Total Weight:
47.2 lbs (21.4 kg)
(As Shown with Basket and Bungee Net)Battery Weight:
3.96 lbs (1.79 kg)
Motor Weight:
4.29 lbs (1.94 kg)
Frame Material:
E5 Aluminum Alloy, Smooth Welds
Frame Sizes:
14.96 in (37.99 cm)15.35 in (38.98 cm)16.54 in (42.01 cm)Geometry Measurements:
Large Measurements: 16.54" Seat Tube Length, 17" Reach, 25" Virtual Top Tube, 23" Stand Over, 30.5" Minimum Saddle Height, 42" Maximum Saddle Height, 28" Width, 76.5" Length, 47.5" Wheelbase
Frame Types:
Mid-Step
Frame Colors:
Brassy Yellow, Brushed Silver, Smoke
Frame Fork Details:
Rigid Aluminum Alloy, Boost 110mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Thru-Axle with 6mm Hex Bolt
Frame Rear Details:
135mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Threaded Axle with with 20mm Nuts
Attachment Points:
Bottle Cage Bosses, Rear Rack Mounts, Front Rack Mounts on Fork, Front Tray Rack on Steer Tube, Fender Mounts
Gearing Details:
8
Speed 1x8 Shimano Alfine Internally Geared Hub, 307% Gear Ratio Roughly Equivalent to 12-38 Tooth Cassette, 22 Tooth Belt SprocketShifter Details:
microSHIFT FCS INTER 8-Speed Single-Shift Trigger Shifters on Right (Push Low Lever, Pull High Lever)
Cranks:
Praxis, Forged Aluminum Alloy, M30 Spindle Splines, Custom Offset, 170mm Length for Small 172.5mm Length for Medium and Large, 46 Tooth Gates Carbon Drive CDX Chainring with Plastic Cover, 181mm Q-Factor
Pedals:
Plastic Platform with Sandpaper Grip, Reflectors
Headset:
FSA Cartridge Bearings, Internal Cups, Tapered 1-1/8" to 1-1/2", 68° Head Tube Angle
Stem:
PLW Comfort, Integrated Extrusion Stem, Included with Handlebar, One 20mm Plastic Spacer
Handlebar:
Specialized Custom for Como SL, High-Rise and Swept-Back, Aluminum Alloy, 700mm Width
Brake Details:
TRP Flow Hydraulic 3-Finger Adjustable-Reach Levers, Dual Piston Calipers, 160mm Tektro Disc Brake Rotors
Grips:
Specialized Body Geometry XC Contour, Ergonomic, Rubber, Locking, 25.4mm Bar Fit
Saddle:
Body Geometry Comfort Gel, Steel Rails, SWAT Mount Below
Seat Post:
6061 Aluminum Alloy, Dual-Bolt, 5mm Offset
Seat Post Length:
500 mm
Seat Post Diameter:
34.9 mm
Rims:
Double Wall, Aluminum Alloy, 35mm Outer Width, Front Wheel: 24 Hole, Rear Wheel 32 Hole, Black Reflective Stickers
Spokes:
Stainless Steel, 14 Gauge, Black with Nipples
Tire Brand:
Specialized Nimbus II Sport Reflect, 27.5 x 2.3 (58-584)
Wheel Sizes:
27.5 in (69.85cm)Tire Details:
25 to 50 PSI, 1.5 to 3.5 BAR, Blackbelt Puncture Protection, Reflective Sidewall Stripes
Tube Details:
Presta Valve (48mm)
Accessories:
Supernova Mini II Integrated Headlight (235 Lumens), Supernova 3-LED Integrated Rear Light, Specialized Custom Dry-Tech Tubular Alloy Fenders (Extra-Long Flextender Multi-Plastic Lower Piece, 65mm Width, Reflective Stickers), Center-Mount Aluminum Alloy Kickstand, Specialized Front Tray Rack with Removable Plastic Bin and Bungee (15kg 33lb Max Load), Specialized Aluminum Alloy Rear Rack Fender-Mount (20kg 44lb Max Load, Designed for Panniers with Bungee Loop and Slide Block on Top Tube), Generic Flick Bell, Clear Plastic Slap Guard Sticker, Optional Range Extender Battery Pack ($650, 46.8 Volts, 3.35 Amp Hours, 160 Watt Hours, 2.3lbs 1.04kg) Range Extender Cable ($45) SLY Charging Split Cable ($65), Replacement Charger ($200), Optional Replacement Battery ($700), Optional TCD LCD Display for 4.0 Model ($90, Battery Percentage, Pedal Cadence, Speed, Distance, Trip Time, Odometer, Calories, Pedal Watts, Time)
Other:
Downtube-Integrated Battery Pack (Removable with Tools, 3.96lb), 1.8lb 54.6 Volt 3.0 Amp Charger, 181mm Q-Factor, Gates Carbon Belt CDX (Center Track Design, 122 Tooth Belt), Maximum Motor RPM Support 120, IP67 Rated Against Water and Dust (Main Battery, Range Extender Battery, SL 1.1 Motor, TCU Display)
Marty
1 year agoHi Court, thanks for the review. My wife bought a Benelli Classica in 2015 based on your review and still loves it. I have a few questions about the Como 5.0 SL. I’m getting older, now 72, am 5’8 and weigh 155 and am reasonably fit. I’ve been riding a Cannondale H400 24 speed and feel it is time to consider an e-bike. I’m attracted to the Como for its step-through and internally geared hub. My concern is if it is underpowered for our hills. We ride on country roads with a number of short but fairly steep hills. With the Cannondale I find myself slowing as I downshift to the lowest set of gears. I’ll make it to the top of each hill, but will struggle a bit to get there and often need to take a rest. In the video we didn’t really see Cheryl climbing the hill she arrived on. When she said she “went down two gears” does that mean she was in gear 6 of 8?
To get an idea of the hills we climb, my wife, who isn’t as fit, (hope she isn’t reading this), never needs to go beyond the second level of assist on the Benelli, never stands, and has no problems with getting up the hills. The Benelli is rated as a 350w motor (front hub) with max of 500 watts peak. Are you able to comment on how you think the Como would do in those situations. I still want to get a workout and break a sweat, but sometimes, towards the end of our 20 mile rides, I don’t want to work that hard.
Thanks,
ReplyMarty
Court
1 year agoHi Marty! Great explanation. You and I are similar height and weight… and I find the smaller “super light” motor on this Turbo Como SL model to be very adequate. In fact, it’s the same one they use on the road, city, and full suspension mountain bike model which you can see here. You may want or need to shift down when climbing medium and steep hills (depending on how much speed you have going in and how hard you wish to pedal), but it should make it. Yes, if you shift down several gears and end up in the first or second gear, the bike will slow down a lot… but that gives you and the motor a mechanical advantage. It’s a big advantage in terms of efficiency and power compared to a hub motor which really only has one “gear” which is the size of the wheel that it’s spoked into. Given that your wife is doing fine with a 350 watt internally geared hub motor, and that you do enjoy a bit of exercise, I feel that this SL model, or the Vado, would be perfect. The Vado SL is just more upright in terms of body positioning. You could opt for the heavier, higher powered standard Turbo Como (which uses the Brose motor and has a removable downtube battery) but it weighs ~5lbs more without fenders or racks. Finally, to answer your question about Cheryl and here gear shifting comment… I’m guessing that she was in the middle gear, gear 4 (out of 8), when starting out. She might have felt the bike losing speed as the hill progressed… so she shifted down to gear 2 or 3 (shifting down two levels) closer the the largest “first” ring in the rear cassette or lowest gear ratio in this internally geared hub. Basically, gear 1 is the lowest, easiest, slowest, and gear 8 is the highest, hardest, fastest. Hope that helps ;)
ReplyMarty
1 year agoHi Court,
Your comments are very helpful and appreciated. The Specialized dealer near me has his own Vado SL that I can test ride – doesn’t have the Como 5.0 SL in stock yet. The Vado SL is about 10 lbs lighter than the Como SL. Would that 10 lb difference still allow me to get a good feel for how the SL-1 motor would perform on the Como 5.0 SL? Or would that be like comparing “apples” to “oranges”? I really like the idea of the internal gear hub which isn’t available on the Vado SL.
Thanks,
Marty
saigonke
1 year agoI think with the cost of the bike at this moment is too high with the Vietnam economy. Thanks
ReplyJim Hansen
1 year agoI recently purchased this bike online, sight unseen, and am having serious buyers remorse.
Considering the price, it seems unforgivable to me that the bikes mode has to be changed by looking down at the down tube. This is dangerous, and a serious downgrade from the previous Como 4.0 (which I also own). The TCU display on the newer, more expensive 5.0 SL is a downgrade over the TCD-W display, with a remote for changing modes (this came on the previous Como 4.0).
I see that the TCD-W display can be purchased separately (currently unavailable of course), but the shop where I picked up the bike just gave me a funny look when I asked if the TCD-W could be used on the 5.0 SL, and if they were even available to purchase. Even if it A) works, and B) can be purchased, there will still be the problem of where to run the wires from the remote down to the display. I suppose some vinyl tape and/or zip ties will be necessary to accommodate this (even if it will work).
I also detest the center mount kickstand, which I also consider a downgrade over the less expensive Como 4.0 model. The center mounted kickstand means no rolling the bike backwards, and because the kickstand is thin, it sinks into anything that isn’t concrete, making it functionally useless for many situations.
The front basket is a pain. It does come with a net, but it’s just big hard plastic box, and stuff bounces and rattles around in there. It’s also fixed to the head tube, which means it doesn’t turn with the handlebars. I find this disconcerting when riding (it obscures my view of the front wheel), and to make matters worse, the light being mounted to the underside of the basket means, your light keeps pointing straight when your wheel is turned. And lastly, if you remove the basket, it leaves nowhere to mount the light (and it can’t be removed without cutting wires).
The rear rack is a proprietary mount that holds the rear fender in place. It does not support mounting anything except side mounted panniers. If you want to mount a trunk style bag you would have to remove the existing mount and fender to do this.
Too much proprietary stuff, and too many things I consider to be downgrades for a $5k bike.
ReplyCourt
1 year agoExcellent summary, Jim. I agree with everything you wrote, but want to point out that the steer tube mounted front baskets and racks can usually support more weight and won’t impact steering or slosh contents around the way that fork and handlebar mounted baskets and racks do. I tried to capture many of the same “considerations” in my review, but your comment is just excellent, especially with your insights from the alternative models. THANK YOU for sharing.
ReplyJames Jay
1 year agoI agree with everything above. As an owner of a 2020 Como 5.0 model (Not an SL) and a 2020 Como 4.0, I feel the 2021 Como Sl is seriously downgraded from previous Como models. I feel a lot of online reviewers blow off the small size of the battery and exaggerate the real mileage the Como 5.0 Sl will really achieve. Small battery, no suspension fork, stupid plastic front basket and Specialized added an extra $600.00 dollar to the price. I’m would have already purchased a Dost if their ebikes had used a torque sensor. Sorry to vent.
ReplyCourt
1 year agoHey James! No worries, I appreciate your directness and agree with your insights. My goal with reviews it to be objective but also constructive and generally positive. I realize that can downplay some of the negatives for each bike, but I feel happier and it makes the channel more positive for people who are okay with the limitations and want to feel good about their choices. I do feel that the SL models present many trade-offs, especially since range extender batteries cost a lot and have been out of stock for some time. Perhaps we will see some improvements in the DOST pedal assist eventually, but right now many brands are out of stock and raising prices, so it’s more of a supply chain “survive” moment.
Donna
1 year agoHi Court,
I am about to purchase my first ebike and at 51 and have really not ridden a lot since I was young. I recently rode an ebike on a great trail in NZ and we have amazing trails all around me. For the most part they are purpose built cycle trails and they are about to put a new one in front of our rural property on a gorgeous river! All of this along with a need and motivation to improve my health and fitness. We also live on a dirt road for around 2km or more so I won’t be zipping around a city!
Having said all of that, I have looked at a few bikes (there are big supply issues around at the moment!). I have come down to the turbo como 4 and the trek allant 7 e+. I nervous about pulling the trigger on such a large investment and want to get as much info as possible before I do!
I have an autoimmune disease which can cause inflammation in my joints and have some ongoing back pain which is somewhat related. When I sat on the Como I immediately felt comfortable and on the ride around the car park I was feeling great and secure! I haven’t been able to ride the allant yet but have sat on it. It did feel ok, but not as upright as the como.
All up, I guess the things I am nervous about are – the lack of suspension in the como even though it felt more comfortable. I am unlikely (I think anyway!) to want to get into any real off-road stuff, but also won’t be using it on tar sealed roads very often.
I will mention that the shop selling the como has put some buttons on the handlebars to allow easy increase and decrease on the motor and also said they would put the display on it for me for the same price. He is also closer to me.
I have a Tech background and am very happy with what the app seems to do and believe I would use it a lot. I also wanted to thank you for the review and discussion about the app. A lot of the other reviews just said it was available and didn’t seem impressed so I was glad I read yours!
ReplyCourt
1 year agoHi Donna! How awesome that they are expanding the trails nearby. Sounds like you’re in a great spot, regardless of the bike you choose. I personally loved the Como SL model and agree that Specialized does a great job with their “Body Geometry” frames and touch points. The saddle in particular feels great on the Como. Trek is an excellent company, but they seem a bit more sporty. Their casual brand is called Electra, and they tend to offer more cruiser models like the Como here. It sounds like you have a very supportive Specialized dealer nearby, and that can be a wonderful benefit! Sure, the Como you’re looking at here doesn’t have a suspension fork… but the larger tires and body position go a long way for comfort, and save a lot of weight. Many of the cheaper suspension forks do not work that well even if they are present. You could swap the fork, try to find an air fork, and set it up perfectly… or just run the tires a bit lower pressure and add an adjustable suspension seatpost with a shim (ask your shop for help on that). I think that the bike will be fairly comfortable on pavement and even some gravel and dirt trails, and the Trek Allant may actually be similar even with the suspension fork, just based on the more aggressive geometry and saddle. Hope this helps, good luck and have fun!!
ReplyDonna
1 year agoThank you so much for the reply Court! I think I am going to go in now and buy it! I really appreciate your time and quick reply!
Marty
5 months agoI am thinking about purchasing this bike once it is available. Does anyone know if the basket can be removed without also removing the tray it sits on?
ReplyCourt
5 months agoYes, I’m almost positive that the plastic bucket can be removed from the metal tray. If you look at the video around 4:09 you can see some circular holes in the bottom that provide access to bolts. I hope this helps and is accurate, but I think it is ;)
ReplyMarty
5 months agoThat is what I thought from the video, but a comment above says, “And lastly, if you remove the basket, it leaves nowhere to mount the light (and it can’t be removed without cutting wires).” which has me concerned.
Wayne
3 months agoI have a 2022 Como SL 5 and love it. I removed the basket (takes 2 minutes) and simply tie-wrapped the light back where it was… very clean look.
ReplyCourt
3 months agoNice! Thanks for the feedback and tips about how it worked when you removed the basket Wayne!
ReplyCheryl
2 months agoI’m a seventy year old 5’2” female, and just purchased the Como SL 5.0. I find the ride incredibly smooth. It took just a few moments to adjust to easing off the pedals before shifting gears, but it quickly became second nature. I still feel indulgent using even the lowest gear assistance mode. It powers me up most hills, but I do use the second assistance mode just to experience the swiftness of the ebike ride. I’ve only used the third assistance mode to see how fast “we” could go. At a little over twenty mph I eased off-fearing I might actually take flight.
I took the basket/rack off the bike, and remounted the front light. The excess cord fit snuggly in the stem. Now the light actually turns with the steering motion of the bike. The large tires probably do make up for the bike not having seat or fork suspension, as I rode on gravel filled cement block type paving, without a bit of trouble, along with a friend who immediately dismounted her ebike saying she couldn’t ride over the rough surface. I initially didn’t want the larger tires, but will probably realize they do bring a level of comfort to my derriere at this stage in life.
I did not purchase the extended range battery pack, but with the long range I’m getting from the main battery, I figure I’d need to pull off to the side of the trail and take a nap before needing that extra range. Just as a personal preference, I would like to have been able to mount a rear slip on basket/carrier to the bike. And that little walk assist button would have been the icing on the cake. Also, just a cautionary note to any new ebike owners-especially when riding with another ebike rider-the hum of two different ebikes on an otherwise quiet road/trail is enough to make you think a vehicle is approaching from behind when it’s just the gentle sound of technology accompanying you on your ride. Happy trails!
ReplyCourt
2 months agoI enjoyed your review and tips, thanks for sharing Cheryl!
Reply