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

[ritcheydb]

Hey everyone, a new Tero 3.0 owner checking in from Bentonville, Arkansas, USA. I purchased my bike in early December during the massive sale, and I have put nearly 300 miles on it in January and February. Thanks to @Stefan Mikes, @Ben J, and everyone else for the really valuable information here. The price vs the Tero 5.0 was the biggest decision point for me, and I decided I didn't need the bigger battery or motor for twice the cost. If I didn't have access to such amazing trails, I'd be on a Vado. If I had the budget, a Haul would probably be in the quiver too.

The Tero 3.0 is a daily commuter (~7mi/11km roundtrip), a gravel bike, a leisure bike, an errand bike, and my bike to get me onto green mountain bike trails. Eventually it'll also be used to take my 18 month old son to the local parks in a kid carrier. I live in an area where I have access to quite a bit of different infrastructure for bike commuting and mountain biking plus a really family friendly environment, and I needed a bike that could do a little bit of everything for me while I figure out my specialty or if I'll even have a specialty. It lets me have a ton of fun while also getting a decent amount of exercise at the same time.

I was gifted a coolcave pannier and the EQ kit, and both have been excellent for the commute. As I rode more trails, I took the front fender off but left the front light. I'll be picking the bike up from the LBS today after upgrading from the 9 speed to a 12 speed and swapping out the 36T chainring for a 42T. I wanted some more speed, but I didn't want to sacrifice my climbing ability. I feel like I've created a Frankenstein that fits my budget but gives me similar performance as the more expensive Tero 5.0.

Thanks again for the informative posts. A dropper post and new tires might be in my future, but I think I'm sorted to just ride for quite a while. I'll post a picture when I pick it up today!

Edit to attach photo

 

[Fender]

There are rumors of a speed limit change in Europe. If this were true in the end, would specialized update the limit or just tell you to buy the new bike with the new speed limit ?

 

[Fender]

Is any Rosenberg plug charger compatible with turbo batteries ? I would need a second charger at work and would like to buy it a bit cheaper than the specialized one.

 

[AvalancheRun]

There are rumors of a speed limit change in Europe. If this were true in the end, would specialized update the limit or just tell you to buy the new bike with the new speed limit ?

IIRC they updated the speed limiting for Turbo Teros after a law change in the US.

Definitely not something that Bosch would ever do. You buy a new bike!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

There are rumors of a speed limit change in Europe. If this were true in the end, would specialized update the limit or just tell you to buy the new bike with the new speed limit ?

Any source?
Bear in mind that even if the Euro Parliament changes the bill, it takes all member states' parliaments change the Road Code of respective countries, and it is legally a tricky situation for Specialized.

IIRC they updated the speed limiting for Turbo Teros after a law change in the US.

No, they updated the speed limit by firmware not because of any law change but because the US federal law allows Class 1 and 3. It was just a Class change within the existing law. I agree updating the speed limit by firmware is perfectly doable for Specialized.

Definitely not something that Bosch would ever do. You buy a new bike!

Yes, Bosch has locked itself because of the brand's legal paranoia. Even Bosch cannot change the speed limit for motors already manufactured for a given world region...

Is any Rosenberg plug charger compatible with turbo batteries ? I would need a second charger at work and would like to buy it a bit cheaper than the specialized one.

I would not even consider such an unsafe action Possible outcome:

• Battery fire
• Damage to the e-bike system
• Loss of the warranty.

 

[Fender]

I wasn’t talking about cheap Ali express alternatives but alternatives from Brose or Shimano

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Brose might do but bear in mind the whole electronics around the Brose motor is Specialized.

I wouldn't do it anyway. You'd save a little to lose a lot.

 

[Fender]

for those who have garmin devices, is the mount for the mastermind tcd the same as a garmin mount ?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

for those who have garmin devices, is the mount for the mastermind tcd the same as a garmin mount ?

It is exactly the Garmin mount.

 

[giantkn10]

If anyone in the U.S. is looking for a great deal on a slightly used Turbo Tero (only700 miles), I just listed mine for sale. Only selling to fund a new project bike.

Specialized Turbo Tero 5.0 size XL- Priced to Sell!

Excellent condition Specialized Turbo Tero 5.0 with about 700 miles on it. Upgraded Spank rear wheel. Stored inside all winter. I'm only selling to fund another project. Asking $2650 b/o Photos: Frame E5 Aluminum, bottom bracket motor mount, fully integrated &lockable downtube battery...

forums.electricbikereview.com

I'm also selling my salsa warbird. Whichever sells first I will keep the other.

 

[ritcheydb]

My wife recently purchased a Vado 4.0, and we're itching to take the bikes with us when we head of out town. Does anyone here have either a Kuat NV 2.0 or a 1Up Heavy Duty 2" car rack and experience hauling a bike with front fenders? Would you please share your experience? I think either of those would work for our bikes, but I'm a little worried about her front fender. I see where I can get a pad from 1Up to cushion the fender. We've also looked at the Kuat Piston Pro which has a option to deal with the fender, but we are tabling that depending on the feedback on the Kuat NV 2.0.

 

[Te. S]

My wife recently purchased a Vado 4.0, and we're itching to take the bikes with us when we head of out town. Does anyone here have either a Kuat NV 2.0 or a 1Up Heavy Duty 2" car rack and experience hauling a bike with front fenders? Would you please share your experience? I think either of those would work for our bikes, but I'm a little worried about her front fender. I see where I can get a pad from 1Up to cushion the fender. We've also looked at the Kuat Piston Pro which has a option to deal with the fender, but we are tabling that depending on the feedback on the Kuat NV 2.0.

I have NV base and it works great, you can buy some tie downs just in case, and strap the front down, I have never had problem with my bikes and the rack but when I head up to the mountains long distance, I strap them just in case.

 

[ritcheydb]

I have NV base and it works great, you can buy some tie downs just in case, and strap the front down, I have never had problem with my bikes and the rack but when I head up to the mountains long distance, I strap them just in case.

Thank you for this! Do you use the place the front clamp over the fender near the fork, or do you tighten it down over the tire just outside of the fender? Good call on the additional tie downs... probably good for my peace of mind for the first trip at least.

 

[teskow]

Specialized appear an international organisation nowadays. The engineering being done in Switzerland, the frames being made in Taiwan. The EU Certificate of Conformity for my Vado is signed by a person of Chinese name. It seems that Specialized (as Giant) supply different markets with different models, especially as bike laws are so different on different continents. For example, the only Speed models of Turbo Vado in Europe are the 5.0 and 6.0. These are equipped with all-day lighting, a horn, a number plate support integrated with the tail-light, and a rear-view mirror, all per Euro law requirements.


The 2020 Vado 6.0 is available in Europe. For you better understanding, the price is US$5455.
View attachment 45542


My own words! What a feeling to ride at 40 km/h on a good tarmac and no noise! All you hear is the tyres hum on the blacktop. The other bike with the hub motor is almost as silent but there is a quiet whistling from the motor when it is spinning up (it is silent later), which is irritating a little. The other bike also feels somewhat heavy on riding it. Not the case with the Vado in the Sport mode.

I too love the silence of my Brose motor powered bicycle. After all it is the silence of an electric powered bike being one of the reasons I ride electric. I have had a couple of grinding/noisy, surging electric bikes so really appreciate the smooth silent Brose system. I have a 400cc motor scooter too and use it to go great distances and love riding it, but when I want peace and silence I ride the bike.

 

[Te. S]

Thank you for this! Do you use the place the front clamp over the fender near the fork, or do you tighten it down over the tire just outside of the fender? Good call on the additional tie downs... probably good for my peace of mind for the first trip at least.

I have done both but like close to the fork and shock better, good luck

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Vado 6.0: Redshift ShockStop Endurance Seat-Post (30.9 x 400 mm) and Praxis EC-SBC-165A E-Cranks

Redshift Sports now offer their suspension seat-post in four standard diameters and in several lengths as well as three types. (The brand must have understood that, say, a 27.2 mm diameter seatpost with a shim for 30.9 seat-tube was not the most competitive of ideas, so they now make a full assortment of suspension seat-posts).

Following the damage of my Cirrus Cycles Kinekt 2.1 suspension seat-post (which I was unable to repair so far), I ordered a new Redshift ShockStop suspension seat-post in size 30.9 x 400 mm. I was not sure whether that would work at all! The frame on my Vado 6.0 is not typical: it is a Step-Thru size S. My body build is short legs with a long torso and arms. Therefore, there was a balance between a very short space inside the seat-tube (to the junction with the frame top tube), and a long seat post. Necessary to mention the ShockStop has a big Minimum Insertion Length of 100 mm, and the post cannot be trimmed as its bottom part holds the spring assembly.

The initial measurement proved the seatpost size choice was proper. As always, the devil was in the details. As I completed installing the greased inner spring (that was necessary to accomodate my 100 kg body weight) and reassembled the unit (everything was very easy) as well as installed the saddle, I inserted the seat-post into the seat-tube to the very bottom. Then I turned pale when I found that the saddle height was 72 cm, whereas I needed 71... A saddle being a centimetre too high is a no-go for me.

OK. I took the seat-post out and turned the preload plug at the bottom to the "closed" position, making the seat-post as short as possible. It let me lower the saddle by a half centimetre.

The test ride has proved the new part was rideable. There was a minimal sag when I mounted the e-bike. No bouncing, no pedal-bob and the suspension action was very good even if the saddle was firm. However, my body told me it would feel a way better another half a centimetre lower...

The geometry of the e-bike is correct, only I dream of having the lower pedal a tad closer to my foot...

I think I have found a solution. The old cranks are 170 mm. If I install the 165 mm ones, everything should be perfect?

I have ordered a set from an online store in Italy for 80 EUR plus shipment. Let us see!

Besides, it looks Praxis Works in the United States has a lot of compatible parts in its online store!

@GuruUno: Didn't you change cranks on one of your Specialized e-bikes? Something I should be aware of?

 

[rayray]

Vado 6.0: Redshift ShockStop Endurance Seat-Post (30.9 x 400 mm) and Praxis EC-SBC-165A E-Cranks

Redshift Sports now offer their suspension seat-post in four standard diameters and in several lengths as well as three types. (The brand must have understood that, say, a 27.2 mm diameter seatpost with a shim for 30.9 seat-tube was not the most competitive of ideas, so they now make a full assortment of suspension seat-posts).

Following the damage of my Cirrus Cycles Kinekt 2.1 suspension seat-post (which I was unable to repair so far), I ordered a new Redshift ShockStop suspension seat-post in size 30.9 x 400 mm. I was not sure whether that would work at all! The frame on my Vado 6.0 is not typical: it is a Step-Thru size S. My body build is short legs with a long torso and arms. Therefore, there was a balance between a very short space inside the seat-tube (to the junction with the frame top tube), and a long seat post. Necessary to mention the ShockStop has a big Minimum Insertion Length of 100 mm, and the post cannot be trimmed as its bottom part holds the spring assembly.

The initial measurement proved the seatpost size choice was proper. As always, the devil was in the details. As I completed installing the greased inner spring (that was necessary to accomodate my 100 kg body weight) and reassembled the unit (everything was very easy) as well as installed the saddle, I inserted the seat-post into the seat-tube to the very bottom. Then I turned pale when I found that the saddle height was 72 cm, whereas I needed 71... A saddle being a centimetre too high is a no-go for me.

OK. I took the seat-post out and turned the preload plug at the bottom to the "closed" position, making the seat-post as short as possible. It let me lower the saddle by a half centimetre.

The test ride has proved the new part was rideable. There was a minimal sag when I mounted the e-bike. No bouncing, no pedal-bob and the suspension action was very good even if the saddle was firm. However, my body told me it would feel a way better another half a centimetre lower...

View attachment 174658
The geometry of the e-bike is correct, only I dream of having the pedals a tad closer to my feet...
I think I have found a solutions. The old cranks are 170 mm. If I install the 165 mm ones, everything should be perfect?

View attachment 174659
I have ordered a set from an online store in Italy for 80 EUR plus shipment. Let us see!

Besides, it looks Praxis Works in the United States has a lot of compatible parts in its online store!

@GuruUno: Didn't you change cranks on one of your Specialized e-bikes? Something I should be aware of?

Redshift offers the 30.9 diameter in a 350mm length also, and they offer a 90-day satisfaction policy. Unless you have a desire otherwise for shorter cranks, you could reorder in the shorter length.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Redshift offers the 30.9 diameter in a 350mm length also, and they offer a 90-day satisfaction policy. Unless you have a desire otherwise for shorter cranks, you could reorder in the shorter length.

A no-go, Ray. The 350 mm seat-post would not ensure the saddle height at 71 cm at all! I did the math That extremely shallow part of the seat-tube makes all a little difficult... (FYI, the depth is some 120 mm).

 

[rayray]

A no-go, Ray. The 350 mm seat-post would not ensure the saddle height at 71 cm at all! I did the math That extremely shallow part of the seat-tube makes all a little difficult...

Bummer. Looking at the picture I see that the seat-tube is very short on the Vado! On my medium Creo, I can use as short as a 280mm Redshift post, so I hadn’t considered that problem…..but my legs aren’t long either.

It is timely that this subject has come up again. I had a Redshift post on my Trek Allant+ 9.9, and it was a back-saver. While I don’t find the ride nearly as harsh on the Creo, I’ve been considering a suspension post, as I suspect it might help avoid fatigue from vibrations and jolts, even on this bike, particularly the large bumps that I don’t see in advance.

I’ve been caught up in a bit of analysis paralysis the past few days, as they have 3 models at 3 price points, each successively lighter in weight but also different in terms of suspension effect. I’ll probably end up with the lowest cost unit, as I don’t think I’d notice the weight difference, and I was happy with it on my Trek. Its not like I’m racing anyway. It does seem a bit sacrilegious to add this to a relatively lightweight bike, but I’ll get over it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Praxis E-Cranks Replaced On My Vado 6.0!

It required help from my experienced brother to remove the existing drive-side crank from my Vado. It looks there was something wrong with the machining tolerances of the spindle (???) My brother had to use a long automotive wrench (with an 8 mm hex bit) and all his power to make the screw start moving, and it took a lot of effort to extract the crank. While everything on the non-drive side was correct and easy (I could do it with a regular bicycle 8 mm wrench myself I think). Once the cranks were removed, my brother installed the non-drive side crank with a total ease while he was pulling the wrench hard to install the other crank.

He believes the machining error must have surprised a Specialized technician on the Vado rebuild the same as it surprised my brother today. Anyway, both cranks have been tightened to 40 Nm, and I experience no issues with them at all!

I really needed the 165 mm cranks (the originals were 170 mm). My Vado is now at the sweet configuration point. My leg power on the pedals has been regained, and I can sit on the saddle naturally and comfortably. I only wonder what would have happened if I installed 160 mm cranks... Perhaps it would feel even better? Whatever! Done is done, and now I can fully enjoy my Vado after the suspension seat-post replacement!

The new non-drive side crank.