21Specializedengineers
in themachineshop
relyona computer
numericalcontrol
machine,which
usesa water-based
coolant,tocreate
prototypebikeparts
onthespot,speeding
updevelopment.TheSL(superlight)
1.1motorwasdeveloped
morerecently,partly
in responsetoTurboS
ridersaskingforan
evenlighterride.Using
magnesiumforthe
motorhousinghelps
reducetheweight.A technicianteststhe
impactofprolonged
pedalingona Turbo
Creoframe.Formoreon
thefutureof
transportation,
visitbloomberg
.com/hyperdrive.Getting Up to Cruising Speed
Pricesrangefrom
$2,300forcruising/
commutingmodels,
upto$13,500for
a performanceSL
lightweightbike.
Assistedspeedscan
reach 28 mph.Interest in all things electric has exploded recently,
says engineering head Chris Yu. “That has landed our
tag line, ‘It’s you, only faster.’ ” All seven of Specialized’s
e-models use technology similar to that developed for
the Turbo S. One change from that first model: The
motor moved from the rear hub to the bottom bracket.
Shifting the weight improves efficiency and handling.
Increasing density in cities and suburbs is one of the factors
pushing electric bikes forward. “It’s not that people won’t
use cars anymore, but they’ll use a car for the trips that
make sense and maybe not buy a second car, and buy an
e-bike instead,” says Ian Kenny, Specialized’s head of global
marketing. “We do believe there’s this moment now, this tipping
point.” —Dimitra Kessenides, photographs by Martin Klimek