Tire Levers

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Kool Stop tire bead jack, useful for mounting a bike tire with a tight bead difficult to install over a wheel rim. Available from several sources, this Amazon link shows various details about it.

https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Tire-Bead-Jack/dp/B001AYML7K 

Schwalbe 3-Piece Tire Levers. For removing a tight-fitting bike tire, the thinness of these tire levers facilitates inserting its curved end under the bead to lever it up over and out of the wheel rim. These levers are available from several sources. This Amazon link has four images illustrating how they can also be used for mounting a bike tire if the bead isn't too tight. However, if the tire bead is really difficult to lever up over and inside the bike rim, the Kool Stop bead jack can be used for that purpose in place of the middle lever in the next-to-last image.

https://www.amazon.com/Schwalbe-3-Piece-Set-Tyre-Levers-dp-B016ACESVS/dp/B016ACESVS/ref=dp_ob_title_hi 

David Irvine

Chain Checker

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For the last 4500 miles, I have been checking my VADO SL chain. I have not needed to replace it. I have used the 0.5% recommen- dation setting from Park Tool.

A worn bicycle chain can cause poor shifting and in time can even cause excessive wear to the derailleur and rear cogs, causing a much more expensive problem. That's why bike component manufacturers recommend chain replacement at regular wear intervals. 

The Park Tool CC-3.2 is a go/no-go gauge designed to accurately indicate when a chain reaches 0.5% and 0.75% wear (or "stretch"), the points at which most chain manufacturers suggest replacement. The CC-3.2 is long, accurate, and features permanent measurement markings. 

The CC-3.2 works on most derailleur chains* from 5 to 12-speed. 

- 5-to-10-speed chains: replace chain at or just before 0.75%

- 11-to-12-speed chains*: replace at or just before 0.5%

Check with manufacturer for specific replacement instructions

*Use the CC-4 for SRAM® Flattop™ and SRAM® T-Type 12-speed chains.

Specialized RECALLED Some eBike Chargers

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According to BARD (6/27/23), Specialized has acknowledged these problems for some of its ebike chargers and has issued a recall.

Specialized has had a few problems with its ebike charger, including:

• Charging problems: Some users have reported that their ebike chargers do not charge the battery properly, or that they take a long time to charge the battery.

• Faulty chargers: Some users have received faulty chargers that do not work at all.

• Y cable problems: The Y cable that is used to connect the charger to the battery and the range extender has also been known to cause problems.

Here is the input from ChatGPT and BARD about eBike electrical problems

When eBikes Fail - FIXED

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My VADO is back from Biker's Choice. The charger failed, not the batteries. They replaced my defective charger for FREE as a warranty item.

With all the Li-Ion fire failures, everyone should stay with a QUALITY product and not a cheapie substitute. I asked, "How often do these chargers fail?" 

David Hardin said that he had two failures with the forty that he have sold. 

When eBikes Fail

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I had been riding my Specialized VADO SL almost every day this week. I have gotten lazy and used the battery. On each ride it would discharge from 150% (with the Axillary battery) to about 100%. I would charge it overnight. This morning it discharged. Instead of back to 150%, it was down to 18% and continuing to decline with no warning.

The bike had about 4600 miles with no problems. I do most of the mechanical repairs myself, but I don't have the equipment to test the electrical system. I have taken it back to Biker's Choice at 10:30 on 06/23/23. The bike is two years old and has never been back to the shop. I don't know what to expect. 

I like to take the bike on 700 mile tours. Why such a failure without warning that could be worrisome. 

Turbo System firmware release

New features and system improvements for your Turbo await in the latest SPECIALIZED Turbo System firmware release. This update includes battery enhancements to improve health and longevity, giving you the most accurate and reliable charge indication and performance. Battery updates need to be applied by an authorized Specialized retailer. Please contact your retailer to schedule an appointment. Nov 16,2022

When to Change Battery

https://evelo.com/blogs/learn/how-do-i-know-it-s-time-to-change-my-ebike-s-battery

One of the most difficult aspects of making the transition to an electronic bike is the subject of battery-life. Many eBike owners wonder if their bike will experience a gradual decline in battery performance, or if the bike will just quit. 

There are telltale signs regarding the life left in the eBike battery, as well as ways to extend it!

Best Temperatures for Electric Bike Battery

I have been asked about temperature for riding an ebike.  It is best to ask the experts. Also, I don't ride ANY bike when the temperature is over 100-deg F or below 35-deg F. According to the experts, I won't have any issues.

How Cold is Too Cold?

• Charging: Stay above 41°F (5°C) when charging, and definitely don’t charge below 32°F (0°C)
• Riding: Operate your bike above 14°F (-10°C) and if you are going to ride out in the cold, keep the battery inside before doing so
• Storage: Store your battery above 32°F (0°C), should never be stored below 14°F (–10°C)

How Hot is Too Hot?

• Charging: Stay below 113°F (45°C) when charging
• Riding: Operate your bike below battery temperatures of 140°F (60°C)
• Storage: Store your battery below 140°F (60°C)

eBike Motor Repair

Did you do something to void your factory warranty and don’t want to spend the high price to replace it with a new one? Are you fed up with your eBike motors not lasting as long as you would want for such a high price? 

Does it seem like just looking at the Bosch, Brose (specialized), or Yamaha eBike and eAssist motors the wrong way voids the warranty? 

Did you race one race in the mud or water and suddenly your motor whines, gurrrs, grinds, or actually seize up? Does your bike shop want to send it in to the manufacturer and not touch it at all?  

EBIKE MOTOR REPAIR has you covered (NO REFERENCES). In about the time it would take for the manufacture to actually receive your motor we can get yours overhauled and sent back to get you back on the trail. We want you to feel confident too that’s why we offer a full parts and service warranty on any work we perform.

New Source for Bike Parts

I have waited three months for my popular bikes source (Nashbar, BikeTiresDirect, and Performance) to get Hyperglide+ chains (CN-M7100-12). Finally, my son found an alternative source, Bicycle World. In early January, we have purchased eight of these hyperglide chains for the same best price that others were selling (if they ever receive them).

I think I just found my favorite source for bike parts. 

SIDEBAR: Doug has used CN-HG601-11 chains for his VADO 5.0 SL with 12-speed Ultregra. Almost everyone suggests they should work, but he has found the chain tends to hang up on the small cassette gears. We are guessing the 11-speed chains are a bit thicker than the 12-speed chains.

He also warns "Make sure your chain breakers are compatible for 12-speed chains." Those suitable for 5 to 11 speed chains might have a drive pin with too great diameter. It will crush a 12-speed chain.

Installing Shimano Hyperglide Chain

Dealer Instruction for installing the hyperglide chain (CN-M7100-12) for the Vado 5.9 SL ebike is on our Maintenance Manual. listing. These chains must be installed in the correct direction. I purchase the chain at Bicycle World for $33.

For those who do not having the Shimano link tool locate the link slightly below the ring. Lock the rear wheel not to rotate. Verify the link pins are correctly on each side ot the chain plates. Quickly step firmly on the pedal crack clockwise. That will click the power link

The instruction are shown below

VADO Handlebars

Okay, I hated that damn VADO handlebar.The VADO is a hybrid, not a mountain bike. MTB riders need 700mm width. Most hybrid riders pick 580mm to 600mm. With the help of my trusty pipe cutter, my handlebar is now 600mm.

The Vado Handlebar Widths

The handlebar width on my VADO SL is 27.5 inches, while on my road bike is 19 inches. The Vado version may be perfect for mountain bikes that can use the extra leverage to maneuver sharp turns but for road riding where sharp turns are rare, they are very uncomfortable. 

Ann Proctor found her hands getting numb, so Ronnie cut two or three inches off either side reducing the width to slightly more that used with road bikes. I have planned to do the same, but I thought I would do a little research into handlebar widths. Once I cut mine, I can't go back.

ReneHERSE had this article = "Handlebar Width Matters."

https://www.renehersecycles.com/handlebar-width-matters/

In the case of road biking, it seems your handlebars are most comfortable when they are the width of your shoulders. 

More About Specialized Thru-axle

Best to include a check of your thru-axles as part of your pre-ride checkout.

Tom

From: Bikers Choice  Sent: Thursday, August 5, 2021 11:38 AM
To: Tom
So I checked James and he has told me [he has] seen a few more come loose.  I will investigate further.  Thanks for letting me know. 

David 

On Thu, Aug 5, 2021 at 7:59 AM David Hardin  wrote:

Thank you for the heads up. Glad you caught it.  I’ll certainly let the guys know what happened to you.  We have been servicing thru axles for over 10 years and this is the first incident I have heard of.  If and when you bring it in for your 30day check up, it’ll get a full inspection. 

Thru-axle Failure - Specialized Vado 5.0

Without a doubt, this failure could have been a disaster.

I have put 70,000 miles on my three conventional road bikes with quick releases on the two wheels. I have never had a wheel axle failure nor have I heard of anyone having a failure. I had 920 miles on my new Specialized Vado 5.0 SL. Its front wheel was still a virgin, fresh from the bike shop. I had to pull off the rear wheel twice to repair two flats.

I was at the bottom of a hill, just beginning a climb when I felt a sudden unusual drag. I immediately dismounted thinking that I either had a flat or picked up a twig between the tire or the fender. I squeezed both tires. They were hard -- no flat. I spun both wheels. They turned freely. Then I looked down the fork of my front wheel and saw the axle extended about four inches. The drag I felt was the front disk brake catching on the cocked wheel. The front axle was nearly out of the fork.

I turned the bike upside down and was able to push in and re-thread the axle. Fortunately, it hadn't been damaged. The wheel spun freely. I also had not damaged the rotor on the disk brake. I righted the bike and rode it. It did well. Nothing was damaged.

I am not sure what contributed to the axle unscrewing. Either it had not been torqued at the bike shop or this was potential failure mode for thru-axles. If this axle had failed on a downhill coast, the disk brake would have set and the bike would have thrown me head first over the handlebars and into the pavement resulting in serious injury. 

I was lucky, but I now had another check to make before every ride. Besides checking the tire pressure and oiling the chain, I planning to make sure the thru-axles are screwed tightly.

Vado Maintenance

The documentation provided by Specialized on our Vado 5.0 SLEQ is next to ZERO. Important to know is how to set the TCD display and to Mission Control app.  Virtually NO information is contained in the Owner's Kit.

We have searched the Internet for videos and have embedded them on our new Vado Maintenance page.

Electric Bike Battery Maintenance

I like your e-bike blog, but am not the greatest writer.  I have talked about the higher the "watt/hour" rating the better.  Though you add weight to the bike the power density gain is in your favor.

As your new e-bike is not far off. I forgot to mention...  Have you ever left the lights on, on your car.  Lead acid batteries only had @ 50% depth of discharge, anything more than that damages the battery irreversibly.  E-bikes have a new chemistry lithium battery,  with a battery management system built in.  A larger version of whats built into cell phones, and we've all seen videos of them burning up, obviously a battery management issue. 

Any how, the long and short of it, you will get dramatically more life out of your battery, and become part of the battery management system, if you do not ride your bike until empty.  I would suggest recharging only when you approach a quarter tank.  This also affects your riding range, but dramatically affects the life of your new investment.

Brett Dauer