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

[Kris Mason]

A quite interesting observation related to Vado SL, I think.
I was forced to ride either unassisted or minimally assisted (like 15/100%) on last Sunday to match the speed of my slow traditional cycling friend. When I switched the e-bike from the "minimalist ECO" to "OFF" I had a sensation the drivetrain got disconnected from the motor, and the pedalling became easier! Is that possible?

Very interesting I look forward to hearing more from your testing I’d very much like this to be true

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Very interesting I look forward to hearing more from your testing I’d very much like this to be true

I hate riding unassisted Kris. My daily ECO setting is 50/50%. As I recently choose not to push the speed derestrictor button, I often seamlessly get over 25 km/h and am getting a better workout that way Therefore, I was really surprised what happened at the low speed ride with my friend.

As my Vado SL is too old to have the MicroTune feature, I made my own using O-Synce controller and the BLEvo app. I set the initial assistance to 25/100% for ECO (the 100% Max Motor Power is essential at low Assist, as it makes the motor work all the time even if the assist is rather symbolic). As I was riding still too fast as for my friend, I was clicking the Down arrow on O-Synce, and could hear the "Assistance twenty percent... assistance fifteen percent... assistance ten percent" from BLEvo. The motor was whining, and I felt tired more and more. Suddenly, I went OFF to silence the motor! And... Pedalling has become easier!

Only I cannot trust my legs to ride unassisted!

 

[GAJ]

A quite interesting observation related to Vado SL, I think.
I was forced to ride either unassisted or minimally assisted (like 15/100%) on last Sunday to match the speed of my slow traditional cycling friend. When I switched the e-bike from the "minimalist ECO" to "OFF" I had a sensation the drivetrain got disconnected from the motor, and the pedalling became easier! Is that possible?

I use power to meet my friend on a paved bike trail and then turn the assist off to ride with him for 12 miles or so. It pedals every bit as well, if not better, unassisted than my analog bike so I actually have to slow down, even with no assist, so as not to lose sight of him in my mirror.

Bike continues to amaze and putting the medium helper spring in the Futureshock, (thanks to your pointing out it might not be in there), has really helped blunt the impact of major bumps which are common around here.

It is very nice when using assist on the way home, with 4 miles or so of riding in traffic, (speed limits of about 25), that cars generally don't even bother trying to overtake me as at 22mph +/- using Turbo I feel much safer. Takes some effort (which is my main goal anyway) but the reward is speed and relative safety.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I use power to meet my friend on a paved bike trail and then turn the assist off to ride with him for 12 miles or so. It pedals every bit as well, if not better, unassisted than my analog bike so I actually have to slow down, even with no assist, so as not to lose sight of him in my mirror.

Same as I did on Sunday to arrive to the trail beginning (15 miles). Only a part of our 33 mile loop together was unpaved.

It is very nice when using assist on the way home, with 4 miles or so of riding in traffic, (speed limits of about 25), that cars generally don't even bother trying to overtake me as at 22mph +/- using Turbo I feel much safer. Takes some effort (which is my main goal anyway) but the reward is speed and relative safety.

I was totally spent after the group ride of Sunday. Honestly? I derestricted my Vado SL with a button push and went full Turbo. The e-bike provided most of the power for my 14 mile return... The good thing was I was riding home mostly on empty bike paths!

 

[DesertRich]

A couple of questions before I take the plunge on a Vado SL 5.0:
1. I hardly ever ride in the rain and have never owned a bike with fenders.
2. I live in an area with chunky rocks, even on gravel roads. I’m primarily going to be on pavement, but will use the Vado SL to do some low end/ green/ easy MTB tracks at certain destinations.
3. I really want a solid rear rack for a trunk bag and possibly longer bike touring with panniers.
4. I’m almost certain I’ll want to replace the seat.

So it seems to me a lot of people are buying the EQ version and removing the front fender. Can you get a 40mm under the fenders and still not have a lot of debris problems?
Some folks have added a rear rack to a non-EQ, and cut the rear light. I really don’t want to cut it but I’m willing to relocate a light if it isn’t too difficult.

How are people feeling about their choice of EQ or not after doing some modifications to suit their style?

 

[Bruce525]

Thanks for the thorough post. I suspected it was something like this - now I have the details.

I now have my rear rack and relocated light project complete. I selected the RackTime Standit 2.0 rear rack. I bent the front attaching rod to generally match the tire outside radius and fastened it to the rear fender attachment threaded hole.

i moved the rear light from the seat to the bracket on the rear rack. It was fairly easy. The steps are:
Remove seat post from frame
Disconnect the two light wire connectors and then remove the light from the bottom of the seat.
Remove the lower motor plastic cover and from there pull the light wire from the frame seat post opening down and out the bottom of the frame.
I filed a small half circle opening in the plastic cover on the left rear side for a place to allow the wire to exit.
I designed and 3d printed an adapter that holds the light and attaches to the rear rack light bracket.

The Standit rack came with a hole in the left rear tube to allow the light wire to be routed down to the area near the rear axle.

I placed a fairly long piece of shrink tubing over the wire, reconnected the light wires to the relocated wire, pulled the shrink tubing over the connection portion and heated it to lock it in place.
I pushed the excess wire back inside the bike frame and zip tie the wire in place along the frame.

I really like this setup better than the light on the seat.

RackTime has a few rear bag choices for the 2.0 rack. My wife picked the Yoshi 2.0 bag. I attached a 2.0 bracket to my very old rear bag.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A couple of questions before I take the plunge on a Vado SL 5.0:
1. I hardly ever ride in the rain and have never owned a bike with fenders.
2. I live in an area with chunky rocks, even on gravel roads. I’m primarily going to be on pavement, but will use the Vado SL to do some low end/ green/ easy MTB tracks at certain destinations.
3. I really want a solid rear rack for a trunk bag and possibly longer bike touring with panniers.
4. I’m almost certain I’ll want to replace the seat.

So it seems to me a lot of people are buying the EQ version and removing the front fender. Can you get a 40mm under the fenders and still not have a lot of debris problems?
Some folks have added a rear rack to a non-EQ, and cut the rear light. I really don’t want to cut it but I’m willing to relocate a light if it isn’t too difficult.

How are people feeling about their choice of EQ or not after doing some modifications to suit their style?

I believe the rear-end of the Vado SL EQ is perfectly integrated, and it does not cause any issues during riding in more difficult terrain. Especially, the light integration in the EQ gives you the freedom of choosing any seat-post as the replacement of the original one, and the freedom of the saddle choice.

The original rear rack is rated for 15 kg. I often carry 20 kg of my groceries (gross) on the original rack but on pavement only. (I carry a rather lightweight pannier on my off-road rides).

The front fender is a disgrace off-road or on loose gravel, and I have removed it and replaced with an AssSaver.

You should not perceive the stock saddle negatively @DesertRich. After I have found my proper riding position (moderate, slightly more forward), I really appreciated the Specialized Bridge Sport saddle, as being one of my most comfortable seats.

I can see @Bruce525 has Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss tyres on his SL. The best tyres for that e-bike IMHO!

 

[Te. S]

I now have my rear rack and relocated light project complete. I selected the RackTime Standit 2.0 rear rack. I bent the front attaching rod to generally match the tire outside radius and fastened it to the rear fender attachment threaded hole.View attachment 153222

i moved the rear light from the seat to the bracket on the rear rack. It was fairly easy. The steps are:
Remove seat post from frame
Disconnect the two light wire connectors and then remove the light from the bottom of the seat.
Remove the lower motor plastic cover and from there pull the light wire from the frame seat post opening down and out the bottom of the frame.
I filed a small half circle opening in the plastic cover on the left rear side for a place to allow the wire to exit.
I designed and 3d printed an adapter that holds the light and attaches to the rear rack light bracket.View attachment 153223The Standit rack came with a hole in the left rear tube to allow the light wire to be routed down to the area near the rear axle.
View attachment 153224

I placed a fairly long piece of shrink tubing over the wire, reconnected the light wires to the relocated wire, pulled the shrink tubing over the connection portion and heated it to lock it in place.
I pushed the excess wire back inside the bike frame and zip tie the wire in place along the frame.

I really like this setup better than the light on the seat.

RackTime has a few rear bag choices for the 2.0 rack. My wife picked the Yoshi 2.0 bag. I attached a 2.0 bracket to my very old rear bag.

great job looks good

 

[GAJ]

I believe the rear-end of the Vado SL EQ is perfectly integrated, and it does not cause any issues during riding in more difficult terrain. Especially, the light integration in the EQ gives you the freedom of choosing any seat-post as the replacement of the original one, and the freedom of the saddle choice.

The original rear rack is rated for 15 kg. I often carry 20 kg of my groceries (gross) on the original rack but on pavement only. (I carry a rather lightweight pannier on my off-road rides).

The front fender is a disgrace off-road or on loose gravel, and I have removed it and replaced with an AssSaver.

You should not perceive the stock saddle negatively @DesertRich. After I have found my proper riding position (moderate, slightly more forward), I really appreciated the Specialized Bridge Sport saddle, as being one of my most comfortable seats.

I can see @Bruce525 has Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss tyres on his SL. The best tyres for that e-bike IMHO!

Agreed on the seat, it is very comfortable and I have no need to change it.

 

[JeffC57]

For those with a Vado SL EQ with a rear fender light-Occasionally check to make sure the red lens cover is securely fastened. After a bumpy ride, my rear fender light looked like this. The light was still functional though. I checked with the LBS and they said the only solution was to replace the entire light at a cost of about $30.
I contacted the OEM (Lezyne) via their website and asked if I could buy a replacement lens cover. Lezyne said that the lens cover could not be purchased because of waterproof issues but they would sent me a complete replacement light for free. The OEM version of the light does not have the Specialized power connectors for the cable however. Rather than splice in the new light, I was able to remove the cover using laptop pry tools. The cover was secured to the base with what seemed like a rubber cement. I pressed the new cover onto the old light base firmly and ran a narrow strip of red electrical tape around the perimeter of the lens and base to hold it in place. I'm red in the rear again thanks to Lezyne's customer support team. I also have a spare light and base if the old one fails.

 

[Bruce525]

I now have my rear rack and relocated light project complete. I selected the RackTime Standit 2.0 rear rack. I bent the front attaching rod to generally match the tire outside radius and fastened it to the rear fender attachment threaded hole.View attachment 153222

i moved the rear light from the seat to the bracket on the rear rack. It was fairly easy. The steps are:
Remove seat post from frame
Disconnect the two light wire connectors and then remove the light from the bottom of the seat.
Remove the lower motor plastic cover and from there pull the light wire from the frame seat post opening down and out the bottom of the frame.
I filed a small half circle opening in the plastic cover on the left rear side for a place to allow the wire to exit.
I designed and 3d printed an adapter that holds the light and attaches to the rear rack light bracket.View attachment 153223The Standit rack came with a hole in the left rear tube to allow the light wire to be routed down to the area near the rear axle.
View attachment 153224

I placed a fairly long piece of shrink tubing over the wire, reconnected the light wires to the relocated wire, pulled the shrink tubing over the connection portion and heated it to lock it in place.
I pushed the excess wire back inside the bike frame and zip tie the wire in place along the frame.

I really like this setup better than the light on the seat.

RackTime has a few rear bag choices for the 2.0 rack. My wife picked the Yoshi 2.0 bag. I attached a 2.0 bracket to my very old rear bag.

The next step in setting our bikes up as we want is to get my 20+ year old bike tool case installed. It’s a Lowepro small camera case that’s just the right size to hold my Alien multi-tool, tire removal tools, patch kit, etc. I designed and 3D printed a bracket that attaches to the frame and is supported by the rear rack attachment rod.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

The next step in setting our bikes up as we want is to get my 20+ year old bike tool case installed. It’s a Lowepro small camera case that’s just the right size to hold my Alien multi-tool, tire removal tools, patch kit, etc. I designed and 3D printed a bracket that attaches to the frame and is supported by the rear rack attachment rod.
View attachment 153506

Is it very dry where you ride? Because that would just get caked with mud where I am!

 

[Bruce525]

Is it very dry where you ride? Because that would just get caked with mud where I am!

Sounds like you need fenders. The trails we frequently use are paved.

 

[fatshark]

Agreed on the seat, it is very comfortable and I have no need to change it.

A further word on the seat ... after a couple of thousand uncomfortable miles I was considering all sorts of alternatives but instead fiddled around with the angle and - hey presto - it's now very comfortable. If you're struggling, reach for an allan key, not a credit card

 

[Marquezdl]

Damn I wish Specialized would offer the Turbo Vado SL in Colombia!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Damn I wish Specialized would offer the Turbo Vado SL in Colombia!

Maybe if you ask them? Who knows?

 

[Wookie]

SUPER EXCITED. After about a month of looking at numerous brands available both direct and locally at LBS in Atlanta, GA, I finally decided on a Specialisted Vado 4.0 SL. Most of my biking is recreational on the paved Silver Comet Trail (I can ride out of my garage and then pretty much directly onto the trail) which is a rails-to-trail biketrail running from the NW side of metro Atlanta all the way to Alabama. I've been riding it for 15 years or more on my Specialized sirrus elite carbon frame but at 65 the heat really makes summer riding a bit miserable for me. The SL was the only bike that really still felt like a bike. Bikes like the Gazelle were extremely comfortable but just felt heavier, less exciting. Gazelle is a great product but is essentially the SUV of bikes. I have a great local Specialized shop relatively nearby. The bike had to be ordered for the color I wanted so I'm about 12 days out from receiving it. I CAN'T WAIT!

 

[JayUK]

SUPER EXCITED. After about a month of looking at numerous brands available both direct and locally at LBS in Atlanta, GA, I finally decided on a Specialisted Vado 4.0 SL. Most of my biking is recreational on the paved Silver Comet Trail (I can ride out of my garage and then pretty much directly onto the trail) which is a rails-to-trail biketrail running from the NW side of metro Atlanta all the way to Alabama. I've been riding it for 15 years or more on my Specialized sirrus elite carbon frame but at 65 the heat really makes summer riding a bit miserable for me. The SL was the only bike that really still felt like a bike. Bikes like the Gazelle were extremely comfortable but just felt heavier, less exciting. Gazelle is a great product but is essentially the SUV of bikes. I have a great local Specialized shop relatively nearby. The bike had to be ordered for the color I wanted so I'm about 12 days out from receiving it. I CAN'T WAIT!

Congratulations on your new bike! I am awaiting delivery of my non SL Vado 5.0 and the wait is killing me!

 

[GGinMP]

SUPER EXCITED. After about a month of looking at numerous brands available both direct and locally at LBS in Atlanta, GA, I finally decided on a Specialisted Vado 4.0 SL. Most of my biking is recreational on the paved Silver Comet Trail (I can ride out of my garage and then pretty much directly onto the trail) which is a rails-to-trail biketrail running from the NW side of metro Atlanta all the way to Alabama. I've been riding it for 15 years or more on my Specialized sirrus elite carbon frame but at 65 the heat really makes summer riding a bit miserable for me. The SL was the only bike that really still felt like a bike. Bikes like the Gazelle were extremely comfortable but just felt heavier, less exciting. Gazelle is a great product but is essentially the SUV of bikes. I have a great local Specialized shop relatively nearby. The bike had to be ordered for the color I wanted so I'm about 12 days out from receiving it. I CAN'T WAIT!

Congratulations Wookie! I love how the Vado SL feels and rides so close to a non-e bike, but provides that extra bit of help that keeps me riding.

 

[Howie7]

SUPER EXCITED. After about a month of looking at numerous brands available both direct and locally at LBS in Atlanta, GA, I finally decided on a Specialisted Vado 4.0 SL. Most of my biking is recreational on the paved Silver Comet Trail (I can ride out of my garage and then pretty much directly onto the trail) which is a rails-to-trail biketrail running from the NW side of metro Atlanta all the way to Alabama. I've been riding it for 15 years or more on my Specialized sirrus elite carbon frame but at 65 the heat really makes summer riding a bit miserable for me. The SL was the only bike that really still felt like a bike. Bikes like the Gazelle were extremely comfortable but just felt heavier, less exciting. Gazelle is a great product but is essentially the SUV of bikes. I have a great local Specialized shop relatively nearby. The bike had to be ordered for the color I wanted so I'm about 12 days out from receiving it. I CAN'T WAIT!

I think you’ll be really happy with the turbo Vado SL4 it’s a perfect bike for what you’re planning on biking. I was at a conference in Atlanta quite a few years ago and I hired a bike to ride part of the Silver Comet Trail. I really enjoyed riding the trail, my journey to the bike hire shop was very interesting on the public transport that I had to take in order to get to the trailhead to hire a bike!