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

[lloose]

I'll snap a few when I get home.

 

[Kam1936]

Looks like my Turbo Vado 5.0 2019's twin. Nice pic

 

[rochrunner]

Looks just like mine.

 

[RayZR]

Hello. Have my first e-bike on order and am super excited, a Turbo Como 3.0. I sit at 6’0” with a 31” inseam and appear to be at the top of the size chart for a M/L by height. I was also at the top of the chart for my current bike, a Sirius size L, which has been fine. Any thoughts on sizing for the Como? I’ve ordered the traditional step over frame, they only had a low entry to demo at my LBS, which was a size L. It seemed to be sized properly. Thank you!

 

[rochrunner]

In general, I think it's better to be on a bike that's slightly small for you than slightly too large.

 

[Kam1936]

I met a young woman today when I picked up my Burley Nomad trailer. She was working on one of the back wheels of her cargo trailer that she built herself. When she isn't riding she sleeps in it on your. No comfort of hotels. Although her bike is Specialized, it's not an E-bike. If I didn't see it with my own eyes I wouldn't of believed it. Ventilation and insulated. She welded it together by herself. She had a single Jackery 60w panel running to her Jackery 160 to keep her phone and the things she used charged.

 

[JackFlag]

Hi all,

Wanted to say hi. Received my Como 5.0 a few weeks ago. Great bike.

I installed a Redshift stem and used the existing spacers. However, the spacers have "bumps" allowing them to fit into each other. This causes the Redshift to sit unevenly on the spacer. To address this issue, I turned the spacers 90 degrees. This allows the Redshift to sit flush on the spacer. See the attached photos. This seems to work. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[mikecoin56]

Hi all,

Wanted to say hi. Received my Como 5.0 a few weeks ago. Great bike.

I installed a Redshift stem and used the existing spacers. However, the spacers have "bumps" allowing them to fit into each other. This causes the Redshift to sit unevenly on the spacer. To address this issue, I turned the spacers 90 degrees. This allows the Redshift to sit flush on the spacer. See the attached photos. This seems to work. Any thoughts? Thanks!

When installing the Redshift stem on my Como 4, I decided to replace the original spacers with a spline with new ones from my LBS. No matter how I spun the original ones, I couldn’t make them work correctly.

 

[NightRider1]

I met a young woman today when I picked up my Burley Nomad trailer. She was working on one of the back wheels of her cargo trailer that she built herself. When she isn't riding she sleeps in it on your. No comfort of hotels. Although her bike is Specialized, it's not an E-bike. If I didn't see it with my own eyes I wouldn't of believed it. Ventilation and insulated. She welded it together by herself. She had a single Jackery 60w panel running to her Jackery 160 to keep her phone and the things she used charged.

I might have spoken to her and asked if her "snail-shell" also has air conditioning.

 

[Kam1936]

I might have spoken to her and asked if her "snail-shell" also has air conditioning.

Yeah I thought about asking your mother or sister that but I already knew the answer. Shame.

 

[Kam1936]

Hooked the Burley Nomad to the Vado today. Charged up the bike and the Bluetti while I worked out. I like the pass through charging that allows input and output charging simultaneously. Two 100w Rockpal panels running parellel gives a steady charge of 122w an hour. The Jackery power unit charges 84w an hour with the same setup.

 

[KeithE]

Majority of EBR Forum owners of Specialized e-bikes ride either a Turbo Vado or a Como. This is natural, as these two major models have been designed for an average cyclist. Turbo Levo and Kenevo are technical ride stuff, discussed on e-MTB fora. Creo is for road cycling fanatics

It is quite interesting American versions of Vado are in the majority Class 3 bikes, while the only speed Vado model for Europe is Vado 6.0. Does anybody own the 6.0? Canadians have to be content with the 32 km/h versions, unluckily. (The Australian have to be content with 25 km/h).

I'd like you friends to talk more about your experiences with your Specialized e-bikes, for good and for bad. Please post pictures if you like.

I fell in love with my 2017 Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0, which I bought in Autumn 2019. (I thought of buying a 2019 or 2020 model that would have stretched my budget too far). There are four components and a feature I am extremely happy with in my 2017 model:

1. Rigid fork - (2020 update: married with Baramind BAM suspension handlebars; and the Kinekt 2.1 suspension seatpost)
2. 29x2" Elektrak tyres (Autumn 2020: Replaced with Schwalbe Smart Sam 47-622 for some off-road capability while staying silent on-road)
3. TRP Zurich brakes (the top of the class)
4. 600 lm headlight and very strong rear light, illuminating the number plate as well. (2020 update: Following the overhaul from the BLOKS to the TCD-W display, the headlight was replaced by Specialized with a 1700 lm Supernova M99 Pro).

The feature is the beautiful grey colour.
View attachment 45130

When I first mounted the Vado, I was positively shocked with the bike's geometry. So sporty! What I love about my Vado is the agility and the acceleration, both being fantastic, especially in the Sport mode. It is a lot of fun to ride fast!

Now, it is your turn to brag about your Specialized e-bikes!

Hi Stefan, You have been helping me with my decision making on the Gazelle and Specialized.
It's on that tread in May 2021.
I have seen your comments on many treads.
This bike you have here is the Vado. Why isn't there a suspension fork? Is it because you aren't in USA? On my post you said you loved your Como. I'm still doing research. I like the suspension in the handlebars and different tires.
The Como is a more comfortable ride. I did notice a front tire noise. The rest of the bike was quiet.

 

[Dallant]

Hooked the Burley Nomad to the Vado today. Charged up the bike and the Bluetti while I worked out. I like the pass through charging that allows input and output charging simultaneously. Two 100w Rockpal panels running parellel gives a steady charge of 122w an hour. The Jackery power unit charges 84w an hour with the same setup.

Thoughts on the Nomad?

 

[Kam1936]

Nomad is a blessing. I carry most of my cargo in it. I wish the wheels were bigger 20" but other than that I like it so far.

 

[mikecoin56]

Hi all,

Wanted to say hi. Received my Como 5.0 a few weeks ago. Great bike.

I installed a Redshift stem and used the existing spacers. However, the spacers have "bumps" allowing them to fit into each other. This causes the Redshift to sit unevenly on the spacer. To address this issue, I turned the spacers 90 degrees. This allows the Redshift to sit flush on the spacer. See the attached photos. This seems to work. Any thoughts? Thanks!

I installed the redshift stem on my Como 4. I didn’t like the way the spacers were so I purchased replacements at the Specialized dealer and they installed them for me.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

This bike you have here is the Vado. Why isn't there a suspension fork? Is it because you aren't in USA? On my post you said you loved your Como. I'm still doing research. I like the suspension in the handlebars and different tires.

It is a 2017 Vado 5.0. Those had no suspension fork in that model year. Honestly, 40 psi in the wheels and Kinekt 2.1 suspension seat-post make this e-bike quite comfortable.
P.S. EU version of Como has the suspension fork, while the North American hasn't. Yet, American/Canadian Como has bigger tyres, and that means a lot.

 

[Billperry]

Nomad is a blessing. I carry most of my cargo in it. I wish the wheels were bigger 20" but other than that I like it so far.

Hi. Cool rig. Have you written up the story anywhere? How far do you travel, how long for a full charge, what the electronics are and how they form a system?
Bill

 

[Kam1936]

Hi. Cool rig. Have you written up the story anywhere? How far do you travel, how long for a full charge, what the electronics are and how they form a system?
Bill

It was other people's stories that inspired me. I'm testing the water seeing what works for me and what doesn't. This was my first bike camping trip, a local campground about 14 miles away. Riding there I towed 90 + pound load. (More taxing on the battery then on myself.) The elevation was steep to moderate climbing almost the entire way. When I arrived at my destination I had consumed 75% of 100% battery. My power station was full so I was able to quickly charge the Vado back to 100%. The Jackery 500 along with my 100w solar panel made it possible to run my electric blanket and to keep my tablet and phones charged for two days. I had to deal with overcast skies but I managed. I now know I should of brought my other 100w solar panel to deal with the overcast. I wasn't sure about adding an additional 10 pounds or if I even needed it. Not only was wildlife looking at me strangely so we're the people in their cars and RVs. I guess they were wondering how I managed to get up those steep hills with all my stuff. They wrongly assumed I was riding a ordinary bike. People at the campsite were cool. A couple who were vegan fed me a couple of delicious hot meals that his wife had whipped up in their RV. Conversation insued mostly about my setup and how we were living off the grid in different ways. They had a Bluetti 1500 and a 300w solar panel for their needs. My food/water consisted of six 24 ounce bottles of water, 4 prepacked(two tuna/two salmon), can if mixed nuts and Cheerios in a zip locked bag. I had a 4 inch mattress, electric 12v blanket and a sheet for comfort/warmth. I had one spare tube for the vado and carried two spares for the Burley tires. Air pump, patches, cable zip ties and small tool set. Toothbrush/toothpaste, one bar of soap, a towel, face cloth, small mirror and beard trimmers. Lastly, Jackery Explorer 500, Rockpal SP 02 100w solar panel. Specialized 4a charger, 10" Samsung Tablet and both my Cellphones.
Return trip was smooth sailing almost entirely downhill. It took me about 50 minutes returning and almost 2 hours going. Overall, it was a great weekend adventure for me. Looking forward to explore more distant campsites in the future.
Things I would of done differently: I would of brought the other solar panel to charge the Jackery quicker.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Very inspiring stuff!

 

[Billperry]

It was other people's stories that inspired me. I'm testing the water seeing what works for me and what doesn't. This was my first bike camping trip, a local campground about 14 miles away. Riding there I towed 90 + pound load. (More taxing on the battery then on myself.) The elevation was steep to moderate climbing almost the entire way. When I arrived at my destination I had consumed 75% of 100% battery. My power station was full so I was able to quickly charge the Vado back to 100%. The Jackery 500 along with my 100w solar panel made it possible to run my electric blanket and to keep my tablet and phones charged for two days. I had to deal with overcast skies but I managed. I now know I should of brought my other 100w solar panel to deal with the overcast. I wasn't sure about adding an additional 10 pounds or if I even needed it. Not only was wildlife looking at me strangely so we're the people in their cars and RVs. I guess they were wondering how I managed to get up those steep hills with all my stuff. They wrongly assumed I was riding a ordinary bike. People at the campsite were cool. A couple who were vegan fed me a couple of delicious hot meals that his wife had whipped up in their RV. Conversation insued mostly about my setup and how we were living off the grid in different ways. They had a Bluetti 1500 and a 300w solar panel for their needs. My food/water consisted of six 24 ounce bottles of water, 4 prepacked(two tuna/two salmon), can if mixed nuts and Cheerios in a zip locked bag. I had a 4 inch mattress, electric 12v blanket and a sheet for comfort/warmth. I had one spare tube for the vado and carried two spares for the Burley tires. Air pump, patches, cable zip ties and small tool set. Toothbrush/toothpaste, one bar of soap, a towel, face cloth, small mirror and beard trimmers. Lastly, Jackery Explorer 500, Rockpal SP 02 100w solar panel. Specialized 4a charger, 10" Samsung Tablet and both my Cellphones.
Return trip was smooth sailing almost entirely downhill. It took me about 50 minutes returning and almost 2 hours going. Overall, it was a great weekend adventure for me. Looking forward to explore more distant campsites in the future.
Things I would of done differently: I would of brought the other solar panel to charge the Jackery quicker.

Thanks, that was great info. Ride on!