2023 Specialized
Turbo Vado 4.0
A 650b aluminum frame hybrid e-bike with upper mid-range components and hydraulic disc brakes.
Compare the full range
Manufacturer Price
$2,749| Weight | 58.2 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Suspension | Hardtail, 80mm |
| Fork | Suntour MOBIE |
| Wheels | 650b Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 11 |
| Groupset | NX, Praxis |
| Motor | Specialized 250W 70Nm mid-drive |
| Battery | Specialized 710Wh |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
For This Bike
Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.
Compare the full Turbo Vado model range
View Comparison5'2" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'7"
🐐 Estimated
Jan 2024
Price: $4000.00 | Model Year: 2022 | A sporty urban commuter with suspension fork and suspension seat post included! Outfitted with some of the best fenders, rear rack, and integrated lights I've seen on any ebike. Available in high-step or step-thru frame styles, comes in four, three trim levels (3.0, 4.0, and 5.0), and the battery integration looks much nicer than previous generations.
A sporty urban commuter with suspension fork and suspension seat post included! Outfitted with some of the best fenders, rear rack, and integrated lights I've seen on any ebike. Available in high-step or step-thru frame styles, comes in four, three trim levels (3.0, 4.0, and 5.0), and the battery integration looks much nicer than previous generations.
Excellent weight distribution (low and center), clean integrated cables, powerful hydraulic disc brakes from SRAM with 180mm rotors front and rear. The co-developed Brose motor offers up 70nm of torque and is highly tunable with Mission Control smartphone app. Dynamic power output based on rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque.
Fast four amp charger uses a magnetic plug interface that is convenient and durable. Optional compact travel charger saves space and weight for touring. Electronics are IPX6 rated against dust, mud, and water. The display has a USB-C charging port for portable electronics. The TCD2 MasterMind color display can be dimmed, beeps and haptics can be disabled, and readouts can be customized.
Adjustable 80mm travel suspension fork and 40mm travel seat post suspension. High-visibility reflective sticker and integrated lights (which can be turned off) keep you safe. Pointy kickstand, less immediate power from standstill, front fender that clips curbs and some tray style bike racks.
Jan 2023
Ebiketips reviewed the 'base' model of Specialized's Turbo Vado SL range back in 2020 and deemed it an enjoyable bike for an active cyclist. "If you’re after some fun and lighter assistance, it’s one for the shortlist," concluded Dave. Here we try the latest fully equipped version, the Turbo Vado SL 4.0 EQ, with the same Specialized lightweight mid-drive but in its fully-equipped, commuter format, with gearing and braking bought up to date too. The SL stands for 'super light' in contrast to the heavier Brose-based mid-drives used by non-SL models.
Jan 2023 · Sam Gross
For over three decades, Specialized has had the same mantra: “Innovate or Die.” That three word slogan represents the ethos of Specialized; a condensed summation of the mindset that’s driven the northern California-based company to become one of the largest and most iconic bike brands on the planet. It’s also the driving force behind why
The Specialized 2.0 mid-drive motor is divine. Rated at 250W and making 70Nm of torque, it’s one of the best feeling e-bike motors I’ve ridden.
The new Turbo Vado’s looks are great. The frame is less angular and looks more like a traditional bicycle than the old Turbo Vado.
With a $4,000 MSRP, the Turbo Vado 4.0’s component package is very competitive and feels right for the money.
You can update the bike from home using the MissionControl app, which has the ability to pass over-the-air updates to your bike.
The MasterMind display is very well designed and chock-full of cool features like rider wattage, battery efficiency and more.
The Turbo Vado is backed by Specialized’s global network of dealers and nearly unparallelled customer service.
One of our only complaints is that the magnetic charger can be difficult to seat correctly when the battery is installed in the frame.
Jul 2022 · Warren Rossiter
Slick and smooth big-mile eater
Smooth
Comfortable
Long range
Well equipped
It doesn’t come cheap
Apr 2022 · Oliver Gibler
The 2022 Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 claims to be a do-it-all ebike. Read our review to find out whether the fully equipped commuter can deliver!
Confidence-inspiring
Powerful motor and large battery capacity
Very comfortable
Cable routing/integration in the front
Heavy and cumbersome
Feb 2021 · Tyler Benedict
The original Vado, which launched in 2017, uses a full-size (but still custom) motor with all the power you’d need for high-speed commutes. But, like all full power e-bikes, they’re heavy, and they provide a lot of assist right out of the gate. The Specialized Vado SL takes a different approach. It uses a lower
Nov 2020 · Benjamin Topf
Normally, Pascal churns his way up the hill on his 3-speed Dutch bike. So, if he says, “Yeah man, I’m really flying uphill today!” then something special is afoot: it’s the brand new, lightweight Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ with its SL 1.1 motor providing up to 240 W support. Is this the perfect […]
Jun 2020 · Graham Cottingham
We take a look at the lightweight city commuter that claims to set the standard for urban ebikes
Incredibly refined motor and power delivery
Agile handling gives superb control when weaving around the streets and urban obstacles
Lightweight
Price
Future Shock 1.5 may be superfluous for some riders
| Frame | E5 Aluminum, bottom bracket motor mount, fully integrated & lockable downtube battery, internal cable routing, lock and front rack mount, sliding dropout Colors: Cast Black / Silver Reflective; White Mountains / Black Reflecitve; Red Tint / Silver Reflective |
|---|---|
| Fork | SR Suntour MobieA32, 80mm travel, lockout, fender-mounts, integrated light mount Travel: 80mm Spring Type: Coil |
| Stem | Specialized Flowset, 3D-forged alloy, 20-degree rise, 31.8mm clamp |
| Handlebar | Specialized, alloy, 15-degree backsweep, 46mm rise, 31.8mm |
| Saddle | Rivo Sport, steel rails, 155mm |
| Seatpost | Spring suspension, alloy, 40mm travel, 30.9mm, 2-bolt clamp, 34.9mm sleeve Type: Suspension |
| Pedals | Specialized Commuter w/ grip tape & reflectors |
| Grips | Specialized Body Geometry Contour, lock-on |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM NX, 11-speed |
|---|---|
| Crank | Custom alloy forged crankarms, Praxis, 48T, 104BCD |
| Shifters | SRAM NX, 11-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM PG-1130, 11-speed, 11-42t |
| Chain | KMC e11S, 11-speed w/ Missing Link™ |
| Brakes | Front: SRAM Level, 2-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 180mm 6-bolt, Rear: SRAM Level, 2-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 180mm 6-bolt Type: Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | 650b disc, double-wall alloy, pinned, 32h |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss Industry |
| Front Hub | Specialized alloy front hub disc, sealed cardridge bearings, 6-bolt, 15x100mm thru-axle, 32h |
| Rear Hub | Specialized alloy rear hub disc, sealed cardridge bearings, 6-bolt, 12x148mm thru-axle, 32h |
| Tires | Front: Pathfinder Sport Reflect, 650Bx2.3, Rear: Pathfinder Sport Reflect, 650Bx2.3 |
| Motor | Specialized 2.0, 70Nm torque, custom tuned motor, 250W nominal |
|---|---|
| Battery | Specialized U2-710, alloy casing, state of charge display, 710Wh Recycling Program: ♻️ Call2Recycle |
| Display | MasterMind TCD, w/handlebar remote, built-in anti-theft feature, Bluetooth® connectivity, customizable display pages |
| Charger | Custom charger, 42V4A w/ Rosenberger plug, 100-240V |
| Lights | Front: Lezyne Ebike Hecto E65, 210 Lumen, 12V, Rear: Spanninga Commuter Glow XE, 12V |
|---|---|
| Fenders | Specialized DRYTECH fenders, 65mm width, aluminum fenderstay |
| Racks | Specialized rack, MIK HD interface, built-in pannier mounts, 27kg max load |
| Bell | Simple bell |
Last updated May 18