Specialized Turbo Tero X 4.0 Review
The Specialized Tero X is an impressive entry in both the ‘active’ and ‘mountain’ ebike categories, demonstrating a remarkable blend of versatility and robust capability. It’s perfectly suited for the daily commute and leisurely rides, yet it holds its own on more adventurous mountain biking trails. This makes the Tero X a top choice for riders looking for a bike that can handle a variety of terrains and tasks with ease.
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Design and Comfort: Built for Accessibility and Tough Trails
The design of the Tero X is notably compact and low-slung, aimed at facilitating easy mounts and dismounts, which is especially handy on challenging trails. The bike’s full-suspension setup, featuring a single-pivot rear end and a RockShox Deluxe R shock, handles 120mm of rear travel smoothly, with preset compression damping to enhance control. This setup allows riders to focus only on adjusting the rebound to suit their riding style.
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The front suspension isn’t slacking either, with a RockShox Recon Silver SL fork that provides 130mm of travel, ensuring a smooth ride across all surfaces. Another intriguing aspect of the Tero X, particularly on larger models, is its mullet wheel setup: a 29-inch wheel on the front and a 27.5-inch at the back. This configuration not only sharpens the handling and improves rear-end clearance but also boosts the rear wheel’s durability.
Versatility in Riding Positions
With its mountain bike roots, the Tero X promotes an upright riding position, ideal for both urban commuting and off-road adventures. The bike’s geometry strikes a balance with a 67-degree head angle for versatility and a 77-degree seat angle that positions the rider optimally over the pedals for efficient power transfer.
Affordable Yet Feature-Packed
The Specialized Tero X 4.0 model stands as the most accessible option within the Tero X line, providing substantial value without compromising on the quality of the frameset and motor system shared across the range. While higher models like the 5.0 and 6.0 offer a larger 750Wh battery, the 4.0’s 530Wh battery is substantial for most needs.
Equipped with a 1x drivetrain, the Tero X 4.0 utilizes SRAM’s SX Eagle technology for shifting and a rear derailleur, paired with a Praxis forged E30 chainset. This setup includes a 38-tooth chainring and a generously ranged 11-50 tooth rear cassette, ensuring that the Tero X is ready for steep climbs and fast sprints alike.
Robust Riding Experience
The Specialized Tero X stands out with its superior shifting quality. Paired with a potent motor, tackling ascents becomes a breeze, assuring you that there’s always enough power and gear to conquer any hill, whether on the road or off the beaten path. The integration of SRAM’s electric mountain bike-specific GR RE hydraulic disc brakes, featuring a large 200mm rotor upfront and a 180mm at the rear, ensures formidable stopping power.
Control and Comfort
Handling is made stable yet responsive thanks to a wide 750mm handlebar and a concise 60mm stem. The RockShox Recon Silver SL fork offers smooth suspension travel, adjustable via a dial for low-speed compression, allowing riders to lock out the fork for efficient uphill rides or smooth pavement journeys. The addition of a TranzX dropper post with a 200mm drop, controlled by a bar-mounted remote, enhances versatility in urban settings and challenging off-road conditions.
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The Tero X is equipped with Specialized’s own Ground Control mountain bike tires, sizing up at a generous 2.75 inches. Practical features include integrated Lezyne lights for visibility, a discreet rear rack, and durable aluminum mudguards, all of which underscore the bike’s readiness for any adventure right out of the box. Comfort is further enhanced by ergonomic grips, a bell, and a kickstand for added convenience.
Sophisticated Motor System
Unlike more abrupt systems, Specialized’s mid-drive 2.0E motor delivers power smoothly, refining the ride quality significantly. While it competes well with more powerful units like the Bosch system found on the Canyon Pathlite:On, it maintains a progressive feel that doesn’t sacrifice raw power for finesse. The handlebar-mounted remote and color screen provide essential ride metrics, including motor workload and pedaling cadence, helping you maintain efficient energy use throughout your ride.
Impressive Range and Smart Technology
In terms of range, the Tero X impresses with its ability to cover substantial distances and elevations on a single charge. Tests show that the bike can handle over 45 miles with significant off-road climbing, rivaling even higher-capacity competitors. The 530Wh battery recharges in under five hours and can be conveniently charged on or off the bike.
Coupling the bike’s capabilities with Specialized’s Mission Control app enhances the experience further. This app not only tracks rides using your phone’s GPS but also allows you to customize the motor’s power settings, diagnose system issues, and keep logs of servicing. For added security, the Turbo lock function pairs your bike with your phone, triggering an alarm and locking the motor system if the bike is moved while you’re away.
