Rumors, from the inside

[Jeremy McCreary]

Specialized has never let an e-bike motor manufacturer to become its master.

That may be true, but an ebike operating system is a very complicated thing, and I'm not sure they could work their Turbo OS magic with just any old mid-drive motor — like the HPR40 for example.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

That may be true, but an ebike operating system is a very complicated thing, and I'm not sure they could work their Turbo OS magic with just any old mid-drive motor — like the HPR40 for example.

The point is, the architecture of the e-bike system must be such Specialized could include the e-bike into the Specialized app, and the motor manufacturer would accept the dominating role of Specialized per agreement. So Specialized could build its own infrastructure around the motor. TQ provide their own complete solution like Bosch.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

The point is, the architecture of the e-bike system must be such Specialized could include the e-bike into the Specialized app, and the motor manufacturer would accept the dominating role of Specialized per agreement. So Specialized could build its own infrastructure around the motor. TQ provide their own complete solution like Bosch.

So then the question becomes, are there lightweight motors out there that Specialized could put in a lightweight e-road bike without drastic modifications to either the motor or its Turbo OS? Or would they have to collaborate to develop their own motor, as they did with Brose and Mahle?

If the latter, that would be an impediment to entering such a niche market.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

We know nothing. Specialized 3.1 motor had come as a big surprise.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

So then the question becomes, are there lightweight motors out there that Specialized could put in a lightweight e-road bike without drastic modifications to either the motor or its Turbo OS? Or would they have to collaborate to develop their own motor, as they did with Brose and Mahle?

If the latter, that would be an impediment to entering such a niche market.

Are you familiar with the Creo? Specialized had the corner on lighweight ebikes until Bosch came out with the SX motor, then Avinox, etc.

Regarding what OP said, I hardly think what's happening in NJ is representative of the entire US market...

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Are you familiar with the Creo? Specialized had the corner on lighweight ebikes until Bosch came out with the SX motor, then Avinox, etc.

Regarding what OP said, I hardly think what's happening in NJ is representative of the entire US market...

Yes, I'd probably be riding a Creo 2 now if it had flat bars. But I'm talking much lighter, less gravelly e-road bikes like Scott and others make now. I'd love to see a Specialized offering in that category.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

True, the Creo and Vado SL are overdue for an update, I'd expect something to happen sooner rather than later.

Creo with flat bars is the Vado SL

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Creo with flat bars is the Vado SL

Kinda, but not exactly. An SL 1 is my main ride now, and I'm very, very happy with it.

The Creo 2 Carbon Comp I also considered ws significantly lighter and had the 1.2SL motor with ~50% more power and torque from the same battery. The Creo also had a dropper seat post and a more advanced Future Shock stem.

In late 2024, that Creo 2 was at the very top of my budget at ~20% more than the SL 1. Problem was, the necessary flat-bar conversion would have put it out of my price range.