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

[GenXrider]

I don't have a local LBS, but finally contacted a Specialized dealer that is a 3 hour round trip from me to check on availability. They said they didn't know if and when they would get a 2022 Vado. They did confirm they have a previous year crimson M/L Como 3.0 in stock listed for $2950. I'm not sure if they would come down on that price.

 

[Marcela]

I moved all my Como stuff from the front rack to the rear rack I swiped off my Sequoia. Putting all that heavy stuff on the front tire really kills the handling. Thought about removing the pizza rack altogether as it’s not real aesthetically pleasing on the front end.

Also reinstalled the thudbuster, if you got it might as well use it. Then installed the granny bars again to compensate for the seat being further back then removed the granny bars as not being something.

Still liking the 36t chainring.

Pedal on. Spring is right around the corner.

edit--the step through is real nice when 'stuff' is hanging off the back and the added weight precludes leaning the bike over for mounting.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I don't have a local LBS, but finally contacted a Specialized dealer that is a 3 hour round trip from me to check on availability. They said they didn't know if and when they would get a 2022 Vado. They did confirm they have a previous year crimson M/L Como 3.0 in stock listed for $2950. I'm not sure if they would come down on that price.

Perhaps you might try order the e-bike at the Specialized web site and make use of the Specialized Delivery? (These new options are still unclear to me).

 

[gpburdell]

I don't have a local LBS, but finally contacted a Specialized dealer that is a 3 hour round trip from me to check on availability. They said they didn't know if and when they would get a 2022 Vado. They did confirm they have a previous year crimson M/L Como 3.0 in stock listed for $2950. I'm not sure if they would come down on that price.

As Stefan suggests, maybe order the bike via the website? Looks like both Vado 4.0 and 3.0 are available in M & L sizes if you're not picky about color choice.

You can either pick up at your nearest Specialized dealer or the bike can be hand-delivered by a "Specialized expert". In both cases the bike would be fully assembled.

 

[GenXrider]

As Stefan suggests, maybe order the bike via the website? Looks like both Vado 4.0 and 3.0 are available in M & L sizes if you're not picky about color choice.

You can either pick up at your nearest Specialized dealer or the bike can be hand-delivered by a "Specialized expert". In both cases the bike would be fully assembled.

Of course, I really need test ride the 2021 Como and 2022 Vado to see if I like them and which feels right for me. I did find another Specialized dealer that is a 3 hour round trip in a completely different direction that actually has a 2022 Vado 4.0 in L in stock along with the same Como 3 as the other dealer, although the Vado is black, and I prefer the other 2 colors, and the Como is identical yet $300 more than the other dealer. There's a red and a white 2022 Vado 4.0 L that is more like a 7 hour round trip away.

 

[Marcela]

I have both a como and vado. I don’t know how the current models compare to the older but prefer the como with a rear rack and without the granny bars and a thudbuster seat post. I’ve installed raised handlebars on the Vado also. So both bikes ride similar but prefer the como as it is still a little more upright. Also switched the 48t chainring for a 36 which works well and I don’t really give up any speed.

 

[Mike Moore]

I have both a como and vado. I don’t know how the current models compare to the older but prefer the como with a rear rack and without the granny bars and a thudbuster seat post. I’ve installed raised handlebars on the Vado also. So both bikes ride similar but prefer the como as it is still a little more upright. Also switched the 48t chainring for a 36 which works well and I don’t really give up any speed.

I have a Como as well. What was the reason for changing the chainring to 36t? How does having the 36t benefit you?

 

[Marcela]

Puts the chain closer to alignment with the chainring and I don't use assist all the time and rarely go faster than 20 mph. Though I'm thinking 38 or 40 might be better as I can be on the smallest sprocket pretty easy and with those numbers you can easily get into the upper 20 mph with the class 3. And I really don't think the motor can pull very well above about 26 mph with the 48t. If you calibrate the speedo you'll find it's usually off 2-4 mph and people think they're going up around 30 mph but that's not really happening.

If I change it out again I'll probably look for a 40t.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You see, Marcela. Presently (winter time) I'm quite happy with the 38T chainring on my Vado 5.0. Whenever I'm riding into hard terrain, I'm glad I can have such great torque on my rear wheel (the 48T was an overkill, and that was meant for fast commutes on pavement in the warm season, on the flat, preferably in Turbo mode). However, I tried a little race with a friend of mine as of today. I outspun myself! Perhaps I will replace the chainring with the 42 or 44t one in the Spring.

 

[Marcela]

42t or 44t would probably put you on the rev limiter.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

42t or 44t would probably put you on the rev limiter.

With my good cadence, probably.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A Story Of An E-Bike KOM

Fancy a 7-km long, straight and wide gravel fire-road in a forest (that specific road of the Bolimów Forest is named "The Bike Freeway"). Fancy a 14 km/h wind blowing right in your face. I was on a big group ride on last Saturday. As I got relaxed too much, I missed the fact the leading group escaped! When I noticed that, I started chasing them on my Vado. Bear in mind, they were riding in the drops while my Vado is equipped with flat bars!

What a fun! I, for instance, overtook a guy riding a flat bar bike but he rode in aero-bars. I just just swished on his left! And I was on a good way to catch up with the leading pack, only I missed my way on the junction

An e-bike KOM has been a nice bonus I wouldn't be able to match the racers but no doubt my Vado gave me the edge

Another nice e-bike KOM of Sunday:
420 m sprint 2.2% grade uphill, 53 seconds, average segment speed of 28.6 km/h.
Oh, these full power Specialized e-bikes are mighty beasts!

@Marcela: I feel I must replace the 38T chainring with a 42T one. As good as the smaller chainring is, I'm losing on sprints with traditional roadies!

 

[Marcela]

A 44 chainring with 11 cog will get you 29 mph with 95 cadence. Looks like each 2 teeth you add will give you about 1.5 mph at the top end.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A 44 chainring with 11 cog will get you 29 mph with 95 cadence. Looks like each 2 teeth you add will give you about 1.5 mph at the top end.

I agree with you. Only I do not need to be able to reach the max speed (as it is controlled by air-drag anyway) but would like to retain the solid low end if possible. Hence 42 instead of 44T. (My typical cadence of 76-86 would keep me at 40-44 km/h in the 11th gear, and I never need to be able to ride past the 45 km/h speed limiter).

Am I correct?

 

[Marcela]

Sounds right to me. You want to creep up on the point man. If you go too fast they'll know you're using electric.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Sounds right to me. You want to creep up on the point man. If you go too fast they'll know you're using electric.

Oh, they are perfectly aware I'm riding a speed electric bike! And an able roadie can get onto > 28 mph easily when we're racing. It is enough for me to keep closely to the maximum assisted speed. The other guy will lose his interest in racing soon!

 

[Marcela]

Ver 2.10 available on the mission control app. Don’t know what the update is.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Garbaruk Bike Components

All I knew before was Garbaruk was a renowned bike components manufacturer. When I got my 42T chainring, I spotted the bar code for Poland (EAN code 590)! What gives? And I found a story on the internet. Garbaruk is a Ukrainian company manufacturing in the industrial city of Nowa Huta, South Poland (near to Cracow). Yay! And just think I had to import the Garbaruk chainring from Germany...

 

[Marcela]

Is that aluminum? I am using the Praxis chain ring, think it's made in california or that is where there office is and it's made of steel and it has the threaded fastener holes.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Is that aluminum? I am using the Praxis chain ring, think it's made in california or that is where there office is and it's made of steel and it has the threaded fastener holes.

Yes, that's aluminium.
Smaller MTB chainrings like your 36T or my 38T (and of course even smaller ones) are often made of steel. The reason is the load is spread over fewer teeth, making the ring vulnerable to wear. Bigger rings are typically made of aluminium to save on their weight (and the load is being spread over more teeth).