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

[Jeremy McCreary]

Part of it is that everything is connected by the frame so a squeak from drive train could be saddle, post, BB, pedals, mech, cassette, hubs and of course on e bikes the motor. Might even be loose headset or handlebars as the pedalling motion causes 'ripples' through the frame, everything connected. It is absolutely frustrating when there is a knocking noise.

Agree, transmission through the frame has to be part of the answer. Then you hear the sound at its strongest or nearest re-radiator, which from the saddle could well be louder than the source.

Reflections off frame members or components could also add to the subterfuge.

 

[JRitt]

Hello Everyone,

I recently picked up one of these awesome Vado SL's at clearance pricing from Cycle Sport...what a bike! I'm really impressed with how fast it is. I ride a Levo SL as my MTB, so this Vado was a logical complement as I can use my existing range extender, I'm used to the interface and electronics platform, etc. What I'm wondering is, what tire options are people now running? It seems like everything is going wider over the past couple years and the Specialized Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss 700x42 everyone loved seems to be sold out everywhere. Any suggestions on alternatives?

1. I want to go tubeless.
2. I would like to go as wide as possible without rubbing (I'm not running fenders)
3. I'll be riding the paved Ecusta Trail and other paved bike paths with my family, and also venturing out on my own on Pisgah and Dupont fire roads, and other gravel roads in the area.
4. I want something that is comfortable and reliable.
5. I'm not really concerned about speed, or riding gnarly terrain. I have my Levo SL for that type of riding.

Any input is much appreciated. Thanks!

ps I did search this thread but didn't find any super recent tire suggestions over the past year or so.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Hello Everyone,

I recently picked up one of these awesome Vado SL's at clearance pricing from Cycle Sport...what a bike! I'm really impressed with how fast it is.

Congrats and welcome aboard! Still in love with my SL 1 a year and almost 3,000 mi later.

What I'm wondering is, what tire options are people now running? It seems like everything is going wider over the past couple years and the Specialized Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss 700x42 everyone loved seems to be sold out everywhere. Any suggestions on alternatives?

1. I want to go tubeless.
2. I would like to go as wide as possible without rubbing (I'm not running fenders)
3. I'll be riding the paved Ecusta Trail and other paved bike paths with my family, and also venturing out on my own on Pisgah and Dupont fire roads, and other gravel roads in the area.
4. I want something that is comfortable and reliable.
5. I'm not really concerned about speed, or riding gnarly terrain. I have my Levo SL for that type of riding.

My SL has been running 38 mm tubeless Pathfinder Pros for almost 3,000 mi of road, hard pack, gravel, low-tide beach sand, and some easy single-track now and then. A lot of the off-road surfaces have been far from luxury.

Point is, the 38s have been more than adequate on all of that. So if you can't find 42s, the 38s are a good fallback.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@JRitt: you could try either Specialized Pathfinder TLR 40-622 or Schwalbe G-One Overland 365 size 40-622

 

[Rás Cnoic]

When I got my Vado SL first, in the first year or so I tried a few different tyres, from original pathfinder sport to wtb nanos, panaracer gravel kings and then because I picked up a cheap pair & decided to try them; wtb byways 44s. They suit my riding and they've been now on the bike for 3 + years. There are a number of similar style tyres from different brands with a smooth central stripe with knobs on the edges giving a good all round tyre for different conditions. I also find the wtb tyres in general very comfortable, good suspension. Obviously it also depends on the road surfaces you tend to ride, the mix of small lanes, bridleways and forestry roads near me works well with the 'byways' tyre.

 

[2wheelsgood]

I might be in the market for new tyres in the new year as for sure the bike shop will suggest my I need to replace my Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss 700x42
due to wear. Now my riding has definitely changed in the last year and I am pretty much solely on the road these days I am wondering if I should look for something more road oriented but still forgiving.