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

[Palmthree]

Both my como and vado are 5.0 and the older model. I am not sure about the paired numbers you asked about. Both mine are set at 25, 60, and 100 on assist. I pedal a lot unassisted, the 25 gives me the 'stuff' for against the wind and up gradual hills. The 60 is for more aggressive hill climbing. Rarely use 100 and don't find much difference between 60 an 100. I also find the 25 setting is not critical with respect to gear change, i.e. I usually hesitate on gear change with setting at 60 or 100, at 25 it is not as critical imo.

Yes, I've done some tests; the Como 5 is very powerful, the 75/75 gives a lot of power. The power ratio is often multiplied by 4. I've reduced it to 60/60, which is more than enough most of the time, even though I can't change gears manually.

That said, I have a problem with my rear brake; it makes a “noise” when I brake (gently or hard). It sounds like there's a small object touching the spokes. Obviously, there's nothing there. It brakes well too. But I wonder what it is.

 

[Marcela]

I just made an adjustment to all my brake calipers. Previously I had centered the caliper on the disc with the pads installed from new. That seemed to work with some later adjustments also. I had a clicking noise going on so started pulling pads for inspection, the calipers were off center enough that they were touching the disc. So I recentered the calipers on the disc without the pads installed. This works at the moment, one or two of the pads were slightly rubbing but they will clearance themselves with time. Just have to keep an eye on them, and ear.

 

[Palmthree]

I just made an adjustment to all my brake calipers. Previously I had centered the caliper on the disc with the pads installed from new. That seemed to work with some later adjustments also. I had a clicking noise going on so started pulling pads for inspection, the calipers were off center enough that they were touching the disc. So I recentered the calipers on the disc without the pads installed. This works at the moment, one or two of the pads were slightly rubbing but they will clearance themselves with time. Just have to keep an eye on them, and ear.

You were right. I've cleaned the pads, it's a little bit better.

I have another problem. At high speeds (above 15 km/h), if I ride without my hands on the handlebars, the handlebars are very wobbly, or the front wheel is, I'm not sure. I don't have this problem with my Como 3.
I don't feel anything unusual when I hold the handlebars normally. I find it a bit strange.

 

[Marcela]

You were right. I've cleaned the pads, it's a little bit better.

I have another problem. At high speeds (above 15 km/h), if I ride without my hands on the handlebars, the handlebars are very wobbly, or the front wheel is, I'm not sure. I don't have this problem with my Como 3.
I don't feel anything unusual when I hold the handlebars normally. I find it a bit strange.

I and others have noticed that also. Not enough caster or rake or trail, whichever term means the most to you. I don’t think my Vado is as bad, more weight on the front tire with the shocks probably helps.

 

[Palmthree]

I and others have noticed that also. Not enough caster or rake or trail, whichever term means the most to you. I don’t think my Vado is as bad, more weight on the front tire with the shocks probably helps.

Oh, so maybe it's because the Como 5 is an L version, while my Como 3 is an S version. The trail is 103 mm on the S and 96 mm on the L. Could that be the reason? That's a shame, because I really like riding hands-free for short periods of time!

I'm getting comfortable with the AutomatiQ shifting, but I've remarked some problems :

* The bike changes gears even when I'm not pedaling (it thinks I'm slowing down, so it wants to help me get going again easily...it's disconcerting not to be able to start/get going again very quickly).
* The “Standard” cadence is 68 RPM, the ‘Slowest’ is 50 RPM, it's pretty strange to get the “Standard” below 70-75 RPM. It's not as indicated in the manual.
* At the “Slowest” cadence, I can really feel the pedal stopping and I can even hear little clicks (I've heard loud clicks before when pushing hard on the pedals, but in this mode, the little noises are there every time I change my pedaling speed).
* The Enviolo also fails to remain stable when I'm going over 30 km/h. Even when pedaling continuously, it changes gear slightly.

 

[Marcela]

Oh, so maybe it's because the Como 5 is an L version, while my Como 3 is an S version. The trail is 103 mm on the S and 96 mm on the L. Could that be the reason? That's a shame, because I really like riding hands-free for short periods of time!

I'm getting comfortable with the AutomatiQ shifting, but I've remarked some problems :

* The bike changes gears even when I'm not pedaling (it thinks I'm slowing down, so it wants to help me get going again easily...it's disconcerting not to be able to start/get going again very quickly).
* The “Standard” cadence is 68 RPM, the ‘Slowest’ is 50 RPM, it's pretty strange to get the “Standard” below 70-75 RPM. It's not as indicated in the manual.
* At the “Slowest” cadence, I can really feel the pedal stopping and I can even hear little clicks (I've heard loud clicks before when pushing hard on the pedals, but in this mode, the little noises are there every time I change my pedaling speed).
* The Enviolo also fails to remain stable when I'm going over 30 km/h. Even when pedaling continuously, it changes gear slightly.

.25" I wouldn't think would be much of a difference. May have to do with weight distribution. Think of a shopping cart with one wheel on the front that holding less weight or skips across the floor, it tends to wobble.

 

[Base]

everything with wheels can and will shimmy under certain circumstances. The trick is to ad counter measures so that the shimmy can only occur outside of the "use envelope" how they call it. In both the EN15194 and the Din79010 there are requirements for this phenomenon, also in the upcoming EN17680 there is a lot of attention for this.

My Vado SL ridden with the highest tyre pressure AND clamping on the handlebars full grip at 21 km/h will trigger a speedwobble (as I regularly test bikes on this issue I am still in control) and just by loosening grip and a minor speed increase will tackle this Speedwobble instantly.

Btw, in the EU it is not allowed to drive in trafic on public road with your hands of the steering systems, you are just allowed to release one hand for signaling or to perform necessary tasks on the vehicule to create a safe usage of the said vehicule in trafic. Just as a side note.

 

[Marcela]

Jeez. And to think with my first 10 spd 50 yrs ago I could ride pretty much around the block without hands. Probably when common sense dictated bike geometry.

 

[Palmthree]

My Vado SL ridden with the highest tyre pressure AND clamping on the handlebars full grip at 21 km/h will trigger a speedwobble (as I regularly test bikes on this issue I am still in control) and just by loosening grip and a minor speed increase will tackle this Speedwobble instantly.

It's rather reassuring in the sense that it's not my bike that has a particular problem; it's just normal. I was surprised to feel this difference, especially compared to the Como size S.

I looked at the safety standards and a few articles about them; in fact, many bikes have anomalies! I wouldn't have thought so.

Jeez. And to think with my first 10 spd 50 yrs ago I could ride pretty much around the block without hands. Probably when common sense dictated bike geometry.

To be honest, I've always done this on all my bikes (and I'm talking about low-end bikes...this is the first time I've had an expensive bike from a major brand...!) and I've always managed to ride without my hands, it was a way of testing the bike (and myself). I never would have thought I'd encounter this kind of behavior on a high-end bike!

 

[Marcela]

I just went on a grocery run with the Como. I was curious and throwing caution out the window, took my hands off the handlebars. It proceeded to do the wobble as I was pedaling and it was under assist. I reached down, between my legs, and moved the seat back. No, that was a song. I bent over and put my weight on the upright between the pedals and gooseneck. The wobble went away. So I am thinking it is probably a combination of geometry and weight distribution.

 

[Palmthree]

I just went on a grocery run with the Como. I was curious and throwing caution out the window, took my hands off the handlebars. It proceeded to do the wobble as I was pedaling and it was under assist. I reached down, between my legs, and moved the seat back. No, that was a song. I bent over and put my weight on the upright between the pedals and gooseneck. The wobble went away. So I am thinking it is probably a combination of geometry and weight distribution.

I've tried this morning and the bike proceeded to do the wobble very quickly ; even when leaning forward on the handlebars before letting go, the wobble quickly becomes very dangerous. Well, that's one less little pleasure.

Do you know how to check the engine version and MasterMind version? I'm sure I was able to do it on my Como 3, because I had to go to the dealer to update it. But I can't find the version anymore (neither on my Como 3 nor on my Como 5).

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Do you know how to check the engine version and MasterMind version?

The motor on the Como 5 is Specialized 2.2.
The Mastermind version is irrelevant.

@Palmthree: I read about riding hands-free (I never do it on an e-bike even if I could do it as a kid on a simple bike). Have you learnt the proper cornering technique yet?

 

[Palmthree]

The Mastermind version is irrelevant.

I've got an update (for my Como 3) in february ; I had to go to a shop (and pay 25€) to upgrade my version (Motor / Display / Battery).

@Palmthree: I read about riding hands-free (I never do it on an e-bike even if I could do it as a kid on a simple bike). Have you learnt the proper cornering technique yet?

Pretty much to be honest ! Not a pedal strike for a month at least ! (Except against a rock on a damaged street !).

What do you think about these two noises ? Both are in the slowest mode (like 50 RPM) but can also be heard in others. The loudest noise is rare but can occur regularly in this mode...The second occurs at 25 km/h when you stop pedaling briefly, which happens regularly in the city.
In both cases, you feel a jolt in your feet (stronger for the louder noise).

 

[Marcela]

I've got an update (for my Como 3) in february ; I had to go to a shop (and pay 25€) to upgrade my version (Motor / Display / Battery).


View attachment 198979


Pretty much to be honest ! Not a pedal strike for a month at least ! (Except against a rock on a damaged street !).

What do you think about these two noises ? Both are in the slowest mode (like 50 RPM) but can also be heard in others. The loudest noise is rare but can occur regularly in this mode...The second occurs at 25 km/h when you stop pedaling briefly, which happens regularly in the city.
In both cases, you feel a jolt in your feet (stronger for the louder noise).

That one sounds kind of serious.

 

[Marcela]

Changed the pads on the Como today. 3k miles and about 50% used on the oem pads. Keeps the pistons from moving too far out of the caliper and and have a set of used pads if needed, rather than a set of new pads on standby and waiting till the disc gets chewed or the pads getting too far lopsided. Pretty happy with the 3k miles and condition of the pads. Wondering if the 203mm discs have anything to do with the longevity.

 

[Palmthree]

That one sounds kind of serious.

The first one ? I've heard it too on my Como 3. It's when I pedal firmly and abruptly. The Como 3 has 3200 km. The Como 5 only 1300 km. Am I unlucky...twice ?

 

[Marcela]

Regarding hands off riding and the front wheel wobble, I measured both my motorcycles at approx 30 degrees caster using the head tube, the bikes were approx 20 degrees. Ten degrees is a big difference.