Specialized Turbo Vado/Como/Tero/Tero X User Club

[abpdx]

Let me help clear a few things up!

2019 Vado and Como 3.0 are both class 3 bikes with the 1.2 motor, 460wh battery. Identical to the 2020 Vado and Como 4.0 (como now comes with fenders), save for a larger battery.

2020 Vado and Como 3.0 are basically the 2019 2.0 models, all class 1. The 2020 model gets the 1.2e motor which isn't as powerful as the 1.2 motor

Does that help?

I have spoken with two bike shops in my state (Oregon) who both say that the 2020 vado is a class 3 bike.

 

[Rando]

I have spoken with two bike shops in my state (Oregon) who both say that the 2020 vado is a class 3 bike.

As a 4 month owner of the 2020 Vado 3.0, it is definitely a class 3. I live in US/Massachusetts.
Interesting is that a class 1 sticker came with the bike, but class 3 sticker on bike. On the flats reasonably easy to hit 21-22 mph in eco mode with factory settings. 25 + requires a jump to sport or turbo in 9th gear for this 74 year old & you are working @ it. Love to overtake the youngsters on road bikes spinning @ a furious rate....a real equalizer & a reminder of younger days before eBikes.
With eBike, no excuse to ride on windy days, heat, etc. Brose motor does encourage spinning over 80 rpms for best efficiency as stated by Stephan Mike. Thanks again to all on this forum as it has been very informative across so many areas!!!

 

[Billperry]

Brose motor does encourage spinning over 80 rpms for best efficiency as stated by Stephan Mike.

My Doc claims that fast spinning caused my Trochanteric Bursitis. Treated and gone. But now I let the motor carry more of the load instead of seeking the highest efficiency. It would be nice if Brose adjusted the gearing somewhat.

 

[PaD]

Brendon, if you could recommend some nice suspension fork for Vado, one available in aftermarket, I would be grateful. NB: It shouldn't change the geometry and be compatible with 100 x 15 mm thru-axle.

Perhaps a suspension stem could provide some comfort?

ShockStop Suspension Stem

The minimal design of the ShockStop Stem blends seamlessly with the aesthetic of modern bikes, while reducing fatigue and strain. Along with the ShockStop Suspension Seatpost, this system works together to suspend the rider and smooth out rough terrain on the bike you already own, making your...

redshiftsports.com

I rode a Specialized Creo Carbon Comp Evo with a Future Shock 2.0 stem for a day. Didn’t do any ”offroad” but the short suspension travel smoothed the ride.
For all Vados the suspension fork seems to be the same Suntour NCX 25 with 50mm travel.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Perhaps a suspension stem could provide some comfort?

It's a tempting idea, Peranders, as the front wheel in my Vado is the unusual (read: specialized) 12x100 thru-axle. It looks nobody makes matching suspension forks, and replacing or rebuilding the front wheel appears impractical. I need to look to the suspension stem very carefully. Luckily, the headlamp and the TCD-W are handlebars-mounted now, and the Specialized stem looks replaceable...

P.S. Forget it. TCD-W is integrated with the Specialized Stealth stem in the Vado 6.0-style e-bike.

 

[BarryS]

It's a tempting idea, Peranders, as the front wheel in my Vado is the unusual (read: specialized) 12x100 thru-axle. It looks nobody makes matching suspension forks, and replacing or rebuilding the front wheel appears impractical. I need to look to the suspension stem very carefully. Luckily, the headlamp and the TCD-W are handlebars-mounted now, and the Specialized stem looks replaceable...

P.S. Forget it. TCD-W is integrated with the Specialized Stealth stem in the Vado 6.0-style e-bike.

Maybe your forgot this :

Fork upgrade for 2020 Turbo Vado 5

SR Suntour is recommending the Mobie 25 or Mobie 45 (for heavier riders) as an upgrade to the NCX E25 fork that comes stock: https://www.srsuntour.us/products/mobie45-air-lor-ds-15qlc32-700c?variant=44609033358 I've already bottomed out the fork a couple of times in rough spots at speed, and...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Maybe your forgot this :

Fork upgrade for 2020 Turbo Vado 5

SR Suntour is recommending the Mobie 25 or Mobie 45 (for heavier riders) as an upgrade to the NCX E25 fork that comes stock: https://www.srsuntour.us/products/mobie45-air-lor-ds-15qlc32-700c?variant=44609033358 I've already bottomed out the fork a couple of times in rough spots at speed, and...

electricbikereview.com

Quote: 15x100 Qloc2 axle design only. Unquote.

My front wheel is 12x100. Ye Goode Olde Specialized...

 

[abpdx]

As a 4 month owner of the 2020 Vado 3.0, it is definitely a class 3. I live in US/Massachusetts.
Interesting is that a class 1 sticker came with the bike, but class 3 sticker on bike. On the flats reasonably easy to hit 21-22 mph in eco mode with factory settings. 25 + requires a jump to sport or turbo in 9th gear for this 74 year old & you are working @ it. Love to overtake the youngsters on road bikes spinning @ a furious rate....a real equalizer & a reminder of younger days before eBikes.
With eBike, no excuse to ride on windy days, heat, etc. Brose motor does encourage spinning over 80 rpms for best efficiency as stated by Stephan Mike. Thanks again to all on this forum as it has been very informative across so many areas!!!

I would love to get an idea of the "range" you get on the 3.0. I'm thinking I could overcome the torque and hill climbing by using a higher assist level, but that would definitely impact range. Thanks in advance.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I would love to get an idea of the "range" you get on the 3.0. I'm thinking I could overcome the torque and hill climbing by using a higher assist level, but that would definitely impact range. Thanks in advance.

I'm not Rando but I can tell you the battery range mostly depends on the rider's power input and on too many factors to give the definitive answer. Yet, for anybody concerned with the Vado range, the UI-600 Specialized battery (including a separately ordered cover) is available for less than US$1000, it fits all Vados and Comos, and solves the range issue for good

P.S. To illustrate the issue, I can only tell you my brother rode for 75 miles using 450 Wh of battery but it is something not doable for most of us mortals...

 

[Rando]

I would love to get an idea of the "range" you get on the 3.0. I'm thinking I could overcome the torque and hill climbing by using a higher assist level, but that would definitely impact range. Thanks in advance.

What Stephan said is true. I have done some 20 & 30 mile rides with a mix of usage (settings) depending on weather( wind), hills, time allotted for ride & never worried about enough battery. Also used to electric battery usage as I drive a Model 3 Tesla. Range anxiety is lessened with prior planning. Extra battery as expressed by Stephan Mike is a good plan B to probably ride further than you might want with both batteries.

 

[Sierratim]

Quote: 15x100 Qloc2 axle design only. Unquote.

My front wheel is 12x100. Ye Goode Olde Specialized...

Am I seeing new carbon wheels in your future so you can also use a 15mm through axle? I do love spending other people's money, should have a politician...

 

[Marcela]

Flat tire on a carbon rim=ugh!

 

[bentdoc]

I'm not Rando but I can tell you the battery range mostly depends on the rider's power input and on too many factors to give the definitive answer. Yet, for anybody concerned with the Vado range, the UI-600 Specialized battery (including a separately ordered cover) is available for less than US$1000, it fits all Vados and Comos, and solves the range issue for good

P.S. To illustrate the issue, I can only tell you my brother rode for 75 miles using 450 Wh of battery but it is something not doable for most of us mortals...

For sure. I rode 33.5 miles on my Como 4.0 last week using only about 25% of the battery. But....I had dialed down assist to 15% (was riding with a friend on an analog bike) with minimal climbing. Only 171Wh were used.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Extra battery as expressed by Stephan Mike is a good plan B to probably ride further than you might want with both batteries.

I even meant just replacing the 460 Wh battery with the 604 one, with the immediate extension of the range. Of course, the best strategy would be rotating both batteries (one for shorter and another for longer rides) that would result in the batteries' longevity.

But....I had dialed down assist to 15% (was riding with a friend on an analog bike) with minimal climbing. Only 171Wh were used.

Exactly my experience, only I set the assistance to 25/25 to finally get down to 20/20 at the end of the ride. 375 Wh of battery were used for 77.5 km (48 miles).

Am I seeing new carbon wheels in your future so you can also use a 15mm through axle? I do love spending other people's money, should have a politician...

Haha! And an air fork for sure!

Flat tire on a carbon rim=ugh!

This!

 

[Sierratim]

I even meant just replacing the 460 Wh battery with the 604 one, with the immediate extension of the range. Of course, the best strategy would be rotating both batteries (one for shorter and another for longer rides) that would result in the batteries' longevity.


Exactly my experience, only I set the assistance to 25/25 to finally get down to 20/20 at the end of the ride. 375 Wh of battery were used for 77.5 km (48 miles).



Haha! And an air fork for sure!


This!

But I'd heard cyclists don't get flats in Poland? Clean streets and thornless trails...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

But I'd heard cyclists don't get flats in Poland? Clean streets and thornless trails...

S**t happens everywhere
Of course you Tim would spend my money on TUBELESS CARBON wheels

 

[Nxkharra]

I even meant just replacing the 460 Wh battery with the 604 one, with the immediate extension of the range. Of course, the best strategy would be rotating both batteries (one for shorter and another for longer rides) that would result in the batteries' longevity.


Exactly my experience, only I set the assistance to 25/25 to finally get down to 20/20 at the end of the ride. 375 Wh of battery were used for 77.5 km (48 miles).



Haha! And an air fork for sure!


This!

@Stefan Mikes what do you think it takes to add a range extender to turbo Vado? Like the one turbo Vado SL has? I know for one you need an inlet to the motor.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Stefan Mikes what do you think it takes to add a range extender to turbo Vado? Like the one turbo Vado SL has? I know for one you need an inlet to the motor.

Can't be done. The SL is differently designed. Besides, the SL rider can take 320 + 160 = 480 Wh on board, and the main battery cannot be replaced, while we may have 604 Wh in the frame and carry as many batteries in panniers as the panniers can withstand

 

[BarryS]

At least in the USA Good luck even finding an extra battery : Unless I am doing something wrong . I can't even locate Batteries on the Specialized Webpage for USA

It appears just like the Bike You can't order a Battery from a different state : Even if you pay the Hazmat Fee : That is Ludacris :: For cripe sake I talked to a Dealer who tells me he has batteries in Stock he hasn't moved : Yet can't ship one ??? That is Utterly Stupid :

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Talk with your LBS Barry.