My Turbo Vado 6.0 is in! (Northern suburbs of Chicago)
- Thread starter Ike582
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rich c
Well-Known Member
I've been riding the Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park trail. Mostly tar and chip surface, some rock. Friday I rode west from Bureau Junction. Just a wonderful ride, lots of old infrastructure to see. Maybe a little far for you, it takes me an hour drive to get to it. Great looking bike!
Looks like a great trail, but unfortunately it's a 2 and a half hour car ride just to get there for me !
McSpiffy, I'm in Highland Park, just East of where you noted. I typically ride either the Des Plaines River trail system or the Green Bay Trail system. The Green Bay trail can be accessed a block from my house, but the nicer Des Plaines River trails are a 15 minute car ride away. My goal is to avoid the car ride, and I can reach the trails just using the bike.
Saratoga Dave
Well-Known Member
Nice looking rig! Looks way better (to me, anyhow) in that subtle grey than the Arrest Me Yellow I've seen elsewhere.
I just rode it home from the dealer this morning in 35 degree (Fahrenheit) weather. First impressions:
1. The 6.0 is noticeably more comfortable than the 5.0 at high speed due to the front suspension. Riding the 5.0 at 25 mph on a typical park trail or road, the banging bumps and cracks started to add up on my wrists after a while. Today on the 6.0, the same roads were certainly more comfortable.
2. It's really fast. I don't think I'd want anything faster than the 28mph limit unless there was more of a scooter or motorcycle style frame and suspension under me.
3. I've got to dress warmer if I'm going to be on this bike in these temperatures!
1. The 6.0 is noticeably more comfortable than the 5.0 at high speed due to the front suspension. Riding the 5.0 at 25 mph on a typical park trail or road, the banging bumps and cracks started to add up on my wrists after a while. Today on the 6.0, the same roads were certainly more comfortable.
2. It's really fast. I don't think I'd want anything faster than the 28mph limit unless there was more of a scooter or motorcycle style frame and suspension under me.
3. I've got to dress warmer if I'm going to be on this bike in these temperatures!
MPDX, I ordered the bike the first week of August from Erick's bikes in Deerfield, IL. The seat on my other bikes is a Serfax RX, which I find to be more comfortable than the stock saddle. (I've ordered an other Serfax RX today for the bike.) I have to say the bike handles very well. I have to say the ride is sort of like a Range Rover if I could compare it to a car. It's a meaty bike, it's clear you have a lot of horse under you, but it handles very well. I have to say it's a very comfortable ride aside from my own seat preference. I did 15 miles in 40 degree (c) weather today, essentially flat, in a boost mix of 70% Turbo and 30% sport (measured by time), typical speed was 25-26, frequent stops at intersections. I left the driveway with 70% battery and arrived back at 9%. I guess that was less range than anticipated but probably to be expected considering the cold temp, high level of assist and higher speeds. I've yet to download the iPhone App, and have only a rookie's experience with the display, so there's some technical functionality that I've yet to explore.
JRA, for sure that's part of it. Riding the bike it reminded me a bit of my first car, a tiny 1977 Datsun with a 1.4 liter 4-cylender engine and a 5-speed. If you are paying attention, that kind of car can teach you a lot about "energy management." It's the same with an e-bike. You don't want to waste energy slowing down any more than necessary. The guy at the bike shop has been riding the Turbo Levo 6Fatty since the summer as a commuter bike, and he told me as I was leaving the shop to make sure I downshift after a slowdown, and not to stay in high gear and rely on the motor to get me back to speed. He said it burns juice unnecessarily, and I believe him.
Erick L
New Member
I got the 5.0 in July because the 6.0 was not available yet. I wish Specialized had an upgrade program. I’d trade in my 5.0 for a 6.0 and then add Body Float seat suspension.
Nducoff
New Member
My Turbo Vado 6.0 arrived at my LBS in Essex, CT, on November 14th. Weather hasn't been great to take it for a ride. I love road bikes and ride an S-Works Roubaix SRAM eTap. Wife bought a Pedego City Commuter last Summer and loves it. Figured I get an eBike to ride with her. As a Specialized fan, I went for the new Turbo Vado 6.0 for features, setup and quality.
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Over50
Well-Known Member
Nice. After you've put some miles on it I look forward to a user review from the perspective of an experienced cyclist.
Great pics, thanks for sharing! Hope you get some mild weather before Winter sets in. It's been wet and cold in Chicago, temps in the 30's so not much opportunity for me to use the 6.0 since I received it.
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