Como 2.0 slipping

[swansome]

I have a Como 2.0 that I purchased in August 2019. I know it is under warranty, but my LBS has gone out of business and the next closest Specialized shop is way behind on repairs. I'm hoping someone has a simple fix.

My bike will occasionally "slip" as if the chain is between gears. However, it is not. I'm assuming that something is happening inside the motor or perhaps there is a computer error. It only lasts for less than two seconds and then continues to run correctly.

Anybody familiar with this issue?

Mark

 

[Sierratim]

You must notice this when you're pedaling. If there's a problem with the electric drive it should feel more like hitting the brakes than 'slipping' gears.

To me, the most likely suspect would be chain wear and/or derailleur adjustment.

How many miles do you have on the bike? How often do you clean and lube the chain? When did you last check the chain for wear? At almost a year old, it wouldn't hurt to install a new chain. Mid-drives put more wear on the chains so it's a good maintenance practice in any case. Be sure to pay attention to the wide - narrow teeth on the chainring when installing a new chain.

The derailleur may be a bit out of adjustment due to chain and shift cable stretch. At just a year old you can usually adjust this with the shifter's barrel adjuster. Turn it 1/2 turn counter-clockwise to add a bit more tension to the cable and see if this helps. Repeat until it helps.

Good luck.

 

[swansome]

Sierratim,

Thanks for the advice - I'm not much of a bike mechanic, but I'm certainly willing to learn. I will start trying out your suggestions tomorrow. BTW, I have NOT done any maintenance yet - approximately 2000 miles since purchase.

Mark

 

[Sierratim]

Sierratim,

Thanks for the advice - I'm not much of a bike mechanic, but I'm certainly willing to learn. I will start trying out your suggestions tomorrow. BTW, I have NOT done any maintenance yet - approximately 2000 miles since purchase.

Mark

@Nxkharra let the maintenance on his Vado go out to over 2,000 miles. He ended up having to replace the chain and the chainring to fix his issues. Can't say for sure but you may end up doing the same.

All bikes should have regular maintence on their drivetrains. I clean and lube my chain every 300 miles or so, more if I ride gravel. I inspect all the parts at each cleaning and lube the derailleur. I just replaced my chain and removed and cleaned the cassette after 1,000 miles. I'll keep repeating this every 1,000 miles or so to minimize wear on the more expensive cassette and chain ring.

New chain and a deep cleaned cassette.

I highly recommend the free Park Tool repair and maintenance articles videos. You can search their articles and videos here; https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help . I usually just Google "Park Tool xxxxx video" when I have a question about "xxxxx".

Forgot to mention the Sheldon Brown collection of articles at https://www.sheldonbrown.com/ . Great info on just about any bike repair and maintenance topic.

 

[Nxkharra]

@Nxkharra let the maintenance on his Vado go out to over 2,000 miles. He ended up having to replace the chain and the chainring to fix his issues. Can't say for sure but you may end up doing the same.

All bikes should have regular maintence on their drivetrains. I clean and lube my chain every 300 miles or so, more if I ride gravel. I inspect all the parts at each cleaning and lube the derailleur. I just replaced my chain and removed and cleaned the cassette after 1,000 miles. I'll keep repeating this every 1,000 miles or so to minimize wear on the more expensive cassette and chain ring.

View attachment 54872
New chain and a deep cleaned cassette.

I highly recommend the free Park Tool repair and maintenance articles videos. You can search their articles and videos here; https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help . I usually just Google "Park Tool xxxxx video" when I have a question about "xxxxx".

Forgot to mention the Sheldon Brown collection of articles at https://www.sheldonbrown.com/ . Great info on just about any bike repair and maintenance topic.

Agree. I also can add the importance of the regular maintenance by the fact that if you need parts these days there is a LONG lead time and a strong possibility for the part not be available. I had to wait more than two weeks for the chain ring.
I also asked for a thru axel adapter (I think I have messed it up slightly when working on my bike) and the answer was “not available” and when/if available $80. It is still usable.
Another Vado owner was saying on this forum that he needs a battery for Vado 5 and no one has it.

@Sierratim great job of cleaning the cassette.

 

[Nxkharra]

Agree. I also can add the importance of the regular maintenance by the fact that if you need parts these days there is a LONG lead time and a strong possibility for the part not be available. I had to wait more than two weeks for the chain ring.
I also asked for a thru axel adapter (I think I have messed it up slightly when working on my bike) and the answer was “not available” and when/if available $80. It is still usable.
Another Vado owner was saying on this forum that he needs a battery for Vado 5 and no one has it.

@Sierratim great job of cleaning the cassette.

@Sierratim this is the chain LBS put in my Vado 5. What do you use?

 

[Sierratim]

@Sierratim this is the chain LBS put in my Vado 5. What do you use?

Ebike specific chains are popular, though I haven't found any data comparing life to 'conventional' brand name chains when used in a mid-drive motor application. My replacement chains are Shimano CN-HD701-11, a step up from the chain provided by Specialized.

BTW - I did find at least one post that reported similar life between ebike specific chains and conventional name brands. Just one data point but better than no data.

One of my sons is an engineer for a bike component manufacturer. He tells me that there are no industry standards for ebike rated products so it's basically buyer beware.

 

[swansome]

I wanted to thank you folks for pointing me in the right direction. I cleaned up the chain, cassette, and ring and the Como seems to be running smoothly.

 

[MutinyGuy]

2k miles on a ebike chain is probably at its limit. As stated above get yourself a chain gauge good insurance for your chain rings and your rear cogs....https://www.parktool.com/product/chain-wear-indicator-cc-3-2?category=Chain

 

[Nxkharra]

2k miles on a ebike chain is probably at its limit. As stated above get yourself a chain gauge good insurance for your chain rings and your rear cogs....https://www.parktool.com/product/chain-wear-indicator-cc-3-2?category=Chain

I must add I did not neglect my chain. I do own the park tool for chain and regularly measured it. It always showed OK and not stretched. The day that it showed stretched (.5) I tool to LBS. by that time chain ring needed to be replaced also.
My lesson learned is DO NOT exceed 2000 miles anyway.
I don’t ride my Vado 5 hard. This being my 2nd ebike (the first one I sold quickly....I had seen and rode Vado and just could not ride anything else. Price drove me to buy the cheaper bike) I am sure I did not properly changed gears, started with higher gears, and rode in turbo mode mostly (it was fun). I guess all these are considered riding your bike hard.
I did clean and lube the chain regularly after my son shamed me when the bike was two month old and the chain looked dirty and dry.
I am trying to do better and be a RESPONSIBLE ebike owner

 

[Sierratim]

2k miles on a ebike chain is probably at its limit. As stated above get yourself a chain gauge good insurance for your chain rings and your rear cogs....https://www.parktool.com/product/chain-wear-indicator-cc-3-2?category=Chain

I agree. Mid-drive chains wear faster than mech or hub drive chains. I change mine well before they get to the recommended stretch limits (0.5% 11spd and above, 0.75% 9&10 speed). Recently changed my Vado 5 chain comfortably before the stretch limit. Great shifting, again. Of course i also disassembled and deep cleaned the cassette and cleaned and lubed the chain ring.

 

[Nxkharra]

I agree. Mid-drive chains wear faster than mech or hub drive chains. I change mine well before they get to the recommended stretch limits (0.5% 11spd and above, 0.75% 9&10 speed). Recently changed my Vado 5 chain comfortably before the stretch limit. Great shifting, again. Of course i also disassembled and deep cleaned the cassette and cleaned and lubed the chain ring.

How do you lube chain ring @Sierratim?

 

[Sierratim]

How do you lube chain ring @Sierratim?

I clean the chain ring with old toothbrushes (I know, gross, but it works) and an orange based degreaser (minimum skin impact) and then wipe it down with a WD40 saturated rag. I then install the chain and apply chain lube as I turn the cranks. Always smoother shifting and long drive train life.