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

[Stefan Mikes]

THX
So this one will be great.

SLX CN-M7100 12-speed Chain with Quick-Link

Features - Shimano SLX CN-M7100 12-speed Chain with Quick-Link SM-CN910-12 New Drive System Dedicated Design Chain Greater chain retention to extend portion on the end of inner plate to firmly hold the tooth both front and...

www.bike-discount.de

Yes, the 126 link version.

 

[PDX Sid]

Experiences Riding Vado SL on Gravel Group Rides

Here's a bunch...

Forgetting to go from "Discharge The Range Extender First"...
I ride using only Range Extender during the weekdays. Since I own as many as three Range Extenders, I rotate them with the objective to equalize the Number of Recharge Cycles with the main battery one day. When setting off for a gravel group ride, I need to make a commute to the starting line (the total commute distance might be half of the main ride); therefore I use one of the Range Extenders solely for the commute. Before the start of the main group ride, I fetch a fresh RE and instruct my Vado SL to discharge both the main battery and the RE equally. Fine. What if I have forgotten to restart the e-bike to make the option work? Around 20 km into the ride I need to stop and replace the RE again as the main battery was not used at all!

A stop during a group ride typically means I have lost the group!

Forgetting to derestrict the e-bike...
My Vado SL is restricted to 25 km/h. My mates typically ride faster than that. Fancy the feeling when the group slowly disappears at a distance and you have no idea why just to realize you have forgotten to push the derestriction button! Or, fancy a sprint in Turbo mode but the e-bike will not ride faster than 27 km/h and you realize you have ridden on the leg power only!

The chain dropped inside...
That should have never happened on a modern, well adjusted e-bike. I was negotiating a difficult cross-country forest segment and was doing everything to maintain the momentum. I was dowshifting dramatically towards the lowest gear (still pedalling) to hear a rattle. My ride finished. The chain dropped between the cassette and the rear wheel and between the chainring and the frame. While it was fairly easy for my mates to remove the chain from the rear wheel, the chain got badly stuck at the bottom bracket (destroying some paintwork, too). I produced my tools...

"Stefan, remove the crank! It looks like a self-extracting one!" -- I almost did it to realize the crank was not connected to the chainring on the mid-drive motor!
"Make the chainring loose but don't remove it" -- and I made the chainring loose not to avail much...
Eventually, an experienced mate pulled the chain out from the slit the proper way, and I could continue the ride.

It has turned out my derailleur got totally out of indexing! If it is not a bent derailleur hanger, I will need to work with the H and L limit screws properly.

View attachment 143800
Repairing my Vado SL off-road, one hour to the sunset, 22 km to go.

General
Vado SL is an excellent e-bike for gravel rides because of its low weight and maneuverability. However, its low motor power forces me to ride in the "slow group" even if I use multiple Range Extenders!

Sorry to hear of that, Stefan, but understand. At the end of one of my first city rides my Vado 4.0 SL EQ chain dropped and got stuck between cassette and frame. Ouch. A very nice neighbor I had never even met grabbed some tools and valiantly tried to free chain, but failed. So I rolled it to my local LBS (River City Bicycles) and a few minutes later I was back on top riding “El Greco”.
Not sure why chain drop happened, it seemed to happen during a shift as I was entering a corner, but it hasn’t happened again. Thank Jah.

 

[DanInStPete]

the chain got badly stuck at the bottom bracket

I’ve had this happen twice, once before taking it back to the shop and once after. Since I was in a middle gear it wouldn’t seem it had to do with the derailleur. Maybe chain too long? I was able to get a link or two back on the chainring and roll it out both times, with difficulty.

I will need to work with the H and L limit screws properly.

I’m sold on SRAM GX AXS. It took just a few minutes to dial it in. To set the limit screws you switch to an outer gear, turn its respective screw in until it contacts the stop, then back it out 1/4 turn. The indexing is set using the shift lever and button on the shifter. Very easy and no cable to stretch and mess things up.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I’ve had this happen twice, once before taking it back to the shop and once after. Since I was in a middle gear it wouldn’t seem it had to do with the derailleur. Maybe chain too long? I was able to get a link or two back on the chainring and roll it out both times, with difficulty.

The specific chain on my Vado SL is at its minimum length...

I’m sold on SRAM GX AXS. It took just a few minutes to dial it in. To set the limit screws you switch to an outer gear, turn its respective screw in until it contacts the stop, then back it out 1/4 turn. The indexing is set using the shift lever and button on the shifter. Very easy and no cable to stretch and mess things up.

The electronic shifter is certainly a good thing. I cannot justify the cost though. It will be simpler just to adjust the traditional derailleur.

 

[DanInStPete]

The electronic shifter is certainly a good thing. I cannot justify the cost though. It will be simpler just to adjust the traditional derailleur.

Certainly. I was lucky to get a new GX AXS kit for $389 delivered so I jumped on it.

 

[shelglass]

Well 68 degrees yesterday after minus 6 last week, just never know in the Midwest. On route 66 outside St. Louis Missouri,

 

[Kris Mason]

Does anyone have a front rack? I’m looking for something to carry my daughters little school bag her seats in the way of the rack.

I’ve finally made a few more upgrades to my bike post Xmas and got some new accessories (I picked up a proviz jacket).

- Quadlock holder for my iPhone
- TCD computer
- Ortlieb panniers (they don’t look great because they are empty)

I’m waiting for a bracket for my light to mount under my TCD from my LBS.

Stefan thanks again for your tips/advice

 

[Texasbill]

Just returned from our LBS with one Vado 4.0 SL (for me) and one Vado 5.0 SL (for the wife). I've read through all 91 pages of this thread and have learned a lot from all of you. We are excited to begin this journey! Let me start with a few questions:
1) I have a Garmin Edge Touring Pro cycling computer that has ANT + capability. I am able to pair the device and see the odometer, but most of the fields are blank. I'm finding it very hard to find any info on line regarding how to use the Garmin with an ebike. Any advice as I'd love to get this to work?
2) I read that some of the modern bikes are firmware upgradable though Mission Control but our bike shop thought only the 5.0 SL was. So we have to go to the bike shop for the 4.0 SL?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Congratulations!

2) I read that some of the modern bikes are firmware upgradable though Mission Control but our bike shop thought only the 5.0 SL was. So we have to go to the bike shop for the 4.0 SL?

If the SL 5.0 has the Mastermind and the SL 4.0 has the Gen 1 TCU then the answer is "Yes".

No experience with Garmin so I cannot answer (1).

 

[Te. S]

Just returned from our LBS with one Vado 4.0 SL (for me) and one Vado 5.0 SL (for the wife). I've read through all 91 pages of this thread and have learned a lot from all of you. We are excited to begin this journey! Let me start with a few questions:
1) I have a Garmin Edge Touring Pro cycling computer that has ANT + capability. I am able to pair the device and see the odometer, but most of the fields are blank. I'm finding it very hard to find any info on line regarding how to use the Garmin with an ebike. Any advice as I'd love to get this to work?
2) I read that some of the modern bikes are firmware upgradable though Mission Control but our bike shop thought only the 5.0 SL was. So we have to go to the bike shop for the 4.0 SL?

congrats Texasbill, you can use Garmin connect IQ app to download E-Bike app from Garmin to your phone and then update your Garmin device next time you connect to it I have Edge 830 and it works it shows me the power level assist level and distance Battery you have to go to your setting on Garmin and then chose E-Bike for one of your screens good luck

 

[aj1]

Really been enjoying my Turbo Vado SL 4.0 for about a year and a half now. I just got done with its first major maintenance, replacing the brakes. It’s also now on its second chain replacement. Still on original tires. They seem fine. I did catch one flat but roadside patched it and it’s been going without issue.

I can’t wait for a lightweight bike with an internal hub gear system and a belt drive. That’s probably the only thing that’ll get me to upgrade. Otherwise, it’s been an excellent commuter bicycle for me, doing about 80 miles a week. I’d be much happier without cleaning and lubing the chain

 

[David C]

A few months ago Rene from Rider Care said they had no plans for a belt drive Turbo Vado SL at the moment. A belt drive system would make me want to upgrade from my 2.5 year old Vado SL 4.0 which has also been fantastic, on my second motor now.

 

[aj1]

A few months ago Rene from Rider Care said they had no plans for a belt drive Turbo Vado SL at the moment. A belt drive system would make me want to upgrade from my 2.5 year old Vado SL 4.0 which has also been fantastic, on my second motor now.

Second motor? Wow. What happened to the first?

 

[David C]

Warranty replacement at 2 years and 10,000+ miles.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

IGH will make the SL the NRSL (Not Really Super Lightweight). Como SL with IGH is about the heaviest SL e-bike (not much more lightweight than the Como with the derailleur).

 

[aj1]

IGH will make the SL the NRSL (Not Really Super Lightweight). Como SL with IGH is about the heaviest SL e-bike (not much more lightweight than the Como with the derailleur).

Here’s hoping the rest of the bike gets lighter weight to offset it

 

[Kris Mason]

Gday from Australia
I love my bike - anyone else?
I also being able to take my daughter around!!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Here’s hoping the rest of the bike gets lighter weight to offset it

Don't think so!

 

[coffeemaker]

With fenders off, anyone running larger than 42's on the SL/SL EQ? I currently have 38 Pathfinders. I will be doing more riding on gravel and dirt in the upcoming new year. Thinking a little bit more traction on the single tracks would be warranted.

I have the Electrak 2.0 Armadillo 700x51 on the rear because if its very good puncture resistance.
Very tight clearances and had to true the wheel to prevent it from rubbing against the seat stay and chain stays.

 

[PSm]

Don't think so!

Ha! Wish it were possible, but we’re at the point that significant weight reduction is not realistic (without sacrificing range or durability).

My fantasy e-bike is a 20 lb IGH with 100 mile range on the internal battery, but I know that is not possible!