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2021 Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ

4.9

12 Reviews

There’s no other e-bike out there with ride quality, range, and power like this,…

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Product Details

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There’s no other e-bike out there with ride quality, range, and power like this, at a weight that’s light enough to carry. The Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ is best for your daily commute, quick errands and getting around town. Extra-bright, built-in lights in front and back mean you’ll see and be seen. DRYTECH fenders keep water and road spray away, and a standard rear rack is always ready for your bags and panniers. This is your go-to for local transportation.

  • Integrated Turbo Connect Display to view key ride data quickly and safely.
  • Fully integrated and secure Specialized 320Wh downtube battery w/optional Range Extender compatibility for up to 120 miles of range.
  • Specialized SL 1.1 custom lightweight motor, peak 240W / 35Nm, 2x you rider amplification (180% assistance), assist up to 28mph.
  • Lightweight and high-strength premium carbon fork with Boost™ 12x110mm thru-axle.
  • Future Shock 1.5 reduces impacts from rough roads and terrain, potholes be gone!
  • Premium hydraulic disc brakes for maximum stopping power.
  • Extra-bright front and rear lighting to see and be seen.
  • Turbo SL mounted rear rack, Racktime-compatible for your favorite bags and panniers, and DRYTECH fenders to keep the spray away.
  • 12-speed Shimano SLX shifter and XT derailleur for lightweight, precise performance for the long haul.
  • DT Swiss R500 disc wheels paired with fast-rolling, high-grip, Nimbus II Sport Reflect 700 tires with BlackBelt flat protection and reflective accents to increase visibility.

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

COCKPIT

Saddle

Bridge Sport, hollow cr-mo rails, 155mm

SeatPost

Specialized, alloy, single bolt, 21mm offset, 27.2mm

Stem

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

Tape

Specialized Body Geometry Contour, lock-on

Handlebars

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

DRIVETRAIN

Rear Derailleur

Shimano XT, Shadow Plus, SGS Cage, 12-speed

Shift Levers

Shimano SLX, Rapidfire Plus, 12-speed, w/o OGD

Cassette

Shimano SLX, Hyperglide+, 12-speed, 10-45t

Chain

Shimano SLX, 12-speed, w/Quick Link

Crankset

Praxis, Forged alloy M30, custom offset

Chainrings

40T

FRAMESET

Frame

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

Fork

Rigid carbon fork, Boost™ 12x110mm thru-axle, flat mount disc

Seat Binder

Integrated w/ frame

WHEELS

Rims

DT Swiss R500 disc, 22mm internal width, 23mm internal depth

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

ACCESSORIES

Headlight

Lezyne Ebike Power STVZO E115, 310Lumens, 12V

Taillight

Lezyne Ebike Rear Fender STVZO, 11Lumens, 12V

Kickstand

Specialized kickstand, 40mm mount

Rack

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

Fenders

Specialized DryTech, Aluminum

Bell

Simple bell

Pedals

Specialized Commuter w/ grip tape & reflectors

BRAKES

Front Brake

Tektro HD-R510, hydraulic disc, 160mm

Rear Brake

Tektro HD-R510, hydraulic disc, 160mm

WHEELS & TIRES

Inner Tubes

Standard 40mm PV 700x32-50

* 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
Stack595mm626mm660mm696mm
Reach378mm401mm415mm424mm
Head-Tube Length185mm217mm250mm285mm
Head-Tube Angle70°70.5°71°71.5°
B-B Height270mm270mm270mm270mm
B-B Drop70mm70mm70mm70mm
Trail71mm67mm64mm61mm
Fork Length (full)390mm390mm390mm390mm
Fork Rake/Offset50mm50mm50mm50mm
Front-Center626mm655mm675mm690mm
Chain-Stay Length445mm445mm445mm445mm
Wheelbase1062mm1091mm1110mm1126mm
Top-Tube Length (horizontal)554mm587mm610mm630mm
Bike Stand-Over Height770mm790mm815mm840mm
Seat-Tube Length415mm446.5mm494.5mm535mm
Seat-Tube Angle73.5°73.5°73.5°73.5°
Geometry

Complete Your Ride

Rider Reviews

4.9

12 Reviews

 

Right one for me.

I had started shopping for an eBike after getting a pacemaker a month after my 69th birthday. Keeping up with the 30 - 50yo local riders was becoming more of a chore. So I started looking and was quickly appalled by the design of all the bikes that were being offered locally. They were all fat tired two wheeled trucks. So I turned to my favorite bike brand and asked what can they do? My 2014 CrossTrail Disc Comp has been excellent for 9 years so I figured if they could do an eBike that was as good I should look. Well they made the Vado and most people don’t notice it’s an eBike at first. I like that, and what sold me is the motor assists pedaling. It’s a bicycle not a scooter. I’m 130 miles into it and while I’m still figuring out my range, I already know it has the power to tackle any rides I might want to try. I will say Specialized could have installed a better seat. I am very happy with my purchase and expect to put many miles on it in the future. Thanks team.

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Name:
Carl

Helpful?

Love This Bike

I love this bike. I am a leisure rider. I had a Townie 3i for years that I thoroughly enjoyed while living near the beach, when I moved to a new city with inclined streets, I could not ride. My son thoroughly researched e-bikes and highly recommended this one. I enjoy riding it more than I ever could have imagined. It makes riding a pleasure, I get out and enjoy the riding as often as I can. I highly recommend this bike.

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Name:
Phyllis

Helpful?

Correction to earlier review

A recent review I submitted was (& still is) very positive about the Turbo Vado SL 5.0 overall, but I had a minor complaint re not being able to change the wheel size setting in the TCD (e.g., if switching to a different size tire from the OE ones). I just learned that this setting can in fact be changed at the dealer; that they have special software for doing this. In other words, problem solved.

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Name:
Barry

Helpful?

I love my new bike!

I love my new bike! I've owned road or hybrid bikes for years, mostly doing day rides of 12-30 miles. I was resistant to the idea of an e-bike, but I live up a long steep hill that has increasingly discouraged me from getting on my bike. With my new Turbo Vado, I still get plenty of exercise, mostly on Eco mode, but I can ride longer and farther, especially because I can get up that long hill at the end of the ride without collapsing, thanks to the turbo mode. The bike is also light enough I can carry it up the 50 stairs to my house. I love all the bike accessories -- rack, computer, fenders, bell, disc brakes, lights -- and the Mission Control app is great. The bike rides and shifts smoothly. The sizing tool on the Specialized website helped me choose the right size, which is smaller than the bikes I've typically had. Turns out, it's more comfortable! I really feel fortunate to be able to get one of these bikes. It's a marvel of engineering.

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Verified Buyer
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Name:
Guest G.

Helpful?

Brilliant bike

I wanted a normal bike that would get me up the hill on top of which we live (up to 23%). This fills the bill beautifully, plus it rides nicely. Now up to 1200Km and still happy. Only minor gripes (a) terrible standard saddle (but then, saddles are very much personal taste) (b) poor luggage rack, in that my pannier bag hooks were soon through the paint to the metal. At this price, something better should be provided.


Name:
Tones

Helpful?

I love this Vado SL 5.0 EQ Bike!

I am now spending more time on the bike, on the road with my hubby riding. It gives me the extra push to keep up with him, and to ride more often. Charges quickly, so just anxious for warmer weather to ride more. Thanks!


Name:
Obx J.

Helpful?

I now own 5 specialized e bikes /

I live in sv idaho ... I love my e bikes 3 turbo Vado's / 2 identical for spare 2 cruisers I waited forever w e bike transition .. now only want to ride my e bike


Name:
J

Helpful?

So far so good.

Rarer than rocking horse manure in the UK but I managed to track one down (size Medium) from a dealer a couple of hundred miles away. My previous e-bike was way too heavy so I am please to ride something around 15lbs lighter. Not as much torque as I had before but enough for me, as I like some exercise - I'm 71 years old.


Name:
Pasta L.

Helpful?

Perfect !!!

This 70-year-old guy LOVES his new Vado SL 5.0. It performs flawlessly and gets me around much easier than my old bike. I couldn't be happier with it.


Name:
Jeff

Helpful?

I guess I got a good one and/or the bike shop did me a solid

I've had mine for about a month and have put about 300 miles on it. No problems whatsoever. Before it left the shop, there was a full mechanical check, the firmware was updated and the bike was paired with the phone app. Since delivered, there has been one motor firmware update which was handled by the bike shop. I'm lucky-the bike shop is less than a mile from my house. This bike does exactly what I want it to do-help me up the hills and when the wind is in my face. I still want a bit of a workout and I don't want to ride or lug around a 50+ pound traditional e bike. It handles much like my old acoustic flat handlebar bike. If it runs out of juice, it's no big deal to ride it home without assist. The bike fits my needs perfectly but each person must decide where they will ride and what they want from an ebike before they buy.


Name:
Jeff C.

Helpful?

I Woild Definitely Buy a Specialized E-Bike Again!!!

I have had this bike for a month, love it!!! It tracks well, have gotten the bike up to 27mph and I have a hip replacement and a knee that has surgery 2 times!!! This bike has brought the fun back to biking!!


Name:
Herchel

Helpful?

Love it

My knees are not what they used to, and the Vado SL 5.0 EQ, is giving me the chance to ride again.


Name:
Jorge

Helpful?