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

[JeffC57]

Screw it. When I'm out on my Vado 4SL I don't see this spreadsheet. Love everything about my bike and doubt the 5 would deliver any more dopamine/mile. Go bike.

I bought my Vado 5 SL EQ because of one very important reason-My LBS had one in stock in my size. If the Vado 4 SL would have been available I probably would have bought it but we were up to our eyeballs in pandemic s**t so I got what I could find. No regrets as waiting to save some money was not a good choice for me.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

BioWheel: I'm really sensitive to road bumps. I also ride a lot in mixed terrain (and you probably experience no sandy roads where you live but I do). The list of upgrades is for the things I have found necessary to install to enjoy long rides instead of suffering. (Just to explain my actions).

Now, I have been spoilt with my Vado's 11-speed cassette that truly allows me maintaining my favourite cadence under any circumstances. I simply need a similar experience with my Vado SL.

 

[ActionJackson]

New models of bikes being released on Specialized website today. Mostly updates but no photos yet. Updated specs for Turbo Vado SL 5 EQ are below. Most importantly for me the price jumped up about US$750!


Technical Specifications

FRAMESET

Fork-Future Shock 1.5, Boost™ 12x110mm thru-axle, flat mount disc, carbon fork



Seat Binder-Integrated w/ frame



Frame-E5 Aluminum, bottom bracket motor mount, fully integrated downtube battery, internal cable routing, fender and front rack mounts, Smooth Welds



COCKPIT

Stem-Specialized Stealth Stem, alloy, 14 deg, 31.8mm, integrated TCD mount



Handlebars-Stout Mini Rise, alloy, 9-degree backsweep, 15mm rise, 31.8mm



Tape-Specialized Body Geometry Contour, lock-on



Saddle/Bridge Sport, hollow cr-mo rails, 155mm



SeatPost-Specialized, alloy, 2-bolt, 12.5mm offset, 30.9mm



BRAKES

Front Brake-Tektro HD-R510, hydraulic disc, 160mm



Rear Brake-Tektro HD-R510, hydraulic disc, 160mm



DRIVETRAIN

Rear Derailleur-Shimano XT, Shadow Plus, SGS Cage, 12-speed



Shift Levers-Shimano SLX, Rapidfire Plus, 12-speed, w/o OGD



Cassette-Shimano SLX, Hyperglide+, 12-speed, 10-45t



Chain-Shimano SLX, 12-speed, w/Quick Link



Crankset-Praxis, Forged alloy M30, custom offset



Chainrings-Praxis, 46T, 110BCD



ACCESSORIES

Pedals-Specialized Commuter w/ grip tape & reflectors



Headlight-Lezyne Ebike Power STVZO E115, 310Lumens, 12V



Taillight-Lezyne Ebike Rear Fender STVZO, 11Lumens, 12V



Kickstand-Specialized kickstand, 40mm mount



Rack-Turbo SL Rack, Closed Platform, direct fender mount, Racktime-compatible, 15kg



Fenders-Specialized DryTech, Aluminum



Bell-Simple bell



WHEELS

Rims-DT Swiss R500 disc, 22mm internal width, 23mm internal depth



Front Hub-Specialized alloy front hub disc, sealed cartridge bearings, 12x110mm, Center Lock™, 24h



Rear Hub-Specialized alloy rear hub disc, Center Lock™, sealed cartridge bearings, 12x148mm, 28h



Spokes-DT Swiss Industry



Front Tire-Nimbus II Sport Reflect, 700x38mm



Rear Tire-Nimbus II Sport Reflect, 700x38mm



Inner Tubes-700x32/50mm, 40mm Presta valve



E-BIKE

Motor-Specialized SL 1.1, custom lightweight motor



Battery-Specialized SL1-320, fully integrated, 320Wh


Charger-Custom charger, 48V System w/ SL system charger plug

Wiring Harness-Custom Specialized wiring harness w/ chargeport

UI/Remote-Specialized MasterMind TCU, 10-LED State of charge, 3-LED Ride Mode display, ANT+/Bluetooth®, w/Handlebar remote

 

[Law]

When’s that 1.2 motor coming?

 

[rochrunner]

What are the updates? Looks the same to me, but I'm in a location where it's hard to check it closely.

 

[ActionJackson]

What are the updates? Looks the same to me, but I'm in a location where it's hard to check it closely.

As far as I can see mainly it’s the MasterMind TCU, and 30.9mm seatpost. In real money it’s a +$1000 jump taking into account the discount I had + FX delta. Just yesterday I spent $1000 on Range Extender & cable, Kinekt seatpost, Brooks saddle, Varia radar, and a couple of tools.

 

[aj1]

Is that a big upgrade? Seems minimal and wowzers at the price hike. That's a big jump!

What's the benefit of the master mind TCU?

 

[rochrunner]

As far as I can see mainly it’s the MasterMind TCU, and 30.9mm seatpost. In real money it’s a +$1000 jump taking into account the discount I had + FX delta. Just yesterday I spent $1000 on Range Extender & cable, Kinekt seatpost, Brooks saddle, Varia radar, and a couple of tools.

Where did you see this? My view of the Specialized site still shows the current models and prices.

 

[aj1]

Where did you see this? My view of the Specialized site still shows the current models and prices.

Same.

 

[ActionJackson]

Hello

Where did you see this? My view of the Specialized site still shows the current models and prices.

Try here:

E-バイク - スペシャライズド

スペシャライズドのe-Bikeで自転車中心のライフスタイルを送りましょう。家族で楽しめるものから通勤を楽にするもの、さらには冒険の相棒になるものまで豊富に用意。今すぐオンラインで探してみましょう。

www.specialized.com

I think you can see all of it if you set your region/country to Japan, language English. That will show you a lot more bikes I think then just the above Vado SL link.

 

[rochrunner]

Hello

Try here:

E-バイク - スペシャライズド

スペシャライズドのe-Bikeで自転車中心のライフスタイルを送りましょう。家族で楽しめるものから通勤を楽にするもの、さらには冒険の相棒になるものまで豊富に用意。今すぐオンラインで探してみましょう。

www.specialized.com

I think you can see all of it if you set your region/country to Japan, language English. That will show you a lot more bikes I think then just the above Vado SL link.

Thanks. Is it possible that the FutureShock 1.5 is an upgrade?

 

[ActionJackson]

Is that a big upgrade? Seems minimal and wowzers at the price hike. That's a big jump!

What's the benefit of the master mind TCU?

Yeah it’s a huge jump. Look at all the things I could get for that $1000 and some change.

here’s a video of that mastermind TCU.

It looks basically like a better display, with more information. Maybe it replaces the TDU, or whatever that monochrome gadget hanging off my stem is called. However at this point it seems like you have to have a smart phone, the Specialized unit, a dedicated GPS, and God knows what else hanging off the handlebars. I like the current on off button / mode display / battery indicator just fine.

 

[ActionJackson]

Thanks. Is it possible that the FutureShock 1.5 is an upgrade?

My 2021 has FutureShock 1.5 so at least in my case it’s not an upgrade. Also my seatpost is carbon as it was listed before. I was told that’s a temporary thing because they couldn’t get seatposts at the time. Alloy now.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Yeah it’s a huge jump. Look at all the things I could get for that $1000 and some change.

here’s a video of that mastermind TCU.

It looks basically like a better display, with more information. Maybe it replaces the TDU, or whatever that monochrome gadget hanging off my stem is called. However at this point it seems like you have to have a smart phone, the Specialized unit, a dedicated GPS, and God knows what else hanging off the handlebars. I like the current on off button / mode display / battery indicator just fine.

"The Triumph Of Technology Over The Common Sense".
As if you could look down at the TCU and focus on the road or trail at the same time.

My current TCU is always in Stealth mode. No need to watch that disco.

The very well thought monochrome thing I value very much is called TCD. I actually paid the premium to get it.

 

[ActionJackson]

The very well thought monochrome thing I value very much is called TCD. I actually paid the premium to get it.

Maybe I should read the manual someday

 

[JeffC57]

The very well thought monochrome thing I value very much is called TCD. I actually paid the premium to get it.

I'm with Stephan-I liked TCD on my '21 Vado SL 5 EQ and bought another one when I got my Creo. The TCD gives me all the info I need when I'm pedaling. Yes, the manual for the TCD sucks, especially for us boomers (and those that are farsighted), but I eventually figured it out. It looks like they are not furnishing TCDs on the '22 Vado 5 SL EQ's and just supplying the upgraded TCU. That's not a even trade IMO.
That Grey/black color combo looks interesting on the '22s. Looking forward to seeing a picture of it.

 

[aj1]

Yeah it’s a huge jump. Look at all the things I could get for that $1000 and some change.

here’s a video of that mastermind TCU.

It looks basically like a better display, with more information. Maybe it replaces the TDU, or whatever that monochrome gadget hanging off my stem is called. However at this point it seems like you have to have a smart phone, the Specialized unit, a dedicated GPS, and God knows what else hanging off the handlebars. I like the current on off button / mode display / battery indicator just fine.

This looks like a great upgrade, yeah. But the price increase doesn't justify it to me. I didn't even buy the stock display for my 2021 4.0. I have a Karoo 2, which is way more useful and connects to the bike without any modifications. It's such a massive upgrade compared to the OEM display that I'm thankful the OEM one was optional.

 

[kahn]

Yeah it’s a huge jump. Look at all the things I could get for that $1000 and some change.

here’s a video of that mastermind TCU.

It looks basically like a better display, with more information. Maybe it replaces the TDU, or whatever that monochrome gadget hanging off my stem is called. However at this point it seems like you have to have a smart phone, the Specialized unit, a dedicated GPS, and God knows what else hanging off the handlebars. I like the current on off button / mode display / battery indicator just fine.

Looks like it may be too much input below the belly button. Of course, I have the Creo and, as yet, don't have the handlebar remote button system.

"The Triumph Of Technology Over The Common Sense".
As if you could look down at the TCU and focus on the road or trail at the same time.

My current TCU is always in Stealth mode. No need to watch that disco.

The very well thought monochrome thing I value very much is called TCD. I actually paid the premium to get it.

That is my first take on it, too. TOO much info, as I wrote, below the belly button. Of course, he needs that info as he flies across the gap in that cliff band.

I wonder if it even has a hidden 'Easter egg' mode that shows a fireworks display?

 

[ActionJackson]

I have a Karoo 2, which is way more useful and connects to the bike without any modifications.

Thanks for pointing this device out! I’d never heard of it. Has support for Varia Radar -AND- Bluetooth Audio out which is something I could not find on other units. Has loads of other stuff too!

 

[ActionJackson]

Thanks for pointing this device out! I’d never heard of it. Has support for Varia Radar -AND- Bluetooth Audio out which is something I could not find on other units. Has loads of other stuff too!

@aj1 - does Karoo 2 have a live tracking feature? Like Strava Beacon or Wahoo Live Track? They don’t sell into Japan yet, however I have an address in California as well. I’ve asked them about global map support, and they said no limitations.