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

[Sierratim]

The difference in posture between the Como and Vado is not going to make a marked difference in climbing a hill. A suspension fork on the Como is unnecessary as there is not that much weight on the front wheel. Better not to have it to save weight and simplicity. The Como does benefit from adding a suspension seatpost. The power and torque differences between the 3 and 4 won’t matter. Most people don’t ride in max power settings and none of these will last 60 km if you do the whole ride in turbo mode. I was planning to buy the 3 but bought the 4 on sale.

Most important consideration is how comfortable are you on the bike. That doesn’t necessarily mean sitting more upright; it has to do with what works for you. I love the Como geometry;it is really not an extreme upright position.

I certainly agree about bike comfort, but I can't agree re differences with motor power and torque, unless you're in an area with few hills. Aside from the data, we test rode a Como with the 1.2e motor on our local hills. It just didn't have enough 'punch'. The 1.2 motor was noticeably stronger on the same hills. On a flat run, there wasn't really any difference.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Sierratim & @FlatSix911, thank you for the charts! As I can see, the Yamaha PW-X has the same peak torque as the Specialized 1.2s and I know the X2 was improved for higher cadences (I can feel it myself, because I like spinning the crank). Now, these two drives are similar to each other regarding the max power output. Fine for me!

I've just been on a short evening ride with my Vado, for the first time from the upgrade, really. Oh my, how fast it is in the 35/50 Eco Mode! It was a post-rain ride and the mudguards were working perfectly. But...

That grey devil has a daylight sensor now! I didn't know it before!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You mean the one that starts cutting off at 22.9999 km/h and shuts off and 23.9999 km/h?

No, the one that cuts off above 26.2 km/h It is the GIANT.
@JayVee, it could be interesting for you. My brother Jacek could always outrun me on the flat. Yet, I was catching up with him on the uphill ride. In the end, we made 65 km together. He was tired, I was not. I was polite towards my brother Piotr and rode in Eco mode off-road with him, only going a level up in the sand and two levels up uphill. We were returning from the 30 km ride on tarmac. On the last kilometre I pushed harder on the pedals and he disappeared in the rear-view mirror. He was tired, I was not...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I made some edit above, @JayVee. The best part was when Jacek had exclaimed: "27 km/h upwind?!"

 

[Kam1936]

For the speed demons. Planet 3 installed on our class 3 potential speeds upwards of 51mph. I don't think our legs or drive train can accomplish that. However, 36 to 38 mph seems feasible. The perimeters in BLEvo set to 3.3 adjust mph accordingly.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Planet 3 installed

When did you install that, @Kam1936?

Maybe it won’t be long before he gets his own e-MTB.

He won't because of the 25 km/h limitation.

 

[MayL]

How would you rate your cycling conditioning? Do you ride a mech bike regularly?

conditioning needs work and not riding as often as wanted......too many hills to get back home!
poor west coast weather is a deterrent for sure.
seems Vado 4.0 step through is sold out and no dates for incoming from warehouse
and therefore no color choice
And we didn’t have the smoking deal here and yet no adequate supply!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

seems Vado 4.0 step through is sold out and no dates for incoming from warehouse

Is the 5.0 Step-Through too expensive for you?

 

[MayL]

Is the 5.0 Step-Through too expensive for you?

$6k! Mighty price to pay for a retired leisurely rider. And a fair weather one at that

 

[Stefan Mikes]

(If the money is the problem, go buy a Giant/Liv, honestly! Specialized e-bikes are overpriced).

 

[MayL]

(If the money is the problem, go buy a Giant/Liv, honestly! Specialized e-bikes are overpriced).

What do you think of the Trek verve 3 or OHM cruise? Or is Liv better? I am befuddled by all the tech and specs and certainly not handy at fixes. I certainly would appreciate your help in sorting out my confusion.
Remembering the Liv Amiti is a little weak on the wh? Liv Thrive I found to be too forward positioned but certainly has a hi NM Rating

 

[MayL]

What do you think of the Trek verve 3 or OHM cruise? Or is Liv better? I am befuddled by all the tech and specs and certainly not handy at fixes. I certainly would appreciate your help in sorting out my confusion.
Remembering the Liv Amiti is a little weak on the wh? Liv Thrive I found to be too forward positioned but certainly has a hi NM Rating

And forgot to throw the OHM Quest in the above mix.....although no step thru.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

What do you think of the Trek verve 3 or OHM cruise? Or is Liv better? I am befuddled by all the tech and specs and certainly not handy at fixes. I certainly would appreciate your help in sorting out my confusion.
Remembering the Liv Amiti is a little weak on the wh? Liv Thrive I found to be too forward positioned but certainly has a hi NM Rating

If it has to be a Trek, let it be Verve+ 3 Lowstep because it at least looks nice I'm not a fan of Bosch motors, let it be clear. I'm not a fan of Trek, either.

Liv Amiti! Hah! You know what? All modern Giant batteries are swappable. Giant uses the same size battery and only puts different cells inside. Ask your Giant/Liv dealer if they could deliver an Amiti wih 500 or even 625 Wh battery and how much it would be. (BTW, Ms. @Browneye rides an Amiti, I hope Mr. @Browneye can say a word or two here). Note: the Amiti has a very good shock fork.

Not familiar with Ohm, the Canadian brand.

 

[PaD]

For the speed demons. Planet 3 installed on our class 3 potential speeds upwards of 51mph. I don't think our legs or drive train can accomplish that. However, 36 to 38 mph seems feasible. The perimeters in BLEvo set to 3.3 adjust mph accordingly.

How does the Planet 3 affect motor response when starting from standstill?
My experience is that my Vado has to be in motion before the motor assist comes on. Just putting pressure on a pedal is not enough. I get the impression the software needs an input from the speed sensor.

 

[Kam1936]

@Stefan Mike's/@PaD. I haven't installed yet. I ordered it yesterday. The developer explained to me how it works with BLEvo. Since I had the money to blow, going to see what it does or doesn't do. Thanks to Stefan I figured out the torque tool. I removed the rear wheel and put it back with the help of my brother in law. It took about 10 minutes. Kind of tricky putting it back, easy to take off. Also, PaD that's not my experience right now without Planet 3. The moment i press the pedal the motor engages from standstill according to set assistance. No delay, my Vado takes off.

 

[Browneye]

If it has to be a Trek, let it be Verve+ 3 Lowstep because it at least looks nice I'm not a fan of Bosch motors, let it be clear. I'm not a fan of Trek, either.

Liv Amiti! Hah! You know what? All modern Giant batteries are swappable. Giant uses the same size battery and only puts different cells inside. Ask your Giant/Liv dealer if they could deliver an Amiti wih 500 or even 625 Wh battery and how much it would be. (BTW, Ms. @Browneye rides an Amiti, I hope Mr. @Browneye can say a word or two here). Note: the Amiti has a very good shock fork.

Not familiar with Ohm, the Canadian brand.

Yes, Mrs. Brown loves her Amiti. And I have the brother to it, the Explore. They are outstanding ebikes.

I wouldn't knock the Como or Vado, looked at them both in the hunt for her bike, but yes, they are a little more $$, Specialized is rather proud of their bikes. In looking for an e-mountain bike I surely liked their Turbo Levo Comp, but saved a lot of cash going with the Giant Trance, and the Yamaha drive is just outstanding.

The front shock fork on the Amiti/Explore is just adequate - nothing special. I call it a 'boinger'. Not much damping, not much travel, but surely helps on uneven pavement, expansion cracks and such. It's surely not meant for real offroad - a gravel path is fine.

IIRC the Giant bikes are all 400 or 500 watt packs, and surely sufficient range for most people - 50-80km if you're willing to pedal a little more.

The specialized version of the Brose motor is very good, the newest bikes are plenty reliable and solid, quiet, and powerful. You really can't go wrong with any of the big-three - Specialized, Trek, or Giant. And all have a very good dealer network to support the brands.

 

[TMH]

The Shimano version of the Brose motor is very good, the newest bikes are plenty reliable and solid, quiet, and powerful. You really can't go wrong with any of the big-three - Specialized, Trek, or Giant. And all have a very good dealer network to support the brands.

Are you meaning 'Specialized version'? Or is there some tie-in between these motors which I haven't heard about?

 

[PaD]

@Stefan Mike's/@PaD. I haven't installed yet. I ordered it yesterday. The developer explained to me how it works with BLEvo. Since I had the money to blow, going to see what it does or doesn't do. Thanks to Stefan I figured out the torque tool. I removed the rear wheel and put it back with the help of my brother in law. It took about 10 minutes. Kind of tricky putting it back, easy to take off. Also, PaD that's not my experience right now without Planet 3. The moment i press the pedal the motor engages from standstill according to set assistance. No delay, my Vado takes off.

My explanation of when power comes on from standstill may not be right. It can just be that I misinterpret HOW the motor support comes on.
I should clarify that I like that the Brose/Specialized isn’t abrupt but smooth in starting.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

IIRC the Giant bikes are all 400 or 500 watt packs, and surely sufficient range for most people - 50-80km if you're willing to pedal a little more.

Unluckily, my off-road ride with the 500 Wh EnergyPak ended after 40 miles sharp Had to pedal the last two miles through the forest and sand... Will report in David Berry's thread. I need the 625 Wh EnergyPak. (I must say I only rode in PAS 2 (called Basic or Eco+) off-road and in PAS 1 (Eco) on-road.)

I should clarify that I like that the Brose/Specialized isn’t abrupt but smooth in starting.

Thank you PAD for explaining it. I have to say that Giant are very proud of their "Zero Cadence" concept, that is the motor runs while you pressed the pedal and released the brake -- it makes sense in the e-MTB; for this reason Turbo Levo and Kenevo have the delay configurable from zero to long delay. "Zero Cadence" is bad for the commuter bike and I like the delay in the Vado. Perhaps it is what BLEvo does to your bike, Kam? Do I understand that correctly?

 

[Browneye]

Are you meaning 'Specialized version'? Or is there some tie-in between these motors which I haven't heard about?

Sorry, Specialized.