Turbo Vado SL2 6.0 Eq Carbon - intermittent power issues

[WestfieldDave]

Hi,
I am new to e-bikes, having just purchased the above bike in July and ridden about 500 miles so far. It recently had its free 6 week service and all firmware etc was updated.
On my most recent rides, I've noticed that on some steep hills, the extra power of the Turbo doesn't appear to kick in - when I most needed it.
eg on a 22% incline in Macclesfield Forest, I was riding in bottom gear and in Sport mode and switched to Turbo with no boost , resulting in me having to really grind up the last 30 yards.
On another hill, ca 15%, I was again in Sport mode riding in bottom gear and switched to Turbo as the gradient got steeper. This time the Turbo didn't kick in at first, but then did kick in about 30 yards further on as I went over a slight brow and the incline dropped to about 8 %.
I can't recall having a problem with switching between the power modes on fairly flat rides, just on these very steep ones.
Has anyone else had these issues? Thanks

 

[Chargeride]

Check the settings for each mode firstly, you may have normal set close to Turbo.

Also once you are grinding standard its pulling a lot of watts and the increase to Turbo may not be a large enough difference for tired legs, if it never happens on the flat where you notice the increase far more, then its probably normal

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Hi,
I am new to e-bikes, having just purchased the above bike in July and ridden about 500 miles so far. It recently had its free 6 week service and all firmware etc was updated.
On my most recent rides, I've noticed that on some steep hills, the extra power of the Turbo doesn't appear to kick in - when I most needed it.
eg on a 22% incline in Macclesfield Forest, I was riding in bottom gear and in Sport mode and switched to Turbo with no boost , resulting in me having to really grind up the last 30 yards.
On another hill, ca 15%, I was again in Sport mode riding in bottom gear and switched to Turbo as the gradient got steeper. This time the Turbo didn't kick in at first, but then did kick in about 30 yards further on as I went over a slight brow and the incline dropped to about 8 %.
I can't recall having a problem with switching between the power modes on fairly flat rides, just on these very steep ones.
Has anyone else had these issues? Thanks

What was your cadence on the steep climb? 22% climb is tough even for a full power e-bike. (Even 15% is tough while inclines up to 10% feel normal on the SL). Explanation: The e-bike motor is efficient at the cadence of 70 with its peak well over 80 rpm. If you were able to pedal at a very slow cadence (grinding), most of the motor power was converted into the heat instead of the mechanical power. You need to spin the cranks to get the motor power.

If you cannot spin the cranks on a steep climb, the only way is to replace the chainring with something a way smaller. Your chainring is 44T and it is meant for commute rides on the flat. A mountain gearing starts at a 36T chainring...

You see, I not only ride a low power Vado SL 1 but also a full power Vado 6.0 and been to high mountains and steep hills including gravel races. Even Vado SL 2 has too a weak motor for the climbs you mentioned. Not having a gearing low enough (so you can spin the cranks at 90 rpm) makes the whole idea of extreme climbing with a Vado SL 2 a Mission Impossible.