quiet which is ideal for around town riding — you can maneuver through traffic and pedestrians without projecting heavy motor noise.

As with other Specialized bikes, the battery is housed along the downtube with a side-entry placement. There are both benefits and a few drawbacks with this design. We love how the battery seamlessly integrates into the downtube for both convenience and aesthetics. A lock on the frame holds the battery in securely and a digital button on the top of the battery turns the bike on and off and displays battery usage. However, the battery is a bit tricky to get in and out; the side-loading system isn’t as simple as it sounds. And it’s sometimes hard to see the battery button because it’s on the downtube which sits just below the top tube, not directly in your line of sight. Also, if at any point you want to upgrade or replace the battery, it must be ordered through Specialized and painted to precisely match your frame color. Since many components on the Vado are proprietary, it is more expensive to replace/upgrade them.

The battery offers exceptional range, and a port on the side allows you to charge it on or off the bike. If you are commuting, taking the battery inside to charge during the day is easy and fast. Specialized has responded to concerns about theft with commuter bikes, since they sit unattended while you’re inside (the office, cafe, library, etc.) so there are extra measures that will keep your bike secure when you step away from it. There is no quick-release lever on the wheels or seat binder (you need a hex wrench) which protects your wheels or seat from being taken off the bike. The TCU display is not removable for security. And, the locking battery has a bike-specific key so another Specialized Vado key will not remove it. Some of these issues may be a hassle for owners, but they protect your bike too.

Display/Assist Modes

The LCD display is one of the few components that has been updated on the current model. The new display is not removable, it is secured to the handlebar mount as mentioned above. The display is quite small, but still has several modes and readouts you can toggle through including MPH, battery power, distance, time, and even estimated calories burned. You can also access the Mission Control app on a compatible cell phone for more specific modifications.

An easy-reach assist shifter on the handlebar has “+ and -” buttons to toggle through power modes, and a light button to turn the lights off or on as needed.

Handling

The Turbo Vado is responsive and fun to ride. The 28mph speed really zips you along and the tires are perfect with just enough tread for road traction.

• On Streets– The Vado is well-powered and calibrated nicely for urban riding. It handles well on most street surfaces. We tested it with a rider and backpack, and a pannier on the rack. It performed well uphill with no lag in power. If anything, the speed is what takes getting used to; since it’s a class 3 speed pedelec, the Vado wants to go. If you leave it in level 5 assist, it will pick up speed quickly and needs to be handled with respect.
• Turn Radius– The turn radius is tight; make sure your speed is moderate so it doesn’t lurch forward, but you can easily stay upright while turning on sidewalks or in alleys.
• Low Speed Handling– The Vado has a walk-assist mode which is nice for navigating tight pedestrian traffic. You can just use your feet to move it along and the motor assist is enough to keep the bike rolling gently. The Vado is a heavier bike, weighing about 53lbs, and you feel the weight more at lower speeds, but it doesn’t affect how the bike navigates when handled correctly. This is not a bike you want to be frequently hauling upstairs or in and out of office buildings, however — that’s when the weight is really noticeable.

Gears/DriveTrain

The Vado features a 10-speed drivetrain with 11-42t cassette and Shadow Plus rear derailleur which holds the chain tight and in line. The drivetrain is well powered, and all components are Shimano so they align seamlessly. There is no shift detection, but this is pretty standard on a commuter bike, so just be gentle when shifting — especially with heavy torque. Handlebar shifters are easy to reach and feature a gear display.

Brakes

Here again we have Shimano components with the BR-MT200 hydraulic disc brakes, 180mm in the front and 160mm rear. The brakes work well to counteract the Vado’s speed. Sometimes eBike brakes are insufficient to fully stop a motorized bike, but these Shimano brakes easily control the Vado’s power.

Suspension

50mm of suspension on the front fork adds just a touch of travel for dirt trails, grassy hills, or other light terrain you may encounter. While it isn’t designed to handle heavy off-road riding, the Vado is sturdy enough to sustain normal topography with relative ease. The widened tires and street-tread facilitate smooth urban riding.

Pedals

Specialized flat commuter pedals with grip tape and side reflectors are great for both comfort and visibility. Pedals can be swapped out for flats with cages or even clipless if desired.

Grips and Saddle

Both grips and saddle are proprietary Specialized. The grips are Specialized Canopy Sport, with just a bit of ergo contouring and saddle is Specialized Body Geometry Targa. This is more of a narrow, almost racing-style saddle. It’s not as wide as the Como, but when riding longer distances, less saddle friction is better, so the design is perfect for a commuter bike.

Wheels and Tires

Tires are Trigger Sport Reflect, 700x47mm so they’re slightly wider for enhanced stability and road traction. Reflective sidewall stripes are a nice addition as well.

Accessories/Upgrades

The Vado includes some essential commuter accessories such as integrated front and rear lights, which can be turned on or off via the handlebar control. There is also a rear-mounted kickstand which doesn’t collide with the pedal, a bell for safety, and impressive front and rear fenders. These are DRYTECH fenders and they extend all the way down the rear wheel with good coverage on the front as well. Both sturdy and durable, the fenders keep your clothes and drivetrain clean from debris, rocks and dirt.

Recommendation/Final Verdict

The Specialized Turbo Vado is an exceptional urban commuter eBike. It is sturdy, well-built, high spec’d, with a quiet motor and respectable range. This isn’t the lightest or the cheapest bike, but you know you are getting value with the Shimano and Specialized components. Specialized is a ubiquitous brand with retailers all over the country, so it’s easy to find a shop for maintenance and service as needed. We recommend the Vado for anyone looking for a quality commuter that is both chic and energetic.