Why: Specialized Turbo Vado in 2024

[@FiveMinuteVelo]

I ❤🍰🎂, please leave me one or more at the end of your comments. The good thing about emoji 🎂🍰🧁is they have no calories. If you want me to get fat(er) there is always: buymeacoffee.com/fiveminutevelo.

[@redbarron6574]

I just bought the 4.0 on sale new for $2750 US and I get a free tune up and a three year warranty. I’ve had two rides. The second one with my son who found the deal and recommended this bike for me. Basically because of the great equipment on this bike that are used on some of his high end gravel and mountain bikes. On the second ride we went 20 miles and I used 30 % of the battery and we rode hard. 17 mph average moving velocity. We had a lot of traffic stops on that ride. So far I’m amazed I who haven’t ride a bike in a year was able to keep up with my son and I got a great cardio leg workout. Your review was on point and I think this bike is getting overlooked. Also I had a few questions and I was able to use the text system directly to Specialized which was great.

[@FiveMinuteVelo]

That price is excellent, equivalent to about £2,300 in the UK. With the 3-year warranty, had I been able to buy one at that price, I would have got a new one too. Be careful on the bike, I was not used to its weight and I managed to twist my ankle dismounting. This has kept me off the bike for a few weeks. Never mind. It's almost healed enough for me to get back out on the bike; the motor will help a lot. I'm glad you're enjoying your bike. The relaxed upright position makes a nice change and allows me to chill a bit more on rides. Is your bike a class 3, 28mph bike. Here on the UK, mine is limited to 25kph (15.5mph). I don't mind this as it forces me to work hard. Thanks for letting me know how you are getting on, it is great to hear other people's stories. 🎂🍰🧁

[@redbarron6574]

@@FiveMinuteVelo yes I loved your honest practical review! Plus enjoyed watching the video.. As far as speed, it will run 28 mph. Although I have turbo dialed back to 80%. (40%eco,60% sport,80% turbo). Have you changed the percentage’s?What’s interesting about the specs is that the bike here is 70 Nm torque but only 250 watts. I think the power has to be a conservative number and is not peak watts. Not sure how a bike can be rated 750 watts but be 75Nm like some of the newer bikes. I don’t feel I’m lacking anything only having 250 watts, do you? Thanks for responding!🎂 I’ll work on buying you a coffee.

[@FiveMinuteVelo]

@@redbarron6574 - Thanks, but its not a proper review yet, just a description of my wants and how the Vado fitted them. I think your bike specs are the same, 250W and 70Nm of torque. I don't know about the US laws, but here in EU/UK these are basically three criteria for it to be considered a Electrically Powered Pedal Cycle (EPAC): #1. The motor cannot power the bike beyond 25km/h (15.5mph). Of course the bike can go faster but the motor must turn off. #2. The motor can only power the bike while the pedals are turning. #3. the maximum sustained motor power is limited to 250W. #1 and #2 are often ignored by riders through 'derestricting' bikes. Our police have little interest in cracking down on these illegal bikes. I have not and will not derestrict my bike. #3 is the most interesting as the law seems to have been written rather loosely. I thing the 250W is supposed to refer to electrical power, with an 80% efficiency that equates to about 200W of mechanical power. The rules though are not clear (at least to me) and some manufactures interpret it as 250W of mechanical power. Also the power is prefixed by the word 'sustained' which some interpret as 'average' and hence the software can allow the motor to output higher bursts of power (and torque). Interestingly, it looks like the law in the UK will be changed to allow motors of up to 500W but #1 will remain and #2 may allow the use of a throttle.

[@jennydunn1874]

🧁🍰🎂 A good purchase. Looking forward to seeing what your fast bike will be

[@johnwedler7374]

Enjoyed this video! Looking forward to your detailed review as mentioned.

[@keweenawbee]

I bought the same bike (IGH) a few weeks ago. I’m 72. Will keep an eye on you!

[@FiveMinuteVelo]

Thanks for taking the time and the comment. I am intrigued by the IGH system fitted to some of the Specialized bikes, I would love to try one. What are you initial impressions: smoothness, gear range, ease of changing gear, efficiency ...? 🍰🧁🎂

[@keweenawbee]

@@FiveMinuteVelo OMG I love it! My wife got the 5.0 IGH Como a year ago. I could not find a Vado anywhere. This popped up in Milwaukee I had to drive there from Minneapolis after paying full price. The rear wheel was crooked thought the worst when the MN dealer ERIKs couldn’t fix it. All I had to do was READ THE MANUAL!

[@FiveMinuteVelo]

​@@keweenawbee> blimey (sorry for my British English 😊) and I thought the 200mile round trip I had to make to collect my bike was a chore. What did you read in the manual that fixed the issue? Glad that you are now enjoying the bike. I'm itching to get back out on my Vado but waiting for a sprained ankle to heal. Terry

[@keweenawbee]

@@FiveMinuteVelo there are cover plates on both sides of the automatic rear hub. With them removed and the correct Allen and torx screw drivers (used an impact driver on the main ones), you can loosen the hold screws and adjust the alignment from both sides with smaller fine adjustment screws, then lock it down in its new position. So disappointed, I hung around an extra week waiting for them, and had to fix it myself. Order takers, no idea what people expect at a minimum, especially when paying full retail price.

[@FiveMinuteVelo]

@@keweenawbee > I'm not l sure what you're describing, perhaps I'll look in my manual as it covers the IGH system too.

[@jimdennison]

Good vid!! And a great bargain! If you’re not on a rush to buy and have done some research I agree eBay is a great way to get a good deal … I’ve certainly used it to buy the likes of power meter and bike computer … happy touring!

[@FiveMinuteVelo]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Yes I was very pleased with the price I got the bike for; I didn't mention though I had to pay £16 for a train ticket to collect the bike and £20 to get the firmware updated. I was very carful buying on ebay, checking the seller actually owned the bike, if I was not certain I did not bid. Many bikes in the UK are bought on a Government backed Bike-to-Work scheme. I did win one bike only to find out it was still owned by the BtW scheme - the seller did not own the bike - I asked for the sale to be cancelled, which the seller did. Here is a 🧁😉.

[@richardhall263]

I have simular problems to yourself. I had a very large stroke & so I am not strong. I purchased the Trek Allant 7 + It was expensive 4049€ but they gave me 1500€ for my Orbea Gain, which was a wonderful bike but as I am 66 I found the seating position to be uncomfortable. I have kept my Trek Domane AL4 for the days I feel stronger. Overall I am very happy with my choice. I look forward to a detailed description of your Vado. Thank you for the video

[@FiveMinuteVelo]

​@@richardhall263 > I'm now almost 66 and I used to have an Orbea Gain too. I sold the Gain (privately) to get the Vado The trek looks great, it looks particularly adjustable in the handlebar department. I did steer away from e-bikes with Bosch motors. The CX motor in your Trek is more powerful than I want or need (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZiWiHR_qKt1fa8si=tTR0iwEoKY0xOhZt) and when I hired a bike with a CX fitted I found it rather too noisy. The Bosch smart system doesn't connect to my Garmin either. I must admit those are just minor issues that steer me away from Bosch, it is a great motor. Thank you for taking the time to comment, it's great to hear what other people have done and think. If you're not going to give me a piece of cake though 😜, I'll offer you a piece 🍰. Take care and have a good riding. Terry

[@richardhall263]

I know you had an orbea gain, it' 2:35 s the reason I subscribed. Thank you for replying to my message , I do not have cake on my phone to offer sorry

[@FiveMinuteVelo]

​​@@richardhall263 > no cake on your phone, if that were me I would never finish a ride 🥺.

[@FiveMinuteVelo]

Sorry I missed the bit about you having had a stroke. My stroke affects my perception which is when maybe why I missed it. Anyway, I just want to say I'm sorry to hear that. Like me, obviously, you have recovered enough to start riding again. I am at least thankful for that, although riding is not the same as it used to be. I wish you continued improvement.

[@saltlake6577]

I worked for Specialized and there are quit a few pros and cons. Buying an ebike w/o warranty and using it on a daily base is a high risk as the replacement of the Brose motor Gen 1 up to Gen 3 or battery results in a cost of $ 1000 for each. At least the specialized brand is strong, the bikes are highly overpriced and the Company is week. Safe travels and enjoy your rides 🍀

[@FiveMinuteVelo]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. One of my big thoughts was about the warranty; I was convinced that it was worth paying extra money for. But how much money? In the end I got my current bike for a good price and I thought it was worth taking the risk. I did thoroughly check the bike out before committing to it. I think, if I had had to pay over £2,000 for the bike though I would have gone with a new one with warranty. 🍰🧁🎂