Differences between Turbo and Turbo S motor

[bazzapage]

I'm currently running a loaner Turbo S (500W) wheel on my base Turbo so have some insights into the differences. Everything else is the same. Honestly, I wasn't expecting such a massive difference with the same electronics and battery.

* Top speed is higher. Whereas I could make the base Turbo run at 43-45km/h the S will go to 50+ with me pedaling wildly
* The base Turbo offered resistance at around 47 even downhill (the bike ran faster with the motor off than on after that speed); the S does not (at least I haven't found its limits)
* The extra torque is noticeable
* ECO30 on the S seems largely equivalent to TURBO on the base. TURBO on the S is insane...
* At ECO40 on the S (which is a nice setting) I estimate about 10% extra battery use vs TURBO on the base. For that I get a slightly higher average speed.
* The S motor is more progressive in its uptake based on torque input. Probably because the S has a higher top-end
* Comparatively, the S feels more twitchy under some conditions. It's like a highly tuned sports car vs a family sedan, it just wants to go!
* While the base Turbo is very good, the S is freaking amazing! I can see why it is allegedly going to be retained as the 'sports' bike when the Vados come along.

 

[Richard Spensley]

That's really interesting bazzapage. Do you know if it is possible to purchase a Turbo S (500W) wheel separately to just upgrade the base Turbo?

 

[bazzapage]

I doubt it. If you could I imagine it would be quite expensive. Perhaps keep your eye out for a used one, swap the wheels/parts over and resell. Or get a Vado when they come out. I think they will be rather good.
I'll be writing a Vado review as soon as they are available.

 

[reoutput]

I doubt it. If you could I imagine it would be quite expensive. Perhaps keep your eye out for a used one, swap the wheels/parts over and resell. Or get a Vado when they come out. I think they will be rather good.
I'll be writing a Vado review as soon as they are available.

The 500W wheel is ridiculous. It depends when the motor cuts out but to me the 500W wheel is overkill. I recently upgraded from the 200W to the 250W bike and it's a big difference. Unless I'm taking a lane, I like keeping it in eco 50 so it feels like I'm biking or putting effort into the commute. I do like the fact that I can choose how hard I need to go though and that single aspect makes this bike a game changer. It will be interesting to see how the Vado slots in to the whole equation.

 

[Jan Hermanson]

Having insight only with the Turbo S/500W motor (which is just as good as you describe) I am still surprised to hear that you did not experience any resistance above 45 km/h. I do on my bike and would like to get rid of that if possible. On another note - if it feels a bit twitchy as you say you can turn down the agressiveness in the mission control app (ranging between eco?-normal-race).

 

[reoutput]

Sadly the 500W motor I rode on does not have the Bluetooth function. It was a warranty replacement for an older "S" wheel so that bike got a major upgrade from 250W to 500W! I don't know what terminal velocity is either as I went past 30MPH...freaky fast.

 

[bazzapage]

My replacement wheel arrived so now I have a 250W motor. It's actually a really nice balance - I miss the sheer brutality on-tap that the 500W motor had - but overall the 250W is good. It's got more torque than the 200W and noticeably more punch through the 30-40km/h range. It loses steam much beyond 40km/h and definitely doesn't push to 50 and beyond like the 500W. As with the 200W, it does start to encounter resistance from ~45km/h on a downhill.
I reckon the 250W feels more like Eco50 on the 500W. Not surprisingly really...

 

[kermit_xc]

How do you go about replacing your wheel ? Was it warranty ?

 

[bazzapage]

Warranty, yes. Specialized and their support to my LBS have been outstanding.

 

[kermit_xc]

why did you downgrade ? I am asking cause my 200W motor is spinning out of control, sounds like the torque sensor is shot and am wondering how specialized will handle it

 

[bazzapage]

Don't speculate... ask. If you have a fault then have them deal with it. It may depend on what is available in the spares pool in your country.

 

[kermit_xc]

Oh sure, just started the process with the dealer today ... now why did you end up downgrading, was it due to availability?

 

[kermit_xc]

and based on 1 year and 4k miles I am not holding my breath ... Specialized has been a total chaos when dealing with things like faulty control unit, bad battery or a complete wheel rebuild ... good thing the dealer steps up as much as they can.

 

[bazzapage]

Yes, I believe so.