Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0

£3,900 Slick and smooth big-mile eater

2022-07-08 - WARREN ROSSITER

Weight 26.42kg (L) Frame Aluminium Fork 80mm suspension fork Gears SRAM NX 1x11 (48, 11-42) Brakes Hydraulic disc Wheels Specialized alloy 650b Ebike system Specialized 2.0 70Nm/250w motor, Specialized 710Wh battery Finishing kit Specialized Pathfinder Sport reflective 650b x 2.3” tyres, lights, kickstand, rack, fenders

UNLIKE ITS RIVALS, Specialized has bravely developed its own e-motor system rather than opting for an off-the-peg solution from the likes of Shimano or Bosch. This has allowed the California bike builder to optimise systems to suit everything from the lightweight road machines of the Creo range to the allterrain Turbo Levo mountain bikes.

The Vado is powered by the Full-Power 2.0 motor and a very large 710Wh battery. The e-system is controlled by a clear fullcolour display plus remote buttons near your left thumb on the bar. There are multiple screens, which you can define using Specialized’s Mission Control app.

It’s one of the best systems I’ve tried. The display offers all the information you’ll need including a battery-range display that’s more accurate than most. It even has a display metric to tell you how efficiently you’re using the motor assistance.

The designers have also come up with an effective security measure. Through the Mission Control app, you can disable the motor system so that if the bike’s stolen, it’s locked and won’t function. You can also activate a motion-sensor alarm that would sound if the bike’s moved. Only the registered owner can unlock the system.

The battery fits quite seamlessly into the hugely oversized downtube. It charges speedily, in just over 2.5 hours, either on the bike or when removed.

The ride position is relaxed and comfortable, partly thanks to the plushly padded Rivo sport saddle and suspension seatpost. Up front, the combo of the upright stem and riser bar gives you a commanding position that’s well suited to urban and suburban riding.

Impressive range

That said, because of the large-capacity battery and very efficient motor, you can go far beyond just city riding on the Vado. I managed to roll the Vado out to an impressive 70.2miles/113km with 3,302ft/1,006m of ascent while being fairly sparing with the battery. When really trying to preserve battery energy (running mostly in Eco, turning the system off on downhills for example) I increased to the range to 93miles/150km.

It’s easy to match your efforts with the motor’s power and the three modes: Eco, Sport and Turbo, combine with the SRAM gears to offer 11 speeds with a very low 42-tooth lowest gear. With the 48 teeth of the chainset as well, this means a gear low enough for the steepest climbs. Add in the full 70Nm of torque in Turbo and you’ll cruise up the steepest inclines. In fact, this bike feels like one of the punchiest on test.

At over 26kg, it’s no lightweight, but it handles with ease, the steering is steady

but light and the 80mm-travel suspension fork takes the bumps with ease and makes the Vado a great bike for a bit of towpath and light off-road riding. The SRAM hydraulic brakes combined with big, 180mm-diameter disc rotors control the bike’s weight with ease and the long-lever travel makes it easy to control your braking without ever locking up a wheel.

I’ve been really impressed with the Vado’s accomplished on-road feel. It’s superbly comfortable and the suspension at both ends really smooths out surfaces. When that’s combined with the bigvolume tyres, you have a bike that really looks after its rider. In fact, this bike coped well on terrain I’d normally keep for gravel bikes or hardtail mountain bikes.

The bike comes in four sizes and Specialized has included a good range of accessories in the package, including a solid rack with a 27kg maximum load and a kickstand to hold the bike steady when loading it up with groceries on a shop run. The broad mudguards cover the big-volume, 2.3-inch-wide tyres and the quality Lezyne front light that, like the bright rear light, is powered by the main battery, offers ample power for suburban riding at night.

There’s a minimal chain guard running along the top edge and the chainset has a built-in guard. Both do a great job of keeping the oily chain from rubbing on your trouser cuffs when you’re commuting to work.

After giving this bike a good amount of testing, I’ve come to the conclusion that it has pretty much all I’d ever need from e-powered transport. It has a balanced nature to the way it handles and super levels of comfort plus the equipment is all good, solid, hardy stuff and it comes with plenty of it. Add in the top-notch motor range and you’ve got a true class leader of its type. If you step up to the Vado 5.0, you even get Garmin’s clever safety sensor that detects cars from up to 140m behind you as they approach.

However, the one downside is that the Vado 4 doesn’t come cheap. At £3,900 (the range starts at £3,350 for the Vado 3.0), it’s a big investment. In its favour, though, it’s capable, long running, well equipped, and a fun bike to ride.