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

[rochrunner]

I had a Anatomica in the past but sold it with a bike. I did like a lot and it is different from the B-17. The problem is trying out the better seats as an experiment can get expensive.

Amen on that! My greatest fear is that my wife might look in the box where I keep my "collection" and start asking questions...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Fancy I'm riding the stock saddle on my a Vado SL?

 

[LazyJ]

Thanks friends for the reassuring instructions, unplugged the light wires under the TCU, cut the rear taillight wire and left it in there, simple once you say goodbye to those sweet lights.. But now I have my Fizik saddle, cobblegobbler, and 30mm more stem on my 4.0. Took me 3 years, my butt is so gratefull to you!!

Ya'll talking about Rhombus 42's, I've been running them for two years. But like all of my mtb tires I flappydisk all the side knobs off, and Rhombus has some silly large ones, 80 grit and steady nerves. Makes for a fast, plush tire with plenty of rowdy. I tried Rambler 40's that were given to me thinking they might roll faster, not even close.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My eventual choice has been...

If Rhombus were available, I might have take them. Tracer Pros were the second choice. It was my brother who advised me against Rhombus but said Tracers could be a better choice. He said I ride a lot on asphalt and not always the off-road is as extreme as to install knobby tyres permanenly.

 

[LazyJ]

That Tracer has the same tread pattern that runs down the center of the Rhombus that's so dang fast! Didn't know they existed, I may have to declare myself in need of 'summer tire'. First hint of wet leaves in the fall I gotta have some knobs tho.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The latest iteration. SKS Speedrocker mudguards are ready to be installed for predicted wet weather. The Tracer Pros are to be installed tubeless on April 15th.

My decision to go with the 36T chainring and the 11-51T cassette has turned out to be appropriate. I have decided to be riding with the legal 25 km/h speed restriction, and I am not a fast rider. The 20 gear-inch transmission can take me up any hill (one I met on the Wednesday ride: a steep sand dune with a sandy but rideable fire-road; I actually needed SL Turbo and the granny gear to climb it!) I am a high cadence rider, preferring spinning to mashing the cranks; my rides have turned into a pleasure! Yes, the CS-M5100 cassette has rather big jumps between the gears but that's the price for the wide-range gearing!

 

[Marquezdl]

Stefan,
that should be an amazing climbing setup. Particularly in loose or slippery conditions.
now that I have a few miles on my new Turbo Vado SL I am thinking that I would prefer lower gearing since I am not a fast rider either.
perhaps I shall go from an 11-42 to an 11-46 cassette to start with. I don’t need a 20 gear inch low since I am almost totally on pavement, albeit some really bad pavement at times. But I would be happier with a little more reserve climbing power, and I prefer not to use Turbo mode any more than necessary.
my last regular bike was a Specialized Sirus and I converted it to a 1x, 36cw with 11-46 cassette. It was a very capable climber even without any eboost available.
I am loving the ergos and handling of the TV SL. Feels much more like what I rode for most of the past 35 years.

 

[rochrunner]

Stefan,
that should be an amazing climbing setup. Particularly in loose or slippery conditions.
now that I have a few miles on my new Turbo Vado SL I am thinking that I would prefer lower gearing since I am not a fast rider either.
perhaps I shall go from an 11-42 to an 11-46 cassette to start with. I don’t need a 20 gear inch low since I am almost totally on pavement, albeit some really bad pavement at times. But I would be happier with a little more reserve climbing power, and I prefer not to use Turbo mode any more than necessary.

One reason I went with the SL 5.0 was the lower bottom gear ratio. It's very flat around here with just a few places with short climbs. However, after two full years, it occurred to me while tuning my derailleur the other day that I don't think I've ever actually shifted into the largest cog! When I got the bike I thought that I might be taking it on bike tours with possible hilly roads but circumstances have changed and I doubt I'll do anything ambitious like that in the future.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Stefan,
that should be an amazing climbing setup. Particularly in loose or slippery conditions.
now that I have a few miles on my new Turbo Vado SL I am thinking that I would prefer lower gearing since I am not a fast rider either.
perhaps I shall go from an 11-42 to an 11-46 cassette to start with. I don’t need a 20 gear inch low since I am almost totally on pavement, albeit some really bad pavement at times. But I would be happier with a little more reserve climbing power, and I prefer not to use Turbo mode any more than necessary.
my last regular bike was a Specialized Sirus and I converted it to a 1x, 36cw with 11-46 cassette. It was a very capable climber even without any eboost available.
I am loving the ergos and handling of the TV SL. Feels much more like what I rode for most of the past 35 years.

Well, the simplest would be going for a smaller chainring (and shortening the chain)? Currently, I think you have a 44T chainring. Combined with the 42T granny gear gives gear ratio of 44/42 = 1.05. If you changed to 11-speed M7000 then you would need replace the shifter, cassette and derailleur (your derailleur won't accommodate the 46T cassette sprocket). Now, what you would get is the gear ratio of 44/46 = 0.96.

If you, however, just replaced the chainring with a 40T one, you'd avoid replacing the whole drivetrain because you'd get the same low end as above! Your drivetrain is Shimano I think, and replacing the chainring is pretty easy.

 

[Marquezdl]

Actually my new 2022 Turbo Vado SL 4.0 came with a 40 Tooth wheel and 11-42 11 speed cassette

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Actually my new 2022 Turbo Vado SL 4.0 came with a 40 Tooth wheel and 11-42 11 speed cassette

Is it a Praxis 104 BCD, 4 hole chainring? If you replace the major part of the drivetrain to the 11-46T cassette (including the new long cage derailleur), you will upgrade from the gear ratio of 0.95 to 0.87 only; a low value for money. However, going for a 36T chainring will improve your gearing ratio to 0.86 (the same!) at low cost.

Pros:

• Simple
• Inexpensive
• Effective
• Reversible
• A shorter and possibly less expensive chain

Cons:

• You will lose the chainguard
• You need to buy a "chainring bolt tool", it is Shimano TL-FC21 or Park Tool CNW-2 (these are very cheap)
• You will need to buy a pack of "MTB chainring bolts 8x8 mm" (these come in packs of five even if you only need four of them)

You will need a "Round chainring for 1x drivetrains, 104 BCD, 4-holes, 36T". These are extremely popular and available. They come from Shimano, Wolftooth but also from many inexpensive brands (Amazon, eBay...) As for myself, my latest choice has been:

SNAIL chainring

Trust me: This $18 thing is excellent! (Currently using it on my Vado SL). And this set includes the chainring bolts!

If you have questions how to replace the chainring, ask me. It is almost as simple as changing shoes...

 

[Marquezdl]

As always, good ideas Stefan! Muchas gracias!

 

[rochrunner]

You will need a "Round chainring for 1x drivetrains, 104 BCD, 4-holes, 36T". These are extremely popular and available. They come from Shimano, Wolftooth but also from many inexpensive brands (Amazon, eBay...) As for myself, my latest choice has been:

Is that a narrow-wide tooth part? The OEM chainring on my 5.0 is narrow-wide (which I didn't realize until I took the chain off for a deep cleaning when I was changing my wheels last week).

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Is that a narrow-wide tooth part? The OEM chainring on my 5.0 is narrow-wide (which I didn't realize until I took the chain off for a deep cleaning when I was changing my wheels last week).

Yes, it is! I bought the chainring from a good online store in Poland and thought they would not sell any rubbish It is so good!

 

[Dirtbagg]

Spec Tracer Pros @ 47mm
Tires was a big question for me when I decided on the Vado SL. My current e-bike was a conversion with a rear hub motor. The biggest tire I could fit was 40mm, and I’ve been lusting after my wife’s 47s. I’d seen a thread somewhere about running Schwabe’s @ 50mm on the Vado and my LBS was quick to show me the Tracers when I asked for 47s. The clearance is fine for the generally dry conditions I ride in, no different from the 40s on my current bike. I am a total evangelist for this tire. Fast on tarmac, stable when it’s loose. Cushy @ 30Psi, and a perfect complement to the Future Shock.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Spec Tracer Pros @ 47mm

I have equipped my Fearless with SKS Speedrocker mudguards for the wet weather. Unfortunately, these marvellously engineered fenders allow tyres up to 42 mm only. Not a big deal for me as I believe 42 mm is the optimum for a gravel bike (although many people enjoy really big rubbers!)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I met a Tero 3.0 rider in Warsaw on Saturday. We briefly shared our experiences, then the devil disappeared at a distance when we both were climbing one of the steepest streets of Warsaw

He had a look at my Vado SL and asked: 'That must be a high end version of that e-bike?' to which I humbly replied 'No, that's the inexpensive one; I just had upgraded it'

 

[Stefan Mikes]

More Than Vado SL!

This morning, I rode my Vado SL to the local bike store, Jakoobcycles. I ordered a tubeless conversion but had no way to get back home. The co-owner (these are twins to own the LBS) just lent me their precious family bicycle... and told me the story behind the bike! The last sentence of the man was: 'So you understand I and brother rather like the bike, so please return it unscathed'

Ladies and gentlemen, let me present an American Eagle Paducah (The First Olympic Champion)! Believe or not but that was how an MTB looked in 1990s. One Bart Brentjens won the gold in a new discipline of "Mountain Biking" during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta riding such a bike. The CrMo steel bicycle is pretty lightweight even nowadays. I could ride it home and back, and even climb an overpass twice with the front derailleur not working!

I regret I didn't take a photo of the headstock logo: a head of a proud white eagle!

Regarding my Vado SL:

• Bent front brake rotor (straightened by the mechanic)
• Bent derailleur hanger (available on the spot in Specialized Warsaw)
• Converted to tubeless with Chris King valves, and...
• Specialized Tracer Pro 2Bliss 42-622 tyres.

The SKS Speedrocker mudguards are pretty tight now but I only attach the fenders during wet weather!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Replacing Bent Derailleur Hanger

It went fast. I rode to the Specialized LBS of my preference. The required derailleur hanger was in stock. It took the technician 10 minutes to replace the part and re-adjust the derailleur. I paid PLN139 (USD35) for the part and the work.

Now, the gear shifting is crisp and precise!

On the way to the LBS.

Post repair, Specialized Warsaw.

A reward for hard pedalling!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

How I converted a Vado SL 4.0 EQ to be a sporty, gravel capable e-bike

It took me a lot of time to eventually have determined my actual needs related to the Vado SL. Now, it is my big Vado 6.0 to serve tasks such as grocery shopping, and my Vado SL is only for recreation.

• Removed the mudguards (fenders) and the rear rack. In case of need, I just strap the SKS Speedrockers onto the e-bike.
• Removed the tail-light and replaced it with a rechargeable one from Knog.
• Went with a 11-speed drivetrain, Shimano M5100 groupset.
• Went with a 36T chainring. It limits my top speed to some 32 km/h (20 mph) but come on, I prefer a great climbing capability and good assist in rough terrain to speed.
• Installed Specialized Tracer Pro 42-622 tyres tubeless.
• Redshift ShockStop stem 100 mm/-6 deg. Plus a Computer (Wahoo) and a Utility Mount from the same brand.
• Added SQlab Innerbarends 410/402 with 710 grips.
• CrankBrothers Stamp 3 Large pedals.
• Using a Wahoo ELEMNT Roam (v2) as the universal display.

All the rest are the stock components. I am especially happy with Tektro HD290 hydraulic disk brakes and the stock Bridge Sport Saddle (it is excellent for my sporty riding position, wearing chamois).

The total mileage of my Vado SL is now 14250 km. The total e-bike weight without Range Extender is 16.70 kg (36.8 lbs).

Two major repairs:

• Replacing a worn right hand side crankarm
• Replacing a bent derailleur hanger.