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

[rochrunner]

I'm riding a 2020 Turbo Como 5.0 and have also noticed the crank wheel spinning after a pedal stroke. It takes about 1.5 seconds to stop. That's a long time to wait to down shift gears while going up a hill. Anyone know if that lag time can be adjusted?

I doubt it. Anyway, the crank has to be moving in order for the gear to actually change since that's what moves the chain from one sprocket to another. It's mainly that you don't want to be mashing on the pedals when this is happening.

 

[Billperry]

I doubt it. Anyway, the crank has to be moving in order for the gear to actually change since that's what moves the chain from one sprocket to another. It's mainly that you don't want to be mashing on the pedals when this is happening.

Problem I'm finding is that shifting gears before the crank wheel stops turning results in noisy protest form the cassette gears. A second and a half doesn't seem long but forward momentum takes big big hit when doing this whilst going uphill.

 

[rochrunner]

Problem I'm finding is that shifting gears before the crank wheel stops turning results in noisy protest form the cassette gears. A second and a half doesn't seem long but forward momentum takes big big hit when doing this whilst going uphill.

I too noticed that the bike was shifting differently after the change, but I'll have to wait until I get out on it again to experiment with shifting, etc.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

No Vado ride today! 100 degrees here in Oregon, hope folks were able to get out this weekend!

 

[GuruUno]

Hit 93 here in NJ today with close to 100 'feel' index, and did 24 miles. Not to bad.

 

[Sanders]

101 here.
Still. Not a breath of air.
Spooky.
Did 5 miles to store, bought a 6 pack.
Sat under deck cover with ceiling fan, wife, dogs.
Barbecued some chicken.

 

[Eric B]

I received 7.1.1 a couple days ago as the result of having the motor replaced. I've only ridden it twice since then, but I also thought that I noticed a difference in smoothness, especially at slower speeds or lighter pedal pressure. It seemed to have more surging than I recall from my previous pre-replacement rides. I was mostly in Eco, which I had set down to an assist level of 15. Also mine is a U.S. 28mph-limit bike.

Just joined the forum today, hi everyone! I've had a Como 5.0 and Vado 5.0 US versions for a few weeks (wife and self), software version 5 is installed. The question is, should I get the upgrade to V7.1.1, or is the surging a sufficient interruption that I should stay with original V5 and wait for the next upgrade? I personally don't like the way the Vado mashes the gears in higher power modes unless you almost completely back off pedal power, which is tough to finesse while going uphill. If V7 provides a bit more motor support to allow smoother downshift during a longish hill climb, I think that would be appealing.

 

[Papa G]

101 here.
Still. Not a breath of air.
Spooky.
Did 5 miles to store, bought a 6 pack.
Sat under deck cover with ceiling fan, wife, dogs.
Barbecued some chicken.

Pretty hot in Sacramento recently. Mornings aren’t bad with delta breeze. Commuting to office (15 miles) with laptop and lunch in tow. Racktime trunk bag helps!

 

[Let's Went]

I'll say ditto to the previous 5 posts. Today is my first day on this forum and it's hotter than heck here in Corvallis, OR. Got out for an early ride and escaped the worst of the heat. My wife and I picked up two Vado 5.0 about two months ago. We are enjoying these bikes more than expected. She's currently wearing a cast and so I've been riding solo for a month.

I celebrated my 68th birthday 10 days ago and our son sent me a 203 mm front rotor and adapter. I swapped the 180 mm rotor and adapter to the back. The installation was easy. I suspect that the braking advantage will only be noticeable on long descents. It can't hurt. The weight gain on this tank of a bike certainly won't be felt.

 

[PaD]

Just joined the forum today, hi everyone! I've had a Como 5.0 and Vado 5.0 US versions for a few weeks (wife and self), software version 5 is installed. The question is, should I get the upgrade to V7.1.1, or is the surging a sufficient interruption that I should stay with original V5 and wait for the next upgrade? I personally don't like the way the Vado mashes the gears in higher power modes unless you almost completely back off pedal power, which is tough to finesse while going uphill. If V7 provides a bit more motor support to allow smoother downshift during a longish hill climb, I think that would be appealing.

My opinion is that you don’t want motor support while shifting and I don’t find 7.1.1 better for shifting while applying pressure on pedals.
Stop pedaling just a little bit longer and shift earlier.
I want 5.0.4 back in my Vado. Felt more natural.

 

[Eric B]

I'll say ditto to the previous 5 posts. Today is my first day on this forum and it's hotter than heck here in Corvallis, OR. Got out for an early ride and escaped the worst of the heat. My wife and I picked up two Vado 5.0 about two months ago. We are enjoying these bikes more than expected. She's currently wearing a cast and so I've been riding solo for a month.

I celebrated my 68th birthday 10 days ago and our son sent me a 203 mm front rotor and adapter. I swapped the 180 mm rotor and adapter to the back. The installation was easy. I suspect that the braking advantage will only be noticeable on long descents. It can't hurt. The weight gain on this tank of a bike certainly won't be felt.

Vado 5.0 feels weightless in Power 1 mode. But turn power to zero and boy does it ride ugly/heavy!! I tested a Creo before buying the Vado and while they are totally different machines unpowered, once the power kicks in they are more similar than different.

 

[Marcela]

Vado 5.0 feels weightless in Power 1 mode. But turn power to zero and boy does it ride ugly/heavy!! I tested a Creo before buying the Vado and while they are totally different machines unpowered, once the power kicks in they are more similar than different.

I find the same thing. I think that is what 20+ lbs. feels like, and fat tires.

I have the same situation on climbing hills. Can't really shift without a lot of sound out of the drive train while in higher power mode, and losing momentum if quit pedaling. I just go to a bigger rear gear prior to the hill, spin, and hit the power button on the way up. Use the different power modes as another shift mechanism.

 

[Eric B]

My opinion is that you don’t want motor support while shifting and I don’t find 7.1.1 better for shifting while applying pressure on pedals.
Stop pedaling just a little bit longer and shift earlier.
I want 5.0.4 back in my Vado. Felt more natural.

thanks for the advice, PaD. I’ll go through early August with 5.0.4 then I’m due my first tune up. The shop suggested doing the upgrade at that time. I may just ask them to leave me with 5.0.4. The Vado 5.0 is overall amazing. Last Saturday took it for an early morning spin here in North Carolina. 15 miles out through rolling countryside, saw maybe 20vehicles. Stunning views; horse country. Outbound 55 minutes. Power Level 1, no rush, learned how to finesse the gears. Homebound I figured why not cheat a little. Put it in Power 3 mode and pulled into the driveway less than 40 minutes later. Bug splats on my aftermarket wing mirror - how about that! Minimal issue with gear change noise at high speed as the momentum creates a smooth gear change, sometimes totally silent and seamless. in some ways the bike responds best to being ridden hard.

 

[Nxkharra]

I learned something new today. I am sure not new to many of you.
I will share as I have learned so much from all of you.
As you know on Vado (and might be the case for other ebikes) reverse pedaling does not reverse the chain direction and pedal and crank turns backward idle.
I have been cleaning my chain pedaling forward for this reason. And the rear wheel was turning while I was cleaning and lubing Not a big deal.
I learned that I could tie a zip tie to crank and the casing of chainring and this enables you to reverse pedal with chain moving in reverse direction.
this way no need for the rear wheel to turn when cleaning and lubing my chain.

 

[PaD]

thanks for the advice, PaD. I’ll go through early August with 5.0.4 then I’m due my first tune up. The shop suggested doing the upgrade at that time. I may just ask them to leave me with 5.0.4. The Vado 5.0 is overall amazing. Last Saturday took it for an early morning spin here in North Carolina. 15 miles out through rolling countryside, saw maybe 20vehicles. Stunning views; horse country. Outbound 55 minutes. Power Level 1, no rush, learned how to finesse the gears. Homebound I figured why not cheat a little. Put it in Power 3 mode and pulled into the driveway less than 40 minutes later. Bug splats on my aftermarket wing mirror - how about that! Minimal issue with gear change noise at high speed as the momentum creates a smooth gear change, sometimes totally silent and seamless. in some ways the bike responds best to being ridden hard.

Nice to hear you’re having a good time with your ebike!
About firmware upgrade - or not.
It’s difficult ( and maybe not right) to tell others not to update. I don’t have information about what these updates really do. It’s a bit like e.g. Apple updates to your phone - they tell you about some of it but not all.
I still think I should tell you about my experiences but ask your bike shop about what they know.

 

[Eric B]

Nice to hear you’re having a good time with your ebike!
About firmware upgrade - or not.
It’s difficult ( and maybe not right) to tell others not to update. I don’t have information about what these updates really do. It’s a bit like e.g. Apple updates to your phone - they tell you about some of it but not all.
I still think I should tell you about my experiences but ask your bike shop about what they know.

Absolutely, I will enjoy chatting to the bike shop about the upgrade during August. I’m not much of a rebel, so I expect I’ll take it to 7.1.1 If that’s what they recommend

 

[jcolbyc]

I absolutely love my Como 5, had it a little over 2 weeks at 150 miles. The bike is a dream, I rode the Como 4 and it was very impressive but I loved the 5's paint and standard front rack and a bigger battery. I also ride a Yamaha Cross Core Fitness bike daily so this one is my pleasure and errand bike. I can't imagine a better bike for this application.

Added the Specialized Roll Rack, Brooks B67 Seat, Brooks Large Tool Bag (Phone and Tools), Brooks Taillight, Ergon Cork Grips, and Shimano XT Platform Pedals.

 

[Sierratim]

I absolutely love my Como 5, had it a little over 2 weeks at 150 miles. The bike is a dream, I rode the Como 4 and it was very impressive but I loved the 5's paint and standard front rack and a bigger battery. I also ride a Yamaha Cross Core Fitness bike daily so this one is my pleasure and errand bike. I can't imagine a better bike for this application.

Added the Specialized Roll Rack, Brooks B67 Seat, Brooks Large Tool Bag (Phone and Tools), Brooks Taillight, Ergon Cork Grips, and Shimano XT Platform Pedals.

View attachment 60472

Sharp tool bag, esp with the saddle!

 

[jcolbyc]

Sharp tool bag, esp with the saddle!

Thanks... it fits a multitool and iPhone X and a 60" Otto lock

 

[Johnmj1]

I absolutely love my Como 5, had it a little over 2 weeks at 150 miles. The bike is a dream, I rode the Como 4 and it was very impressive but I loved the 5's paint and standard front rack and a bigger battery. I also ride a Yamaha Cross Core Fitness bike daily so this one is my pleasure and errand bike. I can't imagine a better bike for this application.

Added the Specialized Roll Rack, Brooks B67 Seat, Brooks Large Tool Bag (Phone and Tools), Brooks Taillight, Ergon Cork Grips, and Shimano XT Platform Pedals.

View attachment 60472

Great looking bike and nice upgrades. Two questions: where Is the tail light now mounted? How do you like the front rack? Some have said it makes steering feel a bit too heavy...