Specialized Turbo Vado/Como/Tero/Tero X User Club
- Thread starter Stefan Mikes
- Start date
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
It is a delicate matter, Terry. If I'm riding an e-bike described by law as "a bicycle" (that is, with the assistance limited to 25 km/h), I have to ride bike path or lane as long as it exists. On the other hand, my Vado 5.0 is what you know in the U.S. as Class 3 e-bike, and it is classified as a L1e-B vehicle and is briefly described as "a moped" in the Road Code here. I must not ride the "moped" on bike paths or lanes and have to ride in traffic.
Each of e-bike class here has its good aspects and downsides. Riding a "normal" e-bike is safe as long as there are bike paths around (there are aplenty of them here). However, it is rarely a "cycleway" so riding through bike paths means a slow commute. Riding a "moped" e-bike puts you at some danger but is incredibly fast, especially if that is the "speed" Vado.
There is no direct bike path from my place to our county capital, Pruszków. Yes I can ride my "normal" e-bikes safely to reach Pruszków if I make a detour. On the other hand, it is a short ride to get there if that's the Vado and I am taking the Hwy #719 directly.
I would say I'm not that afraid riding roads in Poland, except of the most dangerous ones. Many Polish drivers are cyclists, too. A Polish driver becomes somewhat aggressive when he/she can see a cyclist on road when a bike path along the road exists. That sometimes leads to unpleasant situations when I'm riding my Vado on road. Some drivers cannot see my number plate or they believe it is a regular bike riding the road illegally. In such situation, they honk at me, and then I sound my horn on them and blink the 1600 lm headlight... They learn.
Each of e-bike class here has its good aspects and downsides. Riding a "normal" e-bike is safe as long as there are bike paths around (there are aplenty of them here). However, it is rarely a "cycleway" so riding through bike paths means a slow commute. Riding a "moped" e-bike puts you at some danger but is incredibly fast, especially if that is the "speed" Vado.
There is no direct bike path from my place to our county capital, Pruszków. Yes I can ride my "normal" e-bikes safely to reach Pruszków if I make a detour. On the other hand, it is a short ride to get there if that's the Vado and I am taking the Hwy #719 directly.
I would say I'm not that afraid riding roads in Poland, except of the most dangerous ones. Many Polish drivers are cyclists, too. A Polish driver becomes somewhat aggressive when he/she can see a cyclist on road when a bike path along the road exists. That sometimes leads to unpleasant situations when I'm riding my Vado on road. Some drivers cannot see my number plate or they believe it is a regular bike riding the road illegally. In such situation, they honk at me, and then I sound my horn on them and blink the 1600 lm headlight... They learn.
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Here in NZ we do not class them at all. They are just bicycles and the same rules as apply to bicycles with no motor apply to ebikes.
Wearing a helmet is a legal requirement here for any bike.
Sierratim
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Nevada City, CA & Paradise Valley, AZ
Seems much simpler.
Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
Is there a speed or power limit for ebikes, as opposed to motorcycles ?
Very nice looking bike. My wife rides the same one.
You want to be careful with the Kuat Transfer rack...rated only to 45lbs., and not for ebikes.
I have fit the Axiom Journey Uni-fit Mk3 to a couple of Como's, and I am sure the Topeak Explorer rack would fit on well too. Just needed some strong longer bolts in conjunction with the fender mount area. But it can be done successfully. I like the journey Uni-fit because of the double top rails, makes it easier to fit a trunk bag and panniers at the same time onto the rack. but most people seem to use one or the other...trunk or panniers.
Rolling production changes are made occassionally it seems. When they started to give a nice black zippered case with each bike to store your manuals/papers and charger in, that seemed to be added to the package part way through the season. Light on fender is a good change, particularly if you use a trunk bag. I have taken to using an accessory USB rechargable light to the back of our Como.
The original fenders on Como's were a stiff plastic, and work well. If a stick gets caught between tire and fender (trust me, it happens) a plastic fender gives way and may save you from a big superman dive over the bars (this happens too, unfortunately).
Terry317
Member
I finally got my new right brake line and shift cable replaced with longer ones to accommodate the Jones bars I put on my Vado 4. Brakes are working fine but shift cable needs adjustment as some shifts are not so good. Probably just cable tension adjustment as all was well before replacing the cable. Hardest part was getting wheel back on as this was fist time ever removing one. Good practice for a flat. Here is pictures of my lift as I have no bike stand. Worked well plus could get it high when needed.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
You don't have "speed e-bikes" there in NZ, either...
AFAIK, it is 250 W nominal power and 25 km/h assistance speed limit, same as in Australia and Europe.
Turbo Levo with Topeak TetraRack you mean?Specialized needs to make something between the upright Como and the downright Vado. With full suspension air shocks.. And racks, big racks
I've noticed I'm not getting many notifications for new posts, so I missed some. Now... I'm setting off for a metric century in the morning. That would be the beautiful Vistula Trail in Mazovia. Although many roads there are gravel, I'm taking my Vado because of longer range than my Trance E+. As my Vado is fully equipped now, it is not afraid of gravel roads, especially gravel packed after heavy rainfalls we have experienced.
Wish me luck!
Sierratim
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Nevada City, CA & Paradise Valley, AZ
I'm.
I'm not getting new posts any longer as well. My settings seem OK. Sounds like a forum issue.You don't have "speed e-bikes" there in NZ, either...
AFAIK, it is 250 W nominal power and 25 km/h assistance speed limit, same as in Australia and Europe.
Turbo Levo with Topeak TetraRack you mean?
I've noticed I'm not getting many notifications for new posts, so I missed some. Now... I'm setting off for a metric century in the morning. That would be the beautiful Vistula Trail in Mazovia. Although many roads there are gravel, I'm taking my Vado because of longer range than my Trance E+. As my Vado is fully equipped now, it is not afraid of gravel roads, especially gravel packed after heavy rainfalls we have experienced.
View attachment 58829
Wish me luck!
mikecoin56
Member
For others with the Como 4, why are there no markings to indicate what gear I am in near the shifters on the handlebar.
is this the way this bike is or am I missing an insert or something indicating the current gear?
is this the way this bike is or am I missing an insert or something indicating the current gear?
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
That's the "MTB style" shifter and high class MTB shifters for 1x drive-train don't typically have the optical gear indicator. I disliked that at first but got used to it.
While it is critical to know in what gear you are with the multiple chain-rings (to be able to maintain straight chain line), it is irrelevant to 1x10, 1x11, 1x12 drive-trains. Hence no gear indicator, and it makes more space on the handlebars available but the shifter can be more advanced instead.
The way you operate the gear shifting is just to downshift before stopping (so starting the ride creates little stress on the chain and gives better acceleration) and manipulate the gears to be in the preferred cadence during the ride.
It is to some extent similar to a manual gear-box stick of the car. I sometimes am in doubt if I am in the 3rd or 5th gear (or in 4th or 6th) in my car but the experience and the rpm indicator tell me the truth.
jenfeu
Member
Thanks for the heads up on the Kuat Transfer. My partner has a Specialized hitch-mount rack, not sure which model, that maybe will work better. Fortunately, I won't have to carry it on a car rack very often!
jenfeu
Member
I have the Como 5 and I thought they were pretty similar, though I see they have different shifters. On my bike, the indicator is on the right near the shifters. The indicator has a red bar on it in this photo and it moves left for higher gears and right for lower. Still have to guess a bit about what gear it is in.
Nwr2339
Member
Lucky you! I have the same bike but mine came with the cheap fenders and light still under the seat. The fenders are possibly what I dislike the most about the bike. They are constaly out of alignment no matter how much I tighten them down. Very frustrating. As for the light I ended up buying one to attach to the rack I added.
But hey, awesome for you! Loving mine so far. I'm sure you'll be happy!
Sierratim
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Nevada City, CA & Paradise Valley, AZ
I do like the front rack on the Como. Seems very handy.
Brendon@OEB
Well-Known Member
Sierratim
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Nevada City, CA & Paradise Valley, AZ
Good to see dealet deliveries catching up with demand, at least in your area.
Looks like you one in the fasterest Rocket Red color...
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