e-levity
Active Member
You can also use a shim adaptor to mount easy-to-find standard stems in various lengths/rises for 1 1/8" steerer tubes:
Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)
- Thread starter Stefan Mikes
- Start date
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Thank you!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
It has occurred to me right now.
Did you notice Specialized missed a "flat handlebars gravel e-bike" from its offer? I mean an e-bike similar to the Diverge EVO, an analog flat handlebars gravel bike.
www.specialized.com
Well... I'd say the Vado SL 5.0 unequipped would check almost all the boxes for the e-bike type.
www.specialized.com
Yes, the geometry is not exactly the same but...
Analysis: https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=61ad29ce67906f001c4ee263,5ef53633e56c790017f2aea5
What do you think?
Did you notice Specialized missed a "flat handlebars gravel e-bike" from its offer? I mean an e-bike similar to the Diverge EVO, an analog flat handlebars gravel bike.
Diverge Expert E5 EVO
This thing called 'gravel riding' is still evolving, still being defined. What's next? Hop on the new Diverge Expert EVO and you tell us. It's designed ...
Well... I'd say the Vado SL 5.0 unequipped would check almost all the boxes for the e-bike type.
Turbo Vado SL 5.0
Meet the Vado SL. This super-light e-bike was designed to take on anything from daily commutes through urban landscapes to clocking even faster workouts...
Yes, the geometry is not exactly the same but...
Analysis: https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=61ad29ce67906f001c4ee263,5ef53633e56c790017f2aea5
What do you think?
GAJ
Active Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Santa Rosa, CA
Well, the tires are not 100 psi road tires and they are reasonably wide and have tread so definitely not a problem for gravel.It has occurred to me right now.
Did you notice Specialized missed a "flat handlebars gravel e-bike" from its offer? I mean an e-bike similar to the Diverge EVO, an analog flat handlebars gravel bike.
View attachment 163949
Diverge Expert E5 EVO
This thing called 'gravel riding' is still evolving, still being defined. What's next? Hop on the new Diverge Expert EVO and you tell us. It's designed ...
Well... I'd say the Vado SL 5.0 unequipped would check almost all the boxes for the e-bike type.
View attachment 163950
Turbo Vado SL 5.0
Meet the Vado SL. This super-light e-bike was designed to take on anything from daily commutes through urban landscapes to clocking even faster workouts...
Yes, the geometry is not exactly the same but...
View attachment 163951
Analysis: https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=61ad29ce67906f001c4ee263,5ef53633e56c790017f2aea5
What do you think?
So it can function as a hybrid/commuter and gravel bike.
BEC111
Well-Known Member
Either the SL4 or SL5 can be good flat bar gravel bikes. The 4 will be better with a ShockStop stem and perhaps seat post (brand choice open). The default Nimbus tires on the EQ models may be ok on dirt roads but you’ll need more traction elsewhere. Use lower pressures, tubeless if you can will help.It has occurred to me right now.
Did you notice Specialized missed a "flat handlebars gravel e-bike" from its offer? I mean an e-bike similar to the Diverge EVO, an analog flat handlebars gravel bike.
View attachment 163949
Diverge Expert E5 EVO
This thing called 'gravel riding' is still evolving, still being defined. What's next? Hop on the new Diverge Expert EVO and you tell us. It's designed ...
Well... I'd say the Vado SL 5.0 unequipped would check almost all the boxes for the e-bike type.
View attachment 163950
Turbo Vado SL 5.0
Meet the Vado SL. This super-light e-bike was designed to take on anything from daily commutes through urban landscapes to clocking even faster workouts...
Yes, the geometry is not exactly the same but...
View attachment 163951
Analysis: https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=61ad29ce67906f001c4ee263,5ef53633e56c790017f2aea5
What do you think?
I’ve done lots of riding on Loudoun County Virginia’s numerous gravel roads and the C&O trail on my SL4 EQ with no problem, though I did crash on one of my early rides due to excessive speed and other dumb actions.
A thorough cleaning after the ride is very important for any bike on dusty gravel. Mud makes cleaning mandatory.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I use Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss, which are proper gravel tyres. However, "gravel cycling" here means a lot of offroad, so my choice for next Spring would be Rhombus Pro.
Did anybody say you could fit 42 mm tyres with Vado SL fenders?
Specialized claims 38mm with fenders, 42mm without.
Potentially one might do 42 with fenders if okay with lesser clearance, and it may depend on the tread pattern.
I understand that some riders will require fenders. For my use(s) those fenders cause a lot of problems.....both in limiting tire size(s) or tread and in soundly mounting the bicycle to a platform car rack.
Again...I understand that some folks need fenders for their terrain/climate....but I'm sure glad that I'm not dealing with them.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I could remove the rear fender but then I don't know how to relocate the tail-light and where to mount it.
The front fender is the one that poses the most problems with the typical platform style car rack.
Both fenders can eliminate some tire and tire size choices.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
For me, the front fender was making my forest rides impossible because of frequent blocking the front wheel by little twigs (that could end up in the Over-The-Bars). Removed at the first opportunity and replaced with an AssSaver.
The long rear fender mudflap was a liability when transporting Vado SL in a station wagon. I've kept the rear fender but removed the mudflap.
BEC111
Well-Known Member
I chose the EQ model because I wanted the rack and the fender mounted taillights. I didn’t know about the problems with the saddle mounted taillight at the time, but it seems I may have lucked out on the annoying confusion a seatpost replacement would cause others.
I mostly ride on paved rail trails but I have experienced stuff getting stuck between the front fender and the wheel. (Mostly wind blown leaves and branches in the fall.) It hasn’t been as severe as what Stefan has described, but it can range between annoyingly noisy to downright scary. I appreciate why Stefan removed the offending fender.
Specialized touts the water deflecting powers of the fender flaps. I guess it works, but since I avoid riding in the rain and definitely try to avoid puddles (I’m not 15 anymore) they don’t get much chance to show off. I have noticed that the flaps catch on things like curbs, my clumsy feet and so forth, so removing them can make sense for some folks.
This brings me to a significant lesson I’ve learned in the three plus years I’ve been riding my Vado SL. It took me a long time to accept that this expensive bicycle might not perfectly fit my needs and would need modifications. That I could change components beyond using different tires or saddles. I wasn’t comfortable with this concept not having ridden bikes for so many years before the Vado.
These forums have definitely given me an appreciation for a whole culture about which I was not familiar. Who knows, I might even remove a fender flap.
I have only had the Vado SL since June but can relate.
I bought the non EQ because (a) the non EQ was already the most expensive bike that I had ever purchased and (b) I didn't see the sense in having fenders on the bike. At that time I was completely unaware of the differing drivetrain and gears....of the FutureShock etc. I did observe that they put a more street oriented tire on the EQ bike. I didn't fully understand that the rear rack was integrated with the fenders. In my case it seemed that I knew far more about the Vado SL when compared to my salesman.....but that is another story. Back in June the non EQ 4.0 was on a steep discount at $2499US so I jumped at it. I'm glad I did.
I'm not a kid anymore either and I didn't/don't plan on riding in the rain. I have, however, been caught in heavy rains more than once. I still didn't miss having the fenders....I'd have been soaked either way. It happens.
This is all a learning process and I was up for the challenge. This forum helped me to become more knowledgeable, however, I was still a 'babe in the woods' at my time of purchase. There are things that I just hadn't realized prior and I will definitely be a more educated consumer should I purchase another bike in the future.
I added flat pedals, grips with horns, and a RedShift suspension stem to the bike (and re-routed my headlamp due to the stem replacement). That is all that I have done and I am 98% happy with the bike as it is.
I don't miss fenders whatsoever and the inclusion of fenders prevented me from the ability to utilize a platform car rack safely/soundly although I now know that there are ways to overcome this. Though subjective I also prefer the naked look of a bike without fenders....that's just a 'me' thing. The rear light on the non EQ prevents me from easily installing a dropper post, however, I have found the OEM seat to be quite comfortable...and with the suspension stem added I no longer feel a strong need for the dropper post. I like that rear seat-light functionality and I do not wish to delete it.....I feel safer with it as-is.
I would have appreciated a Spesh OEM rear rack solution for the Non EQ Vado SL. As discussed, without the rear fender the OEM rack requires a top mount solution. There are of course solutions to this but none have yet jumped out at me as the right solution for my needs. As colder weather is upon us I now, for the first time, really feel that a rear rack could be useful to me. The bike is darn close to perfect for me...and I realize that any new bike will require some add-on bits and customizations as us riders are all different.
All in all.....especially given my naivety at the time of purchase.....I am quite pleased with my Vado SL 4.0.
Ya...to my surprise I like the saddle too! Took about a week to get accustomed to but I find it downright comfortable.
Yes....the rear light should have blink option(s). The front light should have on/off capability too. That front light gets HOT and quickly!
One would think that this functionality could easily have been integrated with the Mission Control or Specialized phone application (and should have been so!)
Some thoughts in no particular order for you or other readers...
FutureShock is nice - if you can choose a model with it. When I last looked it was just the Vado SL 5.0 models, though looking at the 5.0 EQ the specs don't list it but the photo shows it... Would want to confirm in person. Other models you can use somethign like Redshift as you've done.
Fenders are good for commuters who may need to ride on wet pavement after a rain, or for folks in wet climates who experience more wet pavement than dry. For those who can pick and choose when we ride, something like the SKS X-Blade temporary rear fender can work well for those infrequent times we want a rear fender.
Lights - integrated is convenient but hate that none of them blink. Personally I want it to blink during the daytime (DRL), and at night I want something brighter, so I'm already using an aftermarket light. For the rear, I use a Varia RTL515 light/radar so the non-blinking integrated light is also superfluous.
Rear rack - it's unfortunate SBC chose not to provide rack stay mounting bosses, but aftermarket solutions exist such as this mount which attaches to the seatpost. You can then skip having a rear fender serving as the rack stay and gain a wider choice of racks. Or go with a quick release option allowing you to easily switch from rack to no rack: Ortlieb Quick Rack
Dropper post - note this is different than a suspension seat post. Intended to let you lower your center of gravity and move around a bit more on the more technical downhills you might find in gravel or singletrack riding.
I had not realized that a 'dropper' post differs from a suspension post. I need to better understand this difference and will look into it. Thank you!
I will also look (again) at that Ortlieb Quick Rack, however, it seemed to me a less than elegant solution for a rear rack. I am a bit picky about 'things' and didn't love the connection(s) and construction of that rack. I don't want to have a rear rack that rattles and drives me crazy all the time.
I've not seen the Ortlieb in person, just noticed it as an interesting option. Too bad that it doesn't seem to be as good as it might appear.
Trek/Bontrager has some decent MIK-compatible racks, which is great as you can either buy a MIK compatible trunk bag or buy the adapter plate to mount on the bottom of the bag of your choosing. I've been considering the narrower BackRack Lightweight MIK Rear Rack for my Creo but want to get more miles under me before I spend that money. (also haven't found one locally which I'd want to do to check fitment.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
@BEC111, @mfgrep, @GAJ, @gpburdell: My views in no particular order:
Vado 6.0 in its proper role. Unfortunately, my Vado SL EQ has turned out to be unsuitable for carrying heavy cargo! The blue pannier weighed 10.2 kg gross in this photo, the pannier on the other side was 7.8 kg, and the pannier-backpack was 4.8 kg (I weighed them post ride). The return trip was 40 minutes while I need 50 or more min to complete the trip on my Vado SL.
- When I bought my Vado SL 4.0 EQ, it was intended for everyday use with special focus on the utility view, that is, grocery shopping. Over the time, it has turned out I needed to carry as much as up to 23 kg gross in two panniers and a backpack. The standard Vado SL rear rack is too weak for that purpose; it bends (so the rear fender gets skewed to the side, which is very bad). I have found my Vado 6.0 is ideal for the utility purposes with its sturdy rear rack and the powerful motor.
- My needs have changed. I have never expected I would be attracted to sporty riding gravel and rough terrain! Now, my objective is to make my Vado SL simple and even more lightweight (but not at any cost).
- I might need a rack but a sturdier one. Options exist: a user has reported how he installed a Racktime Standit 2.0 rack on his Vado SL.
- But I might not need a rack at all. Gravel cyclist use huge undersaddle bags from Apidura or Ortlieb or Jack Pack. What I need is to carry up to 3 kg of Range Extenders and some tools plus a spare tube.
- As @gpburdell said, SKS X-Blade is a good replacement for full fenders.
- I prefer the suspension seat-post to a dropper
- I find it impossible to use the saddle bag and the rear light together with the dropper seat-post. You cannot have them all!
Vado 6.0 in its proper role. Unfortunately, my Vado SL EQ has turned out to be unsuitable for carrying heavy cargo! The blue pannier weighed 10.2 kg gross in this photo, the pannier on the other side was 7.8 kg, and the pannier-backpack was 4.8 kg (I weighed them post ride). The return trip was 40 minutes while I need 50 or more min to complete the trip on my Vado SL.
Last edited:
GAJ
Active Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Santa Rosa, CA
I asked my wife to get me this for Christmas for grocery shopping and whatnot.
Already got this lock which sits at home most of the time.
Already got this lock which sits at home most of the time.
Foldylock Compact Review: The Lightest Folding Lock! | The Best Bike Lock
A full, hands on, Foldylock Compact folding bike lock review. How secure is it? How easy is it to carry and use? Is it good value? What's the alternatives?
thebestbikelock.com
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