Specialized Bicycles have launched the Turbo Tero, an e-bike that blends elements of a mountain bike and commuter bike. It's less of a hybrid bike however and more like an e-MTB that's designed to perform on the trails as well as the pavement.
The hardtail starts with an E5 Aluminum frame with the motor mounted near the bottom bracket and the battery embedded in the down tube.
Specialized provides its own motor and battery, similar to its current range of e-MTBs, such as the Turbo Levo. The top-end model (Turbo Tero 5.0) gets the Specialized 2.2 motor and a 710Wh battery. The Turbo Tero 3.0 gets the previous generation motor and a 530Wh battery.
The bikes come with Specialized's MasterMind head unit that can track metrics alongside the Mission Control app. MasterMind can alter power output in 10-percent increments so riders can tailor their bike to any situation. The Mission Control app can also remotely lock the motor and battery, protecting against bike theft.
Other features include internal cable routing and fender, rack, and kickstand mounts. Every model comes with 29x2.35in Ground Control tires.
The geometry of this e-hardtail looks to be surprisingly capable of riding singletrack. The headtube angle is 66.4-degrees, which is right in line with the brand's Epic Evo downcountry bike. The bike is also longer than models like the Epic, with a chainstay length of 470.4mm, a wheelbase of 1226mm, and a 446mm reach (size L).
The Turbo Tero 5.0 costs $5,000 and comes equipped with a RockShox Recon Silver RL 110mm fork and a SRAM GX 11-speed drivetrain. In addition to SRAM 4-piston brakes, the model also gets a 120mm TanzX dropper post.
The Turbo Tero 3.0 model uses a SR Suntour XCM32 fork and Shimano 9-speed drivetrain. The 3.0 also comes in a step-through frame option, with a lowered top tube and the same component spec. Both models cost $3,250.
E-hardtails haven't really taken off yet, but Specialized's new bike may kick off more brands introducing their own models. One thing is for certain, e-hardtails offer electric-assisted riding at a much cheaper price than their full-suspension relatives.
