Specialized’s next-generation Turbo e-bikes are basically computers on wheels

Specialized is launching next-generation versions of two of its most popular electric bikes, the Turbo Vado and Turbo Como, as well as producing a brand new model, the Turbo Tero. And while the bikes themselves look fantastic, the big story is the upgraded technology operating within. That’s because Specialized has improved these e-bikes to the point where they are basically computers on wheels.

Specialized is making its e-bikes much smarter with a host of new features on the software side. That includes over-the-air software updates, meaning customers can enjoy new features as Specialized develops them over time. The company’s Mission Control app is designed to digitize the experience, providing a place where customers can receive OTA software updates rather than having to bring their bike into the shop for minor updates.

“As we learn and continue to develop from a software standpoint, the bike gets better over time,” Ian Kenny, product manager for Specialized’s Turbo lineup, told The Verge. “That’s a pretty transformational shift in the bike industry, that matches a lot of what customers expect on the electric vehicle side and the advanced technology that they’re used to having in their house.”

After connecting their bike to their phone through Bluetooth, customers can diagnose minor bugs or other software problems or tune the bike’s power settings to either increase or decrease the amount of assistance. If you want more of a workout while riding, you can decrease the amount of support or vice versa if you feel like arriving at your destination nice and dry.

Specialized’s Turbo e-bikes all come with anti-theft technology, in which customers can use the app to disable the bike’s motor and activate a motion alarm system. Once locked, the motor cannot be activated by anyone else but the owner.

Perhaps one of the coolest new features is the inclusion of a rear-facing Garmin radar to detect vehicles as they approach from behind as you ride. Garmin says its radar can detect objects from up to 140 meters away, which should provide a comfortable buffer for anyone experiencing (justifiable) anxiety about riding alongside car traffic. Cars appear as yellow dots moving vertically along the left-hand side of the display, so all it takes is a quick glance to determine who’s coming up from behind. Riders can also opt for a haptic alert for approaching vehicles if they want to be extra cautious.

All three bikes are speed pedelecs, meaning they are categorized as Class 3 e-bikes with a top speed of 28mph. The Specialized 2.2 motor is rated at 250W of nominal power, can put out 90Nm of torque, and is custom-made by the company in collaboration with Brose, a German company that makes e-bike motors. And the 710Wh battery is fully integrated and non-removable, which, depending on your preference, is either a nice design touch or drag when it comes to charging.

Each bike is designed for a different riding experience. The Vado is the “vehicle for everything,” including commuting, working out, running errands, or just a pleasurable ride. The Como is a more laid-back, upright style of riding, with its swept-back handlebars and low-step frame. And the Tero, as an amalgamation of a mountain bike and utility bike, is built for “all-terrain exploration.”

Much like the recently released Turbo Como SL (which stands for Super Light), the next-gen Turbo bikes come with Gates carbon belt drives, which are quite popular with e-bike makers these days because they are cleaner and easier to maintain than traditional metal chain transmissions. The 11-gear shifter is powered by an Enviolo automatic shifter, which is fully enclosed, electronically powered, and never needs maintenance. The advantage of the automatic shifter is that the bike is supposed to always feel like it’s in the perfect gear.

The one downside is the price. Specialized makes fantastic e-bikes with top-of-the-line components — and as such, they can be really pricey. That’s certainly the case with the new Turbo bikes, which range from $3,250 up to $5,500. Let’s hope Congress includes that 15 percent tax credit for new e-bike purchases in the budget reconciliation bill because every little bit helps.