Specialized Turbo E Bikes: Any "Class 1" Machines?

[timacn]

I'm looking to get a new ebike. I like Specialized Ebikes, particularly the Vado, but want something that I can ride on both the road and on bike paths without
fear of being hassled. Most of the Vados I see are Class 3 bikes, but I have heard that there are some Class 1 Vados out there.

I would want to stick to the maximum 20mph Class 1 assisted limit so I could do bike paths without worry.

Could anybody give me any information or insights on this subject?

Thanks for your help.

 

[rich c]

Have you ever seen anyone pulled over and had their sticker checked? I've ridden maybe 9,500 miles on a class 3, no one has even remotely asked.

 

[timacn]

Hey Rich. I get what you're saying. You can easily go 20+ on a regular bike, so the restriction doesn't really make sense to me. Just asking for info. I don't really have any need to go 28mph on a bike path anyway. (maybe if a bear or wild dog was chasing me...). Some of the bikes I like, though, might not be available as Class 1 machines.

 

[Art Deco]

I'm looking to get a new ebike. I like Specialized Ebikes, particularly the Vado, but want something that I can ride on both the road and on bike paths without
fear of being hassled. Most of the Vados I see are Class 3 bikes, but I have heard that there are some Class 1 Vados out there.

I would want to stick to the maximum 20mph Class 1 assisted limit so I could do bike paths without worry.

Could anybody give me any information or insights on this subject?

Thanks for your help.

I think that for the new model year(2020) the Como 3 (my bike) is the only class 1 available in the USA. There were class 1 Vados still available last year here and there may still be available in Europe. The Como/Vado bikes look identical class1 or class3, so Specialized can set a software speed limit up or down to change classes and they have done that before.

The Como3 and Vado3 are really nice bikes, but don't quite climb as well as the more expensive, more powerfull but less efficient motor in the Como/Vado 4 and 5. The Como3 is no slouch, but It isn't the speed that matters from my point of view, it's hill climbing ability. If you ride a less hilly area than I do, you can save many hundreds of dollars and not miss much with the Como3. But if you want to ride a Como/Vado 4 on trails, I don't believe anyone will care. 2 cents.

 

[Art Deco]

Forgot to mention that I am on the Susquehana in central Pennsylvania, and am neither skilled nor skinny but still climb serious hills, but with serious efforts . YMMV.

 

[rochrunner]

I can turn my Class 3 Vado 4.0 into a Class 1 by just affixing the Class 1 sticker they so conveniently included in my document packet.

 

[Art Deco]

And it is just as legal any other sticker...

 

[Nubnub]

It will be interesting to see if the Class 1/3 distinction will ever become an enforcement issue. Right now e-bikes are still relatively rare but I see plenty of >15 mph scooters/skateboards/etc on dedicated bikepaths (as well as my Class 3 Vado SL) The Open Space district in the SF Bay Area is contemplating allowing E-bikes on some paths currently closed to e-bikes with the restriction that they be Class 1. Again, not sure how much enforcement would be. But in the event it does become an issue I wonder if specialized would offer a detuning downgrade kit where the bike in the US is limited to Class 1 speeds and they give u a sticker .

 

[GaleL]

Have you ever seen anyone pulled over and had their sticker checked? I've ridden maybe 9,500 miles on a class 3, no one has even remotely asked.

Do the Specialized Turbo Comos have stickers on them?

 

[Art Deco]

Do the Specialized Turbo Comos have stickers on them?

Yes. Some actually have both a class 3 and a class 1 sticker in the box.

 

[mschwett]

If one believes the class 1/3 thing makes any sense at all, it would actually make sense for a class 3 bike like the vado or creo to have a switch to put it in "class 1" mode... given that the class distinction doesn't specify a maximum power which any of specialized's bikes exceed. a vado sl or vado or creo sl running different software is entirely compliant with the class 1 limits as long as said software cuts off the juice at 20mph.

the european requirements for the 45kph bikes are, of course, a whole different ball of wax. but in the US...

 

[GaleL]

Yes. Some actually have both a class 3 and a class 1 sticker in the box.

Are those stickers given to the purchasers of the bikes?

 

[Art Deco]

Are those stickers given to the purchasers of the bikes?

IDK. Mine was attached to the frame.

 

[GaleL]

IDK. Mine was attached to the frame.

I couldn't find one on the frame of the Specialized bike I just today put a down payment on. I think the Class stickers is a requirement in the US, but not here in Canada. I spoke to three bike store managers here and none of them have heard of these stickers! Of course, the mechanics in the back who take the boxes apart might have seen the stickers, but I probably won't get one given to me because salesmen are, well, salesmen.

 

[Art Deco]

Yeah, I think the 3 class thing is just USA. And not everywhere even in the USA , maybe.

 

[GaleL]

Yeah, I think the 3 class thing is just USA. And not everywhere even in the USA , maybe.

I called a shop here and he said all e-bikes sold in the Vancouver, BC area are Class 1 by definition and by law, although they don't seem to have any labels.

 

[Art Deco]

That sort of makes sense. All bikes set to the same speed limit and throttle vs pedal assist doesn't matter either. Simple,

 

[Art Deco]

I almost forgot....
Congratulations on your new bike and welcome to the Turbo Vado Como Owners Club

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

Majority of EBR Forum owners of Specialized e-bikes ride either a Turbo Vado or a Como. This is natural, as these two major models have been designed for an average cyclist. Turbo Levo and Kenevo are technical ride stuff, discussed on e-MTB fora. Creo is for road cycling fanatics :) It is...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I wish I had U.S. "e-bike class issues" headache here in Europe...

A typical conversation when I am at stop and someone spots the number plate on my Vado:
-- A registered bike? How come?!
-- It is a speed e-bike that is assisted up to 45 km/h... Technically, a moped.
-- Meaning, you de-restricted it?
-- No, it is a speed e-bike, made that way by the factory. It would not get the number plate otherwise...

Now, it is technically infeasible to remove the number plate support, as it has integrated rack, tail-light and STOP indicator. And the number plate is permanently lit.

 

[GaleL]

I wish I had U.S. "e-bike class issues" headache here in Europe...

A typical conversation when I am at stop and someone spots the number plate on my Vado:
-- A registered bike? How come?!
-- It is a speed e-bike that is assisted up to 45 km/h... Technically, a moped.
-- Meaning, you de-restricted it?
-- No, it is a speed e-bike, made that way by the factory. It would not get the number plate otherwise...

Now, it is technically infeasible to remove the number plate support, as it has integrated rack, tail-light and STOP indicator. And the number plate is permanently lit.

Wow!