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

[tom9779]

I also thought these might be cool and I just put a bag inside them…not sure if a bit heavy.

Specialized/Fjällräven Coolcave Pannier | Specialized.com

Whether it’s a picnic in the park or an epic, multi-day ride in the mountains, we believe good storage equals good adventuring. Enter our versatile and tough Coolcave pannier. A 19-liter open pannier in rigid plastic, our Coolcave is perfect for carrying everyday essentials, purchases, or...

www.specialized.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I am quite negative to the "RackTime ware". I can still remember the time I bought the original Racktime Tour (or whatever the name of that box was), and that box could not be ever closed, so bad the workmanship was. I kept the box for almost 3 years and eventually it ended in the dustbin.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Tom: The Tailwind is just dedicated for the Vado SL. I spoke about it with Specialized Warsaw people, and we decided Fjallraven was not the proper stuff. The triangle height of the Vado SL rack is just 24 cm. For instance, no Ortlieb pannier fits that rack.

 

[tom9779]

Tom: The Tailwind is just dedicated for the Vado SL. I spoke about it with Specialized Warsaw people, and we decided Fjallraven was not the proper stuff. The triangle height of the Vado SL rack is just 24 cm. For instance, no Ortlieb pannier fits that rack.

Tom: The Tailwind is just dedicated for the Vado SL. I spoke about it with Specialized Warsaw people, and we decided Fjallraven was not the proper stuff. The triangle height of the Vado SL rack is just 24 cm. For instance, no Ortlieb pannier fits that rack.

Right…

This is the rack currently on the bike.

Not sure if stock or what the LBS fitted. But if it is the one which ships with the Turbo Vado SL you are saying the cool caves are no go. Whereas the tailwind bags will clip on and fit nicely?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Whereas the tailwind bags will clip on and fit nicely?

You need a Philips screwdriver to adjust the Tailwind. After that is done, it is as solid as a rock. My feet are large, so I had to relegate the Tailwind to the rear of the rack to avoid heel-strikes.

My Tailwind serves me well on gravel group rides. I store up to 3 Range Extenders, sports drinks, a sandwich, tools, a pump, and a spare inner tube there.

 

[CodyDog]

700 x 47mm on a SL 5 EQ
tubeless
View attachment 141156View attachment 141157

Thanks for the pictures. What type of riding do you mostly do? What inspired you to go wider?

 

[e-levity]

Thanks for the pictures. What type of riding do you mostly do? What inspired you to go wider?

Dry, fair weather riding here in the desert southwest.
Most miles are on pavement, but the most fun miles are often on hardback dirt or gravel.
Wider tires provide more cushion and traction and don't seem to have a negative effect.

Here are some pics from February and March (Death Valley Natl Park, Anza Borrego Desert State Park)
I'm running 700x47 tires, mrs levity is running 27.5x2 tires

 

[mogulman]

Out for the season. Scrambled my ankle into small pieces. Hopefully back in the spring. Keeping up with all the SL news so I can get back in the saddle!

 

[rayray]

Out for the season. Scrambled my ankle into small pieces. Hopefully back in the spring. Keeping up with all the SL news so I can get back in the saddle!

Bummer. Get well soon!

 

[CodyDog]

Out for the season. Scrambled my ankle into small pieces. Hopefully back in the spring. Keeping up with all the SL news so I can get back in the saddle!

I wish you a quick and painless recovery.

 

[Richard Stallard]

I regularly use Vaude panniers on my Vado SL 4.0 EQ. I previously posted some photos at
Post in thread 'Panniers for Turbo Vado SL EQ 5.0'
https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/panniers-for-turbo-vado-sl-eq-5-0.47935/post-519033

Compared to many other panniers they sit quite high which suits the Racktime rack. The lock-on fixings are very adjustable and they come with 3 sets of rubber spacers to suit the diameter of the rack tubing. I currently use them mostly for shopping and use small padlocks in the holes provided in the pannier fixing clips to deter theft.

in 2019, I used the same panniers on a different bike (Giant Toughroad with Topeak rack) for a few weeks hotel-based touring in Germany and France.

 

[ispookie666]

I use a Thule pack n pedal pannier for my 10 mile commute. It will easily carry laptop.

I had a speed sensor error which needed a few switch off -on to get working again. I wonder if the sensor was dirty

 

[JustRiding]

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.

I have meanwhile purchased 3 different types of bags for my Vado SL Rack Time system:

• Clickfix Rackpack Light - for small luggage during day trips with my bike
• Clickfix Shopper Alingo GT - for shopping groceries
• Clickfix Rackpack XL - for office commuting. It is broader than the Rackpack Light and fits a laptop plus a bit of extra luggage.

 

[LiamD]

Tom: The Tailwind is just dedicated for the Vado SL. I spoke about it with Specialized Warsaw people, and we decided Fjallraven was not the proper stuff. The triangle height of the Vado SL rack is just 24 cm. For instance, no Ortlieb pannier fits that rack.

Ortlieb front panniers fit fine on mine. These ones I think.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Ortlieb-Sport-Roller-City

 

[Löhmraagondein]

Tom: The Tailwind is just dedicated for the Vado SL. I spoke about it with Specialized Warsaw people, and we decided Fjallraven was not the proper stuff. The triangle height of the Vado SL rack is just 24 cm. For instance, no Ortlieb pannier fits that rack.

Those are two Ortlieb panniers and they're doing just fine as removable bike trunks

Back-Roller

Durable polyester fabric make this pannier a long lasting touring companion. The waterproof roll closure ensures safe and waterproof storage of food and equipment.

www.ortlieb.com

 

[Kris Mason]

Those are two Ortlieb panniers and they're doing just fine as removable bike trunks

Back-Roller

Durable polyester fabric make this pannier a long lasting touring companion. The waterproof roll closure ensures safe and waterproof storage of food and equipment.

www.ortlieb.com

Santa is bringing me some of these in a couple of days

 

[Löhmraagondein]

Santa is bringing me some of these in a couple of days

!!! Enjoy !

 

[Löhmraagondein]

I'd consider changing the rack at some point if I'd be sure one could welcome an adult's ass (and thus weight XD). Not sure the stock wheels can handle two people though. But having the possibility to add a removable seat and bring someone (not for adventures but for commuting/city wandering) would be awesome. I've seen some racks that are claimed to support up to 100kg, but maybe the weak points are the Vado's frame and wheels. I'm not a big guy myself, weighing around 62kg. What would you consider a limit to the vado's general load capacity? (Mine is L sized).

 

[tomjasz]

For USA riders Sierra.com has a closeout (42% OFF) on Ortlieb panniers. For those able to deal with simple attachment issues.

 

[PDX Sid]

I'd consider changing the rack at some point if I'd be sure one could welcome an adult's ass (and thus weight XD). Not sure the stock wheels can handle two people though. But having the possibility to add a removable seat and bring someone (not for adventures but for commuting/city wandering) would be awesome. I've seen some racks that are claimed to support up to 100kg, but maybe the weak points are the Vado's frame and wheels. I'm not a big guy myself, weighing around 62kg. What would you consider a limit to the vado's general load capacity? (Mine is L sized).

The EBR video review of the Specialized Vado SL 4.0 EQ (Size Large) says its original Racktime rack is “rated up to 33 lbs. or 15 kg.” It’s about the only thing the reviewer didn’t like about the e-bike.