"Two things about the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2 6.0 Carbon are hard to fathom: One is how light and lithe it feels as an e-bike, even with the battery off; the other is how hard it is to recite its full name when other riders ask you about the bike at stop lights and pit stops. I've tested about a half-dozen e-bikes for Ars Technica. Each test period has included a ride with my regular group for about 30 miles. Nobody else in my group rides electric, so I try riding with no assist, at least part of the way. Usually I give up after a mile or two, realizing that most e-bikes are not designed for unpowered rides."
"It's tough to compare this Carbon to other e-bikes, because it's using hardly any of the same standard components as all the others. The 320-watt mid-drive motor is unique to Specialized models, as is its control system, its handlebar display, its charge ports, and its software. On every other e-bike I've ridden, you can usually futz around with the controls or app or do some Internet searching to figure out a way to, say, turn off an always-on headlamp. On this Carbon, there is not. You are riding with the lights on, because that's how it was designed (likely with European regulations in mind)."
The Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2.6 Carbon weighs about 35 pounds yet feels lighter and more rideable unassisted than most e-bikes. The bike allows sustained unpowered riding before engaging assist, offering a true pedal-first experience that contrasts with many e-bikes designed primarily for powered rides. When assisted, the 320-watt mid-drive motor provides strong performance and complements the bike's roadlike handling. Specialized uses unique, proprietary components and software including a bespoke control system, handlebar display, charge ports, and always-on lighting that cannot be disabled. The bike suits riders prioritizing a high-performance, integrated electric ride.
Read at Ars Technica
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