Specialized Turbo Vado SL

Specialized have a bit of a knack for making e-bikes interesting. Their latest, the new Vado SL is no exception.

Aimed at commuting, urban exploration and recreation, it's a significant step up for the urban bike - light, nimble and powered by Specialized's industry-leading smooth and power efficient motor.

below: yes, this is an e-Bike! The new Turbo Vado SL

More and more people are turning to bikes for their daily commute, attracted by the low environmental impact, health benefits and the cost and stress savings compared to public transport.

"Commuter bike" doesn't have to mean "clunky", though, and Specialized's latest is a tour de force of sensibly applied modern tech that makes urban riding a breeze.

40% lighter than a typical e-bike, the SL is indeed "superlight", with a remarkably sleek frameset despite the integrated battery and motor.

With up to 80 miles of range as standard (and the option of an additional 40 miles from a clip-on range extender battery) it'll easily eat up even the longest of commutes, and takes only around 2.5 hours to recharge when needed.

The emphasis is very much on practicality, with the option of integrated lights that are powered from the main battery. There's clearance for up to 42mm wide tyres (up to 38mm with mudguards) which provides plenty of cushioning for even the most pothole-riddled roads.

The Turbo Vado "Equipped" models come complete with not only integrated lights but also mudguards, and a rear rack - everything you need for a daily commuter.

We can also custom-equip your Vado SL with our own bundles of extras, personalised to suit your individual requirements.

4.0 and 5.0 - the main differences:

The 5.0 adds FutureShock 1.5 front suspension, hidden neatly below the stem and providing 20mm of travel to absorb shocks and vibration on rougher roads.

There's also a carbon fork (whilst the 4.0 features an aluminium fork) to keep weight down and increase ride comfort.

Rims on the 5.0 are DT Swiss, slightly plusher than the own-brand on the 4.0, and the drivetrain is upgraded from 10 to 12 speed, giving you smaller gaps between gears for the smoothest shifting.

Both bikes come with the same high performance Specialized motor and battery, so there's the same power on tap regardless of which model you choose. All models also feature hydraulic disc brakes, giving improved feel and stopping power over the more basic cable-operated equivalents.

Both are also available in EQ form, the same builds but with the addition of all the extras you need for a complete commuter bike - rear rack and mudguards. The lights on the 5.0 are also a little more powerful.