New Vado 5.0 family

[Onimaru]

Got both home now and took our first family ride today to test them out. Nothing far because it’s still a bit chilly here. But it was a beautiful spring day!

Only down side is I already need to repair/replace the chain/belt guard. The little plastic on the 3mm split when my pant bumped it. Nothing major.

After the ride, I went on a solo run. It was fun being able to cross the highway overpass hill near me at 17 mph into a headwind and 25 mph on a tailwind returning. Even hit 30 mph on the downhill.

 

[Onimaru]

I didn’t have a black washer handy, but this is the eyelet that cracked. I need to get some 20 mm extenders on my pedals like on my analog bike. Shoe size is 13 4E (46 extra wide for the EU) so pedal comfort for big feet is always a struggle for me. This time it had some collateral damage. I’ll order a spare piece and glue the eyelet back on and use the washer temporarily and should be fine. Worst case it can come all the way off and not impact operation.

Edit - typo

 

[gpburdell]

@Onimaru depending on how handy (or adventurous) you are, you might consider looking into "plastic welding" the chain cover if a replacement is expensive or difficult to obtain.

I think a black washer would be a good way to spread some of the forces and help prevent a future issue.

Edit - if you were to epoxy the washer to the plastic it'd further help spread the load for future bumps. Check the type of plastic though to ensure epoxy is an appropriate adhesive.

 

[Onimaru]

@Onimaru depending on how handy (or adventurous) you are, you might consider looking into "plastic welding" the chain cover if a replacement is expensive or difficult to obtain.

I think a black washer would be a good way to spread some of the forces and help prevent a future issue.

Edit - if you were to epoxy the washer to the plastic it'd further help spread the load for future bumps. Check the type of plastic though to ensure epoxy is an appropriate adhesive.

This was exactly my plan. I'm going to try and see if I can get a warranty piece anyway because part of the issue was the installation was putting some tension on the eyelet. If not, it's probably not that expensive. But I'm handy enough to make a decent repair on the existing one. Just need to run to the hardware store.

 

[SPeas]

Onimaru,

Your family will be traveling in style!

Question about your cafe bike locks. My wife and I are also new owners of Vados and locks are something we haven't purchased yet. Can you tell me specifically which model of lock you have? Also, were you were able to get them keyed to match your battery locks? Specialized doesn't seem to offer any suggestions on best options.

 

[Onimaru]

Onimaru,

Your family will be traveling in style!

Question about your cafe bike locks. My wife and I are also new owners of Vados and locks are something we haven't purchased yet. Can you tell me specifically which model of lock you have? Also, were you were able to get them keyed to match your battery locks? Specialized doesn't seem to offer any suggestions on best options.

I purchased Abus 5750L locks. They are the only I knew for sure would fit based on what for the old Como 5.0. The 4750X may also fit but I haven’t found any of those in stock. AXA also has a large wheel lock they were releasing but that may only be available in Europe.

It’s not keyed alike. The new Vado and Como use AXA keys not Abus. You may be able to swap the AXA key cylinder for an Abus one but I don’t know for sure.

The security chains are also hard to find. I settled for the 100 cm 6ks because it’s all I could get and it won’t be my only lock solution. COVID has screwed us bike security on some of this stuff because a lot of the good stuff comes from Europe.

Of note, on the new Vado, the tech had to remove my entire rear wheel to fit the lock because the opening doesn’t clear the fender with it all assembled. The positive is no one can steal your lock once the bike is assembled without a lot of effort.

 

[gpburdell]

@SPeas According to Specialized's Support site the compatible model for Vado is the Abus Shield 5750 Plus.

Which I'm oddly not finding on ABUS's US website at the moment, and seems to be scattered as far as being in stock at various sites.

If lock / key compatibility is important, it appears that AXA also makes frame locks. That may be an avenue to explore. US site seems to list far fewer options than the UK site for some reason. Perhaps AXA customer service could cross-reference which of their locks matches the Abus 5750.

 

[fooferdoggie]

@SPeas According to Specialized's Support site the compatible model for Vado is the Abus Shield 5750 Plus.

Which I'm oddly not finding on ABUS's US website at the moment, and seems to be scattered as far as being in stock at various sites.

If lock / key compatibility is important, it appears that AXA also makes frame locks. That may be an avenue to explore. US site seems to list far fewer options than the UK site for some reason. Perhaps AXA customer service could cross-reference which of their locks matches the Abus 5750.

I have a new one in the package and extra keys if you want.

 

[gpburdell]

I have a new one in the package and extra keys if you want.

I appreciate the offer, but I'll let someone else take it if they want.

I'm a bit from even buying an ebike, and still to decide whether I'd add a cafe lock or not.

If I do so, I'll likely first explore the AXA route for key compatibility.

 

[Onimaru]

I appreciate the offer, but I'll let someone else take it if they want.

I'm a bit from even buying an ebike, and still to decide whether I'd add a cafe lock or not.

If I do so, I'll likely first explore the AXA route for key compatibility.

AXA hasn’t offered the service like Abus as far as I know. It would be nice if they did eventually.

 

[gpburdell]

AXA hasn’t offered the service like Abus as far as I know. It would be nice if they did eventually.

While I've not followed through with an AXA dealer, they do allude to doing something like this on their UK website: : https://www.axasecurity.com/bike-security/en-gb/professionals/oem/axa-battery-locks/

They also seem to sell frame locks with a battery lock for a variety of brands:

Lock + battery lock Shimano STEPS Axa Defender

Axa Defender ring lock with a separate battery lock, so that the battery can be taken out again with the same key. This lock is suitable for luggage carrier ...

www.e-bike-parts.com

Lock AXA Block XXL + Bosch Frame Lock

www.e-bike-parts.com

Slot AXA BLOCK XXL + ZWT POWERTUBE LOCK

www.e-bike-parts.com

https://www.axasecurity.com/bike-security/en-gb/products/locks/8/559652950005US/axa-defender-ring-lock-bosch-battery-pack-lock-tube-style-north-america

Makes me wonder if one might leverage one of these options to replace the cylinder on the Vado even if one couldn't order a lock to the existing key code.

Something I'll explore eventually. Perhaps the path will be more clear by them.

Edit - hmm, quite a few choices: https://hollandbikeshop.com/en-gb/b...-bike-bicycle-locks/e-bike-frame-lock/?page=1

 

[fooferdoggie]

I appreciate the offer, but I'll let someone else take it if they want.

I'm a bit from even buying an ebike, and still to decide whether I'd add a cafe lock or not.

If I do so, I'll likely first explore the AXA route for key compatibility.

yes its nice to have matching keys thats why I bought it but it wont fit on my new bikes. I ahve 4 battery locks three bike locks and my garage all with the same key.

 

[Onimaru]

Search for the AXA Imenso. Finally found the name of their lock that should fit the 650b x 2.3 wheels. If you’re set on that one then you’ll likely need to import. But at least a product that fits exists.

 

[gpburdell]

Search for the AXA Imenso. Finally found the name of their lock that should fit the 650b x 2.3 wheels. If you’re set on that one then you’ll likely need to import. But at least a product that fits exists.

Thanks, I'll note that for future -- I'm not even convinced that my usage would benefit from a frame lock. I'll need to see how this season develops.

 

[Jim in Central CA]

I would recommend you seriously consider a frame lock for several reasons: 1) they are not too large and don't have much of a weight burden, particularly on an e-bike, and 2) they are always with you should you need it, even when you weren't expecting to, and 3) they really are a quick and simple alternative to a D lock or folding lock for quick locking, and even more so with the security chain added.