Como 5

[TCanacortes]

I’ve got a question about my wife’s Como 5 IGH Bicycle. I’ve found even when I’m in the “slowest” pace setting at a cadence of 90–I can’t get the bike over 19 or 20 miles an hour. I’ve also got a Vado 5 and it’s quite easy to rock it up to 28 miles an hour. I realize about the infinitely adjusting gear system on the Como, but I’m not sure it’s working right????

 

[jpadc]

I guess none of the more experienced members have chimed in here, but I believe the Vado is a Class 3 eBike (with assist to ~28mph) and the Como a Class 2 eBike (with assist to ~19 mph) which may account for why you can more easily get the Vado to a higher speed. Also an IGH is not going to have as wide a range of "gears" as a cassette and derailleur setup.

I love my IGH Como, but it's not a bike designed for speed.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

the Como a Class 2 eBike

Class 1, 20 mph. Class 2 is for the throttle e-bikes.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I’ve got a question about my wife’s Como 5 IGH Bicycle. I’ve found even when I’m in the “slowest” pace setting at a cadence of 90–I can’t get the bike over 19 or 20 miles an hour.

The Vado 5 derailleur and Como 5 IGH have the same 2.2 motor. Any weight differences should be largely irrelevant to top speed on the flat, and I don't see large aerodynamic differences. Both are pretty upright. Tires and wheel diameters look similar.

There should be class labels on the frames. Since you're easily getting the Vado to 28 mph, it's probably a Class 3. If the Como's a Class 1, you may just be running into its lower max assisted speed of 20 mph.

But if both are Class 3, the difference in attainable top speed must be a difference in either (a) assist level settings, or (b) top-end gearing, whether by design, improper use, or malfunction.

If assist settings are the same, then you need to look at the IGH's internal gear ratios. From official specs, you'd then calculate the Como's gear-inches in top gear and compare that with the Vado's.

I'd want to see those numbers before commenting further. I can help with the calculations if someone can provide the ACTUAL internal IGH ratios. No guesses, please.

Meanwhile, what's keeping you at 20 mph on the Como? Is your cadence getting too high, or are you running out of leg power at a workable cadence?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

First of all: Does the Como motor stop working at 20 mph? Silence is the sign. If yes, Class 1.

 

[CLR]

From the Specialized Como 5 IGH page:

• Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor and 710Wh battery offer an unparalleled riding experience, providing a smooth, seamless, and shockingly quiet amplification of your efforts, up to 28 mph. The integrated controller responds to your pedal inputs resulting in intuitive amplification of your efforts with an incredibly natural feel.

From there you can also download the manual, which has instructions on setting the power mode and pedal pace. Adjusting those together along with some vigorous pedaling should get you to 28 mph

 

[opimax]

My 1st thought goes to the rear cog, there is I think a 24 and 22 tooth gear available do you know which one is in place? is the drive train on each bike the same ? Both auto? Same firmware? do you have a local dealer?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I’ve also got a Vado 5 and it’s quite easy to rock it up to 28 miles an hour. I realize about the infinitely adjusting gear system on the Como, but I’m not sure it’s working right????

In looking over Vado 5 specs just now, I see that the derailleur models don't all have the same gearing. So at minimum, we'd also need the actual tooth counts on your Vado's chainring and the specific cassette cog you're on when you have the Vado at 28 mph.

 

[PedalUma]

All it needs a firmware update. This is not a hardware issue. Also the Nuvinci is heavy as hell. I thought they sounded cool so I purchased one almost three years ago. It is still in its box. It is just too heavy. For about nine months Comos could not be sold because of the belt guard issue. Someone must have crashed when their pants got stuck. Your firmware is currently set for a different region such as Canada.

 

[stompandgo]

Good point. Class speeds are regulated by country.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Your firmware is currently set for a different region such as Canada.

So you can't go by the factory class label on the frame?

My Vado SL 1, purchased in the US.

 

[PedalUma]

Jeremy, I know it is weird but sometimes, and I do not know why, bikes revert to a different region. That would be good if you were in the EU and it reverted to a US bike, but the other way around is not so great. One explanation is from cross-talk. The wire harness is packed in the down tube and if folded it can get scrambled messages. Maybe it was set wrong from the factory.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Interesting! So we're back to the @Stefan Mikes empirical method: If the motor's still running above 20 mph (say, at 25 mph on a downhill), the Como's already functioning as a Class 3. No need for a firmware update.

And if so, the OP first needs to confim that TURBO is set to 100/100 in the app.

If the problem persists withTURBO maxed out, then it's back to the gearing to answer the OP's main question — namely, is my Como IGH malfunctioning?

Can the IGH settings in the app somehow keep the IGH out of its highest possible internal ratio?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

According to the U.S. website, Como 5 IGH is a Class 3, 28 mph e-bike. I would recommend consulting the matter with a Specialized dealer.

 

[PedalUma]

According to the U.S. website, Como 5 IGH is a Class 3, 28 mph e-bike. I would recommend consulting the matter with a Specialized dealer.

If you tell the local dealer from whom you purchased the bike that it has been like this from day one, they will gladly submit the warranty claim. You will likely only be charged $20 because they need to spend time on the phone, testing the bike, and with emails.

 

[jpadc]

According to the U.S. website, Como 5 IGH is a Class 3, 28 mph e-bike. I would recommend consulting the matter with a Specialized dealer.

I'm not clear on which Como 5 the OP has. When I look at the latest model on the US website (now over $6K USD WOW) it says:

"The speed limit at which the motor will stop supporting may vary significantly by region and is based on local requirements. It may also affect range: a higher speed limit may result in less range."

Not all States in the US allow Class 3 bikes. But clearly the most recent version of the bike "could" be a Class 3.

 

[PedalUma]

I'm not clear on which Como 5 the OP has. When I look at the latest model on the US website (now over $6K USD WOW) it says:

"The speed limit at which the motor will stop supporting may vary significantly by region and is based on local requirements. It may also affect range: a higher speed limit may result in less range."

Not all States in the US allow Class 3 bikes. But clearly the most recent version of the bike "could" be a Class 3.

@Gionnirocket,

Okay, implying that he could be in Manhattan or on Nantucket, or purchased it on vacation in a place like Nantucket with a Island wide 20Mph limit. So just take it to N.J. or the Cape for the update.

The important thing is that it goes beep when something like me approaches from behind so I don't need to use my clown horn. That alone is worth six-grand! I would still use the clown horn anyway.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I'm not clear on which Como 5 the OP has. When I look at the latest model on the US website (now over $6K USD WOW) it says:

"The speed limit at which the motor will stop supporting may vary significantly by region and is based on local requirements. It may also affect range: a higher speed limit may result in less range."

Not all States in the US allow Class 3 bikes. But clearly the most recent version of the bike "could" be a Class 3.

More reasons for the OP to test the Como and be done with it. If the motor runs above 20 mph (say, 25 mph downhill), it's Class 3. Simple, no guesswork.

Then the OP's problem isn't just a matter of max assisted speed.

 

[PedalUma]

More reasons for the OP to test the Como and be done with it. If the motor runs above 20 mph (say, 25 mph downhill), it's Class 3. Simple, no guesswork.

Then the OP's problem isn't just a matter of max assisted speed.

Any pedal assist over 20 is Class 3. I really do not want to crash over 24 mph. That is my standard max. Do I want to risk wiping out a dog on a trial and go to the ER with a wrecked bike and with dental reconstruction surgeries to get to lunch 232 seconds faster on a 3K run?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Any pedal assist over 20 is Class 3. I really do not want to crash over 24 mph.

Yes, any powered speed over 20 mph is evidence for Class 3, but the faster you go and still have power, the less room to get fooled by vagaries like wheel diameter.

Plenty of places I can ride my SL safely at 25 mph. And I don't bounce like I used to.

Doubt the Como's much different in that regard. But 22 mph with power would probably be definitive enough.