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

[Jeremy McCreary]

Just align the crank arm to one of the spider arms on the chainring and connect both tightly, using a strong zip tie, or velcro strap. There are reusable zip ties out there, but I sacrifice a regular type when I need to.

Thanks, have some small velcro straps that might be perfect for that.

Another variation: Stick the appropriate hex key in one of the chainring bolt heads and push it around with the crank on that side. Works well enough and couldn't be easier, but I worry about long-term bolt head damage. Velcro is safer.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A Very Good News!

It has turned out the SL 1.1 motor in my Fearless was not broken. I think the internal motor clutch must have just frozen out on a Winter ride

All good. I have installed summer tyres, maintained the chain and now the last thing to do is to work on the brakes

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You guys wouldn't believe what happens to an e-bike that stopped to be ridden in the middle of Winter and left alone

Tyres replaced, OK. The chain (rusted) well shaken in a cleaner fluid in a closed jar, washed, dried, lubed, OK. However, the test ride had clearly shown more needed to be done! Two year old Swiss Stop brake pads totally glazed, replaced. Brake rotors cleaned with an appropriate fluid, fine. The handlebars untrue (the stem bolts had loosened!) The rear mirror bolts required tightening... What else?

Taking my Fearless for a wash in the morning and then I will ride for 10 km to make sure everything else is in order!

 

[mogulman]

You guys wouldn't believe what happens to an e-bike that stopped to be ridden in the middle of Winter and left alone

Tyres replaced, OK. The chain (rusted) well shaken in a cleaner fluid in a closed jar, washed, dried, lubed, OK. However, the test ride had clearly shown more needed to be done! Two year old Swiss Stop brake pads totally glazed, replaced. Brake rotors cleaned with an appropriate fluid, fine. The handlebars untrue (the stem bolts had loosened!) The rear mirror bolts required tightening... What else?

Taking my Fearless for a wash in the morning and then I will ride for 10 km to make sure everything else is in order!

Wow.. I'm glad I don't have that much to do on my bike. Sounds like you need a new bike soon What would you get if you had to?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Sounds like you need a new bike soon What would you get if you had to?

Ooh, ooh, let me guess — for @Stefan Mikes , a Specialized Vado SL 2! Nearly ran off with the last one he tested.
;^}

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Ooh, ooh, let me guess — for @Stefan Mikes , a Specialized Vado SL 2! Nearly ran off with the last one he tested.
;^}

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Sounds like you need a new bike soon

Oh, no, I'm so glad to own so different e-bikes: a Speed Vado and a Vado SL Properly maintained, they're gonna last!

What would you get if you had to?

Ooh, ooh, let me guess — for @Stefan Mikes , a Specialized Vado SL 2! Nearly ran off with the last one he tested.
;^}

Hypothetically, that would be an alloy Vado SL 2 as the sweet point between my Roadrunner and Fearless No carbon (I'm too heavy!) Additionally, my 4 Range Extenders would find a new use

Still, I'm so glad the SL motor is in good health. My brother had already offered coming with his bus to take Fearless in for an attempt to repair the motor! Besides, I need to tell you what has happened to Jacek over the last six years Note: Jacek is 62 now.

• In 2020 all he owned was a 20-yo Giant bike; he rode it rarely. I started lending him my e-bikes I didn't want at the time. We were on many trips together
• In 2021, I gave him my Giant Trance E+ 2 Pro (a full suspension Trail e-MTB). He started building his form and riding with a hardcore MTB club, especially during harsh winters. We also went on mountain vacation together
• Following my example, he joined the gravel cycling community in 2022. He still rode his e-MTB all year long (gravel in the warm season and XC/MTB in the winter)
• In 2024, he started riding a traditional gravel bike. He started participating in gravel races and sank deep into the gravel cycling community
• In December 2025, he organised a racing team, planned the relay race, and won the race together with his team!
• Now, his bike is equipped with the electronic drivetrain and a power meter/cadence crank-set.

I quietly say: He achieved everything himself; however I think it was me to kindle his cycling passion!

My beloved "brother" (first cousin) Jacek.

 

[BioWheel]

Have a dropper on my LevoSL and like it. The frame sits really high for ground clearance so I need the dropper to get off/on. And - declines of course, great for that. For my VadoSL - I don't need it. I can mount/dismount since the frame isn't made for clearance and I just belly the bike seat if I'm going down a really steep decline but rare to encounter something that steep on road or gravel trail.

 

[Chargeride]

The company fixing Brains motor just sent him a Bafang update.

 

[Chargeride]

I hear Specialized are in talks with Bafang about improving their battery connections.
Probably...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The company fixing Brains motor just sent him a Bafang update.

I don't seem to see a Bafang (or Brose) motor here

I hear Specialized are in talks with Bafang about improving their battery connections.
Probably...

What battery connection issues? (The sign reads: "Quality without any compromise")

 

[rochrunner]

It occurred to me that I never posted photos of my completed SL 5.0 "step-over" to 4.0 "step-thru" project. I have yet to ride it though: we had one suitable day last week when we were off on holiday and now this week we're back to winter weather. Oh well, it will come...

I carried over my custom-built wheels with the Onyx Vesper hubs and Pathfinder Pro 700cx42 tires; Redshift seatpost and Ergon saddle; Varia radar taillight; Transit rack; Redshift stem (new); Ergon grips and various handlebar mounts; and Inner BarEnds. I also had the dealer install a MasterMind TCU. The only thing I didn't install yet is the switch to turn the headlight off and on; it plugs easily into the harness so will be easy when I get around to it. I might miss the higher-end drivetrain from the 5.0 but can address that later. I was also able to put my 5.0 back to "showroom stock" condition and will try selling it when the weather warms up in a few weeks.

 

[Twowheelxtc]

It occurred to me that I never posted photos of my completed SL 5.0 "step-over" to 4.0 "step-thru" project. I have yet to ride it though: we had one suitable day last week when we were off on holiday and now this week we're back to winter weather. Oh well, it will come...

I carried over my custom-built wheels with the Onyx Vesper hubs and Pathfinder Pro 700cx42 tires; Redshift seatpost and Ergon saddle; Varia radar taillight; Transit rack; Redshift stem (new); Ergon grips and various handlebar mounts; and Inner BarEnds. I also had the dealer install a MasterMind TCU. The only thing I didn't install yet is the switch to turn the headlight off and on; it plugs easily into the harness so will be easy when I get around to it. I might miss the higher-end drivetrain from the 5.0 but can address that later. I was also able to put my 5.0 back to "showroom stock" condition and will try selling it when the weather warms up in a few weeks.


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What switch did you use for the light? It really annoys me that I can’t decide that I want to have the light off particularly when touring and often can’t charge the main battery at night. I know it’s negligible draw but at times every watt counts (in my mind anyway ).

 

[rochrunner]

What switch did you use for the light? It really annoys me that I can’t decide that I want to have the light off particularly when touring and often can’t charge the main battery at night. I know it’s negligible draw but at times every watt counts (in my mind anyway ).

https://forums.electricbikereview.com/threads/headlight-switch-for-vado-sl.51329/

 

[Twowheelxtc]

https://forums.electricbikereview.com/threads/headlight-switch-for-vado-sl.51329/

Thanks for that. Very useful. I’ve ordered the switch!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I carried over my custom-built wheels with the Onyx Vesper hubs and Pathfinder Pro 700cx42 tires

I can see you made an aware selection of the wheels' components! Congratulations!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I've just installed a new set of Crankbrothers Stamp 1 Large pedals on my Fearless. The existing Stamp 3 have developed some play in the bearings, not good. I've decided I could live with lighter and less expensive composite pedals

 

[BioWheel]

Headset service. Was starting to sound crunchy and with good reason. There's a sleeve inside that keeps the cabling at the edge. The 'duckbill' had loosened up probably about 8000 miles ago and I reset the bearing load at that time and cleaned it. So it's taken several years for the stuff to buildup.

 

[2wheelsgood]

My April service is looking more expensive by the week.

Horrendous screeching from the brakes at full power. Cleaned the discs but nothing changed, they look pretty scored as well. Annoying as the Shimano XT brakes are only 9 months old. The service is 200 UK pounds without any add ons so, chain, new tyres, brake pads and discs, and whatever else they add on I doubt if I will get much change from 500

 

[BioWheel]

My April service is looking more expensive by the week.

Horrendous screeching from the brakes at full power. Cleaned the discs but nothing changed, they look pretty scored as well. Annoying as the Shimano XT brakes are only 9 months old. The service is 200 UK pounds without any add ons so, chain, new tyres, brake pads and discs, and whatever else they add on I doubt if I will get much change from 500

Putting on new pads takes a couple minutes and it's just a screw and maybe a Kotter pin. And squealing can be the type of pads you're using. And if the pads are a bit wet.