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

[Stealph]

Talk with your LBS Barry.

Yes just wanted to share my local shop was recently able to order a 2nd battery (604) for my como and it arrived in about a week. I live in NC. I This has definitely cures my range anxiety and am definitely enjoying the extended range. One small gotcha was it did not come with the battery cover which I am now waiting for.

Really loving this bike and the community! First post

 

[Stefan Mikes]

One small gotcha was it did not come with the battery cover which I am now waiting for.

@Stealph, interestingly, I was informed about the necessity of ordering the battery cover by kind members of these Fora in advance That's one of the gains of being here. I assure you you would feel no range anxiety since even the Turbo mode allows riding for 25 miles (on the flat), and lower support modes give far far greater range.

I used to carry the spare battery in a prepared pannier (again, the outcome of the Forums talk), and I still carry the spare battery on trips exceeding 50 miles. With my growing body strength, I gradually reduce the assistance, especially as I've learnt to ride slower than before A single 604 Wh battery is now good for most of my rides. I wouldn't take the risk with a smaller battery though.

I'm glad we have got another Club member!

 

[TS25]

so the e8000 works with the 2020 5.0?

use the oem chain, 105 hg601, and with part of another chain too

The Shimano E8000 chain works with a 2019 Vado 4.0, according to @bellandbottle reporting in this thread here:

Chain ring tooth selection

This is a chain "designed for the added torque of the Shimano STEPS drive unit For single ring chainset use 5.62 mm chain width, optimised for 11-speed Super Narrow HG-EV drivetrains " and I can't comment. I use a HG601 paying half the price. If you test this special chain we shall know if it...

electricbikereview.com

Are these advanced chains directional?

The three Shimano chains HG601, HG701 and E8000 are directional and coded, the KMC E11 is bi-directional.

It's quite a common understanding of German users that the "special" Ebike chains aren't worth the extra money at all as they do not last that much longer - if even! According to some frustrated reports they didn't even last as long as the "normal chains". Anyone here who could report about his range experience? My HG601 is still way off from wear exchange after 1.500 miles presently; I don't think I'll exchange it before 2.000 miles. As the special ebike chains are about twice the price: anyone with more than 3.000 miles usage on them?

 

[Marcela]

Re chains

I would stay away from anything that touts rust proof or stainless. Stainless steel is a low carbon steel that is 'dry'. Without the higher carbon content of normal steels it will tend to gall if it contacts metal without any lubricant, more so than other steels. People think because stainless is hard to drill it is a hard steel, not so, it is because it is low carbon. Unless it is heat treated it is usually a soft steel.

I would investigate the type of steel used for chains. Which I have not seen advertised.

 

[BarryS]

I enjoy riding my Vado in the 10-12 Wh/mile range. I adjust the power for enjoyment of the extra speed whenever I feel like it. This gives my Vado 5 a 50 mile range. My ‘Saturday ride‘ is approx 25 miles. Can’t fault the flexibility and power. This is in the US where I have a 28 mph support limit.

50miles ?? I have a Vado 4 I've ridden 90 miles on a charge . Averaging probably 17 or more MPH. I rode yesterday 31.5 miles Using Turbo twice when I stopped to take a Phone call . Leaving me about a mile behind everyone else . I used it to catch them. Mostly riding in ECO . Yesterday was a Fast ride : We were averaging 22 mph : I have 5 bars of 10 left and 3 lights out of 5 on the battery still. So far I have left the Factory setting alone : I also used the Sport mode for 4 miles : Just to see how much more Juice I used : The 90 miles I mentioned still left me 2 bars of Power : I was going on another longer ride of 50 miles the next day so I charged it up. Had that not been the case I was going to ride around My Block which is 7.5 miles . Just to see if I could get to almost 100 miles with one charge : Granted my bike is just a week and 2 days old .

 

[BarryS]

Yes just wanted to share my local shop was recently able to order a 2nd battery (604) for my como and it arrived in about a week. I live in NC. I This has definitely cures my range anxiety and am definitely enjoying the extended range. One small gotcha was it did not come with the battery cover which I am now waiting for.

Really loving this bike and the community! First post

Yes just wanted to share my local shop was recently able to order a 2nd battery (604) for my como and it arrived in about a week. I live in NC. I This has definitely cures my range anxiety and am definitely enjoying the extended range. One small gotcha was it did not come with the battery cover which I am now waiting for.

Really loving this bike and the community! First post

How much did it cost ? Are the covers additional?

 

[Ebiker53]

Yes just wanted to share my local shop was recently able to order a 2nd battery (604) for my como and it arrived in about a week. I live in NC. I This has definitely cures my range anxiety and am definitely enjoying the extended range. One small gotcha was it did not come with the battery cover which I am now waiting for.

Really loving this bike and the community! First post

Why is a cover necessary? Wiill the battery still work without a cover? I planned to move my cover to the new battery and keep the old one as a backup without a cover.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

We are not made equal, Barry Or equally healthy. Would you guess why I bought my e-bikes?

How much did it cost ? Are the covers additional?

Yes, it is an extra item for US$25.

@Ebiker53:
Not sure if you could ride without the cover. Certainly it wouldn't look good. Besides, I am of the opinion batteries should be rotated as it gives both greater longevity.

 

[Marcela]

A cover to install on bike without battery would be nice.

 

[GuruUno]

50miles ?? I have a Vado 4 I've ridden 90 miles on a charge . Averaging probably 17 or more MPH. I rode yesterday 31.5 miles Using Turbo twice when I stopped to take a Phone call . Leaving me about a mile behind everyone else . I used it to catch them. Mostly riding in ECO . Yesterday was a Fast ride : We were averaging 22 mph : I have 5 bars of 10 left and 3 lights out of 5 on the battery still. So far I have left the Factory setting alone : I also used the Sport mode for 4 miles : Just to see how much more Juice I used : The 90 miles I mentioned still left me 2 bars of Power : I was going on another longer ride of 50 miles the next day so I charged it up. Had that not been the case I was going to ride around My Block which is 7.5 miles . Just to see if I could get to almost 100 miles with one charge : Granted my bike is just a week and 2 days old .

Do you have an elevation reference? (like maybe Strava?)
Only because that seems like a lot of distance unless you are in Florida (where the land is about as flat as a piece of paper...except for the bridge : )

 

[Marcela]

Went down to the LBS to adjust the Como wheel circumference. What I measured indicated 2103 so we put it in. On the measured mile I turned over 1 mile short of the distance, but closer than it ever has been, I did cross the marker at 1.1. It feels like the mph is more indicative of what I'm doing anyway. So the number would have to be less yet. I have to wonder how in this day and age they couldn't get something a little closer. Wonder if it effects the power, or maybe it's my big humongous legs.

Also checked for chains. They didn't have any in the 138 length and showed out of stock wherever they get their Shimano stuff which is what the guy recommended though I've got the KMC out there for other applications. I'm thinking of getting two shorter chains and a couple master links. Those long chains are expensive! Not that I need any at the moment but thought I'd beat the crush.

Also did almost 26 miles with only 4 watt hours avg. 13.5 mph. Hence the big humongous legs. Won't do it tomorrow though.....

 

[Art Deco]

A cover to install on bike without battery would be nice.

Would be handy for transporting the bike, to cover the battery cavity from dust and rain.

 

[Sierratim]

@TS25 or anyone who can answer that: Are these advanced chains directional? (I know what Wide-Narrow is but now I wonder about the rotation direction).

My Shimano chains are directional. The instructions say to install them with the plates with the part number facing out and reading left to right as the chain feeds into the chain ring, i.e. the 'top' of the chain when installed.

BTW - My 2020 (US) Vado 5 uses a 120 link chain. It's a "men's" medium frame with an 11-speed 11-42t cassette and a 48t chain ring. I buy 126 link chains and shorten them.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It's a "men's" medium frame with an 11-speed 11-42t cassette

Mine is 11-46t, which explains 132 links.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A cover to install on bike without battery would be nice.

Would be handy for transporting the bike, to cover the battery cavity from dust and rain.

Such covers exist, for example this one:

AKKU COVER universal summer | FAHRER Berlin - the bicycle accessories manufacturer

www.fahrer-berlin.de

or

https://www.fahrer-berlin.de/en/e-bike/fahrer-akku-cover/akku-cover-frame-universal/a-340

(I use that one on my Giant but it fits Specialized e-bikes, too).

or

AKKU COVER - frame - Yamaha | FAHRER Berlin - the bicycle accessories manufacturer

This akku cover fits YAMAHA PW Series downtube battery

www.fahrer-berlin.de

It doesn't need to be a Fahrer-Berlin product. Any large neoprene mat with Velcro can be used to cover the battery cavity.

 

[Marcela]

Good idea. Hadn’t thought of a soft cover.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Since my Giant's larger battery is missing the skid-plate (because of the supply-chain issues of Giant), I regularly use the neoprene cover on the Trance's frame. You wouldn't believe Marcela how much dirt could be accumulated on the cover... (it is washable, though).

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Friends,
The question whether a Vado (so, the Como, too) caused resistance while pedalled unpowered seems to be answered for good now: Not more resistance than with a traditional bike's bottom bracket. I've made a simple test: After having removed the chain, I simply rotated the cranks forward with the motor off then on. No resistance experienced. It looks that the double clutch used in Brose motors really works. (Reportedly, some other motors resist pedalling when not powered; I'll do a test of the Yamaha PW-X2 this afternoon).

I think the impression an unpowered Specialized e-bike resists pedalling is just an impression, after the rider was suddenly deprived of pedalling assistance... Vado/Como without power should behave as a heavy traditional e-bike. That's it.

 

[Dallant]

I’ve pondered one of these to protect my empty battery compartment during transport. Looks like they’ve been working on a variety of covers (like the motor cover!) which is a good thing!

AKKU COVER TUBE - MEDIUM (AKC-T-M) | FAHRER Berlin - the bicycle accessories manufacturer

Universal protection fits E-Bikes with fully integrated battery.

www.fahrer-berlin.de

 

[Marcela]

I am soooo happy to report after my long ride yesterday on the Como my lower back is still A OK. Don't believe that would have been the story if I had rode the Vado.