EBR made me do it! (new Vado SL 5.0 EQ)

[Stefan Mikes]

I was also advised not to go lower than 40t by Specialized Rider Support.

Ah, bullshit! I could successfully ride my Vado SL with a 32T even in a race.

True MTB gearing < 20 gear-in (exactly 17 gear inches). I needed that for hilly gravel rides.

Now, I ride a 42T chainring in our flatland. Less wear on the cassette smallest sprockets.

 

[jason.flood]

No, there is no standard option to charge your phone. I suppose something could be wired after the warranty expires but it may not be a good idea.

I carry a power bank for those rides where I’m using RideWithGPS for turn-by-turn directions. Otherwise, my iPhone is good for about two or three hours, then I need the Powerbank. It’s annoying to have to use it, and you have to have some way of mounting it. My phone mount uses elastic bands so I can squeeze both the phone and powerbank onto it.

If I rode on roads rather than a rail trail all the time phone battery life would probably end in buying a cycling computer. Fortunately (?) I don’t have that issue.

I've found my iPhone 15 can last pretty much all day recording a ride with the Specialzed App so long as I don't have the screen on all the time.

 

[jason.flood]

Did they tell you why? My dealer's service manager mumbled something about risk of motor damage per Specialized but had no details.

Interesting because several EBR members like @Rás Cnoic run 38s on the SL with no reported problems.

In any event, 40t turned out to be just right for my legs and terrain. Would've lost too much top end with a 38t.

They didn't get back to me with the reason. After respond to my original question I left it a while before replying with "why no lower than 40t?' but they had already closed the support request and sent the survey asking how did we do?

I'm actually still on my original 44t, but mostly ride 30/30 of "off". however when I do hit hilly terrain an run out of gears I often relay on higher motor assistance to get me through. I think I will pickup a 40t or 42t soon though.

 

[jason.flood]

Interesting connection between battery life and screen technology.

Turns out I do have an OLED phone display. (Who knew?) May Specialized soon go white on black! Generally prefer that anyway.

My Specialized App is in white on black (or dark mode) probably because I have the global iPhone setting that way.

 

[jason.flood]

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

The SL's a keeper, ladies and gentlemen! And I stand at this juncture only because I got the info and encouragement needed to take the leap on EBR.

View attachment 182333View attachment 182334
Rode the brand-new SL home the long way: 21 mi over several key test hills and along the coast with 1,243 ft of elevation gain on grades up to 10% per RideWithGPS.

Used ~60% ECO, ~20% SPORT, ~20% off, and no TURBO. Most hills conquered in ECO alone. Average rider power ~120W. Battery remaining 54%.

So the many yay-sayers were right all along: The SL will clearly get me around my usual terrain just fine — no, way better than fine — with acceptable exertion, knee loads, and battery range.

A few initial impressions relating to things you guys helped with...

1. What a sweet ride, inside and out! Much more powerful than expected, the low weight is a joy, and the responsiveness, agility, and rolling resistance are just what I'd hoped for.

View attachment 182335
2. Impressed with the Specialized app so far. Between the app on my phone on the bars and the customizable TCU pages, no need for a separate bike computer for the foreseeable future. Speed, cadence, rider power, and distance are visible at a glance, and that's really all I need in the saddle. Plus, easy to transfer rides directly into RideWithGPS for gradient display.

View attachment 182336
3. @Prairie Dog , the standard QuadLock out-front mount works fine pointing forward. Phone battery drain was quite acceptable for 21 mi, even with the screen always on.

4. The ordered suspension seat post didn't get installed, and I didn't miss it on this shakedown ride on generally nice pavement.

View attachment 182337
5. The LBS jumped the gun on replacing the stock 44t chainring with a Wolf Tooth 40t (above). Lost the chain guard in the process, but now that the 40t's in place, it feels like a keeper.

View attachment 182339
6. We'll see what's sore tomorrow, but fit, position, and saddle seem pretty good so far. Palms and wrists complained a bit after 15 mi or so, but they're used to a more upright posture. I see Ergon grips in my future.

View attachment 182338
7. Getting enough onboard storage without a full-size trunk bag will be a challenge, but this small ALMSTHRE frame bag with no TCU or boss interference will be part of the solution.

Thanks again for getting me onto this beautiful bike!

I'm gutted I wasn't able to spend time on the forum for all this buildup in realtime. Really please for you @Jeremy McCreary - and I'm loving that Wolftooth chainring. I can see myself going for one of those.

 

[jason.flood]

My friends and mentors on EBR will be relieved to know that I'm just about done with the hand-wringing over the SL. Only 2 remaining issues:

1. Storage: Want just the right amount without resorting to a big trunk bag. This will take time and a lot of trial and error. A 3L waist pack may be involved.

2. Tubeless tires: The tubeless Pathfinder Pros go on in 2 days. Tubeless tires weren't even a thing the last time I was an avid cyclist, and I have no experience with maintaining or repairing them.

Luckily, found someone very knowledgeable at the LBS doing the tire work who's willing to teach me and get me set up with a repair kit to carry.

BTW, this LBS (Cadence Cyclery, Encinitas) sells only the highest-end bikes. (Think S-Works Tarmacs and comparable Colnagos, Cervelos, Pinarellos, etc.) Way out of my league, but they're friendly and helpful nonetheless.

I bought two of these and put then either side of the stem just behind the handlebar. one velcro loop on each bag goes around the handle bar. Then I straddle a single vector look between the two bags while gripping the stem.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/fabric-handlebar-bottle-cage/_/R-p-168751?mc=8487122&c=black

they Work a treat without having to modify (or obstruct0 the front light. Absolute bargain too.

HOWEVER - after a few months of use I realised the motion of the futureshock caused the bags to rub on the rubber boot around the shock, resulting in a split on either side. The rubber on that boot is really thin. My solution to this was to take a 2 inch slice of inner tube and slide it over the existing boot of the futureshock (after slipping the stem off the steerer tube) seems to be holding up to the Scottish weather.

 

[jason.flood]

First, thanks for all your help in this venture into the unknown with the SL. Working out fine, as so many of you predicted.

Minimal but prepared is my goal, too. Don't plan to carry much on routine rides. Have the Topeak MondoPack saddle bag coming for a few tools and tire repair wherewithal, including the spare tube I've been told to carry for the tubeless Pathfinders about to be mounted.

Might be room left for some small incidentals there as well. The small frame bag will cover the rest of the small stuff. A bigger frame bag would start covering bosses, and I'll need all 3 if an RE comes into my life.

The only remaining item is a light high-vis mesh vest or long-sleeved solid shell. Since it's often hard to predict which I'll need, I often end up wearing one and carrying the other.

View attachment 182528
For that, I'd like something more convenient and elegant than a stuff sack strapped to the rack (above). Thinking a small, low-profile rack bag — which nobody seems to sell at the moment. That's where your helpful list of custom bag makers might come in.

You could try this Jeremy. If fits perfectly to your rack and will allow you to convert any bag/box you like into a custom rack bag.

Amazon.com

 

[jason.flood]

Lovin' the SL 5.0 EQ more everyday, but getting frustrated with the Racktime rack. Still don't want a standard-sized trunk bag back there for now, but I DO want to make use of this rack.

Q1. Is it for SnapIT or SnapIT 2.0 adapters? The Racktime site gives distinguishing characteristics that don't exactly match the rack I have.

I think I should have read this thread in reverse chronological order You need the SnapIT (not the 2.0)

 

[jason.flood]

Ah, bullshit! I could successfully ride my Vado SL with a 32T even in a race.

View attachment 186331
True MTB gearing < 20 gear-in (exactly 17 gear inches). I needed that for hilly gravel rides.

Now, I ride a 42T chainring in our flatland. Less wear on the cassette smallest sprockets.

Don't shoot the messenger. I temped to ask them the question again though

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Don't shoot the messenger. I temped to ask them the question again though

Jason, just for your information: I was trying 32, 36, 42 and 44T chainrings on a Vado SL as well as 36, 42, 44 and 48T ones on a Vado 6.0. No issues. The only limiting factor is the maximum chainring size.

You may ask Specialized how come a Levo SL comes with a 32T chainring with no adverse effects

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

You could try this Jeremy. If fits perfectly to your rack and will allow you to convert any bag/box you like into a custom rack bag.

Amazon.com

Thanks! Will definitely give that adapter a try. All I really want to carry on my rear rack now is another layer of clothing. But in the rack's stock form, even that's a challenge to secure.

 

[jason.flood]

Jason, just for your information: I was trying 32, 36, 42 and 44T chainrings on a Vado SL as well as 36, 42, 44 and 48T ones on a Vado 6.0. No issues. The only limiting factor is the maximum chainring size.

You may ask Specialized how come a Levo SL comes with a 32T chainring with no adverse effects

I got another reply from Spesh but I’m not going to even post it because even I recognised it as a nonsense . However, I pressed and got an additional repsonse. It doesn’t make the situation any clear but I can appreciate the testing process. I’m certainly going to try to see if there would be lower chain clearance to the frame

“The product team test these extensively, and recommend a lower and upper limit. It is usually driven by the capacity of the mech, or down to contact points around the cranks.”

“…All I can relay is the results of the testing of the product team, who test under various conditions and come up with optimal recommendations to give the best experience ”

I also wonder if there could be non technical reasons. Maybe they don’t want folk lowering their gears to the extent that they can get there bikes into MTB territory

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you Jason for your effort!

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I got another reply from Spesh but I’m not going to even post it because even I recognised it as a nonsense . However, I pressed and got an additional repsonse. It doesn’t make the situation any clear but I can appreciate the testing process. I’m certainly going to try to see if there would be lower chain clearance to the frame

“The product team test these extensively, and recommend a lower and upper limit. It is usually driven by the capacity of the mech, or down to contact points around the cranks.”

“…All I can relay is the results of the testing of the product team, who test under various conditions and come up with optimal recommendations to give the best experience ”

I also wonder if there could be non technical reasons. Maybe they don’t want folk lowering their gears to the extent that they can get there bikes into MTB territory

Spesh advice often seems at odds with real world riding conditions! I swear they think this bike is designed for pretty boys & girls on sunny days riding just 5km on smooth flat flat ground - like their initial adverts for the Vado SL! Spesh seems to have no idea of the amazing capabilities of this fast & robust lightweight ebilke.

Years ago I emailed them a question about swapping the 700c wheels for 650bs (to fit wider tyres) and I got a warning back about NEVER TO DO THIS, something about pedal strikes etc etc - ignoring the fact that the 650b diameter with wide tyres would be similar to 700c with 38s and the operation has been successfully carried out on these very pages.

Referring to the chainring size I have a 36T on my Vado SL for over a year now and it's great on my steep hills. Plus the motor doesn't have to work as hard (the SL motor hates grinding) so I've helped the motor's longevity. As Stefan said anyway it's the same motor in both the Levo & Kenevo SL full suspension EMTBs which have 32T chainrings and are designed for battle in the harshest conditions.

 

[jason.flood]

Referring to the chainring size I have a 36T on my Vado SL for over a year now and it's great on my steep hills. Plus the motor doesn't have to work as hard (the SL motor hates grinding) so I've helped the motor's longevity. As Stefan said anyway it's the same motor in both the Levo & Kenevo SL full suspension EMTBs which have 32T chainrings and are designed for battle in the harshest conditions.

Thanks for the reassurance Rás. I think I need to go for it because every time I hit a 10%+ gradient I'm having to burn though battery energy way more than I would like due to lack of an extra gear

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

for a long, gradual climb, throw the bike on your car and get as close as you need to palomar mountain to make the round trip doable, and climb this:

Found this ride video. Looks like there are bike-friendly shoulders in some sections but not others. Clearly a beautiful ride. Probably lots of geologically interesting roadcuts for me to use as excuses to stop.

The famous fire lookout in Palomar Mountain State Park would be a worthy goal. Open to the public with commanding views of western SoCal from Orange County south into Mexico — all the way to the coast!