Specialized today unveiled an all-around cargo eMTB for riders looking for assistance to reach far-flung outdoor objectives: the Turbo Tero X.
The Turbo Tero X hinges on a customizable display with software that delivers pinpoint range information, Specialized says. A motor with enough oomph to quadruple your pedaling power also facilitates a natural pedaling feel with “silky smooth uptake,” the brand claims. And a maximum 6 hours of assisted ride time help you get from A to B and back.
Its 130mm front and 120mm rear travel help you handle whatever the trail throws at you in between. The rear suspension is a single-pivot design that Specialized rolled out to help minimize complexity and maintenance.
The Tero X’s geometry focuses on an upright riding position. That can lead to better pedaling efficiency on nappy trail surfaces, where stability is harder to come by and velocity is lower. For those times you do go full-send, there’s a dropper post so you can keep your tender bits out of harm’s way.
The bike’s set up as a mullet in every size except small. Ground Control T7 rubber wraps Roval Traverse (tubeless ready) hookless wheels in 27.5-inch rear (all sizes) and 29-inch front (M-XL) sizes. What can a mullet setup do? For one thing, you’ll have an easier time in rock gardens. Because the front wheel disperses rollover impacts from any given obstacle over a longer distance, you’ll feel more control. Meanwhile, you’ve got more clearance from the rear wheel, which can make drops and descents feel more secure.
Conversely, mullets sometimes don’t climb as comfortably as bikes with equalized wheelsets. But to help with that, you’ve got the Specialized Full Power motor. In the range-topping Turbo Tero X 6.0, it cranks out 710Wh at 90Nm of torque in from its compact 250W nominal power package.
This bike is not a lightweight: at 58 pounds, that’s not what it’s here for. But the little motor can still assist riding up to 28 mph.
Max range with assistance: 75 miles at 15 mph, or 68 miles at 19.8 mph (claimed, on ECO mode). You can control the assistance mode (ECO, SPORT, or TURBO) and various other capabilities from the cockpit computer, which Shimano calls the MasterMind Display.
A feature called MicroTune adjusts boost by increments of 10% depending on your preference, or SMART CONTROL automatically tailors assistance based on a pre-set “goal.” Distance, ride duration, or maintaining a user-specified heart rate are included. You can also lock your bike with the computer, which enables a motion-sensor alarm when activated.
Bikepacking- and safety-focused touches round out the Tero X. You’ll find 1,000 lumens in the built-in headlight on the 6.0, and a rear light that increases brightness as you brake. The integrated rear rack floats a solid 20 kg (44 pounds) of gear, and an available front rack can handle another 22 pounds. Finally, DryTech fenders should keep the muck off your back and where it belongs.
SRAM Eagle components are standard across the three-bike Turbo Tero X lineup, which was released today. Specialized prices the Turbo Tero X 4.0 at $4,500, the 5.0 at $5,500, and the 6.0 at $6,500.
