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

[Stefan Mikes]

I did a 27 mile ride with 100% battery at start and returned with 53%, did ECO the entire time, as a test to see if I could ultimately gauge if I could ever do more than 50 miles. Standard out of the box settings on Mission Control, no mods.

What is size of your battery in Wh? Your conservatively calculated range is some 54 miles (the last 5% of the battery cannot be used). I found out up to 70 miles could be made on the 604 Wh battery if the ECO mode is set to 25/25, flat, 200 lb rider. (I typically use more assistance).

 

[GuruUno]

What is size of your battery in Wh? Your conservatively calculated range is some 54 miles (the last 5% of the battery cannot be used). I found out up to 70 miles could be made on the 604 Wh battery if the ECO mode is set to 25/25, flat, 200 lb rider. (I typically use more assistance).

A OEM 604 Wh battery.
So then, today I'll adjust it to 20/20 in ECO and test.
Thanks

 

[BarryS]

I am 69-1/2 years old, 6'0" and 228 lbs.
Weather here today was 66 degrees and 1.9mph wind 95% humidity at 7:30-9:30 AM
I did a 27 mile ride with 100% battery at start and returned with 53%, did ECO the entire time, as a test to see if I could ultimately gauge if I could ever do more than 50 miles. Standard out of the box settings on Mission Control, no mods.
27.03mi 630ft
I'm not doubting you ability or the bikes ability, but I wold love to get the distance you get.
Do you weigh 60 lbs?
View attachment 66772

Can't remember do you have a Vado 4 or Vado 5 ? I am same Height as you but weigh 52 lbs less : Average elevation here is around 670 Ft . Average Humidity in the summer is 70% By comparison when you say 66 Degrees with over 90% Humidity : When it's 66 here the humidity is always well under 50% : Unless it's raining : I know from living in Florida for 3 years : Battery Life in My Truck Sucked : I replaced batteries 2 times in a little over 3 years : I was told that Heat and Humidity are much harder on battery life then Cold is. Confirmation of that : My latest's battery in the same Truck back in Michigan is 5 years old and going strong

My last charge (FULL) took me 71 miles and I still had 2 bars left : To be fair it was 2 when I arrived home and down to one when I turned the bike on to check something an hour later : I wasn't precise on How much time was spent in each mode : The majority was Eco > I did however put it in Sport and Turbo at least 10% of the time just for fun > Probably usage was closer to 20% >

It's gotten pretty cold here for the next few days : With heavy Rain. ASAP I plan to use both Sport and Turbo only .To see How many times I can ride around the 6.4 mile block before I use up the battery : It will be a good test. Since there's 2 good hills to encounter : Plus it's a Rough Surfaced Gravel blacktop . On a Regular NON E -Bike . You can definitely feel it's a harder surface to pedal against vs the Smoother Bike Paths : It's Michigan So many of our paths are in Need of repairs :

There's a ton of country Roads to ride where traffic is almost non existent : Or it flies by at 80 plus MPH

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@GuruUno and @BarryS: Battery range is unpredictable and it greatly depends on the rider's weight (especially in a hilly area) and on rider's leg input. The range is something an individual can only compare between his or her own rides. For instance, my brother can ride any 600 or 625 Wh battery e-bike for 100 miles while I experience trouble to achieve even a metric century on the same e-bike and only if I really try.

 

[GuruUno]

So, I downloaded the BLEVO app and used it today. I find that it is much more informative than the Mission Control App. Well worth the $8.99 for the app.
I also dialed in 25/25 in Eco mode and played with the Blevo app and reduced it 2% more giving me 11.3% assistance.
In any event, it's like going back to mathematics in school to digest all the info.
Posting for discussion, I'm still interpreting it all.
=========================================
BLEvo v3.5.11 iOS

Statistical data for my ride Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:35:13 EDT

Short statistics:

- Elapsed time: 0:50:32
- Miles total: 11.12 mi
- Speed average: 13.2 mph
- Ascent total: +216 ft
- Battery Consumed: 13% (65 Wh)
- Consumption average: 5.85 Wh/mi
- Wh ride: 162Wh
- Wh Biker: 59.9% (97Wh)
- Wh Battery: 40.1% (65Wh)

------------------
Full statistics:

User Settings:
"Default Specy": 13/26/49 CM 20 ACC Std

Assistance average: 11.4%
- ECO: 11.3%
- TRAIL: 26.0%

Ride Time:
- Start time: Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:35:13 EDT
- Stop time: Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:28:36 EDT
- Elapsed time:0:50:32
- ECO: 0:49:59 (98.9%)
- TRAIL: 0:00:33 (1.1%)

Battery:
- Start: 99% (522 Wh)
- End: 86% (457 Wh)
- Consumed: 13% (65 Wh)
- ECO: 12.8% (64 Wh)
- TRAIL: 0.2% (0 Wh)

Consumption average: 5.85 Wh/mi
- ECO: 5.79 Wh/mi
- TRAIL: 17.98 Wh/mi

Battery Temperature:
- Min: 77°F
- Max: 80°F
- Average: 79°F

Motor Temperature:
- Min: 93°F
- Max: 107°F
- Average: 102°F

Miles Total: 11.12 mi
- ECO: 11.06 (99.5%)
- TRAIL: 0.05 (0.5%)

Miles Total with assistance: 9.76/11.12 mi (87.8 %)
- ECO: 9.71/11.06 mi (87.8%)
- TRAIL: 0.05/0.05 mi (87.0%)

Speed average: 13.2 mph
- ECO: 13.3 mph
- TRAIL: 5.7 mph

Speed Max: 30.4 mph
- ECO: 30.4 mph (11:07:34 - mi 6.40)
- TRAIL: 16.4 mph (10:39:32 - mi 0.68)

Cadence average: 69 rpm
- ECO: 69 rpm

Cadence Max: 99 rpm
- ECO: 99 rpm (10:41:41 - mi 1.84)

Heart rate average: 122 bpm

Heart rate Max: 122 bpm

Kcal consumed: 379 Kcal
- ECO: 377 Kcal
- TRAIL: 2 Kcal

Biker power average: 132 Watt
- ECO: 132 Watt
- TRAIL: 124 Watt

Biker power Max: 386 W
- ECO: 386 W (11:15:38 - mi 13.34)
- TRAIL: 220 W (10:39:32 - mi 1.11)

Total Wh Biker: 97 Wh
- ECO: 96 Wh (99.5 %)
- TRAIL: 0 Wh (0.5 %)

Motor power average: 101 Watt
- ECO: 100 Watt
- TRAIL: 235 Watt

Motor power Max: 327 W
- ECO: 279 W (10:39:33 - mi 1.12)
- TRAIL: 327 W (10:39:32 - mi 1.11)

Total Wh motor: 73 Wh
- ECO: 72 Wh (98.5 %)
- TRAIL: 1 Wh (1.5 %)

Max Altitude: 157 ft
Min Altitude: 32 ft

Ascent total: +216 ft
- ECO: 216 ft (100.1 %)
- TRAIL: 0 ft (0.0 %)

Descent total: -167 ft
- ECO: 168 ft (100.9 %)
- TRAIL: 0 ft (0.0 %)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Interesting info, Guru. I'm overwhelmed with the wealth of information. How far would you ride -- you think -- on the full battery to get at 5%?

 

[Art Deco]

So, I downloaded the BLEVO app and used it today. I find that it is much more informative than the Mission Control App. Well worth the $8.99 for the app.
I also dialed in 25/25 in Eco mode and played with the Blevo app and reduced it 2% more giving me 11.3% assistance.
In any event, it's like going back to mathematics in school to digest all the info.
Posting for discussion, I'm still interpreting it all.
=========================================
BLEvo v3.5.11 iOS

Statistical data for my ride Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:35:13 EDT

Short statistics:

- Elapsed time: 0:50:32
- Miles total: 11.12 mi
- Speed average: 13.2 mph
- Ascent total: +216 ft
- Battery Consumed: 13% (65 Wh)
- Consumption average: 5.85 Wh/mi
- Wh ride: 162Wh
- Wh Biker: 59.9% (97Wh)
- Wh Battery: 40.1% (65Wh)

------------------
Full statistics:

User Settings:
"Default Specy": 13/26/49 CM 20 ACC Std

Assistance average: 11.4%
- ECO: 11.3%
- TRAIL: 26.0%

Ride Time:
- Start time: Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:35:13 EDT
- Stop time: Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:28:36 EDT
- Elapsed time:0:50:32
- ECO: 0:49:59 (98.9%)
- TRAIL: 0:00:33 (1.1%)

Battery:
- Start: 99% (522 Wh)
- End: 86% (457 Wh)
- Consumed: 13% (65 Wh)
- ECO: 12.8% (64 Wh)
- TRAIL: 0.2% (0 Wh)

Consumption average: 5.85 Wh/mi
- ECO: 5.79 Wh/mi
- TRAIL: 17.98 Wh/mi

Battery Temperature:
- Min: 77°F
- Max: 80°F
- Average: 79°F

Motor Temperature:
- Min: 93°F
- Max: 107°F
- Average: 102°F

Miles Total: 11.12 mi
- ECO: 11.06 (99.5%)
- TRAIL: 0.05 (0.5%)

Miles Total with assistance: 9.76/11.12 mi (87.8 %)
- ECO: 9.71/11.06 mi (87.8%)
- TRAIL: 0.05/0.05 mi (87.0%)

Speed average: 13.2 mph
- ECO: 13.3 mph
- TRAIL: 5.7 mph

Speed Max: 30.4 mph
- ECO: 30.4 mph (11:07:34 - mi 6.40)
- TRAIL: 16.4 mph (10:39:32 - mi 0.68)

Cadence average: 69 rpm
- ECO: 69 rpm

Cadence Max: 99 rpm
- ECO: 99 rpm (10:41:41 - mi 1.84)

Heart rate average: 122 bpm

Heart rate Max: 122 bpm

Kcal consumed: 379 Kcal
- ECO: 377 Kcal
- TRAIL: 2 Kcal

Biker power average: 132 Watt
- ECO: 132 Watt
- TRAIL: 124 Watt

Biker power Max: 386 W
- ECO: 386 W (11:15:38 - mi 13.34)
- TRAIL: 220 W (10:39:32 - mi 1.11)

Total Wh Biker: 97 Wh
- ECO: 96 Wh (99.5 %)
- TRAIL: 0 Wh (0.5 %)

Motor power average: 101 Watt
- ECO: 100 Watt
- TRAIL: 235 Watt

Motor power Max: 327 W
- ECO: 279 W (10:39:33 - mi 1.12)
- TRAIL: 327 W (10:39:32 - mi 1.11)

Total Wh motor: 73 Wh
- ECO: 72 Wh (98.5 %)
- TRAIL: 1 Wh (1.5 %)

Max Altitude: 157 ft
Min Altitude: 32 ft

Ascent total: +216 ft
- ECO: 216 ft (100.1 %)
- TRAIL: 0 ft (0.0 %)

Descent total: -167 ft
- ECO: 168 ft (100.9 %)
- TRAIL: 0 ft (0.0 %)

TMI ...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

TMI ...

That's what baffles me from BLEvo...

 

[GuruUno]

Interesting info, Guru. I'm overwhelmed with the wealth of information. How far would you ride -- you think -- on the full battery to get at 5%?

Sure, way too much info, however, as long as it's available, you only digest and eat what you need or want.
I'm going to experiment over the next few weeks to push the limits and see.
I can say by lessening my assistance and working harder that's great with no challenging terrain, however, as always, it's all dependent on where the rides go, the terrain, etc. so in reality, I do not think that I'd ever get more than 50-60 mikes...ever, unless I lose 50 lbs and the rides are minimal exertion.

 

[SoCalDave]

So, I downloaded the BLEVO app and used it today. I find that it is much more informative than the Mission Control App. Well worth the $8.99 for the app.
I also dialed in 25/25 in Eco mode and played with the Blevo app and reduced it 2% more giving me 11.3% assistance.
In any event, it's like going back to mathematics in school to digest all the info.
Posting for discussion, I'm still interpreting it all.
=========================================
BLEvo v3.5.11 iOS

Statistical data for my ride Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:35:13 EDT

Short statistics:

- Elapsed time: 0:50:32
- Miles total: 11.12 mi
- Speed average: 13.2 mph
- Ascent total: +216 ft
- Battery Consumed: 13% (65 Wh)
- Consumption average: 5.85 Wh/mi
- Wh ride: 162Wh
- Wh Biker: 59.9% (97Wh)
- Wh Battery: 40.1% (65Wh)

------------------
Full statistics:

User Settings:
"Default Specy": 13/26/49 CM 20 ACC Std

Assistance average: 11.4%
- ECO: 11.3%
- TRAIL: 26.0%

Ride Time:
- Start time: Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:35:13 EDT
- Stop time: Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:28:36 EDT
- Elapsed time:0:50:32
- ECO: 0:49:59 (98.9%)
- TRAIL: 0:00:33 (1.1%)

Battery:
- Start: 99% (522 Wh)
- End: 86% (457 Wh)
- Consumed: 13% (65 Wh)
- ECO: 12.8% (64 Wh)
- TRAIL: 0.2% (0 Wh)

Consumption average: 5.85 Wh/mi
- ECO: 5.79 Wh/mi
- TRAIL: 17.98 Wh/mi

Battery Temperature:
- Min: 77°F
- Max: 80°F
- Average: 79°F

Motor Temperature:
- Min: 93°F
- Max: 107°F
- Average: 102°F

Miles Total: 11.12 mi
- ECO: 11.06 (99.5%)
- TRAIL: 0.05 (0.5%)

Miles Total with assistance: 9.76/11.12 mi (87.8 %)
- ECO: 9.71/11.06 mi (87.8%)
- TRAIL: 0.05/0.05 mi (87.0%)

Speed average: 13.2 mph
- ECO: 13.3 mph
- TRAIL: 5.7 mph

Speed Max: 30.4 mph
- ECO: 30.4 mph (11:07:34 - mi 6.40)
- TRAIL: 16.4 mph (10:39:32 - mi 0.68)

Cadence average: 69 rpm
- ECO: 69 rpm

Cadence Max: 99 rpm
- ECO: 99 rpm (10:41:41 - mi 1.84)

Heart rate average: 122 bpm

Heart rate Max: 122 bpm

Kcal consumed: 379 Kcal
- ECO: 377 Kcal
- TRAIL: 2 Kcal

Biker power average: 132 Watt
- ECO: 132 Watt
- TRAIL: 124 Watt

Biker power Max: 386 W
- ECO: 386 W (11:15:38 - mi 13.34)
- TRAIL: 220 W (10:39:32 - mi 1.11)

Total Wh Biker: 97 Wh
- ECO: 96 Wh (99.5 %)
- TRAIL: 0 Wh (0.5 %)

Motor power average: 101 Watt
- ECO: 100 Watt
- TRAIL: 235 Watt

Motor power Max: 327 W
- ECO: 279 W (10:39:33 - mi 1.12)
- TRAIL: 327 W (10:39:32 - mi 1.11)

Total Wh motor: 73 Wh
- ECO: 72 Wh (98.5 %)
- TRAIL: 1 Wh (1.5 %)

Max Altitude: 157 ft
Min Altitude: 32 ft

Ascent total: +216 ft
- ECO: 216 ft (100.1 %)
- TRAIL: 0 ft (0.0 %)

Descent total: -167 ft
- ECO: 168 ft (100.9 %)
- TRAIL: 0 ft (0.0 %)

How can the average and maximum heart rate both be 122 bpm? That would imply that your heart rate stayed exactly steady at 122 bpm for 50 minutes. Maybe your heart rate sensor was malfunctioning?

 

[Marcela]

I have a 70 mm stem riser. Makes Vado rides easy on the lower back.

Stefan, you have a part number or link to this stem riser?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Oh, Marcela, that's one of the most standard, mass produced bike parts. You are looking up the "bike stem riser 1-1/8". (It follows the A-HEAD standard).

Examples:

Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/TRIWONDER-Bi...=bike+stem+riser+a-head&qid=1601332905&sr=8-4

Amazon.com : Wake Bike Stem Riser Bike Fork Stem Extender Bicycle Handlebar Raiser Head Up Adapter Suitable for Mountain Bike, Road Bike, MTB, BMX, Fixie (Aluminium Alloy, Adjustable, Black) : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Wake Bike Stem Riser Bike Fork Stem Extender Bicycle Handlebar Raiser Head Up Adapter Suitable for Mountain Bike, Road Bike, MTB, BMX, Fixie (Aluminium Alloy, Adjustable, Black) : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com : Bike Stem Riser Bike Fork Stem Extender, Bicycle Handlebar Raiser for Mountain Bike, Road Bike, MTB, BMX (115mm) : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Bike Stem Riser Bike Fork Stem Extender, Bicycle Handlebar Raiser for Mountain Bike, Road Bike, MTB, BMX (115mm) : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Any of them is very good. All of them are adjustable. All of them use provided spacers to achieve the desired handlebars height. I suggest not buying a too tall extender though because the Vado cable slack will be the limiting factor of around 70 mm of stem rise.

This video is instructive, and the process is very simple:

When fastening the vertical screw, pay attention the wheel can still be turned easily, there is enough of cable slack but there mustn't be any play in the fork (in the steer bearings) when you move your bike forwards and backwards with the front brake lever depressed.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

Sure, way too much info, however, as long as it's available, you only digest and eat what you need or want.
I'm going to experiment over the next few weeks to push the limits and see.
I can say by lessening my assistance and working harder that's great with no challenging terrain, however, as always, it's all dependent on where the rides go, the terrain, etc. so in reality, I do not think that I'd ever get more than 50-60 mikes...ever, unless I lose 50 lbs and the rides are minimal exertion.

I know this might be crazy, but hear me out...if the RIDER outputs more watts, the range is extended.

ride harder, go farther

Only kidding, kinda. Seriously, higher effort from the rider and a higher cadence nets a much easier load on the motor and increased range.

I'll also add that rolling resistance, rotational mass, and aerodynamics play a HUGE role in range. Same thing in road racing.

Lighter wheels, lighter tires, tubeless, and aero bars drastically effect the range. It's the same if I ride my road bike at 250 watts, if I'm on my race bike, Pinarello Dogma with Campagnolo Bora Ultra carbon wheels on Vittoria Corsa race tires, it's crazy easy to sustain a higher speed or go farther. If I'm riding my winter bike which weighs over 10lbs more and has much heavier wheels and tires I can't go near as far or as fast at the same effort.

Factor in weather/terrain and we're all wasting our breaths. Which is usually how range conversations go.

 

[GuruUno]

How can the average and maximum heart rate both be 122 bpm? That would imply that your heart rate stayed exactly steady at 122 bpm for 50 minutes. Maybe your heart rate sensor was malfunctioning?

Apple watch, 1st time ever using the Blevo app, still understanding is, so I too will ultimately digest the functionality and the data generated. Lots to digest.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I know this might be crazy, but hear me out...if the RIDER outputs more watts, the range is extended.

ride harder, go farther

Only kidding, kinda. Seriously, higher effort from the rider and a higher cadence nets a much easier load on the motor and increased range.

I'll also add that rolling resistance, rotational mass, and aerodynamics play a HUGE role in range. Same thing in road racing.

Lighter wheels, lighter tires, tubeless, and aero bars drastically effect the range. It's the same if I ride my road bike at 250 watts, if I'm on my race bike, Pinarello Dogma with Campagnolo Bora Ultra carbon wheels on Vittoria Corsa race tires, it's crazy easy to sustain a higher speed or go farther. If I'm riding my winter bike which weighs over 10lbs more and has much heavier wheels and tires I can't go near as far or as fast at the same effort.

Factor in weather/terrain and we're all wasting our breaths. Which is usually how range conversations go.

Brendon, I hear you.

If the same e-bike is ridden under the same conditions by two different riders;
or, two similar e-bikes are ridden on a group ride;
and one of the riders gets as much as twice range as the other one
then the range difference can only be attributed to the rider's output.

I like recollecting the last ride of this Summer we had with my brother. He was riding Trance E+ with 625 Wh battery, and I rode Vado with 604 Wh one. The significant part of the ride was off-road. After some 75 km (around 47th mile), I had to replace the first Vado battery. The plan was Jacek would replace the Trance battery, too, we would put high assistance on and return home fast by paved roads. At that moment, Jacek discovered he forgot the battery key... To be able to get back, he simply increased his own output. When we covered 75 miles sharp (120.3 km), he still had as much as 28% of the first battery left! And we rode fast (I used the Turbo mode on that segment). Thoughts?

Jacek is often asked by by casual people and friends: "How far will this e-bike go on a battery?" to which my brother makes a mysterious smile and replies: "As far as your legs will propel it..." Or, "Is it bike equipped with a throttle?" -- "Yes. It's called the pedals"

 

[Marcela]

Oh, Marcela, that's one of the most standard, mass produced bike parts. You are looking up the "bike stem riser 1-1/8". (It follows the A-HEAD standard).


Any of them is very good. All of them are adjustable. All of them use provided spacers to achieve the desired handlebars height. I suggest not buying a too tall extender though because the Vado cable slack will be the limiting factor of around 70 mm of stem rise.

When fastening the vertical screw, pay attention the wheel can still be turned easily, there is enough of cable slack but there mustn't be any play in the fork (in the steer bearings) when you move your bike forwards and backwards with the front brake lever depressed.

I've used those stem risers Stefan. I thought you were referring to something that looked like the unique one piece Specialized uses. That only Specialized uses. That is unique and unavailable to the rest of the world, except for Specialized decided to use a one piece unique to this planet handlebar stem.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Funny they haven't hit upon that idea yet...

 

[Marcela]

Don't forget the condition of the chain on power consumption. Well lubed vs. dry is a big difference. Motor oil vs. rain water.

 

[PaD]

I’m back with my rant about how my 2020 Vado 5.0 transformed with the 7.1.1 firmware update.
I still feel that much of the natural cycling feeling disappeared in Eco mode at lower speeds ( 0 - ≈ 12mph). The power pulse seems to to be longer for each pedal stroke and it if I ride Eco 35/35 or 30/30 as I did before it feels almost like when I occasionally went into Sport mode.
There is a ”push” that wasn’t there before. Like when coming near a stop and you need one more pedal stroke to e.g the traffic light. That stroke sometimes gives a push that is unexpectedly strong. In Eco mode.
Add to this the reduced range. I can still go 70 miles without emptying the battrey completely so no catastrophe here.
Just as annoying as this reduction of natural feeling and range is the fact that it is impossible to get information and straight answers from Specialized. Like trying to communicate with Apple about your mobile devices.
Still riding my Vado as I really like how it handles and how strong it is.
Got this cross stitch work as a birthday present this summer.

And also, I very much like my suspension seatpost

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Use BLEvo, Peranders. I fell in love with it. (Unless the motor tuning section that suddenly started working will detune my Vado)