Jeremy McCreary
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
If the extension arm were plastic, I'd try that. Unfortunately, it's aluminum, and I don't have the tools.
Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)
- Thread starter Stefan Mikes
- Start date
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The Cold Season Configuration Of My Vado SL
A larger chainring (42T instead of the 32T) and a new chain were what I needed for regular Vado SL rides in the cold season in the flat part of my province Mazovia.
I have reused my Garbaruk 104 BCD 42T chainring and the 8x8 mm steel MTB chainring bolts tightened to 5 Nm.
The 11-51T 11-speed cassette and the derailleur belong to the Shimano M5100 groupset. It was my major upgrade of the drivetrain made this season on a Vado SL 4.0.
The lowest 42-51T gear is near to the maximum "chain wrap capacity". I would hesitate to go with the largest allowed 44T chainring here! NB: The chain is KMC e11, 122 links used in whole.
Installing 42-622 Specialized Tracer Pro tyres in the tubeless setup was good from the riding perspective but it has eliminated the possibility of using the rear SKS Speedrocker mudguard/fender (too tight clearance!) Went with an SKS S-Guard (splash guard) instead.
While the front SKS Speedrocker fit with no issues!
My Vado SL cockpit as seen from the front.
Top-view of the cockpit. The photo is out-of-focus because the camera focused on the steering tube cap or on the subject in the mirror!
A larger chainring (42T instead of the 32T) and a new chain were what I needed for regular Vado SL rides in the cold season in the flat part of my province Mazovia.
I have reused my Garbaruk 104 BCD 42T chainring and the 8x8 mm steel MTB chainring bolts tightened to 5 Nm.
The 11-51T 11-speed cassette and the derailleur belong to the Shimano M5100 groupset. It was my major upgrade of the drivetrain made this season on a Vado SL 4.0.
The lowest 42-51T gear is near to the maximum "chain wrap capacity". I would hesitate to go with the largest allowed 44T chainring here! NB: The chain is KMC e11, 122 links used in whole.
Installing 42-622 Specialized Tracer Pro tyres in the tubeless setup was good from the riding perspective but it has eliminated the possibility of using the rear SKS Speedrocker mudguard/fender (too tight clearance!) Went with an SKS S-Guard (splash guard) instead.
While the front SKS Speedrocker fit with no issues!
My Vado SL cockpit as seen from the front.
Top-view of the cockpit. The photo is out-of-focus because the camera focused on the steering tube cap or on the subject in the mirror!
Last edited:
2wheelsgood
Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
Would the SRAM GX Eagle AXS Upgrade Kit fit straight on the Vado SL 5?
singletrackworld.com
Sounds like a fantastic upgrade from that review. Expensive at RRP but with a discount it would be tempting.
SRAM GX Eagle AXS Upgrade Kit review
SRAM’s AXS wireless technology trickled down to GX level spec with the release of the SRAM GX AXS system. We like it. A lot.
singletrackworld.com
Sounds like a fantastic upgrade from that review. Expensive at RRP but with a discount it would be tempting.
Ebikelife72
Member
- Region
- USA
Here’s a review of the new Vado Sl 6 1.2 with a carbon frame.
2wheelsgood
Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
GAJ
Active Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Santa Rosa, CA
IDK, they provide the weights now for both...essentially identical though. IIRC when I weighed my 5.0 non EQ using a digital bathroom scale it was 33lbs.Yes, the bigger battery. Do not trust the weight given by Specialized until you actually weigh the e-bike
6.0 LTD non EQ.
Weight
14.98 kg (33 lb, 0.4 oz)
Weight Size
MD
5.0 non EQ:
Weight
14.9kg (32 lb, 13.6 oz)
Weight Size
MD
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
BEC111
Well-Known Member
Actually in the context of Specialized traditionally high prices the prices are almost reasonable. Even for the absurd specialIt looks horrible as an EQ
Carbon and SL1.2 sounds good, but for that price?
edition. After all electronic shifting is is a very popular thing to over pay for.
Actually, I’m glad the price is so high. It almost cures the false need illness.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The Epic 8 Pro (non e-bike) is more expensive than the LTD
I could also mention the price of carbon Levo or Levo SL.Does anyone know if it has UDH hanger ?
I’m surprised they went Shimano rather than SRAM for the groupset..
Yeah for sure.. I was only introduced to Specialized in 2021 and looking at their portfolio for e-bikes I thought they and SRAM were best buddies…
I don’t think the SL2 has the UDH however just zooming in on the video
If you search on some threads, I did this upgrade a few years ago. Love the AXS on my Vado SL. Silent, quick shifting. No adjustments needed. Just make sure the battery is charged, and/or carry a spare!Would the SRAM GX Eagle AXS Upgrade Kit fit straight on the Vado SL 5?
SRAM GX Eagle AXS Upgrade Kit review
SRAM’s AXS wireless technology trickled down to GX level spec with the release of the SRAM GX AXS system. We like it. A lot.
Sounds like a fantastic upgrade from that review. Expensive at RRP but with a discount it would be tempting.
Took about 30 mins. Also, I was able to remove the derailleur cables, since it's wireless.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I think the story was the following:
During the pandemic, Shimano experienced HUGE issues (don't ask me what issues) and could not deliver components in the quantity required by Specialized. Reluctantly, Specialized turned to SRAM as SRAM could deliver at that time. Meanwhile, Shimano has recovered. If you look at the Vado SL 2 specifications, you will see the LTD has an electronic SRAM drivetrain while the 6.0 is the mechanical Shimano.
UDH or not? If Specialized wants to use either drivetrain on different e-bike models, it probably has to be the UDH.
During the pandemic, Shimano experienced HUGE issues (don't ask me what issues) and could not deliver components in the quantity required by Specialized. Reluctantly, Specialized turned to SRAM as SRAM could deliver at that time. Meanwhile, Shimano has recovered. If you look at the Vado SL 2 specifications, you will see the LTD has an electronic SRAM drivetrain while the 6.0 is the mechanical Shimano.
UDH or not? If Specialized wants to use either drivetrain on different e-bike models, it probably has to be the UDH.
2wheelsgood
Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
Did you ever explore the possibility of keeping the system charged via the bikes battery?
Also, I am assuming the upgrade did not affect the warranty?
Did you attach the derailleur to where the thru axle attaches like with the UDH or did use an adapter ?
A pic would be really cool (I tried searching but failed…)
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