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2018 Men's Turbo Vado 3.0

$3,400

4.1

8 Reviews

If you can characterize your life as on-the-go, busy, or not having enough time,…

Product Details

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If you can characterize your life as on-the-go, busy, or not having enough time, we made a bike for you—the Turbo Vado 3.0. It's made to accommodate busy lives that are always in movement, which is why we took our exclusive, award-winning pedal-assist technology and accelerated it into the future.

Beginning with the integrated Specialized 1.2 motor, the Vado proves itself as the ultimate city bike. It features a silently operating design with our Custom Rx Street tune that takes the output and makes it the most usable for the urban environment. Think of it this way: The more power you put out, the more power the motor puts out, and this makes accelerations from a standstill both quick and efficient. The belt driven motor is also smooth, silent, and free of annoying vibrations. Perfect.

For the Vado 3.0, we developed a custom 460 Wh battery, the Specialized U1-460, that seamlessly integrates into the frame, is lockable, and is easily removable for simplified charging. Depending on your riding style, terrain, and setup, there's plenty of juice to take you to and from work, make a trip to the grocery store, or to even head over to that new café on the other side of town.

We also developed a custom 2.2-inch smart computer that lets you view your battery level and toggle various ride metrics such as speed, distance, and time. You can also peruse these screens via the custom handlebar remote without ever removing your hands from the bars.

To top off all of the innovative features, we chose a worry-free spec on the Turbo Vado 3.0, so it features Shimano 10-speed components, hydraulic disc brakes, racks, and fenders.</p

  • The Vado features a lightweight alloy frame that’s been designed with our Fitness/Transportation Geometry.

  • The Vado features a lightweight alloy frame that’s been designed with our Fitness/Transportation Geometry.

  • The Vado’s Specialized 1.2 motor is fully integrated with the frame and is custom-tuned for city riding. This means that it intuitively reacts to the force of your pedaling—so the harder you pedal, the more power it delivers. And with an internal belt drive design, it does this without added vibration for the smoothest and most silent ride possible.

  • The Vado’s Specialized 1.2 motor is fully integrated with the frame and is custom-tuned for city riding. This means that it intuitively reacts to the force of your pedaling—so the harder you pedal, the more power it delivers. And with an internal belt drive design, it does this without added vibration for the smoothest and most silent ride possible.

  • Custom Specialized U1-460 battery is fully integrated with the frame, removable for easy charging, and lockable for added security. It communicates with the display and has multiple modes to maximize the overall efficiency and range.

  • Custom Specialized U1-460 battery is fully integrated with the frame, removable for easy charging, and lockable for added security. It communicates with the display and has multiple modes to maximize the overall efficiency and range.

Technical Specifications

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FRAMESET

FRAME

Turbo aluminum frame with bottom bracket motor mount, fitness/transportation geometry, fully integrated & lockable down tube battery, internal cable routing, fender/rack mounts, smooth welds

FORK

SR Suntour NCX E25, 50mm of travel, steel steerer, 15mm thru-axle

SEAT BINDER

Alloy, 31.8mm

WHEELS

RIMS

700C disc, 28h, double-wall

FRONT HUB

Specialized front hub disc, sealed bearings, 15mm thru-axle, 32h

REAR HUB

Specialized, sealed cartridge bearings, 12x148mm thru-axle, 28h

SPOKES

Stainless, black

FRONT TIRE

Trigger Sport Reflective, 700x47mm

REAR TIRE

Trigger Sport Reflective, 700x47mm

INNER TUBES

700C, 40mm Presta valve

DRIVETRAIN

REAR DERAILLEUR

Shimano Deore, Shadow Plus, GS cage, 10-speed

SHIFT LEVERS

Shimano Deore, 10-speed w/ Optical Gear Display

CASSETTE

Shimano HG500, 10-speed, 11-42t

CHAIN

KMC X10eT, 10-speed w/ Missing Link™

CRANKSET

Custom alloy crankarms

CHAINRINGS

40T, BCD: 104, single Xsync style 10-/11-speed

COCKPIT

STEM

Alloy w/ display/light mount, 31.8mm clamp

HANDLEBARS

Specialized, alloy, 9-degree backsweep, 15mm rise, 31.8mm

GRIPS

Body Geometry Contour

SADDLE

Specialized Canopy Sport, steel rails, 155mm

SEATPOST

Specialized 2-bolt head, forged alloy, 8mm offset, micro-adjust, 30.9mm

BRAKES

REAR BRAKE

Shimano BR-M315, hydraulic disc, resin pads, 160mm rotor

FRONT BRAKE

Shimano BR-M315, hydraulic disc, resin pads, 180/160mm rotor

E-BIKE

MOTOR

Specialized 1.2, Custom Rx Street Tuned Motor, 250W Nominal

UI/REMOTE

Custom 2.2" LCD display, USB plug, stem mount w/ custom handlebar remote

BATTERY

Specialized U1-460, On/Off button, state of charge display, 460Wh

CHARGER

Custom charger, 42V4A w/ Rosenberger plug

WIRING HARNESS

Custom Specialized wiring harness

ACCESSORIES

PEDALS

Specialized Commuter w/ grip tape & reflectors

HEADLIGHT

Specialized Aspheric Lens technology, alloy housing, 300-lumen output, stem-mount, 6V

KICKSTAND

Specialized kickstand, 40mm mount

FENDERS

Specialized DRYTECH fenders, 52mm width, aluminum fenderstays

BELL

Simple bell

* Weights based on production painted frames as pictured. Actual weights will vary based on colorway, frame size, and component variation. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Geometry

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SMMDLGXL
Crank Length170170175mm175mm
Handlebar Width680mm680mm680mm680mm
Stem Length60mm70mm80mm90mm
Saddle Width155mm155mm155mm155mm
Seatpost Length300mm350MM400mm400mm
Fork Rake44mm44mm44mm44mm
Standover Height762mm800mm833mm875mm
Stack619mm619mm629mm652mm
Reach396mm406mm428mm441mm
Head Tube Length135mm135mm145mm170mm
Head Tube Angle70°70°70°70°
BB Drop-70mm-70mm-70mm-70mm
Trail86mm86mm86mm86mm
Front Center647mm657mm682mm704mm
Chainstay Length478mm478mm478mm478mm
Wheelbase1116mm1126mm1152mm1173mm
Seat Tube Length, BB Center to Top Vertical400mm450mm500mm550mm
Geometry

Rider Reviews

4.1

8 Reviews

 

The good, the bad and the ugly.

The good: Purchased as a commuter, I can get to and from work (18.6 miles) in about an hour, even with a 500 foot mile long climb near the end of the homeward commute. Staying eco on the flat allows me to do a round trip commute on a single charge. The bad: watched a video featuring Mike Sinyard (CEO) where he admits to quality issues on the Vado and I quote ""We own that"" and he goes on to tout the Apple/Android app for the Vado. I purchased the 2019 model, which still has the BLOKS display and does not hook up to the app. The UGLY: Specialized said I would have to submit a warranty claim to get the proper head unit, and it should be free if its a 2017/2018 Vado, 2019 model is out of luck. Local bike shop mentioned the fix for the 2017/2018 was never free, regardless I have the 2019 so now I get to spend 10% of what I paid for the bike to get one of the features that was promised from the beginning. Final thoughts: Amazing bike! Terrible customer support fixing a feature that was promised years ago. Do your research and buy a 2020 model to avoid this issue.


Name:
Pacman

Helpful?

Great bike. No promised app support.

After over 1000 miles I still love this bike. Got rid of my car as I was hardly using it and now use this. I've actually ridden more miles on this since getting it in April 2018 than I drove in the last 18 months of owning a car. Now, the only complaint is the saga about the Mission Control app and it's non use for the Vado series of bikes. Specialized have since removed mention of the app on most (not all) of the bikes advertising. It wasn't by any means the only reason I brought the bike but it is a disappointment still that it hasn't yet arrived. I've spoken to Specialized via email and while they still maintain that the app is coming, there is no timeframe for it. I get the impression that it's the Android version that's the problem but I've no way to confirm this. End of the day however, the bike is brilliant. Gets me around quickly, no messing with hills and is a perfect commuter bike.


Name:
Optimus F.

Helpful?

A life changer

I work from home so commuting is not my issue, but going to the store or the bank is, and that is now done on the Vado 3.0. Starting up my car for the short local trips was hard on the car and got me no exercise. Now the Mercedes stays in the garage, unused for most of the week. The Vado (unlike my standard road bike) makes me want to get out for a ride every day, rain or shine, I've added one pannier to the rack and so far that's all I need. The bike is fast on pavement or gravel trails, very solid, handles like a dream and makes a 14 mile trip to get coffee an absolute joy. On any ride I have a 250' climb at the end to get to my house, this used to be a major reason not to ride, as i would be spent and still have to climb the 15-20% grade for the last 1/3 mile. But no more, the Vado takes it in stride passing other cyclists like they are standing still and I arrive home not in a pool of sweat but energized and ready to go. I've ridden over 250 miles so far, I get 25-30 miles per charge in turbo/cruise for short fast trips, if I stretch it with Eco and no-assist I think I could get 60 miles on a charge. Never mind all the talk about apps and connectivity, get the bike, save some gas, have some fun and feel like a kid with the best new toy ever.


Name:
Cjp

Helpful?

Vado 3

Vado 3 has only 3 power settings. Makes it very difficult to ride with my friend who has 9 power settings or someone with a powerlezs bike. A,so makes it difficult to ride for exercise but need occasional help up hill.


Name:
Garsmitt

Helpful?

Love it but could use connectivity

Got a 3.0 last year to help me rehab my knee, love the bike. Able to burn calories and go farther, good battery life, they need to figure out how to regenerate electricity from pedaling in the future. The app story is/was confusing. The mountain bikes have it, as they have no display and the battery is BT/ANT. The Vado is not app compatible at this time, as battery is not wirelessly enabled, but you do have the display.


Name:
Bobajoul

Helpful?

Good bike but I was told there was an app....

I never was able to locate an app for this bike. Both Vado and the dealer misled me. It's very disappointing.


Name:
Zak

Helpful?

app

I love the bike. But... whats going on with the App?? is this false advertisement? specialized is saying the app is available for turbo vado 3.0, but is not.


Name:
Diego

Helpful?

After 1000km with the Turbo Vado 3.

The Turbo Vado 3.0 has made it possible for me to commute to work from home, which is a 40km round trip. I bought the bike in late September 2017. I'm happy to recommend this bike, however, it has been far from a trouble-free first 1000km, not by a long shot, I've had to return it to the shop 4 times for maintenance, which has meant I've equally not had it for about as long as I have had it, since I bought it. I'll summarise my experience here: One of the first things I did was to replace the tyres with more robust city continentals as I got two flats the first night I rode it out around town, and immediately bought a brighter light to add to it as I couldnt see where I was going. I raised the handlebars with an extender as they were too low. Replaced the handgrips with body fit ones that allow for end holdy things. The rear carrier rack while styly, is reasonably impractical for much. At 300lumen the front light might as well not be there at all as I have to always carry with me a CatEye to enable seeing where I am going in darkness which is half of the time. I replaced the hard seat that came with it almost immediately. The electronics locked up and had to have a cable replaced which took 3 weeks to come to New Zealand. The chain has skipped for as long as I had it until the rear cassette was replaced, and looks like I will need to replace it again shortly as the cog teeth are broken while changing gears despite not applying pressure whenever possible. I bought the travel charger as when I cycle the 19km to work with turbo assist, I don't have enough charge to get home again. I enjoy the bike, although there is more work needed in the manuals that come with it, and video support is not available.


Name:
Duane W.

Helpful?

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