kahn
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
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- northWET washington
Oh, SPLAT!!!
Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)
- Thread starter Stefan Mikes
- Start date
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
...while a 90 Nm full power Vado with 38-46T gearing: "Langsam langsam aber sicher!"
kahn
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- northWET washington
Good thing I keep a Google Translate tab open all of the time!...while a 90 Nm full power Vado with 38-46T gearing: "Langsam langsam aber sicher!"
Yup, if the hill becomes a HILL, there are three options:
- be young and fit and push through
- get off and use walk assist
- smaller chainring
BEC111
Well-Known Member
Actually, there might be a fourth option: choose a different route.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Come on BEC. Sometimes there is no "different route". There are areas where you absolutely need a full power, mountain-worthy e-bike.Actually, there might be a fourth option: choose a different route.
I do not think Vado SL would be an appropriate e-bike for that ride.
BEC111
Well-Known Member
I agree, completely. Since I can only have one bike, I have to make believe the more challenging rides don’t exist. Yet another parameter of my e-bike quest a few years ago.
I wouldn’t say ‘zooming’ over the hills Stefan, but certainly not stopping to admire the view half as much as I used to!There are different opinions on that. The SL motor is audible. It is quiet for me, terribly noisy for other riders.
For a fit and strong rider, yes. Not for me and my bad legs. There is a 10% short hill in my larger neighbourhood, and I struggle over there. On the other hand, the user such @Rás Cnoic has replaced the chain-ring in his Vado SL with a 38T one, and is reportedly zooming over British hills
100% true.
jhonmartin692
New Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
great point - while the motor makes some hills easier, there are still some that are tough to get up. And it's important to be careful with the motor, since it can be damaged if used too much.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
It cannot be damaged. Trust me.
If you are a fit and strong person, the Vado SL is for you. Or, a Creo if you prefer road bikes.
Otherwise, it is the full power Vado.
Rider51
Member
- Region
- USA
Definitely handles a lot like a regular flat-bar road bike, or fitness bike. Just a bit heavier. Very similar.
It is not silent. The Vado and Como are almost silent. The SL makes noise that nearly everyone tunes out a minute or so into riding. If you're riding in a city, you may barely even notice it. If you are riding on a nice, quiet path next to a wildlife sanctuary, it may annoy you.
Agree with others on the hills. It's a fitness e-bike. It can help most people climb 5-9% gradients without exhausting yourself. Most people. Get steeper than that, for a sustained period of time, and even in 1st gear you might find it just doesn't have enough power. If you are worried about that problem, just buy the Vado (not SL). It's a lot heavier, doesn't handle quite as well (but better than you think) and has noticeably more power. But it also lacks things the SL has. You really need to buy both. I think of the Vado is a bike to replace your car. The SL is an all-round bike. Fitness. Fun. Commuter. Gravel. You name it. Get on it, and ride anywhere, and have fun doing it. To me at least.
Rider51
Member
- Region
- USA
I worked for quite a while in a tier 1 Specialized dealer bike shop. Believe me, you could ride the Vado SL in turbo mode uphill all day, and the motor isn't going to get damaged. I never saw, or heard of this, from anyone, anywhere. I haven't even heard of anyone living somewhere like Phoenix overheating one, though I suppose it's possible, let alone causing any damage.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
There is a thermal protection system in place.
kahn
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- northWET washington
My question is what happens if the hill is too steep? I have the aluminum Creo and I weigh too much. I can press my legs quite a bit but eventually, if the hill is very steep, something has got to give (as they say). Will the motor just stop? And then I need to prepare for that or I could fall over.
mschwett
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
what will happen is you’ll go slower and slower, with the contribution of both the motor and your legs dropping in terms of absolute power (since the rotational speed is drifting towards nothing but torque isn’t increasing much) until you aren’t going fast enough to stay balanced, at which point you put a leg/foot down. motor will not be damaged.
your ego might be, or if you’re clipped in you might fall over and scrape your leg or derailleur a bit. ask me how i know
kahn
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- northWET washington
How do you know?what will happen is you’ll go slower and slower, with the contribution of both the motor and your legs dropping in terms of absolute power (since the rotational speed is drifting towards nothing but torque isn’t increasing much) until you aren’t going fast enough to stay balanced, at which point you put a leg/foot down. motor will not be damaged.
your ego might be, or if you’re clipped in you might fall over and scrape your leg or derailleur a bit. ask me how i know
The ego was extinguished quite some time ago. Although, all the mirrors at physical therapy are not helping in the least!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Guys!
Let me tell you how all that looks like with a full power, 90 Nm/520 W Specialized motor and mountain-wise gearing (38-46T). You are on a very steep & long climb, and you have discovered you are in the granny gear and 100% Turbo. You crazily spin the crank and are feeling like a toddler on a kid bike. Your mouth gets dry, and your hands get numb. Still, you are riding but wish you were never born
Now, fancy the battery gets flat and you need to stop to replace it
Let me tell you how all that looks like with a full power, 90 Nm/520 W Specialized motor and mountain-wise gearing (38-46T). You are on a very steep & long climb, and you have discovered you are in the granny gear and 100% Turbo. You crazily spin the crank and are feeling like a toddler on a kid bike. Your mouth gets dry, and your hands get numb. Still, you are riding but wish you were never born
Now, fancy the battery gets flat and you need to stop to replace it
Richard Stallard
Active Member
- Region
- Australia
This has probably been discussed before, but one of the first changes I did to my Vado SL 4.0 EQ setup was to up the motor power limit in Eco and Sport modes to 100%. With the default settings of 35/35 and 60/60 the motor power is limited whenever the rider power exceeds 240 W, to 84 W in Eco and 144 W in Sport. My settings are 35/100 and 60/100, so the motor power will be based on 35% or 60% of rider input up to the motor’s 240 W maximum. As it is entirely possible for me to produce in excess of 240 W for short periods, I didn’t want the motor contribution to be limited at a time when extra power could be useful. Under moderate riding conditions, with rider power less than 240 W, the changes have no effect.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
That is indeed a fine strategy Richard. However, limiting the Max Motor Power ensures far longer battery range. So your solution is very good but not acceptable for long-range riders.
Richard Stallard
Active Member
- Region
- Australia
Stefan, I disagree. It only has an effect when the rider power is over 240 W which, for most people, would only occur for short periods such as overcoming a short but steep hill. Therefore, the effect on range is minImal.
If you can sustain over 240 W for considerable periods, you probably don’t need an e-bike.
Anyway, it is not compulsory - just a suggestion which I find useful.
If you can sustain over 240 W for considerable periods, you probably don’t need an e-bike.
Anyway, it is not compulsory - just a suggestion which I find useful.
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