Specialized Turbo Vado/Como/Tero/Tero X User Club

[Stefan Mikes]

I forgot to mention I had my wheel size returned to factory specs. 2255 mm. I read the reviews of the 6.0 seems that model was having some issues. Maybe that's why the Vado 5.0 took over as the flagship for Vados.

Uh, I don't know. Mine is a 2017 EU 5.0. Specialized added a shock in 2018 and renamed the model to 6.0. 2019 saw replacing the 1.2s motor with 1.3 for the U.S. market and repainting the e-bike. The U.S. 2020 5.0 has almost the same specs as 2019 6.0, only different tyres and color.

If I would be assured by the LBS the BLOKS were replaced to TCD-W, I would have taken the plunge for the four grands.

In my case, I was misled by the LBS regarding the model-year but taking into account the future free overhaul to TCD-W and very good price, I have never regretted my decision to buy that e-bike.

 

[Kam1936]

Another test with the Jackery. It began charging the Vado at 171/172 w then increased as the charge went along to 179/180 w. Jackery battery depleted from 100% to 66% in 1 hour. (34%). The Vado went from 63% to 90%. (27%).

 

[lloose]

Newest member checking in. I have a 2020 Vado 4.0 I just bought last week. It's replacing my Lectric XP as my daily commuter. I ride at least 13 miles a day (6.5 to and from work) and hope to increase that a little more to grocery duty and some more joy rides. I am primarily a mountain biker who lives in the Pacific Northwest on the dry side of Washington State. This is the 2nd Specialized bike in my fleet with my wife's 2009 Hardrock Sport Disc also in my garage. I've always been a huge fan of Specialized and grew up when the original Rockhopper and Stumpjumper were tearing up singletracks (with all their weird geometry and complete lack of suspension forks). I originally bought a 2020 3.0 but returned it for the 4.0 after deciding that a little more torque, a little more power, and the upgrade in components were worth the $500 price increase. The 3.0 was phenomenal and I would highly recommend it to anyone, even with the 1.2e motor.

Happy to join the club.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Congratulations!
(Pictures, pictures?)

 

[lloose]

Congratulations!
(Pictures, pictures?)

I'll snap a few when I get home.

 

[Kam1936]

After doing the math. One Jackery 500 w battery pack at 100 % will apply 74 % charge to my Vado battery. That's 74 % usable. I found out the hard way awhile back that the last 6 % to 9 % the Motor will shut down giving no assist. The lights will work but that's it. $450.00 will get you 74 % charge in less than 3 hours using the fast charger. It's like you're taking your wall outlet with you. I was able to apply 45 % charge to my Vado from the 500 w supply unit in less that 1 1/2 hour. If you take into account the unusable 6 % or 9 % your getting 80 % or 83 % charge to the actual usable capacity of the Vado battery. During these Covid times I think it's a practical solution for range anxiety. A work around to increase your range, avoid getting stranded with no place to charge up or paying over $1000.00 for an extra battery. Also, an alternative method/strategy for increasing range than this

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I found out the hard way awhile back that the last 6 % to 9 % the Motor will shut down giving no assist.

It is 5% sharp on my Vado.

 

[Kam1936]

It is 5% sharp on my Vado.

Interesting. Mine shut down at 6% for sure it didn't go any lower than this. But I think the motor actually cut out assisting at 9%. I was shocked because I was only a mile from home. I knew I had enough battery to make the mile. I was wrong.

 

[GuruUno]

After doing the math. One Jackery 500 w battery pack at 100 % will apply 74 % charge to my Vado battery. That's 74 % usable. I found out the hard way awhile back that the last 6 % to 9 % the Motor will shut down giving no assist. The lights will work but that's it. $450.00 will get you 74 % charge in less than 3 hours using the fast charger. It's like you're taking your wall outlet with you. I was able to apply 45 % charge to my Vado from the 500 w supply unit in less that 1 1/2 hour. If you take into account the unusable 6 % or 9 % your getting 80 % or 83 % charge to the actual usable capacity of the Vado battery. During these Covid times I think it's a practical solution for range anxiety. A work around to increase your range, avoid getting stranded with no place to charge up or paying over $1000.00 for an extra battery. Also, an alternative method/strategy for increasing range than this

Yea, I really, really like her. I met her 5-1/2 years ago when I had my 1st iZip E3 Peak e-bike.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Interesting. Mine shut down at 6% for sure it didn't go any lower than this. But I think the motor actually cut out assisting at 9%. I was shocked because I was only a mile from home. I knew I had enough battery to make the mile. I was wrong.

In the range of less than 10 and above 5%, the assistance might be reduced but still existing. Actually, I discovered motor cutting at 5% as early as on 11th day of owning my Vado, and had to return on pedals for the last mile, too

Trust me, Giant/Yamaha is far worse in this respect. You cannot rely on the last 20% of the battery at all as the charge below that threshold disappears just after few kms ridden...

Giant AUTO mode left me powerless in torrential rain and lost off-road on that ride. (40 mi overall).

The last 9 km on pedal power (Giant Trance E+, 500 Wh battery).

I was very glad I managed to find my car...

 

[Kam1936]

Yea, I really, really like her. I met her 5-1/2 years ago when I had my 1st iZip E3 Peak e-bike.

Cool.
Final analysis. My math was off the last time. At a ratio of 27 to 34 =79%. 79% of 591w is 467 w rounded to the nearest w. Although the unit is specified at 518 w. 467 is all your going to squeeze out of 100 % charge from supply unit to your Vado. My Vado current capacity is 591 w. Taking in to account that the last 5% is unaccessible to riding assisted amounts to 467/562 your going to get 83% of the usable assisted capacity.
Brand new battery ordered online from LBS is going to cost you a little over $1100.00 U.S currency taxes/shipping and handling included. That's just for the battery. If you want the cover to match your bike that's going to be an additional cost if it can be matched. Definitely there is the advantage of simply pulling over and exchanging batteries. Also, it's a lighter load then carrying battery supply unit. Not significantly though to where the weight will affect the range.

Bottom line you're going to have carry that Specialized 4a charger with you to fast charge your Vado up to 467 w. At less than $1.00 a w. At close to 1% per minute. (1%>1.4%). Both have to be charged before leaving. With the supply unit you'll have to pull over somewhere for 1 hour (depending on your need) or less than 3 hours to get everything out of your battery unit. Today was windy. My trip distance was little over 31 miles with 1157 elevation gain. I was in Sport/Turbo the entire time. I took two breaks. One for coffee and one for lunch. Total charge time 1 1/2 hours. I arrived home with 39% battery remaining in my Vado. And 46% battery remaining in my battery pack. I was carrying a 40 pound load the entire way. My average speed was 15.5 mph. Eventually, I'm going to buy a spare battery. For now this a practical work around for me. I haven't gotten around to solar panel testing yet. I'm going to wait until I get the second Rockpal 100 w panel and do the test with them running parellel to see what I get. I'll report my findings when I do.

 

[Nxkharra]

After doing the math. One Jackery 500 w battery pack at 100 % will apply 74 % charge to my Vado battery. That's 74 % usable. I found out the hard way awhile back that the last 6 % to 9 % the Motor will shut down giving no assist. The lights will work but that's it. $450.00 will get you 74 % charge in less than 3 hours using the fast charger. It's like you're taking your wall outlet with you. I was able to apply 45 % charge to my Vado from the 500 w supply unit in less that 1 1/2 hour. If you take into account the unusable 6 % or 9 % your getting 80 % or 83 % charge to the actual usable capacity of the Vado battery. During these Covid times I think it's a practical solution for range anxiety. A work around to increase your range, avoid getting stranded with no place to charge up or paying over $1000.00 for an extra battery. Also, an alternative method/strategy for increasing range than this

Thank you Kam for posting this wow amazing lady and setup.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The Spring Has Come!

Or, I say so

I swapped Schwalbe Winter Plus with Smart Sams for the Spring, especially as I expect some mixed terrain rides. Smart Sams will be swapped to Electraks in June.

 

[Kam1936]

My other e-bike 48 V 14ah. 672w will take a charge while riding. For that bike I can extend the battery life 70% as I charge while I'm riding from the power supply unit. At level 2/3, assist that's another 28 miles added to the existing 40 mile range. That's another advantage I can use the power unit for. Except with the Vado I have to pull over to take a charge.

 

[Kam1936]

Man. I wish the Turbo Vado 5.0 allowed charging while riding. I took DJ city bike for a spin and tested the Jackery with it. I was charged up the entire time. I left with a full battery. 15 miles later I arrived with a full battery. Mainly riding in Level 3 assist but cranked it up to level 4/5 on the highway. Jackery was at 80% remaining. Return trip 7 miles Level 5 assist mostly level 3 on trail only. Battery was 3/4 full when I got home. 30 mile round trip. Jackery 49% battery remaining. I think the ratio of drain output (vs input) was more because of the increase in speed. The output is much less than the Vado at 111w when charging the bike battery from the Jackery, yet the battery capacity is 674w. Not sure why that is. The Vado was pulling 172w minimum. If the remaining juice from the Jackery brings the City bike back to fully charged, I estimate 70 mile range at level 3 assist with an entire charge from the Jackery. At > average speed of 15mph. https://www.trailheadcyclery.com/product/specialized-crossroads-armadillo-26-inch-245011-1.htm
I'm going to put these on the City Bike once the tires I have wear out.
I literally did not break a sweat to and from. Not going to get a workout on the City Bike. It's not designed that way. Plus, it has a throttle. Still it will hit 40kmh about 24.5 mph peddle assist 5 mode and sustain it as long as the juice is between 75 and 100.

 

[Nxkharra]

Man. I wish the Turbo Vado 5.0 allowed charging while riding. I took DJ city bike for a spin and tested the Jackery with it. I was charged up the entire time. I left with a full battery. 15 miles later I arrived with a full battery. Mainly riding in Level 3 assist but cranked it up to level 4/5 on the highway. Jackery was at 80% remaining. Return trip 7 miles Level 5 assist mostly level 3 on trail only. Battery was 3/4 full when I got home. 30 mile round trip. Jackery 49% battery remaining. I think the ratio of drain output (vs input) was more because of the increase in speed. The output is much less than the Vado at 111w when charging the bike battery from the Jackery, yet the battery capacity is 674w. Not sure why that is. The Vado was pulling 172w minimum. If the remaining juice from the Jackery brings the City bike back to fully charged, I estimate 70 mile range at level 3 assist with an entire charge from the Jackery. At > average speed of 15mph. https://www.trailheadcyclery.com/product/specialized-crossroads-armadillo-26-inch-245011-1.htm
I'm going to put these on the City Bike once the tires I have wear out.
I literally did not break a sweat to and from. Not going to get a workout on the City Bike. It's not designed that way. Plus, it has a throttle. Still it will hit 40kmh about 24.5 mph peddle assist 5 mode and sustain it as long as the juice is between 75 and 100.

My other e-bike 48 V 14ah. 672w will take a charge while riding. For that bike I can extend the battery life 70% as I charge while I'm riding from the power supply unit. At level 2/3, assist that's another 28 miles added to the existing 40 mile range. That's another advantage I can use the power unit for. Except with the Vado I have to pull over to take a charge.

I just watched a video of a lady with Specialized turbo bike who was charging the battery with solar power while she was riding cross country. This was posted on this forum.
womder how was that possible.

 

[Kam1936]

I just watched a video of a lady with Specialized turbo bike who was charging the battery with solar power while she was riding cross country. This was posted on this forum.
womder how was that possible.

I think her bike was specially designed to do that. She had a Turbo S. Also, her bike is over 5 years old.

 

[Kam1936]

Rig — Marissa Muller

"Alive is being in motion, outdoors, with the wind in your face and the sun warming your back."

www.marissamuller.com

Read more here.

 

[Dallant]

I just watched a video of a lady with Specialized turbo bike who was charging the battery with solar power while she was riding cross country. This was posted on this forum.
womder how was that possible.

Her bike was specially designed as was her solar power system. BTW, she did NOT use her smartphone while riding. She felt she needed to pay attention to all the vehicle traffic around her and didn’t want to be distracted.

 

[Kam1936]

Her bike was specially designed as was her solar power system. BTW, she did NOT use her smartphone while riding. She felt she needed to pay attention to all the vehicle traffic around her and didn’t want to be distracted.

Yep. I checked out her website and shot her a kite. My question was where did she sleep along the journey. Her gear didn't include sleeping bag/tent or water supplies. Since she was averaging about 60 miles a day. She must of been catching her rest at motels/hotels along the way or at residences provided for her.