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

[Lee F]

Here's the Salsa seat post rack mount Ive used on my Vado SL for years:

Salsa Cycles | Adventure by Bike

www.salsacycles.com

Thanks
I happened to find that earlier this morning in a old thread.
A couple vendors say it can't be used as the seat post clamp. Is that true?

https://www.modernbike.com/product-2126297639?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm5e5BhCWARIsANwm06ih01jSpDJCmd0j4t60dFrWafx_SDSYna4mdhVs80iqHkSBzMJIdxQaAnP_EALw_wcB

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Not sure- don't think so. As the Vado SL comes with the inbuilt wedge I only used it as a rack mount. If I remember at the time I ordered this one because it wasn't a seat mount rather than both. The problem was most mounts I could see were combination seat clamp and rack mount & I only needed the rack mount. This Salsa one at the time (2020) was the only one I could find.

 

[Lee F]

As the Vado SL comes with the inbuilt wedge I only used it as a rack mount.

Hers is a step through and has a external clamp which goes on the frame tube and not the seat post.

 

[Lee F]

Saw this video in post # 1,576 for a Specialized seat post clamp with rack attachment. It's 30.6 mm instead of the OEM 30.8 size for the Turbo Vado SL 4.0 step through.

 

[e-levity]

Vado SL in Death Valley Natl Park last week:

Old man easily motoring up a 10% grade out of the valley

Same old man struggling to get clipped in after trying to start out on a 20% grade for a photo op

 

[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.