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

A customer came in today with a Vado SL. She said that the battery had a full charge but she could not start it. We replaced the coin batteries in the display and the Mastermind for $50, which she gladly paid. She doesn't like going to the "jewelry store" even though she bought the bike there.
 
Jeremy McCreary said:
I know exactly what she's talking about. Bought my SL at glitzy Specialized Carlsbad but soon switched to Cadence Cyclery, an even closer authorized Specialized dealer that feels way more like my kind of bike shop.
Click to expand...

I have the same issue. I bought my bike at a similarly glizty shop in a fancy town, where the "rich" folks go.
After bringing it in for service a couple times, I was not impressed with how they were trying to nickel and dime me to death for stuff I didn't need.
They also tried to charge me for warranty work. It felt like a used car dealership.

I'm now switching to a shop out in the country, which is closer and easier to get to for me anyway.
It seems most people there are off-road riders like me too. Bikes on bike racks with mud on them, also pickup trucks with horse trailers.
My kind of place.
 
My story is completely different. I bought my first Specialized from a totally hopeless dealer. So hopeless they eventually lost their dealership. I moved to Specialized Warsaw who always have time for me, treat me as a VIP, and always find a solution. Those people fought for me like lions with the distributor when it came to a total rebuild of my big Vado under the "lifetime frame warranty". Thanks to them, my Vado 6.0 is the latest version, and it is less than 3 years old (the original was built in 2017, sold in 2019). I need to mention the original LBS cheated me from the very start by telling me the 2017 Vado was a 2019 model!

No, nothing is cheap at Specialized. Take it or leave it. Still, whenever I visit that Specialized store, I try to buy something to reward the excellent work these men do!

Of course, I bought my Vado SL at Specialized Warsaw. I feel so confident with the people there! They also allowed me demo ride numerous e-bikes and bikes, often free of charge!

1760657656511.png

I wish I were younger and healthy! I would have bought that expensive Diverge Comp Carbon on the spot! :)
 
Stefan Mikes said:
My story is completely different. I bought my first Specialized from a totally hopeless dealer. So hopeless they eventually lost their dealership. I moved to Specialized Warsaw who always have time for me, treat me as a VIP, and always find a solution. Those people fought for me like lions with the distributor when it came to a total rebuild of my big Vado under the "lifetime frame warranty". Thanks to them, my Vado 6.0 is the latest version, and it is less than 3 years old (the original was built in 2017, sold in 2019). I need to mention the original LBS cheated me from the very start by telling me the 2017 Vado was a 2019 model!

No, nothing is cheap at Specialized. Take it or leave it. Still, whenever I visit that Specialized store, I try to buy something to reward the excellent work these men do!

Of course, I bought my Vado SL at Specialized Warsaw. I feel so confident with the people there! They also allowed me demo ride numerous e-bikes and bikes, often free of charge!

View attachment 200973
I wish I were younger and healthy! I would have bought that expensive Diverge Comp Carbon on the spot! :)
Click to expand...
I think it can go either way. The important thing is to end up with an authorized dealer you like and trust.

Good I started with Specialized Carlsbad, cuz the SL I had my sights on wasn't easy to find. They searched high and low and eventually found one languishing in a warehouse 3-4 states away. Kudos for that.

Since Cadence Cyclery also sells Pinarello, Colnago, Cervello, Factor, and the like, doubt they could've or would've done that. But for many good reasons, I like and trust them a lot more for maintenance, outfitting, and just hanging around talking bikes.
 
Last edited:
I could not resist this week and did something I thought I would never do - I bought a second bike.

I do a lot of fitness rides where I switch off the motor and go for it and of course my data for those rides are hampered by a combination of flat bar aero, flat pedals and ~16kg weight.

I found a used S-Works Roubaix locally that was in spectacularly good condition and I could not resist at less than a quarter of its original price. barely 8kg with clipless pedals and getting down onto the bars you feel fast straight away. It will be interesting to compare times against the Vado SL. I have ridden it for two short rides now and it feels perfect, I was particularly surprised how comfortable it was on the rough roads around here.

This will be very much a dry weather speed machine only and will live an easy life - My Turbo Vado SL remains my main bike.

Now I just need some nice weather ...
 
2wheelsgood said:
I could not resist this week and did something I thought I would never do - I bought a second bike.

I do a lot of fitness rides where I switch off the motor and go for it and of course my data for those rides are hampered by a combination of flat bar aero, flat pedals and ~16kg weight.

I found a used S-Works Roubaix locally that was in spectacularly good condition and I could not resist at less than a quarter of its original price. barely 8kg with clipless pedals and getting down onto the bars you feel fast straight away. It will be interesting to compare times against the Vado SL. I have ridden it for two short rides now and it feels perfect, I was particularly surprised how comfortable it was on the rough roads around here.

This will be very much a dry weather speed machine only and will live an easy life - My Turbo Vado SL remains my main bike.

Now I just need some nice weather ...
Click to expand...
You lucky dog! I'd love to a ride a serious road bike like your new Roubaix now and then, though I doubt my creaky old neck would put up with it for long.

Of course, we'll need photos.
 
As I am over 60 and riding on some pretty rough roads it seems to be perfect for the kind of speed workouts I want to do. It has been upgraded with Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels, S-Works Aero bars and a more aggressive Zipp Sprint SL stem. I put some SPD-SL pedals on it now but haven't ridden it for days now as the weather has been atrocious. I put the old Bridge Sport Saddle on the Roubaix as it was sitting around in a box. With all the other weight saving components this does feel a little incongruous so I might have to change that in the spring when it gets some serious use - I never got on with the Bridge Sport anyway.

Off to the gym this morning and will be taking my trusty Vado SL as usual. As part of thanking the bike shop for giving the Roubaix a once over I thought I would buy a quad lock bike mount and phone cover (I felt I had to buy something as they would not take any money for the check over)

Never used one of these before but I am quite impressed how sturdy and vibration free it initially seems - it will come in handy as I often have to stop, get my phone out and recheck my location when getting out and about in new areas.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

John in CA
Vado SL 5.0 versus Vado SL 2 6.0 Carbon - thoughts on upgrading
2 3
Replies
44
Views
6K
Mike Tod
M
zbikeman
2022 Vado 4.0 SL - Future Shock upgrade?
Replies
12
Views
2K
Stefan Mikes
Stefan Mikes
tleish
Bolt/Nut Size for Specialized VADO SL 5.0 EQ Rear Fender
Replies
3
Views
2K
Allan47.7339
Allan47.7339
rochrunner
SL 2 Step-Thru
Replies
13
Views
3K
Stefan Mikes
Stefan Mikes
toku
When will Vado SL 4.0(or 5.0) upgrate in 2025
2
Replies
35
Views
14K
Jeremy McCreary
Jeremy McCreary
Back