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

[pmcdonald]

The Giant styling DNA definitely has, er, a look to it! For the first few weeks all I could see was the Airbus Beluga!

But it's grown on me now.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My Vado Is Back!

Finally. Got the bike upgraded to the TCD-W, which included the new headlight, high/low beam switch, separate horn button. Also serviced, with the new chain and the 11-46 cassette as in the original bike spec. Interestingly, the Euro-spec S-Pedelecs need to have all-day lights, and technically, my Vado is a moped. So I got the headlight specified for the 6.0, and it is the Supernova M99 Pro. 1600 lumens in high beam! Happy to get my bike in no worse shape than it was before, happy with the ugly but strong Supernova but I won't take the services of that LBS anymore.

Aha, Mission Control would not connect to the TCD-W on Android 10. Surprise!

 

[Phyz]

My Vado Is Back!

Finally. Got the bike upgraded to the TCD-W, which included the new headlight, high/low beam switch, separate horn button. Also serviced, with the new chain and the 11-46 cassette as in the original bike spec. Interestingly, the Euro-spec S-Pedelecs need to have all-day lights, and technically, my Vado is a moped. So I got the headlight specified for the 6.0, and it is the Supernova M99 Pro. 1600 lumens in high beam! Happy to get my bike in no worse shape than it was before, happy with the ugly but strong Supernova but I won't take the services of that LBS anymore.

Aha, Mission Control would not connect to the TCD-W on Android 10. Surprise!

Progress.

 

[Sierratim]

My Vado Is Back!

Finally. Got the bike upgraded to the TCD-W, which included the new headlight, high/low beam switch, separate horn button. Also serviced, with the new chain and the 11-46 cassette as in the original bike spec. Interestingly, the Euro-spec S-Pedelecs need to have all-day lights, and technically, my Vado is a moped. So I got the headlight specified for the 6.0, and it is the Supernova M99 Pro. 1600 lumens in high beam! Happy to get my bike in no worse shape than it was before, happy with the ugly but strong Supernova but I won't take the services of that LBS anymore.

Aha, Mission Control would not connect to the TCD-W on Android 10. Surprise!

Very nice headlight.

You probably need a new 'pairing code' number to connect to the new display. My wife did when they replaced her TCD under warranty. The LBS did this for her...sorry about your LBS. This might help; https://www.specialized.com/us/en/missioncontrol-faq .

Ride on.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I knew that! What a bunch of hopeless ignorants...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Everything works OK!

I have reinstalled the Mission Control to the latest version. MC connected to my Vado instantly! The PIN is given on the bike display while connecting to the MC. At last!

Worse results with BLEvo achieved. I've got the version 3.7.0.

 

[Nxkharra]

Everything works OK!

I have reinstalled the Mission Control to the latest version. MC connected to my Vado instantly! The PIN is given on the bike display while connecting to the MC. At last!

Worse results with BLEvo achieved. I've got the version 3.7.0.

Does the new display have new security feature built in?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Does the new display have new security feature built in?

Even if it had, I have no idea how to switch it on
Surprise after surprise! The Racktime rack has been replaced with the new one (2 kg less rated capacity). The new registration plate support with the new Supernova rear light and a reflector has been installed. Oh my.

The new horn button took more handlebar space. My smartphone mount wouldn't fit. I need to replace my Ergon GP3 Large with the GP3 Small grips to make some extra space. Luckily, I've got the spare S set -- and the L set goes for Giant.

 

[Nxkharra]

I also received a call from LBS. they have installed a new chain (2,000 mile so I think normal).
He told me my chain ring is worn and makes noise. I said OK to order one. It takes couple of weeks to get one these days. Not sure if this normal. He said it is.
I will be picking up the bike and ride it until the new chain ring arrives. I will then take it back to install it.
I asked if OK to ride with a worn chain ring. He said yes if I keep the cadence up (?).
I had asked them to update the firmware. They have done so.
I asked about the new safety feature. He did not know anything about it. Said there was no update available for my display so may be this feature is not available for older bikes yet!

 

[Nxkharra]

Even if it had, I have no idea how to switch it on
Surprise after surprise! The Racktime rack has been replaced with the new one (2 kg less rated capacity). The new registration plate support with the new Supernova rear light and a reflector has been installed. Oh my.

The new horn button took more handlebar space. My smartphone mount wouldn't fit. I need to replace my Ergon GP3 Large with the GP3 Small grips to make some extra space. Luckily, I've got the spare S set -- and the L set goes for Giant.

Please send pics.

 

[Nxkharra]

Even if it had, I have no idea how to switch it on
Surprise after surprise! The Racktime rack has been replaced with the new one (2 kg less rated capacity). The new registration plate support with the new Supernova rear light and a reflector has been installed. Oh my.

The new horn button took more handlebar space. My smartphone mount wouldn't fit. I need to replace my Ergon GP3 Large with the GP3 Small grips to make some extra space. Luckily, I've got the spare S set -- and the L set goes for Giant.

Did you ask for all these and authorized them to replace? Did you have to pay for them?
Why a display replacement needs new rack?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Did you ask for all these and authorized them to replace? Did you have to pay for them?
Why a display replacement needs new rack?

All these parts were included in the "BLOKS to TCD-W conversion set for 45 km/h Euro Vados". The conversion was done under warranty because the BLOKS has never worked as promised. No fee for parts or labour. The conversion effectively turned my Vado into the 2020 Vado 6.0 (with small differences). Now, the 2020 Vado User Manual fits the bike.

The lights and the registration plate support are vital to the Euro Class L1e-B moped. New design of the lighting removes the rear light, the red reflector and the plate support from the rack onto the fender. The old rack would look badly after all these changes, so Specialized replace the rack as well


Another matter was the drive-train service, which I authorised. Turned out to cost in the order I expected (the manager had given far higher price of parts).

 

[Nxkharra]

All these parts were included in the "BLOKS to TCD-W conversion set for 45 km/h Euro Vados". The conversion was done under warranty because the BLOKS has never worked as promised. No fee for parts or labour. The conversion effectively turned my Vado into the 2020 Vado 6.0 (with small differences). Now, the 2020 Vado User Manual fits the bike.

Another matter was the drive-train service, which I authorised. Turned out to cost in the order I expected (the manager had given far higher price of parts).

That is not a bad deal. Like getting a new bike free.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

That is not a bad deal. Like getting a new bike free.

Yes, it is. Add to that that the 2017 parts were the same or better as they are in the 2020 Vado 6.0 The only exception is the rigid fork in my MY17 but even that gives some benefits to the fast ride stability on the road.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Major similarities and differences:

	MY17 Vado 5.0 (EU)	MY20 Vado 6.0 (EU)	BLOKS --> TCD-W	Different?
EU Class	L1e-B	L1e-B
Motor	Spec 1.2s (Brose TF)	Spec 1.2s (Brose TF)
Battery	600 Wh	600 Wh
Fork	Rigid	SR Suntour NCX E25		Yes
Brakes (front/rear)	TRP Zurich, 4 piston 180 mm	TRP Zurich, 4 piston 180 mm
Chainring	48T	48T
Derailleur	Shimano XT, Shadow Plus, GS cage, 11-speed	Shimano XT, Shadow Plus, GS cage, 11-speed
Shifters	Shimano SLX	Shimano SLX
Cassette	11-46T	11-42t		Yes
Tyres	Electrak Armadillo 2.0	Electrak Armadillo 2.0
Rack	Racktime, 22 kg	Racktime 20 kg	Racktime 20 kg	Yes
Headlight	Spec 600 lm	Supernova M99 Pro 1600 lm high/low beam	Supernova M99 Pro 1600 lm high/low beam	Yes
Taillight	Spec 8-LED integrated with rack and registration plate, LED for registration plate, brake light	Supernova M99 , brake, license plate LEDs	Supernova M99 , brake, license plate LEDs	Yes
Remote	Horn button integrated	High/low beam switch, separate remote for horn	High/low beam switch, separate remote for horn	Yes

 

[Stefan Mikes]

So you're in love with your Turbo again? I wonder who will win between the E-MTB and the Turbo. You're gonna get dirty on the Giant.

This is a hard question. I live in flatland and like the speed; Giant is the 25 km/h e-bike. My brother wants me to ride together with him; his routes are either off-road (Giant) or road (Vado) or long distance ones (Lovelec). The problem is the weather is terrible now, with low temps in the end of May! We'll see.

P.S. I'm applying upgrades and adjustments to all of my ebikes now.

 

[MAPC]

Yeah, the 25km/h is very annoying and "eliminates" about 85% of the e-bikes out there for me. The number of bikes I can choose from is actually very limited. Many of the "class 1" bikes start cutting off at 23.8 km/h, which is simply ridiculous if you have flat terrain with roads.

All of those limits must be frustrating! I routinely ride my new Vado at 20-24 mph (32-40kph with the ability to get up to 45 kph).

 

[rochrunner]

I asked if OK to ride with a worn chain ring. He said yes if I keep the cadence up (?).

Pedaling at higher cadence puts less load on the gear teeth than a lower cadence where you're mashing on the pedals.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Bear in mind friends an e-MTB is meant to either ride in mountains or off-road. On my first true MTB trip I didn't miss the speed: the uphill ride was inevitably slow (18 km/h) but I was reaching 50 km/h (30 mph) downhill. My brother tells me only my e-MTB would do in "his" off-road terrain. Riding roads is something different and I own e-bikes made for that.

BLOKS to TCD-W Upgrade (45 km/h EU Spec)

New remote, new horn button, new display. The long inwards lever is for my suspension dropper post. I had to cut the Ergon GP3 Small left grip a little to fit the smartphone mount on the shock-absorbing BAM Trek handlebar.

The automotive-grade Supernova M99 Pro headlight. Thank you, Specialized!

The registration plate/taillight/plate-illuminating LED/brake light/rear reflector combo is mounted on the mudguard now. As a consequence, Specialized replaced the rack, too.

I think what I paid for the Vado was some US$4000 and now it is equivalent to new Vado 6.0 worth US$5200. Of course I spent some money on upgrades, of which the grips, the dropper post, the handlebars, the saddle, pedals as well as the spare battery with a charger were the most expensive. The bargain I made on the 2017 Vado 5.0 covered the cost of the battery and more.

 

[rochrunner]

Nice horn button, but where did they hide the horn?

Stefan, how well does your mirror work out in that position? The first time I saw it I thought maybe I'd change mine from it's more usual outboard-and-up position, but checking out the details it looked like it would be partially blocked by my body but definitely blocked by my hand or wrist and I'd have to always move them to take a look. Is this true for you? I prefer mine where I can check it often at a quick glance.