Cycling

GEAR | Cycling The Monsal Trail On The Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ eBike – Review

When Specialized got in touch with me it couldn’t have been at a better time. I was just days away from visiting the Peak District and was planning on hiring a bike to cycle the Monsal Trail, so I jumped at the chance to try out the new Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ bike.

What is it?

Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ £3,600

Overall Rating (4.5 / 5)

Stockists

Specialized

Features

Integrated Turbo Connect Display to view key ride data quickly and safely.
Fully integrated and secure Specialized 320Wh downtube battery w/optional Range Extender compatibility for up to 120 miles of range.
Specialized SL 1.1 custom lightweight motor, peak 240W / 35Nm, 2x you rider amplification (180% assistance), assist up to 15mph.
Turbo SL mounted rear rack, Racktime-compatible for your favorite bags and panniers, and DRYTECH fenders to keep the spray away.
12-speed Shimano SLX shifter and XT derailleur for lightweight, precise performance for the long haul.
DT Swiss R500 disc wheels paired with fast-rolling, high-grip, Nimbus II Sport Reflect 700 tires with BlackBelt flat protection and reflective accents to increase visibility.
Lightweight and high-strength premium carbon fork with Boost 12x110mm thru-axle.
Future Shock 1.5 reduces impacts from rough roads and terrain, potholes be gone!
Premium hydraulic disc brakes for maximum stopping power.
Extra-bright front and rear lighting to see and be seen.
Lifetime frame warranty.

What we thought

Throughout the first lockdown earlier this year I could be found pootling around my village on an old, borrowed Decathlon mountain bike and whilst I enjoy cycling, due to lack of storage at home, I no longer own a bike.

I’m not into serious mileage, mainly as I am fearful of cycling on roads, so most of my rides to date have been short and leisurely, and whilst I’d heard of Specialized (thanks to more serious mountain biker friends), I’d never ridden a bike with a price tag of more than a few hundred pounds before, let alone an e-bike worth a few grand.

Busting e-bike myths

I find the marketing of this bike interesting, it seems like the fact it has a motor is really downplayed and the styling of the bike means at a glance you wouldn’t immediately know it was an e-bike.

Now, if like me, you have no real idea what an e-bike is, let me explain and dispel a few myths in the process.

Using an e-bike isn’t like using say a scooter. It’s not a case of turning it on and the bike does everything except steer for you, far from it. You still have to put the effort in and pedal, but the small electric motor boosts the power of your manual peddling, helping you pedal longer and faster.

This makes e-bikes much more accessible than a standard bike that demand a modicum of fitness, so for those who perhaps aren’t hugely confident, knowing that they can let their bike take some of the strain could encourage them to take to the saddle, which can only be a good thing.

Adjusting the bike

I went for the medium frame and used an allen key to drop the saddle. I was keen to ensure my seated position was as perfect as possible, so watched some YouTube videos and made sure the seat was the ideal height for me.

As well as adjusting the seat I also had to attach the pedals (a first for me!), which after a small amount of faff I managed to do.

Charging the bike & range

Upon arrival, the bike was already about 70% charged and it was intuitive to plug in and turn on. There’s a clear battery display which shows you how much charge is in the bike and when it’s running low, it’s just a case of plugging it in for a few hours.

*The bottom display shows battery charge, the top display shows the level of pedal assist*

My first tentative ride was a short local ride just to get used to the bike and get a feel for it having never ridden anything like it, and certainly having never had the opportunity to ride anything costing more than a few hundred quid before!

Comfort & ride

I really dislike uncomfortable saddles and whilst serious cyclists will say that a larger saddle adds unnecessary bulk, I personally prefer comfort. When first sitting on the very narrow, hard seat I was convinced it was, in fact, a torture device not a saddle.

After my first short ride out, and with the addition of my trusty gel seat pad, it really wasn’t as bad as I’d feared, after a 27km ride however my posterior felt bruised and sore, so a downside for me would definitely be the unforgiving saddle.

Initially, the bike did take a bit of getting used to. The sound of the motor (although very quiet) and the feel of the pedal-assist made me think of the bike as “Robo Bike” and to begin with, it felt a bit weird, but as I pedaled I realised I was cycling much faster than I usually would, mainly because going at speed was largely effortless.

I loved how easy it was to switch pedal assist on and that I could choose from 3 different levels. On my longer ride down the Monsal Trail, I generally kept it at around 1 to 2, but occasionally boosted it up to 3 and frequently turned it off altogether to get a better feel for the level of effort I had to put in when manually cycling.

*With the front wheel off, the bike fit perfectly into the back of my BMW X1*

Cycling the Monsal Trail was a wet and muddy experience and whilst pretty much as flat as a cycle trail can get, it still felt like it was a good test for the bike, giving me the chance to get in a few good uninterrupted miles and I’ve got to say, despite finishing the ride soaked through and covered in mud, I loved every second of it!

The manual gear shifter was so much smoother than anything I’ve used before, pedal-assist made every mile a joy rather than a chore, but by the time I’d finished, I still felt like I’d been out for a good ride. I think the main difference is that I finished the trail much faster than if I’d been on a manual bike or had I kept pedal-assist turned off.

I have an inflammatory joint condition, so handlebars that offer good comfort and grip are always very much appreciated, and I really liked the comfort and grip offered by the handlebars on the bike. I left my gel cycle gloves at home but didn’t feel like I actually needed them, certainly not for a flat ride anyway.

I found the steering of the bike to be light and responsive and the bike felt incredibly quick, certainly compared to anything else I’ve ridden before. I absolutely loved zipping down roads and trails at speed and that’s probably the best way to describe the Turbo Vado SL 5.0 in one word, zippy.

Pros

It’s not massively obvious that this is an e-bike, the motor is both small and lightweight.
I was impressed by the brightness of the built-in lights.
Very smooth gear changes.
Decent shock absorption on uneven and bumpy ground.
I appreciated the built-in mud-guards when cycling in wet autumn conditions!
Brilliant for commuting on as you’re less likely to arrive a sweaty, panting mess at the office.
Takes out a lot of pedaling effort, but I still felt like I was working when riding and certainly not like I was completely ‘cheating’.
It’s really responsive and highly maneuverable.
When the motor kicks in, it’s a smooth transition and after a while, you stop noticing it altogether and barely notice on the lowest level of pedal assist.

Cons

Narrow, hard and uncomfortable saddle.
Even for an e-bike, this is pricey so you’ll need to be serious about using it for your daily commute or getting out and about on it in order to justify this investment.

The verdict

Our Rating

Quality 5/5

Practicality 5/5

Looks 5/5

Value 4.5/5

Overall Rating (4.5 / 5)

I had no idea what to expect from an e-bike having never ridden one before, and whilst this is undoubtedly a superb bike, what I like most about the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ e-bike is that it makes cycling more accessible, even to those whose fitness levels might have held them back from cycling in the past.

It still feels like you’re riding a bike and working, but the pedal assist just makes life that bit easier…and faster!

It still feels like you’re riding a bike and working, but when you turn it on, the pedal-assist just makes life that bit easier…and faster! It’s far more agile than I expected it to be and in my hometown, I felt like I was zipping around much faster than I usually do on a bike.

When the motor kicks in, it’s a really smooth transition, not at all clunky and whilst after riding it I still felt like I’d had a cardio workout, I felt like I’d not had to work quite as hard as usual and certainly for inclines, I absolutely loved the difference that it makes.

Although I didn’t get close to testing the 120-mile range of the battery, I think for most, even those commuting by bike, this range would allow for several days of use before needing to recharge the battery. During my time with the bike, I went on 3 short local rides as well as a 27km ride down the full length of the Monsal Trail in the Peak District.

It’s pricey yes, but it’s so good that I have genuinely considered an e-Bike as an alternative to my car commute. If my 13-mile route to work was safer and not a combination of narrow winding country roads and a vast dual carriageway, ditching my gym membership and commuting by e-bike would become a viable option.

The Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ eBike is quite simply a stunning bike and an absolute joy to ride and something I was very reluctant to return after our loan period!

DISCLOSURE | Thank you to Specialized who loaned us the bike for review purposes. We were not paid to write this review.

Where to next?

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Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures

Cycling Along the Underground Railroad

In September, John Shackelford, a 25-year-old New York City bike messenger, will ride 1,114 miles along the Underground Railroad. He and a team of Black cyclists will traverse a mix of paved and unpaved roads in the eastern and southern U.S. on a mission to increase representation in the cycling world. To find out more and learn how you can contribute to and support their journey, check out their website.

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How 2 Sisters Buck Cycling Trends

Hermanas, from Machines for Freedom, follows sisters, cyclists, and mariachi musicians Ale and Gemma Casillas as they explore what those identities mean to the next generation.

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Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures

I Take It Back: Road Cycling Is Not Dead

As bicycle tires keep getting fatter, more riders keep steering them off-road in search of gravel and adventure, and Lycra gives way to flannel as the performance fabric of choice, it’s tempting to say that good old-fashioned road cycling—a riding style characterized by shaved legs, set jaws, and a general air of humorlessness—is in a supertuck on the descent into total irrelevance. In fact, it’s so tempting, I’ve even said it myself!

If the prospect of road riding’s demise doesn’t fill you with dismay, I can’t say I blame you; certainly there’s much to deride. The Age of the Roadie was a time of high tire pressures and tight sphincters, filled with sexist ads, cheating and dissembly, more sexist ads, and a fixation on the ride quality of carbon fiber that could at times border on the fetishistic. And who can honestly say they’ve been able to peruse “The Rules” in their entirety without being overcome by douchey chills?

Nevertheless, road riding is also steeped in tradition, and in this sense it’s like barn dance. Sure, it may not be for you, but at least it’s good to know there are still people keeping the old ways alive. Furthermore, the fundamentals of road riding can serve you well across all cycling disciplines, which is why it deserves a place on the list of Things That Should Never Be Allowed to Die, along with books made out of paper and manual transmissions in cars. Here are just a few vital lessons about cycling that only good old-fashioned roadiedom can teach you.

Pack Riding

Yes, we’re all distancing socially right now, but someday humanity will once again commingle. Unless you plan to consign yourself to a life of riding alone (or worse, doing triathlons), it’s essential to learn how to ride in close proximity to other cyclists safely. Nothing teaches you how to do this more effectively than riding in a tight pack of roadies. Even if you’re not a road racer, sooner or later the opportunity to gain the drafting and social benefits of riding with others—whether it’s in that big gravel epic or just a weekend jaunt with friends—is going to present itself. If you’re properly schooled in pack positioning and paceline etiquette, it’s a lot less likely you’re going to go down, or cause someone else to go down. Indeed, pack riding proficiency is the cycling equivalent of a vaccine: not only can having it protect you, but the more people who have it, the safer we all are.

Nutrition and Hydration

You can read all the fitness articles you want, but the best way to learn about fueling and fluid management is by setting out on long road ride. Sure, this stuff is important for all aspects of cycling, and long rides are in no way unique to road bikes, but the minimalistic nature of road riding means you’ve got to strike a more delicate balance than you do on your fully-loaded bikepacking rig. Eat too little too late and you bonk; gorge yourself on the wrong foods and you’ll cramp up or puke. Furthermore, with only two water bottle cages and no place to store cargo except for your jersey pockets and maybe the elastic band of your shorts, you’ll learn how to carry on board exactly what you need to sustain yourself and nothing more. Think of it this way: there’s driving your SUV to Costco and buying enough groceries for the (perceived) apocalypse, and then there’s walking to the local market with a canvas tote bag and picking up just enough to prepare both you and your partner a lovely dinner. In terms of fueling, road riding is much closer to the minimalist ethos of the latter, only with more energy gel.

Aerodynamics and Economy of Motion

Steve Jobs famously noted that a human on a bicycle is the most efficient form in nature. (“Computers are like a bicycle for our minds,” he then concluded.)

Sure, at first glance a pack of roadies may seem like nothing more than a chain gang toiling away alongside the Highway of Futility, but when you’re part of one you realize it’s a sophisticated organism with a collective consciousness, like a flock of geese or a pack of Juggalos. As road cyclists, by tapping into our innate ability to move fluidly, communicate wordlessly, and above all share our effort by taking turns on the front of the group, we too can ultimately increase our odds of survival by moving swiftly and efficiently through our environment.

Moreover, whether riding alone or with a group, the road cyclist acquires an intimate understanding of the wind and forms a complex relationship with it. No cyclist knows better than the roadie how to use the wind to their advantage, or how to force an opponent into it, or how to cheat it. Indeed, to find a form of locomotion that requires a more profound understanding of the wind than road cycling, you’d have to take up sailing or aviation.

Maybe this is why roadies are so full of hot air.

Bike Fit And Comfort

Proponents of an upright cycling position will often cite road bikes as the epitome of discomfort—and of course they’re absolutely right. Certainly no upright bicycle will position you to cut through the wind as you would on a road or time trial bike, but there’s also no reason to subject yourself to such a position unless you’re in a really big hurry.

That said, even if you’re not a racer, becoming accustomed to a road bike position does have another advantage: if you can get comfortable on a road bike, then you can get comfortable on anything. It’s the same thing with formal wear: some people put on a suit or a gown and they walk around all stiff like they’re in a suit of armor, while others manage to comport themselves with a natural elegance and grace. Figure out how to ride a road bike for a few hours without your lower back hurting and your crotch going numb, and you’ll be squarely in the latter camp.

Bike Handling

Road bike tires may be getting wider, but they’re really not that wide. The same people who decry the road bike position also point out the absurdity of riding a bicycle with narrow high-pressure tires that can easily send you flying if you encounter so much as a pebble. At the same time, there’s something to be said for being able to descend at 40 mph on a contact patch the size of an M&M while zipping up your jersey and rummaging around in your back pocket for a CLIF BLOK—especially when you’re also doing it without disc brakes.

General Fitness

Road riding is all about grinding out the miles. No stopping to regroup or admire the scenery, no “safety meetings,” no breaks save for perhaps a quick coffee at the turnaround point or a pee by the side of the road.

Oh sure, you might argue there’s no fun in that either, but there’s plenty of time for that after the ride—after proper cooldown and recovery, of course. But by then you’ll be ready for bed.

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