What do you think of Specialize's new electric bike?
03-31-12, 12:08 PM
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What do you think of Specialize's new electric bike?
This is the first electric bike I've seen that doesn't look like someone just bolted parts on a cheap hybrid 'Frankenstein' style. This one actually looks like it was designed from the ground up to be electric. I also like the fat 700x45 wheels. Where I live it's pancake flat, but for those of you with huge hills to climb, would you consider adding this bike to your stable? No word on price yet.
https://turbo.specialized.com/
https://turbo.specialized.com/
03-31-12, 12:24 PM
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03-31-12, 09:42 PM
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This one has me confused. It's the turbo model but it looks like an e-bike. As far as I can tell the only exhaust is your breath so what spins the turbine? 
03-31-12, 10:45 PM
#5
The Left Coast, USA
First, a flash intro is so '00s, get real Specialized.
Moreover, for someone with a long daily commute it kinda makes sense to me, but not at that price, ...and only if it's rack friendly. (I think it's around $8K.) The other nuance, every off road trail I know about in Calif prohibits e-bikes,...so it's a one trick pony in my eyes.
Moreover, for someone with a long daily commute it kinda makes sense to me, but not at that price, ...and only if it's rack friendly. (I think it's around $8K.) The other nuance, every off road trail I know about in Calif prohibits e-bikes,...so it's a one trick pony in my eyes.
03-31-12, 11:35 PM
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An electric scooter/moped/motorcycle can't go where a bicycle can go regarding sidewalks, parks, trails, and all of those places that separate bicycles from "regulated" vehicles. An electric bicycle isn't regulated by the Department of Transportation so we don't have to insure it, licence it, get a licence to operate it, and I don't think most building allow you to bring your scooter or motorcycle inside.............and try carrying and scooter up the stairs. As of now an electric bicycle is considered a human powered vehicle that is "assisted" by electricity only. Take away the pedals and your in another ballpark with new rules. As for the Specialized design I can say I like it. I'm not sure how practical it is at that price. I have a Surly Long Haul Trucker that I have been thinking of buying a Bionix Kit for. For a brand new LHT and a Bionix kit your looking at less than half the cost of this Specialized and with the LHT you can haul things making it very usefull as a commuter and as a utility bicycle. What I think is ironic..........everyone is talking about going green and switching over to electric while cities spend millions to design bicycle friendly paths only to be meant with bicycles that aren't even allowed in the US. I don't understand America. We are so behind on so many levels compared to Europe. Germany is going to be completely independant regarding their power in the very near future and we can't address an electric bicycle being sold in America. I was biking with someone the other day and he was on an electric bicycle. I timed us with my GPS going 18 MPH but he could have easily gone faster if he had assisted with pedaling. Should that be made illegal or should he be ticketed if timed by a police officer and a radar gun if he had exceeded 20MPH? And BTW, his electic bicycle was only a few hundred dollars. Notice his bicycle is on the sidewalk and not on the street with the Harley.
Last edited by IndianaShawn; 03-31-12 at 11:41 PM.
04-01-12, 12:22 AM
#7
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I've been seeing more and more E-bikes here in Germany. Mostly used by older cyclists and a handful of commuters. It's pretty hilly here and when an e-bike commuter passes me going uphill while only soft pedaling it's pretty disheartening at first as I think my fitness sucks but then I notice the frame battery and large rear hub then my manliness returns.
If the bike provides a benefit to your commute then why not? Time crunched? it'll get you where you're going quicker. It can increase your commute range beyond your physical limit.
Looks like the Spec Turbo won't be offered in the US, only Europe.
If the bike provides a benefit to your commute then why not? Time crunched? it'll get you where you're going quicker. It can increase your commute range beyond your physical limit.
Looks like the Spec Turbo won't be offered in the US, only Europe.
