Mastermind TCU Update

[rochrunner]

While looking for something totally unrelated, I tripped onto a couple of Specialized videos posted just 4 hours ago (!) and talking about the newest update for Mastermind TCUs such as the one on my 2022 Vado SL 5.0. I installed it with no problems, and after an update also to the Mission Control app the new features are available. The update to the bike is applied in the standard way using MC.

There is one minor feature where you can set the bike to start up in Microtune mode in addition to the standard three modes. But the bigger one for me is that you can now lock the motor from the app and unlock it either from the app or with a PIN from the remote buttons. When locking you can choose to set the alarm, but that's not on my SL.

By the way, the one awkward step is that in order to enable the Lock feature, you have to upload "proof of purchase" by taking a picture of your receipt from within the app. So I hope you remembered to save yours!

There could be other new features, but I was anxious to go downstairs and get the lock feature working.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

you can set the bike to start up in Microtune mode in addition to the standard three modes

In my opinion, that's the greatest feature of them all. I dream I could have it!
My experience from group rides is the group either rides too slowly or too fast compared to the capability of my legs and chosen assistance setup. In practice, two things can happen:

• The group is stronger than I and my Vado (SL or regular). I can see them disappearing at a distance. Switching to Turbo makes me ride too fast though
• The group is weaker, especially upwind. I want them to draft behind me in my slipstream. However, my motor is too strong. So I'm ghost-pedalling and the group still cannot follow me!

Had I Micro Tune... I could adjust the assistance on the fly to be exactly with the group!

Regarding the Lock function, I would be afraid to use it. "Whatever could go wrong, it would go wrong" with me!

 

[Nubnub]

My recently aquired Tero must have already had the updates installed as both the things you mention were already there. It was funny to see the option for the lock ask for a picture of the receipt. Didn't seem to do any cross check since the lock ability was granted right away. Also noted the check box for "I acquired this bike second hand" as an option. Not sure if they do any other security verification - otherwise it is same as "I stold this".

@Stefan Mikes You use Blevo. So if micro tune is useful - consider getting the remote for it. It allows fine tuning (at user defined levels of granularity) of the support levels as well. I don't use that much since I prefer just setting smart power to 15/100 support and let it adjust on the fly automatically. But the remote is still useful for being able to zoom the map.

 

[Nubnub]

Also noticed 2 new videos on how to assemble road/gravel bikes and mtn/active bikes. Still didn't see the ship to home option for the Vado SL but maybe it is coming - so LBS could be cut out completely. As mentioned elsewhere, they now add the $15 environmental battery recycle fee. Wasnt there when I ordered last month.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You use Blevo. So if micro tune is useful - consider getting the remote for it.

I can remember you wrote about the remote in the past. Could you recommend such a remote again? ( I might need to find space on my bars but the feature would be really useful!)
P.S. I have found your thread! Thank you!
P.S.2. O-Synce MultiRemote ANT+ is currently unavailable in Europe...

 

[Nubnub]

I can remember you wrote about the remote in the past. Could you recommend such a remote again? ( I might need to find space on my bars but the feature would be really useful!)
P.S. I have found your thread! Thank you!
P.S.2. O-Synce MultiRemote ANT+ is currently unavailable in Europe...

I ordered thru the company (German) website: https://o-synce-shop.de/

Still appears to be in stock. At the time ordering with the discount code in the Blevo manual would apply a 20% discount. Not sure if that is still valid but can always try.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I ordered thru the company (German) website: https://o-synce-shop.de/

Still appears to be in stock. At the time ordering with the discount code in the Blevo manual would apply a 20% discount. Not sure if that is still valid but can always try.

Thank you! Which model? ANT+ or LEV?

 

[rochrunner]

Regardless that this thread has already been hijacked by those two above , I was wondering if there might be "release notes" (if there is such a thing anymore) for this update. The video mentions a few new features and then add "and more" but where are the details? I did notice a couple of (very small!) icons that appear at the upper right of the display. One appears to show the status of the connection with MC and the other looks like it shows the status of a ride being recorded with "play" and "pause" indicators.

None of this is going to be useful to me but it would be nice to know what else is new.

 

[GuruUno]

While looking for something totally unrelated, I tripped onto a couple of Specialized videos posted just 4 hours ago (!) and talking about the newest update for Mastermind TCUs such as the one on my 2022 Vado SL 5.0. I installed it with no problems, and after an update also to the Mission Control app the new features are available. The update to the bike is applied in the standard way using MC.

There is one minor feature where you can set the bike to start up in Microtune mode in addition to the standard three modes. But the bigger one for me is that you can now lock the motor from the app and unlock it either from the app or with a PIN from the remote buttons. When locking you can choose to set the alarm, but that's not on my SL.

By the way, the one awkward step is that in order to enable the Lock feature, you have to upload "proof of purchase" by taking a picture of your receipt from within the app. So I hope you remembered to save yours!

There could be other new features, but I was anxious to go downstairs and get the lock feature working.

When I set mine up, I was befuddled as to how to "prove" the purchase, so I fumbled through my photos and uploaded a photo of my bike. I found that process flawed. It could have been a photo of my cat.

 

[fatshark]

Be warned ... when you do update the TCU display the system generates a warning telling you that the "motor is missing" ... a little disconcerting!

 

[Creo rider]

Be warned ... when you do update the TCU display the system generates a warning telling you that the "motor is missing" ... a little disconcerting!

I have the same issue after the update - "motor is missing or not communicating ... error 4". Do you know how to remove the error. Bike appears to be functioning perfectly well otherwise.
Update: while turning the bike on and off again (repeatedly) did not remove the error, after going for a 2 hour ride the error was gone when I finished the ride.

 

[rayray]

Thank you! Which model? ANT+ or LEV?

Sorry, but I’m gonna hijack this thread for a moment…..Though I’m not sure discussing an alternative to Mastermind for older bikes is really hijacking.

The BLEvo app provides a link to this particular remote, and the product description on their website specifically refers to using it with BLEvo; https://www.o-synce-shop.de/en/ACCESSORIES/REMOTES/108/multiremote

I’m hoping it’ll work with my Creo. I ordered it, so I guess I’ll find out.

Hijack over.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Sorry, but I’m gonna hijack this thread for a moment…..Though I’m not sure discussing an alternative to Mastermind for older bikes is really hijacking.

The BLEvo app provides a link to this particular remote, and the product description on their website specifically refers to using it with BLEvo; https://www.o-synce-shop.de/en/ACCESSORIES/REMOTES/108/multiremote

I’m hoping it’ll work with my Creo. I ordered it, so I guess I’ll find out.

Hijack over.

User @Nubnub is a great advocate of BLEvo with O-synce. However, the remote is unavailable in my region so I can say nothing.

 

[rayray]

User @Nubnub is a great advocate of BLEvo with O-synce. However, the remote is unavailable in my region so I can say nothing.

You’re in Poland, right? Their checkout page offers shipping to Poland in a dropdown field. When I checked out, it first appeared they didn’t ship to the U.S. either, but I stumbled upon it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You’re in Poland, right? Their checkout page offers shipping to Poland in a dropdown field. When I checked out, it first appeared they didn’t ship to the U.S. either, but I stumbled upon it.

Could you provide the link?
I was looking for the O-synce in Europe. All major online stores mentioned "This product is unavailable".

 

[rayray]

Could you provide the link?
I was looking for the O-synce in Europe. All major online stores mentioned "This product is unavailable".

multiremote | o-synce Shop

Die multiremote ist eine kabellose Fernbedienung für dein Smartphone, mit der du die BLEvo App via Bluetooth bequem von deinem Lenker aus bedienen ka…

www.o-synce-shop.de

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you!

 

[kattanm]

So where do we get the new Mastermind TCU, and how hard to install on an old Creo?

 

[rayray]

So where do we get the new Mastermind TCU, and how hard to install on an old Creo?

I checked with my LBS, who called Specialized, and were told Mastermind TCU’s aren’t available. However, I used BLEvo’s Smart Power and Smart HR on a 25-mile ride today, and I might be a believer. Of course, if Mastermind becomes available, I’ll probably buy one to compare.

As to the difficulty of installation of the new TCU, there’s a video on YouTube showing it as plug and plug-and-play. There is an error message or warning that popped up, but the reviewer said it had no effect on operation.

I’m looking forward to receiving the O-Synce remote and trying out BLEvo’s version of manual assistance control. Should have it in a few days if the shipping info (from Germany to U.S.) is to be believed.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

O-Synce

Would you believe I might experience the lack of the real estate on my handlebars to install the O-Synce? That's because of the SQlab Innerbarends... (You cannot have it all!)