My New Happiness Machine: A Specialized Turbo Ebike that Fell into My Lap at Just the Right Time

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it’s all that matters.”

—Audrey Hepburn

“The way I think about a pedal-assist electric bike is that it’s just like I’m riding a regular bicycle, but with the fantastic illusion that I’ve magically gained the superhuman fitness of a Tour De France rider overnight (without the steroids-my emphasis:).

—Jimmy from Skirack Bike Department

I hadn’t planned on buying a new bike. I was happy with my sporty little black Sondors E-bike with the red wheel rims that I purchased online four years ago that impressionable young boys and girls would point at as I was zipping by and say, “daddy look at that!” The tipping point came when a Sondors' tech support person based on looking at photos provided by Arthur Rodriguez, my mechanical bike repair specialist determined that the internal parts of my rear hub-based motor had excessive corrosion. This was causing the wheel to annoyingly squeal resulting in a recommendation to replace the motor.

Meanwhile, in the words of Denzel Washington who played Frank Lucas in American Gangster, “My man” James (Jimi) Hunter who got me into Ebiking was aware of the situation. For some time now he has been urging me to upgrade to a high performance bike with local support. I resisted. But given the supply chain issues exacerbated by the pandemic and the frequency of how much I ride (six to seven days a week), he knew this was the ideal time for me to make the change.

Jimi found a listing on Craig’s list for a Specialized Turbo Como 5.0 with only 80 miles on it. He encouraged me to move on it quickly, since there were a shortage of bikes out there and I would save a $1000 from the current retail price and taxes. Unlike the Sondor’s Hub-Drive system, the Turbo is a Mid-Drive motor that resides within the frame and modulates how the power is delivered by providing a seamless, silky smooth, natural ride. The motor is simply an extension of my own strength (a force multiplier if you will). It senses exactly how I am pedaling. Whether it is slowly, quickly, with a little or a lot of power, and reacts accordingly. It is twenty pounds lighter than the Sonders. It is made of Aluminum alloy and is a great cruising bike with a high capacity battery allowing it to go 28 MPH. It can climb a steep hill before you realize you just passed it and you can adust the gear settings for a more or less workout.

There is a rear light at the end fo the back fender, a supernova headlight and comfortable seat deserving of someone like myself that rides over a hundred miles a week. The irony is that the Turbo Como I wound up purchasing is the same model and style as my biking buddy and neighbor, Bill Rothenberg, though one year newer and with some nice enhancements.

I feel so grateful to have a great support system (my posse) for what has become my favorite activity since the pandemic. My bike repair specialist Arthur who will replace the motor on my Sondors which I will put up for sale; my biking buddy Bill who always has my back and has shown me so many short cuts in and around our neighborhood and beyond, and Jimi whom you can always rely on for wise biking advice even when you are not ready to receive it.