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

[Sierratim]

My new Como 4.0 is at the bike shop ready for pickup when they open at noon. I am very excited. Since I got my Veego in July I have ridden 3300 miles on it. In many ways I love the bike. But. Where I ride the streets are full of glass, debris and nails. Fixing tires with the rear hub motor is difficult. I decided to get a bike with a motor that won’t be in the way. Also, I can do a lot of my own repairs, and I’ve done a pretty long list of them on the Veego. I hate waiting for parts to be mailed. Sometimes I need a bike shop. I wanted a bike that could be serviced by a local shop under warranty if needed.

I looked hard at the Tern bikes because as someone fairly short I love the small wheels. In the end I decided to go for the Specialized because that is what my local shop sells. I chose the Como because I broke my back in 1986 and find that I do better with a more upright position. Specialized is running a deal to help local shops through quarantine. Ive been riding a lot because it is a way to get out, get exercise, and avoid close contact. So I ordered the bike and I hope it stops raining before I pick it up.

It finally stopped raining in N CA this AM. Looking forward to a ride up here as well!

 

[Nxkharra]

My new Como 4.0 is at the bike shop ready for pickup when they open at noon. I am very excited. Since I got my Veego in July I have ridden 3300 miles on it. In many ways I love the bike. But. Where I ride the streets are full of glass, debris and nails. Fixing tires with the rear hub motor is difficult. I decided to get a bike with a motor that won’t be in the way. Also, I can do a lot of my own repairs, and I’ve done a pretty long list of them on the Veego. I hate waiting for parts to be mailed. Sometimes I need a bike shop. I wanted a bike that could be serviced by a local shop under warranty if needed.

I looked hard at the Tern bikes because as someone fairly short I love the small wheels. In the end I decided to go for the Specialized because that is what my local shop sells. I chose the Como because I broke my back in 1986 and find that I do better with a more upright position. Specialized is running a deal to help local shops through quarantine. Ive been riding a lot because it is a way to get out, get exercise, and avoid close contact. So I ordered the bike and I hope it stops raining before I pick it up.

I think you made a vise choice. I love my Vado 5. Enjoy

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My new Como 4.0 is at the bike shop ready for pickup when they open at noon. I am very excited.

Congratulations! Waiting for your impressions and photos!

 

[rochrunner]

Was just doing a little chain maintenance, didn't know about the narrow/wide chainring thing. Learn something all the time. If you get it one cog off it don't work! What will they think of next.

I'm not sure what you're referring to here. Can you explain further?

 

[Nxkharra]

I've circled the brake lever pivot point that I lube once or twice a year.

View attachment 49477

Thanks do you have similar picture of pivot points in rear derailleur?

 

[Sierratim]

I'm not sure what you're referring to here. Can you explain further?

Single chainring setups, like the Vado's, can be prone to chain drops, i.e. the chain comes off the single chainring more often during shifting, etc, often getting jammed between the frame and the chainring. Using a chainring that has teeth that alternate widths minimize this. These are commonly called narrow/wide chainrings. I tried to get a pic of this on one of our Vados. If you squint you might makeout narrow and wide teeth. This discussion has much better graphics; https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/...nring-and-what-are-its-benefits-and-drawbacks .

When installing a chain the wide teeth on the chainring need to match with the 1/2 link with the widest gap.

 

[Sierratim]

Thanks do you have similar picture of pivot points in rear derailleur?

Sorry, I don't. Rear derailleurs can have up to 20 pivot points so 1 simple pic wouldn't be enough. I suggest you watch the derailleur go through its range of motion as you shift through all the gears looking for sections that move, i.e. pivot points. Watch it from several angles since it changes shape as it moves. You want to be sure to lube the eight parallelogram points (the frame that holds the tension spring), both sides of both rollers (jockey wheels to some), the jockey wheel hanger, and the hanger bracket attachment point to the frame.

The Shadow derailleur also has an internal clutch that will need some lube every few years, or as shifting gets sluggish. There are videos on this process.

Hope this helps.

Be safe. Be healthy. Ride on.

 

[Nxkharra]

Sorry, I don't. Rear derailleurs can have up to 20 pivot points so 1 simple pic wouldn't be enough. I suggest you watch the derailleur go through its range of motion as you shift through all the gears looking for sections that move, i.e. pivot points. Watch it from several angles since it changes shape as it moves. You want to be sure to lube the eight parallelogram points (the frame that holds the tension spring), both sides of both rollers (jockey wheels to some), the jockey wheel hanger, and the hanger bracket attachment point to the frame.

The Shadow derailleur also has an internal clutch that will need some lube every few years, or as shifting gets sluggish. There are videos on this process.

Hope this helps.

Be safe. Be healthy. Ride on.

@Sierratim thank you.

 

[rochrunner]

Single chainring setups, like the Vado's, can be prone to chain drops, i.e. the chain comes off the single chainring more often during shifting, etc, often getting jammed between the frame and the chainring. Using a chainring that has teeth that alternate widths minimize this. These are commonly called narrow/wide chainrings. I tried to get a pic of this on one of our Vados. If you squint you might makeout narrow and wide teeth. This discussion has much better graphics; https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/...nring-and-what-are-its-benefits-and-drawbacks .

When installing a chain the wide teeth on the chainring need to match with the 1/2 link with the widest gap.

View attachment 49517

Duh. When I posted this query I was wondering how it could shift between chainrings and obviously that's not an issue on a Vado.

 

[Nxkharra]

Single chainring setups, like the Vado's, can be prone to chain drops, i.e. the chain comes off the single chainring more often during shifting, etc, often getting jammed between the frame and the chainring. Using a chainring that has teeth that alternate widths minimize this. These are commonly called narrow/wide chainrings. I tried to get a pic of this on one of our Vados. If you squint you might makeout narrow and wide teeth. This discussion has much better graphics; https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/...nring-and-what-are-its-benefits-and-drawbacks .

When installing a chain the wide teeth on the chainring need to match with the 1/2 link with the widest gap.

View attachment 49517

Great explanation. This is also described very clearly in the link you included.
this also answers the question that with the shadow derailleur It is more important that you engage the clutch to ensure chain stays in place and does not drop.

 

[Marcela]

Got an update on the Mission Control for the iphone.

Checked the mph against the GPS. They were real close, Think the Vado 5.0 might have been 1 mph faster against the GPS or less, but pretty close.

 

[Dr.V]

First post here although I've been reading different parts of the forum for a while. Just bought my wife a new Turbo Como 4.0 (the sale along with the rebate they're having right now is what sold me, along with the 500wh battery on the 4's). We've been riding twice now, and she really likes it. As this is part brag/part question, I'm not sure if this question should be here or in the problem thread, but one thing we've noticed is that the fenders seem to rattle a lot. I've looked at them and they seem to be attached OK, but they also seem really flimsy. I searched the forum for this but couldn't seem to find anything specific. Anyone else experiencing that with their como's? Thanks!!

 

[Sierratim]

No fender noise on either of our Vados.

The "I hate fenders" thread might get you more responses.

 

[Dr.V]

Thanks. Yeah the como's and vado's have different fender attachments and are made from different materials - the vado fenders are aluminum but the comos are plastic.

 

[Katysax]

I need a rear rack for my new Como 4.0. The bike shop did not have one that fit. I saw a review video with a Rack Time rack but it did not say which one. Which rear racks fit?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I need a rear rack for my new Como 4.0. The bike shop did not have one that fit. I saw a review video with a Rack Time rack but it did not say which one. Which rear racks fit?

Katy,

I believe any standard rear-rack good for the 27.5" (650b) wheels and compatible with disk brakes would do. I can only judge by the photo of the Como in the Specialized website:

The standard rear-rack mounting points for M5 bolts are there.

I don't want to mislead you but this Racktime carrier looks promising:

SYSTEM CARRIERS - racktime

www.racktime.com

Important: The rear-racks come in different sizes. You have to order one for the 28" wheels (for example, the carrier I've just mentioned comes in 26" and 28" sizes).

I had big problem to choose the rear-rack for my touring e-bike as it didn't have the upper mounting holes in the seat-stays. I chose the Pletscher Athlete Quick-Rack Carrier 28" as seen here:

Quick Rack Carriers

pletscher.ch

www.pletscher.ch

The benefit is it fits any frame, is strongly adjustable and you can take it off if you don't need the rear-rack permanently. The Pletscher Athlete mounts to the bottom attachment points and to the seat-post.

It is good if you -- upon having chosen some rear-rack -- asked your LBS whether such a carrier would fit the Como. Since the market is full of rear-racks, the choice criteria are:

1. It has to be for the 27.5" or bigger wheels (28")
2. It has to be good for the disk brakes
3. It should connect either to the 5 mm upper holes in the seat-stay or to the seat-post
4. It should be good for at least 25 kg (55 lb)

I hope this helps.

 

[Oberst]

Another option I used on my first Vado 2 that did not come with rack or fenders was to use a Specialized standard rack with a seat post collar that has bosses to attach the rack instead of attachIng to seat-stay bosses. If there are bosses at the rear dropouts. You have a reasonably sturdy rack.

 

[Oberst]

Specialized Rear Rack Seat Collar

Add a rack to your frame, even if you don’t have rack mounts. Allows standard rack stays to be bolted directly to the seat collar, for a clean and simpl...

www.specialized.com

 

[Sierratim]

First post here although I've been reading different parts of the forum for a while. Just bought my wife a new Turbo Como 4.0 (the sale along with the rebate they're having right now is what sold me, along with the 500wh battery on the 4's). We've been riding twice now, and she really likes it. As this is part brag/part question, I'm not sure if this question should be here or in the problem thread, but one thing we've noticed is that the fenders seem to rattle a lot. I've looked at them and they seem to be attached OK, but they also seem really flimsy. I searched the forum for this but couldn't seem to find anything specific. Anyone else experiencing that with their como's? Thanks!!

From the Specialized graphics and promo pics it seems that their Pizza Rack is a good fit for a front rack, though a bit pricey.



I do agree with Stefan Mikes suggestion for a rear rack though you might also take a look at their Touring Carriers as they have a second horizontal rail that allows panniers to be attached with Racktime accessories clipped into the top of the rack.

 

[Nxkharra]

From the Specialized graphics and promo pics it seems that their Pizza Rack is a good fit for a front rack, though a bit pricey.

View attachment 49655View attachment 49656

I do agree with Stepan Mikes suggestion for a rear rack though you might also take a look at their Touring Carriers as they have a second horizontal rail that allows panniers to be attached with Racktime accessories clipped into the top of the rack.

I just saw this on a Como and it look really nice. The couple who both had Comos and one of them had this. They had their tiny dog in a tiny box on this.
I really like the option of rack being front to keep eye on it.
Might be too much for longer rides with wind!!