ActionJackson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Asia
- City
- Tokyo
They registered it for me on an iPad app at the store, plus did the required road sticker registration.
Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)
- Thread starter Stefan Mikes
- Start date
ActionJackson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Asia
- City
- Tokyo
Yes thanks, it’s also in the owners book. I’m getting my old iPhone battery serviced at the moment so I can dedicate it to the bike. Once I install Mission Control I will go back to Specialized and she’ll explain it to me.
ActionJackson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Asia
- City
- Tokyo
Hi, The MSRP I paid through Specialized was actually a bit cheaper than an LBS authorized dealer because Specialized picked up the tab for road sticker registration.
HUGE difference between 5.0 and 4.0!
FutureShock + Carbon Fork
12 speed vs 10 speed
Deore XT vs Deore Shifter and Derailleur
Higher grade cassette
Shimano Chain
Carbon seatpost (EQ only)
Better rims
Higher spec Tektro brakes
Higher spec headlight
Higher spec saddle
5 cassette is 10-45t vs 4 cassette at 11-42t. 5 is faster by a bit and a bit more torque on a given grade at a given cadence. Doesn’t seem like a huge difference until you’re passing up a rider on a 4
In my opinion it’s an entirely different bike and great value. You can compare side by side on the website:
Product Compare
There is a detailed document describing max loads on the bike, also one specific to child carriers. I will look today. Note the carrier is a bit special because it’s integrated with the fenders on the EQ version. I’m not sure you’d need to change the rack though - it’s racktime compatible btw. Also rear wheel cargo limit is 55lbs/25kg.
Update: @aj1 - OK I had a look at the child seat addendum. Basically it’s a few warnings and disclaimers saying legally the bike was designed for one person and you assume all the risk. Also apparently the carrier/rear rack can carry 25 kg max rated. So really it’s just a matter of how you would go about mounting the child carrier.
Last edited:
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I agree Voltman. The thing is I already own the highest specced "big" Vado. Now, I have reached some state of modesty and started thinking what would be the best for me as the next e-bike. Vado SL 4.0 EQ was my choice, with the intention to upgrade it.
Having said the above, I'm not against someone buying the creme of the creme
Calcoaster
Active Member
- Region
- USA
The (US) Specialized website says the Vado SL 5 has a carbon seatpost but the one I saw at the bike shop had an alloy post. I checked with Specialized and they said it was a mistake and they would edit it. Still says carbon after 2 weeks.
I’ve read very good reviews of the cannondale save seatpost. It flexes 20 mm but looks like a standard post.
I’ve read very good reviews of the cannondale save seatpost. It flexes 20 mm but looks like a standard post.
ActionJackson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Asia
- City
- Tokyo
Mine has carbon. Looking closely it looks like it’s only on the EQ.
ActionJackson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Asia
- City
- Tokyo
Been there done that. Had to blow on a spirometer for 6 months. I think in the end my lung capacity was better than before my ribs problem, so it’s definitely a worthwhile investment.
ActionJackson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Asia
- City
- Tokyo
Still rainy season here so still bound into the garage with no bike outing yet. New bike waiting to roll:
BMX alloy bars I had installed to get fully upright:
BMX alloy bars I had installed to get fully upright:
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Congratulations, Voltman!
ActionJackson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Asia
- City
- Tokyo
My new SL 5 EQ (L) has bosses on top tube as well.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
News!
Dadelo, a Polish company that owns a large online bike store, has created their own brand EYEN. As I shop at Dadelo store often, I spotted an EYEN dual Garmin/GoPro mount there. Bought it, collected, installed. At last my Bike looks decent!
Dadelo, a Polish company that owns a large online bike store, has created their own brand EYEN. As I shop at Dadelo store often, I spotted an EYEN dual Garmin/GoPro mount there. Bought it, collected, installed. At last my Bike looks decent!
Last edited:
Rincon
Well-Known Member
It works for me. What doesn’t work is BLEvo and Mission Control simultaneously.
Cramer Long
Active Member
- Region
- USA
What mount is that ? I'm a little confused : I thought I saw somewhere that the TCD has a permanent mount SO obviously that's wrong ? Also if you got a rokform Stem mount you could move your phone right below the other stuff .News!
View attachment 93177
Dadelo, a Polish company that owns a large online bike store, has created their own brand EYEN. As I shop at Dadelo store often, I spotted an EYEN dual Garmin/GoPro mount there. Bought it, collected, installed. At last my Bike looks decent!
Maybe not for u ?
Rincon
Well-Known Member
Augmenting it with a ShockStop seat post would be great. Adding a ShockStop stem on top of a Future Shock would not be great. It would be a hot mess. They would interfere with each other.
Last edited:
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Eyen Mount Duo. Probably only available in Poland.
There are two different displays by similar names.
TCD is an optional, portable, and wireless display for Levo, Kenevo, and all SL e-bikes;
TCD-w is the obligatory, fixed and wired display of Vado and Como.
While you can place the wireless TCD anywhere on the handlebars (or not use it at all), the wired TCD-w has to stay in the mount at the stem because of the way its cables are routed.
Not every product available in North America is available overseas. I'm happy with the Spigen MF-100 mount for smartphones (it is a distant cousin of Quadlock).Also if you got a rokform Stem mount you could move your phone right below the other stuff .
ActionJackson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Asia
- City
- Tokyo
Stems - Well, actually I don’t know. Mechanically it’s a bit complicated. FutureShock is an axial loaded spring with vertical travel, works to some extent even without your hands on the bars because it’s preloaded by the bolt and the weight of the bike + rider already. Whereas the ShockStop stem is a horizontal cantilever with radial movement and is only loaded according to how much weight is placed on the free ends. I don’t think anybody can definitely say how they’ll interoperate until it’s tried or modeled. It’s pretty cheap to get the stem combo with seatpost too . If I decide on the seat post I might try it!
BioWheel
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
I have to argue against all this shock absorption. I like to lift my bike front tire and drop it an inch to see it bounce a bit. That means it's light weight bike to me. And non-shock bikes are more like the bike I rode as a kid - nothing fancy, all arms. Heavy bikes are plushy. The SL is a stallion. Ride accordingly. 
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Riding rough is the domain of youth. Nowadays, youngsters prefer gravel bikes to full suspension MTBs because (as they say) "riding the full is boring; riding rough means fun". Young body is supple and can stand a lot to experience more fun. None of us will get any younger though.I have to argue against all this shock absorption. I like to lift my bike front tire and drop it an inch to see it bounce a bit. That means it's light weight bike to me. And non-shock bikes are more like the bike I rode as a kid - nothing fancy, all arms. Heavy bikes are plushy. The SL is a stallion. Ride accordingly.
For me, it was not OK to ride on even slightly cracked asphalt and having had my head shaken. Or, riding over a short curb or a speed-bump and yell from pain in my lower back. I think I can deserve some comfort in my age.
Zooming on "fully suspended" Vado SL means a lot of pleasure. You're riding on rough asphalt, you don't suffer but rather enjoy how the suspension works for you. Riding at full speed onto the speed bump faster than any car could -- painlessly -- is true fun for me.
A riding buddy of mine is a dedicated gravel cyclist. Recently, he asked me of my honest opinion on Redshift ShockStop stem. He's not getting any younger either although he's only in his late forties.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Voltman: The thing is the harmonic oscillations created by two different suspension systems used together are hard to predict and might lead to not only worse vibration dampening but also make your ride unstable. The intention of a suspension designer is to make something that works well on its own. (You don't want to create a pogo-stick at your bike's front, do you).
Just ride your SL 5.0 with Future Shock and enjoy how good it works! (Because I'm sure it is an excellent product). Suspension post is a good idea unless your existing one is made of carbon fibre. In the latter case be aware CF has very good shock absorbing properties itself.
ActionJackson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Asia
- City
- Tokyo
Yes I’ll try that first of course, however curiosity will get the best of me eventually
Similar threads
