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

[Onimaru]

Interesting morning. My LBS hosted a community ride this morning. About 8 folks showed up. Brought my daughter along on her Weehoo trailer.

About 3 miles from the end, my pedal fell off. I use the aluminum flats with pins from Specialized on some 21 mm extenders. I noticed the pins didn’t feel as grippy, looked down, saw the threads on the extender, as I went to brake it fell off.

Simple repair and back on the road with a snug up at the LBS when we returned. Still boggles my mind how it unthreaded without any back pedaling. The threads are designed specifically so that doesn’t happen.

Good news is got a good social 23 mile ride without issue since the motor swap!

 

[kahn]

Interesting morning. My LBS hosted a community ride this morning. About 8 folks showed up. Brought my daughter along on her Weehoo trailer.

About 3 miles from the end, my pedal fell off. I use the aluminum flats with pins from Specialized on some 21 mm extenders. I noticed the pins didn’t feel as grippy, looked down, saw the threads on the extender, as I went to brake it fell off.

Simple repair and back on the road with a snug up at the LBS when we returned. Still boggles my mind how it unthreaded without any back pedaling. The threads are designed specifically so that doesn’t happen.

Good news is got a good social 23 mile ride without issue since the motor swap!

I presume that the EXTENDERS are threaded to match either Left or Right pedals? But as I found with my Creo after a bike shop screw up (no pun intended). They had accidentally reversed the cranks which reversed the pedals and I think would also reverse the pedal threads meaning that they could have unscrewed?????? I only detected it after having trouble with my SPD cleats releasing from the backwards pedal.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Still boggles my mind how it unthreaded without any back pedaling. The threads are designed specifically so that doesn’t happen.

Probably not your case but it happened to me the pedal fell off twice, and it was a CrankBrothers Stamp 7, by no means a cheap pedal! The closer look revealed that the internal pedal bearings got stuck! Probably serviceable but I just replaced pedals with another set I had in my storage.

 

[gpburdell]

So today I decided to see if my Garmin Varia RTL515 works when mounted horizontally. Cobbled together a temporary mount and road a few miles at lunch.

I'd been considering how to mount my Varia to my Vado 4.0 so that it'd work both with and without a trunk bag on the rack. Only viable spot seemed to be where the reflector is - which is also where the 5.0 radar mounts.

Best I can tell it works as well horizontally as it does vertically - I'd watch for traffic in my mirror and I'd get alerts at the same sorts of distances and angles as I've been getting with it mounted normally on my roadbike.

So next step is to fabricate a bracket to go in place of the reflector, which I can then screw the quarter-turn base into.

 

[kahn]

So today I decided to see if my Garmin Varia RTL515 works when mounted horizontally. Cobbled together a temporary mount and road a few miles at lunch.

I'd been considering how to mount my Varia to my Vado 4.0 so that it'd work both with and without a trunk bag on the rack. Only viable spot seemed to be where the reflector is - which is also where the 5.0 radar mounts.

Best I can tell it works as well horizontally as it does vertically - I'd watch for traffic in my mirror and I'd get alerts at the same sorts of distances and angles as I've been getting with it mounted normally on my roadbike.

So next step is to fabricate a bracket to go in place of the reflector, which I can then screw the quarter-turn base into.

View attachment 132125

I like your experiment. What I have not ascertained is how it responds to approaching vehicles if you have it on BLINK mode. Blink uses a lot less battery. I know when the light is set for solid, it will blink to help alert rear approaching traffic. But if it is already on a blink mode, I don't know what it does in that case?

 

[GuruUno]

I ride with the https://www.rei.com/product/752285/bike-peddler-take-a-look-mirror on my glasses.
Although my Vado and Como have the Garmin built in, I turn it off, I find it annoying.
I can see what is coming, and the constant notifications and alert screens are most likely for those who prefer that means of notification.
Just sayin'

 

[gpburdell]

I like your experiment. What I have not ascertained is how it responds to approaching vehicles if you have it on BLINK mode. Blink uses a lot less battery. I know when the light is set for solid, it will blink to help alert rear approaching traffic. But if it is already on a blink mode, I don't know what it does in that case?

I'll have to check, I'm not sure. On my road bike I always have both the Varia and a Bontrager Flare RT ANT+ rear light, both paired to my Edge 830. Default ends up that the Edge sets the Flare to flash and turns off the Varia light. Then the Varia flashes when it picks up approaching traffic.

 

[gpburdell]

I ride with the https://www.rei.com/product/752285/bike-peddler-take-a-look-mirror on my glasses.
Although my Vado and Como have the Garmin built in, I turn it off, I find it annoying.
I can see what is coming, and the constant notifications and alert screens are most likely for those who prefer that means of notification.
Just sayin'

As with any tool there's situations where it's helpful and situations where it isn't.

If you're riding where you're constantly being overtaken by cars and trucks, sure, the Varia can become more nuisance than benefit.

That's not really where I ride though.

I prefer less busy suburban and rural roads where traffic tends to be relatively light. I do also use a mirror and typically the Varia alerts me to a car before I can easily see it. They hide well in tree cover shadows on windy roads. There's also the aspect where the Varia lets me know of multiple cars behind me rather than the one I can easily see - since my attention is often on the not-so-great road surface - and I know to hold the edge after the first car passes.

I guess that's a good argument for having the Varia not built into the bicycle - if I were to go into the city or use some crowded MUP I can easily just not turn it on or put it on the bike.

 

[Onimaru]

As with any tool there's situations where it's helpful and situations where it isn't.

If you're riding where you're constantly being overtaken by cars and trucks, sure, the Varia can become more nuisance than benefit.

That's not really where I ride though.

I prefer less busy suburban and rural roads where traffic tends to be relatively light. I do also use a mirror and typically the Varia alerts me to a car before I can easily see it. They hide well in tree cover shadows on windy roads. There's also the aspect where the Varia lets me know of multiple cars behind me rather than the one I can easily see - since my attention is often on the not-so-great road surface - and I know to hold the edge after the first car passes.

I guess that's a good argument for having the Varia not built into the bicycle - if I were to go into the city or use some crowded MUP I can easily just not turn it on or put it on the bike.

The version built into the 5.0 can easily be silenced using the handlebar remote while riding. I turn mine on when I’m on road and off once I hit bike path so it’s not annoying me when I don’t need it. Super simple to do.

 

[gpburdell]

The version built into the 5.0 can easily be silenced using the handlebar remote while riding. I turn mine on when I’m on road and off once I hit bike path so it’s not annoying me when I don’t need it. Super simple to do.

Are you doing something other than going into Settings->Setup->Sensors->Radar to change whether or not the TCD-w 2 emits a tone? 'cuz I can do that if I wish.

If there's some other method not in the user manual I'd like to know so I can give it a try. I'd be surprised if there were a UI difference.

 

[gpburdell]

So today's lunchtime project was to add some screen protection to the TCD-w 2 on my '22 Vado 4.0

Many might say it's unnecessary, and that's fine, but having scratched the display of my Bontrager RideTime Elite on my analog hybrid, I'd rather play safe than sorry.

First step - I made a template using some thin painters tape over the display, then with my fingernail I creased the tape at the edge of the clear display. Fine tip sharpie to trace that edge. Not a well defined edge/lip so it jumped a bit but did well enough.


Next, I transferred the tape to some 2" helitape I already had on hand and carefully cut just inside the line. (yes I started with template on front but decided to move it to the backing paper instead)


Finally I cleaned the display and applied the helitape in the usual manner of applying any of the 3M paint protection film based screen protectors.


It of course has the usual orange peel effect, but that doesn't bother me. As it's not touch screen no worries of decreased sensitivity. Perhaps if someday there's a tempered glass I might switch to that but for now I'm pleased with the result of a few minutes effort using stuff already on hand.

 

[Onimaru]

Are you doing something other than going into Settings->Setup->Sensors->Radar to change whether or not the TCD-w 2 emits a tone? 'cuz I can do that if I wish.

If there's some other method not in the user manual I'd like to know so I can give it a try. I'd be surprised if there were a UI difference.

That’s it. There’s another way in Mission Control to do it as well.

 

[Zekeer]

Did not want to start a New Thread as a New Member . Name is Zeke

Can anyone confirm the fact the 2022 Vado 4 motor makes noise ? I have a 2 year old Vado that is noiseless . Testing a Newer Vado it had a winding noise . Nothing like the Noise a Trek Alliant makes , but still . Compared to noiseless somewhat concerning . What was changed ?

 

[gpburdell]

@Zekeer My 2022 Vado 4.0 motor does make a little bit of noise under load, but it hasn't been bothersome or really noticeable unless looking for it.

I have no idea what might've changed from the prior motor.

 

[Zekeer]

@Zekeer My 2022 Vado 4.0 motor does make a little bit of noise under load, but it hasn't been bothersome or really noticeable unless looking for it.

I have no idea what might've changed from the prior motor.

I didn't mean to imply it's loud. Guess I am just used to absolutely no noise at all . It does appear the size of the motor housing is smaller . Maybe someone else knows . Thanks

 

[gpburdell]

So I was going through the packet of user manual and other documents that came with my used Vado 4.0 and look what I found...



LOL

I wonder if the bike shop that sold the bike included that Class1 sticker?

In my state (GA), the law disallows class 3 ebikes from using bike paths which aren't adjacent to a road. That said, I've yet to hear of it being enforced.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I didn't mean to imply it's loud. Guess I am just used to absolutely no noise at all . It does appear the size of the motor housing is smaller . Maybe someone else knows . Thanks

The new Specialized/Brose motors are not silent. The noise is not annoying but can be heard in a silent environment, such as a forest. The reason is a new construction to eliminate motor defects that happened to occur with the previous generation of these motors.

 

[Zekeer]

So I was going through the packet of user manual and other documents that came with my used Vado 4.0 and look what I found...

View attachment 132319

LOL

I wonder if the bike shop that sold the bike included that Class1 sticker?

In my state (GA), the law disallows class 3 ebikes from using bike paths which aren't adjacent to a road. That said, I've yet to hear of it being enforced

The new Specialized/Brose motors are not silent. The noise is not annoying but can be heard in a silent environment, such as a forest. The reason is a new construction to eliminate motor defects that happened to occur with the previous generation of these motors.

Defects ?? Ouch > I only have 317 miles on my 2020 Vado . I mainly ride a regular bike and bought the Vado to go on long trips . Which hasn't worked out as I lost 2 riding buds during Covid lockdowns . On a brighter note are you saying I should trade in or sell my 2020 and get the Newest Vado ? Currently I can still get my hands on one in any of the 3 colors .
I looked at your postings before answering you . Looks like you have a Vado yourself with a different fork . I was planning to throw on an 11 speed cassette and change out the shifter . Also purchase an extra battery while they are getable . But you have me wondering if my motor is going to cause me issues .

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Defects ?? Ouch > I only have 317 miles on my 2020 Vado . I mainly ride a regular bike and bought the Vado to go on long trips . Which hasn't worked out as I lost 2 riding buds during Covid lockdowns . On a brighter note are you saying I should trade in or sell my 2020 and get the Newest Vado ? Currently I can still get my hands on one in any of the 3 colors .
I looked at your postings before answering you . Looks like you have a Vado yourself with a different fork . I was planning to throw on an 11 speed cassette and change out the shifter . Also purchase an extra battery while they are getable . But you have me wondering if my motor is going to cause me issues .

Don't worry. Seriously.
You have read my posts. My Vado was built in 2017, sold to me in 2019 (11/1), was upgraded in 2022. It is 8/17/2022 today. My Vado has worked flawlessly for almost 14,000 km (8,700 mi) and is still in perfect shape. Now, I own as many as 3 batteries for that e-bike. It is the most valuable of my e-bikes for both fast commutes and long, demanding trips.

I mean, the Specialized/Brose motors used to have a higher failure rate than expected. Still, there are many older Vado owners in these Forums and they are happy as I am. Perhaps the reason for flawless operation of my Vado is I like riding it. You should decidedly not worry. Ride on!

In June this year, I met a Finnish engineer riding a Vado of exactly the same history as mine (MY 2017, purchased 2019, upgraded 2020). This guy makes a 90 km (56 mi) commute on every working day of the warm season! Why worry?

 

[Zekeer]

America is no longer getting anything from China : I know My specialized frames come from Taiwan . Which doesn't currently look to promising either . I'm not one that always has to have the latest and greatest . I did my research and test rides . Bought Specialized because he scored the best over-all . But the future of getting New Bikes is kinda if come maybe . Even getting a battery . My local LBS said they couldn't promise delivery . SO I found a place online that will send it Priority Mail . Kinda hard to say