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

[Sunshine2021]

@Stefan Mikes : You mean like like this…. Good Choice !

 

[Igor M]

Hello
i have a problem with the rear stop light on the Vado 6.0
Namely, it doesn't work occasionally, that is, it stays on as if I'm braking.
Is there a similar problem, suggestions?

 

[GaleL]

I just picked up my new Specialized Como 3.0 Low-Step from a bike shop in Vancouver, BC. I was so excited... until I entered the shop. From that time forth, I was treated with disdain and neglect by the manager. I had to request that the seat height be adjusted. The manager scratched an inch of the seat post when he was wriggling the seat from back and forth to raise it. A more diligent shop might check the seat post receptacle for burrs before inserting the seat post. He has since agreed to replace the seat and post.

Worse...

I took my first ride on my new e-bike was yesterday (Saturday) evening. To my horror, shifting the gears made terrible clunking noises, so I returned home not knowing what else to do. The shop is closed Sundays and Mondays, so I have to wait two more full days before my bike will receive any attention, and then it will likely be in the shop for a week or so because they're so "busy." I'm peeved.

Is it expecting too much to ask that a brand new e-bike be in pristine and working condition before it is presented to the buyer?

Was I right to stop using the bike upon hearing the clunking sounds?

All advice will be deeply appreciated. Thank you!

 

[ActionJackson]

Maybe this forum needs a thread called “Specialized Dealers Who Suck” ?

Sorry to hear for your troubles. Thank you for the post though. I too will pick up my new bike in about a weeks time. It better be perfect because they’ve had it for more than a week already. Two weeks is enough time to prepare a bicycle.

In my opinion, at a minimum I think the manager should not have let you taken the bike home after the seat post issue. Further to that they should’ve had you done a test ride in front of the shop to check your fitment and familiarize you with the bike. We should get that kind of minimal service for the crazy money that we pay. Specialized is supposedly known for its individual treatment of the customer, they should live up to it. I believe, but I don’t know, that you can change your service shop to another dealer. I would be contacting Specialized if it were me. Also I don’t know about the clunking sound, I assume that you’ve heard gears change before - it’s kind of an intuitive thing for the sound I guess. I understand that the rear hub is supposed to be a bit noisy, and that’s also what I observed, but no more than my first 10 speed when I was a kid.

 

[ActionJackson]

Hello
i have a problem with the rear stop light on the Vado 6.0
Namely, it doesn't work occasionally, that is, it stays on as if I'm braking.
Is there a similar problem, suggestions?

Hello, I don’t have the bike yet, but everything I know about it, the light stays on all the time. It’s not connected to the brake lever, at least not in Japan.

 

[GaleL]

Maybe this forum needs a thread called “Specialized Dealers Who Suck” ?

Sorry to hear for your troubles. Thank you for the post though. I too will pick up my new bike in about a weeks time. It better be perfect because they’ve had it for more than a week already. Two weeks is enough time to prepare a bicycle.

In my opinion, at a minimum I think the manager should not have let you taken the bike home after the seat post issue. Further to that they should’ve had you done a test ride in front of the shop to check your fitment and familiarize you with the bike. We should get that kind of minimal service for the crazy money that we pay. Specialized is supposedly known for its individual treatment of the customer, they should live up to it. I believe, but I don’t know, that you can change your service shop to another dealer. I would be contacting Specialized if it were me. Also I don’t know about the clunking sound, I assume that you’ve heard gears change before - it’s kind of an intuitive thing for the sound I guess. I understand that the rear hub is supposed to be a bit noisy, and that’s also what I observed, but no more than my first 10 speed when I was a kid.

Thank you for your reply, Voltman99.

I sincerely hope your new bike is in better condition when you pick it up than mine was.

The store had the bike for two weeks to ensure that the bike worked properly.

Before purchasing, I test rode the exact same year and model of bike at another of this dealer's stores. I also test rode the same year and model of bike at another dealer's store. No noisy gear shifting on either of those bikes. Absolute silence!

I completely agree with you that at the absolute minimum level of customer service, the bike store manager should have insisted that I - and every other customer - test ride it before taking it home, which at that point would reveal any issues or problems.

Actually, he treated me much worse than described. And, also, he neglected to ensure that I took the manual and charger kit home, so I had to make two return trips to and from the store, through the centre of the city, on the same day to a total of 60+ KM and about 3 hours driving time instead of half that. Yeah, I'm peeved.

I will speak to Specialized, but what can they do about it?

 

[ActionJackson]

I will speak to Specialized, but what can they do about it?

At a minimum they should change you over immediately to another bike shop! That’s why I’m suggesting there should be some forum somewheres where we can call them out. Some of these bikes they sell cost more than a new car, albeit an economical one. We should hold their feet to the fire. I live in Japan so usually services quite well done here. For example I could reject the bike entirely and request a refund if I were to find scratches like that on the bike brand new. But once it’s in our hands and you’ve driven off with it, the ball is in our park. Also I think these days you really have to be a hawk to extract good value for your money. The other day I left a 20 somethings girl in hard tears bawling after she just basically said “You owe $1500 and no we don’t give an itemized invoice”. After my calm but good rage I walked out with a smile, and didn’t even pay the supposed balance on my account. A day later, by post, my wife received a 30 page itemized invoice for my account.

 

[rochrunner]

You do need to be a bit careful when shifting most e-bikes. If you shift with the pedals "under load" it will often make a clunking noise, which is also hard on the drivetrain. I always try to let up on my pedaling effort when shifting and that usually makes things smoother. Some brands of e-bike actually have a shift detection mechanism that automatically cuts out the motor when you shift. Since our bikes don't have that feature, I try to do the equivalent myself.

By the way, conventional bikes will also do this, and I've had it happen when I have to downshift while I'm pedaling hard on a steep climb -- a good reason to get into the correct gear before you hit the steep part!

 

[GuruUno]

Maybe this forum needs a thread called “Specialized Dealers Who Suck” ?

Then LET'S START A SUB FORUM!

It's disgusting the level of incompetence that exists.
I too can attest to the fact, just go read some of my posts.
WE are the customers, WE should expect a level of professionalism from those whom we give money and expect service along with the purchase of a product.

 

[GaleL]

You do need to be a bit careful when shifting most e-bikes. If you shift with the pedals "under load" it will often make a clunking noise, which is also hard on the drivetrain. I always try to let up on my pedaling effort when shifting and that usually makes things smoother. Some brands of e-bike actually have a shift detection mechanism that automatically cuts out the motor when you shift. Since our bikes don't have that feature, I try to do the equivalent myself.

By the way, conventional bikes will also do this, and I've had it happen when I have to downshift while I'm pedaling hard on a steep climb -- a good reason to get into the correct gear before you hit the steep part!

I currently own a 1986 Miyata 310, which I bought brand new in 1986 have ridden a lot over the past 35 years. The gears shift almost silently. It's been professionally serviced every few years, though.

The pedals were not under load at any time during the total of 15 minutes of my first ride on the bike. The clunking was so bad that I decided to not ride it.

The shifting does not work well. I tried the exact same model at THREE other stores before I bought at this one. All three were silent when shifted. I had to order it from this dealer's store because the dealer's store closest to me was not allowed to sell that make because of dealer competition.

This bike shop didn't and doesn't care about me. What I experienced may have been misogyny.

This is a new e-bike. There should be no clunking in regular riding. After I mounted the bike for my very first ride on it yesterday evening, I realized they had left it in the highest gear!

I think that the store's behaviour and the scratching of the post and the gear shifting problem was all intentional because the manager took a dislike to me. Why, I don't know.

When I first spoke to the manager of the store, his words to me were, "Are you that woman who wrote a bad review of us?" I was like, "I've never been to your store before. I've never talked to you before." Sheesh! But due to my experience on Friday at the store and my realization that the gears or shifter is faulty, just today I wrote a bad review of that store on that store's Google page, detailing everything I experienced!

The manager has a very bad attitude, and there are a lot of complaints on the store's Google page - specifically about his attitude - to prove it. They all say the same thing about him - either using his name or the word "manager": rude, disrespectful, disdainful, disinterested, arrogant, and abusive.

 

[ActionJackson]

I think that the store's behaviour and the scratching of the post and the gear shifting problem was all intentional because the manager took a dislike to me. Why, I don't know.

That’s something you should report to Specialized via an email, and perhaps a post on their social media! They should be changing your service location immediately. I think Canada might have a reasonable Consumer Affairs bureau too.

 

[rochrunner]

I currently own a 1986 Miyata 310, which I bought brand new in 1986 have ridden a lot over the past 35 years. The gears shift almost silently. It's been professionally serviced every few years, though.

The pedals were not under load at any time during the total of 15 minutes of my first ride on the bike. The clunking was so bad that I decided to not ride it.

The shifting does not work well. I tried the exact same model at THREE other stores before I bought at this one. All three were silent when shifted. I had to order it from this dealer's store because the dealer's store closest to me was not allowed to sell that make because of dealer competition.

When I responded I had no way to know your level of experience, which is obviously very high. It's just that a lot of people buying e-bikes haven't ridden a bike in years (maybe since they were a kid) and seem unfamiliar with what to do. These are some of the people that I see with their seats way too low that I always want to stop and explain why that's a bad idea.

That said, I agree that your dealer's behavior is inexcusable and he should be reported to a higher level.

As for misogyny being a factor, when I went with my wife, who has owned a bike most of her life, to a local Trek store when she was ready to buy her first e-bike, the salesman kept looking at me when he was talking up the bike and I had to say to him "talk to her -- it's her decision!" That said, this was an isolated incident by an older part-time employee (happened to be ex-military) and everyone else we've dealt with there couldn't be nicer to both of us.

 

[ActionJackson]

That said, this was an isolated incident by an older part-time employee (happened to be ex-military) and everyone else we've dealt with there couldn't be nicer to both of us.

So what’s wrong with an older or ex-military person?

 

[Papa G]

When I responded I had no way to know your level of experience, which is obviously very high. It's just that a lot of people buying e-bikes haven't ridden a bike in years (maybe since they were a kid) and seem unfamiliar with what to do. These are some of the people that I see with their seats way too low that I always want to stop and explain why that's a bad idea.

That said, I agree that your dealer's behavior is inexcusable and he should be reported to a higher level.

As for misogyny being a factor, when I went with my wife, who has owned a bike most of her life, to a local Trek store when she was ready to buy her first e-bike, the salesman kept looking at me when he was talking up the bike and I had to say to him "talk to her -- it's her decision!" That said, this was an isolated incident by an older part-time employee (happened to be ex-military) and everyone else we've dealt with there couldn't be nicer to both of us.

@rochrunner I agree with your explanation of the cause for hard shifting, backing off on the pedaling before shifting and for a longer time is of much greater importance on an ebike because there is a delay from the time you backoff on the pedaling and the time the motor assist cuts off, during that time, even though you have backed off or stopped pedaling the motor still has the drive train under a heavy load. In another post I mentioned backing off on the pedaling until you hear the freewheel ratcheting so you know the motor has cut off. It sounds like the clunking that @GaleL may be more serious that that, but it is something to try. That said, I still get a clunk every now and then on my Vado 4.0 when shifting, especially when shifting to a smaller cog in the rear, but making sure to back off on the pedaling with a longer pause than on a conventional bike has helped me reduce the hard shifting. I even swapped out my rear derailleur to an XT and tuned it precisely myself, but still have to back off pedaling with a longer pause to avoid it. My wife’s Vado 5.0 has the same condition occur if she shifts while the motor still has the drivetrain under load, so does my Trek Super Commuter.

@GaleL As for the damaged seat post, that seems like an “amateur hour“ salesman, vs. an experienced bike mechanic, mistake. He didn’t loosen the seatpost clamp enough before twisting the seat to try to raise it. Also on the new seat post they need to be sure to grease it properly before installing it.

 

[GaleL]

@GaleL As for the damaged seat post, that seems like an “amateur hour“ salesman, vs. an experienced bike mechanic, mistake. He didn’t loosen the seatpost clamp enough before twisting the seat to try to raise it. Also on the new seat post they need to be sure to grease it properly before installing it.

Exactly! He didn't loosen it enough. He thought he could get away with it. As well, I didn't see any evidence of grease on it - not that I should.

 

[rochrunner]

So what’s wrong with an older or ex-military person?

Didn't mean any offense. I had actually met him once over lunch with a friend. He was a retired Colonel and had a macho attitude that rubbed me the wrong way. As for being older, I'm 74 and will admit to having friends with outdated attitudes toward women (watch most any movie from the Mad Men era to see what I mean).

 

[GaleL]

When I responded I had no way to know your level of experience, which is obviously very high. It's just that a lot of people buying e-bikes haven't ridden a bike in years (maybe since they were a kid) and seem unfamiliar with what to do. These are some of the people that I see with their seats way too low that I always want to stop and explain why that's a bad idea.

That said, I agree that your dealer's behavior is inexcusable and he should be reported to a higher level.

As for misogyny being a factor, when I went with my wife, who has owned a bike most of her life, to a local Trek store when she was ready to buy her first e-bike, the salesman kept looking at me when he was talking up the bike and I had to say to him "talk to her -- it's her decision!" That said, this was an isolated incident by an older part-time employee (happened to be ex-military) and everyone else we've dealt with there couldn't be nicer to both of us.

That's misogyny! Men who might become misogynists include:
- young and old
- those who hate or do not respect their mothers
- those who have a long-time grudge against even one woman
- those who lack confidence or are socially inept
- those who hate people in general
- those who are impotent
- those who think women are stupid

Some men might exhibit misogyny to older women like me, but not towards younger women.

It might be true that the older generation assumes that in a husband and wife team, the man has the money or more money than the woman, so the salesman talks to the man and ignores the woman. Very rude and ignorant! I would snap my fingers and say, "Hey, guy, I'm over here! Don't ignore me!" I did, by the way, raise my voice to the store manager because of his bad attitude and childish behaviour.

If my seat is a little too low right now, it's because I was worried that I might lose my balance due to my current recovery from hip replacement surgery. I know it needs to be higher, but that will happen when I'm ready for it.

In any case, the manager of the store who served me was a misogynist who treated me like a third-class customer.

To be honest, I haven't ridden a bike for over 2 years due to the pain leading up to the surgery, which is due to an misdiagnosis by my new (at that time) MALE doctor, since I brought up the topic of misogyny, incompetence,

That’s something you should report to Specialized via an email, and perhaps a post on their social media! They should be changing your service location immediately. I think Canada might have a reasonable Consumer Affairs bureau too.

Thank you! I will contact Specialized and look into contacting the Consumer Affairs Bureau, if there is one.
and lack of diligence.

I haven't been having much luck with men lately! Hahahahahaha...

 

[GaleL]

 

[GaleL]

Didn't mean any offense. I had actually met him once over lunch with a friend. He was a retired Colonel and had a macho attitude that rubbed me the wrong way. As for being older, I'm 74 and will admit to having friends with outdated attitudes toward women (watch most any movie from the Mad Men era to see what I mean).

Definitely no offence taken here, rochrunner. I'm sure you didn't mean to offend him either. All is good. Thank you for your thoughtful replies. Honestly, I really do appreciate the effort you made in making your replies and ensuring that I didn't misunderstand them. And I also appreciate your understanding and commiseration. I have been feeling very upset since Friday when I picked up the bike, and also Saturday when I discovered something wrong with the gears / shifter. Although I don't know the technical details of how bicycles work, (I've never had time to look into it.) I know how to use them. Perhaps e-bikes are a different "animal." This is my first experience with them. I'm 71. Thank you.

 

[robbin]

Well for anyone who's struggling to find the right axle for a Thule baby carriage for the Turbo Vado 3.0 2020 it is "20110733". I learned that on my third attempt, but now closed my first project on the bike.

And one surprise; it's made by the Robert Axle Project but sold as a Thule original part.