Turbo vado 5.0 size experience

[JPriek]

Hello everyone, I'm new here.

I'm not far away from putting down order for Specialized turbo vado 5.0 chain version, my biggest fear is choosing wrong size. I'm 193cm 86cm insem, I tried L size and if my saddle is in correct possition, it looks very high compared to handlebars. Also seatpost is almost out 2 sections lefts, so my LBS wants to put me on XL, but there is none to try here. I'm worried about reach, dont want to be stretched out. Also read a lot about switching stem / handlebars that would fix the issue if there is one. From size chart I'm on XL side not in between.

I would like to see others experience in this regard.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

When sizing myself for a Vado SL, I found a link to Specialized's online method on the official product page. As I recall, it was more than just a chart. It had me enter some measurements (sorry, don't recall which ones), then recommended an L. Dealer also recommended an L from inseam alone. And 5 months and some 1,300 miles later, that seems to have been spot-on.

If you can find that sizing method online, it might give you a 3rd opinion.

 

[Marcela]

Go to their website, they have a Q & A that will tell you bike size and saddle height.

 

[Ebikelife72]

Hello everyone, I'm new here.

I'm not far away from putting down order for Specialized turbo vado 5.0 chain version, my biggest fear is choosing wrong size. I'm 193cm 86cm insem, I tried L size and if my saddle is in correct possition, it looks very high compared to handlebars. Also seatpost is almost out 2 sections lefts, so my LBS wants to put me on XL, but there is none to try here. I'm worried about reach, dont want to be stretched out. Also read a lot about switching stem / handlebars that would fix the issue if there is one. From size chart I'm on XL side not in between.

I would like to see others experience in this regard.

You are definitely an XL. I’m 190cm and the XL was perfect.

 

[mschwett]

Hello everyone, I'm new here.

I'm not far away from putting down order for Specialized turbo vado 5.0 chain version, my biggest fear is choosing wrong size. I'm 193cm 86cm insem, I tried L size and if my saddle is in correct possition, it looks very high compared to handlebars. Also seatpost is almost out 2 sections lefts, so my LBS wants to put me on XL, but there is none to try here. I'm worried about reach, dont want to be stretched out. Also read a lot about switching stem / handlebars that would fix the issue if there is one. From size chart I'm on XL side not in between.

I would like to see others experience in this regard.

inseam sounds a little low relative to your height but it’s very, very unlikely that you’re a L at 193cm tall.

the stack of the XL is a full 24mm higher than the L but the reach is only 17mm more, and they both come with the same stem. sounds good based on your description of how you felt on the L.

 

[opimax]

I have a large w/o chain. I am 6ft even with avg arm length. I am not a particularly picky person on fit, having 4 different brands and styles of e-bikes and will ride anywhere from 60-100 miles on any of them every other day. It is probably the most comfortable ride of the bikes.

my one point I would add is that my wife at 5 ft 6inch also like riding this bike and calls it hers. The take away is this bike seems to run small (or most others I have run large? ) so I would go with the larger choice .

good luck

 

[JPriek]

I have a large w/o chain. I am 6ft even with avg arm length. I am not a particularly picky person on fit, having 4 different brands and styles of e-bikes and will ride anywhere from 60-100 miles on any of them every other day. It is probably the most comfortable ride of the bikes.

my one point I would add is that my wife at 5 ft 6inch also like riding this bike and calls it hers. The take away is this bike seems to run small (or most others I have run large? ) so I would go with the larger choice .

good luck

Thank you.

 

[dollarbin]

You are definitely an XL. I’m 190cm and the XL was perfect.

This is me almost exactly (189 cm) and I agree 100%
I tested both L and XL. While the L frame was easier to mount and unmount, it definitely felt less stable when biking fast which is what you get the 5.0 for.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

...it definitely felt less stable when biking fast which is what you get the 5.0 for.

Could you elaborate on favoring the 5.0 to go fast? How does that work? Don't recall much of a geometry or weight difference. Through better front-end compliance somehow?

 

[dollarbin]

Could you elaborate on favoring the 5.0 to go fast? How does that work? Don't recall much of a geometry or weight difference.Through better front-end compliance somehow?

To clarify, since the 5.0 is a class 3, I assume one would get that to go faster rather than a lighter, cheaper class 1 bike. The stability just comes from the better fit. The seating position on the XL is more upright and I felt like there was too much freedom for the smaller bike to move around under me, particularly when putting heavy effort into the pedals.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

To clarify, since the 5.0 is a class 3, I assume one would get that to go faster rather than a lighter, cheaper class 1 bike. The stability just comes from the better fit. The seating position on the XL is more upright and I felt like there was too much freedom for the smaller bike to move around under me, particularly when putting heavy effort into the pedals.

Sorry, thought you meant that the SL 5.0 is faster than the 4.0.

 

[JPriek]

Thank you everyone for your input, will go with XL size.

I have one more question regarding rear fender, as Vado is not going to fit in elevator. Usually i wheelie my bikes in, but Vado have extraordinary long rear fender, how far can one tilt it back on rear wheel?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

how far can one tilt it back on rear wheel?

The lower part is elastic, don't make a fuss about it.
Sooner or later, you would remove that part as I have done it

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Thank you everyone for your input, will go with XL size.

I have one more question regarding rear fender, as Vado is not going to fit in elevator. Usually i wheelie my bikes in, but Vado have extraordinary long rear fender, how far can one tilt it back on rear wheel?

Both of the fenders on my SL 5.0 EQ came with easily removed plastic extensions in back:

Took them off in part to allow me to stand it on its rear wheel to maneuver between cars in the garage:

Works well for that purpose, and I also prefer the sportier look. But I haven't had chance to check the impact on fender performance in rain or mud.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

But I haven't had chance to check the impact on fender performance in rain or mud.

The removal of the rear fender extender is inconsequential. In case of removing the front extension, the bottom tube/removable battery gets stained with the mud but otherwise it does not affect anything.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Besides, Jeremy, you did the right thing by removing the front fender extension on your Vado SL. Cannot say for the full power Vado (as I removed the extensions years ago!) but the front fender extension on Vado SL is notorious of picking twigs on the trail and dangerously blocking the front wheel. It has never happened again after the extension removal!

 

[JPriek]

Can anyone give me feedback for Vado 5.0 2.2 90nm motor, in turbo mode, how easy it is to pedal, and hold speed up to 25km/h?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I ride an older model of Vado with a similar but only 85 Nm motor (the 2.2 has even more power!) The motor is a beast. Riding Turbo on the flat is an overkill as it means you put hardly no effort in pedalling, and stay at 25 km/h at all times. With the Euro 25 km/h speed restriction, the motor allows you riding at 25 km/h already at 40-50% of the max power. Turbo is used for climbing steep hills only.

My Vado is a 45 km/h version (currently, a similar e-bike is Specialized Turbo Vado S IGH). Turbo mode allows achieving 40 km/h on the flat easily, so strong the motor is. On climbing, going against a 14.5% hill on gravel still keeps you at at least 10 km/h!

P.S. Using a smaller 36T chainring, I could climb long 19% ascents easily!

 

[JPriek]

I ride an older model of Vado with a similar but only 85 Nm motor (the 2.2 has even more power!) The motor is a beast. Riding Turbo on the flat is an overkill as it means you put hardly no effort in pedalling, and stay at 25 km/h at all times. With the Euro 25 km/h speed restriction, the motor allows you riding at 25 km/h already at 40-50% of the max power. Turbo is used for climbing steep hills only.

My Vado is a 45 km/h version (currently, a similar e-bike is Specialized Turbo Vado S IGH). Turbo mode allows achieving 40 km/h on the flat easily, so strong the motor is. On climbing, going against a 14.5% hill on gravel still keeps you at at least 10 km/h!

P.S. Using a smaller 36T chainring, I could climb long 19% ascents easily!

Thank your for your input. I have bad knee, so would love to ease off as much as possible when needed, the only experience i had with vado is driving around in shop, no space between bikes. In sport mode, one before turbo felt good kick at the start.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You would certainly not miss the lack of power with the 2.2.
Tip: Riding in lower gears at a higher cadence saves the knees a lot!