Overview: Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 EQ

The MAKE Turbo Vado SL 4.0 EQ is a specialized electric bike that is designed for speed and performance. It is categorized as a Speed Pedelec (Class 3) and is recommended for use in the neighborhood, urban areas, and on roads. The bike is designed with a forward body position to provide an aerodynamic riding experience. The Turbo Vado SL 4.0 EQ is priced at $3,500 and comes with a comprehensive 2-year warranty, as well as a lifetime frame and fork warranty. The bike is available in Canada, Europe, and the United States and was released in 2020.

• Relatively light weight at 36.9lbs including integrated lights, rear rack, and fenders with rubberized flaps
• Reasonably priced with outstanding motor and battery technology
• Class 3 speed-pedelec performance offers 28mph assisted speeds for fun, respect from automobiles, and faster commutes
• Boost hub spacing, 12mm thru-axles, and excellent weight distribution provide sturdy and controlled ride
• Decent hydraulic disc brakes, practical Shimano drivetrain with 10-gears and wide cassette, and versatile shifter mechanism
• Internal battery offers modest capacity but weighs under 4lbs and provides impressive range
• Reflective stickers and accents on fenders, frame, and tires for safety, two color options, comfortable saddle and grips, useful smartphone app and wireless heart rate monitor integration
• No step-thru frame available, Range Extender battery costs extra, primary battery is small and not easily removable, kickstand not suitable for soft terrain, no USB charging ports, limited readouts on TCU display, no suspension elements on the 4.0 version, all-aluminum frame could be jarring at high speed with high tire pressure.
• Specialized SL 1.1 motor system is compact, lightweight, and provides good torque and power
• Motor can operate above 120 RPM and functions as a Class 3 motor supporting top speeds of 28mph
• Motor fades out smoothly and does not introduce drag above 28mph
• Main battery can be removed with help from a local shop, allowing the bike to be ridden non-electric and weigh just 32.9lbs
• Range extenders are just 160 watt hours and can be carried onto planes, allowing the bike to run solely off of a range-extender at the destination
• Turbo Vado SL comes in four different skews with fully equipped bikes costing $150 extra and including fenders and rear rack
• Four frame sizes at each level, and several skews offer two color choices
• Differences between 4.0 and 5.0 include carbon fiber fork, Future Shock 1.5 suspension stem, and drivetrain upgrade
• Bike comes with a manual showing bluetooth password for Mission Control app, which can also be found inside TCU rubberized button pad on the top tube

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Pros:

• Lightweight design with an internalized battery and compact motor casing.
• Provisions for two bottle cages, lights, custom tubular fenders, and a decent rear rack with standard gauge tubing Racktime compatibility and bungee loops.
• Excellent weight distribution and balance.
• Smooth and fluid motor activation, quieter than many comparable models.
• Tight tolerance on the battery pack alignment and mounting systems.
• Great drivetrain with a Shimano Deore medium-cage derailleur and two-way action shifters.
• Utilizes Ant+ wireless for heart rate monitors and tracks pedal cadence and torque for feedback about calories burned.
• The Mission Control smartphone application is well-designed and allows customization of assist levels and other settings.
• No reduction gearing or drag with the motor when riding completely unassisted or pedaling beyond the supported top speed.
• Custom-designed fenders that are sturdy and functional.

Cons:

• The brake choice is Tektro rather than Shimano, which may be surprising given the higher brand perception of Shimano.
• The top speed is limited to 28mph (45km/h), which may be a drawback for some riders.
• The LED readouts on the TCU interface cannot be disabled without using the Mission Control app, which may be a minor inconvenience for some riders.

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Specifications: Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 EQ

BRAND	Specialized
MODEL	Turbo Vado SL 4.0 EQ
PRICE	$3,500
BODY POSITION	Forward
SUGGESTED USE	Neighborhood, Urban, Road
ELECTRIC BIKE CLASS	Speed Pedelec (Class 3)
WARRANTY	2 Year Comprehensive, Lifetime Frame and Fork
AVAILABILITY	Canada, Europe, United States
MODEL YEAR	2020
MOTOR BRAND	Specialized SL 1.1 (MAHLE GmbH German Manufacturer)
MOTOR TYPE	Mid-Mounted Geared Motor
MOTOR NOMINAL OUTPUT	240 watts
MOTOR PEAK OUTPUT	240 watts
MOTOR TORQUE	35 Newton meters
BATTERY BRAND	Specialized SL1-320, Panasonic, LG, or Samsung, 5,000 mAh 2,170 Cells
BATTERY VOLTAGE	48 volts
BATTERY AMP HOURS	6.9 ah
BATTERY WATT HOURS	331.2 wh
BATTERY CHEMISTRY	Lithium-ion
CHARGE TIME	2.5 hours (7 Hours with Optional Travel Charger)
ESTIMATED MIN RANGE	35 miles (56 km)
ESTIMATED MAX RANGE	75 miles (121 km)
DISPLAY TYPE	Turbo Connect Unit (TCU), Rubberized LED Console on Top Tube (10 Blue and Green LEDs), Buttons: Power, S Button (Hold S for No Assist)
READOUTS	Battery Charge Level (10 Bars Total, 5 Bars for Range Extender Battery), Assist Level (0-3)
DISPLAY ACCESSORIES	Independent Button Pad Near Left Grip, Buttons: S, +, -, Walk Mode, (Pressing S Jumps to Highest Assist Level), Mission Control App (Bluetooth, iOS and Android, Can Turn Off LEDs), ANT+ Wireless (For Heart Rate Monitors)
DRIVE MODE	Advanced Pedal Assist (Measures Rear Wheel Speed, Pedal Cadence, and Pedal Torque over 1,000 Times per Second, Offers 180% Peak Multiplication Force of Rider Input)
TOP SPEED	28 mph (45 kph)
TOTAL WEIGHT	36.9 lbs (16.73 kg)
BATTERY WEIGHT	3.96 lbs (1.79 kg)
MOTOR WEIGHT	4.29 lbs (1.94 kg)
FRAME MATERIAL	E5 Aluminum Alloy
FRAME SIZES	16.33 in (41.47 cm), 17.57 in (44.62 cm), 19.46 in (49.42 cm), 21.06 in (53.49 cm)
GEOMETRY MEASUREMENTS	Large 494.5mm Measurements: 19.5" Seat Tube Length, 23.25" Reach, 31" Stand Over, 33.25" Minimum Saddle Height, 27.25" Width, 73.25" Length, 45" Wheelbase