Specialized’s ultra-light 120-mile range e-bike - Turbo Vado SL

[Stefan Mikes]

The feeling of riding past the 25 km/h speed restrictor is a sad experience for "full-power" e-bikes. You pedal hard, you approach, say, 28 km/h and the e-bike leaves you alone. It is like hitting the wall. What I can read on these Fora is the Specialized SL e-bikes feel very differently past the speed limiter, feel very natural and no "wall effect" is there. I'd be very interested with your own experience!

 

[BEC111]

The feeling of riding past the 25 km/h speed restrictor is a sad experience for "full-power" e-bikes. You pedal hard, you approach, say, 28 km/h and the e-bike leaves you alone. It is like hitting the wall. What I can read on these Fora is the Specialized SL e-bikes feel very differently past the speed limiter, feel very natural and no "wall effect" is there. I'd be very interested with your own experience!

I’ve occasionally been able to get my SL up to to 28mph and past it. (Not too many places long enough to get up to that speed without needing to slow down for pedestrians, slower riders or stop signs.)

I haven’t noticed that “wall” at the top speeds. I have felt it if I‘ve been running at Eco or Sport, hit turbo to pass someone or top a hill and then return to a lower assist level. Then there can be lots of resistance then. It goes away after a while, I think as the cadence and torque balance with the assist.

 

[Kivis]

So far I am not hitting 28 MPH but I haven't yet a long enough straightaway. Heck 24 MPH is pretty fast to me. Really bought the Vado SL 5.0 EQ for the assist in the 12 to 22 mph range anyway. And for that it is awesome.

 

[Copyrider]

I’ve occasionally been able to get my SL up to to 28mph and past it. (Not too many places long enough to get up to that speed without needing to slow down for pedestrians, slower riders or stop signs.)

I haven’t noticed that “wall” at the top speeds. I have felt it if I‘ve been running at Eco or Sport, hit turbo to pass someone or top a hill and then return to a lower assist level. Then there can be lots of resistance then. It goes away after a while, I think as the cadence and torque balance with the assist.

Agreed. I never have noticed a "wall." Could be different in the US. Here, it's not a "speed restrictor," but rather an assist cutoff that kicks in... also at much higher speed.

 

[yngrshr]

My understanding is that a 700 x 42 mm tire will fit on the Vado SL, but that's not much different than the stock 38. If you go to 650b wheels then I believe a 650 x 47 mm will fit and likely a 50 mm will fit. Whether or not that would make it acceptable to you and your wife is only a question the two of you can answer. I ride both off-road and road, but I have no issues with riding 23 mm tires on my carbon road bike and I've done light gravel in stretches. I am fine with it, but understand many would not.

My guess is that you might be better candidates for something like the Giant Thrive E+ (wife) and the Giant Fastroad for yourself. These bikes come with 27.5 (or 650b) x 2.4" wide tires. I would think that's plenty wide and lots of volume to take care of road chatter. The Giant is cheaper, though it does weigh a fair bit more. I believe it's around 48 lbs or so.

So, I have tried to look this up but aren't getting anywhere. What 650b wheels are Vado SL folks running? I am really considering the switch.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I bought a set of 27.5" or 650b MTB wheels for my Creo. The spacing on the rear works perfectly. The front is 15 x 110 rather than the 12 x 110 that my Creo takes. I got MTB tools to make me an adaptor and I'm good now. I just ordered 27.5 x 1.9 tires for my gravel set up. I think the 1.9s will equate to roughly 48 mm. Wider than I wanted to go as I wanted 42 mm, but I couldn't find anything in stock.

Did you need to get a wheel sensor for the motor to put on the new wheels? Think it's embedded in the rear rotor, or at least, it is with the Vado SL.

Would love to see some photos of the new wheels - this is something I've been thinking of doing with my Vado SL.

 

[yngrshr]

I bought a set of 27.5" or 650b MTB wheels for my Creo. The spacing on the rear works perfectly. The front is 15 x 110 rather than the 12 x 110 that my Creo takes. I got MTB tools to make me an adaptor and I'm good now. I just ordered 27.5 x 1.9 tires for my gravel set up. I think the 1.9s will equate to roughly 48 mm. Wider than I wanted to go as I wanted 42 mm, but I couldn't find anything in stock.

What exactly did MTB make for you? I ordered a set of 650bs (same front size as yours), so I’ll have to have them make likely the same thing!

Yes, I will need a wheel sensor for my new set. Someone else posted a picture of the part in another thread. It's a part that can be ordered from Specialized. I have toyed with the idea of getting the Planet 3 for my road wheels and then taking that sensor and using it for my gravel wheels. After I get my tires and mount them I'll post a picture.

Assuming this is the part?

Turbo Creo Speed Sensor

I purchased a set of DT Swiss HRC 1400 as a second set of wheels for a Turbo Creo Comp Carbon. The speed sensor is located on the rear wheel disk rotor locking. I'd like to purchase an additional lockring/speed sensor to facilitate wheel swaps. Has anyone purchased an additional...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Vado SL size?

With real fear, I learned the stand-over height of Vado SL size M was 790 mm. My stand-over height is 780 mm. Am I eliminated from riding the SL in size M?

 

[TS25]

How about riding with these boots to gain the missing mm:

You might be looking really smart in them ...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

How about riding with these boots to gain the missing mm:

Are you sure you are German, TS25? Your sense of humour is exceptional!!!

 

[TS25]

Are you sure you are German, TS25? Your sense of humour is exceptional!!!

Thx. Well, partly German. My dad was born in Latvia (but being baltic german).

His family was 'distributed' over the world after WWII. If it hadn't been for my later mum, I could be partly British, Canadian, US-American or Australian.

 

[BEC111]

Vado SL size?

With real fear, I learned the stand-over height of Vado SL size M was 790 mm. My stand-over height is 780 mm. Am I eliminated from riding the SL in size M?

I have the same issue. I have a medium which technically is too large but the small wasn’t available when I bought it. I can straddle the top bar with my feet on the ground easily and comfortably.

I may have to revisit the size issue in a few years when I get older and am less flexible. I’m 72 so that older may be sooner than I’d like.

 

[Sierratim]

I have the same issue. I have a medium which technically is too large but the small wasn’t available when I bought it. I can straddle the top bar with my feet on the ground easily and comfortably.

I may have to revisit the size issue in a few years when I get older and am less flexible. I’m 72 so that older may be sooner than I’d like.

Older for me is always ((current.age +3!) = old)...

 

[Sierratim]

Vado SL size?

With real fear, I learned the stand-over height of Vado SL size M was 790 mm. My stand-over height is 780 mm. Am I eliminated from riding the SL in size M?

@Stefan Mikes the current U.S. spec for the Vado 5 medium has a stand over height of 800mm. This fits me well with a slight pressure when I'm standing flat footed over the bike. I'm 5'9" with a 30" inseam; not the same as stand over I know but useful for a comparison.

I could have also fit the small for stand over, but I liked the reach on the medium much better. YRMV.

What was the spec on your Euro Vado?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Tim,
My Vado 5 ST has this spec: Stand-over Height: 720 mm (28.3").
The Polish Specialized website gives that parameter for Vado 5.0 SL EQ as 790 mm (31.1").
My inseam is 30". I'm 5'8" tall.

 

[Art Deco]

Tim,
My Vado 5 ST has this spec: Stand-over Height: 720 mm (28.3").
The Polish Specialized website gives that parameter for Vado 5.0 SL EQ as 790 mm (31.1").
My inseam is 30". I'm 5'8" tall.We

We are the same height and inseam now Stefan. But I used to be an inch and a half taller when I still had discs in my back. Same 30 inch inseam, but my 30 inch waist got bigger as I got shorter. Not Very Fair.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Don't worry. I wear 42" trousers After I lost my weight, I need to wear suspenders in addition to my belt

 

[Art Deco]

Don't worry. I wear 42" trousers After I lost my weight, I need to wear suspenders in addition to my belt

"Belt and Braces" is a PA Dutch expression for being extra carefull. Braces means Suspenders. And I am so accustomed to my current height ( decades now ) that I never notice it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Friends also laugh at me for wearing the belt & braces Yet I cannot imagine not wearing both on a long ride in Softshell pants bought when I was 236 lbs and now am less than 200

 

[Art Deco]

Older for me is always ((current.age +3!) = old)...

Current age + 30 years works for me.