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

[Cramer Long]

I'm going to be jealous of anyone who gets their new SL from now until I get mine -- next year!

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.

It says you live in Michigan . So I took the Liberty to run a background check for Specialized Vado SL in Michigan Not sure of your size but this place shows they have VADO SL on the Floor . I would assume at best that it's 4 hrs drive . It said 3 on Mapquest . I am not exactly sure where you live . https://www.crosscountrycycle.com/product/specialized-turbo-vado-sl-4.0-eq-378358-1.htm Be sure to check the store COMPLETELY

 

[BioWheel]

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!!

I was told by my local LBS the motor is covered for 4 years if you use the Mission Control app to register the bike. There's a code provided you should have received with the bike and need that number for Mission Control sign up.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

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!

Yes same in U.K. 2 year warranty on parts-yes. But collecting you & bike from roadside?!! Jeepers that’s incredible! And free insurance etc? No we don’t get any of that here

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I was told by my local LBS the motor is covered for 4 years if you use the Mission Control app to register the bike. There's a code provided you should have received with the bike and need that number for Mission Control sign up.

No, it’s 2 years for all Specialized parts including the battery & motor. That’s on the Specialized Global warranty :

 

[Stefan Mikes]

At least Specialized warranty is transferable (with some limitations).

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I was told by my local LBS the motor is covered for 4 years if you use the Mission Control app to register the bike. There's a code provided you should have received with the bike and need that number for Mission Control sign up.

I was told that Specialized require that all Spesh bikes bought since July 1st, 2021 need to be registered at Specialized to keep the warranty valid.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I mean don't get me wrong two years on parts, motor and battery (up to 300 cycles) is pretty damn good. But 4 years is amazing. Or that Japanese deal is Rolls Royce level after care. Amazing.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I was told that Specialized require that all Spesh bikes bought since July 1st, 2021 need to be registered at Specialized to keep the warranty valid.

Damn. I better check I did all that ok back in October.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Before this thread I actually erroneously assumed I only got 1 year warranty on Battery & Motor and was wondering if I should think about selling my SL when warranty ran out this coming Autumn but while used prices are still high, ie before the bike got too old or got damaged outside warranty. The worldwide shortage of bikes and parts put paid to that idea and anyway I like the bike too much! But its great peace of mind to have the 2 year warranty.

 

[Cramer Long]

I mean don't get me wrong two years on parts, motor and battery (up to 300 cycles) is pretty damn good. But 4 years is amazing. Or that Japanese deal is Rolls Royce level after care. Amazing.

Most riders will buy New bikes before 300 cycles . I was going to buy an extra battery . But decided to wait until later . WHo knows where batteries will advance in a few years . Not much else they can do to refine motors . Unless they find a New Metal . But batteries are wide open

 

[kahn]

Most riders will buy New bikes before 300 cycles . I was going to buy an extra battery . But decided to wait until later . WHo knows where batteries will advance in a few years . Not much else they can do to refine motors . Unless they find a New Metal . But batteries are wide open

I don't know about buying a new bike before 300 cycles. The battery on my other e-bike which is a conversion is not doing well after two years. It has gone from approx 40+ miles to about 20+ miles.

But this battery comment did raise, once again, the question of charging these persnickety batteries.

I do to charge them after each ride since I don't know how long the next ride will be. Oh, a Creo SL. So I come home from a 20 mile ride and charge it since the next ride my be 30 or 40 miles. I don't want to be caught short. I should say that maybe it's my weight or our hilly terrain or my age but I don't get anywhere near 80 miles on the regular battery. I seem to range from 2% to 3% per mile.

Are you and others taking any special charging precautions or just charging and hopefully, there will be replacements in the future without too much problem (or as you say, maybe even better batteries).

 

[Cramer Long]

I don't know about buying a new bike before 300 cycles. The battery on my other e-bike which is a conversion is not doing well after two years. It has gone from approx 40+ miles to about 20+ miles.

But this battery comment did raise, once again, the question of charging these persnickety batteries.

I do to charge them after each ride since I don't know how long the next ride will be. Oh, a Creo SL. So I come home from a 20 mile ride and charge it since the next ride my be 30 or 40 miles. I don't want to be caught short. I should say that maybe it's my weight or our hilly terrain or my age but I don't get anywhere near 80 miles on the regular battery. I seem to range from 2% to 3% per mile.

Are you and others taking any special charging precautions or just charging and hopefully, there will be replacements in the future without too much problem (or as you say, maybe even better batteries).

I guess it depends where you live . For me at best I have 5 months of riding . If I road everyday of those 180 I'd use up 1/2 my battery in say 5 months . Realistic I ride 3 days a week that's assuming a full cycle charge everytime I ride . That's 60 cycles of average use a year . 5 years at 300 cycles . Most riders ride maybe 5 times a week But they are 10-15 mile rides . So that's a cycle maybe a cycle and a half every week. I ride 50 miles 3 times a week . That's enough for me . I like other sports and also have other obligations . There are weeks when I may go out with the wife for 10 miles after supper . But that's on a regular bike . Obviously if you are someone that riding is your thing . You'd use up more cycles . Or if you lived in a climate where you can ride year round .

I enjoy Biking . But If I have plans to Ride and someone calls who has a Softball game set yup or wants to play Golf . Those are sports I'd rather do . Plus there's always the basketball court . I know guys that all they do is ride . But they aren't into Ebikes either. I also rode dirt bikes for 40 plus years . For me an MTB is something I already experienced .

I bought an Ebike essentially so I can cover the same ground I was covering on a regular Bike and not spend the whole day doing it . Now this year found me with broken ribs . So I lost 5 weeks Actually more like 7 .

 

[kahn]

I guess it depends where you live . For me at best I have 5 months of riding . If I road everyday of those 180 I'd use up 1/2 my battery in say 5 months . Realistic I ride 3 days a week that's assuming a full cycle charge everytime I ride . That's 60 cycles of average use a year . 5 years at 300 cycles . Most riders ride maybe 5 times a week But they are 10-15 mile rides . So that's a cycle maybe a cycle and a half every week. I ride 50 miles 3 times a week . That's enough for me . I like other sports and also have other obligations . There are weeks when I may go out with the wife for 10 miles after supper . But that's on a regular bike . Obviously if you are someone that riding is your thing . You'd use up more cycles . Or if you lived in a climate where you can ride year round .

I enjoy Biking . But If I have plans to Ride and someone calls who has a Softball game set yup or wants to play Golf . Those are sports I'd rather do . Plus there's always the basketball court . I know guys that all they do is ride . But they aren't into Ebikes either. I also rode dirt bikes for 40 plus years . For me an MTB is something I already experienced .

I bought an Ebike essentially so I can cover the same ground I was covering on a regular Bike and not spend the whole day doing it . Now this year found me with broken ribs . So I lost 5 weeks Actually more like 7 .

Oh, I still day hike and during the winter, cross country ski. But lately biking has become a bit more predominant. Here, with electric socks/insoles I can ride in Winter if it is not raining. It is more whether one needs to cater carefully to these batteries as to not prematurely age or deplete them.

 

[aj1]

Read the past three pages and didn't see an answer. Hoping for some help.

1. Has anyone managed to upgrade the rear rack to something that supports more weight? Huge problem for me because I like to take my kids on rides.
2. Do people pay MSRP for these? Yes, I know they're hot but I've never bought a bike from a local bike shop.
3. 5.0 worth the price bump? Seems great but 33% more money is a big ask. I get the future shock will smooth out the ride but what do the extra speeds practically do for a bike like this? Is it that big of a deal?

Thanks so much!

 

[DaveMatthews]

Gotta say, the 2021 Giant Syncdrive Sport is amazingly quiet. Much more quiet than the 2019.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I don't know about buying a new bike before 300 cycles. The battery on my other e-bike which is a conversion is not doing well after two years. It has gone from approx 40+ miles to about 20+ miles.

But this battery comment did raise, once again, the question of charging these persnickety batteries.

I do to charge them after each ride since I don't know how long the next ride will be. Oh, a Creo SL. So I come home from a 20 mile ride and charge it since the next ride my be 30 or 40 miles. I don't want to be caught short. I should say that maybe it's my weight or our hilly terrain or my age but I don't get anywhere near 80 miles on the regular battery. I seem to range from 2% to 3% per mile.

Are you and others taking any special charging precautions or just charging and hopefully, there will be replacements in the future without too much problem (or as you say, maybe even better batteries).

No special precautions. The lads at the bike shop I bought the Vado SL said not to worry. One of them owned a Specialized emtb and said to just charge if and when needed and that it’s not like an iPhone battery. So far after 8 months and we’ll over 1000 miles the battery is still at 100% no degradation yet. Can’t remember how many cycles I’ve used but it’s low.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Read the past three pages and didn't see an answer. Hoping for some help.

1. Has anyone managed to upgrade the rear rack to something that supports more weight? Huge problem for me because I like to take my kids on rides.

I have no answer to that.

2. Do people pay MSRP for these? Yes, I know they're hot but I've never bought a bike from a local bike shop.

Specialized is the brand operating on the distributor - dealer principle. MSRP is used to avoid price war among brand dealers. A dealer may give a discount, say 5-10% max. depending on the circumstances; I got 5% discount on Vado SL based on the fact it was a 2020 display e-bike (not a demo bike).

3. 5.0 worth the price bump? Seems great but 33% more money is a big ask. I get the future shock will smooth out the ride but what do the extra speeds practically do for a bike like this? Is it that big of a deal?
Thanks so much!

It's depending. You get not only FutureShock but also a carbon fibre fork (both items belong together). You also get better drivetrain and brakes. FutureShock + CF fork cost around US$850. It all depends on what you really want. I could have made the upgrade to FutureShock + CF fork and get aesthetic e-bike with clean cockpit. I paid around US$200 to get Redshift ShockStop suspension stem. As the outcome, my cockpit has become crammed... Still, I believe the 5.0 is priced too high.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Damn. I better check I did all that ok back in October.

No need to worry as you warranty started before 1st of July 2021. Although it is nothing wrong with registering your Specialized e-bike.

 

[Cramer Long]

I was told that Specialized require that all Spesh bikes bought since July 1st, 2021 need to be registered at Specialized to keep the warranty valid.

Stephan, Can you shed some light of experience on Handle Bars . Since you have a Regular Vado (With a Riser) and Now a Vado L . Along with an EMTB with Wider Handlebars . Do you see Wider Bars on a Vado of either type as an advantage . Like they are on a Mountain Bike Would appreciate your input . I tried a Par of the Sqlab and didn't feel they did anything other then spread my hands farther apart . Which seems awkward on a Road type Bike like the Vados are. Especially in an Upright Riding Position

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Cramer,
The typical width of MTB bars is 780-800 mm, meaning "very wide". As long an MTB is used properly, that is, on a mountain trail or single-track, very wide handlebars are beneficial. First of all, these allow leaning forward, which helps during steep climbs (the rider does often not need to stand on the pedals). Wide bars make an MTB more maneuverable, too.

Vado and Vado SL handlebar width is 680 mm, and it is very proper for that kind of e-bikes, especially after the bars have been raised. I see no point in shortening these bars, although some people do it. Now: If you wanted to ride upright, you should have bought Como or Como SL. Vado/Vado SL with raised bars allow the Moderate riding position; normal riding position on these e-bikes is Forward, which helps riding fast because of less air drag. NB: I'm not raising the bars on my Vado SL, and ride Forward. I lost body mass and such riding position is acceptable for me now.