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

[Stefan Mikes]

Now I consider going back to Electraks again as I don't plan to ride off-road in the Winter. The Specialized tyres are soft and grippy even at low temperatures. I need to let the mechanic true my rear wheel before (on Monday).

 

[FlatSix911]

Ever curious how the Specialized motor looked like?

View attachment 70049
A look under the skid-plate. The only label visible is "BROSE Antriebstechnik. Do not open." The motor was surprisingly clean, with only some dust.
The frame was not cracked, and mounting bolts looked fastened properly The big black cylinder at the left hand side in the top motor is the horn.

Congratulations on your 1st anniversary.

Glad to hear that all is well with your Brose motor and frame... check the mounting bolt torque specs to be safe.

 

[Nxkharra]

Got the chain for my Vado 5 as replacement when I need it. Sometimes they are out of stock and one need to wait.

 

[TS25]

Got the chain for my Vado 5 as replacement when I need it. Sometimes they are out of stock and one need to wait.

80$?
There must be something wrong with my screen. I couldn't recognise the gold plating of that KMC chain.

Are chains that expensive in the U.S.?
Here I'd pay app. 28€ for Shimano XT-chain CN-HG701-11 with 138 links, or 42€ for Shimano XTR-chain CN-HG901-11 with 138 links.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Indeed, the XT CN-HG701 (138 links) costs US$40 here. It is 36 EUR but the store in which I've checked the price is rather expensive.
The KMC chain Nxkharra showed would cost EUR 40 (USD 45) here, and it is silver indeed.

Łańcuch Rowerowy KMC e11 Silver 11-rz 122 E-BIKE - 9815093832 - oficjalne archiwum Allegro

Informacje o Łańcuch Rowerowy KMC e11 Silver 11-rz 122 E-BIKE - 9815093832 w archiwum Allegro. Data zakończenia 2020-11-17 - cena 179 zł

allegro.pl

How many links does your chain count, @Nxkharra? It should be 126 links for Vado 5.0 (this is what I determined experimentally).

 

[Sierratim]

Indeed, the XT CN-HG701 (138 links) costs US$40 here. It is 36 EUR but the store in which I've checked the price is rather expensive.
The KMC chain Nxkharra showed would cost EUR 40 (USD 45) here, and it is silver indeed.

Łańcuch Rowerowy KMC e11 Silver 11-rz 122 E-BIKE - 9815093832 - oficjalne archiwum Allegro

Informacje o Łańcuch Rowerowy KMC e11 Silver 11-rz 122 E-BIKE - 9815093832 w archiwum Allegro. Data zakończenia 2020-11-17 - cena 179 zł

allegro.pl

How many links does your chain count, @Nxkharra? It should be 126 links for Vado 5.0 (this is what I determined experimentally).

Our Vado 5s were equipped with 120 link chains, the CN-HG601 as I recall. They shift smoothly with a good range of movement in their medium cage derailleurs. I used the CN-HG701 for their first replacement chains, purchased through an online Euro bike shop. Mine has been modified with a wider range cassette and longer chain, but my wife's is still a 120 link chain.

Many Asian manufactured bike components seem unreasonably expensive here in the states...

 

[Nxkharra]

Indeed, the XT CN-HG701 (138 links) costs US$40 here. It is 36 EUR but the store in which I've checked the price is rather expensive.
The KMC chain Nxkharra showed would cost EUR 40 (USD 45) here, and it is silver indeed.

Łańcuch Rowerowy KMC e11 Silver 11-rz 122 E-BIKE - 9815093832 - oficjalne archiwum Allegro

Informacje o Łańcuch Rowerowy KMC e11 Silver 11-rz 122 E-BIKE - 9815093832 w archiwum Allegro. Data zakończenia 2020-11-17 - cena 179 zł

allegro.pl

How many links does your chain count, @Nxkharra? It should be 126 links for Vado 5.0 (this is what I determined experimentally).

Not sure about the links in my bike. The chain I purchased says 128 link (also says 136??). I also checked online prices. They are from $65 and up here in US. My LBS must be in a high side.

 

[BarryS]

Not sure about the links in my bike. The chain I purchased says 128 link (also says 136??). I also checked online prices. They are from $65 and up here in US. My LBS must be in a high side.

You also Got the EPT vs the Standard E11 . That adds $10.00 At least that is what I found in Looking for teh 10 E vs 10 E EPT. Plus the Label the Store put on is Wrong : It's 136 Links Not 128

 

[Marcela]

Both my Vado 5 and Como 5 size L are using 124 link HG601 Chains, original equipment continuous chains, no quick link.

 

[BarryS]

Both my Vado 5 and Como 5 size L are using 124 link HG601 Chains, original equipment continuous chains, no quick link.

Huh My Vado 4 I just Bought used quick link of course it's a KMC Chain

 

[Nxkharra]

You also Got the EPT vs the Standard E11 . That adds $10.00 At least that is what I found in Looking for teh 10 E vs 10 E EPT. Plus the Label the Store put on is Wrong : It's 136 Links Not 128

@Barry thanks for clarifying. So my LBS is not that high. Feel better about him.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Not sure about the links in my bike. The chain I purchased says 128 link (also says 136??). I also checked online prices. They are from $65 and up here in US. My LBS must be in a high side.

It turned out my Vado 5.0 with 48T chainring and 11-46T cassette needed 126 links. Your cassette might be 11-42T, meaning 124 links maybe. EDIT: I've read the posts of Sierratim and Marcela now.

 

[TS25]

Many Asian manufactured bike components seem unreasonably expensive here in the states...

Indeed.

I inquired a €-based shop who sends to the U.S. but stated: not for the chosen Shimano chain and cassette.
Another geo-blocking issue?

 

[BarryS]

Our Vado 5s were equipped with 120 link chains, the CN-HG601 as I recall. They shift smoothly with a good range of movement in their medium cage derailleurs. I used the CN-HG701 for their first replacement chains, purchased through an online Euro bike shop. Mine has been modified with a wider range cassette and longer chain, but my wife's is still a 120 link chain.

Many Asian manufactured bike components seem unreasonably expensive here in the states...

Prices are higher because Our President got us a better trade deal. Unfortunately with Specialty items like specific Chains not made in USA ,We have to pay more . Amazon doesn't help either . They have such control of Googles first page. Also control of what they will allow sold etc. That the small guy has to charge more because they are paying more in Cost.

I find that in some cases if I search Google pages 3, 4 5 --------etc . I often find deals . Like My Helmet from Smith : $260.00 But found a retail listing from Moosejaw on page 3 of google . Where previous year colors were 1/2 off . I also Got another Fall Close-out of 15% off . Free shipping in 2 days . $112.00 delivered . Got in Friday . Same thing with KMC Chains for the 10E size I need : Buy 1 get the 2nd 50% off . So I got 2 chains that were listed at 48.00 each @ $75.00 for both . Turned out they were located just on the Other side of Lake Michigan from Me . So Regular shipping was free and I got them overnight, I found that deal on page 8 of google. Searching the Stock number vs name. I might add that this retailer is actually high. But in this chain case it was a fair deal.

 

[FlatSix911]

Prices are higher because Our President got us a better trade deal. Unfortunately with Specialty items like specific Chains not made in USA ,We have to pay more . Amazon doesn't help either . They have such control of Googles first page. Also control of what they will allow sold etc. That the small guy has to charge more because they are paying more in Cost.

I find that in some cases if I search Google pages 3, 4 5 --------etc . I often find deals . Like My Helmet from Smith : $260.00 But found a retail listing from Moosejaw on page 3 of google . Where previous year colors were 1/2 off . I also Got another Fall Close-out of 15% off . Free shipping in 2 days . $112.00 delivered . Got in Friday . Same thing with KMC Chains for the 10E size I need : Buy 1 get the 2nd 50% off . So I got 2 chains that were listed at 48.00 each @ $75.00 for both . Turned out they were located just on the Other side of Lake Michigan from Me . So Regular shipping was free and I got them overnight, I found that deal on page 8 of google. Searching the Stock number vs name. I might add that this retailer is actually high. But in this chain case it was a fair deal.

Good suggestions... another strategy is to search for like-new used items.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

Good suggestions... another strategy is to search for like-new used items.

Call me old fashioned but giving your local shop a call before going online is a nice gesture even if they don't have what you're looking for. Those lights are expensive to keep on and every dollar helps. Totally understand if it's not in someone's budget but the gesture of giving the brick and mortar the chance is worth something.

It really stings when someone shows up with something new, especially if you can get your hands on it. I don't get offended when someone wants to price match, at least they're giving me a crack at a sale.

 

[rdowns]

another strategy is to search for like-new used items

also better for the environment.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It's raining. The rear wheel of my Vado is ready to be collected at LBS. It needed trueing, and the mechanic told me the wheel must have got a massive hit some day (not easy to true it). Meanwhile, I replaced the front tyre with the original Electrak 2.0. Why? The Specialized tyre is slick but it remains soft and grippy even at low temps, which cannot be said about Smart Sam. Moreover, Electrak has very very low rolling resistance; I had issues to accelerate my Vado to really high speed on Smart Sams. Since I plan no off-road travels with my Vado during the cold season, I welcome Electraks back!

For friends who worry too much The clamp is only touching the rubber here, not the rim!

 

[TS25]

I'm showing from German threads two Brose drive S motors opened due to a torn belt.
Both times the belt was torn again shortly after replacing the first belt with a new 'normal' Gates belt you can buy and which has the correct size. P.S.: the pictures were taken after the exchanged belt was torn, one of them reporting he had only four riding starts after the exchange until the belt broke!
Just as a warning because this happenend several times to riders who bought the 'normal' Gates belt for app. 10-12€ to save cost, Vado out of warranty.
So please don't try that. There is a set from Brose with a special Gates belt which is much stronger.

 

[Billperry]

There is a set from Brose with a special Gates belt which is much stronger.

Would you know if the stronger special gates belt is also stiffer or has greater resistance? I ask because my new Como 5.0 motor seems to not have the power to help get me up to the 28mph which I could do on the previous motor.