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

[fatshark]

I have a leadoutgear mini burrito bag. Fits my phone, wallet, and a multi tool and a snack. It straps on the handlebars. There is a strap for the stem area too, but I don't use that part.

I'm a bit late to the conversation here I'm afraid ... I've just got the bag shown in the photo from Amazon (UK) where it sells for about £20. There are broadly similar bags for about £14 if you look around; although the size is the same (2.4 litres - enough for a phone and lightweight jacket and a chocolate bar or two) they don't appear to be quite as well finished. The bag straps onto the handlebars (velcro and pretty secure) with an additional strap around the light bracket and cabling. The latter strap isn't tight and carries no weight. The zip claims to be waterproof but I have yet to test it.

As you can see, the light is clear of the bag and not obscured.

Hope this might be of some help

And now back to your normal service ...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I'm a bit late to the conversation here I'm afraid ... I've just got the bag shown in the photo from Amazon (UK) where it sells for about £20. There are broadly similar bags for about £14 if you look around; although the size is the same (2.4 litres - enough for a phone and lightweight jacket and a chocolate bar or two) they don't appear to be quite as well finished. The bag straps onto the handlebars (velcro and pretty secure) with an additional strap around the light bracket and cabling. The latter strap isn't tight and carries no weight. The zip claims to be waterproof but I have yet to test it.

View attachment 132225
As you can see, the light is clear of the bag and not obscured.

Hope this might be of some help

And now back to your normal service ...

You do not use a display or a bike GPS computer, do you.

 

[fatshark]

No ... there's one road where I live. I can go right or left. I've not got lost yet. I'm more interested in the scenery than the stats:

I've have programmed the TCU (? - the one on the top bar) to display the time, distance and altitude gained.

The top of the bag is almost flush with the handlebars, so I suspect a handlebar mounted computer should or could be visible, though it might restrict access to the bag.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Your handlebar solution is practical for some users but not for all; that was my point

 

[fatshark]

I appreciate that, but I was suggesting an alternative to the previous suggested solution - cheaper and a bit larger. Clearly not suitable for some of course

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I appreciate that, but I was suggesting an alternative to the previous suggested solution - cheaper and a bit larger. Clearly not suitable for some of course

You are a good chap Fatshark! And the colour of your ride! Ahhhhh!

 

[fatshark]

I agree (to the second point) ... I love it. She's called the Yellow Peril. I don't think I've had this much fun cycling since I was club time trial champion when I was 19 (in about 1924).

 

[grnmtnbk]

Congratulations - looks like serious upgrade. Could you post some pictures?
Also, do you know what is weight benefit of changing alu fork with carbon + Future shock?
And what is the price level of fork+shock? Probably future shock is version 1.5?

Thanks

Hi Borelij,

I don't have the weight-savings details available, but the performance is superb! Yes, it's the 1.5 Future Shock. The 2.0 Future Shock isn't compatible. The price for everything (fork+shock+Enve carbon bar+labor) was approximately $600.00 US. The LBS was absolutely terrific to work with!

 

[Borelij]

Hi Borelij,

I don't have the weight-savings details available, but the performance is superb! Yes, it's the 1.5 Future Shock. The 2.0 Future Shock isn't compatible. The price for everything (fork+shock+Enve carbon bar+labor) was approximately $600.00 US. The LBS was absolutely terrific to work with!

View attachment 132263

It really looks good in black!

 

[Seasider]

Got the Roval C38s, Pathfinder tyres and sram cassette fitted on the Vado 4.0. Haven’t really fully tested them yet but the ride back from the LBS was smooth and fast. Here’s a quick shot from today:

 

[Zekeer]

Got the Roval C38s, Pathfinder tyres and sram cassette fitted on the Vado 4.0. Haven’t really fully tested them yet but the ride back from the LBS was smooth and fast. Here’s a quick shot from today:

Which cassette ? Curious what they charge for installing a cassette : Didn't it come originally with Sram ? Nice bike

 

[Seasider]

Which cassette ? Curious what they charge for installing a cassette : Didn't it come originally with Sram ? Nice bike

I opted for a sram gx 1150. No, the Vado 4.0 SL comes with a Sunrace cassette with a Shimano standard freehub.

My LBS struggled to get the cassette so I got it online. The cassette I guess was around $120 and the xd freehub was under a 100.

 

[Zekeer]

I opted for a sram gx 1150. No, the Vado 4.0 SL comes with a Sunrace cassette with a Shimano standard freehub.

My LBS struggled to get the cassette so I got it online. The cassette I guess was around $120 and the xd freehub was under a 100.

AAH HA . My error . I didn't look and thought I was in The Vado Thread not the SL .. Sorry

 

[mogulman]

Got a new seat for Vader. Power Pro with Mirror. Most comfortable so far. Tried a regular Power and Power mimic prior to this. Sticking with this one.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Got a new seat for Vader. Power Pro with Mirror. Most comfortable so far. Tried a regular Power and Power mimic prior to this. Sticking with this one.

Wow!
I assume it was adjusted to your body?

 

[mogulman]

Wow!
I assume it was adjusted to your body?

Adjusted the same as the Power Comp, which I had worked with the LBS on. BTW..this is a 155.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

QUICK QUESTION for the knowledgeable among you all. Have seen a cheap nearly new Deore M4100 11-46 10 speed cassette. My Vado SL 4.0 has the stock Deore 11-42 10 speed one. Any reason why I can't swap them over & give myself 4 precious extra teeth for the hills?! Chain length?

And while I'm on here, anyone know what length is the KMC e10 chain on the Vado SL 4? Is it 122 links or 138? Need to look at replacing my chain before the winter.

Thanks gang.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

And while I'm on here, anyone know what length is the KMC e10 chain on the Vado SL 4? Is it 122 links or 138? Need to look at replacing my chain before the winter.

You need exactly 120 chain links for the 44T chainring and 42T in the cassette for Vado SL. If you swap the cassette for 46T granny gear, you would need 122 chain links. However, I am not sure whether your existing derailleur would accommodate the 11-46T cassette (the derailleur shall be SGS -- long cage -- and am not sure what I have in my Vado SL).

 

[Rás Cnoic]

You need exactly 120 chain links for the 44T chainring and 42T in the cassette for Vado SL. If you swap the cassette for 46T granny gear, you would need 122 chain links. However, I am not sure whether your existing derailleur would accommodate the 11-46T cassette (the derailleur shall be SGS -- long cage -- and am not sure what I have in my Vado SL).

Thanks Stefan. That’s good to know re chain length. Just checked the shimano website & the Deore derailleur can handle cassettes up to 46 so in theory it should be ok. In theory. As I’ve swapped the chain ring for a 38T the original chain might be ok too; 44 + 42 (stock) versus 38 + 46

The jump up to the 46 is a pretty huge 37 to 46. Currently 37 to 42 and that jump seems to hesitate for ages so will be interesting.

I’ll report back once I try this. I’m just very curious to the motor’s response on the steep climbs. At 38/46 it should handle the gradient very well.

 

[ispookie666]

Took the bike out for a spin, only managed 18km, turned off the motor as was cycling slowly. Used a bit of assist to check how it was doing.
I could feel the difference compared to my Orbea (it has a dynamo) and was easy to pedal. I'm hoping to just stick to eco mode unless strong head wind or tired legs.

The 700x38c tyres was comfortable but caught it two minds about swapping it out, might actually wait till it shows wear or if it starts puncturing often.