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

Nubnub said:
so here's my derailleur pics on a 4.0 EQ. Mostly to show the difference in tire clearance between the 32 mm Gatorskins and the 42 mm Pathfinders. My chain can be shorter because the big cog on the casette is 36 instead of the original casette so my derailleur positions aren't quite as extreme.
Click to expand...
Oh nice! I went with the 38mm Pathfinders because I thought the 42 wouldn't fit if keeping the rack and fenders. How do the 42 do on tarmac? I wondered if the difference between the 38 and 42 was that pronounced or if it's marginal.
I tried a ride in the local forest and the 38 behaved quite well, but if there's any chance that the 42s offer an overall more polyvalent and efficient take, while fitting with the EQ gear, I may consider switching.
 
Löhmraagondein said:
Oh nice! I went with the 38mm Pathfinders because I thought the 42 wouldn't fit if keeping the rack and fenders. How do the 42 do on tarmac? I wondered if the difference between the 38 and 42 was that pronounced or if it's marginal.
I tried a ride in the local forest and the 38 behaved quite well, but if there's any chance that the 42s offer an overall more polyvalent and efficient take, while fitting with the EQ gear, I may consider switching.
Click to expand...
The 42 were too tight a fit on the rear since the clearance to the fender bolt heads was very close. I kept the fenders on and switched to 38 mm and went tubeless. I also have a fenderless Tero (that can fit 2.35 in wide tires easily so clearance isn't an issue). Once I get the Tero updated to Class 3 I'll try the 42 mm pathfinders on it, also tubeless. When I used the 42 mm on the Tero previously they were quite good on the road. Of course that is compared to the stock 2.35 in Ground Controls which roll almost as well enough but are very noisy.
 
Nubnub said:
The 42 were too tight a fit on the rear since the clearance to the fender bolt heads was very close. I kept the fenders on and switched to 38 mm and went tubeless. I also have a fenderless Tero (that can fit 2.35 in wide tires easily so clearance isn't an issue). Once I get the Tero updated to Class 3 I'll try the 42 mm pathfinders on it, also tubeless. When I used the 42 mm on the Tero previously they were quite good on the road. Of course that is compared to the stock 2.35 in Ground Controls which roll almost as well enough but are very noisy.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your experience. It's confirmed, putting on the 42mm will require some hassle and buying to replace the fenders.
Thanks in advance for the review of the 42mm :)
 
I have a question regarding winter "storage". I have seen that the battery is spec'd to -20/+60 degrees Celsius for storage. Now it hasn't been that cold in the last 10 years, but you never know...

Those of you who don't have heated storage for your bike, how do you protect the battery? Do those neopren sleeves make any sense if the bike is not in use? It's going to cool out with or without them over time, no?

I'm a sunshine biker so the battery being in a ready-to-use state is no concern to me during winter. It's just parked.
 
I've been loving my TV SL 5.0, but felt bad going on rides with my wife with her riding a 30 year old Specialized Crossroads. She does well until the hills, but then she sometimes has to get off and hike. She's stubborn, and didn't want to pay out for another expensive bike (after mine) since we just bought a house. She finally relented after getting a PTO pay-out (she had too many banked hours), but then we found that there weren't any step-through small frames available (she's small). The waiting game is tough, and we started thinking about 4.0 models or other compromises. However, we stopped by a local dealer this weekend and the saw that they have the exact model due for delivery within a month. Xmas comes early!!! I can't wait for the two of us to take our Vado SL's out together!!!
 

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GGinMP said:
I've been loving my TV SL 5.0, but felt bad going on rides with my wife with her riding a 30 year old Specialized Crossroads. She does well until the hills, but then she sometimes has to get off and hike. She's stubborn, and didn't want to pay out for another expensive bike (after mine) since we just bought a house. She finally relented after getting a PTO pay-out (she had too many banked hours), but then we found that there weren't any step-through small frames available (she's small). The waiting game is tough, and we started thinking about 4.0 models or other compromises. However, we stopped by a local dealer this weekend and the saw that they have the exact model due for delivery within a month. Xmas comes early!!! I can't wait for the two of us to take our Vado SL's out together!!!
Click to expand...
Good for her and Congrats hope you get it soon make sure you post a pic
 
LiamD said:
I've tried the supergluing trick in the past, it's never really worked for me.
Click to expand...

The same trick but with a small blob of JB Weld left to set up for a few hours will work substantially better than superglue.

I also suspect that getting the replacement screw would be not too difficult. Tektro has them here:

Bleed Screws

Replacement caliper and lever bleed screws (sold separately) for all Tektro/TRP hydraulic braking systems. Long Lever Bleed Screw: Only for the HDC300/HDC330 Short Lever Bleed Screw: For all other models, including: Draco, Gemini, Auriga, Orion, M275 and M285 Caliper Bleed Screw: For all...
tektro-usa.com tektro-usa.com

although I make no claim as to whether or not this is the correct one.
 
tom9779 said:
So I got myself a turbo Vado sl 4.0 today. Lovely bike and will do a bit of a write up on it after a few more rides.

First time back in the saddle for over a decade and feel the firm ride with the stock saddle and post.
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Congratulations, Tom! How good you have the Spring where you live! :)
I have noticed Black Friday offers for, e.g. 2021 Vado SL 5.0 EQ at a breathtaking price in Poland! I assume that was not your case?
 
Stefan Mikes said:
Congratulations, Tom! How good you have the Spring where you live! :)
I have noticed Black Friday offers for, e.g. 2021 Vado SL 5.0 EQ at a breathtaking price in Poland! I assume that was not your case?
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No I got a 4.0 eq at a great price - too good to pass up to consider a 5.0(ie just the bike available).

It’s never that cold in Australia.(although we have had a lot of unusual wet weather).

I’ll enjoy it as is, but I might consider some upgrades as a bit of money left in the bike kitty,
 
With fenders off, anyone running larger than 42's on the SL/SL EQ? I currently have 38 Pathfinders. I will be doing more riding on gravel and dirt in the upcoming new year. Thinking a little bit more traction on the single tracks would be warranted.
 
CodyDog said:
With fenders off, anyone running larger than 42's on the SL/SL EQ? I currently have 38 Pathfinders. I will be doing more riding on gravel and dirt in the upcoming new year. Thinking a little bit more traction on the single tracks would be warranted.
Click to expand...
Currently running 35s... :)
 
So one of the first things I am looking to equip my turbo Vado sl with is some bags to carry my work stuff on a commute.

It’s a “rack time” rear rack. Assume that’s standard. Can anyone recommend one of their bags?

Needs to fit a laptop in it as my most common thing to carry around I think.
 
tom9779 said:
So one of the first things I am looking to equip my turbo Vado sl with is some bags to carry my work stuff on a commute.

It’s a “rack time” rear rack. Assume that’s standard. Can anyone recommend one of their bags?

Needs to fit a laptop in it as my most common thing to carry around I think.
Click to expand...
Tom: The rack on the Vado SL 4.0 EQ is rather small. The only matching pannier I could find is the Specialized Tailwind. Yes, it is has a pocket good for a laptop.
P.S. A fun-fact: Today, my black Tailwind could fit:
  • My wallet
  • A set of hex keys
  • An MTB pump
  • A bottle of good Ale
  • A can of good Ale
  • A big bottle of Becherovka, Czech herb liquer
  • A bottle of Captain Morgan Rum
:) Not a very spacious pannier, still very practical and stable. A great feature: If you put it on the ground, it stays upright there.
 
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