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

[Art Deco]

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.

I just put a cheap battery powered taillight on the rack, I'm hoping to use the prewired rear light power for something else.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It looks I need to intervene here

"How to drill a hole in Kinekt (or other) suspension seat-post to route the tail-light wire on the Como"

 

[RichM]

I just bought the Como 4.0 I'm very excited about the purchase. No pic yet

 

[Brendon@OEB]

Have about 1800kms on the Vado 5.0, thought I'd clean the drivetrain and do some regular maintenance. It felt like there was some very slight creaking from the motor so I wanted to remove the spider and relube that as well as the motor mount bolts. Additionally the front brake cable was in the way of the Flux 1200 headlight so I wanted to re route that.

Drivetrain cleaned up fine, Chain has about 75% live left, cassette shows wear in the 15 and 13t cogs (no surprise). Thinking an 11/32 is in my future as I'd like to have a 11-12-13-14-15t spread down low.

Lastly I contacted Tannus to see about their liners and they sent me a couple to try. Install was fine, the Velocity Aileron rims are super easy to install tires on though. Pretty obvious there was something in the tire so grip strength helps installing the tire. They spec a tube 20-28c so I might go smaller than a 28/32c tube next time to give more room during install. Overall after the ride home they're a touch less forgiving but riding a 50lb bike at close to 30mph you really don't notice it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

From the sequel: "What We Love Our Vados & Comos For"

 

[RichM]

Has anyone looked at and purchased ebike insurance? looking for thoughts on you experiences with it
Thanks

 

[Marci jo]

Have about 1800kms on the Vado 5.0, thought I'd clean the drivetrain and do some regular maintenance. It felt like there was some very slight creaking from the motor so I wanted to remove the spider and relube that as well as the motor mount bolts. Additionally the front brake cable was in the way of the Flux 1200 headlight so I wanted to re route that.

Drivetrain cleaned up fine, Chain has about 75% live left, cassette shows wear in the 15 and 13t cogs (no surprise). Thinking an 11/32 is in my future as I'd like to have a 11-12-13-14-15t spread down low.

Lastly I contacted Tannus to see about their liners and they sent me a couple to try. Install was fine, the Velocity Aileron rims are super easy to install tires on though. Pretty obvious there was something in the tire so grip strength helps installing the tire. They spec a tube 20-28c so I might go smaller than a 28/32c tube next time to give more room during install. Overall after the ride home they're a touch less forgiving but riding a 50lb bike at close to 30mph you really don't notice it.

Wow, that's quite the maintenance process. That's a very lucky ebike .
I'm happy to keep the tires inflated, clean the chain, and wash it.
But I have a good relationship with the lbs (bring em cookies every so often to stay on their good side. It works!)

 

[45srbest]

How do you folks support your Vado while fixing a flat out on the road? I’m out where there really are no trees or benches to prop the bike up on.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

How do you folks support your Vado while fixing a flat out on the road? I’m out where there really are no trees or benches to prop the bike up on.

I call for a cab...

(There's something called "handlebar jacks" to put the bike upside down).

 

[Brendon@OEB]

How do you folks support your Vado while fixing a flat out on the road? I’m out where there really are no trees or benches to prop the bike up on.

Gently lay it on the non drive side. It's a little awkward but you won't hurt the bike. You can lean the bike on it's kickstand to get the rear wheel off the ground, helps drop it out of the dropout. If that makes sense.

 

[GuruUno]

Gently lay it on the non drive side. It's a little awkward but you won't hurt the bike. You can lean the bike on it's kickstand to get the rear wheel off the ground, helps drop it out of the dropout. If that makes sense.

Great info, please provide video to the process, as 'lay it on the non-drive side' and the 'lean it on its kickstand' seem to counter each action...no?
We'd all much appreciate it, as the last thing we hate is to be frazzeld from a flat and scratch or screw up our bikes, right?

 

[Brendon@OEB]

I would make a video if I had the time.

Literally the thing that sticks out the farthest is the handlebar, lean it over and gently let the bar end touch the ground and the bike should rest on the bar end, maybe pedal and both tires.

 

[45srbest]

Just a few more questions folks;
1- when I pick up my Vado 5.0 hopefully next week I know I will check a few things
A- have them take battery in and out a few times to make sure it locks in
B- I’m going to go into mission control while at the dealer to make sure I can
C- ask if all the firmware has been updated (not sure how I can verify this)
Anything else I should verify when there?

2- my other question is what is the difference between a sport setting of 50-50 and a sport setting of 50-100 . I read some things on the forum but I still don’t get it. Simple explanation is the best for this old brain!
Thank you once again for your help folks!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Just a few more questions folks;
1- when I pick up my Vado 5.0 hopefully next week I know I will check a few things
A- have them take battery in and out a few times to make sure it locks in
B- I’m going to go into mission control while at the dealer to make sure I can
C- ask if all the firmware has been updated (not sure how I can verify this)
Anything else I should verify when there?

2- my other question is what is the difference between a sport setting of 50-50 and a sport setting of 50-100 . I read some things on the forum but I still don’t get it. Simple explanation is the best for this old brain!
Thank you once again for your help folks!

0. Make sure they have inflated the tyres. You would be surprised how often that's forgotten by the LBS.

The Assist % vs. Max Motor Power %:

Your 1.3 motor can yield the maximum power of 550 W. That motor will amplify your own power with 3.6 times at 100% assist. Therefore:

Assist 50%, Max Motor Power 50%:
---------------------------------------------------
Assist: 50% of 3.6 = 1.8. Every watt of your legs will be amplified with 180% by the motor. If you can push 80 W (almost everybody can), the motor will add 80 * 1.8 = 144 Watts to your effort. If you input 100 W, that would be 180 W from the motor and so on.

Max Motor Power: it is 50% of 550 W or 275 W. However strong you are, the motor will never yield more than 275 Watts.

Now: if the setting is 50-100, your legs still will be assisted 1.8 times but the motor has the capacity to produce as much as 550 Watts.
---------------------------------------------------
Now imagine a weird setting of 100-50: The legs are supported 3.6 times and the motor is allowed to produce up to 275 Watts. You have input 100 Watts yourself. With 3.6 times amplification, the motor should yield 360 W but it will not do it and you'll get only 275 Watts of support.

Here are typical schemes:
Eco: 35/35. There is a ceiling of .35 * 550 = 192.5 Watts delivered, and the assist is .35 * 3.6 = 1.26 times (126% of rider's input)
Sport: 65/65: The assist is .65 * 3.6 = 2.34 x or 234%. Motor power is limited to .65 * 550 = 357.5 Watts
Turbo: 100/100: The assist is 3.6 x and the motor is capable to produce 550 Watts.

Note: It is not guaranteed that the motor will ever produce the full power if the rider's legs are weak.

 

[45srbest]

Thank you Stefan. Now I have an explanation that I understand!

 

[Sierratim]

Just a few more questions folks;
1- when I pick up my Vado 5.0 hopefully next week I know I will check a few things
A- have them take battery in and out a few times to make sure it locks in
B- I’m going to go into mission control while at the dealer to make sure I can
C- ask if all the firmware has been updated (not sure how I can verify this)
Anything else I should verify when there?

2- my other question is what is the difference between a sport setting of 50-50 and a sport setting of 50-100 . I read some things on the forum but I still don’t get it. Simple explanation is the best for this old brain!
Thank you once again for your help folks!

You can check for firmware updates in the Mission Control app. Checking this at the shop is a good idea.

I'd also suggest a test ride from the shop to check for anything that's loose or squeaking. Some have reported loose fender bolts, etc.

@Stefan Mikes did a great job explaining the asst levels. The default settings he used as examples are a good starting point. Some feel that 35/35 for Eco is too much for flats and for strong riders in general. Tweak the settings for your terrain and riding style. You'll be glad you did.

Enjoy your new Vado!

 

[RichM]

How do look up what firmware I’m at and what it should be On a como 4.0.?

 

[Sierratim]

How do look up what firmware I’m at and what it should be On a como 4.0.?

Do you have the TCD dispaly/controller on your Vado 4 and the latest Mission Control app on you phone?

 

[Sierratim]

How do look up what firmware I’m at and what it should be On a como 4.0.?

Assuming you have the TCD display controller and have linked the latest Mission Control app to your Vado you can check for firmware updates in the app by selecting DIAGNOSE from the app's home screen. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and select DEVICE UPDATES. That screen will list the firmware (FW) versions installed for your battery, motor, and display. If everything is up to date it will have a green message to that effect at the bottom of the screen.

My app reports that my Vado 5 FW is up to date with the following versions;

Battery: 7.3.4
Motor : 7.1.1
Display: 12.4.0

 

[Marcela]

Coming up on 1k miles on the Vade 5 with the thudbuster. The elastomers are getting tired already, very noticeable difference between it and another bike with little mileage. Was hoping they would last a little longer.

anybody with the Kinekt seat post, how much movement is there possible without the springs or estimated.