Specialized Turbo Como Review, 2023 | Electric Bike Report

A common question people ask when shopping for a new e-bike is, “How many miles will the battery last?” There is no exact number because it involves external factors such as rider weight, which PAS level is being used, are there hills, do the tires have the correct PSI, etc.

We do two range tests to measure the battery’s ability to travel in the maximum PAS level, the Turbo mode on this e-bike, and at the minimum PAS, the Eco mode. We are happy to report that this e-bike satisfied Specialized’s claim that it can travel 37 miles in Turbo mode before the battery ran out of juice. But it fell far short on the minimum PAS test, taking our rider, TJ, just under 63 miles. That is still a decent range compared to similar e-bikes. Considering most riders who will buy this e-bike are people who want to actively engage in the pedal process, they will likely be satisfied with the range as well.

To achieve longer range for e-bikes, manufacturers like Specialized are finding more advantages with using mid-drive motors instead of hub motors. Hub motors face direct resistance from the tires rolling on the road, whereas mid-drive motors face resistance from the chain or belt that drives the rear wheel. Hub motors run regardless of any pedal assistance, whereas mid-drive motors require pedal assistance. So, in essence, you get more miles out of your battery by having to pedal more.

Another benefit of having the mid-drive motor is weight. Getting more miles per watt-hour on the battery means you can travel farther with a battery that weighs less than one you would use for a hub motor. Lighter weight on the bike means easier to handle, and the bike brakes stop quicker. Therefore, the reduced weight gives this e-bike added safety.

Most e-bike riders don’t select a bike primarily based on its hill climbing ability. But we still test for this because most riders will face hills at some point, so it’s helpful for them to know how well their e-bike will perform.

Since mid-drive motor performance is tied more closely to pedal assistance from the rider, the grading on hill climb ability for mid-drives, compared to hub drives, is sort of like comparing apples to oranges. The missing component is rider skill and strength.

Regardless, the Turbo Como 3.0 performed fairly well compared to other comfortable commuter bikes that don’t have a mid-drive motor. We can attribute this partly to this bike’s powerful motor, belt-driven gear efficiency, and its lighter weight. One comment we often hear from active riders is how they prefer mid-drives over hub motors on hill climbs because of the higher torque.

As a mid-drive, having more torque than a hub drive means the Turbo Como 3.0 accelerates better from a stop and helps the rider climb hills more efficiently in battery usage. Earlier I mentioned how these motors enable the battery to last longer – it also uses less battery power than hub motors when climbing hills. For many riders this is a fair trade: higher torque for better acceleration and more battery range, in exchange for motor-assisted top speed.

In typical fashion for a Specialized bike, the Turbo Como 3.0 stopped very well. You might’ve thought differently when seeing the the front discs are smaller than the rear discs. But this bike’s lighter weight plays an important role in helping the brakes stop sooner. It’s important to remember, weight plays a dominant role in influencing braking performance – important to remember whenever you carry cargo or a child on your bike.

Earlier I mentioned how the Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 rides so smoothly. This e-bike stops smoothly as well. You want this from a commuter bike that’s meant to be comfortable and easy to control.

If you’re wondering about why the front rotors are smaller on this bike, part of it has to do with rider habits. Most riders are taught to avoid using the front brake very much, for fear of locking the front wheel and going over the handlebar. The other reason is you don’t want to use too much front brake because it reduces your control of the bike, especially steering. If you need to make an evasive stop, you want to be able to steer away from the thing you’re trying to avoid. Additionally, when you carry cargo or a child, that’s more weight on the rear, thus requiring a larger disc for greater stopping power.

Much of this review has covered how comfortable the Turbo Como 3.0 is to ride. Specialized is a global leader in research and development of bike designs. When they decided to create this bike with comfort as a priority, they put their team to task to explore all the factors that can affect riding comfort. I noticed that immediately when I started riding this e-bike, and I think you wil, too.

Besides the frame ergonomics, other key features smoothing the ride are the 80mm SR Suntour Mobie A32 suspension forks, Body Geometry Comfort Gel saddle, and the 27.5” x 2.25” tires. Each part works superbly with the other parts to create a whole suspension piece that awards the rider with a comfortable ride.

Capping the bike’s comfort is the cockpit layout. Everything from the grips, to the 680mm handlebar width, to the levers and LCD display screen and controls makes this bike comfortable to control. There is nothing confusing about changing the PAS setting, or getting information such as miles ridden or battery range. The cockpit is arranged so that even a rider with very little experience can feel comfortable controlling.

With some e-bikes we can sometimes say, “different strokes for different folks,” meaning not everyone will love every bike we review. But in the case of the Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 IGH, I think it’s safe to say that after you ride it and get to know it, you will agree it’s an awesome e-bike.

The mid-drive motor and Enviolo internal gear hub pairing is a real game-changer. The Como 3.0 IGH runs so smoothly, so much so that you’ll agree that Specialized had to have put in some serious time designing and testing this motor and drivetrain setup. Like I mentioned before, this is an e-bike for people who like to pedal – no throttle. Even though I like throttles (and would’ve liked testing this bike with a throttle), I have to say that this e-bike is great to ride as it stands. A throttle might actually take away part of what makes this a great bike.

Riding this Turbo Como 3.0 you can feel the scientific perfection that created the comfortable seating and ergonomics. I found this to be one of the most comfortable electric bikes I’ve ever ridden. This e-bike is easy to sit on, easy to pedal away, and easy to have an enjoyable ride on.

Topping off the above mentioned benefits is Specialized’s long history of being rider-friendly. Looking back at their accomplishments, like being the first company to mass-produce mountain bikes, to developing a saddle that protects men riders better, to building bikes that ride better and last longer, Specialized once again shows their commitment to meeting rider needs with the Turbo Como 3.0 IGH.

Hopefully you found this article helpful in detailing the key parts of the Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 IGH, and helped you decide if this e-bike is a fit for you. If you haven’t already subscribed to the Electric Bike Report for updates on new e-bikes and related material, please sign up today. If you have any questions or comments related to this electric bike, then please let us know what you think and we’ll be happy to get back to you. Thanks for reading and we hope you keep checking out our site.

‘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 Como 3.0.