Specialized turbo vado 5.0 2022... turbo mode

[mikeonabike]

I was wondering if any vado riders can help me in discovering if a motor feeling through the pedals or noise of the motor is normal whilst in turbo mode and at around13,14, MPH.
I have recently purchased a new turbo vado 5.0 EU. But I have noticed that in turbo mode I can feel a subtle variety of different feelings coming from the motor. This is hard to explain, but my question is something like: when in turbo mode and not quite reaching optimum restriction speed I can hear and feel a subtle difference in the motor. There is no difference in performance just can feel through the pedals a slight difference in noise and feeling, NOT A CONSISTENT FEELING WITHIN THE MOTOR. I Hope someone can say they understand what I mean as it is a felt thing rather than a performance related thing. Is this normal for the motor to do a few things when in turbo mode or is something amiss? Thanks for any help or advice.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I was wondering if any vado riders can help me in discovering if a motor feeling through the pedals or noise of the motor is normal whilst in turbo mode and at around13,14, MPH.
I have recently purchased a new turbo vado 5.0 EU. But I have noticed that in turbo mode I can feel a subtle variety of different feelings coming from the motor. This is hard to explain, but my question is something like: when in turbo mode and not quite reaching optimum restriction speed I can hear and feel a subtle difference in the motor. There is no difference in performance just can feel through the pedals a slight difference in noise and feeling, NOT A CONSISTENT FEELING WITHIN THE MOTOR. I Hope someone can say they understand what I mean as it is a felt thing rather than a performance related thing. Is this normal for the motor to do a few things when in turbo mode or is something amiss? Thanks for any help or advice.

I had a similar impression while demo riding a 2022 Tero 3.0. The new motors seem to be quite loud at low e-bike speed, to quieten when you are riding faster. The motor noise in the new motors is unpredictable. When you are in Turbo, the motor is putting a lot of power at your disposal and I am not surprised at all you're getting a strange sensation.

Note: Older Specialized motors were almost silent but when you were asking the motor for a lot assistance, the motor was becoming audible. I think you are experiencing a typical behaviour of the new 2.2 motor. Get used to it

 

[mikeonabike]

I hope you are right Stefan as I truly couldn't wish for a better bike. Its actually really quiet in eco and sport mode and not to bad even in turbo, but it is more of the difference felt through the pedals whilst in turbo that is of concern. But you are correct I think I need to get used to it. It would surprise me if anything was slipping at this early stage. Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I hope you are right Stefan as I truly couldn't wish for a better bike. Its actually really quiet in eco and sport mode and not to bad even in turbo, but it is more of the difference felt through the pedals whilst in turbo that is of concern. But you are correct I think I need to get used to it. It would surprise me if anything was slipping at this early stage. Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it.

Mike: an afterthought:
Vado is taking the way you are pedalling very seriously. With Turbo mode and the 15.5 mph speed restriction, it is very easy to pedal inconsistently. I think your Vado gets confused with your uneven pedalling specifically in Turbo mode!

 

[BikeOn]

Hey Mike on a Bike, I have about 3000 miles on my Vado SL 5.0EQ USA 2020 version. In 2021 my goal was 2000 miles; still have 99 miles to go, but think I will make it . - anyway... although the USA version is different than the EU version, I have also found there is a difference in noise and feel in the 3 levels. I love turbo, who doesn't like going fast??? but it does pedal a bit different... I'd define it as more clunky - and there is more noise.... however it is still a very quiet bike. In Eco - and Sport barely audible. I think that is to be expected. I test rode probably 7 different brands of bikes not counting the different models of each brand. The Creo was the only quieter bike I found. My chain lasted about 2400 miles, and technically still met the spec's but was skipping some so I replaced it. It's a great bike.... hope you enjoy it. If you are still unsure about your turbo mode have another Vado owner ride it, or ride theirs. That will help confirm any issues. Ride on and enjoy!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Vado SL 5.0EQ USA 2020

@BikeOn: @mikeonabike not only owns the European version but it is the full power Vado 5.0 which is a totally different e-bike from your SL. With the amount of power of the 2022 "big" Vado 5.0, using the Turbo mode with the 25 km/h (15.5 mph) EU restriction only makes sense uphill. It is because you hit 15.5 mph too easily in Turbo mode and the speed limiter has to cut the motor off (and then to turn the motor on as you instantly slow down below the speed limit on that relatively heavy e-bike). Note: The only difference between Specialized e-bikes for Europe and the United States nowadays is their speed restriction.

Now, it is strange to explain the difference you found between Creo and Vado SL regarding the motor noise as both e-bikes share exactly the same motor (just an impression of different noise?) I, however, agree the SL motor has different level of noise depending on several factors such as assistance level and pedalling cadence! (The SL motor is not the loudest I was able to hear though).

 

[e-boy]

I have the USA version of the 2022 Vado 5.0 , derailleur .
Pedaling in any Speed Mode , Eco , Sport or Turbo feels like there is a slight drag in the drive .
But the drag feeling is not consistent ; comes and goes .
Also , I find the drive noisy , especially climbing . At lower speeds somewhat whining pitch but not consistently .
I had the dealer ride the bike and he says it's riding normally .

 

[Zekeer]

I have the USA version of the 2022 Vado 5.0 , derailleur .
Pedaling in any Speed Mode , Eco , Sport or Turbo feels like there is a slight drag in the drive .
But the drag feeling is not consistent ; comes and goes .
Also , I find the drive noisy , especially climbing . At lower speeds somewhat whining pitch but not consistently .
I had the dealer ride the bike and he says it's riding normally .

Every other manufacturers motor has a winding noise . Keep in mind as they make the motor and housing smaller . It would only be natural to hear more subtle noises . It could be because the housing is obviously thinner as well . You hear noise you wouldn't hear if the housing was bigger I rode with someone the other day that had a 2021 Trek Alliant . Way way more winding noises then my Vado . I watch an EMTB Guy who gets to try a number of bikes . He also records the motor and they are noisy . Specialized for what it's worth still has the quite motor over the rest .

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I have the USA version of the 2022 Vado 5.0 , derailleur .
Pedaling in any Speed Mode , Eco , Sport or Turbo feels like there is a slight drag in the drive .
But the drag feeling is not consistent ; comes and goes .
Also , I find the drive noisy , especially climbing . At lower speeds somewhat whining pitch but not consistently .
I had the dealer ride the bike and he says it's riding normally .

The motor noise is the fact for the 2022 Specialized/Brose motors. The Gen 1 (2017-2021) was totally silent but there was a fairly noticeable rate of failures of Specialized/Brose motors (that's why Specialized once extended the motor warranty to 4 years). I'm sure Specialized demanded design changes from Brose to make the Gen 2 motors durable; the side effect of that is the audible motor. I rode a 2022 Tero and all I can say the Gen 2 motor noise is at a quite acceptable level. (The SL motor is far more noisy!)

The motor drag you are experiencing might be your personal sensation. Honestly, we do not hear of Gen 2 motor failures. With Gen 1, some users (as I) experienced no motor issues but the other often had their motor replaced very soon under warranty.

 

[e-boy]

Motor drag seems less today .
It's a brand new bike ; does the drive "break-in" ?
Could also be I'm riding more efficiently , in the green zone .

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Could also be I'm riding more efficiently , in the green zone .

Could be. If your cadence is low, the sensors might experience some trouble with determining the torque input into your cranks (uneven pedalling).