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

[Stefan Mikes]

Redshift ShockStop Utility Mount

I have completed building my Redshift ShockStop system. Now, both Computer Mount and Utility Mount are attached to the ShockStop stem. I have relocated a GoPro Mount from the bars to the Utility Mount, not without issues! The GoPro Mount is 31.8 mm (1 1/4") while the Utility Mount is 25.4 mm (1"). Redshift sells a shim to make up the difference. Unfortunately, Redshift online store for Europe has no Utility Mount available, so I had to buy the UM from Amazon (no shim offered there). Then, I had to make my own shim of a piece of rubber. That was not that easy!

Eventually, my stock Lezyne headlight is past the cables, centrally, and very far forward.

 

[Te. S]

thanks to everyone that has contributed to the SL Thread i am new here and reading and learning a lot, I am very happy with my 4.0 Eq now just looking to add bar ends like the ones that come on Specialized Sirrus bikes I wish i would had taken them off before selling the bike if you know where i can find these let me know TIA

 

[EscapedApe]

thanks to everyone that has contributed to the SL Thread i am new here and reading and learning a lot, I am very happy with my 4.0 Eq now just looking to add bar ends like the ones that come on Specialized Sirrus bikes I wish i would had taken them off before selling the bike if you know where i can find these let me know TIA

I own a 2012 Specialized Sirrus Elite. Do you have a photograph of the specific part you're looking for?

Is it just the little plastic end caps that close off the holes on the handlebar ends?

 

[Richard Stallard]

This looks like them. Model is Targa.

Specialized BG Contour Targa Grip/Bar End Black

Might be tricky to find any:

Struggling with Specialized Bar Ends/Grips Availability - Bike Forums

Hybrid Bicycles - Struggling with Specialized Bar Ends/Grips Availability - Specialized used to sell Body Geometry Targa Bar Ends/Grips. They came on bikes through model year 2017, meaning there are plenty of bikes for sale in bike shops right now today with these bar ends/grips. Here they are...

www.bikeforums.net

 

[Te. S]

I own a 2012 Specialized Sirrus Elite. Do you have a photograph of the specific part you're looking for?

Is it just the little plastic end caps that close off the holes on the handlebar ends?

Thanks no look at the picture I uploaded its the bar ends handles
Yes Richard those are it I can't find them

 

[Richard Stallard]

Giant make some very similar ones.

https://www.pushys.com.au/giant-ergo-max-plus-lock-on-grips-black-grey.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhZWY2YXm-gIVTw4rCh2qTgdaEAQYAyABEgIxGPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have Giant grips, but not bar ends, on my Vado SL which I transferred from my Giant Toughroad because they were comfy.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Te. S: Why not just buy Ergon GP2 or GP3 grips?

 

[Roger Dyer]

Another vote for GP3.

 

[Te. S]

@Te. S: Why not just buy Ergon GP2 or GP3 grips?

are these GP3 grips are they one piece can the end bars be removed or replaced later on

 

[Stefan Mikes]

are these GP3 grips are they one piece can the end bars be removed or replaced later on

These grips are made of two pieces that have to be installed together.

 

[GAJ]

Just bought a Turbo Vado 5.0 SL non EQ.

VERY addictive unlike my "normal" pedal bike.

I know you all know all this but I had no idea as I "assumed" buying an e'bike was a resignation to a less active riding life at age 66.

Of course I was wrong.

I can get up a steep series of nearby hills good riders struggle with on $10,000 race bikes that I tried once back in the day and gave up half way and never bothered again.

The interesting thing is because you pretty much know you can make it you make the extra effort despite the assist and in effect I am working harder and attacking different leg muscles/thigh muscles than I do on my regular bike where I pretty much say, "screw the hills, I'm sticking to the flats."

Even on flat ground I'm finding I'm working harder as I'm going 50+ percent faster with the same effort depending on the mode.

12 mph as a "normal" comfy pace becomes 18 mph and pushing it goes from 15-20 to 20-30 so you end up pushing it more often.

I think I'll be getting more of a workout on this thing by far than the other bike which is not at all what I was expecting as I feared I'd just take it easy and let the bike do most of the work.

Both bikes weigh the same, as my Kona Nunu, a Mountain Bike now riding on Hybrid Tires at a bit over 30 lbs is a bit porky. For an E'bike 33 lbs is very light and the aluminum frame and carbon fiber fork give it a far more nimble/lighter feel.
Even with no assist the E'bike, with its superior components, is easier to pedal and glides easier/faster downhill, so zero range anxiety and no need to buy the optional extender battery for me.

The speed is the reward on the E'bike though.

Very very odd.

I can see having a lot of fun in the hills above my house where traffic is light and where I never ever ventured before because I didn't want to struggle up them.

That was my hope.

So, despite being quite expensive, (you can buy one heck of a great A/V system for 5 grand), I think it is great value for me as I will actually be getting more exercise than ever and at age 66 that is priceless.

And a small part of it is that riding without my riding partner of many years, (who I had an idiotic falling out with after decades), who was always slower, does indeed allow me to push more, so there is that.

Since the photo I've added a bar end mirror and kickstand.

I've always taken kickstands off but this one is too nice to just drop on the ground or lean against a tree.

 

[BioWheel]

Just bought a Turbo Vado 5.0 SL non EQ.

VERY addictive unlike my "normal" pedal bike.

I know you all know all this but I had no idea as I "assumed" buying an e'bike was a resignation to a less active riding life at age 66.

Of course I was wrong.

I can get up a steep series of nearby hills good riders struggle with on $10,000 race bikes that I tried once back in the day and gave up half way and never bothered again.

The interesting thing is because you pretty much know you can make it you make the extra effort despite the assist and in effect I am working harder and attacking different leg muscles/thigh muscles than I do on my regular bike where I pretty much say, "screw the hills, I'm sticking to the flats."

Even on flat ground I'm finding I'm working harder as I'm going 50+ percent faster with the same effort depending on the mode.

12 mph as a "normal" comfy pace becomes 18 mph and pushing it goes from 15-20 to 20-30 so you end up pushing it more often.

I think I'll be getting more of a workout on this thing by far than the other bike which is not at all what I was expecting as I feared I'd just take it easy and let the bike do most of the work.

Both bikes weigh the same, as my Kona Nunu, a Mountain Bike now riding on Hybrid Tires at a bit over 30 lbs is a bit porky. For an E'bike 33 lbs is very light and the aluminum frame and carbon fiber fork give it a far more nimble/lighter feel.
Even with no assist the E'bike, with its superior components, is easier to pedal and glides easier/faster downhill, so zero range anxiety and no need to buy the optional extender battery for me.

The speed is the reward on the E'bike though.

Very very odd.

I can see having a lot of fun in the hills above my house where traffic is light and where I never ever ventured before because I didn't want to struggle up them.

That was my hope.

So, despite being quite expensive, (you can buy one heck of a great A/V system for 5 grand), I think it is great value for me as I will actually be getting more exercise than ever and at age 66 that is priceless.

And a small part of it is that riding without my riding partner of many years, (who I had an idiotic falling out with after decades), who was always slower, does indeed allow me to push more, so there is that.

Since the photo I've added a bar end mirror and kickstand.

I've always taken kickstands off but this one is too nice to just drop on the ground or lean against a tree.

Congratulations on your new favorite bike. When I bought my SL I equated the 'mode' switch on the handlebar with effort. If I needed help - press it. But I was so wrong. Really, for me anyway, it's a speed switch. And that's because having an SL has never reduced my effort. I'm still cranking out the same watts no matter the assistance and when I go from eco-sport-turbo, I just go faster. I love it. The SL is a bikers e-bike. That's the best thing about it.

 

[GAJ]

Congratulations on your new favorite bike. When I bought my SL I equated the 'mode' switch on the handlebar with effort. If I needed help - press it. But I was so wrong. Really, for me anyway, it's a speed switch. And that's because having an SL has never reduced my effort. I'm still cranking out the same watts no matter the assistance and when I go from eco-sport-turbo, I just go faster. I love it. The SL is a bikers e-bike. That's the best thing about it.

It was a revelation to me though a well known fact on this forum.

I'm guessing the only improvement to the bike in the next year or two will be a carbon version which is certainly not something I'd trade in this bike for.

The "invisible" Futureshock is something I wanted and for me it works perfectly for my kind of riding.

How the derailleur gets the chain onto that biggest rear cog remains a mystery of engineering to me but it gets up there no problem.

 

[mogulman]

Anyone upgrading/upgraded their Sram GX derailleur to AXS? Seems like they are on sale at a few places right now for $420. Ordered it and should be getting next week. Also ordered an upgraded paddle shifter for $20.

Wondering if there is any way of powering the derailleur off the main battery?

I emailed Sram to ask if the derailleur would work, and they said yes, AXS eagle GX is a direct replacement for regular eagle GX. They also said it was unusual that Specialized used an 11 speed front chainring with a 12-speed rear derailleur. (Gave them specs from the Specialized website)

 

[GAJ]

Anyone upgrading/upgraded their Sram GX derailleur to AXS? Seems like they are on sale at a few places right now for $420. Ordered it and should be getting next week. Also ordered an upgraded paddle shifter for $20.

Wondering if there is any way of powering the derailleur off the main battery?

I emailed Sram to ask if the derailleur would work, and they said yes, AXS eagle GX is a direct replacement for regular eagle GX. They also said it was unusual that Specialized used an 11 speed front chainring with a 12-speed rear derailleur. (Gave them specs from the Specialized website)

IDK, the derailleur works perfectly on my bike, why are you "upgrading"?

I am thinking of swapping out the pedals for metal ones so I can add toe clips.

 

[mogulman]

IDK, the derailleur works perfectly on my bike, why are you "upgrading"?

I am thinking of swapping out the pedals for metal ones so I can add toe clips.

Nerd factor faster/more accurate shifting. Less cables? Bored because it's too cold to ride and not enough snow to ski yet?

 

[GAJ]

Nerd factor faster/more accurate shifting. Less cables? Bored because it's too cold to ride and not enough snow to ski yet?

Ah, ok, I thought there might be a more technical reason or some design flaw you were trying to correct.

 

[Seasider]

2 dogs to the park? No probs on Vado SL!

 

[LiamD]

Hi guys, I have a bit of a problem. The bleed port screw on the rear brake caliper is rounded off so now I am unable to bleed my brakes.
The brakes have been bled only once previously by my local bike shop. It appears that during this process the Torx screw was damaged.

I'm at a loss as to what to do next. I have searched for a Tektro HD-R290 rear brake flat mount caliper to no avail.

Any suggestions? Is there a different caliper which is a straight swap?

 

[mogulman]

Installed AXS