Yes, easier then full mudguards anyway. Still a bit finicky the first time, just seems a strange way with all the velcro, seems flimsy, but a year and a half and 2 winters later they are still on. After the first time they are pretty straight forward. I leave them on because the weather is so changeable here. That blowout would have killed me!! Just did another 20 miler, 2500ft climbing and loads of really rocky bridleways. So comfortable. Loving the gravel kings.
Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)
- Thread starter Stefan Mikes
- Start date
CodyDog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Colorado
After riding my new SL, I am happy making the switch from my Turbo Levo Comp. Love the lightness and agility of the SL. The Future Shock 1.5 smooths out the Texas chip seal rides here. I removed the fenders/ rack for the time being and will soon go with tubeless gravel worthy tires. I have zero complaints with the new ride. Most of my rides here in Texas are done around 8:00 pm when the temperature is below 95 degrees F or very early morning. Looking forward to getting back to Colorado in the cooler weather.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Similar impressions after comparing my rides on a Giant Trance E+ 2 Pro and the Vado SL 4.0 EQ. While the Giant was excellent in hard terrain, it was just hopeless on the pavement. For some reason, riding the Giant was making me very tired. (I can remember my last Trance ride very well: it was just 100 km on the pavement, gravel, and off-road, and I returned exhausted). While I feel energetic after completing a similar ride on the Vado SL. True, I need to use Range Extenders and apply high assistance to match my gravel-cycling buddies but I can do it!
BioWheel
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Beautiful ride!!
CodyDog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Colorado
Thanks BioWheel.
rayray
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Yes, it is! I so wanted a Creo in that color, as a nod to the Schwinn I had as a kid. But, of course, that was not to be.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
If you don't mind metal traction pins, CrankBrothers Stamp 1 are excellent pedals, also available in Large size. Race Face Chesters are similar, only these come in one size. Both models can be ridden in sneakers. If you, however, are afraid to scratch your calves and shins (it happens with traction pins sometimes), have look at Race Face Ride pedals that have plastic traction molds.
I went with the Specialized Bennies, if you look at my posting history there should be a pic in this thread. Wanted to stay „in brand“ where possible.
Edit: pic here
https://electricbikereview.com/foru...incredible-e-bike-user-club.43468/post-519677
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Ya, as good as any other premium metal traction pin platform pedals! Less expensive than the all-metal CrankBrothers Stamp 7.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I have found a picture from my Vado SL demo ride of June 12th, 2021 (which started this thread).
As it is today, I regret I hadn't asked about possibility of buying that demo e-bike. I love the colour now even if I disliked it then. (The demo e-bike was sold to someone else anyway). I'm sure I would get a nice price! The headlight was not in order but I would have repaired it. Of course there would be some trouble to install a suspension seat-post and a rack... Oh, well!
As it is today, I regret I hadn't asked about possibility of buying that demo e-bike. I love the colour now even if I disliked it then. (The demo e-bike was sold to someone else anyway). I'm sure I would get a nice price! The headlight was not in order but I would have repaired it. Of course there would be some trouble to install a suspension seat-post and a rack... Oh, well!
Part of the reason why I took the Bennies, half the cost.
DanInStPete
Well-Known Member
+1 for the Stamps. I’ve been using the Stamp 7 on all my bikes for the past several years and love the grip, as well as the large size (with my size 13 feet). I have the Stamp 1 on my SL4 and can’t tell any difference.
waghmare
Member
- Region
- USA
New owner of Vado SL 5.0 (Brushed Aluminum). Debated a lot between v4 and v5. Definitely wanted front suspension, more upright, better TCU, and better gearing to tackle Seattle hills so $1k overspent to land v5.
Going to use as is before doing any mods. List I have gathered so far:
- Saddle to Body Geometry Gel
- Redshift suspension seat-post
- kickstand and helmet (Align II)
- Strava directly from Mastermind
Going to use as is before doing any mods. List I have gathered so far:
- Saddle to Body Geometry Gel
- Redshift suspension seat-post
- kickstand and helmet (Align II)
- Strava directly from Mastermind
CodyDog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Colorado
Congrats! I think you'll love your SL 5.0. Did you get the stock kickstand with your bike?
waghmare
Member
- Region
- USA
Should I add kickstand to the list? It will mostly be in garage at home, bike stand at work or riding.
CodyDog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Colorado
The reason I asked was that mine came with a kickstand. Love having a kickstand. With my Specialized Levo Comp (no Kickstand), I had to lay it on the ground while riding or find something to lean it against. That was a pain and wasn't good for the bike as well.
kahn
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- northWET washington
Go light: http://www.click-stand.com/
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
80%
How so? The frames are identical for the same size in 4 and 5!
Congratulations!
The kickstand came together with the EQ... Specialized should be able to offer the kickstand designed for the EQ version.
Kickstands never come with true MTBs...
rochrunner
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Rochester Hills MI
Pretty much the same additions I've made. I tried a Selle Anatomica seat but it didn't suit my anatomy (for sale if any interested) and I went back to the Selle Royal Respiro from my Vado 4.0. Sidestands are a must IMO and I installed the Redshift post that was also on my old Vado. I've done the "direct" Strava upload (which is actually done by Mission Control -- not the Mastermind itself), but only when I didn't happen to have my Garmin Edge on the bike.
Also IMO, the extra gearing and especially the Microtune feature are part of what makes the 5.0 worth it.
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