With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many bars, restaurants, and other public places either remain closed or offer limited service. Public transportation may be unavailable or offer limited availability. Getting around, like many things right now, can be a bit of a challenge. A bike can be a great solution.

One fun transportation solution many are turning to is the electric bike or eBike. Riding an eBike gets you outdoors, cuts down on fossil fuel use, and you don’t have to be Lance Armstrong to ride one. And according to Wired, the Specialized Turbo Vado SL Equipped is the best eBike you can get. 

The Specialized Turbo Vado SL Equipped

When Wired took a look at electric bikes for 2020, they published a list of the best 10 bikes. They listed the Turbo Vado SL Equipped as the best bike. What impressed them so much?

The Wired team member who evaluated the bike liked it so much they didn’t want to return it. They appreciated that its thin battery and small but athletic motor are built right into its frame. It’s so well integrated that you could mistake it for a standard bike. It’s light with the hybrid frame weighing only 33 pounds, which isn’t a lot more than a regular bike. 

The best part? It’s easy to navigate on any number of surfaces at varying speeds. The flat handlebars make it easy to steer and a lot of fun to ride. 

It comes with the Specialized Smart Control system, which keeps track of battery power for you and eliminates some of the guesswork as you ride. A hidden shock absorbs blows from road imperfections in the head tube cushions, according to Wired. The accessories they say are top-shelf. 

Loaded with features

When it comes to eBikes, the Turbo Vado SL Equipped is hard to match. It’s light enough to carry and offers a premium ride. It provides good power and has a great range of whether you plan just to run an errand or go on a serious bike ride. 

The Vado features a Turbo Connect Display that shows you important safety and ride data for quick viewing. It’s equipped with a secure and fully integrated Specialized 320Wh downtube battery. There’s also an optional Range Extender compatibility for a range as high as 120 miles. 

The Vado has bright onboard lights at the front and rear to ensure your visibility and that you’ll be easy to spot. 

The DRYTECH fenders are extra long and flexible in directing rain away from you. You also get a mounted rack in the back that’s compatible with many panniers, bags, etc.

Powering the Vado is Specialized’s lightweight 1.1 custom motor, and it uses premium hydraulic disc brakes to bring it safely to a stop. The 12-speed Shimano SLX shifter and XT derailleur offer dynamic performance for even longer trips. Rough terrain is handled by Future Shock 1.5 that significantly minimizes any impact.

On the road are DT Swiss R500 disc wheels wrapped in high-grip Nimbus II Sport Reflect 700 tires with BlackBelt flat protection. The tires also feature reflectors to boost visibility.

It’s going to cost you

If you’re an eBike enthusiast, it sounds like the perfect bike, right? Well, maybe it is, but it comes with a price. While the Specialized Turbo Vado SL Equipped isn’t the most expensive bike on Wired’s top 10 list, it starts $4,500, which is a lot for most people to spend on a bike. 

And just like buying vehicles, there’s also the cost of ownership and operation to factor in. Once you’ve found an eBike that meets your needs, you’ll want to consider the electricity it runs on. How much will it cost to rev up the battery for each use, and how far does each charge take you?

You’ll need to replace items like the batteries and the tires. There’s also the tendency for eBikes to wear out faster than standard bikes. They tend to be used more often at longer distances and higher speeds. Where you live, and the weather conditions will also impact what it costs you to own the eBike.

If the Specialized Turbo Vado SL Equipped would serve well for a primary means of transportation for you, it may be worth the investment. If you’re looking for a bike for recreation or to get you outside, you may want to consider something more affordable. But if you have the coin and want an eBike that does everything but serve drinks, it’s a fun bike to ride and own.