2022 Specialized Como Turbo 5.0 vs R&M vs Stromer ST2

W

wscott

New Member
Region
USA
Hi,

New member here looking to buy an e-bike for myself and wife.
Late 40's and out of shape. Looking to get back into shape and maybe make a few multi-night voyages.
I am 6'4" 250lbs; Wife is 5'6" and medium sized.
We live in Dubuque Iowa, convenient to Madison, WI.
Terrain is hilly, paved and some off road dirt and gravel (not mountain biking).
This will likely be our first and only e-bike, so we will buy once and be done.

Budget less than $7500 per bike.

step through
Stable
Low maintenance
Best motor
Best brakes
Best front suspension
Seat post suspension or full suspension
upright riding position.
Clean design with concealed wires.
Belt drive
American or European made

Have tried Specialized Como 5.0; 3.0; 4.0 - nice upright position- comfortable. Did not have suspension. no Belt. But new bikes coming out with belt and suspension.
Specialized Vado (too upright)

Stromer ST2 with belt and front fork suspension- best performance, solid and moves well and motor is silent. Interesting tech. Not as upright as we would like. What can be done to improve the comfort of the Stromer ST2? Reliability of ST2?

Riese and Muller Nevo GT (2018) and Nevo GT rolhoff (2019). Loved the upright riding position, nimble, and diverse application. Just easy to ride. Performance of motor and fit and finish not as good as the Stromer ST2. Have not tried the 2021 version. Performance and reliability of Enviolo or Rolhoff - I've read there are concerns.

Also considering R&M Homage, and Multicharger 3 Mixte, but can't find a place to try them.

Anything else I should consider?
Advantages/disadvantages?
Which would you choose?

Thanks for your help
 
I have already answered in your original thread. Should I copy my answer here?
 
Stefan Mikes said:
I have already answered in your original thread. Should I copy my answer here?
Click to expand...
Thank you for you thoughtful response. There is a lot of information to consider and so many choices.

So which bike do you suggest? Have you ridden Como Turbo 5.0, Stromer ST2, and Nevo3? Any other options I should consider?

Thank you for sharing your experience
 
I'm very experienced in Specialized e-bikes, having owned two of them: a 45 km/h Vado 5.0/6.0 and Vado SL 4.0 EQ. My experience with Specialized has been excellent. I also participate in User Clubs for Vado/Como and Vado SL in these Fora, being the original poster in both.

Regarding the 2022 Turbo Como 5.0:
  • It represents the latest Specialized technology in e-bike electronics known as Mastermind
  • The new Como 5.0 has the 80 mm air-spring suspension fork from RockShox
  • The new Como 5.0 can be ordered with Gates belt drive and Enviolo Automatiq IGH
  • The new 2.2 motor has 90 Nm of torque, 550 W peak power, and is pretty quiet (first users say: "unlike previous models, the motor is not silent but produces a slight hum").
  • The connectivity of Specialized e-bikes is the best in the market, allowing you connecting with smartphones, bike GPS computers with ANT+, heart rate monitors, sports watches etc.
  • The new MasterMind display allows you seeing all rider/ride/bike parameters during the ride
  • It is possible to tune the e-bike motor/assistance either in an app, or during the ride, using the handlebar remote. No other e-bike brand can do it.
The point is: The latest Specialized e-bikes such as the new Tero or Vado slowly emerge at American LBSes. Como 5.0 2022 has to be pre-ordered, as it is unavailable yet.
-------------------------------
I don't want to say anything bad on R&M e-bikes, which are equipped with Bosch motors and infrastructure. The sad fact is the attitude of Bosch E-Bike company towards the e-bike manufacturers. Bosch E-Bike has now announced a new Smart System (resembling the new Specialized one) but the bike brands such as R&M or Trek don't seem to be prepared for that new system, as it requires designing totally new e-bike models for the Smart System, and putting them into the production. Meaning, order an R&M now and you are left with an obsolete e-bike the year after. Otherwise, R&M e-bikes are solid, and respected.

The Stromer is a sensitive thing for me, and let me only express anecdotal "information". While Specialized and R&M e-bikes are built around mid-drive motors, Stromers rely on a large and heavy Direct Drive hub motor. While powerful and fast (even uphill), Stromers never won my heart.
-------------------------------
To be clear: I can competently talk about Specialized e-bikes but it have to be R&M and Stromer owners to express their opinion in respective threads.
 
Thank you for all this great information.
I am now leaning towards the Como.
Can you suggest the best car rack for two Comos and two kids bikes? Preferably with a swing away for trunk access.
 
wscott said:
Thank you for all this great information.
I am now leaning towards the Como.
Can you suggest the best car rack for two Comos and two kids bikes? Preferably with a swing away for trunk access.
Click to expand...
I have two Comos and use a Kuat NV 2.0 car rack. It is a great rack and you can add an extension for two additional bikes. It does allow fold down for trunk access.
 
wscott said:
Thank you for all this great information.
I am now leaning towards the Como.
Can you suggest the best car rack for two Comos and two kids bikes? Preferably with a swing away for trunk access.
Click to expand...
Good luck with your decision. It can be trying to find the right bike.

RACK: You will need one of those heavy duty racks to load ebikes and preferably one that has a ramp built in since it can be hard to lift the weight of an e-bike. Definitely check load limits. The Kuat I have could not handle some of these heavier bikes but can deal with my Specialized Creo - one of the lighter e-bikes. Kuat does make a four bike rack but I'm pretty sure Thule does, too. Then there's one with numbers in its name - sorry, I'm old and the memory is slipping.
 
Stefan Mikes said:
No, I cannot! I don't use a car rack.
Click to expand...
Thule Easy Fold XT2. With ramp. Since the bike is heavy (over 55 pounds) and you mentioned you are a bit out of shape the ramp helps to place the bike on the rack. Rack is made for two bikes (you and your wife).
the capacity is 75 pounds per bike.
also very stable and well made.
a bit pricy but worth the money.
I have had few racks this is one of the best.
also easy on and off. No rattling.
Just read the post again you are looking for 4 bikes rack.
ignore this. This for two bikes.
 
Last edited:
One thing about the 2022 Como 4.0 or 5.0 or the SL. The new Comos have no way to adjust or raise the handlebars. They have a proprietary head on the front of the bike that won’t take a riser or let you replace the bars. SO, you have to either love the position you get or you are out of luck. Here’s the response from Specialized:

“Thank you for your patience. I apologize for the long response time, we are experiencing a very high volume of inquiries and are trying to get to each one as soon as possible.

Unfortunately the new Como and Como SL does not have a way to adjust the height of the handlebars, and no aftermarket options are available. I'm sorry for any disappointment this may cause.


See you outside!

René | USA Rider Care Representative | [email protected]”

That said, I love my 2020 Como 3.0 and I loved my 2.0 until the frame cracked at the motor mount and they replaced it with the 3.0. Great bike.
 
Uburoibob said:
I use that as well. Best rack on the market!
Click to expand...
Does 1up work with fenders on Como? I thought that might be an issue.

good info about the handlebars.
If the handlebars won’t move, then definitely should wait to ride the bike myself rather than pre-order now.
 
wscott said:
Does 1up work with fenders on Como? I thought that might be an issue.

good info about the handlebars.
If the handlebars won’t move, then definitely should wait to ride the bike myself rather than pre-order now.
Click to expand...
The One-Up has a soft roller option for the fenders. It sits over the Fender and still provides plenty of lockdown for that wheel. We have two e-bikes with Fenders and they both work well with the optional soft rollers.

PS: you can always spot a guitar player, as their spell check capitalizes “fenders.”
 
I Have Thule but I have seen and agree that 1up is the most solid and heavy duty rack in the market. My LBS recommended to a customer who was purchasing a very heavy bike. All metal components and very high weight capacity. Can’t recall what it is but should be above 70 pounds for each bike.
 
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