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

[mogulman]

In one of the other threads, Alan, posted a link to some info. Found some other good info/specs for the SL. I'm assuming you guys already knew about this, but I didn't. Looks like a lot of it was updated in 2025.

https://support.specialized.com/kb/sp_en-us/browse/202300000002709/Turbo-Vado-SL-Gen-1-2020-2024

 

[stompandgo]

A customer came in today with a Vado SL. She said that the battery had a full charge but she could not start it. We replaced the coin batteries in the display and the Mastermind for $50, which she gladly paid. She doesn't like going to the "jewelry store" even though she bought the bike there.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

She doesn't like going to the "jewelry store" even though she bought the bike there.

I know exactly what she's talking about. Bought my SL at glitzy Specialized Carlsbad but soon switched to Cadence Cyclery, an even closer authorized Specialized dealer that feels way more like my kind of bike shop.

 

[Cycologist]

I know exactly what she's talking about. Bought my SL at glitzy Specialized Carlsbad but soon switched to Cadence Cyclery, an even closer authorized Specialized dealer that feels way more like my kind of bike shop.

I have the same issue. I bought my bike at a similarly glizty shop in a fancy town, where the "rich" folks go.
After bringing it in for service a couple times, I was not impressed with how they were trying to nickel and dime me to death for stuff I didn't need.
They also tried to charge me for warranty work. It felt like a used car dealership.

I'm now switching to a shop out in the country, which is closer and easier to get to for me anyway.
It seems most people there are off-road riders like me too. Bikes on bike racks with mud on them, also pickup trucks with horse trailers.
My kind of place.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My story is completely different. I bought my first Specialized from a totally hopeless dealer. So hopeless they eventually lost their dealership. I moved to Specialized Warsaw who always have time for me, treat me as a VIP, and always find a solution. Those people fought for me like lions with the distributor when it came to a total rebuild of my big Vado under the "lifetime frame warranty". Thanks to them, my Vado 6.0 is the latest version, and it is less than 3 years old (the original was built in 2017, sold in 2019). I need to mention the original LBS cheated me from the very start by telling me the 2017 Vado was a 2019 model!

No, nothing is cheap at Specialized. Take it or leave it. Still, whenever I visit that Specialized store, I try to buy something to reward the excellent work these men do!

Of course, I bought my Vado SL at Specialized Warsaw. I feel so confident with the people there! They also allowed me demo ride numerous e-bikes and bikes, often free of charge!

I wish I were younger and healthy! I would have bought that expensive Diverge Comp Carbon on the spot!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

My story is completely different. I bought my first Specialized from a totally hopeless dealer. So hopeless they eventually lost their dealership. I moved to Specialized Warsaw who always have time for me, treat me as a VIP, and always find a solution. Those people fought for me like lions with the distributor when it came to a total rebuild of my big Vado under the "lifetime frame warranty". Thanks to them, my Vado 6.0 is the latest version, and it is less than 3 years old (the original was built in 2017, sold in 2019). I need to mention the original LBS cheated me from the very start by telling me the 2017 Vado was a 2019 model!

No, nothing is cheap at Specialized. Take it or leave it. Still, whenever I visit that Specialized store, I try to buy something to reward the excellent work these men do!

Of course, I bought my Vado SL at Specialized Warsaw. I feel so confident with the people there! They also allowed me demo ride numerous e-bikes and bikes, often free of charge!

View attachment 200973
I wish I were younger and healthy! I would have bought that expensive Diverge Comp Carbon on the spot!

I think it can go either way. The important thing is to end up with an authorized dealer you like and trust.

Good I started with Specialized Carlsbad, cuz the SL I had my sights on wasn't easy to find. They searched high and low and eventually found one languishing in a warehouse 3-4 states away. Kudos for that.

Since Cadence Cyclery also sells Pinarello, Colnago, Cervello, Factor, and the like, doubt they could've or would've done that. But for many good reasons, I like and trust them a lot more for maintenance, outfitting, and just hanging around talking bikes.

 

[2wheelsgood]

I could not resist this week and did something I thought I would never do - I bought a second bike.

I do a lot of fitness rides where I switch off the motor and go for it and of course my data for those rides are hampered by a combination of flat bar aero, flat pedals and ~16kg weight.

I found a used S-Works Roubaix locally that was in spectacularly good condition and I could not resist at less than a quarter of its original price. barely 8kg with clipless pedals and getting down onto the bars you feel fast straight away. It will be interesting to compare times against the Vado SL. I have ridden it for two short rides now and it feels perfect, I was particularly surprised how comfortable it was on the rough roads around here.

This will be very much a dry weather speed machine only and will live an easy life - My Turbo Vado SL remains my main bike.

Now I just need some nice weather ...

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I could not resist this week and did something I thought I would never do - I bought a second bike.

I do a lot of fitness rides where I switch off the motor and go for it and of course my data for those rides are hampered by a combination of flat bar aero, flat pedals and ~16kg weight.

I found a used S-Works Roubaix locally that was in spectacularly good condition and I could not resist at less than a quarter of its original price. barely 8kg with clipless pedals and getting down onto the bars you feel fast straight away. It will be interesting to compare times against the Vado SL. I have ridden it for two short rides now and it feels perfect, I was particularly surprised how comfortable it was on the rough roads around here.

This will be very much a dry weather speed machine only and will live an easy life - My Turbo Vado SL remains my main bike.

Now I just need some nice weather ...

You lucky dog! I'd love to a ride a serious road bike like your new Roubaix now and then, though I doubt my creaky old neck would put up with it for long.

Of course, we'll need photos.

 

[2wheelsgood]

Bit dark for photos as it is nearly evening here but here it is.

 

[stompandgo]

The Roubaix is a comfort road bike, not a race bike. His has the Zertz fittings in the fork and seat stays, as well as the seatpost.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

His has the Zertz fittings in the fork and seat stays, as well as the seatpost.

What's their purpose? A quick web search didn't clarify.