Turbo Vado SL 5.0
A 700c aluminum frame hybrid e-bike with high-end components and hydraulic disc brakes.
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Manufacturer Price
$4,500Weight | 32.8 lbs |
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Frame | Aluminum |
Suspension | Hardtail, 20mm |
Fork | Specialized Future Shock 1.5 |
Wheels | 700c Aluminum |
Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
Groupset | GX Eagle, Praxis |
Motor | Specialized 240W 35Nm mid-drive |
Battery | Specialized 320Wh |
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 SL model range
View Comparison5'2" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'7"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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May 2024 · Warren Rossiter
The Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 is a slick, smooth and speedy suburban ride, which won our 2024 Urban Electric Bike of the Year award.
Lightweight
Super balanced handling
Rapid sporty ride
Braking could be better
Some may want more range
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.
Sep 2021 · Philipp Schwab
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!
Perfect motor integration
Modular battery concept
Good vibration damping
Full coverage mudguards let you arrive at the office clean
Comprehensive spec
Chaotic cockpit cable routing
Comparatively low motor support limits range of applications
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
Price: $3500.00 | Model Year: 2020 | One of the best ebikes I've ever reviewed. Relatively light weight at 36.9lbs including integrated lights, a rear rack, and custom designed tubular fenders with extra long rubberized flaps to keep your feet dry. Reasonably priced for outstanding motor and battery technology. Class 3 speed-pedelec performance offers 28mph (45km/h) assisted speeds for fun, respect from automobiles, and overall faster commutes
One of the best ebikes I've ever reviewed. Relatively light weight at 36.9lbs including integrated lights, a rear rack, and custom designed tubular fenders with extra long rubberized flaps to keep your feet dry. Reasonably priced for outstanding motor and battery technology. Class 3 speed-pedelec performance offers 28mph (45km/h) assisted speeds for fun, respect from automobiles, and overall faster commutes
Boost hub spacing provides sturdier spoke bracing angle, 12mm thru-axles provide stiffness and control at speed, excellent weight distribution (low, centered, balanced front to rear). Decent hydraulic disc brakes from Tektro with sturdy 160mm rotors. Practical Shimano drivetrain with 10-gears, wide 11-42 tooth cassette, stiff derailleur, and versatile shifter mechanism
Internal battery offers modest capacity but weighs under 4lbs and provides impressive range. Additional Range Extender bottle-shaped batteries are easy to use, quiet, and beautiful. The bike is satisfying to pedal, even without assist from the motor. Reflective stickers and accents on the fenders, frame, and tires help keep you safe. Two color options, comfortable saddle and grips, useful smartphone app and wireless heart rate monitor integration
Only available in a high-step frame at the moment, no step-thru. The range Extender 160wh battery pack costs extra and the primary battery is on the small side. Since the primary battery is not easily removable, you may need to store the entire bike inside, away from extreme heat or cold, and near a charging port. Kickstand pokes into soft terrain, no USB charging ports, limited readouts on the TCU display and the TCD costs extra, no suspension elements on the 4.0 version of this bike and the all-aluminum frame could be jarring at high speed with high tire pressure
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 downtube battery, internal cable routing, front rack mounts, Smooth Welds Colors: Smoke / Black Reflective; Brushed Aluminum / Black Reflective |
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Fork | Future shock 1.5w/Smooth Boot, Rigid carbon fork, Boost™ 12x110mm thru-axle, flat mount disc Travel: 20mm |
Stem | Specialized Stealth Stem, alloy, 14 deg, 31.8mm, integrated TCD mount |
Handlebar | Specialized, alloy, 9-degree backsweep, 15mm rise, 31.8mm |
Saddle | Bridge Sport, hollow cr-mo rails, 155mm |
Seatpost | Specialized, alloy, single bolt, 21mm offset, 27.2mm Type: Rigid |
Pedals | Specialized Commuter w/ grip tape & reflectors |
Grips | Specialized Body Geometry Contour, lock-on |
Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed |
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Crank | Praxis, Forged alloy M30, custom offset, SRAM X-SYNC 44t, 110BCD |
Shifters | SRAM GX, trigger, 12-speed |
Cassette | SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed, 11-50t |
Chain | SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed |
Brakes | Front: Tektro HD-R510, hydraulic disc, 160mm, Rear: Tektro HD-R510, hydraulic disc, 160mm Type: Hydraulic Disc |
Rims | DT Swiss R500 disc, 22mm internal width, 23mm internal depth |
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Spokes | DT Swiss Industry |
Front Hub | Specialized alloy front hub disc, sealed cartridge bearings, 12x110mm, Center Lock™, 24h |
Rear Hub | Specialized alloy rear hub disc, Center Lock™, sealed cartridge bearings, 12x148mm, 28h |
Tires | Front: Specialized Pathfinder Sport, 700x38c, Rear: Specialized Pathfinder Sport, 700x38c |
Motor | Specialized SL 1.1, custom lightweight motor |
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Battery | Specialized SL1-320, fully integrated, 320Wh Recycling Program: ♻️ Call2Recycle |
Display | Specialized MasterMind TCU, percentage of remaining charge, 120 possible display configurations, MicroTune assist adjustment, over-the-air updates, ANT+/Bluetooth®, w/Handlebar remote |
Charger | Custom charger, 48V System w/ SL system charger plug |
Lights | Front: Lezyne Ebike Power STVZO E115, 310Lumens, 12V, Rear: Specialized integrated saddle mount, LED Technology, 12V |
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Bell | Simple bell |
Last updated May 20