Specialized Turbo

[mvrider]

$5900 electric bike

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/28/the-specialized-turbo-an-electric-bicycle-with-scooter-like-speed

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2013/06/27/automobiles/wheels/Specialized-Turbo-6/Specialized-Turbo-6-blog480.jpg

[oldpotatoe]

$5900 electric bike

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/28/the-specialized-turbo-an-electric-bicycle-with-scooter-like-speed

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2013/06/27/automobiles/wheels/specialized-turbo-6/specialized-turbo-6-blog480.jpg

$3200

[Ti Designs]

We have a size run of them at Wheelworks. Almost everybody, myself included, comes back with this huge smile on their face after test riding one. It's like having bionic legs, the bike senses you pedaling and kicks in the motor. At times it's scary fast, it's brain and the riders brain aren't always thinking the same thing, but it's damn fun. Riding with someone on one is also fun. The turbo is speed limited, it wants to do 28 MPH. Trying to get it to go faster means trying to power a really heavy hybrid without much help from the motor - don't bother. So, if you can punch it to say 32 MPH on the flats, you can drop the guy on the Turbo. For almost a minute. Then when you're gassed and trying to breath out your ears, they guy on the Turbo pulls up, no effort at all. I'm thinking of having someone on a Turbo pace a hammer ride, but there are two problems with that. First, everyone would die. That tends to happen anyway, so who cares? Second, the Turbo's battery would die, leaving that person far from home with a dead electric bike. And then they would die...

[christian]

Actually, though, it could be better than a C70 for motorpacing, because the wind profile would be more similar to cyclists.

[AngryScientist]

concept is decent, but $6k?? dont. think. so.

i paid $3500 for this brand spankin new.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ho1ImC8htKQ/UcREUtubSHI/AAAAAAAABTE/0qkQZ93ZfkU/s640/IMG_0937.JPG

[mvrider]

Yeah, even this (http://www.faradaybikes.com/) is $3500:

http://static.shopify.com/s/files/1/0162/8756/t/3/assets/Faraday.jpg

[pdmtong]

$5900 electric bike

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/28/the-specialized-turbo-an-electric-bicycle-with-scooter-like-speed

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2013/06/27/automobiles/wheels/Specialized-Turbo-6/Specialized-Turbo-6-blog480.jpg

this bike gets the nod because it looks like a bike...the battery is inside.
it's pretty good looking in person.

If I commuted ot work nearby, I'd consider it since you could park it inside your office/cubicle unlike a vespa. sure I could pedal, but pedaling = sweat and no one likes to be near a smelly guy if showers arent available

[mvrider]

Maybe the Turbo would be a great replacement for this guy:

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2012/8/4/1344080166694/Olympic-Games-2012-Cyclin-008.jpg

[soupless]

I saw one the other day. Looked hot in person. Sure it's pricey, but it's new and it's hot.

You could ride 20 miles in under an hour and arrive not having broken a sweat. All of a sudden one could theoretically commute from much farther away with less headache. Unless your battery dies...

Either way, I"m happy to see the concept of premium electric assist bikes actually arrive here. My thinking is it will only lead to good things....

[GregL]

So this is what Cancellara has been riding all along...

[biker72]

This is a very nicely designed bike but $6k????
I've got 3 bikes that collectively cost less than the Turbo.

[pyrate]

forreal like who are these marketed to? anyone with that much money to blow would probably choose a motorcycle over it

[Mark McM]

We have a size run of them at Wheelworks. Almost everybody, myself included, comes back with this huge smile on their face after test riding one. It's like having bionic legs, the bike senses you pedaling and kicks in the motor. At times it's scary fast, it's brain and the riders brain aren't always thinking the same thing, but it's damn fun. Riding with someone on one is also fun. The turbo is speed limited, it wants to do 28 MPH. Trying to get it to go faster means trying to power a really heavy hybrid without much help from the motor - don't bother. So, if you can punch it to say 32 MPH on the flats, you can drop the guy on the Turbo. For almost a minute. Then when you're gassed and trying to breath out your ears, they guy on the Turbo pulls up, no effort at all. I'm thinking of having someone on a Turbo pace a hammer ride, but there are two problems with that. First, everyone would die. That tends to happen anyway, so who cares? Second, the Turbo's battery would die, leaving that person far from home with a dead electric bike. And then they would die...

Many E-bike owners/operators may not be aware of their legal requirements. In Massachusetts, motorized bicycles (including E-bikes) are classified in the same category as traditional mopeds. They may not be operated at speeds greater than 25 mph, must have (and display) registration stickers from the RMV, the operator must have a valid driver's license (or learner's permit), and operators (and passengers) must wear helmets.

I also wonder if E-bike retailers are aware of their legal requirements. In Massachusetts, the seller is responsible for collecting the RMV registration fee and attaching the registration sticker to the E-bike.

[ofcounsel]

This is a very nicely designed bike but $6k????


A lot of people would say the same thing about most of the everyday bikes ridden by many on this forum ;)

[BumbleBeeDave]

this bike gets the nod because it looks like a bike...the battery is inside. it's pretty good looking in person.

If I commuted ot work nearby, I'd consider it since you could park it inside your office/cubicle unlike a vespa. sure I could pedal, but pedaling = sweat and no one likes to be near a smelly guy if showers arent available

. . . but at mine the facilities czar specificaly prohibits bikes in the building in offices/cubicles because of issues with trashing carpets with lube, dirt, grime, etc.

Even if I wanted to leave it chained to a bike rack (we do have plenty of those) at $6k it's just not worth it. There are other way more cost effective choices.

The real question to me is how much would bikes like this HAVE to cost before people would be willing to embrace them? I would think low enough to be competitive with the moped or lower end motorcycle. At $3k would they be successful? Wer'e talking selling them to "normal" people here, not just the enviros who want to make a "statement."

BBD

[pdmtong]

. . . but at mine the facilities czar specificaly prohibits bikes in the building in offices/cubicles because of issues with trashing carpets with lube, dirt, grime, etc.


silicon valley = bikes ok

[biker72]

A lot of people would say the same thing about most of the everyday bikes ridden by many on this forum ;)

Very true....:)
The bike shop where I work just sold a $20k+ Pinarello. Who buys this stuff???:confused:

Edit:
Answer: Someone with a lot more disposable income than me...:)

[cmg]

riding buddy showed at a weekend 25 miler with an $11k Specialized. looked cool. he was specialized........ so there is money for this stuff. maybe in 5 years when the off brands start trickling down this technology.

[BumbleBeeDave]

silicon valley = bikes ok

Silicon Valley also = not real world.

BBD

[pdmtong]

Silicon Valley also = not real world.

BBD

you must be getting all your impressions from cable TV.

Doesn't you neighbor have a Tesla model S? Mine does!
Oh, and the LBS has a dogma with 80th SR11/Bullets

I'm all goofed up...the former seems real...the latter seems not real...