Specialized’s ultra-light 120-mile range e-bike - Turbo Vado SL
- Thread starter FlatSix911
- Start date
I had Vado 5 for 8 months. Too powerful to ride like a bike. Sold for 80% of new bike price. Big demand for EbikesIt's funny how in the Fazua thread many (but not you) said that this type of bike "wasn't for America" because it was too underpowered and didn't "fit the culture". And now suddenly it's the big thing.
Don't want to brag, but we told you so.
SL 5.0 EQ is perfect. Future shock is worth the added price. Will add Thudposter seat post for magic carpet ride
BEC111
Well-Known Member
I’ve discovered Zoic. Liners with a fly. Haven’t bought yet. For the spring. But they will be a savior.
Kivis
Member
My next purchase
Over50
Well-Known Member
I just switched out the Thudbuster ST on my Vado SL 5 EQ for the Redshift. Redshift is a little less noticeable and I think a little lighter. Initially I wanted the Cane Creek eeSilk but no longer offered. The Redshift seems similar to it in terms of profile/noticeability and weight. I think it fits better with a light bike motif. Pretty satisfied with it so far. And I'm willing to sell my Thudbuster ST lightly used in great condition.
Over50
Well-Known Member
Video published a few days ago. Really good discussion on trajectories of bike weight and power, torque etc in emtbs:
(2) Future E Bike Technology Part 2 | Are Lightweight Electric Mountain Bikes The Future? - YouTube
(2) Future E Bike Technology Part 2 | Are Lightweight Electric Mountain Bikes The Future? - YouTube
Copyrider
Active Member
The same decision was made for me when my Vado 4 was stolen last March--the day before San Francisco went on lockdown. I loved the Vado, but felt it was too boosted and too heavy for the kind of cycling I really wanted to do. Bought a Vado 4 SL and love it!I had Vado 5 for 8 months. Too powerful to ride like a bike. Sold for 80% of new bike price. Big demand for Ebikes
Atlgaga
Member
- Region
- USA
Mirror???Looks like a great bike for fit riders looking for a low power/high range option.
Specialized's ultra-light, 120-mile range e-bike mixes fitness and transport
Specialized has just released the latest edition to its Turbo e-bike lineup, the Specialized Turbo Vado SL. With “SL” standing...electrek.co
Specialized has just released the latest edition to its Turbo e-bike lineup, the Specialized Turbo Vado SL. With “SL” standing for Super Light, this is also one of the lightest e-bikes in Specialized’s lineup, weighing in at as little as 33 lb (14.9 kg).
The motor is designed to provide up to 200% of the rider’s pedaling output, and specific emphasis was placed on programming the motor and controller to feel as natural as possible when it rolls on the power.
The idea is to maintain the rider as the central unit of the bike and to keep the assist as just that — an assist system that doesn’t detract from the ride experience that cycling enthusiasts find so critical.
View attachment 52246
An internal 320Wh battery is designed to provide up to 80 miles (128 km) of range, at least when used in Eco Mode.
Higher-power modes will reduce that range a bit, though Specialized also offers a range extender battery that fits in one of two water bottle holders and can add another 40 miles (64 km) of range, bringing the total max range up to 120 miles (193 km).
The Specialized Turbo Vado SL is available starting today from as low as $3,350.
I am a few days into my new 5.0 SL EQ. It has the contour grips with no bar end plug. Any recommendations for a mirror? Specialized evidently makes one - but only available in Europe? (S159900001: MSC MY15 TURBO/ MY17 VADO MIRROR)
Thanks.
Jay
Stefan Mikes
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, Poland
Specialized mirror is just ridiculous. I have given it to someone, possibly an enemy of mine.
Mirrycle.
Allan47.7339
Well-Known Member
I use the EVT helmet mirror.
www.efficientvelo.com
I used to use a frame mounted mirror but I don't like having to look down to check traffic. I bumped the wheel of a rider in front of me while watching a truck in the distance. I went from the right shoulder to the oncoming lane before I could regain control.
Safe Zone Helmet Mirror — Efficient Velo Tools (EVT)
FREE Shipping in the USA! 5 Year No-Fault Warranty! The World’s Only Oversized Heavy-Duty Bicycle Helmet Mirror Established. Proven. Credible. We designed our only accessory product as an industrial-grade tool that reliably provides mega information and greater awareness for cyclists.
www.efficientvelo.com
I used to use a frame mounted mirror but I don't like having to look down to check traffic. I bumped the wheel of a rider in front of me while watching a truck in the distance. I went from the right shoulder to the oncoming lane before I could regain control.
rochrunner
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Rochester Hills MI
A matter of preference, but I've never had any luck with helmet mirrors because:I use the EVT helmet mirror.
Safe Zone Helmet Mirror — Efficient Velo Tools (EVT)
FREE Shipping in the USA! 5 Year No-Fault Warranty! The World’s Only Oversized Heavy-Duty Bicycle Helmet Mirror Established. Proven. Credible. We designed our only accessory product as an industrial-grade tool that reliably provides mega information and greater awareness for cyclists.
I used to use a frame mounted mirror but I don't like having to look down to check traffic. I bumped the wheel of a rider in front of me while watching a truck in the distance. I went from the right shoulder to the oncoming lane before I could regain control.
- I have to move my head around to get the field of view where I want it to be.
- They're easy to knock out of alignment when reaching up to adjust my glasses, helmet position, etc.
- My old eyes can no longer switch focus quickly (if at all) from looking out at the road up to the mirror a few inches away and back to the road.
kahn
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- northWET washington
I recently added a Garmin Varia to my equipment. It pairs with a number of Garmin devices as well as cell phones. I've got the one that is both a radar detector (of rear approaching traffic including cars and other bikes) and rear red light. It obviously does not replace situational awareness but adds one more level of info.
Varia RTL515 Rearview Radar with Taillight
TForan
Well-Known Member
TMIYes. Especially at 30s F
Bibs are also extremely comfortable whenever you need to take a piss(that's why winter cycling trousers are equipped with a zipper fly).
Atlgaga
Member
- Region
- USA
Just as well. When I found it online, it said it wasn't eligible to ship into the US. Might be ridiculous, but it clearly must involve some high level state secrets!
Atlgaga
Member
- Region
- USA
More than a decade ago I rant into an article in Adventure Cycling about a man who invented a mirror that would attach to a helmet using recycled bicycle spokes, and tin cans. That might have been teh first helmet mirror. It is not very pretty - but I bought it, and it worked beautifully. He was known as the Ohio Mirror Man, and would custom make his mirrors at bike tours using a handmade grinding machine mounted on a bike frame.
I lost mine in a crash - and unfortunately, I couldn't replace it as Chuck Harris died in 2012. https://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/08/22/gambier-cycling-enthusiast-dies.html
Never found another helmet mirror that worked for me.
(This one from ebay - don't know if it really original or not, but the packaging looks like it. Complete with warning: "Only the Ultra Light Helmet mirror fits so firmly that it can acatually be used as a handle for the helmet. DO NOT try this with other mirrors!"
Atlgaga
Member
- Region
- USA
thanks!
Stefan Mikes
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, Poland
Mirrycle is an American product...
rochrunner
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Rochester Hills MI
@Stefan Mikes How does the Mircycle work with the Ergon grips with the bar extenders? I'm interested in that type of grip to get more hand positions but if seems that the Mircycle might interfere (we've used them on almost all our bikes for years).
