Recent content by zbikeman

  1. zbikeman

    Specialized Turbo Levo e-MTB Injury Lawsuit

    https://bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2025/10/28/man-sues-specialized-over-alleged-e-mtb-motor-defect Seems as though the rider encountered overrun, where the motor accelerates past the mode set by the rider. He spun out and sustained several injuries. On a related topic, I wouldn't go...
  2. zbikeman

    Problem with mid-drive motor?

    Also confirm that your pedals are appropriately torqued to the crankarms. Loose pedals can cause clicks and other noises.
  3. zbikeman

    Strava Sued Garmin. Should We Be Worried? (I Don't Think So)

    It's not just Strava suing Garmin. Suunto is suing them as well: https://bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2025/10/02/strava-sues-garmin-over-patent-infringement-claims
  4. zbikeman

    Battery Issue

    @Stinson4sv, I disagree with you on one point. You're not canceling the transaction when you put the charge into dispute. All you're doing is saying, the vendor is uncooperative, I bought a bike at a distance, I have an issue and need a neutral third party to intervene. This is your only...
  5. zbikeman

    Battery Issue

    Was the battery under warranty, and did you pay with a credit card? If yes to both, I would have made it clear to Velotric that I was going to put the charge into dispute until I got a working battery. After all, if you're paying big bucks for a new bike, it should function out of the box. If...
  6. zbikeman

    Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)

    Thanks! She's just got the regular Vado, not the SL, but she is certainly enjoying hers.
  7. zbikeman

    Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)

    So this is my new ride, a 2022 Vado SL 4.0. Ordered from Upway in Los Angeles for a little under $2K. I've made a few adjustments: --New Specialized 40mm trail stem --New Ergotec trekking handlebars --Replaced stock pedals with lightweight platform pedals w/toe clips --Added the...
  8. zbikeman

    2018 Rad City chain upgrade

    Quick search revealed a SUMC 6/7/8 speed electric bike chain with 136 links and master link for $20: https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Bike-Chain-Links-Silver/dp/B0F5Q3X9J6?th=1
  9. zbikeman

    Digital Torque Wrench

    A decade ago, I bought a Topeak d-Torq digital torque wrench, the 1-20nm version. I see they're up to almost $300 now. Super easy to use. Set your torque and the wrench will beep when you reach it, and then it'll beep again if you exceed. At the time, I thought it was an extravagant...
  10. zbikeman

    Creo 2 Flat Bar Conversion

    Did a little research on the Fazua and came up with this (recent: 2024-present) 7-page, 193 post thread on an e-mtb forum: https://www.emtbforums.com/threads/fazua-ride-60-yay-or-nay-reliability-improved.38158/ I'll summarize: No bueno. Motor failures seem to be common. Host of other...
  11. zbikeman

    Creo 2 Flat Bar Conversion

    The Skitch comes in two variants if memory serves - flat bar and drop bar. Both share the same geometry; only thing that changes is the component package. Before my recent Vado SL 4.0 (gen 1) purchase, I was considering a Skitch, but a couple things stood out: 1. Expensive for what it is...
  12. zbikeman

    Creo 2 Flat Bar Conversion

    Here are the current specs for the Vado SL2 5.0 cockpit: Stem: Specialized Stealth Stem, Alloy, 31.8mm, Integrated Display And Light Mount, Size S/M : 60mm 17 Deg, L/XL : 75mm 15.5 Deg Handlebars: Specialized, alloy, 9-degree backsweep, 15mm rise, 31.8mm Grips: ERGON, GA30-S Custom, 134.8mm...
  13. zbikeman

    Need Saddle Advice!

    @mschwett - I'll bet you own and use at least one leather item. Shoes? Belt? Wallet? And how's that working out for you? Total loss, maybe? Synthetics working much better for you? Maybe the "dried cow" thing is just a dig at something you don't like in saddle form.
  14. zbikeman

    Need Saddle Advice!

    Outlier suggestion for a saddle - the Selle Anatomica X & H series leather saddles (used to be called Titanico & Titanico-X): https://selleanatomica.com/ Leather saddles with a twist. There's a large keyhole-shaped cutout which allows a certain amount of sag & conformity. Supposedly these...
  15. zbikeman

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

    I got my 2022 Vado 4.0 SL over the weekend. Spent a little time getting it set up to my tastes: 40mm Specialized stem, Ergotec trekking bars, lightweight pedals with toe clips. I didn't like the saddle that came with the bike (Specialized Bridge), so needed to replace. On went my Specialized...
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