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

[45srbest]

Thank you for your direction and information folks. I ordered a Vado 5.0 today. They said about a week until it comes in (Pennsylvania to Utah). I originally was going to get a Como 4.0 until I got on this forum. Reading all the information convinced me to go for the Vado. I had been riding a Cannondale Quick prior to having a hip replacement. Thought the Como might be easier pedaling due to the riders position. Took a quick ride on the Vado today and it was Plenty comfy! Additionally, you convinced me to go from a 4.0 to a 5.0. Its only money.

 

[BarryS]

Thank you for your direction and information folks. I ordered a Vado 5.0 today. They said about a week until it comes in (Pennsylvania to Utah). I originally was going to get a Como 4.0 until I got on this forum. Reading all the information convinced me to go for the Vado. I had been riding a Cannondale Quick prior to having a hip replacement. Thought the Como might be easier pedaling due to the riders position. Took a quick ride on the Vado today and it was Plenty comfy! Additionally, you convinced me to go from a 4.0 to a 5.0. Its only money.

Yeah that's right only Money : Which you'd be best spending before the World's economies collapse : Which could be as soon as November Elections 2020 . When it does you'll at least have a Bike Enjoy

 

[Art Deco]

Perhaps an ebike will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no ebikes...like last month?

 

[TS25]

It’s a nice day so I think I’ll go there and have a look. I bring my smart phone so I can post from the hospital and tell you about it

If you wait a little you might be able to meet Stefan there in that cobble street - I hear he's just entering the Stockholm ferry with his eMTB.

 

[BEC111]

Perhaps an ebike will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no ebikes...like last month?

Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers!

Not about bicycles originally

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It’s the nothern part of a street called Brännkyrkagatan.

I don't understand it. Peranders says it is 22%. Wikipedia says so. There is a road-sign reading 22%. Yet I made a route in RideWithGPS and in Mapy.cz and both apps claim far milder grade... @PaD, you're gonna try it!

 

[Sierratim]

I don't understand it. Peranders says it is 22%. Wikipedia says so. There is a road-sign reading 22%. Yet I made a route in RideWithGPS and in Mapy.cz and both apps claim far milder grade... @PaD, you're gonna try it!

I checked my SAT ride to Edwards Crossing against US Geologic Survey topo maps running on National Geographic's TOPO! software. It's reporting max 20% grade climbing out of the river between miles 0.55 and 0.75. I was in the Vado 5's Turbo mode at this point, but not in granny gear nor standing on the pedals. YRMV.

@PaD I say go for it! Post pics, please.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I cannot defend my claim, then

Czerniawa-Zdrój to Strażacka

www.google.com

See Google Maps with the segment I was talking about. Google believes you are riding at 6 km/h on that segment. Could be, could be.

 

[PaD]

I don't understand it. Peranders says it is 22%. Wikipedia says so. There is a road-sign reading 22%. Yet I made a route in RideWithGPS and in Mapy.cz and both apps claim far milder grade... @PaD, you're gonna try it!

I made it. ( or the Vado made it) Did not have to call Emergency. Sorry no video to show you so for now you have to take make word.
But is it really 22%? I think I should go back bringing a folding rule.

I forgot to bring my Garmin gps to measure elevation. It is quite steep but it did not seem impossible in any way as I know my 1.3 motor is very strong. Don’t know if the 1.2S ( Stefan’s Speed Vado) is specified with same torque. They are different and software is different.
”There’s too much computing, I can’t get no relief”
Here are my pics. Note that road signs specify cycling is allowed both directions.


I approached from top and walked down. The climb is only about 70-80m long. At the bottom I put bike in full Turbo mode and there was enough space so I could circle and shift into lowest, 40 front 42 rear. I did not at all try to build up speed , I just pedalled slowly and kept to the right. Of course I forgot to time it and check speed during ascent
It wasn’t tough in any way but I was a bit uncomfortable as it was steep and I have no knowledge about riding position in a situation like this. Didn’t want to loose grip but felt more safe leaning forward.
Vados have torquey motor!

Edit
Maybe it is close to 20%

 

[Art Deco]

Now you can test the seat on a road you can actually sit down for... But that is quite the climb @PaD.

 

[Sierratim]

Yep. One heck of a bike.

I say we ride uphill on San Francisco's Lombard Street!

 

[45srbest]

My new Vado 5.0 should be ready early next week if all goes well. I ride where there is lots of thorns. I have no problem changing tires and tubes before I take delivery. I understand nothings perfect, but are there significantly better choices right off the bat? And would they be the same size? Open to suggestions. Thanks once again!

 

[Sierratim]

My new Vado 5.0 should be ready early next week if all goes well. I ride where there is lots of thorns. I have no problem changing tires and tubes before I take delivery. I understand nothings perfect, but are there significantly better choices right off the bat? And would they be the same size? Open to suggestions. Thanks once again!

We also get thorns this time of year. I've used tire liners/thorn strips for years with good success. Not perfect, but nothing is. Relatively affordable with no special maintenance required.

I have to admit that I had 3 rear tire flats on my new Vado 5 within the first few months before I got around to installing my customary tire liners. No flats since, over 1,000 miles and counting.

Others have reported good results adding tire sealant to the tubes, switching to more puncture resistant tires, etc. I have Schwalbe Marathon GT tires ready to go as soon as we can start biking out of the area again. I'll still be using thorns strips!

Regardless of the measures you take, I would recommend carrying a flat kit. Mine includes a spare tube, tire levers, patch kit, tire boots, mini pump, and CO2 inflator. I also carry a bike mini tool that has the 5mm hex wrench required to remove the through axles when I do get my next flat.

Enjoy your new Vado!

 

[ronr]

Como 3.0 owner. I’d like to lose the seat post and add a suspension post. I’m wondering what I should do about the taillight and what post(s) I should consider. Thanks.

 

[FlatSix911]

Good news from Specialized regarding the recall and warranty extension on the 2019/2020 Levo.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I made it. ( or the Vado made it) Did not have to call Emergency. Sorry no video to show you so for now you have to take make word.
But is it really 22%? I think I should go back bringing a folding rule.

Thank you very much for the interesting report, @PaD! Whatever the grade is there, the short incline should pose no problem, I guess. Problems with steep ascents begin when the incline is long (the indication of that is the bike going slower and slower...) My 1.2s motor has the same max torque (90 Nm) as your 1.3, Peranders. Yours is stronger (550 vs 520 W) and the amplification factor of the 1.3 is 3.6x while the 1.2s can help you with "3.2 times you!" No doubt the 1.3 has the edge, same as the 40T chainring of your Vado against 48T of mine. The S-Pedelec makes it easy to get at high speed while the "normal" EU Vado 5.0 has the climbing edge. Which is a good thing in Stockholm

I say we ride uphill on San Francisco's Lombard Street!

Would like to try it myself!

I wouldn't wish anybody to make this ascent (although people make it on traditional bikes, very slowly). The majority of inclines is above 8% and that's over 12 km. Very tiresome. We were lucky to be descending there; a lot of fun! People rent "scooters for grown-ups" to be able to get their adrenaline shot there

A couple of words about torque: My brother was often getting a "wheelie" when he rode my Vado for his work commutes. Since he was putting a lot of torque into the crank at the green light change (Turbo Mode), the Vado motor was responding with the full 520 W support instantly!

Yet what you can expect from a powerful e-MTB is beyond imagination. SyncDrive motors (especially the Yamaha PW-X2) feature the "Zero Cadence", that is, the motor starts instantly with the foot push on the pedal. Combined with low gearing it may bring unexpected outcome. The first time Jacek got onto the Trance E+, he was thrown out from the saddle as he didn't expect the instant response of the bike! (I guess same could happen to Simon Cowell, you've heard the story for sure).

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Como 3.0 owner. I’d like to lose the seat post and add a suspension post. I’m wondering what I should do about the taillight and what post(s) I should consider. Thanks.

Cirrus Cycles Kinekt 2.1 is the choice of many members of these Forums. It should be the 30.9 mm, "short" version, unless you have exceptionally long legs. The seat-post comes with the springs you order for your weight. I got the "orange" springs installed (as I was very heavy at that time); Cirrus Cycles provided "medium" (black) springs in the box, too (going to replace the springs soon).

The matter of the tail-light was discussed not so long time ago: It is the matter of drilling a single hole in the post and re-routing the cable. I hope one of our experts here could re-iterate on how that's done.

Other suspension seat-posts such as Thudbuster work with elastomer inserts, also weight-selectable. I like and use the Kinekt though. It's perfect!

 

[RandallS]

Thank you very much for the interesting report, @PaD! Whatever the grade is there, the short incline should pose no problem, I guess. Problems with steep ascents begin when the incline is long (the indication of that is the bike going slower and slower...) My 1.2s motor has the same max torque (90 Nm) as your 1.3, Peranders. Yours is stronger (550 vs 520 W) and the amplification factor of the 1.3 is 3.6x while the 1.2s can help you with "3.2 times you!" No doubt the 1.3 has the edge, same as the 40T chainring of your Vado against 48T of mine. The S-Pedelec makes it easy to get at high speed while the "normal" EU Vado 5.0 has the climbing edge. Which is a good thing in Stockholm


Would like to try it myself!

View attachment 62231
I wouldn't wish anybody to make this ascent (although people make it on traditional bikes, very slowly). The majority of inclines is above 8% and that's over 12 km. Very tiresome. We were lucky to be descending there; a lot of fun! People rent "scooters for grown-ups" to be able to get their adrenaline shot there

A couple of words about torque: My brother was often getting a "wheelie" when he rode my Vado for his work commutes. Since he was putting a lot of torque into the crank at the green light change (Turbo Mode), the Vado motor was responding with the full 520 W support instantly!

Yet what you can expect from a powerful e-MTB is beyond imagination. SyncDrive motors (especially the Yamaha PW-X2) feature the "Zero Cadence", that is, the motor starts instantly with the foot push on the pedal. Combined with low gearing it may bring unexpected outcome. The first time Jacek got onto the Trance E+, he was thrown out from the saddle as he didn't expect the instant response of the bike! (I guess same could happen to Simon Cowell, you've heard the story for sure).

I no longer try to climb curbs on the highest PAS level with my SyncDrive PW-X2 powered Giant.
You CAN teach an old dog new tricks...

 

[PaD]

Thank you very much for the interesting report, @PaD! Whatever the grade is there, the short incline should pose no problem, I guess. Problems with steep ascents begin when the incline is long (the indication of that is the bike going slower and slower...) My 1.2s motor has the same max torque (90 Nm) as your 1.3, Peranders. Yours is stronger (550 vs 520 W) and the amplification factor of the 1.3 is 3.6x while the 1.2s can help you with "3.2 times you!" No doubt the 1.3 has the edge, same as the 40T chainring of your Vado against 48T of mine. The S-Pedelec makes it easy to get at high speed while the "normal" EU Vado 5.0 has the climbing edge. Which is a good thing in Stockholm


Would like to try it myself!

View attachment 62231
I wouldn't wish anybody to make this ascent (although people make it on traditional bikes, very slowly). The majority of inclines is above 8% and that's over 12 km. Very tiresome. We were lucky to be descending there; a lot of fun! People rent "scooters for grown-ups" to be able to get their adrenaline shot there

A couple of words about torque: My brother was often getting a "wheelie" when he rode my Vado for his work commutes. Since he was putting a lot of torque into the crank at the green light change (Turbo Mode), the Vado motor was responding with the full 520 W support instantly!

Yet what you can expect from a powerful e-MTB is beyond imagination. SyncDrive motors (especially the Yamaha PW-X2) feature the "Zero Cadence", that is, the motor starts instantly with the foot push on the pedal. Combined with low gearing it may bring unexpected outcome. The first time Jacek got onto the Trance E+, he was thrown out from the saddle as he didn't expect the instant response of the bike! (I guess same could happen to Simon Cowell, you've heard the story for sure).

Yes the ”incline test” I did was a short ride. I was thinking when I was there that if the ascent is longer then a less steep incline will still be challenging.

 

[PaD]

Como 3.0 owner. I’d like to lose the seat post and add a suspension post. I’m wondering what I should do about the taillight and what post(s) I should consider. Thanks.

The Redshift Shockstop suspension post I showed in post two days ago is 27.2mm so a shim, 27.2 - 30.9mm, is needed for a Vado. It is not included.
You have to take the seatpost out to adjust for rider weight.
Sorry but I have no solution for the taillight.