2019 Vado 3 vs 2020 Vado 3

[Mr. Max]

My rural LBS has a new 2019 Vado 3 for a deep discount. Is the BLOKS display really a deal breaker? Is Mission Control really worth, in this case, the extra expense?

Since this is a new bike it will come with a full Specialized warranty and from what I'm seeing on this forum, Specialized will fix any problems during the warranty period including replacing or upgrading the display. (Or even the whole bike in some cases.)

Also, from what I can see the 2019 Vado 3 has virtually the same components as the 2020 Vado 4 and that Specialized downgraded the Vado 3 components in 2020.

This seems like a really good deal to me. What do you think?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!!

 

[Captain Slow]

What's the difference in price? I have a Creo with Mission Control and it's nice, but everything has a value and need to know the price difference to assess if Mission Control and the other differences are worth it.

 

[rob_s]

They should be able to put the new display on that bike.
My LBS did it for my 2017 Vado 3 at no charge

 

[rob_s]

For me, the mission control made it a TOTALLY different bike.
I use 20/30 30/70 and 100/100 for my 3 levels
Being able to have a lower assist with a higher peak makes you feel like you are so strong when you press hard on the peddles

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I will tell you honestly what I think.

The BLOKS display would be a deal breaker for me if I were to buy a new Vado today. The lack of connectivity is not what you expect from a Specialized e-bike today. In case the e-bike was updated with the latest software version, the BLOKS-equipped Vado is good enough. If you do not expect connectivity and detailed insight about your e-bike performance and status, the BLOKS e-bike is fine. Yet, expect nuisances.

My Vado is the BLOKS one. Once in every several weeks, the displays hangs, and you cannot continue riding with the motor support. I was caught that way 2-3 times, of which twice uphill. The remedy is to permanently remove a tiny screw securing the display (it still holds well in the socket). When you experience the display hang up, you possibly ride fast just on the leg power to the place you can pull over. You remove the display with a palm movement and reset the BLOKS by pushing a tiny button at the display's base with the smallest Allen key. After the reset, you replace the display in the mount socket. Your ride stats are lost (except the odometer which works OK). This is very frustrating.

Except the gremlins of the BLOKS and the lack of connectivity, older Vados are fine e-bikes.

However, you are right. My 2017 Vado 5.0 has the top-notch components to be only found in the 2020 Vado 6.0 (which is available in Europe) and even the 6.0 does not have as good components as the 2017 Vado 5.0. If you accept nuisance of BLOKS, go for the cheaper and older version with better components.

@rob_s mentions the display upgrade. Before you go with the purchase, @Mr. Max, force a written statement from the LBS that they will replace the BLOKS with the TCD-W display. I say this because it has been for 5 months now I cannot get a paid upgrade of BLOKS with the TCD-W in Europe.

 

[Mr. Max]

Thanks so much everyone! I really appreciate your feedback.

Captain Slow asked about the price. It's just under $2500, so $1000 less than the original $3500, 2019 Vado price, $1000 less than a 2020 Vado 4 and $200 less than a 2020 Vado 3.

I was leaning towards a 2020 Vado 4, just because of the components. Looking at it from that perspective, this 2019 Vado 3 (new, with full warranty) with essentially the same components as the 2020 Vado 4, seemed like a real deal, but maybe not? That's why I was reaching out.

Thanks again!

Hey, slightly related sidenote. I posted a video a week or two ago here on the Specialized forum that is a Vimeo Specialized LBS training video showing how to replace the BLOKS display with the TCD-W. It was really cool to see the innards of a big chunk of a Vado/Como and how the bike is programmed and calibrated. Check it out if you have the interest.

Cheers!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Mr. Max If you get a solemn promise from the LBS that you will get the display replacement before you get the bike, go for the 2019 Vado 3. If you want to get the bike fast, pay more for the 2020 Vado 4. The decision's yours. If I were to buy a Vado today, I would break my budget and paid more for a newer bike with better components. I almost did it in October last year. The point is I prepaid the 2017 Vado 5 and stayed on that decision. I saved US$1550 and got used to the BLOKS later.

 

[Oberst]

I had the same choice and went with 2019 as the component difference was more important to me than the app connection.

 

[Captain Slow]

I would listen to Stefan, he has experience with the Vado and seems to have an informed opinion.

 

[Nxkharra]

For me, the mission control made it a TOTALLY different bike.
I use 20/30 30/70 and 100/100 for my 3 levels
Being able to have a lower assist with a higher peak makes you feel like you are so strong when you press hard on the peddles

@rob_s could you elaborate on setting up the three levels on Mission Control Ap. I have a Vado 5 but dont use MC. Dont understand peak.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I have answered that question in a PM to you Here is the copy. In case I'm wrong in any aspect, please correct me.

The Peak Power setting is the one that primarily responds for the Vado's acceleration while the Support is about how much it should help you during the ride in general.

Let us assume your legs are strong and you only need to compensate for the bike's weight and general resistances in the Eco mode for the ride. You might have set the Support to 25%. The Peak Power means how much power is delivered to the motor when you step on your pedals harder. It might for example be 100% Peak Power. There are three situations in which you might need high Peak Power:

1. Cold start, e.g. from signals at the junction;
2. Riding uphill, for example negotiating an overpass;
3. Overtaking someone.

The Peak Power overrides the Support when the cyclist stamps on the pedals hard. Let us assume you're in the Eco mode and will just ride up the overpass. With high Peak Power you don't need to switch to the Turbo mode; you'll be just pedalling harder, the motor will temporarily get a lot of juice and you'll ride up without even losing the speed. Of course, that will make the battery used harder and will reduce the range.

In the simplest words: The more Peak Power in given Mode, the more "sporty" and less sluggish the Vado becomes.

Other interesting settings:

Acceleration Response determines how fast the motor will respond to the rider's pedalling. With 100% (city ride, dry good surface), the motor will respond almost instantly when you start pedalling, like in a racing car when you press the gas pedal. With 0%, the motor will kick in with a good delay. The latter situation is for riding in wet, muddy, snowy, icy, slippery conditions. You would not like it if the rear wheel got high power in a fraction of second and started slipping under hard conditions. 0% makes the motor kick in after the Vado has started really moving. Setting of 50% is in my opinion the safest.

Shuttle mode. Let's assume you feel the most relaxed when you pedal slowly. Now, you are being hit by a gusty upwind; the bike slows down. My reaction is to downshift and pedal faster. With 100% Shuttle Mode, the motor gives more support when you are pedalling fast. With 0%, pedalling faster or slower takes no effect on the assistance level.

Hope that helps.

 

[Mr. Max]

Stefan Mikes, Thanks for a great explanation!

I've got a RadCity bike which has a much simpler structure. The Rad bike has a been a fantastic introduction to e-biking, but I'm wanting something with better components, so I am looking to upgrade.

I know that this isn't going to help you in Europe, but in the US it looks like it's about $150 to upgrade to the TCD-W display. https://www.electricitybikes.com/blog/vadocompare

Specialized offers the TCD-W display for $90 on its website. But that's just the display, not the labor to install it. https://www.specialized.com/us/en/specialized-turbo-connect-display-tcd/p/159237

 

[TS25]

I will tell you honestly what I think.

The BLOKS display would be a deal breaker for me if I were to buy a new Vado today. The lack of connectivity is not what you expect from a Specialized e-bike today. In case the e-bike was updated with the latest software version, the BLOKS-equipped Vado is good enough. If you do not expect connectivity and detailed insight about your e-bike performance and status, the BLOKS e-bike is fine. Yet, expect nuisances.

My Vado is the BLOKS one.

Not necessarily there is a lack of connectivity if you can get hold of the
Upload files for free - spezialized-vado-und-como-tune.apk - Uploadfiles.io
which - using Android - puts you in the position to adapt several elements of your Vado with the BLOKS display:

you can cut motor power, adjust all three modes, even adjust tire size [lesser is better ;-) ] , control battery status and health, check firmware version ...

So what are you really missing with this .apk compared to the Mission control app?
Not much I suppose.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you! If this works out, I'm giving up the idea to convert to the TCD-W.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Not necessarily there is a lack of connectivity if you can get hold of the
Upload files for free - spezialized-vado-und-como-tune.apk - Uploadfiles.io
which - using Android - puts you in the position to adapt several elements of your Vado with the BLOKS display:

you can cut motor power, adjust all three modes, even adjust tire size [lesser is better ;-) ] , control battery status and health, check firmware version ...

So what are you really missing with this .apk compared to the Mission control app?
Not much I suppose.

It works! Thank you!
@Marci jo, are you using BLOKS? Have you seen that Android application? Almost as good as Mission Control

 

[Marci jo]

Congrats Mr. Max on your search for another ebike. Is there such a thing as too many ebikes? Lol

Here’s my experience with my 2018 Vado 6.0:
Still using the Bloks display. It’s been working rock solid for me. I haven’t checked in several months if a new system is available for that year and model. Yes, sometimes I think being able to change the % assist would be nice. I simply keep an eye on the battery power that I have left.

Stefan, I’m not familiar with the Android app. I have iPhone, but sometimes I use Map My Ride. This summer in Europe, our tour company will be using Ride With GPS. (That’s another thread).

Ok so I’m wondering about the Vados under consideration. Are they all class 3? Will the bike shop upgrade to the TCD display, maybe for a reduced price? Remember, everything is negotiable.

How about a photo of your new ebike?

 

[TS25]

It works! Thank you!

Fine

Did you try to reduce tire size already?

There are rumors that this option was closed by a newer firmware update of the Vado due to strikter legislation in Europe - as it allows you to tune up max speed a little through the back door.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Fine

Did you try to reduce tire size already?

There are rumors that this option was closed by a newer firmware update of the Vado due to strikter legislation in Europe - as it allows you to tune up max speed a little through the back door.

Come on... With the 45 km/h speed limit on Vado 5 there's no need to decrease the wheel circumference. I'm not a fast rider and value the range above all. That feature might help some user of older Class 1 Vado. On contrary, the original wheel circumference there is 2255 mm. I want to update it to 2274 mm, the true circumference of the 51-622 tyre, to have precise readouts and stats for my Vado

An interesting fact: My Lovelec e-bike has the controller, display etc made by unnamed Chinese factory that sells the ware to the Czech e-bike maker. The match between the display and GPS is 100%!

 

[TS25]

Come on... With the 45 km/h speed limit on Vado 5 there's no need to decrease the wheel circumference. ...

ACK. If display speed = GPS speed.

I want to update it to 2274 mm, the true circumference of the 51-622 tyre, to have precise readouts and stats for my Vado

An interesting fact: My Lovelec e-bike .... The match between the display and GPS is 100%!

This was the point with my Vado 4.0 : BLOKS display showing allowed top speed (15,5 mph) and cutting motor support, but real GPS speed was 1-2 mph less. That hurts
Taking wheel circumference down fixed it. Now BLOKS display speed = GPS speed (mayby a little less ).

I was just nosy to see whether the option of adjusting tire size was usable with your Vado firmware status.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@TS25, a 1953 bike in Duisburg in 1990. That was the first German-made bike with gears, owned by a respected family. I'm in the blue shirt here.

The family lent me the bike. I rode a lot of the area during the 3 months, between Dinslaken, Essen, Oberhausen, Krefeld to Düsseldorf. My golden months!