Modifications?

[Marquezdl]

Just curious about 2 things.
1. has anyone replaced the front suspension fork with a rigid fork, carbon maybe?
2. Has anyone replaced the stock tires with a much lighter set of semi slick tires, for instance Rene Herse Switchback Hill 640b X 48 endurance casing?

 

[fooferdoggie]

I have these guys and they are great. I bought the last two amazon hand. but found them on e bay for around 50.00 each.

Schwalbe G-One Speed​

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GTLKY3J/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_6?smid=&psc=1

 

[Stefan Mikes]

1. has anyone replaced the front suspension fork with a rigid fork, carbon maybe?

This is a difficult thing.

• For a given bike or e-bike, the fork and the frame form the frameset of given geometry
• It is not easy to find the replacement fork matching the fork length; headset; the hub of the existing front wheel
• The suspension fork is good for the frame integrity. Unsuspended bike experiences more stress in the frame, which may lead to frame cracking, especially on a heavy e-bike.

I do not recommend doing that. It took Specialized only a year (2017-2018) to realize using a rigid fork on a MY2017 Vado 5.0 was a mistake, and they replaced that model with suspension fork frameset on all Vado models since.

I was riding an unsuspended MY2017 Vado 5.0 for 3 years or over 13,000 km until the frame cracked. Once the frameset was replaced with the one of 6.0 (with suspension fork), my rides have become a pleasure.

I understand you are after reducing your Vado weight. Shouldn't you have bought a Vado SL 5.0 instead? Just a question!

Has anyone replaced the stock tires with a much lighter set of semi slick tires, for instance Rene Herse Switchback Hill 640b X 48 endurance casing?

Cannot help you with that as my e-bikes run on 700c wheels and I have no experience with 27.5" tyres of the properties you are asking for.

 

[Marquezdl]

This is a difficult thing.

• For a given bike or e-bike, the fork and the frame form the frameset of given geometry
• It is not easy to find the replacement fork matching the fork length; headset; the hub of the existing front wheel
• The suspension fork is good for the frame integrity. Unsuspended bike experiences more stress in the frame, which may lead to frame cracking, especially on a heavy e-bike.

I do not recommend doing that. It took Specialized only a year (2017-2018) to realize using a rigid fork on a MY2017 Vado 5.0 was a mistake, and they replaced that model with suspension fork frameset on all Vado models since.

I was riding an unsuspended MY2017 Vado 5.0 for 3 years or over 13,000 km until the frame cracked. Once the frameset was replaced with the one of 6.0 (with suspension fork), my rides have become a pleasure.

I understand you are after reducing your Vado weight. Shouldn't you have bought a Vado SL 5.0 instead? Just a question!


Cannot help you with that as my e-bikes run on 700c wheels and I have no experience with 27.5" tyres of the properties you are asking for.

The Vado 5.0 is not available in Colombia, nor is the Vado 5.0 SL. I purchased the last 2023 turbo vado 4.0 size large that was in Specialized Colombia’s inventory. Understand that choices are severely limited here. Most ebike brands simply arent sold here

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The Vado 5.0 is not available in Colombia, nor is the Vado 5.0 SL. I purchased the last 2023 turbo vado 4.0 size large that was in Specialized Colombia’s inventory. Understand that choices are severely limited here. Most ebike brands simply arent sold here

I understand it now. Based on my own experience on riding a Vado with a rigid fork, I simply discourage you from doing such a change even if possible.