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

Called crimson red tint/black reflective.
 

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Stefan Mikes said:
Congratulations! I'm so happy to hear you'll get your beautiful Vado SL soon!
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Stefan Mikes said:
@RyedaleMike, @Allan47.7339, @VoltMan99 and @Rincon: Thank you so much to make me choose Redshift ShockStop Stem for my Vado SL 4; the thing is just amazing!

View attachment 92771

The setup instruction found in the box was detailed and precise. I was following the guidelines to an iota (a YouTube video additionally helped). I chose a single blue "70" elastomer piece. Unfortunately, replacing the minimalist and elegant Specialized stem (with integrated light and computer mount) forced me to use a spare TCD/Garmin mount that came with my bike, and a GoPro mount for the Lezyne light. That made my cockpit crammed but no other option was available (at least the Lezyne light is not obscured by stiff cables now...)

The ride impressions are astounding! Whenever you ride onto any road imperfection (a small curb, cracked asphalt, paving blocks, gravel -- including the "washboard" and "crushed rock" type) you know those imperfections are there; you just feel as if you took a massive dose of strong painkiller prior to the ride! Because the ShockStop Stem is about dampening shock, not cancelling it.

Wonderful thing for the money, and far cheaper than Specialized FutureShock with CF fork... (Why would I need a CF fork?!)

P.S. No need for a stem extender. I ride my SL in a forward position and like it.
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BioWheel said:
Called crimson red tint/black reflective.
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Nice -- too bad they only make the 5.0 in brushed aluminum. So there are bosses for three bottle cages? At least then you could have the extender and still have room for two bottles, which I'd definitely want. And does the extender require a special cage of some sort, or will it work with any typical cage?
 
rochrunner said:
Nice -- too bad they only make the 5.0 in brushed aluminum. So there are bosses for three bottle cages? At least then you could have the extender and still have room for two bottles, which I'd definitely want. And does the extender require a special cage of some sort, or will it work with any typical cage?
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My 4.0 EQ has no bosses under the top tube.

Specialized Zee Cage II Left Side Loading is the dedicated one. It is because it is made the way the Range Extender can be secured against any vertical movement. Fortunately, that cage is inexpensive.

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That's interesting, didn't notice some bikes don't have them - my Vado SL 4 un-EQ, comes with the under top tube bottle bosses. Bought last Oct. Does that mean the 2021 version doesn't have any bosses there, or the unequipped models only have them?
 

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Rás Cnoic said:
Strange to differentiate this way. Seems a bit random - no mudguards but extra bottle holder!
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I would assume it has to do with purchases of the carry battery available . People complained if you carried the extended range battery you had no place for water bottles
 
Rás Cnoic said:
Yes, but why only the un equipped models?
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LOL I hear yah . I have the same issue with the light mounting on My Vado 5 . Which is supposed to be 2021. So who knows why specialize does what they do . Sometimes it makes you wonder if Bike manufacturers don't ride bikes . Look how many variants of mounting systems there are . It's utterly stupid . For example what are light manufacturers thinking when Gopro is a universal mounting system that's relatively cheap. Yet 3/4 of the lights won't work in Gopro mounts .

So to answer your question I have no idea LOL Nobody does At least they got USB Ports correct ;) You can drill your own bosses . I did it on My Trek Dual Sport . Measuring was tricky . By the actual drilling and inserting bosses was easy . Not much different then putting a lag insert in the wall of your house where no studs are . Only with bosses you make your own threads .
 
I took delivery of my Turbo Vado 5 SL EQ today. What a great experience! Specialized had the bike waiting in a fitting area. The staff spent about 2.5 hours doing registration and instruction on the bike. Then she adjusted seat and handlebars for me. A few great things that sets Specialized apart in my opinion:
  • Lifetime frame warranty
  • 2 years warranty on everything else but tires tube and saddle
  • 2 years warranty on paint (mines not painted though)
  • 2 years 24/7 road service, 3 events per year. Basically they’ll come and get you and the bike and return to home or shop for repair. 50km limit.
  • 2 years free personal casualty , life, and liability insurance
  • Optional theft and damage insurance ($10 USD/mo.)
  • 1 free FutureShock adjustment
  • 100 mile tuneup
I don’t think Giant/Trek/Merida would offer that level of services and perks.

The bike fit perfectly on the roof rack , although for extra safety I added a few bungee cords for redundancy.

Now if the torrential rain will stop so I can go for a ride!!
 
VoltMan99 said:
I took delivery of my Turbo Vado 5 SL EQ today. What a great experience! Specialized had the bike waiting in a fitting area. The staff spent about 2.5 hours doing registration and instruction on the bike. Then she adjusted seat and handlebars for me. A few great things that sets Specialized apart in my opinion:
  • Lifetime frame warranty
  • 2 years warranty on everything else but tires tube and saddle
  • 2 years warranty on paint (mines not painted though)
  • 2 years 24/7 road service, 3 events per year. Basically they’ll come and get you and the bike and return to home or shop for repair. 50km limit.
  • 2 years free personal casualty , life, and liability insurance
  • Optional theft and damage insurance ($10 USD/mo.)
  • 1 free FutureShock adjustment
  • 100 mile tuneup
I don’t think Giant/Trek/Merida would offer that level of services and perks.

The bike fit perfectly on the roof rack , although for extra safety I added a few bungee cords for redundancy.

Now if the torrential rain will stop so I can go for a ride!!
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Enjoy that bike.

I don't think my US sold Specialized carries some of those perks. Sounds like they may be a local Japanese addition or your shop provides some of them. Mine did come with a 90 day tweak things inclusion.
 
kahn said:
I don't think my US sold Specialized carries some of those perks. Sounds like they may be a local Japanese addition or your shop provides some of them. Mine did come with a 90 day tweak things inclusion.
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It must be a Japanese thing. Specialized offers a good service and warranty terms, true, but things like roadside service, free 200 km tuneup or inexpensive insurance are not offered where I live. For instance, the obligatory 200 km tuneup is to be paid for (symbolic money though).
@VoltMan99: For your own sake please register your SL at the Specialized website!
 
I'm going to be jealous of anyone who gets their new SL from now until I get mine -- next year! :mad::D

On the matter of service and perks, that is mostly dealer-dependent around here. My wife's Trek store is very accommodating, my Specialized dealer is good but not great, and the other Specialized dealer in the area is a pain to deal with.
 
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