Can you identify this bike?

ahawkman

ahawkman

New Member
Region
USA
Hi, I see this bike for sale on CL here in San Diego, does anyone know the model/year? It's a mid-drive mountain bike. Thanks!


Specialized Mtn Bike.jpg
 
It is a Specialized Turbo Vado probably 2017 or 2018. Be careful on Craigs list for fraudulent offers, shipping and agent scams and offers to overpay. Also there are frequent stolen bikes up on CL Make sure the seller has the keys and all original documents. If they don't have those it is likely stolen. If it passes muster, then get agreement from the seller that you can have the bike inspected at the nearest Specialized LBS with special attention to battery condition. IF the bike has been ridden a lot or the battery has been abused with poor charging and storage conditions, you will likely have to spring for a new battery, probably between $600-$1,000.
 
Alaskan said:
It is a Specialized Turbo Vado probably 2017 or 2018. Be careful on Craigs list for fraudulent offers, shipping and agent scams and offers to overpay. Also there are frequent stolen bikes up on CL Make sure the seller has the keys and all original documents. If they don't have those it is likely stolen. If it passes muster, then get agreement from the seller that you can have the bike inspected at the nearest Specialized LBS with special attention to battery condition. IF the bike has been ridden a lot or the battery has been abused with poor charging and storage conditions, you will likely have to spring for a new battery, probably between $600-$1,000.
Click to expand...
Really? I never saw a Specialized with a Bafang mid-drive!!!
lol
 
Here's a link to EBR's 2017 Turbo Vado review, They didn't really make many changes in 2018. Certainly didn't change from Brose to Bafang

electricbikereview.com

2017 Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 Review | ElectricBikeReview.com

Price: $4600.00 | Model Year: 2017 | A high-speed urban electric bike with premium tubular fenders, minimalist rack with integrated light, 600 Lumen headlight, reflective stickers on fenders and rims
electricbikereview.com electricbikereview.com
 
Alaskan said:
Okay, I take it back. @LimboJim is right. That is a cheapo Chinese bike with a paint job and Specialized Decals applied. Total Fake.
Click to expand...
That's what I thought, but couldn't be sure. So counterfeit logos are a thing now, I suppose. Sigh.
 
Art Deco said:
That's what I thought, but couldn't be sure. So counterfeit logos are a thing now, I suppose. Sigh.
Click to expand...
This is new to you? Anyone can easily copy and produce decals at home for very little $$$.

Edit:
All you need is something like this....

www.michaels.com

Cricut Joy™ Machine

Purchase the Cricut Joy Machine online or in-store at a Michaels near you. The Cricut Joy is a simple cutting machine for crafting hundreds of creative projects.
www.michaels.com www.michaels.com
 
Last edited:
Here is a 2017 Turbo Levo (HT) Hardtail. they were already using internal batteries in the downtube in 2017. Look at all the differences in the frame. Plus I could find no mention of Specialized ever using Bafang motors and it is clear that the from on that bike was made to accommodate that Bafang motor.

99B6B38B-DD50-4CD1-AE2C-CF33911D8F97.jpeg
 
McCorby said:
This is new to you? Anyone can easily copy and produce decals at home for very little $$$.
Click to expand...
Never even occurred to me that anyone would want fake logos, or that bikes were even popular enough to counterfeit. I thought that was just designer clothes and luggage.
 
Alaskan said:
Here is a 2017 Turbo Levo (HT) Hardtail. they were already using internal batteries in the downtube in 2017. Look at all the differences in the frame. Plus I could find no mention of Specialized ever using Bafang motors and it is clear that the from on that bike was made to accommodate that Bafang motor.
Click to expand...
It is very obvious that it’s a Chinese no-name/white label with Specialized stickers slapped on it....

something like this.

2780ADE5-AFB9-4AC2-8DF4-D3CBB64220DE.jpeg
 
Art Deco said:
That's what I thought, but couldn't be sure. So counterfeit logos are a thing now, I suppose. Sigh.
Click to expand...
Ah, So.
I can attest that while in China 20 years ago it was filled with plagiarism and fake, stealing whatever technology, product, etc., that they could. I saw it 1s hand.
 
Very true in China 15 to 20 years, at least. The tour guides even pointed it out in the tourist shops for clothes and luggage. The guides had excellent English (and Russian or French or ??) and would say something was "inspired by " some famous brand that didn't mean anything to me, but the women clearly recognized them. I even remember counterfeit cigarettes and soft drinks. There were no intellectual property laws then, and maybe not today, but that's China not the USA, I thought.
 
It started long before Louis Vitton, Nike and Burberrry. China has been making cheap copies and knockoffs for the western market ever since the hidden kingdom opened up trade with England two hundred years ago. Back then it was fake antique vases, ceramic table ware, bronze sculpture and wood carvings, roughed up and finished to look old and weathered, sold as authentic.

Now the we have entrusted the manufacturing of just about everything to China they commonly copy, make fakes, substitute sub-components, material quality and undercut the manufacturer that hired them to make the real thing. Heck, if you already have the molds, make the cases and put in fake inferior contents, sell on Alibaba and never even get a hand slap, why not cheat people.
 
Art Deco said:
Never even occurred to me that anyone would want fake logos, or that bikes were even popular enough to counterfeit. I thought that was just designer clothes and luggage.
Click to expand...
In the music industry fakes are a problem. Fake Gibsons, Fenders, PRS guitars. Fake microphones etc
 
Alaskan said:
It started long before Louis Vitton, Nike and Burberrry. China has been making cheap copies and knockoffs for the western market ever since the hidden kingdom opened up trade with England two hundred years ago. Back then it was fake antique vases, ceramic table ware, bronze sculpture and wood carvings, roughed up and finished to look old and weathered, sold as authentic.

Now the we have entrusted the manufacturing of just about everything to China they commonly copy, make fakes, substitute sub-components, material quality and undercut the manufacturer that hired them to make the real thing. Heck, if you already have the molds, make the cases and put in fake inferior contents, sell on Alibaba and never even get a hand slap, why not cheat people.
Click to expand...
Buying on fleabay or scamazon also ... What could possibly go wrong ?
 
DaveMatthews said:
In the music industry fakes are a problem. Fake Gibsons, Fenders, PRS guitars. Fake microphones etc
Click to expand...
Sure. Once it was pointed out to me, I realize that fakes are probably common as dirt, since most of the originals are actually made in China now. So yeah, not just fake Rolexes and Vittons these days. I should have known that, but when I looked at that bike. I thought it couldn't be a fake, could it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

John in CA
Do you recognize this part? Vado SL 5.0 + range extender
Replies
7
Views
572
BEC111
BEC111
JoeDirt
New specialized Vado 6.0 EQ e-bike
Replies
2
Views
548
JoeDirt
JoeDirt
I
2018 Turbo Vado 3 - Healthy battery but assistance cuts out at 27%?
Replies
9
Views
2K
Stefan Mikes
Stefan Mikes
G
2024 Niner RLT e9 RDO E-Gravel bike size 59
Replies
0
Views
609
giantkn10
G
sandyman44
Creo - squeak from drive
Replies
5
Views
523
Prairie Dog
Prairie Dog
Back