New owner

[Marquezdl]

Greetings all. Today I will be ordering a 2023 Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 from the Specialized dealer here in Medellin Colombia. I suspect I will be a frequent visitor to this forum after that. Just wanted to introduce myself, say “hi” and Thanks for all the experience, encouragement, and expertise here
dave

 

[Nomad]

Which Turbo Vado 4.0 is it?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Greetings all. Today I will be ordering a 2023 Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 from the Specialized dealer here in Medellin Colombia. I suspect I will be a frequent visitor to this forum after that. Just wanted to introduce myself, say “hi” and Thanks for all the experience, encouragement, and expertise here
dave

Welcome to the Forums! And to the User Club!

Which Turbo Vado 4.0 is it?

I think there is only one 2023 Vado 4.0 (full power) unless you are asking about Step Over vs Step Through or frame size

 

[Nomad]

Welcome to the Forums! And to the User Club!

I think there is only one 2023 Vado 4.0 (full power) unless you are asking about Step Over vs Step Through or frame size

It looks like there is a SL and the 2 different frame styles.

 

[Marquezdl]

It will be the standard frame, size large, in the red/silver color combo

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It will be the standard frame, size large, in the red/silver color combo

Marquez, I do not know very much about Colombia or any e-bike laws there. Are you getting the American Vado, that is 45 km/h (28 mph)?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It looks like there is a SL and the 2 different frame styles.

I think any owner of an SL e-bike would mention that Isn't Colombia a montane country? I would not dare riding an SL in the mountains

 

[Nomad]

I think any owner of an SL e-bike would mention that Isn't Colombia a montane country? I would not dare riding an SL in the mountains

I think they would to. Look like a very nice bike. Speaking of SL bikes I wonder when will really start seeing full power SL bikes. I don't think we're that far off from that happening.

 

[Jim in Central CA]

Greetings all. Today I will be ordering a 2023 Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 from the Specialized dealer here in Medellin Colombia. I suspect I will be a frequent visitor to this forum after that. Just wanted to introduce myself, say “hi” and Thanks for all the experience, encouragement, and expertise here
dave

Welcome, Marquezdl! I hope you love yours as much as I love mine. I am looking forward to warmer weather so I can get back out on it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I don't think we're that far off from that happening.

It makes little sense. Bigger motor is a heavier motor. Bigger motor means a bigger and heavier battery. Funnily enough, Como SL weighs almost as much as the full power Como because of -- among others -- the IGH...

 

[Marquezdl]

I really like turbo vado SL more than the standard turbo vado. I am a bicyclist at heart and the more it looks and weighs like a conventional bike, the better in my mind……however, I live at 5300 feet ASL, and the climb up the hill to my apartment is short but a brutally steep 27.5% (15.5 degree) climb. So even though the turbo Vado is roughly 15 pounds heavier than the turbo vado SL, I opted for the 4x boost rather than the 2x boost Of the SL.

 

[Nomad]

It makes little sense. Bigger motor is a heavier motor. Bigger motor means a bigger and heavier battery. Funnily enough, Como SL weighs almost as much as the full power Como because of -- among others -- the IGH...

See the thing is they are already making the motors lighter and batteries as well.

I really like turbo vado SL more than the standard turbo vado. I am a bicyclist at heart and the more it looks and weighs like a conventional bike, the better in my mind……however, I live at 5300 feet ASL, and the climb up the hill to my apartment is short but a brutally steep 27.5% (15.5 degree) climb. So even though the turbo Vado is roughly 15 pounds heavier than the turbo vado SL, I opted for the 4x boost rather than the 2x boost Of the SL.

Looking forward to the future when people don't have to make that choice, but I think you'll be very happy with your bike. Keep us in the loop.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

See the thing is they are already making the motors lighter and batteries as well.

Give me an example of a lightweight e-bike with a 710 Wh battery and say 70-90 Nm torque...

The new lightweight e-bikes have the motor at 50-60 Nm and the batteries are really small.

I own a Vado (90 Nm, 26 kg) and a Vado SL (35 Nm, 17 kg). Which of them you think I take for my vacation mountain rides?

Marquez: I understand that Specialized is represented well in Colombia. Could you tell us a little bit more?

 

[Marquezdl]

Specialized is HUGE IN Colombia. They are much bigger than Trek, Orbea, Scott, Canyon, Giant, or any other major brands. I know that Mike Sinyard, the founder of Specialized has visited Colombia more than once, and his company took the time and did the work to develop a distribution and sales network here. None of the other major brands has really done that.
I looked long and hard at other ebike brands, some models were more attractive to me than the specialized, but none have the physical presence here including parts and technical support.
In Manizales and Medellin, the Specialized stores look like what you would expect in NYC, LA, London, or Seattle. Big beautifully laid out stores with lots of shiny expensive product on display, service workstations that are clearly visible, and a nice coffee bar with snacks and pastries, as well as a lounge with bike racing videos playing non stop!
A question for y’all!…is it legal to ship a specialized ebike by air? Or is the battery pack a showstopper?

also, has anyone played with solar panel arrays for a portable charging solution?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you for the interesting explanation Marquez! My cycling friends were telling me similar things about Colombia but they only knew it from the perspective of South American cycle racing.

A question for y’all!…is it legal to ship a specialized ebike by air? Or is the battery pack a showstopper?

With the size of the Vado battery, you can only ship your e-bike without the battery. The battery is of too high capacity for air freight.

 

[kahn]

I think even the Creo's smaller internal batteries are too large/powerful for air shipment. Folks remove the internal and fly with the Range Extender batteries. Since you mentioned Seattle up there, I don't think we have sufficient solar to recharge the fairly large batteries. Although I do have solar panels on my home.

 

[Marquezdl]

I think even the Creo's smaller internal batteries are too large/powerful for air shipment. Folks remove the internal and fly with the Range Extender batteries. Since you mentioned Seattle up there, I don't think we have sufficient solar to recharge the fairly large batteries. Although I do have solar panels on my home.

I grew up and lived most of my adult life in the Puget Sound area. However since retiring in 2017 I have been calling Colombia my home. First, Chinchina, then Manizales, now Medellin. In the future I hope to relocate somewhere much closer to the sea.

 

[Marquezdl]

Picked the bike up today! WOW! It definitely has eboost up to 40 kph! It was amazing riding through Medellin’s heavy stop and go traffic. When I got to the hill up to my apartment, the 20% pitch was a snap in 2nd gear with boost on sport mode!
I am extremely impressed.
I was also stunned at what a good workout I got. As far as I can figure, the ebike boost allows me to ride mostly at the cadence and exertion level that is comfortable for me. After 15 miles I was definitely sweating like a pig! Of course having the charger and a bit of other stuff in my backpack may have had some effect.
tomorrow I hope to do a good day of exploring the cyclovias of Medellin!

 

[kahn]

ENJOY

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Marquezdl: Pic or it didn't happen!