The Specialized Turbo Vado S adds another model to the tried-and-tested Vado series, which now supports speeds of up to 45 km/h electrically as an S-Pedelec. It is therefore aimed primarily at commuters and frequent riders who want to travel quickly and efficiently.
Motor and drive: efficient and low-maintenance
The Vado S is equipped with the latest Specialized 2.2 motor with a powerful 90 Nm torque, which has been specially tuned for use in a fast S-pedelec. It is supported by the removable battery, which appears just as powerful with its 710 Wh capacity.
The drive combines an Enviolo automatic transmission with a Gates belt drive. The stepless shifting of the Enviolo system ensures a smooth ride, as the gear ratio automatically adapts to the cadence – without any conventional gear changes. The Gates belt drive replaces the conventional chain and offers a number of practical advantages: It runs quietly, requires no lubrication and is significantly less maintenance-intensive than a chain. This makes it particularly durable and ideal for daily use.
Control and driving comfort: focus on safety and overview
The MasterMind TCD display serves as the bike’s control center. It shows speed, battery status and other riding data and also allows the motor assistance to be adjusted in real time. This allows the rider to adjust the power individually.
A special feature of the Vado S is the integrated Garmin radar on the MIK HD-compatible rear carrier. This system detects vehicles approaching from behind and informs the rider in good time via the display. This can be an additional safety advantage, especially in city traffic.
In addition, the cockpit is equipped with a bright 1,000-lumen headlight from Supernova and also has an electronic bell and horn, a rear-view mirror and a holder for the license plate — which is, after all, one of the requirements of an S-pedelec. Weighing a good 28 kg, the bike is not exactly light, but this is not surprising given the extensive equipment.
A suspension fork, suspension seat post and 2.3“ inch” wide tires in 27.5” format provide more comfort. This absorbs bumps in the road better, making the ride more pleasant — especially on longer distances and at high speeds, which are typical of fast S-Pedelecs.
With these features, the Turbo Vado S should be an interesting option for anyone looking for a fast, comfortable and low-maintenance e-bike for everyday use. Specialized offers the model in the color Smoke / Black Reflective for exactly 6,000 euros, which also does justice to the high level of the brand from California in this area.
