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

[kahn]

That's a good point. According to Redshift the maximum insertion to the clamp is 90mm ( 3.54"). I'm 5'7 1/2 so I think I would be ok. My seat top is 26" from the center of the crank, I believe, (I'm not at home to measure). Here's a photo. Can anyone infer if I would be ok?

Nice looking bike. Ohhhhh. I did not know Bianchi offered their color to Specialized.

 

[kahn]

I will be going to test ride the Creo sl (aluminum ) this afternoon. I don't think I want drop bars anymore but the test ride should give me a better feeling for how I would do on my steep hill with a sl 5.0. Will let you know how the test ride went.

That's my bike! I wanted the drop bars because of the extra hand positions even in the upright positions. Due to neck issues I am almost never in the drop position but move my hands around from the bars to the hood area. I'm more than a bit overweight and getting the Creo up some of our hills is definitely work or a workout. But that is what I wanted, some work, but also important was the overall weight of the bike. I have a few short flight of steps to get the bike into my house and HEAVIER was just not going to work.

Enjoy the test ride. Also, make sure you know how the power levels are/were setup. Mission Control can tune the motor to provide a different range of power in each of the three settings or actually, it could tune all three settings to MAXIMUM (or minimum). So you really do need to know if they've setup the bike to provide 100% at one or more of the three settings - Eco, Trail/Sport and Turbo.

 

[rochrunner]

I will be going to test ride the Creo sl (aluminum ) this afternoon. I don't think I want drop bars anymore but the test ride should give me a better feeling for how I would do on my steep hill with a sl 5.0. Will let you know how the test ride went.

With that dinner-plate-size sprocket on the rear I doubt there's an Omaha hill you can't conquer on an SL. It might take a while at the speed you'll go in the lowest gear, but with the assist you should make it. Hint: even when the motor is doing max assist, remember to shift down like you would if going on human power alone -- it makes it easier on the motor and draws less juice that way.

 

[fatshark]

it makes it easier on the motor and draws less juice that way.

I was riding this morning and thinking about this ... why does cadence influence climbing so much? If you shift down and up the power to TRAIL or TURBO it's a lot easier to climb, rather than upping the power and simply stomping on the pedals without changing to a lower gear.

I'm sure there's a good technical reason involving physics and stuff ...

 

[rochrunner]

I was riding this morning and thinking about this ... why does cadence influence climbing so much? If you shift down and up the power to TRAIL or TURBO it's a lot easier to climb, rather than upping the power and simply stomping on the pedals without changing to a lower gear.

I'm sure there's a good technical reason involving physics and stuff ...

It's hard to simplify this without my over-simplifying it and getting jumped on by someone over a technicality, but (leaving the motor out of it) this is what's going on. Whether you shift to a lower gear or not, you will do the same amount of work (where "work" is defined in physics as moving a weight through a distance, i.e., you and your bike's weight up a vertical distance). "Power", on the other hand, is the "rate of doing work". So if some beefy guy rides in a higher gear and really mashes the pedals, he'll get to the top of the hill before the guy who is in a lower gear and spinning without having to apply as much force. At the top of the hill, they will both have done the same amount of work, but one of them will probably be more tired out by having exerted more power (burned more calories).

This also applies to e-bikes. Shifting to a gear with a higher cadence reduces the force (watts) that has to be applied to maintain a given speed, but of course there is an upper limit to cadence.

 

[PDX Sid]

Nice looking bike. Ohhhhh. I did not know Bianchi offered their color to Specialized.

I really like the Redshift suspension seat post smoothing out bumps on my Vado 4.0 SL EQ. Glad I bought it.
Not feeling a big difference up front with Redshift suspension stem. Something to chat with my LBS at 60-day bike checkup.
And I can’t leave without big note of thanks and encouragement to all the bikers who keep smiling and riding despite serious health issues. My RA knocked me out of a teaching career, but the hope is exercise of all kinds will give us a bit more time to enjoy the spring flowers — year after year.
(Oops — wanted this reply to Redshift posts. Newbie here. Sorry)

 

[mjh5]

I really like the Redshift suspension seat post smoothing out bumps on my Vado 4.0 SL EQ. Glad I bought it.
Not feeling a big difference up front with Redshift suspension stem. Something to chat with my LBS at 60-day bike checkup.
And I can’t leave without big note of thanks and encouragement to all the bikers who keep smiling and riding despite serious health issues. My RA knocked me out of a teaching career, but the hope is exercise of all kinds will give us a bit more time to enjoy the spring flowers — year after year.
(Oops — wanted this reply to Redshift posts. Newbie here. Sorry)

Do you ride mostly road or trails?

 

[PDX Sid]

Do you ride mostly road or trails?

I ride on city streets to local parks and the beautiful Eastbank Esplanade bike trail, which runs for miles along the Willamette River. No “off-road” stuff.

 

[mogulman]

ok...posted my question on what bike to buy in the other forum, but test road a Turbo Vado SL 5.0 this afternoon. Sold. Should be ready in a couple of days.

Test road the 4.0 around the parking lot. Feels like my old Cannondale Quick Carbon but with help. Really liked the fact that it was light, but still able to help me get up some hills when I would normally be hurting (back/leg issues). Looking forward to some longer rides soon!

Any accessories I should get? I have a Garmin 530 already and some bags from my old bike. I'm assuming I can just clip the 530 into that mount by the handlebars. Trying to decide which pedals to put on it. I'm all in on spd, and have some PD-M520 or PD-EH500, or something different.

Saw the post above about a suspension seatpost. Wondering if this is something I should consider with my bad back. I know full suspension on my mountain bike helps a lot. I'm a bigger guy 250lbs. Will a seatpost like that work for a heavier guy?

 

[rayray]

ok...posted my question on what bike to buy in the other forum, but test road a Turbo Vado SL 5.0 this afternoon. Sold. Should be ready in a couple of days.

Test road the 4.0 around the parking lot. Feels like my old Cannondale Quick Carbon but with help. Really liked the fact that it was light, but still able to help me get up some hills when I would normally be hurting (back/leg issues). Looking forward to some longer rides soon!

Any accessories I should get? I have a Garmin 530 already and some bags from my old bike. I'm assuming I can just clip the 530 into that mount by the handlebars. Trying to decide which pedals to put on it. I'm all in on spd, and have some PD-M520 or PD-EH500, or something different.

Saw the post above about a suspension seatpost. Wondering if this is something I should consider with my bad back. I know full suspension on my mountain bike helps a lot. I'm a bigger guy 250lbs. Will a seatpost like that work for a heavier guy?

I don’t own a Vado (recent Creo purchaser), so I can’t speak to the need for a suspension seatpost. However I did add a Redshift post to my Trek 9.9S, and the difference was huge, in that my lower back was getting killed without it and was very comfortable with it. Unfortunately, the Redshift website says there’s a 242 lb. limit. It’d be worth a call to Redshift to inquire further about that weight limit if you think it’s needed on the Vado.

 

[mogulman]

I don’t own a Vado (recent Creo purchaser), so I can’t speak to the need for a suspension seatpost. However I did add a Redshift post to my Trek 9.9S, and the difference was huge, in that my lower back was getting killed without it and was very comfortable with it. Unfortunately, the Redshift website says there’s a 242 lb. limit. It’d be worth a call to Redshift to inquire further about that weight limit if you think it’s needed on the Vado.

Seems like the Vado SL 5.0 has a rear light integrated in the seatpost, so maybe it won't be possible without losing the light. I guess I'll try it without first.

 

[rochrunner]

Seems like the Vado SL 5.0 has a rear light integrated in the seatpost, so maybe it won't be possible without losing the light. I guess I'll try it without first.

I have a Redshift on my SL 5.0 and I did have to remove the light. But, as mentioned above, the Redshift is probably not the best option given your weight. You might look into the Kinekt suspension posts that have a number of alternate spring weights available. In addition, I think that they can modify the post for a hole that the wiring for the light can pass through (still a bit of cut-and-splice required to do it I think).

I have the PD-EH500 pedals and like them.

 

[Jeff Ferber]

That's my bike! I wanted the drop bars because of the extra hand positions even in the upright positions. Due to neck issues I am almost never in the drop position but move my hands around from the bars to the hood area. I'm more than a bit overweight and getting the Creo up some of our hills is definitely work or a workout. But that is what I wanted, some work, but also important was the overall weight of the bike. I have a few short flight of steps to get the bike into my house and HEAVIER was just not going to work.

Enjoy the test ride. Also, make sure you know how the power levels are/were setup. Mission Control can tune the motor to provide a different range of power in each of the three settings or actually, it could tune all three settings to MAXIMUM (or minimum). So you really do need to know if they've setup the bike to provide 100% at one or more of the three settings - Eco, Trail/Sport and Turbo.

Just got back from the creo sl test ride. OK, I'll admit it. I'm still smiling from ear to ear. Oops, I forgot to ask about mission control settings.

 

[Jeff Ferber]

With that dinner-plate-size sprocket on the rear I doubt there's an Omaha hill you can't conquer on an SL. It might take a while at the speed you'll go in the lowest gear, but with the assist you should make it. Hint: even when the motor is doing max assist, remember to shift down like you would if going on human power alone -- it makes it easier on the motor and draws less juice that way.

The hills around the bike shop weren't nearly as steep as the hills where I live are. I put the Creo sl into max assist and never needed the lowest gears. What a lovely machine. I'm pretty sure the turbo vado sl 5.0 will work great for my needs. The sales guy said it takes 2 to 3 weeks to get the bike in and built. I think I will put the 40t on front and some thinner tires, 32's or 35's. Still smiling a little.

 

[mogulman]

I think the 2022 5.0 doesn't come with the TCD, correct? That's what the LBS said anyway. Any reason for me to get it with a Garmin 530? Seems like no.

Also anyone have a good lightweight lock that you use attached to frame? One of those cafe wheel locks? Just looking for something if I need to stop for a restroom/beer stop. 5-15 mins. Otherwise I guess I'll get a folding lock and put it in my bag.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I might be an isolated case but after having owned a Vado SL for a couple of months, I took a demo ride on the aluminium Creo and decided a drop handlebar e-bike didn't belong to my tale It could be probably fit to my body (especially, if the bike were selected in the proper size) but the main difference is I could make a Metric Century on my Vado SL in the third day of my ownership but was overly tired after riding of 57 km on Creo.

Any reason for me to get it with a Garmin 530? Seems like no.

No reason whatsoever. Your Garmin will be a perfect display once connected to the SL e-bike by ANT+.

 

[fatshark]

I think the 2022 5.0 doesn't come with the TCD, correct? That's what the LBS said anyway. Any reason for me to get it with a Garmin 530? Seems like no.

2022 SL 5.0 has the customisable top tube display (Mastermind TCU) which you can alter via the app. For my use, this is all I find that's needed. I'm more interested in the scenery/wildlife than the detailed information it can display. However, should you need to look, it's there and is pretty easy to read. The title colours change with the assist level which is a nice touch. Others like the full-on "head up display" possible with a handlebar-mounted LCD.

I also switched from a Cannondale Quick Carbon to the Specialized. I still miss the real lightweight 'dale (perhaps half that of the Vado?) but haven't regretted the Vado SL.

Have fun.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

For my use, this is all I find that's needed. I'm more interested in the scenery/wildlife than the detailed information it can display. However, should you need to look, it's there and is pretty easy to read.

If you are ready to distract your attention by peeking between your knees
Garmin is at a proper "display" location.

 

[rochrunner]

I think the 2022 5.0 doesn't come with the TCD, correct? That's what the LBS said anyway. Any reason for me to get it with a Garmin 530? Seems like no.

The 2022s do come with the Mastermind TCU, which can do much of what the old TCD did (although not as practical due to the location on the top tube); the TCU display is configurable using Mission Control and you can cycle the displays using the top (F1) button on the handlebar control. But I mostly use my Garmin 1030+ when riding, as it can display anything that I really need (or would like) to know.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Unassisted and Low Assistance Experiences

I had to cover pretty a distance on my Vado SL with two of my friends (of both sexes) yesterday. For various reasons, they are very slow traditional riders. As we rode with the tailwind on the pavement, I switched the assistance to OFF and rode unassisted, surprising myself my bad legs were better than theirs! In other situations (upwind, gravel/sand), I was using 20/20% SL assistance. As my "cruising leg power" is about 100 W, the motor was assisting me with 36 W, and the motor power cap was just 48 W!

The behaviour of the motor was surprising. With higher assistance, the motor produces a soft, continuous whine as I am pedalling. With the 20% assistance, the sound of the motor was intermittent as if the motor was giving me short continual "injections" of power but could not work continuously at the low assistance.

Anyone could notice that? @BioWheel: You seem to ride your VSL at low assistance. Observations?