A cargo bike had been the missing piece in Specialized’s product portfolio. The introduction of the new Porto longtail cargo ebike is ready to fill that gap and complete the Specialized range. During our visit to the Specialized Turbo Unit in the Swiss town of Cham, we had the opportunity to test their latest addition and find out why this cargo ebike is so important to the brand.
Nobody refuses an invitation to Specialized’s hallowed halls, the Turbo development centre in Cham, Switzerland. After each meeting, you’re a fair bit more knowledgeable and you get a sneak preview of the upcoming products. Last year, our E-MOUNTAINBIKE crew visited the centre to see what was cooking in the sports sector. This time Specialized’s Product and Category Managers – Dominik, Mattia, Vincent, Christoph and Stephan – took the time to show the DOWNTOWN team every angle of the new Porto cargo ebike.
from 39.9 kg in One Size |starting from € 6,500 | Manufacturer’s website
From a commercial point of view, the cargo bike segment is of secondary importance to Specialized. The expected sales figures are not particularly promising compared to models such as the Turbo Levo. From a strategic point of view, however, the cargo bike market is crucial for the Turbo Unit in Switzerland: Specialized want to be the brand of choice for all bikers.
After a long period of development, the Specialized Porto finally sees the light of day. It is the missing piece in the Specialized mosaic, the final element to fulfil the last remaining dream of die-hard bike fans.
Read the full review on DOWNTOWN-Mag.com
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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Robin Schmitt
