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

[Hextall]

I bought a 2021 Vado 4 last night (at least that is what the LBS tech said the model year was... claimed it was the first 2021 out the door for them). The color is forest green, but it's really hard to see it as green unless you really study it, otherwise it looks black. Took it for a good size ride last night and a smaller ride this morning and already started playing in Mission Control (I'm a nerd, all that stuff is lovely). Plan for the bike is to commute to work (23 miles each way through moderate hills), whenever the office actually opens back up. I am pretty familiar with bikes, but am a bit nervous about the motor/battery and maintenance on them (I built my downhill MTB, so I'm pretty ok with working with any of the bicycle parts)

I also plan on using it to shuttle my truck when floating and flyfishing out of my raft down select NH rivers. I previously biked back to the put in... and as rivers flow downhill, the ride to the put in was always tiring. Just have to figure out a transport plan while towing the raft.

 

[Art Deco]

I bought a 2021 Vado 4 last night (at least that is what the LBS tech said the model year was... claimed it was the first 2021 out the door for them). The color is forest green, but it's really hard to see it as green unless you really study it, otherwise it looks black. Took it for a good size ride last night and a smaller ride this morning and already started playing in Mission Control (I'm a nerd, all that stuff is lovely). Plan for the bike is to commute to work (23 miles each way through moderate hills), whenever the office actually opens back up. I am pretty familiar with bikes, but am a bit nervous about the motor/battery and maintenance on them (I built my downhill MTB, so I'm pretty ok with working with any of the bicycle parts)

I also plan on using it to shuttle my truck when floating and flyfishing out of my raft down select NH rivers. I previously biked back to the put in... and as rivers flow downhill, the ride to the put in was always tiring. Just have to figure out a transport plan while towing the raft.

View attachment 59748

I like the idea of combining a float trip with a bike ride a lot.

 

[Art Deco]

I do like the front rack on the Como. Seems very handy.

Yeah . I haven't noticed one mounted before, oddly.

 

[Hextall]

I like the idea of combining a float trip with a bike ride a lot.

I've been doing this for about 10 years or so with a pontoon boat or raft. When it's just me floating, I would put my bike (Giant Defy) in the raft (3 person raft), but when I had friends with me, I'd lock up the bike (or once, hide it in the woods). that bike was relatively inexpensive, so it potentially disappearing wasn't as stress inducing...might have to be a little more secure with teh Vado. I have a bed rack on my tacoma and would put my bike on taht. but lifting the 50+lb vado up ontoit might strain my abilities.

A dual trailer receiver with my bike rack (1up) might do the trick: https://www.amazon.com/CURT-45792-R...vtargid=pla-571952257097&psc=1&language=en_US

Here's the current floating setup heading to the river:

 

[Nxkharra]

I bought a 2021 Vado 4 last night (at least that is what the LBS tech said the model year was... claimed it was the first 2021 out the door for them). The color is forest green, but it's really hard to see it as green unless you really study it, otherwise it looks black. Took it for a good size ride last night and a smaller ride this morning and already started playing in Mission Control (I'm a nerd, all that stuff is lovely). Plan for the bike is to commute to work (23 miles each way through moderate hills), whenever the office actually opens back up. I am pretty familiar with bikes, but am a bit nervous about the motor/battery and maintenance on them (I built my downhill MTB, so I'm pretty ok with working with any of the bicycle parts)

I also plan on using it to shuttle my truck when floating and flyfishing out of my raft down select NH rivers. I previously biked back to the put in... and as rivers flow downhill, the ride to the put in was always tiring. Just have to figure out a transport plan while towing the raft.

View attachment 59748

Beautiful. Curious what are the differences when compared to 2020 model. I own a 2020 Vado 5

 

[Nxkharra]

I've been doing this for about 10 years or so with a pontoon boat or raft. When it's just me floating, I would put my bike (Giant Defy) in the raft (3 person raft), but when I had friends with me, I'd lock up the bike (or once, hide it in the woods). that bike was relatively inexpensive, so it potentially disappearing wasn't as stress inducing...might have to be a little more secure with teh Vado. I have a bed rack on my tacoma and would put my bike on taht. but lifting the 50+lb vado up ontoit might strain my abilities.

A dual trailer receiver with my bike rack (1up) might do the trick: https://www.amazon.com/CURT-45792-R...vtargid=pla-571952257097&psc=1&language=en_US

Here's the current floating setup heading to the river:
View attachment 59749

Nice setup

 

[Art Deco]

I've been doing this for about 10 years or so with a pontoon boat or raft. When it's just me floating, I would put my bike (Giant Defy) in the raft (3 person raft), but when I had friends with me, I'd lock up the bike (or once, hide it in the woods). that bike was relatively inexpensive, so it potentially disappearing wasn't as stress inducing...might have to be a little more secure with teh Vado. I have a bed rack on my tacoma and would put my bike on taht. but lifting the 50+lb vado up ontoit might strain my abilities.

A dual trailer receiver with my bike rack (1up) might do the trick: https://www.amazon.com/CURT-45792-R...vtargid=pla-571952257097&psc=1&language=en_US

Here's the current floating setup heading to the river:
View attachment 59749

Might be easier to lift ebike into the boat before putting boat on trailer? Boat is lower than the tailgate.

 

[Papa G]

I bought a 2021 Vado 4 last night (at least that is what the LBS tech said the model year was... claimed it was the first 2021 out the door for them). The color is forest green, but it's really hard to see it as green unless you really study it, otherwise it looks black. Took it for a good size ride last night and a smaller ride this morning and already started playing in Mission Control (I'm a nerd, all that stuff is lovely). Plan for the bike is to commute to work (23 miles each way through moderate hills), whenever the office actually opens back up. I am pretty familiar with bikes, but am a bit nervous about the motor/battery and maintenance on them (I built my downhill MTB, so I'm pretty ok with working with any of the bicycle parts)

I also plan on using it to shuttle my truck when floating and flyfishing out of my raft down select NH rivers. I previously biked back to the put in... and as rivers flow downhill, the ride to the put in was always tiring. Just have to figure out a transport plan while towing the raft.

View attachment 59748

@Hextall: Nice color. Almost looks like the British Racing Green that came on my 1973 Raleigh Super Course back in the day!

 

[Sierratim]

I bought a 2021 Vado 4 last night (at least that is what the LBS tech said the model year was... claimed it was the first 2021 out the door for them). The color is forest green, but it's really hard to see it as green unless you really study it, otherwise it looks black. Took it for a good size ride last night and a smaller ride this morning and already started playing in Mission Control (I'm a nerd, all that stuff is lovely). Plan for the bike is to commute to work (23 miles each way through moderate hills), whenever the office actually opens back up. I am pretty familiar with bikes, but am a bit nervous about the motor/battery and maintenance on them (I built my downhill MTB, so I'm pretty ok with working with any of the bicycle parts)

I also plan on using it to shuttle my truck when floating and flyfishing out of my raft down select NH rivers. I previously biked back to the put in... and as rivers flow downhill, the ride to the put in was always tiring. Just have to figure out a transport plan while towing the raft.

View attachment 59748

Would some thing this ebike towed kayak trailer work for your flyfishing raft?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Congratulations, @Hextall!
I need to visit the Specialized website to see what's new in the 2021 models!
P.S. The website has not been updated with the new models yet...

 

[Brendon@OEB]

Congratulations, @Hextall!
I need to visit the Specialized website to see what's new in the 2021 models!
P.S. The website has not been updated with the new models yet...

Not to kill the excitement but I believe it's just colors...still exciting though!

Full disclosure, I made sure to ask if there was going to be some awesome new Vado coming out before pulling the trigger on my own 5.0. Specialized always has tricks up their sleeve though.

I was day dreaming of having the S-Mag motor in a Vado to shed some weight, maybe some other cool bits too...just my own thoughts mind you.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Oh, Brendon... With the current legal situation of 25 and 45 kph e-bikes in Europe, I don't even consider yet another e-bike, just curious. Or... that might be a Bulls. I'd like to see a Bulls bike in person and demo-ride it because these bikes look so promising... But the devil is in the detail.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

Oh, Brendon... With the current legal situation of 25 and 45 kph e-bikes in Europe, I don't even consider yet another e-bike, just curious. Or... that might be a Bulls. I'd like to see a Bulls bike in person and demo-ride it because these bikes look so promising... But the devil is in the detail.

Fair enough, didn't take your words as implying you'd get something else!

We're a Bulls dealer too, great bikes. Very well built and spec'd. We just sold a Cross Lite Evo, great bike! I love Bosch product, but the entire package of the Vado 5.0 has been incredible. I've got almost 1300km's on the bike thus far, can't wait to start wearing things out!

Thinking about cadence per our earlier conversations, I can't seem to find a 50T chainring. Thinking of trying to find a 46t and switching over to a SRAM 10-42 cassette to get my cadence closer to the 100rpm range at 46kph. Right now I'm in the 12t out back and right around 90-94 cadence. I think if I dropped a couple teeth up front and had an 11t out back (still want one gear taller for descending) I'll be able to get to that comfortable 100rpm for cadence.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Brendon, have you got some Bulls model with Brose motor and the BLOKS display in your store? I'm interested in your opinion because I look at the E-Stream EVO AM 45. How do the components and build of Bulls bikes compare to Specialized products?

I can't quite get you with the sprockets and cadence. My Vado has the 48t chainring and 11t smallest rear cog. With 2" tyres, I'm getting at 45 km/h with cadence of 76. If I want to spin faster, I shift down to 13t and it makes the cadence of 89. Further, if I go down to 15t, the cadence is 103. What is in your Vado I don't understand and you would like to change?

 

[TS25]

..., I can't seem to find a 50T chainring. Thinking of trying to find a 46t and switching over to a SRAM 10-42 cassette ...

Chain ring tooth selection

@E-Wheels Here a couple of shots, and you can see just how tight everything is in there. Sorry the second one is a bit dark because of the sunlight, but you can see my US Postal water bottle - that will tell you who my hero used to be, but that is another story :). Looks to me like there will...

electricbikereview.com

Have a look for Deckas or Snail 104BCD narrow-wide chain ring:

Amazon.com : DECKAS 104BCD 40T 42T 44T 46T 48T 50T 52T Narrow Wide Chainring Single Chainring for 8/9/10/11-Speed (Round) : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : DECKAS 104BCD 40T 42T 44T 46T 48T 50T 52T Narrow Wide Chainring Single Chainring for 8/9/10/11-Speed (Round) : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

https://shopee.ph/Snail-Chainring-Round-104-BCD-40t-42t-44t-46t-48t-50t-52t-Tooth-Mountain-Bike-ChainWheel-Tooth-Plate-i.206494139.4513660423

 

[Terry317]

I've been doing this for about 10 years or so with a pontoon boat or raft. When it's just me floating, I would put my bike (Giant Defy) in the raft (3 person raft), but when I had friends with me, I'd lock up the bike (or once, hide it in the woods). that bike was relatively inexpensive, so it potentially disappearing wasn't as stress inducing...might have to be a little more secure with teh Vado. I have a bed rack on my tacoma and would put my bike on taht. but lifting the 50+lb vado up ontoit might strain my abilities.

A dual trailer receiver with my bike rack (1up) might do the trick: https://www.amazon.com/CURT-45792-R...vtargid=pla-571952257097&psc=1&language=en_US

Here's the current floating setup heading to the river:
View attachment 59749

Very nice rig, if you go with others they can help lift the bike. You can haul all the locks and chains necessary to secure the bike in the truck. How’s the fishing?

 

[Hextall]

Would some thing this ebike towed kayak trailer work for your flyfishing raft?

No, probably not. the boat is a bit cumbersome and heavy at over 100 lbs withotu gear.

But the pontoon boat I used to own would be perfect (dave scaddon skykomish sunrise). It was pretty light.

 

[Hextall]

Very nice rig, if you go with others they can help lift the bike. You can haul all the locks and chains necessary to secure the bike in the truck. How’s the fishing?

It's been ok. The Androscoggin River in northern NH has a caddis hatch in mid to late June (alder flies) where the trout go nuts. There are only a couple of spots to fish while wading, so a raft or drift boat is the way to go. For many years, I've tried to time being there when it happened, but could never show up when that bug was hatching. This year, due a change in marital status, I had a bit more freedom to target it. but the week it was going off, the river was well over 70 degrees due to little rain we've had, and catching and releasing trout in those conditions is a bit unethical (I'm mostly a C&R fisherman, might keep a fish once or twice a year). So I targeted another river that I didn't float (the upper CT River), and it was ok fishing.

Then it rained all week I was there.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

Brendon, have you got some Bulls model with Brose motor and the BLOKS display in your store? I'm interested in your opinion because I look at the E-Stream EVO AM 45. How do the components and build of Bulls bikes compare to Specialized products?

I can't quite get you with the sprockets and cadence. My Vado has the 48t chainring and 11t smallest rear cog. With 2" tyres, I'm getting at 45 km/h with cadence of 76. If I want to spin faster, I shift down to 13t and it makes the cadence of 89. Further, if I go down to 15t, the cadence is 103. What is in your Vado I don't understand and you would like to change?

Funny you should mention that bike...I love Bulls but sometimes they make some interesting bikes, that being one of them. I've had direct experience with it, the geometry of the bike is such that the front chainrings are so far out if you're cross chainging from the small ring to the lower part of the cassette the chainring ramp pins can grab the chain during assist and break the chain. The solution is to not cross chain, but that can be forgotten when riding challenging trails.


Thanks for the link but hard pass on those super cheap online chainrings.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Funny you should mention that bike...I love Bulls but sometimes they make some interesting bikes, that being one of them. I've had direct experience with it, the geometry of the bike is such that the front chainrings are so far out if you're cross chainging from the small ring to the lower part of the cassette the chainring ramp pins can grab the chain during assist and break the chain. The solution is to not cross chain, but that can be forgotten when riding challenging trails.

A little disappointing. That's the only S-Pedelec that is also an e-MTB. There's currently a discount on that model in Poland. OTH, I have no budget for that bike at the moment.