Battery management issues with no assist on Turbo Como

[MollyLorraine]

I've got a 2018 Turbo Como 2.0 that I've put about 2k miles on since November. I've gotten stronger since I first got the bike and use the assist less and less. Long story short - I noticed my battery was ticking down even when I wasn’t using the assist.

To make sure I wasn’t underestimating my use of assist, I counted the seconds I used the assist on a recent ride. After a 1½ hour ride and 17.5 miles, I had used the assist on Eco for approximately 2 minutes and 15 seconds when I noticed I had lost the first bar (approx. 20%) of my battery.

I took the bike into my LBS who contacted Specialized and they are going to warranty the bikes computer. I was told it is a “known error” that some '17/'18s Turbos have a bug that mismanages the battery output and the only solution is to replace the computer. I was also told that Specialized doesn’t do much research on riding without the assist.

Has anyone else had this problem?

It’s my goal to go longer and further, working up to a century ride. If I use Eco the entire time I can get about 42 miles (far below what Specialized estimates on their online calculator, but still within expected range, they’ve told me). If not using assist works the way I think it should (i.e. not draining my battery when I’m not using it) I should be able to pull off a century easily. I’ll let you know if the warranty corrects the problem. Fingers crossed!

 

[keithd]

I am looking at picking up the same bike with the TCD-W control update. Hopefully that is the update they are talking about as it will help with the Mission Control app. as well. Let us know how it turns out. Good Luck!

 

[MutinyGuy]

I went on a 40 mile ride yesterday and used 40% of my battery. Elevation gain was over 1k....I used the ECO mode sparingly but overall I was very happy with the battery output.

 

[PaD]

I've got a 2018 Turbo Como 2.0 that I've put about 2k miles on since November. I've gotten stronger since I first got the bike and use the assist less and less. Long story short - I noticed my battery was ticking down even when I wasn’t using the assist.

To make sure I wasn’t underestimating my use of assist, I counted the seconds I used the assist on a recent ride. After a 1½ hour ride and 17.5 miles, I had used the assist on Eco for approximately 2 minutes and 15 seconds when I noticed I had lost the first bar (approx. 20%) of my battery.

I took the bike into my LBS who contacted Specialized and they are going to warranty the bikes computer. I was told it is a “known error” that some '17/'18s Turbos have a bug that mismanages the battery output and the only solution is to replace the computer. I was also told that Specialized doesn’t do much research on riding without the assist.

Has anyone else had this problem?

It’s my goal to go longer and further, working up to a century ride. If I use Eco the entire time I can get about 42 miles (far below what Specialized estimates on their online calculator, but still within expected range, they’ve told me). If not using assist works the way I think it should (i.e. not draining my battery when I’m not using it) I should be able to pull off a century easily. I’ll let you know if the warranty corrects the problem. Fingers crossed!

1 1/2 hour ride and only assist for 2minute and 15 seconds is impressive on a Como. I’ve only ridden without assist for short distances, I have Vado and I want a noticeable tailwind before turning off assist. Do hope you get your problem solved.
I just bought a Vado 5.0 with a 600Wh battery and I’m running on my first full charge to figure out what range I can expect. My bike is EU classified so assist cuts out at 15.5 mph. The Turbo Range Calculator is optimistic. In the settings for terrain the Flats alternative must be very flat and perhaps they forgot to mention vacuum
Apart from speed the calculated range is of course very much depending on if you choose Flats or Hills and also Frequency of stops.
I’ve set my calculation to Many stops and then look at an average between Flats and Hills and that calculation seems to be close to what I’m presently expecting, 75miles in Eco mode. I have done 57 miles and the battery display shows 40% but based on my riding last year on a Vado 4.0 I do not expect more than 75 or maybe 80 miles.
Unless I exercise and rise to your level.

 

[MollyLorraine]

1 1/2 hour ride and only assist for 2minute and 15 seconds is impressive on a Como. I’ve only ridden without assist for short distances, I have Vado and I want a noticeable tailwind before turning off assist. Do hope you get your problem solved.

Thanks!
They're replacing the computer today and I hope to get it back tomorrow. I really hope it improves my range!
When I started on the bike six months ago I used the assist on Eco or Sport mode 100% of the time. After awhile I noticed I didn't need assist on flats since my momentum was already good. I also figured out (after 35 years of only occasionally riding) how to use the gears to my advantage. It would be a bummer to not have the assist, but if I'm riding with a slower rider (like my kids) I don't use the assist at all. I feel so strong!