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

[Stefan Mikes]

but I'm wondering if lightening the load on the main battery might be good in the long run...

It is decidedly worthwhile.

 

[ronaan]

Well I have about 350 miles on the SL4 now and am really enjoying it. I've reached what I think is the final configuration, though I also have a set of 50mm Schwalbe Marathon Almotions that I really like. Installed in the photo are the 45mm Pirelli Cinturatos, measuring 47mm on the bike.

After years of running the Cane Creek Thudbusters I've given up on them and turned to the Redshift suspension post. I like it a lot better, and I think it looks much better as well. The weakness with Thudbusters has always been the clamp mechanism. Adjusting tilt is like guesswork, it's a real pain. Also, the one I tried on this bike would not stay in one position no matter how hard I cranked it down. Back it went.

At first I had the 30-degree Redshift stem but I didn't like the way it pointed straight up in the air, so I swapped it for the 6-degree and installed the Deity 80mm riser bars I had on my Vado 5. Since I need the bars an inch or two above my saddle this is working very well.

I'm riding in flat Florida and pedaled the bike to 25.6 MPH today, at max effort in light wind. I think the bike has enough power for my needs. The only time I have wished for more is in an intense headwind. On this bike I find myself averaging around 17MPH, and I only use whatever power I need to get over 16. I am definitely burning more calories than I did on the 5.0!

All in all, great bike and I'm happy with the purchase

For anyone who just wants accurate speed, time and distance, that $30 rechargeable bike computer from Amazon works extremely well.

Lastly, a question: for those of you with the range extender, do you leave it on the bike all the time? Most of the time I won't need it, but I'm wondering if lightening the load on the main battery might be good in the long run...

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That colour is so nice. Beautiful bike, have fun!

 

[ReedM]

Well I have about 350 miles on the SL4 now and am really enjoying it. I've reached what I think is the final configuration, though I also have a set of 50mm Schwalbe Marathon Almotions that I really like. Installed in the photo are the 45mm Pirelli Cinturatos, measuring 47mm on the bike.

After years of running the Cane Creek Thudbusters I've given up on them and turned to the Redshift suspension post. I like it a lot better, and I think it looks much better as well. The weakness with Thudbusters has always been the clamp mechanism. Adjusting tilt is like guesswork, it's a real pain. Also, the one I tried on this bike would not stay in one position no matter how hard I cranked it down. Back it went.

At first I had the 30-degree Redshift stem but I didn't like the way it pointed straight up in the air, so I swapped it for the 6-degree and installed the Deity 80mm riser bars I had on my Vado 5. Since I need the bars an inch or two above my saddle this is working very well.

I'm riding in flat Florida and pedaled the bike to 25.6 MPH today, at max effort in light wind. I think the bike has enough power for my needs. The only time I have wished for more is in an intense headwind. On this bike I find myself averaging around 17MPH, and I only use whatever power I need to get over 16. I am definitely burning more calories than I did on the 5.0!

All in all, great bike and I'm happy with the purchase

For anyone who just wants accurate speed, time and distance, that $30 rechargeable bike computer from Amazon works extremely well.

Lastly, a question: for those of you with the range extender, do you leave it on the bike all the time? Most of the time I won't need it, but I'm wondering if lightening the load on the main battery might be good in the long run...

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[ReedM]

Well I have about 350 miles on the SL4 now and am really enjoying it. I've reached what I think is the final configuration, though I also have a set of 50mm Schwalbe Marathon Almotions that I really like. Installed in the photo are the 45mm Pirelli Cinturatos, measuring 47mm on the bike.

After years of running the Cane Creek Thudbusters I've given up on them and turned to the Redshift suspension post. I like it a lot better, and I think it looks much better as well. The weakness with Thudbusters has always been the clamp mechanism. Adjusting tilt is like guesswork, it's a real pain. Also, the one I tried on this bike would not stay in one position no matter how hard I cranked it down. Back it went.

At first I had the 30-degree Redshift stem but I didn't like the way it pointed straight up in the air, so I swapped it for the 6-degree and installed the Deity 80mm riser bars I had on my Vado 5. Since I need the bars an inch or two above my saddle this is working very well.

I'm riding in flat Florida and pedaled the bike to 25.6 MPH today, at max effort in light wind. I think the bike has enough power for my needs. The only time I have wished for more is in an intense headwind. On this bike I find myself averaging around 17MPH, and I only use whatever power I need to get over 16. I am definitely burning more calories than I did on the 5.0!

All in all, great bike and I'm happy with the purchase

For anyone who just wants accurate speed, time and distance, that $30 rechargeable bike computer from Amazon works extremely well.

Lastly, a question: for those of you with the range extender, do you leave it on the bike all the time? Most of the time I won't need it, but I'm wondering if lightening the load on the main battery might be good in the long run...

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@DanInStPete Was there enough cable slack when you put on the new high-rise Deity handlebars.

 

[BioWheel]

Well I have about 350 miles on the SL4 now and am really enjoying it. I've reached what I think is the final configuration, though I also have a set of 50mm Schwalbe Marathon Almotions that I really like. Installed in the photo are the 45mm Pirelli Cinturatos, measuring 47mm on the bike.

After years of running the Cane Creek Thudbusters I've given up on them and turned to the Redshift suspension post. I like it a lot better, and I think it looks much better as well. The weakness with Thudbusters has always been the clamp mechanism. Adjusting tilt is like guesswork, it's a real pain. Also, the one I tried on this bike would not stay in one position no matter how hard I cranked it down. Back it went.

At first I had the 30-degree Redshift stem but I didn't like the way it pointed straight up in the air, so I swapped it for the 6-degree and installed the Deity 80mm riser bars I had on my Vado 5. Since I need the bars an inch or two above my saddle this is working very well.

I'm riding in flat Florida and pedaled the bike to 25.6 MPH today, at max effort in light wind. I think the bike has enough power for my needs. The only time I have wished for more is in an intense headwind. On this bike I find myself averaging around 17MPH, and I only use whatever power I need to get over 16. I am definitely burning more calories than I did on the 5.0!

All in all, great bike and I'm happy with the purchase

For anyone who just wants accurate speed, time and distance, that $30 rechargeable bike computer from Amazon works extremely well.

Lastly, a question: for those of you with the range extender, do you leave it on the bike all the time? Most of the time I won't need it, but I'm wondering if lightening the load on the main battery might be good in the long run...

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Good for you getting it the way you like it. Looks really good too with the supplemented gear.

 

[DanInStPete]

@DanInStPete Was there enough cable slack when you put on the new high-rise Deity handlebars.

Just enough. There is no binding at max rotation, though I would prefer to have a little more slack than I do.

 

[DanInStPete]

Good for you getting it the way you like it. Looks really good too with the supplemented gear.

Thank you, I think it’s really interesting to see how different people go about customizing the same bike. Stock, loaded, minimal, and everything in between…

 

[BioWheel]

My VadoSL4 never fails to impress. Decided to take it MTB'ing and except for some roots - really not a bad ride. These paths pretty easy but nothing like riding to the trails and then riding the trails on the same machine. Just perfect. Loving my SL4 more everyday. It'll be a year old next week and will have to update my original review. It's even better than I thought!

 

[mogulman]

Anyone have a Specialized Turbo Vado SL right side handlebar grip you want to get rid of? I broke of mine when I was putting on my innerbarends. I really like the specialized grips.

 

[waghmare]

My VadoSL4 never fails to impress. Decided to take it MTB'ing and except for some roots - really not a bad ride. These paths pretty easy but nothing like riding to the trails and then riding the trails on the same machine. Just perfect. Loving my SL4 more everyday. It'll be a year old next week and will have to update my original review. It's even better than I thought!

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That RTP Mountain Bike Trail looks sweet.

I am also finding the same utility of 22VSL5 where I can haul kids in a trailer to school in the morning, commute to work, pick up kids from school, go on a paved bike trail like "Lake Washington Loop", enter some gravel roads like "Redmond powerline" and even get into some single tracks once in a while like "Thrilla in Woodenvilla or Redmond watershed". And I leave my phone in pocket/backpack all the times given mastermind has everything I need to see during the rides. There was so much around my home that I never discovered in last decade.

I simply love the go anywhere nature of this bike with addition of futureshock, carbon fork, 1x12 10-50t and pathfinders. I am going to put innerbarends to see if I can lean forward bit more for paved rides but other than that its perfect combination of utility, speed, climb and workout.

 

[rochrunner]

@waghmare I assume you meant "carbon fork" unless you have something that the rest of us do not.

I finally figured out what the issues were with my riding position and solved them with a bit of a posture change and will not be trying to raise the bars. I am also planning on getting the innerbarends for the same reason as waghmare above and concur with him on the overall nature of this bike.

While unsuccessfully experimenting with the stem change, I took the time to swap out the FutureShock spring, replacing the medium with the light one. It makes a noticeable difference and the bike rides like a dream! On a ride today, we went along some back streets into town with sections of heavily cracked old asphalt; the FutureShock and Redshift seatpost let me comfortably ride right over it where on another bike I would probably have got up on the pedals. Makes a big difference given my chronic back problems!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@waghmare I assume you meant "carbon fork" unless you have something that the rest of us do not.

I finally figured out what the issues were with my riding position and solved them with a bit of a posture change and will not be trying to raise the bars. I am also planning on getting the innerbarends for the same reason as waghmare above and concur with him on the overall nature of this bike.

While unsuccessfully experimenting with the stem change, I took the time to swap out the FutureShock spring, replacing the medium with the light one. It makes a noticeable difference and the bike rides like a dream! On a ride today, we went along some back streets into town with sections of heavily cracked old asphalt; the FutureShock and Redshift seatpost let me comfortably ride right over it where on another bike I would probably have got up on the pedals. Makes a big difference given my chronic back problems!

Glad to hear about your right decisions and comfortable rides!

As for me, I used to be wrongly convinced the upright riding position was good for a long time. After I understood my mistake, I did whatever possible to lower the bars, and I added the Innerbarends: It all relieved my back and bum. Adding the full Redshift ShockStop system made my Vado SL 4.0 the most comfortable of my e-bikes (the Redshift stem performs the same action as your FutureShock).

 

[chas baxter]

I’ve spent the last two years contemplating the purchase of a Vado SL, reading every review and related message board going. After all, it’s a pretty hefty price tag for a bike! Anyway, my arthritic joints (the ones that are still original) persuaded me to bite the bullet. So now I have just completed the first 100 miles on my Vado… and it’s just brilliant. It’s everything that I hoped for. The ride is not unlike my trusty Crosstrail (with upgraded specs) and the assistance is perfectly realised. I can’t get over how natural the experience feels. The bikes weight compares favourably with the Crosstrail and allows for motorless riding for most of the time and makes lifting it on and off the tow-bar carrier a breeze.

However (there’s always a ‘however’), I’m a bit puzzled by the remaining battery charge being shown at the end of the ride being more than the display reports an hour later at home. For example, at the end of my last ride, the display said 35% but later showed 26%. I don’t understand the reason and wonder if anyone else has reported the same discrepancy. I haven’t needed to charge the battery yet (I’ve been very frugal with power assistance).

 

[rochrunner]

I’ve spent the last two years contemplating the purchase of a Vado SL, reading every review and related message board going. After all, it’s a pretty hefty price tag for a bike! Anyway, my arthritic joints (the ones that are still original) persuaded me to bite the bullet. So now I have just completed the first 100 miles on my Vado… and it’s just brilliant. It’s everything that I hoped for. The ride is not unlike my trusty Crosstrail (with upgraded specs) and the assistance is perfectly realised. I can’t get over how natural the experience feels. The bikes weight compares favourably with the Crosstrail and allows for motorless riding for most of the time and makes lifting it on and off the tow-bar carrier a breeze.

However (there’s always a ‘however’), I’m a bit puzzled by the remaining battery charge being shown at the end of the ride being more than the display reports an hour later at home. For example, at the end of my last ride, the display said 35% but later showed 26%. I don’t understand the reason and wonder if anyone else has reported the same discrepancy. I haven’t needed to charge the battery yet (I’ve been very frugal with power assistance).

I could have written this post, especially the comparison to the Crosstrail, which has been my go-to bike for >10 years. The "old trusty" Crosstrail is currently hoisted up in the garage as I've had no urge to ride it lately after getting my SL. And I also like being able to lift the SL onto my carrier without endangering my back, where it would have been dangerous to do that last year with my Vado 4.0.

I've also noticed a discrepancy between the battery level shown at the end of a ride vs the start of the next, but it never seemed like enough to be concerned about (nothing as much as you reported).

Have fun on your new bike!

 

[mogulman]

Got my Innerbarends influenced by Stefan. Moved over my Ergons. Decided to switch the bell over to the other side to make things a little closer together. Also swapped the power control on the left side so it is inside the brakes

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Got my Innerbarends influenced by Stefan. Moved over my Ergons. Decided to switch the bell over to the other side to make things a little closer together. Also swapped the power control on the left side so it is inside the brakes

It looks perfectly! The only trouble with the IBE (as to shorten the name) is finding their ideal angle...

However (there’s always a ‘however’), I’m a bit puzzled by the remaining battery charge being shown at the end of the ride being more than the display reports an hour later at home. For example, at the end of my last ride, the display said 35% but later showed 26%. I don’t understand the reason and wonder if anyone else has reported the same discrepancy. I haven’t needed to charge the battery yet (I’ve been very frugal with power assistance).

Chas, I have learnt one thing: Ignoring such small issues and enjoying the ride instead! Enjoy your Vado SL!

 

[mogulman]

It looks perfectly! The only trouble with the IBE (as to shorten the name) is finding their ideal angle...

Yeah.. I rode once with them, and realized I had them a little too vertical. Angled them a little more forward for now, and going for a ride later today.

 

[waghmare]

I need those inner bar ends now.
Did a 80+ miles ride yesterday on eco 35/35 and was left with 15% battery so it does what Specialized claims in terms of range.

Saddle: Replaced with Brooks B17 and that gave jump in long ride comfort as I could sit on it all day

Grips: Stock grips worked well. At time kept putting my hands towards middle of handlebar and inner ends of grip for more comfort with hands close to body

Shoes: Snickers on stock pedals with no slip. Felt I could use those platform pedals with mountain bike shoes to gain some efficiency while pulling up. Mostly towards end of the day I felt I was slow with legs and could benefit with good pedals and right SPD shoes

Phone: Phone battery died using mission control so rides get lost. Had to manually enter data. How do you guys deal with this? Mastermind kept counting/showing speed, cadence, battery, ride distance and ride time so didn’t bother with phone. And it rained so dead phone battery + rain means phone goes in ziplock/ saddle bag. I am curious what you do for long rides.

Tires: Feel envy of those skinny road tires but pathfinder sport do a good balance of paved and non-paved. Did remarkably well on gravel roads actually. I might look into a set for paved or pathfinder pro once I get my first puncture.

Overall it was a great ride that I didn’t want it to stop but gotta have dinner right. Ended at the brisk of night and except for upper middle back pain everything feels just fine this morning.

 

[GGinMP]

Phone: Phone battery died using mission control so rides get lost. Had to manually enter data. How do you guys deal with this? Mastermind kept counting/showing speed, cadence, battery, ride distance and ride time so didn’t bother with phone. And it rained so dead phone battery + rain means phone goes in ziplock/ saddle bag. I am curious what you do for long rides.

If you have an iPhone and you know you’re going on a long ride, you can set it to “Low Power Mode” in the battery setting (not sure if Android phones have that, but I would assume so). When I had an older phone with shorter battery life, I used to bring along a power bank (Anker) and keep the phone charged for an extended period.

 

[rochrunner]

Shoes: Snickers on stock pedals with no slip. Felt I could use those platform pedals with mountain bike shoes to gain some efficiency while pulling up. Mostly towards end of the day I felt I was slow with legs and could benefit with good pedals and right SPD shoes

My Shimano MT7 shoes are the most comfortable SPD shoes that I've owned. They're sort of intended more for "bikepacking" than hard-core MTB riding and are flexible enough to make them comfortable for walking around while still being stiff enough for riding. Also, once I had shoes with the Boa lacing system I never wanted shoes without it!