Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)

[Stefan Mikes]

@Herc welcome to the Vado SL thread. Here you can ask owners of the lightweight Specialized e-bike what they think

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Two Strava E-Bike KOMs, Day After Day, On A Vado SL!

Strava subscribers can create E-Bike or E-MTB Segments to compete there. Even if that is meaningless (the stronger/faster e-bike should win), I made several E-Bike Segments on Strava. In case I have achieved something on an e-bike segment (not only mine!) I am notified post-ride.

Approximately a year ago, I created an E-Bike Segment in my neighbourhood. It is a 2.17 km long segment with a 12 m overpass and three bends:

Koszajec - Moszna (e-bike) Strava Segment.

Once the segment had been created, I rode my full power Vado there at high speed and that was the Course Record of that time. I was sure I could not beat my own record but...

Yesterday (July 31st 2023) I was riding on my Vado SL with just the main battery, and the Tailwind pannier. As the traffic was exceptionally scarce, I was riding fast in Turbo mode home by road (not by the bike path along). As I was approaching the segment, I started pedalling hard and fast, adjusting the gears as needed for the climb. I had a strong cross-wind from west. I felt it was a fast ride. Upon checking Strava, it turned out I beat my own KOM record for the course! On a Vado SL! Well well well...

This morning (August 1st 2023), I was leisurely riding home after having breakfast at a local service stations. I was riding the main road in Sport mode. When I saw the overpass at a distance, I dreamingly pushed the Turbo button on my Vado SL... and accelerated mightily! When I reached the segment start, I was already riding at 41-42 km/h! When climbing, I only downshifted one then two gears and started spinning the crank! The descent corner was dangerous a little bit but I pedalled even harder! When I was on a slight ascent on the last straight, I noticed my leg power approaching 300 W! Slowing down just before the roundabout, I was almost sure I made it!

That was what my Wahoo said...

\
That was what Strava said...

I could beat my record of yesterday! On a Vado SL! Average speed 40.9 km/h!

I was twelve seconds faster today! (Perhaps the SSW wind helped! Haha!)

It is very hard to beat your own CR & KOM...

Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike. It was better than the full power Vado 6.0!

@mfgrep: The thread has been found

 

[mjh5]

Stefan,
What happened to the posts in this forum between July 24 and today? I recall that Sanyata posted photos of his retrofit of the Creo Sl chain guide onto his Vado SL, something that would be of interest to those of us who have had their chain drop and get stuck between the chairing and the motor housing.
Thanks,
Marty

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Stefan,
What happened to the posts in this forum between July 24 and today? I recall that Sanyata posted photos of his retrofit of the Creo Sl chain guide onto his Vado SL, something that would be of interest to those of us who have had their chain drop and get stuck between the chairing and the motor housing.
Thanks,
Marty

Hi Marty,
I guess only the Administrator knows it...
I can understand that the EBR had to change the internet host but why upset the Forum structure?

 

[mjh5]

I was unable to access the forum from the saved bookmark I have been using. I had to go to the EBR site and then the Specialized Forum and then this sub forum in order to get a link that worked. There may be people that won't know to do that. You posted a "Welcome to the Forum" message on July 25th. At the time it seemed odd as it didn't seem relevant to a current discussion. Do you know for a fact that EBR had to change the internet host?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Do you know for a fact that EBR had to change the internet host?

From time to time the Forum crashes for me, and then I can see a host page I have not seen before.

 

[sanyata]

Thanks again. I got the Park levers a couple a days ago, and wouldn't you know my chain dropped today. Probably my fault as I meant to downshift to an easier gear but pressed down on the upshift lever which is closer to my thumb instead of the downshift lever (SRAM upshift is counterintuitive) and then quickly hit the downshift and the chain came off. The Park lever did help but it still took a while since once I freed a bunch of chain more was stuck between the ring and the frame. Really an annoying design defect. Someone else on this site has ordered the Creo SL chain guide to see if he can get it to fit on the Vado SL. Apparently the only issue is the need for a longer bolt than the one that comes with the Creo SL chain guide.

Here's what I posted in the other thread:
I installed the Creo SL Chain Guide today on my Vado SL. The Vado SL's motor mounting bolt hole is recessed too deep for the chain guide to simply bolt on as the guide is larger than the hole and the frame doesn't have a flat surface either. I had two nylon spacers laying around and they were a perfect fit for making a standoff to mount the bracket. The space between the chainring backside and the guide is maybe 2mm at best which should stop a dropped chain from lodging down between the frame and the chainring. I might tweak the top of the guide down a tad for a closer fit but I'm going to wait a bit to see if that's necessary.

 

[mjh5]

Just a test to see if forum posts are showing up, as the last one I see was from 5 days ago. I gather there have been some issues regarding Court's migration of the forums.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The Vado SL EQ Rear Rack Story

It reads "15 kg max" on the Racktime rear rack of the 2020 Vado SL 4.0 EQ. While I do not overload the rack on my recreation rides, I do so on the grocery shopping trips. And I used to overload the rear rack very much, like 23 kg gross split into two panniers. Additionally, there used to be crashes on my Vado SL, with the Tailwind pannier attached to the right hand side of the rack.

Two mornings ago, I noticed the rack got bent to the level the right hand side edge of the integrated mudguard moved to the left as far as it was above the central tread of the rear tyre and rubbing it! The Racktime got bent too much! I temporarily solved the issue by removing one of the screws that mounted the rack, and fixed the area with a strong tape. This afternoon, I pedalled to my brother who can fix almost anything.

He removed the rack, gave it a critical eye and looked worried. He told me the geometry of the rack got skewed so much he could not fix the rack whatever he tried. Yes, he partly straightened the thing but noticed a crack in one of the rack tubes.

Eventually, I gave Specialized Warsaw a phone call. Yes, there were two spare racks at the warehouse. The part costs around US$115. Sigh...

 

[Löhmraagondein]

The Vado SL EQ Rear Rack Story

It reads "15 kg max" on the Racktime rear rack of the 2020 Vado SL 4.0 EQ. While I do not overload the rack on my recreation rides, I do so on the grocery shopping trips. And I used to overload the rear rack very much, like 23 kg gross split into two panniers. Additionally, there used to be crashes on my Vado SL, with the Tailwind pannier attached to the right hand side of the rack.

Two mornings ago, I noticed the rack got bent to the level the right hand side edge of the integrated mudguard moved to the left as far as it was above the central tread of the rear tyre and rubbing it! The Racktime got bent too much! I temporarily solved the issue by removing one of the screws that mounted the rack, and fixed the area with a strong tape. This afternoon, I pedalled to my brother who can fix almost anything.

He removed the rack, gave it a critical eye and looked worried. He told me the geometry of the rack got skewed so much he could not fix the rack whatever he tried. Yes, he partly straightened the thing but noticed a crack in one of the rack tubes.

Eventually, I gave Specialized Warsaw a phone call. Yes, there were two spare racks at the warehouse. The part costs around US$115. Sigh...

Thanks for the warning!

I'm lurking on a second hand range extender. 250€ but the owner claims he already accomplished 16 charge cycles. Do you think it's a good deal? Should I avoid buying one not brand new? Thanks in advance for your insights!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thanks for the warning!

I'm lurking on a second hand range extender. 250€ but the owner claims he already accomplished 16 charge cycles. Do you think it's a good deal? Should I avoid buying one not brand new? Thanks in advance for your insights!

The price is excellent. The use is minimal. I would only think 'did that guy ever drop the battery?' I hope not!
Get the rubber band from him, too. He also owes you a Specialized Zee II cage (both are parts of the RE delivery).

Are you buying the SL Road Cable and the SL Y Cable?

 

[Löhmraagondein]

The price is excellent. The use is minimal. I would only think 'did that guy ever drop the battery?' I hope not!
Get the rubber band from him, too. He also owes you a Specialized Zee II cage (both are parts of the RE delivery).

Are you buying the SL Road Cable and the SL Y Cable?

It

It doesn't seem the rubber band is included, nor is the cage. If I finally purchase it, I'll probably try to get my hand on a Y cable indeed.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

View attachment 160584It View attachment 160585

It doesn't seem the rubber band is included, nor is the cage. If I finally purchase it, I'll probably try to get my hand on a Y cable indeed.

Buy it. Does the seller provide the cable?

The rubber band is just a gimmick. The correct cage is Specialized Zee Cage II (left). I could have never understood why Left but this is how it works

 

[Löhmraagondein]

Congratulations! Have you already connected the RE and checked the status with Mission Control?

The rubber band is just a gimmick. The correct cage is Specialized Zee Cage II (left). I could have never understand why Left but this is how it works

I had bought yet until a few seconds. It should arrive next week
The cage is around 20€ from what I found. Quite decent (especially for a specialized item XD). Yeah, I figured I could easily find a substitute for the rubber.

I've recently got my suspension stem from Redshift and tried your configuration with the handlebar as low as possible, with the stem at -6°. Even though I really like this position for performance, I think I won't be able to maintain it on long rides. It just ruins my neck. I'll try a middle position for my next ride and may go back to the original set-up if not conclusive. Thanks again for all the inspiration and advises Stefan! You rock

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I'll try a middle position for my next ride and may go back to the original set-up if not conclusive.

+6 degrees could be good for you!
Sorry to hear about your neck ache!

I think you will be delighted with the extra range the RE gives. What is your primary assistance setting for long range rides?

 

[Löhmraagondein]

+6 degrees could be good for you!
Sorry to hear about your neck ache!

I think you will be delighted with the extra range the RE gives. What is your primary assistance setting for long range rides?

I usually don't use the assistance on flat road (I just have to get on the handle bar extensions to render the assistance useless as I go above 25km/h quite easily), maybe eco/sport mode with a strong headwind and a need to hurry. I tend to mainly use it for going uphill and being on par with my friend I bike with, who's riding a feather road bike of 8kg.

We planned a little trip on a few days in september, with a bit of elevation and potentially no stop in a civilized place and 210 km to ride. So I figured, with such deal available, that it could be a good idea to get 50% more battery Luckily, you reassured me about the life span of the RE, so now, fingers crossed until I can test it.

I haven't tried to keep the handle bar in the lowest position and switching to +6. That'll be my next experiment. Thanks again.

 

[Löhmraagondein]

I wonder, where do you usually put the RE? On the main tube, or vertically on the center one? Aero wise, would it make a difference?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Vertically on the seat tube, and that is the only place recommended by Specialized and within the reach of the cable.

 

[Löhmraagondein]

Vertically on the seat tube, and that is the only place recommended by Specialized and within the reach of the cable. View attachment 160615

Alright, thanks for the clarification.

Edit: I'm a stupid ass, the RE cable isn't that expensive. It's the Y recharge cable that costs a bit.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You must use the 220 mm SL Road Cable. Probably the one you are getting is the proper one. The SL MTB cable would be too short and no other sizes are made!