A new Vado 5.0 with Como 5.0 handlebars-an experiment

GuruUno

GuruUno

Well-Known Member
Being I had the opportunity to ride a new 2022 Vado 5.0 IGH for a few weeks before I brought it back I can say putting my disappointment aside with the whole IGH not meeting my expectations, other than that the bike was phenomenal handling bike. Very agile, precise, balanced, and nimble. I just loved the way it felt. The LBS mechanic said, "geometry".
So now I have the new 2022 Como 5.0. Overall, I can say it is probably one of the most comfortable riding bikes I've ever had. The performance is spectacular. I love it. However, it doesn't have that same Vado 5.0 feel I love.
I'm happy to ride it until I figure out how to get the Como handlebar setup onto the Vado and then to see if all of the positive feelings remain the same. I think it will.
Unfortunately, Specialized won't sell the proprietary handlebar Como setup so that would mean in order to experiment, I'd have to buy the Vado and do the swap on my own (or ask the LBS to do it for me if they would).
A very expensive experiment, but doable, right?
So let's say it is what I want it to be, the perfect everything machine. I'd no longer care about owning my Vado 5.0 SL (I much rather prefer the 4X me than the 2X me) and with Smart Control I can see me tweaking 65-70 miles if managed properly.
Then I'd also have a new 2022 Como 5.0 to sell with the regular previous year (2021) Como handlebars.
Crazy, expensive, but desirable.
I'm going to be 71 in a few weeks, gotta do it before I die.
Damn, I'd also consider putting the new 2.2 motor on the SL, if it would only fit, now THAT might be a killer ride.
 
After I've read your rather complicated post Guru I would like to ask you if I understand you correctly:
  • You want to buy a new Vado and fit the new Como bars onto it?
An experiment is just an experiment however expensive it is. Don't you, however, think the Vado riding properties result from the total e-bike geometry including the stem/bars? Because fitting Como bars onto the Vado would have shifted your body into more upright position and then the
GuruUno said:
Very agile, precise, balanced, and nimble.
Click to expand...
properties could be lost.

Let me tell you an anecdote from a quite different department. In 2008, I bought a "50th Anniversary" Fender Telecaster guitar. It was made very closely to the original design of Leo Fender, only the previous owner had nicely modded the guitar with a black pickguard on white body; and he swapped original pickups for the Noiseless ones. All good.

Having never owned a Tele before, I was disappointed with many design features of that particular guitar (making it difficult to setup, for instance). I was especially disappointed with the original bridge, in which three saddles served setting the intonation, two strings per a saddle. The 3-saddle Fender bridge design always kept three individual strings slightly out of tune! So I bought a modern six-saddle Fender bridge and replaced the original. Guess what? My Tele lost its famous "Twang!" tone completely! Because the "Twang!" comes from wrongly intonated strings!

Now, why take a risk? Your new Vado could handle as a dream but lose the properties with the Como bars! I know, you wouldn't rest until you try. Only do not bash Specialized later, please :) (Another analogy is to buy a road bike then replace the drop bars and the entire groupset to make a flat handlebars bike - nobody does it).
--------
Fitting a 2.2 motor into an SL? Good luck. As practical as trying to fit a car engine into a motorbike :) And that wouldn't work at all as the motor, controller and battery form a system (but you would like to mix two different systems). Your idea is as practical as taking a Mac processor and fitting it into a PC...
 
Last edited:
Stefan Mikes said:
After I've read your rather complicated post Guru I would like to ask you if I understand you correctly:
  • You want to buy a new Vado and fit the new Como bars onto it?
An experiment is just an experiment however expensive it is. Don't you, however, think the Vado riding properties result from the total e-bike geometry including the stem/bars? Because fitting Como bars onto the Vado would have shifted your body into more upright position and then the

properties could be lost.

Let me tell you an anecdote from a quite different department. In 2008, I bought a "50th Anniversary" Fender Telecaster guitar. It was made very closely to the original design of Leo Fender, only the previous owner had nicely modded the guitar with a black pickguard on white body; and he swapped original pickups for the Noiseless ones. All good.

Having never owned a Tele before, I was disappointed with many design features of that particular guitar (making it difficult to setup, for instance). I was especially disappointed with the original bridge, in which three saddles served setting the intonation, two strings per a saddle. The 3-saddle Fender bridge design always kept three individual strings slightly out of tune! So I bought a modern six-saddle Fender bridge and replaced the original. Guess what? My Tele lost its famous "Twang!" tone completely! Because the "Twang!" comes from wrongly intonated strings!

Now, why take a risk? Your new Vado could handle as a dream but lose the properties with the Como bars! I know, you wouldn't rest until you try. Only do not bash Specialized later, please :) (Another analogy is to buy a road bike then replace the drop bars and the entire groupset to make a flat handlebars bike - nobody does it).
--------
Fitting a 2.2 motor into an SL? Good luck. As practical as trying to fit a car engine into a motorbike :) And that wouldn't work at all as the motor, controller and battery form a system (but you would like to mix two different systems). Your idea is as practical as taking a Mac processor and fitting it into a PC...
Click to expand...
Yea, I hear you. Maybe with all my desires, it may be something on the drawing board down the road.
 
I'm sure you exhausted your resources to find a similar after market handle bar but I was wondering if there is something very similar out in the market to try.
 
@GuruUno, did you watch the bike shop when they removed the stem from your 2022 Turbo Vado? I was curious as to whether it would be possible to add another spacer to increase the rise on the handlebars. The user manual does not cover handlebar adjustment (except for torque settings) and I am a little reluctant to take it apart without a diagram or instructions.
 
I would be interested to know that too.
I contacted Specialized and they said NO, but when I look at the parts, it feels like it should be
 
SPeas said:
@GuruUno, did you watch the bike shop when they removed the stem from your 2022 Turbo Vado? I was curious as to whether it would be possible to add another spacer to increase the rise on the handlebars. The user manual does not cover handlebar adjustment (except for torque settings) and I am a little reluctant to take it apart without a diagram or instructions.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure about 'adding', as if you were able to do so, it would be very minimal, 1/4", 3/8", as I removed my handlebars and stem and installed the Kinekt suspension stem with 'Old Version' Como handlebars (more swept back). The absolute very best ride ever!
I've not taken any photos of it yet but will remember to do so and post them tomorrow.
 
I think mine are the predecessor to your model. I am using the Vado handlebars on my Como and like it real well, perfect fit for me. I am using a slightly raised aftermarket handlebar on the Vado and it works good also. You have to be careful on raising handlebars as the brake and gear lines can get short, make sure you have enough turn radius. If you get into a bind you can shorten the ends of the handlebars and bring the levers in which gives you more 'line'.
 
This is my new 2022 Vado 5.0 with installed Como (2021) handlebars and
IMG_1822.jpg
IMG_1824.jpg
Kinekt Stem.
 
GuruUno said:
This is my new 2022 Vado 5.0 with installed Como (2021) handlebars and View attachment 130713View attachment 130714Kinekt Stem.
Click to expand...

While your post is a couple years old, I've been researching on how to make my 2021 Vado more comfortable (more upright riding position like my wife's Como) and came across your post. Curious as to if you kept this set up? I hadn't thought about a Kinekt stem, which length and rise did you install? Thoughts as to comfort it provides or any negatives? Were you able to purchase the Como bars as a separate part or did you take from another bike? Any cable length issues with the swap? Sorry for all the questions, but this may be the solution I'm looking for - a more comfortable cruiser style to my Vado (I already have a couple eMTB's with an aggressive posture) Thanks!
 
Still the same setup. Really no negatives or anything worse, only better. Dealer got me OEM Como handlebars, and exact duplicate ones are 3rd party available. I'd have to look at my notes to provide any info as to which items I used. No cable swaps were needed. It to me, is a perfect everything. I just worry if when the day comes, and I decide to upgrade to a newer bike, if I'll still have the opportunity to do what I've done, as it seems everyone wants their proprietary only setups with minimal ability to change stuff. I went through a lot of experimentation to get what I've got. Every time I ride the bike I feel like it's the best of everything. Give me a few days to research my items of interest. There may even be some posts on this forum with the specifics you are looking for, made by me.
 
Good to hear you are still happy with your setup. I'm building my Vado out now - Kinikt 50degree stem, Como bars, finding the brake lines (particularly the rear) is a tight fit - particularly concerned when near full left - most likely not an issue when riding, but I'm going to see if I can find any slack to take up within the frame to resolve without having to go with a new brake line.
 
I did the same to my Vado, excepting not the Como bars, but a raised bar. Still on it from new, about 3-4 yrs. No change. I also installed the Vado bars on the Como, no change from 3-4 yrs ago. Both still happily plugging along. Como bars sitting on the shelf, too much back sweep granny attitude for me.
 
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