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

[Jeremy McCreary]

The Fidlock has been completely reliable even with a horizontal bottle.

Forgot to ask — does this experience include much bumpy riding? I do a fair amount of bumpy hardpack.

 

[Twowheelxtc]

Yes. I’ve done two 1200k tours on the bike and never had an issue despite some bumpy tracks, kerbs etc. I did try using a standard cage and bottle when I first got bike but other than making lifing harder the bottle could wriggle its way out due to the near horizontal position. With Fidlock I was able to carry 3 water bottles for the v hot times In European summers.

 

[stompandgo]

I'm considering them for a 2 pound range extender and a 3 pound lock.

 

[Twowheelxtc]

I'm considering them for a 2 pound range extender and a 3 pound lock.

Im not sure that would work as you need a specific bottle with the magnets built in. I think Fidlock sell a strap on attachment but i would be be wary of using it for a range extender.

 

[stompandgo]

Im not sure that would work as you need a specific bottle with the magnets built in. I think Fidlock sell a strap on attachment but i would be be wary of using it for a range extender.

The TQ range extender is designed for the Fidlock. I'd like to know how it works for bottles as well.

 

[2wheelsgood]

I seem to have developed some annoying rattles.

One of the things I liked about this bike from the start was that it felt well built and all of a piece. Now it is quite noisy when I ride over a drain cover or rough ground. Trouble is I am terrible at locating noises, I spent 5mins looking around and tightening everything I can think of but the noise still persists so I will need to go down the rabbit hole with this one I think.

I am hoping it is nothing battery or motor related.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Trouble is I am terrible at locating noises...

Ditto. Oddly difficult, in fact — not to mention annoying in the extreme.

If it's a periodic sound, the period between sounds — one wheel rotation, one half-turn of the cranks, etc. — should be a powerful diagnostic, but I've been fooled by even that. And forget about trying to hear where it's coming from in the saddle. Sounds must bounce off frame members or the road before reaching your ear.

Reproducing the sound on a work stand really helps, but you don't always get that lucky.

Good luck!

 

[e-levity]

I seem to have developed some annoying rattles.

Happens to all of us as we get older.

Just ignore it and point to the other guy if someone notices.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Please keep us updated on the Fidlock's usability. I am looking at this system.

Will do. Hopefully back in the saddle in a few days, then 1-2 weeks of multi-surface Fidlock testing.

Meanwhile, looks like the tariffs have caught up with Fidlock, a German company. Bottles in their Amazon store are now 2-3 times the prices I saw just 3 weeks ago, and some are no longer available.

 

[BakedPringles]

I had one rattle that turned out to be from the kickstand. It loosens (very slowly) over time. My bike is now quiet again.

 

[zbikeman]

So this is my new ride, a 2022 Vado SL 4.0. Ordered from Upway in Los Angeles for a little under $2K.

I've made a few adjustments:

--New Specialized 40mm trail stem

--New Ergotec trekking handlebars

--Replaced stock pedals with lightweight platform pedals w/toe clips

--Added the Specialized kickstand

--Replaced the original saddle with a Fizik Arione carbon. Ziptied the rear light to the saddle rails.

The missus got a 2021 Vado 4.0 and we've been having a blast. Living on a hill, we often leave the assist off until we head back home.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

So this is my new ride, a 2022 Vado SL 4.0. Ordered from Upway in Los Angeles for a little under $2K.

I've made a few adjustments:

--New Specialized 40mm trail stem

--New Ergotec trekking handlebars

--Replaced stock pedals with lightweight platform pedals w/toe clips

--Added the Specialized kickstand

--Replaced the original saddle with a Fizik Arione carbon. Ziptied the rear light to the saddle rails.

The missus got a 2021 Vado 4.0 and we've been having a blast. Living on a hill, we often leave the assist off until we head back home.

View attachment 199367View attachment 199368View attachment 199369View attachment 199370

Excellent! Hope you two enjoy your SLs as much as I've enjoyed mine.

 

[zbikeman]

Thanks! She's just got the regular Vado, not the SL, but she is certainly enjoying hers.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@zbikeman: Congratulations!

I like the headlight location on the fork crown. So you can use a handlebar bag, I think.
How is the tail-light mounted by Specialized?

Ziptied the rear light to the saddle rails.

Ah, no need to answer

 

[Rás Cnoic]

So this is my new ride, a 2022 Vado SL 4.0. Ordered from Upway in Los Angeles for a little under $2K.

I've made a few adjustments:

--New Specialized 40mm trail stem

--New Ergotec trekking handlebars

--Replaced stock pedals with lightweight platform pedals w/toe clips

--Added the Specialized kickstand

--Replaced the original saddle with a Fizik Arione carbon. Ziptied the rear light to the saddle rails.

The missus got a 2021 Vado 4.0 and we've been having a blast. Living on a hill, we often leave the assist off until we head back home.

View attachment 199367View attachment 199368View attachment 199369View attachment 199370

Good choice of bars and light fitting!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You wouldn't believe how long it takes to charge the SL main battery and as many as 4 SL Range Extenders even if you own two SL chargers and an SL Y-Cable
During the last gravel race I discharged the main battery and two REs, and partly discharged the third RE. I used the fourth RE for a TURBO shopping ride. As you know, you can use the SL Y-Cable only for concurrent charging the main battery and a Range Extender. The other charger was used for individual REs. An afternoon, evening, and the night!

 

[BEC111]

You wouldn't believe how long it takes to charge the SL main battery and as many as 4 SL Range Extenders even if you own two SL chargers and an SL Y-Cable
During the last gravel race I discharged the main battery and two REs, and partly discharged the third RE. I used the fourth RE for a TURBO shopping ride. As you know, you can use the SL Y-Cable only for concurrent charging the main battery and a Range Extender. The other charger was used for individual REs. An afternoon, evening, and the night!

Thanks for pointing out one of the main draw of electric vehicles, whether cars, bikes or whatever: long charge times. It may not matt that much if you plug in overnight, but having to wait three or four hours for your bike does matter. Having to wait a half’s hour or more for your car to charge, and more importantly, waiting in the parking lot at a rest area for the person ahead of you is really bad. Quick charging technology that doesn’t cause shortened battery life is sorely needed.

 

[Cycologist]

I recently removed the front headlight on my Vado SL 4.0 in favor of a mounting bracket that can hold my camera and GPS.
I don't ride at night anyway and avoid roads when possible. I still have the rear light on the seat though.

I decided to see how my battery usage was affected by not having the front light. There are some routes I take where I run on the Range Extender exclusively, so the main battery is only running the lights and electronics. My Garmin GPS only reports the charge levels on the main battery and knows nothing about the RE.

Before removing the front light (which is rated at 4W), I used to get a power drain of about 2% every hour.
After removing the front light, I didn't get a measurable power drain in that same timeframe.
In fact, today I did a one-and-a-half-hour ride and still got no measurable power drain. The main battery started at 100% and ended at 100%.
The rear light doesn't seem to draw that much juice.

Just thought I'd share since it was interesting.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Please keep us updated on the Fidlock's usability. I am looking at this system.

Several weeks of road and gravel riding now with the Fidlock base and 750 ml bottle shown.

So far, so good. Seems secure on bumpy hardpack. Like the look and the mouth-bottle interface.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Just passed my 200th ride on the SL 1 in a week short of 13 months. Love it more than ever.

Would've hit 3,000 mi by the anniversary if I hadn't lost nearly a month of riding to a persistent saddle rash.