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

[2wheelsgood]

Regarding the proper chain length, I was unsure if I was sizing it right on the upgrade of my Vado SL Gen 1 to Shimano Di2 XTR (wireless) 12-speed. Fortunately, @stompandgo was as kind as to look at the pictures and advised shortening the chain. Thank you so much, Stomp!

I have no experience with SRAM drivetrains and let others ride it I also use Garbaruk chainrings and those have never let me down.

The main reason I upgraded to the electronic drivetrain was trying something new and exciting. Now I think I could have equipped my upgraded SL to the 12-speed mechanical Deore XT and I would be equally (or perhaps even more?) happy. I now know I will keep the mechanical 11-speed Deore XT on my big Vado: it never fails even if the cable could be perhaps replaced

I am regretting the change to AXS to be honest. I liked it at first probably as it was new and exciting.

My bike is still in the shop so I am riding my sons mechanical Sirrus 3 with plain Deore and that changes smoother than my Eagle AXS or the Di2 Ultegra on my Roubaix.

 

[stompandgo]

I went from brand new 12 speed Deore mechanical to brand new 12 speed Deore XT Di2 on the Pinarello, and the difference is night and day. I am an admitted Di2 snob, but I'll say this. If your Di2, of any generation, is not shifting lightning quick, shift after shift, and feels like a step backwards from mechanical, there's something wrong with it.

Mechanical systems have a lot of forgiveness. Electronic systems are all about precision and consistency. To provide that, everything else that goes with the system must be optimized. The chain and cassette needs to match the vendor and installed correctly. The derailleur hanger must be straight. The front derailleur cage must be set properly. The derailleurs must be set up properly mechanically before electronically fine tuning them. That doesn't mean that they're delicate, and you can't get the same great shifting when the drivetrain is full of mud, slush, or whatever junk you're riding through, within reason.

I've ridden eTap and AXS a bit. It feels more like mechanical to me. It is generally also lighter than Di2. I still prefer a central battery with wires to separate batteries in the derailleurs.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I would say a slightly bent derailleur hanger can still be handled by the Di2 derailer. The adjustment is -10 units in my case.

What I dislike about the Shimano wireless is the shifter. In a higher class mechanical Shimano system, you can both push or pull the upshift lever. With Di2, you can only push it. I liked the push buttons on SRAM and especially on the Chinese Wheeltop EDS a way better. In rough terrain, I often push a wrong Di2 lever. Never happened with the push button shifters, especially with the Wheeltop, where the buttons are different from each other.

 

[stompandgo]

I would say a slightly bent derailleur hanger can still be handled by the Di2 derailer. The adjustment is -10 units in my case.

What I dislike about the Shimano wireless is the shifter. In a higher class mechanical Shimano system, you can both push or pull the upshift lever. With Di2, you can only push it. I liked the push buttons on SRAM and especially on the Chinese Wheeltop EDS a way better. In rough terrain, I often push a wrong Di2 lever. Never happened with the push button shifters, especially with the Wheeltop, where the buttons are different from each other.

I totally get that. The shifter is also very sensitive. If I accidentally touch the lever, it shifts, without a direct press. I love the Multishift, though. That makes up for the shortcomings. I have it set for:

Tap - one cog
One click - two cogs
Full press - three cogs

I think that might be tough to do with a pull upshift lever.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

As for my riding style, I only do the one click or the full press. I will set the long press to 2 cogs (it is now 3). No need for more where I'm riding! The shifting is as fast as I can repeat the action there in the hills if necessary.

 

[2wheelsgood]

So after spending nigh on 1000 pounds in the last 2 months to get a smoother gear change I arrive here:

New XG-1275 cassette
New SRAM 500 AXS derailleur
New Eagle S500 chain (95 pounds!)

And the gear change? really poor, the worst it has ever been

 

[Stefan Mikes]

So after spending nigh on 1000 pounds in the last 2 months to get a smoother gear change I arrive here:

New XG-1275 cassette
New SRAM 500 AXS derailleur
New Eagle S500 chain (95 pounds!)

And the gear change? really poor, the worst it has ever been

How come? Everything adjusted alright? It is hard to believe anyone would buy SRAM gear if it were so bad!