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

[Pork Rind]

This has probably been covered in the forum but maybe there's a fresh take on it. On my bikes, I've always done routine chain maintenance by using one of those chain cleaning devices that clamps around the chain, then let it dry and relube it, etc. I've always done this by turning the cranks backwards for convenience and also that's the way those chain cleaning gizmos are designed to work. As we all know, you can't do this on the Specialized e-bikes, making this a more difficult chore, especially when the bike isn't on a workstand so that you could turn the cranks forward.

I did use a tip here at one time to use a heavy-duty zip-tie to secure the crank arm to the gear; this works, but I'm not sure if turning the internal components backwards is even a good idea. Another method would be to just remove the chain and clean it off the bike; I do this occasionally on my bikes, but will need a bigger supply of quick-links if I make it a habit.

So how are you all doing it?

I have the Park Tool scrubber with the reversible handle so you can pick which way the chain goes through the unit. Works fine, but I don't use it any longer. I live in a dry environment and switched to waxing the chain every 400 miles or so. It's amazing! There's no gunk buildup at all, so cleaning is just a matter of an occasional wipe with a dry rag at most. The chain runs quieter, and based on other people's experience, I'm expecting substantially longer drivetrain life as well.

I am probably a bad person, but I don't replace the quick link every time. Maybe every 2nd or 3rd time I take the chain off.

 

[ronaan]

I don't think I've seen a 40t chainring around, I'd like to not buy some noname stuff and ruin the chain or something, and the often referenced RaceFace chainrings only go up to 38 it seems so I picked that.

I‘m such a noob.

The „fat“ (full power) Vado has a 40T chainring that fits like a charm.
Needs a new protective ring as well though.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions but I went with that now.

Test ride to follow, down with Cov19 at the moment.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Needs a new protective ring as well though.

What for? Do you ride in loose trousers? I do not think so.

Besides, you can buy excellent, lightweight 104 BCD rings in any size from garbaruk.com

 

[ronaan]

What for? Do you ride in loose trousers? I do not think so.

Besides, you can buy excellent, lightweight 104 BCD rings in any size from garbaruk.com

Nah, it protects the chain and ring though (I hope).

I got your suggestion about garbaruk a few pages earlier but can‘t remember why I didn‘t order from there in the end. Instead I tried a chainring off amazon which then required new screws and then there were no spacers and the protector didn‘t fit and I got fed up with the whole thing and sent it back. The Vado chainring is the same Praxis item only with 4 less teeth and I like that, it‘s subtle.

Now I just hope 40T will be enough for my needs.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Ronaan, trust me. The chain-guard is absolutely unnecessary.

 

[ronaan]

Ronaan, trust me. The chain-guard is absolutely unnecessary.

Well in that case, 25€ saved.

I cleaned the bike today because there was a lot of dust from my first rides on it (plus the wife broomed the garage so all the dust was brought up and settled on my bike).

Here she is, in all her glory, and with the new pedals & 40T chainring.

 

[rochrunner]

I am probably a bad person, but I don't replace the quick link every time. Maybe every 2nd or 3rd time I take the chain off.

Most links are reusable with reason, but the KMC links that I just got for the 12-speed chain on my SL says specifically Non-Reusable, probably due to the thinner link plates.

 

[rochrunner]

Check out my post regarding the firmware update for the Mastermind TCU that appears to have just dropped today. A couple of useful features including motor lockout.

https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/mastermind-tcu-update.48174/

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Well in that case, 25€ saved.

I cleaned the bike today because there was a lot of dust from my first rides on it (plus the wife broomed the garage so all the dust was brought up and settled on my bike).

Here she is, in all her glory, and with the new pedals & 40T chainring.

Beautiful!

 

[coffeemaker]

Vado/Creo/Levo SL folks, how do you shift? I've swapped my Vado for a Vado SL and unless I stop pedalling for a while (2 sec) before I shift, the motor kicks in immediately as I pedal and grinds the chain and sprockets. With my non-SL Vado, I was able to pause briefly (0.5s), shift, then start pedaling again without the motor grinding the drivetrain.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It sounds confusing, @coffeemaker. No difference in the shifting technique on both my Vado and Vado SL (a very brief pause in pedalling is required). I cannot answer your questions but other members perhaps could.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Well in that case, 25€ saved.

@ronaan, one remark: Tie you shoelaces carefully. There was a single situation when a loose shoelace got entangled between the chain and the ring on my ride A chainguard could have helped to avoid it. Or not. (On the other hand, MTBers never use chainguards!)

 

[coffeemaker]

It sounds confusing, @coffeemaker. No difference in the shifting technique on both my Vado and Vado SL (a very brief pause in pedalling is required). I cannot answer your questions but other members perhaps could.

When you're downshifting, do you have any issues where the motor kicks in too early?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

When you're downshifting, do you have any issues where the motor kicks in too early?

No, I don't. The business as usual. That's why I'm confused and hope more people would speak up.

 

[ronaan]

I only have 80km so far but I try to pedal „slower“ when shifting, seems to work so far.

(we used to stuff our shoelaces into the shoes back in the day to avoid them getting caught in the chain/ring)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I only have 80km so far but I try to pedal „slower“ when shifting, seems to work so far.

Ronaan, I'm very much interested to hear about your riding experience with Vado SL so far. How does it feel for you? What is the typical area/terrain you riding in?
I also encourage you to post in the David Berry's thread!

 

[Richard Stallard]

Sounds like a fault to me. I shift my Vado SL without pausing, as you should, and generally without even easing pressure on the pedals. It always changes smoothly and no different to Shimano HG on regular bikes. 2022 models have SRAM gears but I don’t know what they are like.

 

[ronaan]

Ronaan, I'm very much interested to hear about your riding experience with Vado SL so far. How does it feel for you? What is the typical area/terrain you riding in?
I also encourage you to post in the David Berry's thread!

Stefan,

I'm just some old bloke doing recreational cycling on my Vado SL. The first ride was this tour with my best friend:

Fahrradtour | Fahrradtour | Komoot

Robert Ulm hat ein Outdoor-Abenteuer mit komoot gemacht! Distanz: 38,1 km | Dauer: 04:11 Std

www.komoot.de

(hope this works)

We live in a pretty hilly area ("Frankenjura"), so there are lots of ups and downs. Feels like there are more "ups" really.

The only other ride I did before the weather went bad and Cov19 got me stuck indoors was the way to work and back, once. Another 38km in total.

So far I really like the bike a lot. The stock saddle and grips are ok for me, even without padded pants I was doing fine.

I like that you can just ride without motor assistance in the flat areas, it feels so light and swift.
On my way to work I hit 61.4km/h as topspeed (I braked, heh), and the bike just rode like on rails. I had other bikes that looked more sturdy but those started to wag their tails at much lower speeds sometimes. It's an amazing piece of technology and did I mention it's beautiful?

Even the wife said "wow it's beautiful" when I brought it home, and she's usually not one to awe over technical things.

Fell in love with the bike when I saw it on the specialized website. You know which picture I'm talking about ;-)

Turbo Vado SL

From seasoned pros and weekend warriors to kids and commuters, if you ride, we’re here for you. We believe that bikes have the power to change lives, and this simple truth drives us to be and do better.

www.specialized.com

Of course that's a marketing photo but it captures the spirit so well.

My isolation is officially over so after easter I'll be riding as much as the weather allows it. I don't have any wet gear and I don't really want to do the 19km office ride in rain either way.
I will try to take some pictures along the way so I can post a bit in the David Berry's thread.

 

[Richard Stallard]

I only have 80km so far but I try to pedal „slower“ when shifting, seems to work so far.

(we used to stuff our shoelaces into the shoes back in the day to avoid them getting caught in the chain/ring)

Two pairs of shoes I have bought in the last year (Scott and Shimano) have loops of elastic on the tongue to secure excess laces. I haven't used the loops as I am used to tying the laces with a double knot to minimise the excess and keep them secure.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

We live in a pretty hilly area ("Frankenjura"), so there are lots of ups and downs. Feels like there are more "ups" really.

It is a most interesting write up, Robert! Thank you!
I cannot remember what you wrote on your fitness before. I would personally avoid riding my SL in such a hilly area because of my state of health but I hear many users fare pretty well on their Vado SL and Creo in hilly areas. 61.4 km/h downhill, ooooh! I rode downhill that fast only on my full power Vado and on the Giant Trance E+. Never had the chance to ride dowhill that fast here (no substantial hills in the area where I live).

I make easily 100 km on my Vado SL (with Range Extender), and my farthest distance was 116 km in the warm season. I do a lot of 8-15 km grocery shopping rides during the week, and I love visiting two renowned cafes of the neighbourhood (known for their support to cyclists), 38-42 km round trip. With the 3 Range Extenders, I expect really long rides in the warm season!

Ooops! Only 4 metric centuries on my Vado SL? Shame on me!

I agree the Vado SL is a masterpiece of technology, it is a very modern e-bike, and it is beautiful. Yours is especially gorgeous because of its colour! Mine is not as beautiful colour-wise as yours but I had no choice, and the Dove Gray grew on me

Two pairs of shoes I have bought in the last year (Scott and Shimano) have loops of elastic on the tongue to secure excess laces. I haven't used the loops as I am used to tying the laces with a double knot to minimise the excess and keep them secure.

Richard: I have standardized on Adidas FiveTen FreeRider Pro. These shoes do not have flaps to cover the laces. I just am careful when I tie them now. I had a worse situation in heavy winter boots once...