Twowheelxtc
Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
This may be of interest to those with the older TCU on their bikes
TCU to Mastermind
- Thread starter Twowheelxtc
- Start date
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Great news! The Mastermind TCU on my Vado SL 1 5.0 is a very useful riding tool, and it's always easy to read — even in bright sun. Look at it way more often than the Specialized app on the phone on my bars.
Thought taking my eyes off the road to look down at it would be an issue, but it's so quick with the high-vis display that it feels safer than looking at the phone.
Some of the TCU pages I use here.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I'm not sure if I want to sacrifice the BLEvo capability. No other software gives me true insight into the state of my batteries 
Twowheelxtc
Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
It’s definitely on offer in UK (I hope!). I’ve booked my Creo 1 to have it done on 2nd August. They have to order in the Mastermind unit. If you don’t already have the 2 bar controls fitted that would of course make it more expensive. If you have the bar controls fitted it’s just a half hour job to plug in the new unit and do the software update.
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
That 4-button bar control's well worth the added expense. Use the [+], [-], and top [F1] buttons contantly in the saddle, but the bottom [F2] only for walk mode. [F1] scrolls through the TCU pages. Long-press [+] toggles MicroTune.
Well-designed system from an ergonomic standpoint. Rotate the control on the bar to optimize the orientation for your own hand.
Last edited:
Base
Bike nerd
- Region
- Europe
- City
- in the exact center of the Netherlands
in this case he is refering to the 2 button controls underneath the bar tape on a Creo (dropbar bike) S216800011.
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Ah yes, forgot about that one. I was describing the Mastermind remote on my flat-bar Vado SL 1.
Here it is next to the grip with [+], [-], and [F1] buttons showing.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The TCU Gen 1 handlebar remote is identical to yours, only has different labels on the buttons
Twowheelxtc
Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
Correct….they come in the box usually for owner fitting If desired.
Does anyone know if this upgrade is only available in the UK? I live in the US. I talked to my LBS last week. They didn't know anything about it. Thanks!
Twowheelxtc
Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
I would think a general roll out is likely as it’s another way to extract money from us! I’ve definitely booked mine in and paid so I’ll be somewhat p*****if it doesn’t happen!!! I’ll confirm when it’s done (2nd August).
I took my Creo 1 into my local bike shop yesterday to get the Mastermind display installed. They said it worked after they installed the latest firmware update. They charged $90. I'm picking the bike up later today. I'll let you know if there's any unforeseen problems once I ride it for a bit.
I rode the Creo 1 with the new Mastermind display about 20 miles yesterday. It worked great with no problems or issues at all. I also added the two button handle bar controllers. It sort of feels like a new bike. I'm surprised that Specialized is offering more value to older bikes, but I'm glad they did. The bike mechanic who did the install, said that he looked at my bike like a "test case" and that he's going to do the upgrade on his older Levo. Anyway, that's the update. No problems or issues at all.
Allan47.7339
Well-Known Member
Just to clarify, was the USD $90 is just for the labor? How much was the Mastermind TCU?
The buttons are necessary to control a MM TCU as there is no secondary control but they are a safety improvement since you can keep your eyes up when changing assist..
Thanks for bringing up that you need the two button power controller to make the Mastermind display work. I didn't notice that the Mastermind only has one button, an on/off button.
The whole thing was $90. The LBS didn't break down the cost between parts and labor. The bike mechanic was excited to try and make it work. I had told him that I had seen on this forum that there was a new firmware update that made a retrofit work. Maybe he gave me a deal?
The whole thing was $90. The LBS didn't break down the cost between parts and labor. The bike mechanic was excited to try and make it work. I had told him that I had seen on this forum that there was a new firmware update that made a retrofit work. Maybe he gave me a deal?
Twowheelxtc
Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
And mine was changed today too. Seems to working ok but to have the bike show up in the Specialized app you must first delete it then re pair as the new Mastermind does of course have a new bluetooth code. With my bike being the carbon version the software apparently cannot be updated unless the bike has had a battery stabilisation kit fitted (3 bits of vibration damping foam). This was a Specialised mandatory change and at their expense fortunately as it involve dropping the motor and removing the battery. As far as I'm aware this is not a safety change but due to some bikes having intermittent power failure due to vibration
stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Bosch BES3 is the same way. To replace a wireless component, the old one must be deleted first in the Flow app before the new one can be recognized at all. It won't pair until you do that.
Allan47.7339
Well-Known Member
That is a heck of a deal unless there was some sort of warranty claim. I doubt most people will get that. The Mastermind TCU spare part is a 250 USD/Euro. (at performancebike or bestbike) Now that the word is out finding them cheap on Ebay will disappear..
Twowheelxtc
Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
You’re right that was an amazing deal. As my first post said my upgrade last weekend in UK was £165 fitted and that was an offer reduced from £220.
