Total Weight:
50 lbs (22.67 kg)
(Varying by Frame Size)Battery Weight:
8 lbs (3.62 kg)
Frame Material:
Aluminum Alloy, Smooth Welding, Internally Routed Cables
Frame Sizes:
16.53 in (41.98 cm)18.11 in (45.99 cm)19.68 in (49.98 cm)21.25 in (53.97 cm)Geometry Measurements:
Small 16.53 (Top Tube Horizontal 577 mm, Head Tube Length 179 mm, Seat Tube Center to Top 420 mm, Chain Stay 455 mm, Wheelbase 1060 mm), Medium 18.11 (Top Tube Horizontal 595 mm, Head Tube Length 189 mm, Seat Tube Center to Top 460 mm, Chain Stay 455 mm, Wheelbase 1078 mm), Large 19.68 (Top Tube Horizontal 610 mm, Head Tube Length 204 mm, Seat Tube Center to Top 500 mm, Chain Stay 455 mm, Wheelbase 1093 mm), Extra Large 21.25 (Top Tube Horizontal 635 mm, Head Tube Length 230 mm, Seat Tube Center to Top 540 mm, Chain Stay 455 mm, Wheelbase 1119 mm)
Frame Types:
High-Step
Frame Colors:
Red with Black Accents, Black
Frame Fork Details:
Custom Turbo Alloy, Tapered Steerer, Q15 Axle Dropout, Fender Eyelets, Low Rider Mounts
Frame Rear Details:
15 mm Thru Axle
Attachment Points:
Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses
Gearing Details:
10
Speed 1x10 SRAM XO Long Cage Derailleur 48/36Shifter Details:
SRAM SL700, Flatbar Trigger on Right Bar
Cranks:
FSA Gossamer, BB30 with Alloy Guard, 110 mm
Pedals:
Specialized Bennies, 6061 Alloy Body, Sealed Cartridge, 4.5 mm Removable Pins
Headset:
1-1/ 8" Campy Style Upper Cartridge Bearing, 1-1/ 2" Lower Integrated
Stem:
Crank Brothers Cobalt 2, Alloy
Handlebar:
Specialized Flat Top, Double Butted Alloy, 12-Degree Backsweep, 31.8 mm
Brake Details:
Formula R1 Hydraulic Disc with 180 mm Rotors
Grips:
Specialized Body Geometry XCT, Lock-On
Saddle:
Body Geometry Turbo, Hollow Cr-Mo Rails, Integrated LED Light
Seat Post:
Aluminum Alloy
Seat Post Diameter:
30.9with2.5mmOffset(TwoBolt) mm
Rims:
Alloy Double-Wall with Eyelets, 36h
Tire Brand:
Specialized Electrak Armadillo, 60TPI, Wire Bead, 700 x 45c
Wheel Sizes:
28 in (71.12cm)Tire Details:
Armadillo Puncture Protection
Tube Details:
Presta Valve
Accessories:
Aluminum Bash Guard on Front Ring, Scisoring Double Leg Kickstand, Integrated Supernova E3 LED headlight, Optional City Kit with Fenders and Rack, Bell on Left Bar, Rear View Mirror for Left Bar
Other:
Removable Battery Pack Locks to Frame, Magnetic EnergyBus Charging Port, LED Power Level Indicator on Battery Pack, KMC X10 Chain with Reusable Missing Link, FSA MegaExo Outer-Style Bottom Bracket, Regenerative Braking
James McClellan
10 years agoWhat do you need nobby tires for? Off road? Because that’s all they are meant for. Less grip on the street. Less grip when it’s wet. At 28mph the last thing you want is a nobby tire. Road tourers do well in excess of 50 mph on much smaller tires riding on skinny slicks.
ReplyEarly adopter
10 years agoI think the review captures the pro and cons accurately. I like the bike a lot and have ridden it around 1000 miles. In that time I’ve had to replace the control unit twice. To me, it’s the major flaw. Otherwise the bike is really great. Battery life is good if commute is not more than 30 miles total. I also like being able to haul heavy pack with me with impunity. It is exercize, which is nice, and it’s more fun than my motorcycles!
ReplyEarly adopter
10 years agoThey replace the display unit which is attached to the brake assembly with 2 screws. Takes 5 minutes. I believe this could be an issue with the bike, but it’s guaranteed for life I think and they will sort it out before long. No big deal.
ReplyEarly Adopter
9 years agoHere is my 9 month update: replaced control unitr three times, battery once, I have a loaner back wheel because the motor on mine stopped working. All this in less than 3000 miles!!! I have an old Ferrari that is more dependable than the Specialized Turbo. My last update wasn’t posted, and I think it is fair for people to know that this bike was not built and designed with reliability in mind. I’m giving it back.
ReplyCourt Rye![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
9 years agoHi Peter, I manually approve all comments so I have approved your first comment now, sorry it took a while… I’m not trying to sensor anyone :)
Court Rye![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
10 years agoThanks for the great testimonial! Sorry to hear about the display panel issues… Did they have to replace the entire right brake lever along with the display or do you have one of the 2013 Turbo’s with the center mounted unit? What was the issue you had?
ReplyAG
10 years agoSpecialized Turbo S Availability: I went by the largest specialized dealer in my town (Houston) and they have not seen nor were aware of the Turbo S. I tested the 2013 model – nice but missing the a few of the features such as the side control, upgraded seat, rearview mirror. Thoughts on the Turbo S model availability? Will it be hitting more markets soon? Thank you for any information.
ReplyCourt Rye![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
10 years agoGreat question AG… I tried the one in this review at a friends house. I’m not sure where he ordered it but you can ask him in the forums here. His name is Brambor :)
ReplyMichael Hedrick
10 years agoCan you make all bike reviews on that trail and with that kind of detail?! Love it! Also, without recking is there a way you could tell us what gear you are in, especially when showing Hill climb and top speed?
ReplyCourt Rye![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
10 years agoHey Michael, thanks for the suggestions and feedback. I don’t remember which gears I was in (I try to change them frequently during ride tests to listen for mashing and get a feel for how shifting works). This location was at a private residence in Maine near Portland. The bike belonged to my friend and I was just visiting so there may never be another review shot there unfortunately. Often times I have to work with the landscape (and time frame) available given the bike. I travel all across the US to get these reviews but I’m working to improve their quality and provide better demonstrations :)
ReplyRob Guthrie
10 years agoHi Court,
Test-rode the Turbo S last week at my local dealer — really fun, quiet ride! From YouTube, I learned that for 2015, Specialized will be introducing a Turbo X model, presumably a hard-tail, with front shocks and tread tires: http://youtu.be/ppZqlEZOe4s
Hoping they’ll include a thud buster on the seat post, and increase the battery capacity to expand the range a bit, like they did with the 2014 edition.
ReplyCourt Rye![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
10 years agoThat’s awesome! Thanks for the heads up Rob. I’m excited about the new Specialized Turbo bikes and intrigued by their naming convention… Reminds me of Tesla with their Model S, upcoming Model X and I heard they wanted to do a Model E but Ford was claiming a copyright on that name (for their old Model E car). Anyway, the idea was to have three models that spell S, E, X… clever ;) I agree that a suspension seat post or maybe even their coblgoblr post would be nice on the Turbo X. I’ll keep an eye out for it at Interbike!
ReplyRick Zehr
10 years agoGood review. I’ve got about 400 miles on mine (with Thudbuster ST), and it is a delight. Solid, stable, and the motor is perfectly modulated with the torque sensor. Well, at least it is until something comes loose in the electronics under the battery at the bottom bracket, leading to a JERK when you start from a stop. This has required adjustment at the shop twice so far. I have also had the display/controller fail. First it started dropping into Regen mode when climbing steep hills, and then the joystick became loose and failed entirely (replaced under warrantee). So it’s a really nice bike, but I’d have to knock my opinion down to a 3 of 5, based on these issues.
ReplyCourt Rye![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
10 years agoThanks for the critical input here Rick! Sorry to hear that a few of the parts have failed on your bike. Hopefully future versions will have a stronger joystick interface, I’ve heard a couple people mention that this can become unresponsive with wear over time.
ReplySpyridon
10 years agoI purchased the Specialized Turbo but had many problems and the dealer was not able to provide much help. Here is the log of me explaining problems and trying to get help from them.
ReplyCourt Rye![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
10 years agoThanks for sharing your experience Spyridon, so sorry to hear that there were issues with your bike… It appears that you’re located in Europe or perhaps somewhere outside of the US? Do you mind sharing where, it sounds like it was hard to get support there :(
ReplySpyridon
10 years agoHi and thanks for the hospitality. I am located in Greece. The European headquarters located in Holland. A friend in Germany’s Specialized inform me there is a big supply of parts for Turbo. Everything like batteries, motors, and everything you can imagine. The Greek distributor also is for Cyprus and Malta. I checked all the emails between Holland’s and Greek’s, and believe it or not there is a mess from Holland. They can’t give a solution.
As already check the U.S. specialized don’t even answer to my problem. A company like specialized the first thing has to do after a lot of days is to replace the bike. Also as anyone who check the history they will knew the technician for Turbo he is not anymore in Specialized. The first time they told me that I won’t believe it, but then I check it with my connection and is 100% truth. I shared my so far experience with this site because people have to know what is happened, and also for the purchase for the bike your review helped me to decide a lot.
To give 6000 for a bike is for people who need something special and give them some new experience like nothing so far, and the turbo the first 29 days it was great. Of course I also have a great road bike for my training. Now the only thing I want is my money back. I can’t have a bike with no tech support and every time something wrong I have nightmares. This is the reputation of Specialized. Thank you again and keep going with great reviews.
ReplyCourt Rye![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
10 years agoYeah, that’s just such a bummer. I’m so sorry the bike didn’t work out for you and I hope that things will be resolved. My goal is to help people find great bikes and it is sad when they have a bad experience because it impacts the entire space. Thanks Spyridon for sharing here.
Replyearly adopter
10 years agoI’ve had the 2014 Specialized Turbo S for 8 months. The controller unit on the handlebar has been replaced 3 times!!!!! Electric bikes can’t be that complicated, but Specialized seems unable to get it right. Buy one if the shop is walking distance to where you live.
ReplyOverspeed
10 years agoI’ve had my turbo s for two months and not a single problem so far. Love the bike, using it to commute to work, 20 mile round trip, uses between 50-60% of the battery in Turbo mode. Its gotten me active.. worth every penny.
ReplyCourt Rye![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
10 years agoWow, that’s awesome! Pretty great range there, especially in Turbo mode. Thanks for the testimonial and data… Feel free to share your height and weight here to help other similar sized riders if you feel comfortable doing so :)
ReplyOverspeed
10 years agoShort and 220 lb’s – looking to get back to 160lb’s – should make a difference to acceleration and range :)
ReplyEarly adopter
9 years agoNew update: first 8 months, 3 control units. Month 9, new battery. Month 11: dead motor. Total miles: 2800. The bike is fun when it works. Quality control is non-existent. specialized should take it back. I’ll see what they end up doing.
ReplySpyridon
9 years agoUpdate. 1200 km so far. They replaced the controller on my Turbo S 2014 because it stops backlit, and was unreadable at night. I was wait for replacement three months. The new battery so far works great. At the controller once I saw M ERR message. They still don’t replace the wheels as out of the box they damaged. The lights sometimes they refused to ON or OFF from the controller and only from the button on the front light. Of course is fun and pleasure to ride it. At 29th of April I have a curt against Greek distributor. As said in my previous message they don’t give a bother about a customer.
ReplyCourt Rye![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
9 years agoThanks for your feedback Spyridon, I’m sorry that the purchase has had some rough moments and I hope they continue to smooth out. It’s great to hear that you enjoy riding the bike when it does work :)
ReplyRick
9 years agoThe comments from “early adopter” are troubling in the apparent conclusion of enjoying thousands of miles with only occasional five minute, except for motor replacement, service swapout issues before ‘giving’ it back.
First bike miles are not the same as car ones, anymore then scooter or cycle odometer readings book out depreciation wise comparably. Government auctions routinely give away police traffic Harlie’s for pennies on the dollar often after only a few thousand miles.
The reviewer’s name is ignored by the ultimate attitude of no quality control. The manufacturer is not about the reliability of the dashboard. If there was a safety issue it would be different. Strategic failure engineering is awesomely important but there is silence on that.
For those of us who want the talent on knowledge real bike builders build to have minds open to incorporating modern materials and systems being a relatively early adopter, if we are to become the main presence on roads, as we must, we all now are, still, then we must be tolerant to unintentional however apparently avoidable issues like those mentioned.
The Chevy volt just shed a few hundred pounds. Yet we carp about delta’s of fractional dozen between models.
I believe any bike company that does not support the weak legged is soon to not be mainstream. For commuting being able to procure something that weighs less then us and is not the work of idiots or zealots but rather is a tool, of non-sociopathic design, even in cities, remains a challenge that this company pursues as a pioneer, a true hero, and one I have no difficulty forgiving for costing dollars a mile in the worst case to use it’s flagship model.
Judging it by mean time between failures anecdotally is like wanting gigs of foreign continent roaming for free on your watch. Just swap it out every few hundred miles for a new one and your reliability concerns are addressed largely. This is what the automakers do for years with there ‘innovations’ like seat-belts etc. before being forced to bring them to actual market.
Perhaps there is a lesson here about how not to stand behind one’s product- do not make it to easy or free to get repairs. Do not encourage someone who would not pay for the work to remain a customer, at the first sign of there unrealistic expectations pay what you need to to look fair to get the product back, and put it into someones hands who understands the risks being mutually taken better.
ReplyTy
9 years agoAny idea when the 2016 model Turbo S will be available? And do you know the confirmed upgrades? Very much considering purchasing one of these but due to the price, I might as well wait for the 2016’s. Thanks
ReplyCourt Rye![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
9 years agoHi Ty! No clue… I haven’t heard anything about it, just the new Turbo Mountain eBike that was launched in Europe (looks like we might see that model early next year).
Replylfogelquist
8 years agoHi Court… I just wanted to thank you for the GREAT review of the 2014-2015 Turbo S. I learned a lot of valuable information about this bike. For instance, why, when it’s in no assist mode is it harder to pedal? Mystery solved! So far I’ve put almost 500 miles on the bike without any significant issues. I’m totally in love with it. And it’s all but replaced my car. So I guess that’s it… just wanted to express my gratitude… and also thanks so much for the great work that you’re doing. I really believe that eBikes are the wave of the future and your site has become the ‘go to’ site for my questions.
ReplyCourt Rye![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
8 years agoAwesome! Glad the details here have helped you to master your bike, sounds like you’re really enjoying it :D
ReplyDonna Baker
3 years agoI’m thinking about purchasing a 2014 Turbo S bike with a 28” designation on the back wheel electric gear cylinder. I am 5’6”. Is this bike a correct size for my height? I tried it out and was able to set the seat to get a full leg extension, but wasn’t sure since I couldn’t compare the bike to a larger frame, fsbo situation.
ReplyCourt![](https://electricbikereview.com/wp-content/themes/reflex/assets/images/ebrCommenter.png)
3 years agoHi Donna! I wonder which frame size you were on? The Turbo is an awesome ebike, but batteries and displays can wear out and be difficult to replace when you’re dealing with a very custom high performance ebike. If you go for it, I’d suggest looking over the bike closely to make sure that the prior owner was careful with it. My own Specialized mountain bike is from that same time period, but it’s not electric, so most of the components are easier to deal with and replace if needed.
Reply