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Turbo Vado SL 4.0 EQ

5

7 Reviews

Meet the Vado SL. This super-light e-bike was designed to take on anything from daily…

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Product Details

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Meet the Vado SL. This super-light e-bike was designed to take on anything from daily commutes through urban landscapes to clocking even faster workouts. Need to carry your bike? No sweat. Weighing 40% less than the full-power Vado, there’s no other electric bike out there with ride quality, range, and power like this. All you need to do is get on and go.

The Vado SL comes equipped with everything you need to start riding right away. First, the extra-bright, built-in lights give you higher visibility in low-light areas. Next, the MasterMind Turbo Control Unit (TCU) makes it easy to view ride info on the go. The Pathfinder tires roll fast on or off the pavement with plenty of grip, and the Vado SL's featherweight status also makes it perfect for city commuting and offers far more than ride quality — it means you can hang it on a wall or car rack. And it makes public transportation a breeze.

So whether you're going fast or far or both, the Vado SL provides the confidence to do it all at a fraction of the weight.

LIGHT WEIGHT: You’ll be blown away by how easy it is to lift your bike on to a rack, carry it up stairs, or ride nimbly around town, thanks to the category-leading light-weight of the Turbo SL technology, optimised frame materials, design, and specification.

COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT: Body position and handling are optimized to deliver unsurpassed riding comfort, confidence, and control. Powerful hydraulic disc brakes reign in your speed, while larger tires provide maximum traction for turning and stopping.

TURBO SL: The heart of the Vado is its Turbo SL technology, the advanced and integrated electric bike system that delivers an unequaled combination of light-weight, natural feel, anti-theft functions, training tips, a full-function bike computer, ride anywhere range, and more.

The speed limit at which the motor will stop supporting may vary significantly by region and is based on local requirements. It may also affect range: a higher speed limit may result in less range.

  • Long-Range - Fully integrated Specialized 320Wh downtube battery w/optional Range Extender compatibility for up to 80 miles (130 km) or 6 hours (eco mode) or up to 120 miles (200 km) or 9 hours w/ range extender (eco mode).
  • Specialized SL 1.1 custom lightweight motor, peak 240W / 35Nm, 2x you rider amplification (180% assistance), assist up to 28mph.
  • Turbo SL mounted rear rack, Racktime-compatible for your favorite bags and panniers, and DRYTECH fenders to keep the spray away.
  • Premium lightweight E5 Aluminum frame.
  • Clean internal cable routing, fender/rack mounts, and reflective graphics.
  • Premium hydraulic disc brakes for maximum stopping power.
  • Bright, integrated front and rear lighting to see and be seen.

Technical Specifications

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E-Bike

Motor

Specialized SL 1.1, custom lightweight motor

UI/Remote

Specialized TCU, 10-LED State of charge, 3-LED Ride Mode display, ANT+/Bluetooth®, w/Handlebar remote

Battery

Specialized SL1-320, fully integrated, 320Wh

Charger

Custom charger, 48V System w/ SL system charger plug

Wiring Harness

Custom Specialized wiring harness w/ chargeport

Frameset

Frame

E5 Aluminum, bottom bracket motor mount, fully integrated downtube battery, internal cable routing, fender and front rack mounts, Smooth Welds

Seat Binder

Integrated w/ frame

Suspension

Fork

Rigid full aluminum disc, Boost™ 12x110mm, front- rack-compatible

Brakes

Front Brake

Tektro HD-R290, hydraulic disc, 160mm

Rear Brake

Tektro HD-R290, hydraulic disc, 160mm

Drivetrain

Chainrings

40T

Shift Levers

SRAM NX, 11-speed

Rear Derailleur

SRAM NX, 11-speed

Cassette

SUNRACE, CSMS7, 11-42t, 11-speed

Chain

KMC e11S, 11-speed w/ Missing Link™

Crankset

Praxis, Forged alloy M30, custom offset

Wheels & Tires

Rims

700C disc, 22mm rim depth, 21mm internal width

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

Spokes

DT Swiss Industry

Front Tire

Nimbus II Sport Reflect, 700x38mm

Rear Tire

Nimbus II Sport Reflect, 700x38mm

Inner Tubes

Standard 40mm PV 700x32-50

Cockpit

Saddle

Bridge Sport, hollow cr-mo rails, 155mm

Stem

Specialized Stealth Stem, alloy, 14 deg, 31.8mm, integrated TCD mount

Handlebars

Specialized, alloy, 9-degree backsweep, 15mm rise, 31.8mm

Grips

Specialized Body Geometry Contour, lock-on

SeatPost

Specialized, alloy, dual-bolt, 25mm offset, 27.2mm

Accessories

Pedals

Specialized Commuter w/ grip tape & reflectors

Headlight

Lezyne Ebike Hecto STVZO E65, 210Lumens, 12V

Taillight

Lezyne Ebike Rear Fender STVZO, 11Lumens, 12V

Rack

Turbo SL Rack, Closed Platform, direct fender mount, Racktime-compatible, 15kg

Fenders

Specialized DryTech, Aluminum

Kickstand

Specialized kickstand, 40mm mount

Bell

Simple bell

* Weights based on production painted frames as pictured. Actual weights will vary based on colorway, frame size, and component variation. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Geometry

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SMLXL
Crank Length170mm172.5mm172.5mm175mm
Handlebar Width680mm680mm680mm680mm
Stem Length60mm75mm75mm90mm
Saddle Width155mm155mm155mm155mm
Seatpost Length350mm350mm350mm350mm
Stack542mm574mm607mm643mm
Reach397mm419mm433mm442mm
Head-Tube Length130mm161.5mm194.5mm230mm
Head-Tube Angle70°70.5°71°71.5°
B-B Height291mm291mm291mm291mm
B-B Drop70mm70mm70mm70mm
Trail78mm75mm71mm68mm
Fork Length (full)390mm390mm390mm390mm
Fork Rake/Offset50mm50mm50mm50mm
Front-Center626mm655mm675mm690mm
Chain-Stay Length445mm445mm445mm445mm
Wheelbase1062mm1091mm1110mm1126mm
Top-Tube Length (horizontal)558mm589mm613mm632mm
Bike Stand-Over Height791mm811mm836mm861mm
Seat-Tube Length415mm446.5mm494.5mm535mm
Seat-Tube Angle73.5°73.5°73.5°73.5°
Geometry

Manual Downloads

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Specialized Bicycle Owner's Manual (All Languages)
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2021 VADO SL USER MANUAL (EN FR DE CZ PL SK)
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2021 VADO SL USER MANUAL (EN IT SP PT KR)
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2021 VADO SL USER MANUAL (NL DK NO SV SL HR)
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2022 Rider/Bike Weight Limits and Terrain Conditions
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Charger User Manual (SBC-C04 / SBC-C05 / SBC-C06 / SBC-C07)
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_AU-NZ
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_JP
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_CNT
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_CH
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SPECIALIZED_MOUNTAIN_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_CZ_SK
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_SL
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_HR
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_DE
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_DK
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_SV
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_FI
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_ES
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_PT
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_FR
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_GB
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_IT
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_NL
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_NO
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_PL
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ROAD_GRAVEL_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_BR
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_KOR
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SPECIALIZED_TURBO_ACTIVE_ASSEMBLY_GUIDE_CNS
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2022_VADO_SL_MASTERMIND_USER_MANUAL_EN_FR_DE_CZ_PL_SK
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2022_VADO_SL_MASTERMIND_USER_MANUAL_NL_DK_NO_SV_SL_HR_RU_FI
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Range Extender (SBC-B16) User Manual
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Mission Control App 2.0 User Guide (English)
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Mission Control App 2.0 User Guide (Chinese)
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Li Ion Battery UN38.3 Test Summary
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2024 VADO SL - USER MANUAL - ENGLISH/FRENCH UL
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EU DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY - TURBO BATTERIES
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ARTICLE 10 - TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON BATTERY PERFORMANCE & DURABILITY

Rider Reviews

5

7 Reviews

 

Turbo Vado SL4 EQ

We viewed & tried bikes at Nottingham, Whitwell & Normanton outlets. Without exception all staff were knowledgeable & couldn't do enough to help. The turnaround time for the workshop to ready the bike was amazingly fast. I am looking forwards to many hours enjoying the outdoors by bike now and keeping up with my husband on the hills.

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Name:
Julie B.

Helpful?

Superb customer service and everyone

Superb customer service and everyone is always so friendly.

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Verified Buyer
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Name:
Guest G.

Helpful?

biking in the mountains

I got my Turbo Vado SL 4 about a month ago. I'm 74 and have been riding hybrids for 30 years. I live in Lake Placid, NY and we have Ironman hills. The efficient 9 manual gears and light weight enables me to bike 90% unassisted, but should I want to tackle the "3 bears" the ebike assist allows me to get up and not feel like my heart will explode.

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Name:
ken

Helpful?

My electric bike is great

My electric bike is great

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Verified Buyer
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Name:
Guest G.

Helpful?

Rack issue in Vado sl

I like the EQ version but the rack is annoying. This is a Racktime rack with an old connection system (check the Racktime website) at least for the 2020 version of the Vado sl. I could not find a generic bag for this rack. And it looks like specialized does not sell any Racktime compatible bag which makes the rack almost useless. I finally found one Racktime bag in Amazon (Racktime Odin Fahrradtasche) that fits well. I guess at a minimum specialized will need to update the Racktime rack to the newest connection system otherwise it will become more and more annoying for later customers to find a Racktime bag with an obsolete connection system. Otherwise the SL bike is great. I think that it is the best ebike for many riders who are regular bike commuters or who just want to enjoy a nice relatively long ride tour. You may not get the amazing assistance level of the non-SL vado, but the lighter weight and the longer range (with range extender) are big pros on the SL version.

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Name:
Jose

Helpful?

Perfect Commuter

I ride this to work, about 9 miles one way. On the way to work, the assist keeps me from sweating as I don't want to have to feel like i need a shower when I get there. On the way home I detour into Boulder, Colorado to get some more miles (15). I use the assist on the road then turn off the motor and get some exercise on the bike paths in Boulder. when I leave Boulder to head east, I kick into turbo and get home quickly. With the level 2 assist, the acceleration is very good, in turbo it's great. Love this bike.

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Name:
Bruce

Helpful?

Riding more than ever

We love that this ebike only assits a peddling rider - it is not a scooter! We are enjoying riding longer and further with only the assist we need when we need it. At 66 years old the Vado SL has reimagined our Northern Colorado cycling adventures. We like that they included a rear rack, however that rack is my only complaint. The rear rack is made by Racktime and only Racktime trunks or panniers fit correctly. Racktime products are more expensive and in my opinion not as versatile ad other manufacturers. We have over 1200 miles on our Turbo Vado SL’s….and would recommend to any one that wants an ebike that requires you to power the bike!

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Name:
Paul

Helpful?