Johnmj1
Member
Sorry for the dumb question, but what difference do platform pedals make?It seems you've never tried Adidas FiveTen shoes with platform pedals from CrankBrothers, Race Face or OneUp
I think Steve Jones is riding in the 510s here:
Specialized Turbo Vado/Como/Tero/Tero X User Club
- Thread starter Stefan Mikes
- Start date
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Platform pedals is another name for flat pedals. Yet MTB platform pedals are equipped with plastic or adjustable steel pins that ensure perfect shoe grip to the pedal, especially if proper shoes are worn (cycling shoes for MTB platform pedals, e.g. Adidas FiveTen Freerider Pro).
P.S. The pedals equipped with pins have a concave surface, making the pedal fit the shoe sole better.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I just want to tell you my Vado passed the hill-riding exam yet nothing can beat a proper e-MTB for that specific job. Geometry! Full suspension! Dropper post! ! 
jenfeu
Member
Picked up my Como 5.0 on Saturday. Didn’t really fit in my rack very securely (Kuat Transfer 2), so I ended up putting it inside my car for my 6 hour drive back home.
I am in love! I picked up an 18” pizza today and used bungees to strap the box to the pizza rack. Worked great! I’m looking for a rear rack. Saw a photo of a Como 4.0 with a Racktime I-Valo Tour so I may try to get that one unless there are other suggestions. I’ve searched this thread and the forums but didn’t find anything definitive. The LBS told me the Specialized rack was not made to be installed with the fender on, but they have found a way to make it work by “cutting some metal”!
I am in love! I picked up an 18” pizza today and used bungees to strap the box to the pizza rack. Worked great! I’m looking for a rear rack. Saw a photo of a Como 4.0 with a Racktime I-Valo Tour so I may try to get that one unless there are other suggestions. I’ve searched this thread and the forums but didn’t find anything definitive. The LBS told me the Specialized rack was not made to be installed with the fender on, but they have found a way to make it work by “cutting some metal”!
Andy_in_CA
Active Member
Nxkharra
Well-Known Member
I think the shoes are Specialized 2FO. I own a pair. Very happy with them.It seems you've never tried Adidas FiveTen shoes with platform pedals from CrankBrothers, Race Face or OneUp
I think Steve Jones is riding in the 510s here:
Nxkharra
Well-Known Member
Sorry for terrible assumption on my part. This is a great product.I make these my self in the USA.
It is well thought of, well made, small, light, and functional.
A must have in the bike bag in case you have to work on the bike in the field.
Well done.
Johnmj1
Member
Great thread, and beautiful bike, thank you. Why do you like the rigid fork as opposed to a suspension fork? Merely the weight?Majority of EBR Forum owners of Specialized e-bikes ride either a Turbo Vado or a Como. This is natural, as these two major models have been designed for an average cyclist. Turbo Levo and Kenevo are technical ride stuff, discussed on e-MTB fora. Creo is for road cycling fanatics
It is quite interesting American versions of Vado are in the majority Class 3 bikes, while the only speed Vado model for Europe is Vado 6.0. Does anybody own the 6.0? Canadians have to be content with the 32 km/h versions, unluckily.
I'd like you friends to talk more about your experiences with your Specialized e-bikes, for good and for bad. Please post pictures if you like.
I fell in love with my 2017 Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0, which I bought in Autumn 2019. I think buying a 2019 or 2020 model would stretch my budget too far. There are four components and a feature I am extremely happy with in my 2017 model:
The feature is the beautiful grey colour.
- Rigid fork
- 29x2" Elektrak tyres
- TRP Zurich brakes
- 600 lm headlight and very strong rear light, illuminating the number plate as well
View attachment 45130
When I first mounted the Vado, I was positively shocked with the bike's geometry. So sporty! What I love about my Vado is the agility and the acceleration, both being fantastic, especially in the Sport mode. It is a lot of fun to ride fast!
Now, it is your turn to brag about your Specialized e-bikes!
Johnmj1
Member
I'd like the Trek pic too, if you can share it. Thanks.
mikecoin56
Member
Would like to know more about Treks new speed pedalec. Is it the Verve+ 4 that is sold overseas?
I’ve pretty well made up my mind for a Como 4 but would like to know more about the new Trek.
Can I get a pic too please?
mikecoin56
Member
Is it the Verve +4 from Europe?
Would love to see a pic as I’m about to buy and was leaning towards the Como 4.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The rigid fork has some benefits: It is not only lighter than a suspension fork but it also is more stable at high speed, especially on braking. Such fork has to be complemented with pretty thick tyre (2" in this case). I'm riding the Electraks with 42 psi inflation; add to it the aftermarket Kinekt 2.1 suspension seat post and you're happy. I admit I also use the Baramind BAM Trek suspension handlebars. No need for any real suspension on this bike anymore.
purdueboiler87
New Member
I have the Topeak Explorer Rack with a Topeak MTX Trunk Bag on my Como fine. Fenders on and no modifications needed to the bike.
Not officially but I've read reports of two people who managed sucessfully to convert the Vado stock rims to tubeless. They used DT swiss valves.
Maybe the actual comparison chart of Specialized motors is helpful for somebody:
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Brendon@OEB
Well-Known Member
I prefer them a little narrower, I usually rest my elbows on the bars while just cruising, makes it a little easier to sit at max speed on the ride to work.
jenfeu
Member
Nice! I saw a photo of this setup in another thread - maybe yours? I'm going to see if my LBS has the Topeak Explorer. I want to be able to use some Deuter panniers I already have. I'll take them with me to make sure.
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Hi
Long time lurker, first time here.
I recently acquired a Turbo Vado 5.0, 2017/8 model with the BLOKS computer and rigid front forks.
What a machine. It's only done 1900km (although the previous owner obviously cared little for his paintwork!) and I have put 250km on it in a fortnight. Loving it. Great machine - one of the nicest bikes I have ever ridden.
Mine is a large and I am 182 cm tall and it is possibly marginal - I could have a medium with the seatpost set long - but it is what it is: the price was good! I may have to change bar height and/or stem reach but will take the bike in for proper fitting rather than just guess.
The BLOKS is a bit useless - I have of course discovered that it does not work with Mission Control and also that it does not actually seem to display all of what the manual says it should display. According to the manual, it should show battery range and a map but does neither. Perhaps there was some other app that it worked with to do that.
I made an enquiry of one bike shop about the TCD-W and was quoted about US$ equivalent 650 to get the parts. I have since found a better Specialized dealer that immediately asked for the s/n and sent that to Specialized for advice. That seems a more reliable way of dealing with it.
Overall, I think it is a great machine and would buy another in a heartbeat if anything happened to this one.
EDIT - update. Almost as soon as I posted this, I had an email from the Specialized dealer who said that Specialized are sending them the computer replacement kit free of charge and all I need is to pay the labour for installation, so that is a result!
Long time lurker, first time here.
I recently acquired a Turbo Vado 5.0, 2017/8 model with the BLOKS computer and rigid front forks.
What a machine. It's only done 1900km (although the previous owner obviously cared little for his paintwork!) and I have put 250km on it in a fortnight. Loving it. Great machine - one of the nicest bikes I have ever ridden.
Mine is a large and I am 182 cm tall and it is possibly marginal - I could have a medium with the seatpost set long - but it is what it is: the price was good! I may have to change bar height and/or stem reach but will take the bike in for proper fitting rather than just guess.
The BLOKS is a bit useless - I have of course discovered that it does not work with Mission Control and also that it does not actually seem to display all of what the manual says it should display. According to the manual, it should show battery range and a map but does neither. Perhaps there was some other app that it worked with to do that.
I made an enquiry of one bike shop about the TCD-W and was quoted about US$ equivalent 650 to get the parts. I have since found a better Specialized dealer that immediately asked for the s/n and sent that to Specialized for advice. That seems a more reliable way of dealing with it.
Overall, I think it is a great machine and would buy another in a heartbeat if anything happened to this one.
EDIT - update. Almost as soon as I posted this, I had an email from the Specialized dealer who said that Specialized are sending them the computer replacement kit free of charge and all I need is to pay the labour for installation, so that is a result!
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Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
Congrats on what sounds like a good bike and good lbs. You are off to a great start this summer...
Got to get through winter first - it is 5 degrees and raining today!!
Sierratim
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Nevada City, CA & Paradise Valley, AZ
Congratulations! You'll enjoy the bike and the Mission Control app with the new display.
One question, at over 2,000km how does the chain look? Mid-drive motors put more wear and tear on the chain than you might expect. I changed mine at 1,600km and everything is still working great. I also do reasonable chain cleaning and lube every 500 km or so. Others have reported waiting until over 3,000km without regular chain maintenance and then having to replace the chain and main chain ring to correct shifting issues.
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