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

[Stefan Mikes]

Vado SL in Death Valley Natl Park last week:

I'm jealous, Mr. e-levity! Seeing the Death Valley is my dream that won't come true! (Good I can see your pictures riding there!)

 

[e-levity]

I'm jealous, Mr. e-levity! Seeing the Death Valley is my dream that won't come true! (Good I can see your pictures riding there!)

Come visit California, Stefan!

We can arrange a bike for you and point you in the right direction any time of year.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Come visit California, Stefan!

We can arrange a bike for you and point you in the right direction any time of year.

I don't think it is practical anymore... Were I ten years younger, I'd try that.
Thank you for your offer!

 

[Allan47.7339]

I saw that last week when I was searching online. I guess this does not replace the seat post clamp but slides below the OEM clamp?
When I measured the seat post collar it was appox 31 mm. The OEM existing clamp is labeled as 30.8.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/specialized-rear-rack-seat-collar/p/155736?color=228429-155736&searchText=S184700001&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=US_Branded_PMax Shopping_EQApparel_ROI&utm_id=21356481070&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-JG5BhBZEiwAt7JR650_4KiZZVgydeYUPgfgUkyD4IwoIArK3nJyOKVCH7C0XKmC14zomxoCZHcQAvD_BwE

It replaces the existing seat clamp. I use one on my Creo to attach a GoPro fitting. My existing clamp was labelled 30.8 and this clamp fits.

 

[Jay Gee]

My wife recently purchased a Turbo Vado SL 4.0 and it also has the front reflector mounted on top of the light. It didn't make sense to have a reflector on top of a light and went to remove it.
It appears if I remove the reflector the mount will not hold the light tight. Decided to leave it. With a hex key I did snug up the light and reflector. Both were loose.
I'm new to the site and working my way through this thread before doing a Introduction post.

I had the LBS remove the front reflector (along with the spoke protector, the chainring guard, and reflectors on the wheels) before taking delivery. They used spacers on the headlight mount to compensate for the absence of the reflector. You probably can find washers at a hardware/building supply store that will do the trick.

 

[GAJ]

I don't think it is practical anymore... Were I ten years younger, I'd try that.
Thank you for your offer!

Just tell the truth as you are active and hardly old.

You no longer have the desire to travel overseas even if it involves your favorite recreational activity.

That is my assumption anyway.

I lived in four different countries in my first 10 years of life, and another in my High School years and my wanderlust is minimal as a result.

Brazil, Colombia, UK, US and then Belgium in HS.

Parents from the UK, Dad was international business mucky muck.

 

[Lee F]

I'll try a nylon washer for the headlight.
I was surprised her bike did not have a rear or wheel reflectors. Didn't need those, already have a coffee can full on them

I was quoting Jay Gee. There was no quote option.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You no longer have the desire to travel overseas even if it involves your favorite recreational activity.

There's something in what you say, @GAJ. If I could just snap my fingers and find myself in CA (with a necessary decrease of my bank account of course), I'd love to be there. On the other hand, the best dreams are ones you are still dreaming, innit

My favourite land now is Ireland. Too many things to still see there, one international and one regional flight (still within the EU!) and I can enjoying e-biking there with no fuss!

 

[GAJ]

There's something in what you say, @GAJ. If I could just snap my fingers and find myself in CA (with a necessary decrease of my bank account of course), I'd love to be there. On the other hand, the best dreams are ones you are still dreaming, innit

My favourite land now is Ireland. Too many things to still see there, one international and one regional flight (still within the EU!) and I can enjoying e-biking there with no fuss!

Never mind that more folks I know who travel catch Covid.

Haven't caught it myself despite annual trips to Ashland Oregon for the Shakespeare Festival and to New Orleans.

 

[Lee F]

Never mind that more folks I know who travel catch Covid.

Haven't caught it myself despite annual trips to Ashland Oregon for the Shakespeare Festival and to New Orleans.

We take a lot of motorcycle trips and never caught it. We never fly. Probably easy to catch it on a plane.

 

[GAJ]

We take a lot of motorcycle trips and never caught it. We never fly. Probably easy to catch it on a plane.

Nice, those days are behind me.

This week I need to run the F800ST and get most of the old gas out of the tank by putting some maintenance miles on it.

Haven't ridden it at all in 18 months; at 68 I lost the "bug" a few years ago after deciding 2 wheel time on a bicycle was better for me as I head towards 70.

Loved riding though; started in 1972 on a Honda SS50 in Belgium while in High School.

Still wish I had the bike to be honest.

 

[Lee F]

I learned a lot from this thread. Thanks everyone.
Yesterday I learned about the derailleur clutch. After seeing it mentioned I Googled it, then went out and found it on Deb's bike.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I learned a lot from this thread. Thanks everyone.
Yesterday I learned about the derailleur clutch. After seeing it mentioned I Googled it, then went out and found it on Deb's bike.

Is this a Shimano or a SRAM? Shimano derailleur has the clutch. SRAM only has a button to lock the derailleur for rear wheel removal.

 

[Lee F]

Is this a Shimano or a SRAM? Shimano derailleur has the clutch. SRAM only has a button to lock the derailleur for rear wheel removal.

Her bike has the spring loaded pin or button.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Her bike has the spring loaded pin or button.

Eh, well, it could be the SRAM and it is not the clutch. Shimano clutch has a little grey lever.

 

[Lee F]

Nice, those days are behind me.

This week I need to run the F800ST and get most of the old gas out of the tank by putting some maintenance miles on it.

Haven't ridden it at all in 18 months; at 68 I lost the "bug" a few years ago after deciding 2 wheel time on a bicycle was better for me as I head towards 70.

Loved riding though; started in 1972 on a Honda SS50 in Belgium while in High School.

Still wish I had the bike to be honest.

We're also BMW riders. We started riding in 1977 with Debbie on the back, then in 1988 she started riding her own bike, a BMW K75T. She rode it to Alaska that year.
Since then we both have had 1991 K75Ss, 2003 K1200RSs, 2011 K1300Ss, 2016 R1200RSs and now 2022 R1250RS.
I'm 69 and she's 68. She's be done riding soon because of arthritis and some tendon problems. She does not seem to be interested in going back to riding two up.

 

[Lee F]

Eh, well, it could be the SRAM and it is not the clutch. Shimano clutch has a little grey lever.

That's correct. At first I was looking for a lever like Shimano has, then I spotted the pin.
Here's the video I watched.

"

 

[Stefan Mikes]

While the clutch can be valuable in a rough terrain, it is all in all the good chainring that holds the chain in place!

 

[GAJ]

We're also BMW riders. We started riding in 1977 with Debbie on the back, then in 1988 she started riding her own bike, a BMW K75T. She rode it to Alaska that year.
Since then we both have had 1991 K75Ss, 2003 K1200RSs, 2011 K1300Ss, 2016 R1200RSs and now 2022 R1250RS.
I'm 69 and she's 68. She's be done riding soon because of arthritis and some tendon problems. She does not seem to be interested in going back to riding two up.

Loved my 1987 K75S, sadly totaled by a wily left turner in 2006; made the mistake of taking my eyes of her wheels.

Here's when I had four bikes; down to one so the 1994 Miata can keep the bike and the Turbo Vado SL 5.0 company in the garage....and my old Schwinn Super Sport.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Surprised to find yesterday — while trying to clean and lube the SL's chain for the first time — that turning the pedals backwards doesn't move the chain. (Guess you can tell that this is my first mid-drive.)

Q1. Any easy way to do this task without a repair stand or hoist?

Q2. Any compelling reason to use something other than Rock N Roll Gold for both cleaning and lubrication?

Dealer told me yesterday that I should do this weekly in this sandy, salty environment. But realistically, the ONLY way for me to get this job done anywhere close to weekly is to keep it really simple. (I have an unused Park Tool chain degreaser gathering dust if that's a clue.)

Thanks!