Just completed 1000 miles on my Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ

Howie7

Howie7

Member
Region
United Kingdom
I have now completed 1000 miles on my Turbo Vado 5.0 SL EQ.
I am very pleased with it, I can ride at whatever level of assistance I require depending on how much exercise I want and usually ride with the motor off if on the flat.
The only modifications I made have been to change the saddle and pedals. I also bought the range extender battery but I don’t always use it. I initially found the handlebar too wide but I’ve got used too it now.
Like other owners the front light bracket snapped, thanks to the member who posted the replacement part number I was able to buy another and fix it quickly. Other than lube the chain I have done no other servicing.
This is my first electric bike experience and I am enjoying it so much that I may buy an electric hardtail mountain bike, probably the Specialised Turbo Tero.
 

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Congratulations, Howie!
Just for record: My Vado SL 4.0 EQ was ridden for...
1657854576884.png

3,552 miles since June 2021.

The e-bike was ridden not only by me but my own metered mileage was...
1657854704088.png

3,170 miles.

I recorded 5 metric centuries on that e-bike. The longest ride was 116 km.

The most valuable upgrades for that e-bike were:
  • A Shimano 11-36T 10-speed cassette (getting rid of the granny gear to get more equal gear spacing)
  • Full Redshift ShockStop system: Suspension stem, suspension seat-post, computer mount (Wahoo)
  • A Wahoo ELEMNT Roam as the primary display
  • Innerbarends with SQlab grips
  • Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss tyres
  • Race Face Chester or Crankbrothers Stamp 1 pedals
  • Replacing the front mudguard with an AssSaver
  • Three Range Extenders
  • A Mirrycle.
Unlike Howie, I need the assistance at all times. My assistance settings vary depending on the season, and currently these are: ECO 35/60, SPORT 60/60, TURBO 100/100.

@Howie7: So you think of a Tero? What type of the terrain you have in your mind? While I support the idea of having a full power e-bike as an addition to the SL, I think a cross-country e-bike only makes sense if the e-bike is to be ridden cross country but not necessarily in the city :) (That's why the "big" Vado is my other e-bike).
 
waghmare said:
Congratulations!

Two weeks and I am past 200miles so getting there slowly!
Click to expand...
Add 100 more miles to it making it 300 in 2 weeks :).

I was at LBS for bike fit which went very well. Trimmed the handbar by 20mm on both sides. Adjusted grip angle, seat height, saddle position, stem spacers to meet those recommended measurements/angles. LBS put on some hybrid pedals (Loop) and Recon 3 gravel shoes which I liked the most in middle of pack between platform and road shoes. I wanted to give it a try and went for a long ride that I couldn't stop pedaling hitting my first century using mostly off/eco modes with +/2- 1200ft elevation around Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish loops.

I am just glad that someone forced me to try cleats as I would have never done it myself out of fear.
There is always first time for everything but at least I know what I am up against.
Great bike that's letting me go further, faster and enjoy the pacific northwest beauty.
 
Last edited:
waghmare said:
Add 100 more miles to it making it 300 in 2 weeks :).

I was at LBS for bike fit which went very well. Trimmed the handbar by 20mm on both sides. Adjusted grip angle, seat height, saddle position, stem spacers to meet those fancy measurements. LBS put on some hybrid pedals (Loop) and Recon 3 gravel shoes which I liked the most in middle of pack between platform and road shoes. I wanted to give it a try and went for a long ride that I couldn't stop pedaling hitting my first century using mostly off/eco modes with +/2- 1200ft elevation around Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish loops.

I am just glad that someone forced me to try cleats as I would have never done it myself out of fear.
There is always first time for everything but at least I know what I am up against.
Great bike that's letting me go further, faster and enjoy the pacific northwest beauty.
Click to expand...
Would you mind telling us who did your fitting?
 
waghmare said:
Add 100 more miles to it making it 300 in 2 weeks :).

I was at LBS for bike fit which went very well. Trimmed the handbar by 20mm on both sides. Adjusted grip angle, seat height, saddle position, stem spacers to meet those recommended measurements/angles. LBS put on some hybrid pedals (Loop) and Recon 3 gravel shoes which I liked the most in middle of pack between platform and road shoes. I wanted to give it a try and went for a long ride that I couldn't stop pedaling hitting my first century using mostly off/eco modes with +/2- 1200ft elevation around Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish loops.

I am just glad that someone forced me to try cleats as I would have never done it myself out of fear.
There is always first time for everything but at least I know what I am up against.
Great bike that's letting me go further, faster and enjoy the pacific northwest beauty.
Click to expand...
awesome report ! this stuff can get addictive … the feeling of riding fast, clipped in, on a bike that fits you correctly is amazing and very unique. feels a bit like flying, the bike just disappears!
 
I was on a group gravel ride this Saturday, riding my "gravelized" Vado SL. The group was very strong and I was riding in the tail at 75/75% assistance. The situation changed 10 km before the finish line. We were already riding asphalt, everybody was soaked because of a sudden rainfall, there was tailwind, and I discovered there was aplenty of energy in my main + RE batteries left. I switched to Turbo and started spinning. The group was left behind!

However, two guys started pursuing me, caught up with me and began drafting. I hoped I would have lost them on an overpass. No way! We descended the overpass at high speed, and I asked them to stop past a junction.

Both guys were road cyclists by heart, and both were powerful :) As I was a local in the very area, they asked me to continue in the lead. And so I won the race :D Good it was not a race or I would be disqualified haha!

1658011839166.png

In the green helmet in the background. Soon to be carrying my Vado SL over the barrier. I could not do the same with my big Vado!
 
Last edited:
Stefan Mikes said:
I was on a group gravel ride this Saturday, riding my "gravelized" Vado SL. The group was very strong and I was riding in the tail at 75/75% assistance. The situation changed 10 km before the finish line. We were already riding asphalt, everybody was soaked because of a sudden rainfall, there was tailwind, and I discovered there was aplenty of energy in my main + RE batteries left. I switched to Turbo and started spinning. The group was left behind!

However, two guys started pursuing me, caught up with me and began drafting. I hoped I would have lost them on an overpass. No way! We descended the overpass at high speed, and I asked them to stop past a junction.

Both guys were road cyclists by heart, and both were powerful :) As I was a local in the very area, they asked me to continue in the lead. And so I won the race :D Good it was not a race or I would be disqualified haha!

View attachment 129221
In the green helmet in the background. Soon to be carrying my Vado SL over the barrier. I could not do the same with my big Vado!
Click to expand...
Looks awesome!

Lightweight is surely big selling point of Vado SL and it doesn’t look like ebike even from shorter distances.

I believe you had Creo before? That would go unnoticed in this crowd of drop bar gravelers for sure!
 
i am new here i have had my Sl 4.0 Eq for about couple of months and love it I am around 200 miles the only thing that i would like to do is add end handlebar grips any suggestions
 
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