No, when it comes to the fastest ebikes in its range, Specialized isn’t in a hurry. Ten years ago, the US bike manufacturer presented the Specialized Turbo S, its first pedelec for the European market with a motor that provides assistance up to a speed of 45 kilometres per hour. The Vado 6.0 then followed as the successor in the 2021 model year, but only with a mid-step frame. And now, in 2025, Specialized feels that the time is ripe for a new speed pedelec – the Specialized Turbo Vado S. However, those familiar with the brand will recognise a lot about the newcomer.
1. New model, familiar features
2. Motor setting the bike apart
3. New front headlight on the Specialized Turbo Vado S
4. Safer on the road thanks to radar warning system
5. Automatic hub gear
6. The rest of the specs on the Specialized Turbo Vado S
1. New model, familiar features
The new Specialized Turbo Vado S is full of useful details:
- aluminium frame with a rather relaxed seating position
- choice between a diamond frame and a mid-step frame
- Enviolo stepless automatic rear wheel hub
- high riding comfort thanks to a suspension fork with 80 millimetres of travel and a suspension seatpost
- radar warning system from Garmin
At the same time, it shares these components with the current Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 IGH, which was already released for the 2023 season. So, did the manufacturer just add a horn, rearview mirror, license plate holder and special tyres because speed pedelecs are required to have them and everything else remained unchanged? No, that’s not the case either. We’ll show you all the relevant differences and also highlight the components that will perform an even more important function on the speed pedelec than on the conventional Vado.
2. Motor setting the bike apart
The motor is clearly the most distinctive feature that sets the Specialized Turbo Vado S apart from the rest of the Vado range. The Specialized 2.2 S is a unit that has been specially designed for use in speed pedelecs. Its most obvious feature is the higher level of motor assistance that continues until you reach speeds of over 45 km/h. Other technical features are the same as those of the Specialized 2.2. Consequently, the mid-mounted motor provides 250 watts in continuous operation. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not state how much it provides at peak times.
Given the 400 per cent assistance and 90 Newton metres of torque, it is clear what high performance you can expect from this motor. If Specialized considers the Turbo Vado S to be an ebike that is primarily suitable for daily commutes and longer bike rides, then we absolutely agree with this assessment. Incidentally, you can access the power of the motor in three support levels: Eco, Sport and Turbo. The quickest way to change levels is to use the plus and minus buttons on the small control unit mounted on the left side of the handlebars.
Good range and electronic protection
At work and on tour, you can charge the battery relatively conveniently. After unlocking the battery lock, it can be removed downwards from the down tube. However, you probably won’t need to test this too quickly. After all, the battery features a capacity of 710 watt-hours. According to Specialized, this will ideally get you up to 100 kilometres, provided you always select the Eco level as your riding mode.
As is well known from numerous models from Specialized, you can also protect the Turbo Vado S digitally against theft. All you need to do is activate the Turbo system lock in the manufacturer’s app. From that point on, a motion sensor monitors every movement of the speed pedelec. If someone tries to move it when it’s locked, an alarm sounds. The lock can only be unlocked by the person who has the corresponding smartphone or knows the PIN stored on the display.
3. New front headlight on the Specialized Turbo Vado S
With its striking cooling fins and shiny black metal housing, the Supernova M99 Pro is the second major difference that quickly catches the eye. Its light output of more than 1,000 lumens in both low and high beam makes it an excellent component for an ebike that is designed primarily for longer distances and intended for riding on the road, as is the case in Germany. With the high beam, you can see the road ahead of you perfectly. And the low beam also ensures that you are always clearly visible to traffic. Admittedly, Supernova has had a successor to this front headlight since last year. Nevertheless, the M99 Pro suits the Specialized Turbo Vado S well.
4. Safer on the road thanks to radar warning system
In addition to Cannondale, Specialized is one of the manufacturers that integrated the Garmin Varia radar warning system into selected ebikes at a very early stage. It essentially consists of a sensor mounted on the rear carrier and a display. Garmin used to offer this as a small separate display. Today, Specialized and Cannondale have integrated the graphical implementation into their own ebike displays.
The sensors use radar technology to monitor the space behind the ebike rider. It detects vehicles at a distance of up to 140 metres and displays them as small dots on the Specialized Mastermind TSC display. You yourself appear as a small dot in the top left of the display. If the security system does not detect a vehicle in the area, the dot appears in green. If a faster vehicle approaches from behind at a normal speed, firstly another grey dot appears on the left side of the display, which gradually moves from bottom to top. This is to symbolise the approach towards you. Secondly, the colour of your dot changes from green to yellow. Or to red if the vehicle is either approaching very quickly or is expected to pass very close to you. The system can display up to eight approaching vehicles in this way. In addition, an audible signal and a vibration of the control unit on the handlebars alert you to the situation.
No more looking over your shoulder
The radar warning system quickly proves to be a particularly helpful safety feature when riding in rush-hour traffic on the road. You get additional information about what is happening behind you without having to turn around and take your eyes off the road ahead. A small note: If you want to use a bike trailer with the Specialized Turbo Vado S, check whether its height might affect the field of vision of the radar sensors and thus interfere with its function.
5. Automatic hub gear
The addition of ‘IGH’ for ‘Internal Gear Hub’ to the name lets you know already which models in the Specialized Vado range are equipped with an automatic hub gear. Specialized has been relying on Enviolo solutions for this for quite some time. Just like on the Turbo Vado 5.0 IGH, the manufacturer is once again using the Enviolo Heavy Duty. This hub was originally intended for use on an e-cargo bike like the Specialized Turbo Porto. At the same time, however, the robustness of the hub makes it ideal for use on a speed pedelec.
The Specialized Turbo Vado S features the version of the hub that offers stepless shifting instead of predefined gears. As mentioned, this is done automatically. To set it up, you define a cadence in the app that the system should permanently maintain. Depending on the route profile, the nature of the terrain, the wind conditions and so on, the hub selects a suitable gear ratio from within its 380 percent gear ratio range. When setting your preferred cadence, you can choose from a range between 65 and 95 rpm in increments of 5.
In addition, the Enviolo hub offers you the option of selecting a specific gear for starting after a stop-and-go situation. The system switches to this gear automatically as soon as you come to a stop, so that you can cycle the first few metres as relaxed as you want when you set off.
6. The rest of the specs on the Specialized Turbo Vado S
There is nothing new to say about the remaining features of the speed pedelec. Almost all parts and components have already proven themselves with the other Vado models. It’s nice that with the new model, there are again two frame shapes to choose from when it comes to a fast ebike. The geometry of the diamond frame and the mid-step frame is identical to the respective frame shape of the current ‘normal’ Vados. With its 80-millimetre suspension travel, the Rockshox suspension fork continues to compensate for minor bumps and increases riding comfort rather than encouraging excursions into rougher terrain. However, in most situations this is more than adequate for a speed pedelec. Specialized has approved its MIK HD compatible for a maximum load of 27 kilograms and also allows the attachment of a child bike seat. With the appropriate adapter, you can even pull a bike trailer.
Specialized Turbo Vado S at a glance
- Frame: E5 aluminium
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Suspension fork: Rockshox Recon Silver RL, 80 mm
- Motor: Specialized 2.2 S, 90 Nm
- Battery: Specialized U2-710, 710 Wh
- Display: MasterMind TCD
- Drivetrain: Enviolo Heavy Duty
- Brakes: TRP Zurich, 180 mm
- Weight: 28.1 kg in size M
- Structural weight limit: 136 kg (rider + cargo)
- Colour: Smoke / Black Reflective
- Price: 6,000 euros
Pictures: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.