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

[Stefan Mikes]

Stefan you made me realise I should have drunk a lot more of that spa water in Karlovy Vary it might have helped my brain!! My visit there was on a tour to Prague then back along the Elbe River not to the Black Sea… that was a different trip.

If that helps, I was to Constanta as well

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Dickhead... Don't try and justify your bullshit question mark reply now, and without referencing a single thing I said... Get to f*ck.

I hope that helps.

I'm failing to see what makes you rage - and this is such a boring unimportant topic to have a meltdown about.

Maybe take your unresolved anger issues over to Twitter where I'm sure they'll enjoy it more. But not here.

 

[2wheelsgood]

I feel I need to clarify that I have no problem with Balfes Bikes, they were certainly easy to deal with when I purchased the bike and the price of the bike was cheaper than anywhere else as well. The free 6 week check was done expertly as well I felt.

The email I got suggested that they recommend a service every 3-6 months:

Direct quote:

We hope you've been keeping well! This is just a quick reminder that we recommend a service every 3-6 months to keep your bike running at it's best. Below you'll find a summary of the services we offer - if you'd like to book in then please use our online booking service to find your nearest store and check availability.

They then listed two services: a general service at £150 and a full service at £210.

Given that my bike looks and feels like brand new, I do not think I will bother with a service until 12 months have passed (although I will have to look at the small print on the warranty)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I have ridden my Vado SL for 10,000 miles since June 23rd, 2021:

As other people rode my Fearless, too, the total mileage is greater:

 

[Watana Bob]

Wow, that is serious milage Stefan, not to mention that you have another bike to keep busy as well. You have officially achieved non-human status

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I have ridden my Vado SL for 10,000 miles since June 23rd, 2021:
View attachment 188111

As other people rode my Fearless, too, the total mileage is greater:
View attachment 188112

Very impressive! Current Fearless photo to go with this milestone, please — preferably something representative of the way it's now ridden.

Fearless has some resonance with the SL. If you ignore the specs and feed it a cadence it can work with without being in too much of a hurry, seems like it'll take on whatever you ask of it.

Still trying to decide what to call mine. Maybe Chiquita.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Here you are!

Originally EQ, de-equipped, gravelized, once mountainized, winterized, re-equipped...

Why Fearless? It was June 12th, 2021 when I rented a Vado SL 4.0 size L for a demo ride. 33 km of the ride were sunny and extremely pleasant... (24 C).

However, the remaining 9 km felt tragically. It was a complete turn of the weather. The temperature suddenly dropped, I was met by a massive headwind, and it was hail in the form of microscopic needles cutting my body, especially the cheeks! Yet Vado SL brought me through all of this, and I even reached Specialized Warsaw before closing at 14:00!

I bought my Vado SL 11 days later and was thinking about naming the e-bike. As I could notice the bike (despite its low power motor) could carry me through any adversity, it became Fearless

There is a story behind the name! A long time ago, I was on one of my business trips to the U.S. A man in the U.S. company (we work together until this day) asked me if I liked reading, and what type of literature I was into. I said SF. It turned out he was into SF, too. We went in a bookstore by Starbucks in Texas (Starbucks was a new thing then!) and he introduced me to the prose of one David Weber. It was a series of Honor Harrington, a female officer in a space navy. I was totally bought and read all Weber's books when back to Poland. Incidentally, the first space warship commanded by Captain Harrington was a light cruiser HMS Fearless...

I bought the book in 2000, I think.

On the finish line of 2023 Mazovian Gravel race, 263 km. Multiple Range Extenders and recharging overnight.

 

[BritishC]

Hi Vado SL forum.

I recently purchased a Vado SL this December as they were on a deep discount sale (presumably to make way for the new models).

Really like the concept of a light, moderate-powered, e-bike and have had my eye on a Vado SL for a couple of years.

Love the bike so far but I am seeking some initial set up advice.

I bought the bike from a authorized Specialized dealer who is not in my area. This was a mistake and I would not do that again (buy local or from Specialized direct). The bike has a manufacture date of Nov 2021, so it's very old stock.

I'm not concerned about the age of the bike but the age of the battery gives me pause. Anyone know how the dealers the manage batteries in these bike before sale? A lithium battery will self-discharge over a year or so and they like to be stored at some mid-point charge level (30-70% for eg). to not damage them in long term. I can't see dealers taking bikes out of their boxes to do this maitenance. Do they store the batteries separate from the bikes and assemble them before shipping?

Also, my TCU dates back to 2021. I see that Mission Control has been discontinued. Looking into this, I understand the new Specialized App that replaces it blocks access to 3rd party apps. Given my 3+ year old battery, I would like an app that can give good information on the batteries BMS info ( health, temperature, capacity loss over time). I have heard the new Spec. app is not great in this regard and alternatives like BLEvo are better (although BLEvo 's web site does not claim to support the Vado SL - i think some here are using it anyway?).

Thanks for any help or info you can provide.

BC

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I bought the bike from a authorized Specialized dealer who is not in my area. This was a mistake and I would not do that again (buy local or from Specialized direct). The bike has a manufacture date of Nov 2021, so it's very old stock.

I'm not concerned about the age of the bike but the age of the battery gives me pause. Anyone know how the dealers the manage batteries in these bike before sale? A lithium battery will self-discharge over a year or so and they like to be stored at some mid-point charge level (30-70% for eg). to not damage them in long term. I can't see dealers taking bikes out of their boxes to do this maitenance. Do they store the batteries separate from the bikes and assemble them before shipping?

Welcome! My SL 5.0 (with the Mastermind TCU) was manufactured in October, 2022. Mine was in a carton in a warehouse till shipped to fulfill my order through a local Specialized store. Called Specialized tech support and my dealer with the same battery ageing question.

Same response from both: Battery was stored in a "dormant state" till the dealer set it up for me. Neither could tell me exactly what that meant, but both said the battery didn't age in any meaningful way during that time. When I expressed skepticism, both pointed out that brand new batteries carry the same warranty as mine.

Perhaps others can help with your TCU question.

If you get a chance, post some photos of your bike or the places you ride. My 3 favorite forum threads are the ones for sharing ride photos.

2024 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

Well, we took a bit of a pounding in 2023. Richard Friedman (Alaskan) and then Alan Hicks are gone and missed by many of us. Dave Berry stepped off the stage over a year ago, whereabouts unknown… the hugely popular Dallant has been missing in action for a couple of years now. There are others...

forums.electricbikereview.com

Show us pictures of where you ride your ebikes!

This is around in the Pacific Northwest, Washington State

forums.electricbikereview.com

SHOW us YOUR PIX here .... Odd, WeiRd ,UnUSuAl or EyE CaTchIng things from your rides

I can't wait

forums.electricbikereview.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Also, my TCU dates back to 2021. I see that Mission Control has been discontinued. Looking into this, I understand the new Specialized App that replaces it blocks access to 3rd party apps. Given my 3+ year old battery, I would like an app that can give good information on the batteries BMS info ( health, temperature, capacity loss over time). I have heard the new Spec. app is not great in this regard and alternatives like BLEvo are better (although BLEvo 's web site does not claim to support the Vado SL - i think some here are using it anyway?).

Is your Vado SL the Gen 1 (the TCU on the top tube displaying bars) or Mastermind (the one with digits?)

 

[BritishC]

Is your Vado SL the Gen 1 (the TCU on the top tube displaying bars) or Mastermind (the one with digits?)

My TCU is the Gen 1 version, with the bars for the display (not the digits). I should have mention that this is Vado SL 4.0 manufacture date of Nov 2021.

 

[BritishC]

Welcome! My SL 5.0 (with the Mastermind TCU) was manufactured in October, 2022. Mine was in a carton in a warehouse till shipped to fulfill my order through a local Specialized store. Called Specialized tech support and my dealer with the same battery ageing question.

Same response from both: Battery was stored in a "dormant state" till the dealer set it up for me. Neither could tell me exactly what that meant, but both said the battery didn't age in any meaningful way during that time. When I expressed skepticism, both pointed out that brand new batteries carry the same warranty as mine.

Perhaps others can help with your TCU question.

If you get a chance, post some photos of your bike or the places you ride. My 3 favorite forum threads are the ones for sharing ride photos.

2024 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

Well, we took a bit of a pounding in 2023. Richard Friedman (Alaskan) and then Alan Hicks are gone and missed by many of us. Dave Berry stepped off the stage over a year ago, whereabouts unknown… the hugely popular Dallant has been missing in action for a couple of years now. There are others...

forums.electricbikereview.com

Show us pictures of where you ride your ebikes!

This is around in the Pacific Northwest, Washington State

forums.electricbikereview.com

SHOW us YOUR PIX here .... Odd, WeiRd ,UnUSuAl or EyE CaTchIng things from your rides

I can't wait

forums.electricbikereview.com

Thanks Jeremy for your sharing your experience with the battery age question. That's the response I would expect from Specialized (and it's somewhat understandable). I thought there was chance the batteries were installed by the bike shops as part of the initial setup and commissioning process. But your reply makes this very unlikely.

I would feel more comfortable, if like your bike, this had been stored with Specialized in thier warehousing, but unfortunalty, my bike was shipped from a 3rd party dealer in Austin TX ( I live in the Pacific North West) so the battery's history is a real mystery. None of this was disclosed to me when I bought the bike from the dealer. They said it was coming from Specialized.

I'll get some pictures out with the bike when we get some good weather here and post to the forum.

Thanks agian.

BC

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@BritishC: No worries then.

First of all, BLEvo will work with your Vado SL. I am a prime case of that as I have used BLEvo since the purchase of my Gen 1 Vado in 2021.
Secondly, Specialized App will not block BLEvo but you need to meet two conditions:

• Never ever let Specialized App become the Companion App. If prompted, decline. If you have already allowed that, uninstall Specialized App and re-install it
• BLEvo or Specialized App can only work one at a time.

BLEvo.

Specialized App. (I do not use Specialized App for ride recording, hence only 10 rides shown in SA. The actual mileage is well over 16,000 km).

Note: My Vado SL has been in use since 23rd June 2021.

 

[Ebikelife72]

I was at a very nice Specialized store today and saw several Vado SL2’s. Wow, are they ugly in person. I didn’t like any of the satin colors and the downtubes are just too big looking. They look too much like the full powered Vado, but the full powered model looks a lot better. The original SL is much more elegant looking. I appreciate the larger battery but I would’ve preferred if they would’ve just used the SL 1.2 motor on the old frame with the 320wh battery. I like the utility of the SL2 and it’s improved cargo carrying ability but that’s about it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I was at a very nice Specialized store today and saw several Vado SL2’s. Wow, are they ugly in person. I didn’t like any of the satin colors and the downtubes are just too big looking. They look too much like the full powered Vado, but the full powered model looks a lot better. The original SL is much more elegant looking. I appreciate the larger battery but I would’ve preferred if they would’ve just used the SL 1.2 motor on the old frame with the 320wh battery. I like the utility of the SL2 and it’s improved cargo carrying ability but that’s about it.

I wonder if and how well these new SL2s would sell. It is unusual for a corporation to admit a mistake and go back to a good product unless you are Coca-Cola and have just released New Coke A good example of a corporation that had made a big mistake and has never rectified the error is Nestle with Nescafe Gold. Once the best instant coffee, it was spoilt by adding ground coffee. The brand fans as myself stopped buying the new Gold but the Swiss concern has never returned to the good product...

As it is now, Specialized has no fitness e-bike in the offer.

 

[BritishC]

@BritishC: No worries then.

First of all, BLEvo will work with your Vado SL. I am a prime case of that as I have used BLEvo since the purchase of my Gen 1 Vado in 2021.
Secondly, Specialized App will not block BLEvo but you need to meet two conditions:

• Never ever let Specialized App become the Companion App. If prompted, decline. If you have already allowed that, uninstall Specialized App and re-install it
• BLEvo or Specialized App can only work one at a time.

View attachment 188211
BLEvo.

View attachment 188212
Specialized App. (I do not use Specialized App for ride recording, hence only 10 rides shown in SA. The actual mileage is well over 16,000 km).

Note: My Vado SL has been in use since 23rd June 2021.

Thanks Stefan.

I have not loaded the Specialized app yet, because I did not want to be lock in to thier software. Good to know I can do a reset, if i want to try it out.

As you advised, I did get BLEvo to work on my bike, no problem.

I note that my screens look a bit different than your example above. I see BLEvo has some upgrades and add ons so this may be the difference.

BC

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thanks Stefan.

I have not loaded the Specialized app yet, because I did not want to be lock in to thier software. Good to know I can do a reset, if i want to try it out.

As you advised, I did get BLEvo to work on my bike, no problem.

I note that my screens look a bit different than your example above. I see BLEvo has some upgrades and add ons so this may be the difference.

BC

You are certainly using iPhone; I use Android

As you can see, your battery is as good as new!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Put 100 mi on my SL 5.0 EQ in the week ending last Sunday and passed the 1,000 mi and 4 month mark somewhere along the way.

No big deal for most of our SL riders, I'm sure, but would never have imagined hitting such benchmarks at this age and stage in my return to cycling. I guess a natural result of having a bike that just begs to be ridden.

However, mine's not the only yellow Specialized ebike in the neighborhood now. Spotted what I think was a Como in a cold bright yellow on today's dog walk. May have seen a Como in this yellow in a review once, but it isn't offered on the Specialized site now.

Speaking of the Specialized web site, looks like they've recategorized their ebikes, with the Vados and Teros now in the "hybrid" category. The Vado SL 5.0 EQ still goes for the full price I paid for mine in September, 2024 but is now available only in size XL.

 

[JustRiding]

I was at a very nice Specialized store today and saw several Vado SL2’s. Wow, are they ugly in person. I didn’t like any of the satin colors and the downtubes are just too big looking. They look too much like the full powered Vado, but the full powered model looks a lot better. The original SL is much more elegant looking. I appreciate the larger battery but I would’ve preferred if they would’ve just used the SL 1.2 motor on the old frame with the 320wh battery. I like the utility of the SL2 and it’s improved cargo carrying ability but that’s about it.

Thanks for sharing your experience. That's what i thought too when looking at the online description of the SL2. Looks like a full e-bike (but isn't), weights despite the carbon frame 1,4 kgs more than my Vado SL 4.0 EQ, ugly colours except for the limited special edition, and to top this, wider tires that slow this thing down and double the price of my current bike. I actually thought to maybe by a new Vado SL once it gets released but after having seen these specs and the hefty price tag, I won't do it. Will continue to ride my current bike and maybe one day buy a full Vado or switch to another brand for again a real e-bike hybrid like my current one. I still doubt this SL2 will sell well. People that want full power won't buy it - especially with this price tag and people looking for a light hybrid buy the old one on discount or another brand.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I feel lucky to have snagged an SL 5.0 EQ in the desired color at a local Specialized store in September, 2024. None on the Specialized site at the time, and now only in XL size. Also none in other stores then. (Dealer found mine in a Texas warehouse.) It's been full price — online, at least — since at least mid-2024.

Wonder how many new SL 5.0s there are to buy at this point? And when scarcity pricing might set in?

Have seen only this one SL2 in person, and then only in this state. Not my cup of tea, esthetically or on the specs.

As long as my old legs and knees hold out, don't want or need any more motor or battery or weight, have enough compliance now between the Future Shock 1.5 and tubeless tires on the aluminum frame, and much prefer the svelte, well-proportioned look of the SL1. Just wish I had the much more functional SL2 rack.

PS: Photo above was rejected at full size (2.1MB) but accepted at 80% size (1.4 MB). Sure wish @Admin would tell us the new size limit.