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

[Zekeer]

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?

All good points . Probably should get a battery ordered

 

[coffmandave]

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 .

You'd want to look up your exact model, but if you were on the 2020 Vado 4, you probably had the 1.2 motor which is based on Brose T. The 2022 Vado 4 is based on Brose T Mag, and the main difference is the Mag is a bit smaller/lighter/newer. Supposedly some newer motors use an upgraded belt, which I believe is what Stefan is referencing, but I don't have any details on that. If your belt were to break, the upgraded belts are backwards compatable., but I wouldn't look at your 2020 as a ticking timebomb. All motors will fail eventually, and Brose may not be quite as reliable as Bosch or some other brands, but it's not like the difference between a Honda and a Yugo. More like the difference between a Honda and a...I dunno...Nissan. I'm not a car person, someone else can probably draw the analogy better.

Anyway, I'm skeptical the new belt is what's causing the noise, but I also haven't done a side-by-side comparison of the two motors, nor have any experience replacing a belt so...it's possible? It seems pretty unlikely Brose would be like "oh yea, our new motors are totally louder, but here's why", so we're unlikely to have a "real" answer from the source.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Dave, have you thought Brose could have dramatically changed the new motor design? If anything in making some noise it is gears... Because it is not just Brose T Mag. It is more design changes for sure.

 

[coffmandave]

Dave, have you thought Brose could have dramatically changed the new motor design? If anything in making some noise it is gears... Because it is not just Brose T Mag. It is more design changes for sure.

Great question. Let's see how Brose describes this:

The current product range consists of two drive models – in the form of the tried-and-tested aluminium platform paired with one variant each in a magnesium housing. The aluminium drives can be installed 360 degrees around the bottom bracket in any position and offer manufacturers complete flexibility in the integration into the bicycle frame. The drives in the innovative magnesium housing are 500 grammes lighter and 15 per cent smaller than the variants made of aluminium.

Does that sound to you like they "dramatically changed the new motor design"? "For sure"?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Great question. Let's see how Brose describes this:



Does that sound to you like they "dramatically changed the new motor design"? "For sure"?

You seem to have forgotten Dave the Specialized motors are only manufactured by Brose. There are numerous articles about Specialized taking active part in the Brose motor design. A Specialized motor is not necessarily a standard issue Brose. How comes there are suddenly as many as three new different Specialized full-power motors?

 

[coffmandave]

Specialized provides a cross reference for what every one of their motors is based on. Specialized says they "develop the motor hardware with Brose" but they stop short of saying the hardware is any different from Brose motors, instead pivoting to how they develop their own software.

You'll notice I've tried to include official sources for everything I'm saying. I count 7 links over my last 3 posts, all from Brose and/or Specialized pages. If you're telling me I'm wrong, I'm happy to admit that possibility exists. But maybe provide some official sources that back up your argument? Otherwise it all sounds like guessing.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Specialized provides a cross reference for what every one of their motors is based on. Specialized says they "develop the motor hardware with Brose" but they stop short of saying the hardware is any different from Brose motors, instead pivoting to how they develop their own software.

You'll notice I've tried to include official sources for everything I'm saying. I count 7 links over my last 3 posts, all from Brose and/or Specialized pages. If you're telling me I'm wrong, I'm happy to admit that possibility exists. But maybe provide some official sources that back up your argument? Otherwise it all sounds like guessing.

I cannot explain the fact the 1.2 and 1.2s motors are totally silent but 2.0E, 2.0, and 2.2 are audible.
I own a 1.2s Vado. I demo rode a 2.0E Tero.

 

[Marcela]

Stopped in a couple motorcycle shops today. They both had taken up the ebike inventory. One was selling Specialized and had quite a bit of inventory of the ebikes, that's all they carried. That has to compete with the bike shops.

 

[Zekeer]

I cannot explain the fact the 1.2 and 1.2s motors are totally silent but 2.0E, 2.0, and 2.2 are audible.
I own a 1.2s Vado. I demo rode a 2.0E Tero.

Question : Is the Vado's upgrade 2022 display something that can be used on the 2020? Also I noticed on Mission control my firmware isn't the latest one . How big of a deal is that ? I have no interest in knowing heart rates or BP or whatever vitals are offered . I am interested in the tuning stuff . If I am understanding right. My system can only be tuned using the phone app. Vs the Newest one allows you to tune the bike from the display itself . That correct ?
I also have a Low battery warning that always displays. It's been there since I bought the bike and doesn't change even with a completely fully charged battery .

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Question : Is the Vado's upgrade 2022 display something that can be used on the 2020?

It cannot. The Gen 2 (Mastermind) is a completely new system.

Also I noticed on Mission control my firmware isn't the latest one . How big of a deal is that

As long as your e-bike works, no need for firmware update.

I am interested in the tuning stuff . If I am understanding right. My system can only be tuned using the phone app. Vs the Newest one allows you to tune the bike from the display itself . That correct ?

Actually, you can Microtune the Mastermind system using the handlebar remote as you ride

I also have a Low battery warning that always displays.

Replace the button battery in the display
.

 

[Zekeer]

It cannot. The Gen 2 (Mastermind) is a completely new system.

As long as your e-bike works, no need for firmware update.


Actually, you can Microtune the Mastermind system using the handlebar remote as you ride

Replace the button battery in the display
.

Thank you

 

[gpburdell]

Not bad for $10 and five minutes effort....

Garmin Varia Seat Rail mount installed in place of the reflector on my Vado 4.0. Quarter turn mount was already installed this way.

For neatness I'll trim the left side as that section is superfluous, and while the right-most screw goes through one of the reflector bracket holes the other two span either side of the bracket. I may fashion an overlay bracket if it seems this doesn't hold in place as it stands, or I may raise it up and drill a corresponding hole in the bracket above the reflector holes.

 

[gpburdell]

How It Started / How It's Going...

Abus 5755L key-retaining. Essentially the 5750 mentioned by Specialized but in the XPlus key vs the Plus key.

Ended up ordering from Amazon.de and received it in the US in under a week.

This *just* fits, there's approx 1mm clearance to the inside of the rim. Had to drop the rear wheel to install it, but didn't need to remove the fender.

 

[Zekeer]

How It Started / How It's Going...

Abus 5755L key-retaining. Essentially the 5750 mentioned by Specialized but in the XPlus key vs the Plus key.

Ended up ordering from Amazon.de and received it in the US in under a week.

This *just* fits, there's approx 1mm clearance to the inside of the rim. Had to drop the rear wheel to install it, but didn't need to remove the fender.

View attachment 132531View attachment 132532View attachment 132533

Nice To bad you have to do that . WHere I live people don't steal . Yet anyway lol

 

[gpburdell]

Nice To bad you have to do that . WHere I live people don't steal . Yet anyway lol

Truthfully, I don't know to what extent folks would or wouldn't steal in the places I might leave the bike briefly unattended here in suburbia...

... but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

A frame lock is simple and easy, and a plug in chain enhances the encouragement that the thief choose an easier target.

 

[Zekeer]

Truthfully, I don't know to what extent folks would or wouldn't steal in the places I might leave the bike briefly unattended here in suburbia...

... but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

A frame lock is simple and easy, and a plug in chain enhances the encouragement that the thief choose an easier target.

With technology being what it is . It probably won't be to long before they figure out a way to lockup the drive train or wheel using software .

 

[Stefan Mikes]

With technology being what it is . It probably won't be to long before they figure out a way to lockup the drive train or wheel using software .

It does not help. An e-bike can be easily carried away. And no lock will stop a determined thief.

 

[gpburdell]

It does not help. An e-bike can be easily carried away. And no lock will stop a determined thief.

Yes, all locks can be defeated by a sufficiently determined and properly equipped thief.

Similarly a determined burglar can easily break into our homes.

Yet we still lock our doors.

Why? Because even though we cannot prevent all potential theft, we can easily take steps to encourage thieves to choose easier targets.

Choose the locking/security posture appropriate for one's environment. For some that may entail never leaving their bike unattended, and for others than may be just sufficient locking to make others bikes the more attractive target.

"Don't let Perfect be the Enemy of Good"

 

[Zekeer]

It cannot. The Gen 2 (Mastermind) is a completely new system.

As long as your e-bike works, no need for firmware update.


Actually, you can Microtune the Mastermind system using the handlebar remote as you ride

Replace the button battery in the display
.

This probably sounds dumb . Where do you find info on these things ? I see how I can use Mission control on my phone . Change my setting in each mode using the tune feature . Then save those presents by a specified name . With the ability to pick a preset from the phone before riding . However once I chose a preset -that's what the Bike will perform using . Unless I get on the Phone and change the preset from the Mission Control app. I don't see a way to change presets as I ride using the Set + - handle bar remote . It's limited to just scrolling . Based on my registered Serial number this is a 2020 Bike . Thanks in advance

 

[rayray]

My bike is. Creo, but AFAIK, you can’t change the assistance mid-ride on a 2020 model without a) using Mission Control, or b) using the BLEvo app.

Nice thing about the BLEvo app is you can purchase a remote (link to seller’s site from within the app) that will allow you to change the assistance in either 5% or 10% increments. I use it, and I’d not give it up easily.