Specialized Turbo Tero X 5.0 E-Bike Review 2024

When we test e-bikes with mid-drive motors one consistent result we find is that they make more efficient use of their batteries. It makes the batteries look like they are hitting above their weight. The Specialized Turbo Tero X 5.0 is equipped with a 710Wh battery. Generally any time we see the battery watt/hours exceed the nominal wattage of a motor, the range numbers tend to impress.

The Specialized Turbo Tero X 5.0 did impress.

In Turbo mode our test rider covered 36 mi. before the battery died. That’s not a misprint: 36 mi. in Turbo. Not only that, the Turbo Tero X 5.0 covered that distance in just 1:32 for an average speed of 23.5 mph. Not remotely shabby, though to be fair, we should not that our test rider is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 150 lbs. Riders heavier shouldn’t expect the same results, but still very good.

In Eco mode, our test rider covered 74 mi. in 5:09 for an average speed of 14.3 mph.

Anybody with range anxiety can rest easy. 36 – 74 mi. is more than enough to handle any one day’s worth of riding be it commuting or exploring. And as an added bonus, even for a 61 lbs. e-bike it actually pedal really well with no battery too, so if you forget to charge it one day before work it’s not crazy to imagine still riding in.

Our hill test is the sort of ascent that people would avoid if either, A: they lacked an e-bike or B: had common sense. While it’s only a third of a mile long, it averages 12 percent in grade, which is to say that there are some short sections that are steeper than that.

Commuters will rejoice to see that the Turbo Tero X can make it up an extreme such as Hell Hole. In either it’s Eco or Turbo mode a rider can get to the top while still being able to keep up a conversation with somebody riding next to them – a little breathy, but not huffing and puffing either. And thanks to the full suspension setup, you’ll be more comfortable than on most other e-bikes when hitting the hills.

The tagline for the motor from Specialized is “3X You” and that feels about right. It won’t replace you on hills and if you find a huge one you’ll still feel it, but nowhere to the degree you would on a traditional bike. Overall, you’ll be able to climb most any hill you come across and you’ll be happy with what the motor can do to help you.

The SRAM Code R hydraulic disc brakes feature a four-piston design and are paired with a 203mm rotor front and 180mm rotor rear. For the rider willing to steer through a skid, this is an e-bike that can offer even greater stopping power, and out on the trail it will deliver just the sort of control to allow someone to negotiate a steep descent.

The brake system was pushed pretty hard on some of our local MTB trails. There was no squeaking, it had great modulation, all the stopping power I needed when going down even steep rollers. Simply put: the brakes get two thumbs up from me.

The Specialized Turbo Tero X 5.0 is unusual among e-bikes because it excels at two things, not one. As a commuter, its Class 3 performance will make short work of the ride to work. And because it simultaneously serves a capable eMTB, the 130mm-travel fork and 120mm-travel rear suspension, and the 200mm dropper post—a range that puts it firmly in the “trail” category—mean it will soak up rocks and bumps like any capable eMTB should. That travel also means that a work commute will be more comfortable than most other Class 3 commuters. Compared to other Specialized e-bikes we’ve reviewed, at 60 lbs., the Turbo Tero X 5.0 is rather heavy, but with the suspension set up correctly, and the help of the 2.0’s motor, the rider really won’t feel that weight except in tight turns. Some of that extra weight comes in accessories that the rider focused on off-road use can remove if necessary: fenders, rear rack and kickstand.

The fact that the Turbo Tero X 5.0 features two different wheel sizes may find this surprising, but there’s a reason for it. The setup, which involves a 29-in. wheel in front and a 27.5-in. wheel in the rear—which is called a mullet. This setup gives riders the advantage that comes with 29-in. wheels enjoy for riding over obstacles, while not sacrificing all of the maneuverability that comes with a 27.5-in. wheel.

Explaining the difference between the handling of the Turbo Tero X 5.0 as compared to the fat-tire e-bikes that typically split the difference between commuting and off-road exploration is like trying to explain green to someone who is colorblind. Specialized has long held a reputation for mountain bikes and eMTBs that handle in a way that makes the machine feel like an extension of the rider. They’ve pulled off that most difficult of tricks—making an e-bike that is nimble without being nervous. The Turbo Tero X handles more technical terrain pretty well, albeit not in the same league as its sibling the Turbo Levo.

While Specialized doesn’t offer the Turbo Tero X 5.0 in the six sizes they produce their high-end eMTBs in, they do offer it in four distinct sizes, which should give a comfortable fit to riders from 5 feet 1 up to 6 feet 5.

The Turbo Tero X 5.0 is spec’d with an alloy bar—not the carbon fiber found on some of their high-end eMTBs. This adds an extra dollop of both weight and durability, while helping to prevent this e-bike from growing too expensive. The lock-on grips are of excellent quality and comfortable enough to ride without gloves. The Turbo Connect Display features a full-color LCD display mounted at the stem. The numbers are large enough to be easy to read, even by people who need glasses.

The Specialized Bridge Sport saddle may look rather minimal to riders accustomed to the larger seats found on many e-bikes, but Specialized has made good saddle design a priority for more than 20 years at this point. This is a saddle that offers terrific support while not restricting the rider’s pedal stroke. Commuters will find the dropper seatpost to be a surprising benefit. After rolling up to a light, simply lower the saddle and the rider can place both feet flat on the ground and then raise the saddle as they pedal away from the signal.

The fenders don’t offer much clearance over the tires. In dry or wet conditions, that won’t be a problem, but for off-road riding in mud, we anticipate that these fenders will pack up with mud in a hurry – and if there is anything Specialized can do to make them quicker and easier to put on and off that would make us ecstatic.

The rear rack is ideal for adding a pannier (saddle bag) to keep from wearing a backpack for a work commute. Or for lugging around more than a backpack alone can accomodate.

We found the pedals to be perfect for city riding where handling isn’t critical, but for off-road riding, we didn’t think they offered enough grip and swapped them with a different set for our excursions on the trails.

One benefit of buying a Specialized e-bike is their smartphone app, Mission Control. MC allows riders to adjust a number of motor performance parameters, giving riders an e-bike that better responds to their riding style, but the app’s greatest strength is the security it offers riders. It allows GPS tracking of the e-bike’s location and the e-bike’s owner can even disable the motor should thieves do the unthinkable. Because the Turbo Tero X 5.0 features a mid-drive motor, disabling the motor disables the e-bike; the pedals will spin, but they won’t turn the chainring, eliminating the chance for a speedy getaway.

It’s more than just a capable commuter – it’s an excellent commuter that is powerful, comfortable, and is a joy to ride every morning to the office.

It’s also a very capable cross country e-bike that makes riding easier single track fun again even for the not-so-often weekend warrior.

Given that you can go from the office to the trails, the Turbo Tero X then opens up a whole other range of adventure opportunities. And it does so with just ONE (1) bike, not two or three.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions down in our comments section or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Specialized Turbo Tero X 5.0.