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

[Mr. Breeze]

Unrelated to the current wheel-circumference/programming discussion, are the displays interchangeable between the Como/Vado models? Can the LCD display on the lower-end models be swapped out for a TFT display found on the higher end como/vado models?

 

[GuruUno]

Just like the old days on the GM Assembly line in Linden, NJ. Depending on what day of the week the car was made, it showed in the quality control. It still exists to this day in various industries. Human nature. Until we train the robots to make everything, this is the way it is. Hence (but not always as of late.....) choosing between products based on history of their current and previous customer satisfaction, etc.
For the most part, if the buyer is willing to pay premium prices for higher level quality control and materials, there are manufacturers of various things that fit the bill. It used to be better, but even now the 'better' items sometimes have higher rates of problems, whether it be service or product. Here come the robots.

 

[Sierratim]

Unrelated to the current wheel-circumference/programming discussion, are the displays interchangeable between the Como/Vado models? Can the LCD display on the lower-end models be swapped out for a TFT display found on the higher end como/vado models?

All 2020 and later Specialized ebikes use the TCD display controller. This replaced the Bloks display on earlier models. There is a fairly complicated dealer upgrade procedure for the wired TCD-W display on the Como/Vado models to convert from the Bloks to the TCD displays. They are not directly interchangeable on these models, though I'm not sure about the wireless TCD displays.

Some earlier bikes are eligible for a warranty upgrade of their displays. Check with your LBS on this.

 

[JonnyC]

Yesterday on my way home from work I noticed right off the bat that the pedal assist on my 2020 Vado 4.0 wasn't kicking in at all. I stopped, turned off the power, turned it back on and it worked fine. I've only got ~400 miles on it, and besides one rogue error message when turning it on another time, this is the only real issue I've had with it. Should I be concerned or is this to be expected from time to time?

 

[Mr. Breeze]

All 2020 and later Specialized ebikes use the TCD display controller. This replaced the Bloks display on earlier models. There is a fairly complicated dealer upgrade procedure for the wired TCD-W display on the Como/Vado models to convert from the Bloks to the TCD displays. They are not directly interchangeable on these models, though I'm not sure about the wireless TCD displays.

Some earlier bikes are eligible for a warranty upgrade of their displays. Check with your LBS on this.

Thanks. I was afraid they weren't interchangeable or reverse compatible.

 

[Sierratim]

Yesterday on my way home from work I noticed right off the bat that the pedal assist on my 2020 Vado 4.0 wasn't kicking in at all. I stopped, turned off the power, turned it back on and it worked fine. I've only got ~400 miles on it, and besides one rogue error message when turning it on another time, this is the only real issue I've had with it. Should I be concerned or is this to be expected from time to time?

The same happened to my Vado early on. After resetting I was able to ride home with power. I used a plastic friendly electrical contact cleaner on the battery and frame mounted terminals that afternoon. It has not reoccured.



Be sure to letvthe cleaning solution drip off the terminals and out of the frame's battery compartment so as to not trap contaminates.

 

[PaD]

Yesterday on my way home from work I noticed right off the bat that the pedal assist on my 2020 Vado 4.0 wasn't kicking in at all. I stopped, turned off the power, turned it back on and it worked fine. I've only got ~400 miles on it, and besides one rogue error message when turning it on another time, this is the only real issue I've had with it. Should I be concerned or is this to be expected from time to time?

Happened to my Vado 5.0 about a month ago. The display was still on and showing that I was in ECO mode. I think that’s the only time I’ve experienced that.
A few times I’ve experienced no power assist after turning on the battery/motor. The display was normal. Tried to go up and down and out of power support but it didn’t help. Turning off and then on was needed.

 

[Teddcl]

Happened to my Vado 5.0 about a month ago. The display was still on and showing that I was in ECO mode. I think that’s the only time I’ve experienced that.
A few times I’ve experienced no power assist after turning on the battery/motor. The display was normal. Tried to go up and down and out of power support but it didn’t help. Turning off and then on was needed.

I had a similar experience with my Como 3.0 once and received an error code on the mission control app telling me that I didn't wait the required 5 seconds before turning on the bike after installing the battery. Turning the power off and back on took care of the issue.
Perhaps that is what happened to you?

 

[Ebiker53]

Yesterday on my way home from work I noticed right off the bat that the pedal assist on my 2020 Vado 4.0 wasn't kicking in at all. I stopped, turned off the power, turned it back on and it worked fine. I've only got ~400 miles on it, and besides one rogue error message when turning it on another time, this is the only real issue I've had with it. Should I be concerned or is this to be expected from time to time?

We have two 2019 Como 2.0's that do this intermitently; the LBS couldn't resolve the problem. Turning powerr off then back on always s fixes it.

 

[PaD]

I had a similar experience with my Como 3.0 once and received an error code on the mission control app telling me that I didn't wait the required 5 seconds before turning on the bike after installing the battery. Turning the power off and back on took care of the issue.
Perhaps that is what happened to you?

Great tip but that was not what cause my problem as I charged the battery on the bike.

 

[Marcela]

I went by the lbs and did an adjust on the wheel circumference to 2250. On the way back checked the distance between the same two mile markers I used yesterday. 2250 is closer than 2160? that was in there, but it still didn't jive with the mile markers. So dragged out the gps and checked the mile markers, they were long but the bike data was still short of the gps data. I don't think the 2250 is the number, maybe. Depends on how long it takes the gps to update. But I still think the 2250 is short.

 

[GuruUno]

So, without creating BVD's(BAD VIBES AND DISTURBANCES), why are WE making decisions as to how the "out of the box" settings should be configured prior to delivery?
Just sayin'

 

[Sierratim]

I went by the lbs and did an adjust on the wheel circumference to 2250. On the way back checked the distance between the same two mile markers I used yesterday. 2250 is closer than 2160? that was in there, but it still didn't jive with the mile markers. So dragged out the gps and checked the mile markers, they were long but the bike data was still short of the gps data. I don't think the 2250 is the number, maybe. Depends on how long it takes the gps to update. But I still think the 2250 is short.

I'll still back the ruler over the GPS...

 

[Brendon@OEB]

To chime in on the dealer side RE tire numbers:

If you're getting bikes from high volume dealers, it's simply an extra step when updating the firmware. As we've seen increased sales volume these "extra steps" beyond getting the bike built can be missed sometimes. There's no excuse as it needs to be done (firmware update and checking tire size) but that's the best reason that I've seen and can surmise larger dealers are challenged with. It's a pretty easy fix on the dealer side when the bike comes in for it's first service. We coach our clients to bring the bike in after 1-2 months or after a few hundred miles just to double check everything on the bike including the software.

In the motorcycle industry the "first service" was a great time to see clients after they've put 600 miles on a bike to check over everything and make sure things are breaking in appropriately. The bicycle industry is now (finally) following suit and it's a great tool to catch anything happening that isn't supposed to.

RE bikes showing error codes:

I've had this happen a couple times on my own Vado 5.0. I take the battery out every day when I park it at my place, in order to charge it in my house (hauling the battery up a flight of stairs is way easier than a 50lb e bike). I simply shut it off and restart and good to go. When I check the logs on the diagnostic tool there aren't any error codes. I suspect Sierratim hit the nail on the head and it's a simple connection issue.

 

[Ebiker53]

To chime in on the dealer side RE tire numbers:

If you're getting bikes from high volume dealers, it's simply an extra step when updating the firmware. As we've seen increased sales volume these "extra steps" beyond getting the bike built can be missed sometimes. There's no excuse as it needs to be done (firmware update and checking tire size) but that's the best reason that I've seen and can surmise larger dealers are challenged with. It's a pretty easy fix on the dealer side when the bike comes in for it's first service. We coach our clients to bring the bike in after 1-2 months or after a few hundred miles just to double check everything on the bike including the software.

In the motorcycle industry the "first service" was a great time to see clients after they've put 600 miles on a bike to check over everything and make sure things are breaking in appropriately. The bicycle industry is now (finally) following suit and it's a great tool to catch anything happening that isn't supposed to.

RE bikes showing error codes:

I've had this happen a couple times on my own Vado 5.0. I take the battery out every day when I park it at my place, in order to charge it in my house (hauling the battery up a flight of stairs is way easier than a 50lb e bike). I simply shut it off and restart and good to go. When I check the logs on the diagnostic tool there aren't any error codes. I suspect Sierratim hit the nail on the head and it's a simple connection issue.

I wish my LBS was as good with ebikes as your shop. I have not had any good experineces with mine. I bought two 2019 Como 2.0's last year and was never advised to bring the bikes back for any checks or service. The bikes were sold with Bloks display and we were told they were compatible with Mission Control but when I inquired about getting them changed out to the newer display I would have to pay $200 for the new display plus labor for each bike. The erratic no pedal assist issue has never been fixed after two visits (they checked wiring) and the pedal assist on my bike drops out at 17.5 mph which they say is within spec. My front brakes squeeked from week one and when I took the bike in to have that checked the attempted fix involved burning off the pads with a torch; which didn't work. I had to pay $34 for new pad installation which I wasn't happy about. I travell frequently and have spoken to Specilaized techs at high volume dealers in the western US and they all seem much more knowledgeable about ebikes than my LBS. None of the sales people or techs at my shop even own an ebike so they have no first hand user experience at all. Whenever I discuss ebikes with potential new users the first thing I tell them is to make sure whatever brand they buy, make sure the dealer understand ebikes and has an interest in diagnosing/repairing electronics/firmware issues.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

I wish my LBS was as good with ebikes as your shop. I have not had any good experineces with mine. I bought two 2019 Como 2.0's last year and was never advised to bring the bikes back for any checks or service. The bikes were sold with Bloks display and we were told they were compatible with Mission Control but when I inquired about getting them changed out to the newer display I would have to pay $200 for the new display plus labor for each bike. The erratic no pedal assist issue has never been fixed after two visits (they checked wiring) and the pedal assist on my bike drops out at 17.5 mph which they say is within spec. My front brakes squeeked from week one and when I took the bike in to have that checked the attempted fix involved burning off the pads with a torch; which didn't work. I had to pay $34 for new pad installation which I wasn't happy about. I travell frequently and have spoken to Specilaized techs at high volume dealers in the western US and they all seem much more knowledgeable about ebikes than my LBS. None of the sales people or techs at my shop even own an ebike so they have no first hand user experience at all. Whenever I discuss ebikes with potential new users the first thing I tell them is to make sure whatever brand they buy, make sure the dealer understand ebikes and has an interest in diagnosing/repairing electronics/firmware issues.

Sorry to hear that, as busy as all shops are, maybe when things cool off (if they do) share your feelings with an owner or manager? Perhaps they don't know they've treated you this way? It sounds strange, but it's happened.

Where are you located? Traveling for service is tough as there's always something to go back for.

The TCD display is $165 for the part. We comp the install or sometimes the entire upgrade on Blox bikes depending on how the display is working or not working.

 

[Ebiker53]

Sorry to hear that, as busy as all shops are, maybe when things cool off (if they do) share your feelings with an owner or manager? Perhaps they don't know they've treated you this way? It sounds strange, but it's happened.

Where are you located? Traveling for service is tough as there's always something to go back for.

The TCD display is $165 for the part. We comp the install or sometimes the entire upgrade on Blox bikes depending on how the display is working or not working.

I am in Columbus,Ohio. The only Specialized dealers I know of that handle ebikes are in Akron or Cincinnati, both over two hours away.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

I am in Columbus,Ohio. The only Specialized dealers I know of that handle ebikes are in Akron or Cincinnati, both over two hours away.

Are there closer dealers that don't stock the Specialized e bikes? They can still perform the service side of things, should they desire.

Blows me away that you could have the Specialized line and not align with the ebike side of things. I get it if you're strictly a specialty shop, but why not have the ability to do the basic service??! It's not that hard!

It's the fastest growing market segment with solid demand and yet shops keep thumbing their nose. Amazing.

 

[jcolbyc]

Today I had to drop off my Como 5 at the shop after 320 miles and 5 weeks of ownership. The motor drive belt is toast. The shop, Bike Source in Charlotte, is going to see what they can do to expedite the new motor from Specialized/Brose. They said normally this is 2-3 week ordeal to get the bike back. I assured them that would be most disappointing as I have invested quite a lot in Specialized by buying the 5.0 for myself and 4.0 for my wife. I would hope that some of the shipping time could be expedited with next-day or 2-day shipping. He said he would do everything he could to see that this happens. Let's see how it goes.

Now my Giant Revolt E+ Pro will get ALL the miles until this is fixed

 

[Brendon@OEB]

Today I had to drop off my Como 5 at the shop after 320 miles and 5 weeks of ownership. The motor drive belt is toast. The shop, Bike Source in Charlotte, is going to see what they can do to expedite the new motor from Specialized/Brose. They said normally this is 2-3 week ordeal to get the bike back. I assured them that would be most disappointing as I have invested quite a lot in Specialized by buying the 5.0 for myself and 4.0 for my wife. I would hope that some of the shipping time could be expedited with next-day or 2-day shipping. He said he would do everything he could to see that this happens. Let's see how it goes.

Now my Giant Revolt E+ Pro will get ALL the miles until this is fixed

Fingers crossed! Sounds like you've got a good shop and they've got the ball rolling. Keep us posted!