Turbo E-Bike by Specialized Top Speed 28mph
We’re not talking Ducati motorcycles, or mopeds, we are talking about an electric powered road bike, the Turbo E-Bike by Specialized, Top Speed 28mph. The world of road and mountain biking brings on top bike manufacturer names like Canondale, Trek, K2, Kona, Giant… If you‘re a guy into bikes, you must have heard of Specialized or formally known as Specialized Bicycle Components. They make some of the most innovative and quality road and mountain bikes for both consumer and competition level racing, in the entire world. I used to own a Specialized Hard Rock myself years ago. Great bike.
Specialized has developed and announced a new bike, called the E-Bike. The “E” standing for, what else, “Electric”. With the help of a 250-watt rear motor, fashioned as part of the bikes rear hub, the Specialized E-Bike can achieve speeds of 28 mph or 45kph which means it breaks the USA’s speed limit for a bike! Who knew we had a speed limit for bicycles? It’s 20mph for a bicycle in the United States. Can you picture picking up a speeding ticket cycling?
Specialized has been catering to professional racers and consumers for the past couple of decades with their road and mountain bikes. Founded in 1974 by Mike Sinyard, continues today making some of the most phenomenal road and mountain bikes available on the market.
The Turbo comes with a down tube mounted lithium-ion battery that will get you about 25 miles or 40 kilometers on a single, full charge. Mileage will of course vary with weight of the rider and terrain. It takes about 2 hours to fully charge. The Specialized E-Bike, comes in at about 21.5kg or 47 pounds, a little less than double the weight of a full suspension mountain bike. Obviously it’s completely green, and zero sound, ride it to your office, or friends house and simply bring it in with you.
The Turbo E-Bike is technically illegal to ride in the USA, and according to Specialized currently has no plans to market this in the US. Europeans will get their first taste to ride it in April 2012, at select Specialized retail dealerships. Three different frame sizes will be available for purchase in May of 2012. One thing I wouldn’t mind seeing is some sort of suspension. Some fork shocks and rear end shocks would be nice. I’m sure was partly a weight and cost issue, but may also be more of a motorcycle at that point.
The Specialized Turbo E-Bike comes equipped with 250-watt rear-hub motor, 700c wheels and 36 spokes for stability and durability. An SRAM 1×10 drivetrain with SRAM X0 derailleur and trigger shifter. The frame is made of an alloy frame and also has an on board computer that displays HUD like information like ride metrics, battery levels, distance etc.
Just like any sports car with increased speed and acceleration, you must maintain the equal and opposite stopping power, so the Turbo E-Bike comes equipped with full hydraulic disc brakes from Magura.
Retails for 5,500 euros or around $7,500.00 at your European Specialized Dealers
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