We are seriously considering Specialized Turbo Como 4.0 bikes but I’m concerned and confused about suspension. The bike has no suspension in seat or fork. Can anyone comment on why that is or is not ok for this bike? We plan to take with us on RV and so not totally sure of the type of ground we will use it on but probably road and smoother trails. Will use it at home on paved roads mostly. TIA
Specialized turbo Como - no suspension?
- Thread starter Ker9
- Start date
Browneye
Well-Known Member
Did you test ride them? That's the first step. Then decide if it matches your expectations and intended use.
These are like a high-performance beach cruiser, aka city bike. Balloon tires soak up a lot of pavement irregularities, and provide for a good turn of effortless speed. 650b tires are about the same diameter as a 700c or 29 with the balloon type tires, so they roll easily and are easily driven.
A suspension seat post is popular for this type of bike, and can be added for minimal cost and up depending on just how fancy you want to get. A cheap one was one of the first things I added to mine, a lot of modern 'comfort bikes' come with them.
Specialized is a pretty high-end, their drive is extremely smooth and seamless - just set the amount of assist you want, from a little to a lot.
There are a lot of offerings for this type of model, so be sure to try a variety of them before picking one - they are all over the map price-wise.
These are like a high-performance beach cruiser, aka city bike. Balloon tires soak up a lot of pavement irregularities, and provide for a good turn of effortless speed. 650b tires are about the same diameter as a 700c or 29 with the balloon type tires, so they roll easily and are easily driven.
A suspension seat post is popular for this type of bike, and can be added for minimal cost and up depending on just how fancy you want to get. A cheap one was one of the first things I added to mine, a lot of modern 'comfort bikes' come with them.
Specialized is a pretty high-end, their drive is extremely smooth and seamless - just set the amount of assist you want, from a little to a lot.
There are a lot of offerings for this type of model, so be sure to try a variety of them before picking one - they are all over the map price-wise.
Browneye, thanks for reply. We tested several (townie go, trek verve, bh atom, and one other I can’t remember name) in 3 different stores. We were impressed with the smoothness of the Specialized and it was a fun ride (in a parking lot). There aren’t a lot of stores/options in our area. We ruled out townie as too heavy, bh atom was our choice until we rode Specialized. We like that there are shops everywhere for both trek and specialized.
My only concern is suspension. We are not getting any younger (60+). Weight and length are also an issue. We will need to remove front tires to get them in our bike carrier (Komo Creation).
The larger tires certainly help.
My only concern is suspension. We are not getting any younger (60+). Weight and length are also an issue. We will need to remove front tires to get them in our bike carrier (Komo Creation).
The larger tires certainly help.
Browneye
Well-Known Member
We are 55/62, I completely understand. Suspension setups were created for off-road going, generally thought not necessary for road riding.
A fork is now seen on some road ebikes due to speed, and with narrow and harder high speed tires. Mostly they are an entry-level fork with very little travel, surely not like a mountain bike. But a little bit helps.
Our Roll does not have suspension, it's just not needed for 15-20mph paved paths. Both have a very basic suspension seat post. Balloon tires make a huge difference,
See if you can get an extended demo. The last store I was at that sold Specialized rented them out for 24 hours for $100, and applied the $$ to your purchase.
Removing the front wheel and lifting on a rack is a PITA, maybe time to look at a new carrier.
Out 'toad' is a Colorado PU, so ours go in the truck bed.
A fork is now seen on some road ebikes due to speed, and with narrow and harder high speed tires. Mostly they are an entry-level fork with very little travel, surely not like a mountain bike. But a little bit helps.
Our Roll does not have suspension, it's just not needed for 15-20mph paved paths. Both have a very basic suspension seat post. Balloon tires make a huge difference,
See if you can get an extended demo. The last store I was at that sold Specialized rented them out for 24 hours for $100, and applied the $$ to your purchase.
Removing the front wheel and lifting on a rack is a PITA, maybe time to look at a new carrier.
Out 'toad' is a Colorado PU, so ours go in the truck bed.
Just as a General example I have a Regular Trek Dual Sport with Suspension fork > I rarely use it : It ;looks cool and I get complements rather often about Sharp Bike : I don't use it because it creates Drag. I've also Test ridden a Como > You don't need a suspension fork : If you buy it I'd suggest you ride it awhile and then decide : Now-days You can get a Suspension Seat Post as well as a suspension handlebar stem > One of court's videos Goes over the add on Charlie did to his como. It's The video on the Como 5 I think . At least at the place where I went . Even the Younger employees preferred the Como Over the Vado on a comfort and softer ride basis . Just make sure you get the right size : I live where there's Snow 5 out of 12 months > So I am waiting Until Spring to decide what to Buy. But it will likely be the Como 4 or 5 . GO TO AROUND THE 14 minute Mark of Video
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Browneye
Well-Known Member
If you'll be riding some dirt paths and you want something sportier, a hard-tail mountain bike or cross-bike with a fork, may well make sense. That's where I went with my Giant Explore. Kind of like a SUV, not really a jeep - eMTB. With 29" wheels it works really well, easy to ride, and great on dirt paths. Wife has zero interest in riding offroad. I spent the majority of my life riding dirtbikes so trail-riding is in my blood. But I've been broken so many times that I suffer chronic arthritis and backpain, so now getting a mountain bike to go play in the forest, while sounds like a pure blast, is probably a really bad idea for me. Plus she won't go, and thinks our riding time should be together. Oh well, huh?
All of the big brands have a 'trail' or 'crosscountry' type of ebike with more aggressive tires, a front suspension fork, wider gearing, and a slant toward dirt or gravel. They're not really a road bike, and they're not really a mountain bike - kind of in between. I absolutely love my Explore - it's perfect, and the Yamaha drive is powerful, quiet, and dead reliable. Range is excellent - 5 assist modes I usually ride on 3, and get 50 or so miles of range.
These bikes are a little more sporty, have more aggressive ergos without being a roadie, but not as bolt-upright as a cruiser or city bike, also kind of in between. They're worth a try out for comparison. You may also opt for something different for yourself, or for her, after careful analysis. They don't have to be the same bikes for 'his and hers'.
Another yamaha powered bike worth looking at is their own bike brand, the CrossCore model. Also a rigid fork, but more sporty, and their own mid-drive. And they have a really hot hardtail eMTB the TORQ. Very nice entry to the market, good value. Yamaha is about as solid as one can get for a recreation products manufacturer - everything they make is fantastic.
My Giant Explore with 2.3 tires. This one was $2300 OTD:
All of the big brands have a 'trail' or 'crosscountry' type of ebike with more aggressive tires, a front suspension fork, wider gearing, and a slant toward dirt or gravel. They're not really a road bike, and they're not really a mountain bike - kind of in between. I absolutely love my Explore - it's perfect, and the Yamaha drive is powerful, quiet, and dead reliable. Range is excellent - 5 assist modes I usually ride on 3, and get 50 or so miles of range.
These bikes are a little more sporty, have more aggressive ergos without being a roadie, but not as bolt-upright as a cruiser or city bike, also kind of in between. They're worth a try out for comparison. You may also opt for something different for yourself, or for her, after careful analysis. They don't have to be the same bikes for 'his and hers'.
Another yamaha powered bike worth looking at is their own bike brand, the CrossCore model. Also a rigid fork, but more sporty, and their own mid-drive. And they have a really hot hardtail eMTB the TORQ. Very nice entry to the market, good value. Yamaha is about as solid as one can get for a recreation products manufacturer - everything they make is fantastic.
My Giant Explore with 2.3 tires. This one was $2300 OTD:
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I think if they hadn’t mentioned the Lack of suspension in the con section of the Ebike review, I probably wouldn’t have thought about it (not sure if that is good or bad).
Spoke to Specialized Friday 1/17/2020 They will be releasing a COMO Soon With Front Suspension Fork The Website is Showing Hints of it already : I agree with teh Others Though : I have Dual Sport 4 with A Fork you can activate on the Fly. Rarely Use it : When I do it introduces some Drag https://www.specialized.com/us/en/s...ly-faster/city--urban/turbo-como/c/eturbocomo Go to The Como Section and you can see it in the video as well :
bikeman242
Active Member
Turbo comos sold in europe all have suspension forks and have for years.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
My experience: My version of Turbo Vado 5.0 has a rigid fork and 2" tires. It rides like a dream even offroad, and it takes street bumps , potholes, cracked blacktop and even rural road "paved" with rough stones with no trouble, and yes, I love having comfort. That bike handles uneven terrain far better than one with a cheap suspension fork.
Turbo Como 3.0 has 2.3" tires and it should be even more comfy.
@Ker9: a word of warning. Turbo Como comes with so called "thru-axle" which is a modern and superior solution, but it does not offer a quick release. If you need to remove the front wheel for transportation, that won't be very easy. (It will be harder for a potential thief to remove it as well). Otherwise I would say: "Don't worry, just take a demo ride".
Turbo Como 3.0 has 2.3" tires and it should be even more comfy.
@Ker9: a word of warning. Turbo Como comes with so called "thru-axle" which is a modern and superior solution, but it does not offer a quick release. If you need to remove the front wheel for transportation, that won't be very easy. (It will be harder for a potential thief to remove it as well). Otherwise I would say: "Don't worry, just take a demo ride".
Anne S.
New Member
I was going to buy the Como 4.0 as well, and then I took the Gazelle Ultimate T10 for a test ride. Both bikes are very nice, but I found the T10 to be a little better on rough pavement. It climbs hills very easily, and has suspension. It was a tough choice, but in the end I chose the T10. I recommend taking out for a ride if you have a dealer nearby. There is a review of it here on EBR.
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