When bicycle manufacturers want to launch new models on the market, they often have prototypes tested in advance by selected people. These can be their own employees, cyclists, media representatives or carefully selected groups from the general public based on certain sociographic characteristics. Specialized has thought bigger for its latest e-cargo bike. The entire US and Canadian bicycle market served as a test group. With the knowledge gained there, the manufacturer has turned the Specialized Turbo Porto into what is now the industry giant’s first ever cargo bike to come to Europe.
Specialized Turbo Porto
To get straight to the point: This has not been confirmed by Specialized and is solely our subjective reading of the launch of the Turbo Porto. Nevertheless, there are a few indications in favour of it. It all began with the surprising return of the Globe brand in North America in 2022, when Specialized not only brought the brand out of the woodwork with the Globe Haul ST, but also presented its very first longtail cargo bike. It was followed the following year by the Globe Haul LT. This was a variant with an extended rear rack that allowed even larger loads to be carried.
Isn’t that what you call déjà vu?
There are some parallels between the Globe Haul ST and the recently presented Specialized Turbo Porto. Both are full-grown longtails. Their wheelbase and the length of the rear rack only differ by a few centimetres. Loads of up to 20 kilograms can be transported on their front pannier rack. With a weight of around 40 kilograms each, their maximum permitted total weight is 200 kilograms. Some accessories, such as the footrests and Coolcave bike baskets, fit both models.
At the same time, the two cargo bikes differ in key respects. Some of them are probably the result of a learning process. Others are probably a reaction to the preferences of cyclists on the European continent. And a third group are simply changes that can be traced back to certain European regulations regarding the authorisation of ebikes.
Deliberate motor change
One of the latter is definitely the choice of a different e-drive. The Globe Haul ST and Globe Haul LT are powered by a rear hub motor that delivers 700 watts in continuous operation. However, only 250 watts are permitted in Europe. In addition, its assistance extends up to a speed of 45 km/h, which would result in it being categorised as a speed pedelec. In Germany, this would make cycling on cycle paths passé. This is probably a reason to steer clear of the model, especially for those who want to get their children from A to B by bike in an urban setting. However, thanks to its cooperation with Brose, Specialized has a competent partner at its side who is very familiar with systems for e-cargo bikes. The decision in favour of an ordinary pedelec with a mid-motor therefore seems perfectly understandable.
Power and torque of the motor fulfil the requirements of an e-cargo bike.
With an output of 250 watts and a torque of 90 Newton metres, the Specialized 2.2 Cargo offers enough power to get you up climbs even when the bike is fully loaded. The manufacturer combines the system with a 710 watt-hour battery, which is installed in the down tube. We were unable to recognise a socket for a second battery in the pictures provided. There is also no mention of a range extender in the technical data. This means that the capacity of the one battery should be used sparingly.
The battery can be removed downwards from the down tube.
Does bigger mean better?
In our opinion, one of the most striking differences to the cargo bikes already sold under the Globe brand is the alternative wheel concept. Instead of standardised 20-inch wheels at the front and rear, you will find a 24-inch front wheel. It is quite possible that the smaller version was not entirely convincing in terms of running smoothly. As a result, the centre of gravity inevitably shifts further upwards from the front of the bike, which is something you usually want to avoid. At the same time, the step-through of the Turbo Porto takes you three centimetres higher than the Haul LT. However, at 54 centimetres, it is still at a level that most people should be able to comfortably get on and off the bike. If the Turbo Porto with mullet concept can be ridden more stably with the different sized wheels, this was still a good decision.
The choice of a stem, which you can adjust both in height and angle, should meet with broad approval. As Specialized only manufactures the Turbo Porto in one single frame size, this detail becomes even more important. After all, the model should be suitable for people between 155 centimetres and 195 centimetres tall. This requires a correspondingly large number of adjustment options, especially for the contact points on the bike. Both the height of the saddle and the handlebars can be adjusted using quick-release levers. This means that different people can use the bike quite comfortably alternately.
You can adjust the stem in terms of both height and angle.
You are spoilt for choice
Alternately and equipped with a wide range of accessories. The model “only” comes with a front and rear rack from the factory. However, the list of what you can add includes numerous items:
- height-adjustable footboards – 200 euros
- metal footrests – 40 euros
- seat cushion that can be flexibly positioned using Velcro – 50 euros
- safety railing – 220 euros
- 25 kg or 44 litre side pannier for the rear rack – 130 euros
- luggage platform for the rear rack measuring 73 cm x 46 cm including three tensioning straps – 190 euros
- Klickfix mountable Coolcave cargo basket with 19 litre capacity – 80 euros
These four options are examples of how you can adapt the Specialized Turbo Porto to your needs thanks to the numerous accessories.
Regardless of whether your focus is more on transporting children or larger loads and a lot of luggage – there are almost countless combinations. Especially as the rear rack is compatible with the MIK HD system, opening the way for the use of various child seats. Two child seats fit behind each other on the rear rack. You could add one of the huge panniers and two of the baskets. Or two panniers on the side. Or four baskets. And instead of two child seats, one child seat and one seat for an older child. And don’t forget the front rack. As I said, lots of options really.
This is what the setup could look like for a family with two children. The smaller child sits in the child seat, while the older child rides on the seat in front.
Does the Specialized Turbo Porto have a weight problem?
At the same time, the variety reveals two disadvantages. Firstly, the accessories can be very expensive. This can add a considerable sum to the actual purchase price. Secondly, you can only load the rear carrier with a maximum of 60 kilograms and the front carrier with only 20 kilograms. Together with the cargo bike’s own weight of around 40 kilograms, this adds up to 120 kilograms. As the Turbo Porto is designed for a maximum total weight of 200 kilograms, you should not weigh more than 80 kilograms in this calculation – when ready to ride. A higher load capacity, especially for the rear carrier, combined with a higher permitted total weight would have given you more options. For comparison: The rear rack of the Tern Orox, another longtail cargo bike, can carry a load of 100 kilograms.
Safety as a unique selling point
In contrast to the Tern Orox and most other current cargo bikes, the Turbo Porto offers a very special safety feature. Its standard equipment includes the Garmin Varia radar system. Installed at the end of the rear rack, it warns you of vehicles approaching you from behind at a particularly high speed or at a very close distance. Garmin itself offered the solution for a long time with a small extra display. On this, an LED within a vertical bar moved from bottom to top, symbolising the approach to you. Specialized has integrated the indication directly into the actual display. This means that there is one less part on the handlebars. We can’t say exactly what the graphics look like as we haven’t yet been able to ride the bike. It is quite possible that the design is based on the implementation that Garmin uses in its own bike computers.
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- After Cannondale, Garmin has now found another major manufacturer in Specialized, which installs the Varia in selected models.
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- In addition to the radar warning system, the rear-view mirror fitted as standard provides additional safety.
The radar system naturally also increases the price of the Specialized Turbo Porto. The stepless automatic transmission from Enviolo also contributes to this. Both look very good on the bike. But they are not available for free. So, in the end we are talking about 6,500 euros. This is in line with some of the latest new launches such as the Gocycle Family Cargo, the Riese & Müller Carrie or the aforementioned Tern Orox. In contrast, the Cube Longtail Hybrid, an e-cargo bike of a comparable design, costs a good 2,000 euros less.
Specialized Turbo Porto at a glance
- Frame: E5 aluminium
- Frame size: onesize
- Fork: E5 aluminium
- Motor: Specialized 2.2 Cargo
- Battery: Specialised U2-710
- Display: MasterMind TCD
- Drivetrain: Enviolo Heavy Duty
- Brakes: Tektro Dorardo, Cargo Specific
- Weight: 39.6 kg
- Maximum front rack load: 20 kg
- Maximum rear rack load: 60 kg
- Maximum permitted total weight: 200 kg
- Colours: Smoke / Black
- Price: 6,500 euros
Pictures: Specialised Bicycle Components, Inc.
In our comparison with other long tail cargo bikes, you forgot the closest and probably biggest competitor of this long tail which is not the big wheel, much bigger Tern Orox but the Tern GSD which:
– is shorter than this Turbo Porto, can be stored vertically with a height of only 176cm (enter riding vertically on its rear wheel in most elevators).
– but allow 120kg on its rear rack and 20kg in its front rack.
– is powered by the cargo bike market leading mid-drive motor Bosch Cargo Line.
– weight less even with the dual battery (which is factory mounted).
– has a front suspension.
– can carry two adults+baggage or 1 adult+2 children + baggage, a lot of baggage.
– has a much wider range of accessories.