Specialized Turbo Vado SL User manual

SPECIALIZED TURBO BIKES
QUICKSTART
GUIDE
Dear Turbo Rider,
We thank you for choosing a Specialized Turbo SL e-bike. This brief
guide provides important information on setup, usage and maintenance
of your Turbo SL e-bike. Please note that this guide focuses on the Turbo
SL e-bike system. For bike-specific information, such as suspension
setup, please refer to the manual that came with your bike. This ensures
you get the most out of your bike and enjoy every ride. You can also
contact your Specialized Turbo retailer if you need more details.
Have a great ride!
RECOMMENDED ADDONS
Mission Control App
With our free Mission Control App you can further enhance your Turbo SL
experience. It not only allows you to customize the motor characteristics by
changing the default motor settings (e.g. customize for range vs. power), the
App also enables you to control range, diagnose the system, record rides,
sync them with Strava and more.
Turbo Connect Display
This wireless display connects via ANT+ to show all the regular data of a
bicycle computer plus Turbo data like battery state of charge as % figure
and bar scale(s), rider power, cadence and selected mode. It even allows
connecting a heart rate strap.
Range Extender Battery
This external battery sits in a bottle cage on your Turbo SL e-bike and
adds 160 Wh, or 50%, of range, which typically means an additional hour of
ride time in flat/hilly terrain. For longer rides you can carry more than one
additional RE. It is compact and only weighs 1 kg. Refer to the bike manual
for bike-specific information about installation and handling.
SETUP
Manuals
Please study all the supplied manuals carefully before your first ride. They
contain important information on how to set up, use and maintain your Turbo
SL e-bike.
Saddle Height
The correct saddle height is crucial for pedaling efficiency and comfort. The
following method is a useful guideline: Move one crank downwards so that it
is positioned as an extension of the seat tube (roughly the 5 o’clock position).
Sit on the bike in riding position and place your heel on the lower pedal with
the foot parallel to the ground. The correct saddle height should leave your
knee only slightly bent in this position.
Tire Pressure
Running the correct tire pressure on your Turbo SL is crucial for a controlled
and enjoyable ride. The table below is based on the recommendations on the
tires. Your individual setting may vary according to rider weight and load,
terrain and ride style. Front tires can be inflated with less pressure than rear
tires. If your bike comes with 2bliss ready tires, we recommend a tubeless
setup for even better performance (pressures can be lowered by ~10 psi).
Check the tire pressure before each ride.
SL BIKE FAMILY
Turbo Creo SL
Turbo Levo SL
Turbo Vado SL
TIRE
Turbo 28c
Pathfinder 38C
Nimbus 38c
Pathfinder 38c
PSI
85-102
50-80
25-50
Max 40 on
carbon rim
50 - 80
BAR
6.0 - 7.0
3.5 - 5.5
1.7 - 3.4
Max 2.8 on
carbon rim
3.5 - 5.5
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
Hardware
Having your Turbo SL e-bike regularly inspected and serviced by
an authorized Specialized Retailer is imperative. Please refer to all
manufacturer’s maintenance documents and ask your local Specialized
Retailer for details.
Software
We continuously improve our software to offer you the best possible ride
experience. Therefore, make sure your system runs with the latest software.
Your local Specialized Retailer will be happy to keep your system up-to-date.

MOTOR AND BATTERY
Both the motor and battery are very user-friendly components that do not
require a lot of special attention. However, there are a few tips and notes you
should consider.
Motor
• The motor unit is a fully closed, well-protected unit, but never pressure
wash the bike/bottom bracket area
• Any firmware manipulation. e.g. to derestrict the speed limit, is illegal
and can void the warranty
• Be aware that the additional motor power results in greater wear and
tear of drivetrain parts, brake pads, tires, etc.
• Warranty terms: 2 years
Batteries
Your Specialized Turbo SL comes with a high-quality Lithium Ion battery that
is built for maximum performance and safety.
• Familiarize yourself with the battery chapter in the manual and the
symbols on the battery itself
• Be aware that batteries age over time and through usage
(reduced range)
• Always power off the bike before connecting or disconnecting the RE
battery or charging it
• Batteries have undercharge and overcharge protection, so that they can
be charged/discharged as needed
• Store your Turbo SL e-bike with the internal battery and any RE battery
at room temperature before riding in cold conditions (especially when
below 0° C / 32° F)
• When not using batteries for a longer period, leave them at a charge
level of about 60 %, store them/the bike in a dry, preferably cool place;
recharge to 60 % every three months
• When carrying your bike on a car bike rack, remove the Range Extender
battery and make sure the charge port is closed; transport the RE inside
the car
• Warranty terms: 2 years or at least 75 % capacity after 300
charge cycles.
Avoiding Damage Made Easy
DO NOT rotate the cranks backwards when:
1. The charge cable is connected
2. The RE cable is not connected to the frame port
This also means you should never push your Turbo SL backwards in the two
above scenarios. The RE cable should either be connected at both ends or
be completely removed from the bike. Disregarding this advice can result in
serious damage to the charger connector, the RE cable or even the
RE/charge port.
RIDING
These five notes and tips will help you improve your Turbo SL rides
and understand key bike behaviour.
Shifting
When shifting gears, reduce pedaling force. Try to avoid shifting under heavy
loads, e.g. when accelerating or climbing. Only shift one gear at a time. This
leads to smoother, quieter shifting and supports drivetrain longevity.
Mode Selection
When looking for increased range, primarily use the modes Eco and Sport.
When you need maximum power or maximum range is not needed, Turbo
mode is a great option.
Maintain a Smooth Cadence
The motor is designed to support you especially well at higher cadences (~75
rpm and above). Pedaling with a smooth cadence is beneficial for optimal
range and motor support. Tip: Use the TCD to monitor your cadence.
Discharge Range Extender First
We recommend sticking to the default parallel discharge scenario when using
a Range Extender battery. This way, the technically needed reduction in motor
assist will be noticeable later and battery health benefits in the long run.
Discharging the RE first only makes sense if you want to remove it at some
point to have a lighter bike or if you want to make room for a water bottle.
State of Charge and Power Output
Between 20% and 15% remaining battery state of charge, the system starts
reducing motor support to ensure uninterrupted support at lower charge/
voltage levels. Between 5% and 3% remaining soc, motor support shuts off,
but the system stays on.
This is not only beneficial for battery health and lifetime, but also ensures
wired lights can be powered for about two more hours.
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE CONT.
Cleaning Your Turbo SL
By cleaning your bike regularly in an appropriate manner, you
ensure greater longevity, less wear and the best performance.
These tips are key:
• Never use a high-pressure washer (use a wet cloth or a low-pressure
garden hose for removing dirt)
• Always turn off the bike before cleaning
• Remove the Range Extender battery (RE) and close the charge port
before cleaning (if needed, clean separately with a wet cloth; remove dirt
from connectors with a soft brush or low-pressure air)
• Inspect the RE / charge port for dirt accumulation (to clean inside, use a
soft brush or low-pressure air)
• Before connecting the charger or Range Extender battery, make sure all
contacts and ports are dry and clean
• Regularly clean the Speed Sensor magnet on the rear wheel with a cloth
(brake dust with metal parts can collect and cause issues)
• Pay special attention to chain/drive-train maintenance