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

[Base]

I think that in the USA https://www.performancebike.com/tra....2mm-390mm-100mm-dj272100l/p1224892?v=1223770 that dropper would be the one to look for, XLC and Pro are more present in Europe that over the pond.

The first time I mounted a dropper in a bike it was for my mother in law because she needed to be able to touch the ground easily at the traffic lights etc. and with a dropper she could ride her e-bike again with her bad knee. So more or less this use case.

 

[mfgrep]

I finally bit the bullet and bought an Ortlieb Quick Rack for my non EQ Vado SL 4.0.

I had previously gone to great lengths to avoid putting a rear rack on my SL....and I even purchased myself a Vado 4.0 on steep discount last season....hoping to then have two bicycles with differing use-case scenarios.
I didn't put many miles on that big Vado 4.0 and it was collecting dust so I recently sold it to someone who will use it daily. The full power Vado is a great bike.....but I consistently rode the SL and left the big Vado in the garage and lonely. Big Vado would make for a superb commuter or errand bike.....but it lacked the fun/fitness that the SL provides.

This led me to purchase the Quick Rack for the SL.....and a couple of Ortlieb Panniers which are on the way. This will allow me to continue to use the SL for fun/fitness but will also allow me to use the SL for errands, to carry personal items on my lengthier treks, and to make many other previously impossible scenarios now possible. The Quick Rack....as Stefan had always suggested....is absolutely perfect for my needs on the SL. The rack is extremely easy/quick to go on/off the bike and when mounted is rock solid and quiet. Once I become convinced that I won't strike my heel(s) on the prospective panniers I will be more relaxed with this whole transition. I should have done this long ago but I had felt strongly that my SL should run 'naked' for the sake of my daily fitness/fun rides. Now I can run the bike naked or with rack & luggage without missing a beat and quickly transition between the two modes. I'm excited at the possibilities and for the extra time(s) in the saddle that this new capability will provide.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I should have done this long ago but I had felt strongly that my SL should run 'naked' for the sake of my daily fitness/fun rides. Now I can run the bike naked or with rack & luggage without missing a beat and quickly transition between the two modes. I'm excited at the possibilities and for the extra time(s) in the saddle that this new capability will provide.

My feelings about the SL 1 exactly.

The odd RackTime rear rack that came on my 5.0 EQ carries only a couple of elastic cinch straps for the occasional extra clothing layer. I should think about the Ortlieb Quick Rack instead.

Problem is, I still can't bring myself to leave the SL unattended, even when locked up. Unless I know I'll be with someone prepared to protect it with lethal force, I have to take the old hub-drive shopping instead.

 

[mfgrep]

My feelings about the SL 1 exactly.


The odd RackTime rear rack that came on my 5.0 EQ carries only a couple of elastic cinch straps for the occasional extra clothing layer. I should think about the Ortlieb Quick Rack instead.

Problem is, I still can't bring myself to leave the SL unattended, even when locked up. Unless I know I'll be with someone prepared to protect it with lethal force, I have to take the old hub-drive shopping instead.

To my knowledge you can use the Ortlieb (or other) panniers with that RackTime rack without any modifications whatsoever. I had that same RackTime rack (I believe) on my Vado 4.0 (non SL) and it worked great with the CoolCave panniers. The only real benefit to the Ortlieb quick rack for you is that you can entirely and quickly/easily remove the entire ortlieb quick-rack from the bike....and thus continue to run 'naked' which I likely will do 75% or > of the time.Once the rack is quickly reinstalled....bags can fly on quickly as well. Best of both worlds.

Human nature I suppose. This is my third season with the SL and I am becoming less obsessive about scratches, marks and even theft. I hadn't installed a rack for similar OCD reasons. No I don't want my bike stolen.....but given my geography and use(s) the odds are in my favor. Up to now I have never locked up my SL in public places.....but I now intend to do so.....and I don't plan on over-thinking it. I need healthy distractions in my life....my dogs and my cycling provide those distractions. If Sh$t happens then sh$t happens. I'll be as thoughtful and careful as possible while still using the bike however I please.

 

[Base]

Our bike storage look like this


So the bikes with the best locks will stay in place and also hard to pinpoint the most expensive bikes.

We also have the paid underground bike parkings at the trainstations:

And many people ride around town on 3000+ e-bikes these days. Although you would not want to leave your bike at the supermarket overnight the chance that a specc-store is robbed by eastern europe gangs ramming a big truck into the shops g=facade is a bigger problem at this moment. I think there is 0 specc shops in the benelux who have not been robbed in the last 2 years. There are even a few who have been lucky to have been visited 2 and even one 3 times


Back on the racks, I think I have just the MTB's who are ridden solely un-paved have no racks, al the other bikes have a rear rack. From the folding bikes to the E-bikes. Lightest would be the tubus fly in Ti to my tavelbike which has 2 racks who can carry up to 40kg each.

 

[mfgrep]

Our bike storage look like this


So the bikes with the best locks will stay in place and also hard to pinpoint the most expensive bikes.

We also have the paid underground bike parkings at the trainstations:

And many people ride around town on 3000+ e-bikes these days. Although you would not want to leave your bike at the supermarket overnight the chance that a specc-store is robbed by eastern europe gangs ramming a big truck into the shops g=facade is a bigger problem at this moment. I think there is 0 specc shops in the benelux who have not been robbed in the last 2 years. There are even a few who have been lucky to have been visited 2 and even one 3 times


Back on the racks, I think I have just the MTB's who are ridden solely un-paved have no racks, al the other bikes have a rear rack. From the folding bikes to the E-bikes. Lightest would be the tubus fly in Ti to my tavelbike which has 2 racks who can carry up to 40kg each.

The USA has MUCH to learn from this. Spectacular!

 

[Base]

Many highschools here are even just on bike paths so you hardly can go their by car. Most teachers ride in on bikes. So indeed, we are more used to cycling around town.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@mfgrep and @Jeremy McCreary:

Vado SL 1 EQ rear rack is flimsy, and it hates being overloaded, especially if the load is unbalanced. It is because the rack gets bent sidewise, pulling the rear fender to one side as the process. Eventually, the rack becomes bent beyond the repair. This makes the rear fender block the wheel.

However, replacing the rear rack with another type is hardly possible on the EQ. If you do so, you also need to remove the rear fender, and if you do the latter, you will have to get rid of the tail-light.

I made my EQ "naked" being fully aware what I was doing. Now, I need to use a rechargeable tail-light. The good side of that is now I can use the Ortlieb Quick Rack only when I need it. For instance, I rode to the lab on the "naked" Vado SL today to save some weight.

 

[mfgrep]

@mfgrep and @Jeremy McCreary:

Vado SL 1 EQ rear rack is flimsy, and it hates being overloaded, especially if the load is unbalanced. It is because the rack gets bent sidewise, pulling the rear fender to one side as the process. Eventually, the rack becomes bent beyond the repair.

However, replacing the rear rack with another type is hardly possible on the EQ. If you do so, you also need to remove the rear fender, and if you do the latter, you will have to get rid of the tail-light.

I made my EQ "naked" being fully aware what I was doing. Now, I need to use a rechargeable tail-light. The good side of that is now I can use the Ortlieb Quick Rack when I need it. For instance, I rode to the lab on the "naked" Vado SL today to save some weight.

Any photos of you riding to the lab naked Stefan?

 

[Base]

Wel, BuM has a nice rear light (MY~e) which you could ad to the seattube. Did you cut the rear light wite of? Or did you disconnect it an shove it back in the downtube? In the latter, you can work it up to the seatpost ond clip the wires together and use a solid cable wrap around it to at this to the seattube

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Wel, BuM has a nice rear light (MY~e) which you could ad to the seattube. Did you cut the rear light wite of? Or did you disconnect it an shove it back in the downtube? In the latter, you can work it up to the seatpost ond clip the wires together and use a solid cable wrap around it to at this to the seattube

I would have been most happy if I could determine what tail-light is used on the Vado SL 1 unequipped. As my saddle is the compatible Specialized one, there is place to install the light there.
Whatever. I just cut the wires inside the motor chamber and insulated them. My current tail-light is a Lezyne Strip Drive Pro 400+ mounted on the seat-post. I regret that purchase! The tail-light produces too strong light! (I use it in the minimal blinking mode during the day and the minimum constant light at night).

 

[Base]

SPECIALIZED Rücklicht Lezyne | S205800004

www.ebike-dresden.com

Das war das billigste und lagerend

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you so much @Base! I need to consider it.

 

[Base]

Connector Set 2

The 2-fold connectors are filled with gel, permanently gas-tight,self-sealing and suitable for a connection between two cores, each with up to max. 2.08 mm outer diameter.

supernova-lights.com

With these connectors you can connect the lights very easy and secure. Just cut al the wire flat (so no copper visible) stick them in the ports and push the collored part inwards.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I can see the Lezyne light for Specialized e-bikes has its own wires and connectors. My brother will do the work for me. First, we will open the motor chamber and drop the motor (we did it for several times). Then, we will identify what the original wires connected to and try to just connect the new light. It cannot be very hard!

Otherwise, my brother is very good with the soldering iron

 

[mfgrep]

I can see the Lezyne light for Specialized e-bikes has its own wires and connectors. My brother will do the work for me. First, we will open the motor chamber and drop the motor (we did it for several times). Then, we will identify what the original wires connected to and try to just connect the new light. It cannot be very hard!

Or.....you could simply fish the wire(s) that you previously stuffed inside the down-tube and splice the old wire to the new wire(s).....thus avoiding having to drop the motor at all!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

.thus avoiding having to drop the motor at all!

I intentionally hid the remaining wires inside the motor chamber As I said, dropping the motor is about one of the easiest things you can do about a Vado SL
Yay! If this works then I would finally own a true Vado SL unequipped!

Jason: Could you perhaps take some pictures how the light is actually mounted in the saddle? Do you use the stock Specialized Bridge Sport saddle?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Perhaps it is not clear: In the EQ, the wires do not enter the seat-tube. These go through a small hole in the back of the motor chamber and are routed along the rear fender in a sophisticated way, with use of a strong glue.

 

[mfgrep]

I intentionally hid the remaining wires inside the motor chamber As I said, dropping the motor is about one of the easiest things you can do about a Vado SL
Yay! If this works then I would finally own a true Vado SL unequipped!

Jason: Could you perhaps take some pictures how the light is actually mounted in the saddle? Do you use the stock Specialized Bridge Sport saddle?

Funny you ask. I've been thinking about replacing my saddle....but the light gives me pause. For now I continue to use the Bridge Sport saddle.
I believe that all of the modern Spesh saddles have the two threaded holes at under-side and rear to accomodate accessories (or the light).

 

[mfgrep]

Perhaps it is not clear: In the EQ, the wires do not enter the seat-tube. These go through a small hole in the back of the motor chamber and are routed along the rear fender in a sophisticated way, with use of a strong glue.

Yes....but why continue wiring it this way? Simply wire it as if it were a non EQ. The wire comes up the down-tube through the seat post and out to the top at the under-side of the seat.
If you are to re-install....I would suggest wiring it this way.