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

[jcolbyc]

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 the steering feel a bit too heavy...

Thanks! ...The front rack is just fine for me... The Brooks Light is on the back of the rack..kinda hard to see in this picture. It works great.

 

[rochrunner]

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.

Beautifully staged photo. Really looks professional!

 

[jcolbyc]

Beautifully staged photo. Really looks professional!

Thanks so much...its little town nearby and on one of my evening rides..

 

[BEC111]

Beautifully staged photo. Really looks professional!

I agree. It looks like the bike is waiting for someone to ride it away

 

[jcolbyc]

The Como 5 Hauls!

Specialized Pizza Bag + Public Bikes Crate on the Rear = 2 full bags of groceries

Locked up via Otto lock inside the store

Love the Public Bikes Crate - Spring Loaded for easy on/off

 

[rochrunner]

And the hits just keep on coming, folks. I went out for a ride last night, intending to make some pressure adjustments as required on my PNW Coast Suspension Dropper post. A few miles out, I stopped and hooked up my pump, only to see the pressure as only 100psi and dropping. The pump, which I had only used once with limited success, is now not only non-functional but it let all of my pressure out!

So as soon as I got back on, the post immediately dropped all the way and stayed that way. !@#%$. After ascertaining that the pump indeed did not work, I pulled a save by loosening the clamp and pulling the main section of the post up to get my seat at the correct level so I could ride it home without my knees up in my chin.

Then I found today that good shock pumps are yet another bike-related item that is in short supply. I tried three local shops before finding a Trek dealer that had a couple left, so went out and grabbed one.

That was followed by our refrigerator going out, and the appliance pipelines are not restocked yet after the early pandemic panic-buying, so the best we could do on that score is wait for one that's due the middle of August. Aargh! At least in this case we have a refrigerator and large freezer in the basement so it's just a matter of doing a lot of stairs...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

And the hits just keep on coming, folks. I went out for a ride last night, intending to make some pressure adjustments as required on my PNW Coast Suspension Dropper post. A few miles out, I stopped and hooked up my pump, only to see the pressure as only 100psi and dropping. The pump, which I had only used once with limited success, is now not only non-functional but it let all of my pressure out!

So as soon as I got back on, the post immediately dropped all the way and stayed that way. !@#%$. After ascertaining that the pump indeed did not work, I pulled a save by loosening the clamp and pulling the main section of the post up to get my seat at the correct level so I could ride it home without my knees up in my chin.

Then I found today that good shock pumps are yet another bike-related item that is in short supply. I tried three local shops before finding a Trek dealer that had a couple left, so went out and grabbed one.

That was followed by our refrigerator going out, and the appliance pipelines are not restocked yet after the early pandemic panic-buying, so the best we could do on that score is wait for one that's due the middle of August. Aargh! At least in this case we have a refrigerator and large freezer in the basement so it's just a matter of doing a lot of stairs...

Tough luck!
I sympathise with you.

 

[BEC111]

And the hits just keep on coming, folks. I went out for a ride last night, intending to make some pressure adjustments as required on my PNW Coast Suspension Dropper post. A few miles out, I stopped and hooked up my pump, only to see the pressure as only 100psi and dropping. The pump, which I had only used once with limited success, is now not only non-functional but it let all of my pressure out!

So as soon as I got back on, the post immediately dropped all the way and stayed that way. !@#%$. After ascertaining that the pump indeed did not work, I pulled a save by loosening the clamp and pulling the main section of the post up to get my seat at the correct level so I could ride it home without my knees up in my chin.

Then I found today that good shock pumps are yet another bike-related item that is in short supply. I tried three local shops before finding a Trek dealer that had a couple left, so went out and grabbed one.

That was followed by our refrigerator going out, and the appliance pipelines are not restocked yet after the early pandemic panic-buying, so the best we could do on that score is wait for one that's due the middle of August. Aargh! At least in this case we have a refrigerator and large freezer in the basement so it's just a matter of doing a lot of stairs...

Arrg is right! Ouch.

 

[Papa G]

The Como 5 Hauls!

Specialized Pizza Bag + Public Bikes Crate on the Rear = 2 full bags of groceries

Locked up via Otto lock inside the store

Love the Public Bikes Crate - Spring Loaded for easy on/off

View attachment 60558View attachment 60559View attachment 60560

@jcolbyc: It looks like you’ve got your Como dialed in. Since the Como is rigid, I wonder if you’ve considered adding a suspension stem and or seat post? Here is a picture on the new Kinekt Suspension Stem I mounted on my rigid Trek Super commuter. With the suspension fork, we don’t really need them on the Vados.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Papa G, as I have explained in another thread, replacing the stem on an e-bike is a risky business because it might get in conflict with, e.g., the display. I recommend Baramind BAM Trek shock handlebars instead.

 

[JonnyC]

And the hits just keep on coming, folks. I went out for a ride last night, intending to make some pressure adjustments as required on my PNW Coast Suspension Dropper post. A few miles out, I stopped and hooked up my pump, only to see the pressure as only 100psi and dropping. The pump, which I had only used once with limited success, is now not only non-functional but it let all of my pressure out!

So as soon as I got back on, the post immediately dropped all the way and stayed that way. !@#%$. After ascertaining that the pump indeed did not work, I pulled a save by loosening the clamp and pulling the main section of the post up to get my seat at the correct level so I could ride it home without my knees up in my chin.

Then I found today that good shock pumps are yet another bike-related item that is in short supply. I tried three local shops before finding a Trek dealer that had a couple left, so went out and grabbed one.

That was followed by our refrigerator going out, and the appliance pipelines are not restocked yet after the early pandemic panic-buying, so the best we could do on that score is wait for one that's due the middle of August. Aargh! At least in this case we have a refrigerator and large freezer in the basement so it's just a matter of doing a lot of stairs...

Sounds like there was a surplus of bad luck yesterday. I got stuck by a wasp on my face on my commute into work, then when I got home I accidentally walked off the edge of one of our retaining walls and busted up my leg & hip. Good times!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I left my car at the vet two days ago to pick up my cat from the pet hotel. Although the place looked flat, it wasn't. I haven't pulled the hand brake properly. When I went back to the parking lot, the car was not there. It rolled back and fell into a deep ditch!

Count me lucky. No slightest damage on the car when it was towed up the road, and Coke left in an open can didn't even spill!

I call such events "good luck". Look to @rochrunner situation. He had no accident, bought a new shock pump and can ride again. He has a spare refrigerator. Lucky man!

 

[Papa G]

@Papa G, as I have explained in another thread, replacing the stem on an e-bike is a risky business because it might get in conflict with, e.g., the display. I recommend Baramind BAM Trek shock handlebars instead.

Thanks Stefan. The Kinekt Suspension Stem has a short travel and doesn't conflict with the Bosch Purion display on the Trek Super Commuter +7. I am mainly riding the 2020 Vado with suspension fork but thought this might be of interest to some rigid fork riders. The Baramind BAM Trek shock handlebars look interesting. Does it change the grip angle when depressed?

 

[jcolbyc]

@jcolbyc: It looks like you’ve got your Como dialed in. Since the Como is rigid, I wonder if you’ve considered adding a suspension stem and or seat post? Here is a picture on the new Kinekt Suspension Stem I mounted on my rigid Trek Super commuter. With the suspension fork, we don’t really need them on the Vados.

I decided to go with the sprung Brooks saddle versus the post-suspension. So far so good. I added a RedShift suspension stem to my Yamaha Cross Core and that was a very nice upgrade as it only has 37C tires. No plans yet for that on the Como but I'm sure stem suspension works great on the Como. The Kinect looks great too.

 

[Teddcl]

I decided to go with the sprung Brooks saddle versus the post-suspension. So far so good. I added a RedShift suspension stem to my Yamaha Cross Core and that was a very nice upgrade as it only has 37C tires. No plans yet for that on the Como but I'm sure stem suspension works great on the Como. The Kinect looks great too.

I put a Redshift stem on my Como and it's great, a little extra handlebar height and a smoother ride.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Does it change the grip angle when depressed?

Nothing I would be aware of. Actually, these handlebars normally feel pleasantly rigid. Yet when you ride on an obstacle, they rapidly work (that's the whole secret behind the patent). The suspension handlebars work nicely for all obstacles creating slow vibration but do very little on gravel washboard sections. No type of suspension is good for such a surface. Yet the 2020 Comos are equipped with 2.3" tyres, and these inflated to the mid-range pressure dampen "washboard" very well.

I put a Redshift stem on my Como and it's great, a little extra handlebar height and a smoother ride.

How did you mount the TCD-W display on the new stem, @Teddcl? I'm asking, because it is how the 2020 specialized stem is used to support the TCD-W display. I wouldn't recommend stem replacement to most of Vado users (Como might be different, not sure). Besides, you can see the grey elastomer inserts of the Baramind handlebars in the picture.

 

[Teddcl]

The TCD-W on the Como is attached to a bracket that mounts on the handlebars independent of the stem.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

There's also the "road" style mount that I prefer.

 

[BarryS]

Can someone tell Me Why at least in this Forum The Como and Vado Seem to be the Most Popular E-bikes Overall ? I've been researching for about 6 months : It really seems like it boils down to Opinions based on Experiences : I can't help notice in the Forum by Brands Specialized seems to carry the majority of Posts :

What's so Great about These 2 Bikes over others ?

 

[Brendon@OEB]

We're a Specialized dealer but also sell Bulls, Yamaha, and Scott. Specialized has a very robust dealer net work, Trek too. That allows them to get their e-bikes into showrooms pretty effectively. Bulls makes great product but the vast majority of bike shops have no idea who they are since they've never really had a presence in the US before 2017.

That and the Brose drive unit that Specialized worked hard developing has a great ride quality in their bikes. Not to say other Bosch equipped bikes aren't good, just a different outcome. Having most of my experience being with Bosch bikes, I can tell you that I'm STOKED on the Vado 5.0. The 1.3 motor rips, bike rides great. Mission control is very cool for those wanting more technical detail. The TCD display is awesome, there's tons of data available.