First e-bike purchase assistance: Specialized?

[devorse]

Well I was told by Specialized that if I changed my spokes it would void the warrantee on the wheels even if I had the dealer do the work and If the replacement spokes caused damage to another part warrantee would be voided on that part too. Put a suspension fork on (like the European Como’s have) would void the frame warrantee….and so forth.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Well I was told by Specialized that if I changed my spokes it would void the warrantee on the wheels even if I had the dealer do the work and If the replacement spokes caused damage to another part warrantee would be voided on that part too. Put a suspension fork on (like the European Como’s have) would void the frame warrantee….and so forth.

Very strange. Probably a wrong LBS?
I'm currently in my LBS. They have just taken my Vado for a bike wash and for servicing on the spot. Never any fuss with them!

 

[Art Deco]

Well I was told by Specialized that if I changed my spokes it would void the warrantee on the wheels even if I had the dealer do the work and If the replacement spokes caused damage to another part warrantee would be voided on that part too. Put a suspension fork on (like the European Como’s have) would void the frame warrantee….and so forth.

Not the case with my little rural Specialized dealer in the united states either. He routinely makes small changes (like seats and handlebars) on new bikes to better fit the customer . And was willing to swap my chainring, although we haven't done it yet.

 

[TrevorB]

Trevor: Replacing the cassette would also require replacing the derailleur for the long cage one - which means cost and complication. As now Spec e-bikes are equipped with the SRAM gear, I wouldn't even know where to start. On the other hand, replacing the chainring is one of easier actions to do, and there are many rings to choose from. The 48T chainring is huge!

FYI: My Vado 5.0 came with the 48T chainring and 11-46T cassette (and a long cage derailleur). I had to choose a smaller chainring for climbing nevertheless. There was a moment I exactly had the 48T in the front and the 11-42T in the rear: The steepest grade I could climb with such a configuration was 14%.

Most derailleurs attached to 11-42t cassette will handle 11-46t. Still need to do some research. Reducing chainring does reduce top speed, for 45kmhr bike 44t would be smallest I'd go. 40t is too small for sustained riding over 40kmhr.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Most derailleurs attached to 11-42t cassette will handle 11-46t. Still need to do some research.

It first requires understanding what are the SRAM derailleurs coming with the e-bike (I do not possess this knowledge or understanding).

Costly swap the 11-42t for 11-46T for the 48T chainring only improves the gearing from 1.14 to 1.04. Inexpensive and easy replacing the chairing from 48T to 42T improves the gearing from 1.14 to 1.00 if the existing 11-42 T cassette is kept. Yes, reducing the chainring size reduces the max speed. Now, my most extreme "mountain" gearing was 38T chainring with 46T granny cog: the gearing ratio of 0.826. Hard to beat it.

@Marcela: you swapped your 48T chainring for a 36T one. Could you chime in?