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If you’re like us, this brand needs no introduction. Specialized has been an innovator and trend setter since starting in 1974 in Morgan Hill, California. Models like the Stumpjumper, the Allez, and Sirrus all played their part in defining or redefining their respective categories. Specialized’s roots grew from the early California mountain biking years. As an importer, they brought in hard to find, high quality components from Europe to supply the nascent sport and industry. Soon after, they began producing their own models, starting with the Stumpjumper in 1981.

Electric Innovation

Specialized built their brand on road and mountain bikes, but recently emerged as a significant player in e-bikes. Their Turbo and Globe lines push forward the “Innovate or Die” ethos with technological advances in motors and batteries. Specialized says that “It’s You, Only Faster” about how their electric bicycles feel and perform. The Turbo line of e-bikes take traditional road, mountain, and hybrid bikes and integrate compact motors while retaining the essential feel of the original inspiration.

Turbo

With smaller format motors and frame integrated batteries, you might not know that a Turbo model is electric at first glance. Specialized designed this line of road, mountain, and hybrid bikes to ride exactly like their conventional, non-electric siblings. The Creo feels fast out of the saddle and reacts to rider inputs like any other road bike. The Levo and Kenevo retain their mountain heritage and deliver confident trail performance. Vado and Vado SL are made for city commuters with a desire to arrive first. These Class 3 motors assist up to 28mph, with well mannered power, letting the rider dial in how much effort they need.

Globe

The Haul ST and LT (Short Tail, Long Tail) launched onto the cargo bike scene in 2023 with massive 3.5″ wide “Carless Whisper” tires and a full suite of accessories to carry kids, groceries, camping gear, and anything else imaginable. With Class 3 hub motors, the speed comes on with a rush all the way to 28mph.  An optional throttle provides boost away from a stop or takes over when needed. Upright positioning makes riding the Haul models ideal for city errand running, and comfortable for longer excursions.

Sirrus X

The Sirrus line has been one of the world’s most popular hybrids for years. With the introduction of the Sirrus X, a gravel inspired flat-bar road bike, Specialized has once again added something new to the category. The Sirrus X can take on weekday utility rides and weekend recreational rides with equal skill. This bicycle is for riders that want a go anywhere, do everything bike.

Diverge

If the Sirrus X is your go anywhere do anything flat-bar bike, the Diverge is your Swiss Army knife with drop bars. The Diverge is at home on rough city streets as it is on broken pavement that turns into gravel roads, and dirt paths disappearing into the woods. Your adventure starts the moment you’re in the saddle and goes all day. Plenty of attachment points for a variety of racks, bottle cages, and gear bags.

Accessories and More

Starting as a parts importer, Specialized has grown into a provider of premium tires, water bottles, and apparel. As we expand our offerings, expect to see more from this brand in the shop. If you’re considering a bike we don’t currently stock, you can use their ship to store option and have it delivered to us for assembly. Want a pair of shoes or a helmet for the weekend club ride? Pick Up in Store is a great option for those small things that you don’t want dropped on your porch.

The Vado SL 4.0 EQ from Specialized is a stealth e-bike. The oversized downtube hides a battery. The small, integrated motor is tucked into the bottom bracket area. It doesn’t look significantly different from a conventional hybrid bike. A micro control pad on the top tube and a handlebar remote are the only other indications that this bike is electric.

Motor Assistance

The Vado is a stealthy ride as well. Assistance comes from that small Brose motor adding boost to 240 watts when needed. Power comes on in the background and feels most present at a higher cadence. The Vado is an athletic ride and pushes the rider to accelerate along with the motor. At 39 pounds, this bike feels light compared to other e-bikes. It is capable of being ridden without motor assistance, although it feels best with the second level out of three.

City Utility

I headed across the hill to pick up some hardware for the shop and locked up in front of Frager’s Hardware. The large tubes and small ABUS Granit 54 Mini lock I had in my backpack presented a challenge. Additionally, I didn’t want to scratch the pristine White Sage finish. I spent the summer riding a Tern Quick Haul, which perpetually had a Basil Bottle basket hung off its side. With the Vado, I chose the backpack. A night earlier, I used a basket on the Vado’s rack to pick up carry out from Maketto, and found it didn’t interface well.

The rear rack is integrated into the fender, and as such has about a 35 pound weight capacity. Suitable for a laptop pannier and light duty errand running, this is no cargo bike. The EQ in the model name refers to “equipped with” rack, fenders, and kickstand which bring the bike up to $4,000. The base model retails for $3,500. The EQ version is recommended if this bike is being used for transportation.

Effortless Shifting

I approached this bike from a decade of riding internally geared and belt drive bikes. The Vado’s SRAM NX drivetrain was impressive. It shifted under load without any hesitation. Often it can feel like you’re putting a derailleur under stress when shifting on e-bikes, but the Vado had effortless and quick shifts. This proved essential, as acceleration on this bike from 0-25 mph happens fast, shifting nearly every other pedal rotation.

Power On Demand

Heading across town to do some additional errands, the bike felt at its best on longer stretches where it could be ridden at a steady 20+mph. Flying down the middle of Pennsylvania Ave towards the Capitol made me wish for some more time to take it out on the Mount Vernon Trail and see how far we could go. At the base of Capitol Hill, a temporary cell tower was interfering with my bluetooth headphones, so I stashed them in a pocket. I placed the assist on full Turbo in preparation for the climb up Capitol Hill. Launching from a stop and onto the hill, the supercharger whine of the motor surged to match my effort. We reached the top in record time. Time to return this stealth machine back to the shop.

The Specs:

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

Motor: Specialized SL 1.1, custom lightweight motor

Battery: Specialized SL1-320, fully integrated, 320Wh

Brakes: Tektro HD-R290

Drivetrain: SRAM NX, 11-speed

Front Light: Lezyne Ebike Hecto STVZO E65, 210Lumens, 12V

Rear Light: Lezyne Ebike Rear Fender STVZO, 11Lumens, 12V

Extras: (EQ Package): Turbo SL Rack, Specialized DryTech fenders, Specialized kickstand, bell