Specialized SL 1.1 motor overview and stats at 1:10 Internal battery and range extender 6:49, charger 15:47 Integrated lights and reflective accents demo at 12:16 Mission control app 13:47, Optional LCD 15:05, Operation 21:02 Ride test begins 23:25, Closeup shots 25:39, neighborhood 30:24
Comparison with older Vado. Old Vado moter does 4 x, four times rider effort. New version Vado does 2x rider's effort. Weight reduced from 49 lbs to 33 lbs. From rider perspective on the old Vado 2 X approximates the "economy", lowest power setting, with 3 x for sport and 4 x for turbo. So for comparison, on the new Vado SL you would max out at the lowest level. Despite these number, I will probably trade in my Vado for the new version as weight is a really big deal to me.
I bought the Vado EQ 4.0 SL in the XL frame size about 6 months ago and I love it. I'm 6'2" and 230lbs and this bike performs perfectly for me. I have absolutely no problems climbing hills or maneuvering in virtually any terrain. I've had it up to speeds of 30 mph and it is a rock solid ride. I did remove the fenders and rack as I didn't like the look. I had to buy the under seat mounted light from specialized at a cost of $130 and do the install myself. It gave me the opportunity to do a partial tear down of the motor assembly/wiring and I can tell you it's a very easy bike to work on if you're into DYI maintenance. I also replaced the tires with 700x45c for better handling. I've tried various tire sizes and the max tire size you can run on this bike without the fenders is 29x1.9 while maintaining adequate clearance on the front forks.
I love how it doesn’t scream “e bike” with a stealthy battery, motor and control system. I hope these design ideals trickle down to mid-priced and adorable bikes.
Mine doesn't scream E-Bike and it's a piggyback design. At least I can remove it and there's no damn hole to see. Plus I can have 2 batteries and use them alternately. See my 3000km review TREK DUAL SPORT PLUS.
Got a story bikes road bike for $1900 that’s 33lbs with a 350W motor, hidden battery, 9 speed shifter, hydraulic brakes, and torque sensing cranks. They’re amazing value!
I just got one of these and went for my first ride of 12.6 miles and it was amazing. Going up a short steep hills was a breeze. The bike is beautiful and attracts attention. Worth every cent.
I have done more than 10 thousand km in this bike. It is really amazing, the best way to commute in the city. Moreover, I live in Mexico city and there are many bumps is amazing that in 10k kms I have never get a flat tire. Before I used to had a route bike and it happened very often. Finally, it is amazing how you can use it with the engine off to go with guys who are not as fit as you and you can set the engine to different assistance levels.. .I ve never encountered someone who I cannot keep up with when the engine is on. So I am amazed about how good this bike is.
I couldn't help but notice that every review came out at a coordinated time of 11:00 AM on May 12th. The Specialized marketing machine is a formidable one. Nice bike/review though and a game changer I'd think.
Its in the review contracts to keep quiet about the bikes until the big launch day :) Makes sense really to emphasise the launch - and it also means that reviewers don't feel any rush to be the first one out with a review so get to spend more time on the bike.
Looking to buy a very lightweight electric bike in the US. Considering these options and open to any alternatives GOGORO EEYO LEMOND PROLOG SPECIALIZED TURBO VADO SL 5.0 Any advice will be appreciated!
This is by far the most beautiful and clever engineered ebike I have ever seen. I love how they made the bike light and fully integrated. The only concern I have is how you can not access the battery or take it with you.
@@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834 i guess it so that you can store the battery in your home at room temperature so prolong battery health. If you store battery outside it will be subject to more extreme temperature changes (too cold or too hot).
I liked how you mentioned that this is your favourite bike this year. It would be great if you could compare bikes to other similar models from different brands and give your expert opinion on which is better and why. Keep those excellent reviews coming
Thanks Marcelo! I'm trying to do more of that... like I mentioned how I preferred the SL 1.1 motor on these Specialized ebikes vs. the Fazua and Bosch Active Line. Here's a list of my favorite commuter models for 2020 so far with some back to back comparison language: electricbikereview.com/best-commuter-electric-bikes/
I don't think a comparison serves much purpose. Write down your key requirements and then find one that checks off your boxes. For me, it is lightweight, good price, and slim profile. I need it light to lift up on train, stairs, and I need it sleek because I have to fit it on train racks and car, and I need it cheap because I don't have money. Bulky heavy bikes are not for me. The rest is not important. They all have decent range on battery and limited to 23 mph by law. 28 mph is a lie, heh heh. And speed is irrelevant. If you go any faster on roads with cars you will die early. Color is immaterial because once you have isolated bike to 1-2 models, you are stuck with those colors. So you see, in this market, you are limited in choice due to requirements so no need for much analysis.
Another impressive and complete review. I would only add that one advantage of those really long front fenders is that they keep dust (in dry weather) and moisture (in wet weather) off of the drive train resulting in a slightly longer life for the chain. It may only be a marginal gain, but if you hate cleaning and lubing the chain it is well worth it.
Sure thing, I'm glad you caught that. My goal is to be thorough and honest about the trade-offs I see with these products... as nice as it is, there are always optimizations like weight vs. power or price vs. quality parts
@@ElectricBikeReview I would guess that the goal of Specialized engineers was to design a light weight bike that are well equipped for commuters, not those who wish to use their bike as a alternative or replacement to their car. This a step in the right direction and I applaud the overall design. That being said, I hope that Specialized is listening and next year will offer a more capable rack.
Sweet! Have you tried any of the SL models, Richard? This motor is killer... and I couldn't wait to see it on the Vado, and to see this frame redesign because it's what I would use day to day with the upright geometry and carrying capacity vs. Creo and Levo. I got to look at this a while back but couldn't release until today... Hope you get to try it soon, and yeah, I think that Specialized usually feels great because they put so much effort into the Body Geometry touch points as well as the drive system and batteries now. I'm biased a bit though, because my own bicycle is Specialized... which I bought on my own many years ago. I still love it :)
Specialized makes a really good suspension seatpost themselves...The CG-R...I’ve got one one a Specialized Roubaix and on a Specialized Crosstrail and I really like them...Plus they look good!!! I personally feel that they smooth out the road better than the Thudbuster ST.
Good call, Dick! I've heard it called the Cobble Gobbler and love the concept, though I've never tried it. I searched the Specialized website and ended up on an Australian page? I mention it in the full writeup, glad to hear you like it even more than a Thudbuster! Have you ever tried one of the Kinekt/Bodyfloat suspension posts? Thanks for the feedback ;)
I've been watching your reviews for years. They are simply the BEST. I bought a Specialized Turbo X years ago after seeing your review and a Haibike Fat 6. Thinking about the Vado 5.0 or Creo SL 5 Thanks for sharing!
I test rode this in San Francisco. It's a super clean design, and only 36 lbs -- the Mazda Miata of e-bikes. And really nice to see 48V coming to mid-drive motors. But (again, in San Francisco), it only has 35Nm of torque and 240W, so it's kind of a slug on our 10% grade roads. Perfect for flat-land riders, though.
I live on a long street in another state that is similar to SF streets -- very steep on the uphill. Would you recommend this ebike or another make/model of ebike to climb steep streets?
Its difficult to find a comparison for these two great bikes, so thank you for a brilliant video that is about the bikes and not about your production skills! I was really after a bike that you can detach the battery to recharge for security reasons. I would love the SL with a detachable battery, that would be perfect! You watching Specialized, any ideas? Thanks Jericho
If this had a removable battery it would tick all the buy boxes. Living in CO the idea of garage storage and the potential of damaging the battery is so concerning.
I don’t have this bike, but we do have two other e-bikes that sit in our garage all winter here in Minneapolis, where it can be up to -15F. No issues with either of those batteries or motors, so I suspect the Specialized would be at least as reliable.
I don't get some of the negative comments about this bike. It is 37 pounds and has some great features. The 2021 model without the fenders and rear rack is even lighter and costs $3600. To get a bike that is this light with a more powerful battery you are going to pay over $5000. Some of the other bike brands that people are throwing out there are way more expensive and weigh 10 to 25 pounds more or are limited to 20mph. I think that this is a great bike if you are not going to be riding in an area with a lot of steep hills. For me, this bike is great. I don't care to lug a 55 pound bike around and I want to be able to keep up with friends riding road bikes. Add a carbon seatpost, carbon handlebars and pair of 32c tires and you can drop another 2 pounds off of it.
Extremely comprehensive and verbose review of this bike but it answers any and all questions about this bike. Even the ones you didn’t think of. Essentially its an e-bike for those who actually like to pedal. An E-bike for those who are willing to do the commute anyway but would like to take less time to do it in my opinion. Let’s face it, that don’t pedal themselves. I’d love some help! I’ve got a 30 mile commute to work in a different town that starts at 8 and in my business if your not 30 early, your 30 late. Now I don’t mind the distance or effort, I just don’t want to have to get up TOO early to make it happen. This turbo Vado SL makes a 2 1/5 hour analog commute down to an hour and a 1/2! This means I don’t have to start riding any earlier than 6 a.m. Any earlier than 6 would mean I’d have get up before 5 and I am NOT into that. My 3 year journey with this bike has given me nearly 5 grand in miles so far that has made life on my MTB so much better! Imagine 5 thousand free miles from which to be ready and fit to rally on! This bike is EVERYTHING YOU NEED AND NOTHING YOU DON’T! I’ve got a full blown ridiculous 12 g MTB and I love using the best and this bike needs nothing else and its not the highest end model. Get it !use it! Be happy!
Great review! While I can't comment on the 2020/2021, but as of the 2022 models, my Vado 4.0 full power is much quieter than what this motor is. It's quite surprising really! Fantastic beast, even for a 200lb guy. I'm sure the SL is even lighter and slicker, but we do have some large hills all around us that could be painful to lug up manually (the benefit of the SL is that w/o assist, it is a much better hill climber than the standard Vado w/o power).
Yeah, and I feel like they are fully committing to the space now. Their custom motor feels great, and is very lightweight. This bike won me over, and I'm glad that they are also innovating with lights and fenders. It's a very utilitarian, but also beautiful ebike ;)
Hey, thank you Steve. I do try to be thorough and have fun with it. Bikes are great :D hope you find one that is perfect for your use case and budget ;)
You do great reviews and I have seen quite a few. My only recommendation would be if you could somehow do an "executive summary" at the front of your reviews. For example, I wanted to know on this bike if there is a thumb throttle. Perhaps you could talk about several factors of what you think are key items in a bike; mid vs rear hub, speed, motor wattage, etc. Your technical knowledge is terrific but for many first time viewers, a little more general overview would be helpful.
Knowledgable, comprehensive review and reviewer. Plus a very well crafted video. As a fellow professional, can you tell me what camera and stabilizer you used? thanks.
I took delivery of one of these a month ago. Great bike, though here in Europe it’s limited to 25km/h. Took it a little off road here at the weekend and it was a hoot flying up the hills! Would be great with som knobbley tires on for dirt tracks :)
@@analogueaidan7292 I found a site that sells chips to remove the limit. However, here in DK bikes which can go up to 45km/h are called e-pedelecs & require moped insurance, and the kind of bike has to be approved by the authorities. So I wont do it as I would be uninsured and end up liable if involved in an accident.
Thx so much - v nice review! Also had a test ride on the (5.0 eq) today and ... I was really flashed! Light to handle, stable an solid - and smart looking. Minus is: battery is fix mounted in the frame. The is no option yet for light offroad. The price tag is ambitious. But more o less the best buy in this upcommin new class - in ly eyes. Greetz from Bavaria im Germany, Flex
Looking to buy a very lightweight electric bike in the US. Considering these options and open to any alternatives GOGORO EEYO LEMOND PROLOG SPECIALIZED TURBO VADO SL 5.0 Any advice will be appreciated!
Court, I like the mid-drive, the diagnostic app, and those fenders. I have always enjoyed speedy looking hybrid style bikes. That rack and the cost of the extra batteries seems a bit short-sighted by Specialized. It looked like the assist was quick enough that the lack of a throttle was not a big deal. Take it easy!
Oh yeah, the bike is very satisfying. This one didn't have me wishing for a throttle. Even their walk mode is snappy and powerful compared to most others... that really caught me by surprise in a good way, and wasn't something I had seen "done well" from other brands yet :)
Watch out for the seat post locking mechanism. Ive heard that if you remove the seat post the locking mechanism tends to fall into the seat tube and can get stuck above the motor.
You probably know this by now…..but you just stick a hex key in one of the chainring holes, then rotate the cranks back slowly against the hex key-viola!-chain now rotates along with the crank like an analog bike; so you can clean the chain without any special stand/lift.
I really enjoy your reviews and was excited to read this one but I am surprised at how much you like the bike and your comments that this is one of the best ebikes you have reviewed. The list of cons over on the website is quite long and well thought out. The main concerns I have would seem to dampen enthusiasm for this bike. Probably the biggest concern is the use of an unproven / unknown motor. Follow that with a minimum battery that requires extra batteries to be purchased, expensive accessories, relatively small carrying capacity on the rear rack, harsh standard ride without upgrading to the $1,000 more expensive frame... There seems to be some really good things here but with the lengthy list of cons, it just doesn't seem to add up to such a lofty review.
Well said iugradmark. Not to mention the very weak Wattage rating of the motor and the lack of torque. If you're 200+ lbs, this bike is NOT for you. Let's face it, an 145 Lb fit man is probably not always looking for an E-bike, but a 200+ Lb person IS looking for a way to get active again and a lightweight Ebike is definitely a solution. It's too bad, cause they have a good solid foundation, but they went cheap on some things (most importantly the power of the motor) and that is going to keep the educated Ebiker on the sidelines with this one.
Hey iugradmark, - we've had the SL 1.1 system on Turbo Creo SL and Levo SL. Being leary of new technology is understandable but with these light weight systems, you can't go off previous ebike metrics. With a light weight system running on 48v (opposed to 36v), the power and range may surprise you. Hopefully you get to ride one before you finalize your opinion.
Awesome review as always! Looking for an e-bike for my 2*15k daily commute. This bike ticks a lot of my boxes except that we in Europe only seem to get this with a 25 km/h limit. As a relatively fit person doing this trip with an average speed between 25 and 30 on my racing bike I'm not sure how much benefit I will be getting by this bike. There are a few hills and I bike along a windy coastal line as well as having some traffic lights here and there where I need to accelerate from, but just have the feeling that I will be spending a good amount of time just above or around the assist limit. Without much knowledge of e-bike I'd appreciate if someone watching this channel would have some input.
I have a similar context Thomas. 2*25km commute, mostly flat with a 15minute climb each direction. EU based / EU restricted bikes only. I'm a roadie fan so went for the Giant Road-E (the first version from a few years back) based off of Court's excellent review. Yes, the Giant is excellent, very comfortable and makes the commute easy including the relatively easy climbs), and i never arrive to work exhausted. It is pedal assist so i get a mild cardio benefit. Its a great tool for the job, however I struggle to get it past 28kph on the flat. I could be tempted to trade in against the Vado SL in the hope that the lightness (as with your road bike) would help get me to 30-32 kph if the wind was behind. For my situation, I'll stick with the Road-e though. If i were to do it again, the Vado with the extended mudguards, shock stem (on the v5.0) and lightness (of the motor & compact frame battery) would be a better option, especially if the commute involves more hills, more stop-starts (at traffic lights) and more carrying (up stairs/ into cars/ onto trains).
Would like the fork from the 4.0 added to the 5.0 sl and jones bars. Maybe I can see if my lbs specialized dealer can custom build it? Great review and want to visit Vancouver again soon, take care, enjoy the ride.
I totally feel you, assuming you want the front rack bosses from the alloy fork? Sounds like a sweet setup with Jones bars. Do you like to tour or would this be a commuting around town sort of setup?
What does the power feel like on this bike? As someone who has never had an ebike before I don't really have a frame of reference. I know Specialized simplify it as "2x You" but is that powerful enough to take the bite out of a strong headwind? I'm wanting one as a commuter/trekking bike and I don't know whether to go for the Vado SL that is nice and light and nimble or a Levo HT that has more power and a front shock but is considerably heavier and has chunky mtb tires.
This motor has about 1/2 the power of my 5 year old Haibike (with a a Yamaha motor). I'm in San Francisco, and the Haibike has plenty of power to get me up the big hills. When I test rode the SL a few months ago (in Bernal Heights, note HEIGHTS), it was a struggle. But if I lived in the flats, I'd definitely get it. Quality gear. And much lighter than my 60 lb (with lock) Haibike. And nice to finally see a 48V mid-drive motor; that's been the exclusive domain of hub drives for a while now.
I enjoyed this review. It seemed too good to be true - as you talked further you highlighted some glaring mistakes. Thanks. The water-resistant aspect is important for those of us in parts of the world where it rains a lot. But that rack is pointless - not strong enough and no way to replace it with something stronger. I am glad to see a city ebike without a suspension fork. I am fed up with makes like Cube, Bergamont, Scott who seem to think that any hybrid / city ebike must have some cr*ppy suspension forks on them. But it is so disappointing that there is no U unisex frame model or some kind of step-through frame with a diagonal bar - something like the Bergamont Lady Horizon frames. I am a 6 foot tall male but I find being able to step on and off a bike to be so mucy easier, especially when I have my shopping in my pannier bags on the rear. Why should I damage my hips having to stretch over a high crossbar of a 'male' bike? Specialized are heading in the right direction but some of the glaring mistakes will see myself buying a Bosch system next. Shame. Maybe in 2 or 3 years Specialized will get this bike just right.
All the Turbo Vado SLs are unisex. To get on easily, try leaning the bike as you swing your leg over the back wheel. Watch this video to learn more about how we design our bikes. ua-cam.com/video/_RTfFwlN8UQ/v-deo.html
Man... Still can't get over the non-removable battery. Why oh why?! For many of us without a garage (or a garage with no outlet in an urban complex), and with the inability - or inclination - to bring the bike into the house all of the time, this is a deal killer. I keep coming back to the Priority Embark. Not quite the expected range, not quite as sleek, and heavier, but the rest is a cut above and as a city bike, it is far easier to live with. Almost zero maintenance, quiet, comfy, and can still bomb around pretty effectively. No e-bike should have a non-removable battery.
thoght the same. without garage its the only way to bring it home. But then also all the dirt from the streets i have to bring in too... or what to do when it was raining...hmmm but maybe gonna buy it haha. the rest is so nice.
Hey. Thank you for a nice review :) How much resistance is there from a motor when you are pedaling with the motor turned off? Would you say it is like riding a non-electric bike?
why would you turn the motor off. there is no noticable drag with the 1.1 SL system, but you are peddling a heavier bike than you would on a similar non ebike. If you run out of battery then it still works very well...
Awesome review! I went back and forth between the 4.0 and the 5.0 and finally decided on the 5. Really looking forward to it! This will be my first experience with the Mission Control app. Do you know if it integrates with the Apple Watch so that I can use the watch to monitor my heart rate and then Mission Control manages the assist based on the bike?
*Faz Azad* Would love to get Your Thoughts once you get and ride it This looks like what I have been waiting for : Not Bulky : Really like teh idea you can ride without Motor support :
It actually does not connect with your apple watch. To use the heart rate feature in Smart Control (which is awesome!) you'll need a HR monitor that straps around your chest. Have fun tuning with the Mission Control App.
Nice review. Wonder if you think the wider Q factor would be more difficult with the small frame size and shorter cranks for a senior woman, for example? Also, what's a "taller space"? Nevermind....
The q-factor conversation is almost irrelevant in my view, we're talking about 6mm... but it's something I've mentioned before and wanted to highlight since this is competing and comparable to non-electric bikes. The topic gave me a segue into the improved water seals that Specialized used. I feel like Specialized has done a great job with the shorter cranks, stem, handlebar, and saddle for smaller frames... just wish they had a mid-step trepez style frame option for lower standover height :)
Really interesting bike and review, quite excited with the new lighter ebikes coming with assists that don't hold you back after the assisted limit (from a 25kph jurisdiction). Just wondering about the comparisons with the fauza powered bikes have you tried one of those since the firmware changes?
You should say CAD price when you make videos from Vancouver. This bike is not $3500, it’s closer to 5 grand in Vancouver at the city cycles store where you are filming in. The 5.0 is Almost $7000 after tax, patently ridiculous for its 250 watt, 6.7 ah battery. You can buy a deluxe Rize rx with 21 ah battery and 1000 watt motor with full suspension, suspension seat post, and mid drive for $3200 before tax. Paying double you get the benefit of what? Half the weight? I like specialized, already own them for 15 years, but this is nowhere close to a deal. It’s aesthetics only.
The step through was added I think. I wish the carbon fork and the 5.0 had the brazons up front. I really like what you said about the rack bosses for the rear rack. With the mile range for the Vado touring is a great option.
About 2 months ago the Dutch bike company Qwic released a (limited edition) e-bike that's called the: Qwic Premium Q. It's a €5500,- high-end (low-step) e-bike featuring hydraulic disc brakes, front- and seatpost- suspension, 700+wH battery powering a 90nm Brose mid-motor and to top it all off.... The brand-new automatically shifting Enviolo n380 'Automatiq' hubgear. There isn't ANY video-review about this e-bike on UA-cam, other than a few short developer video's. Maybe this company doesn't want to promote their products outside the Netherlands... I don't know. Would you be interested to take a look at it?
Oh yeah! I'd love to check it out, thanks for the heads up Tim! I'm in Canada, do you know if they distribute here? If you're in touch with them, you can point them my way and maybe they will get in contact and send a bike for review... it sounds pretty awesome :D
Love the look of this bike and most things about it. Just the lack of removable battery puts me off no idea why it’s not a standard option these days. I can’t take my bike into my home or office to charge I need that removable battery or I would pull the trigger on this
Best aid for visibility is high vis jacket/top , the amount of cyclists I see on the road wearing dark clothing is unbelievable, it stands to reason the largest surface area I can see as a driver is your back .
Una bicicleta que vale la pena, aún no me alcanza ni de lejos para una así, gracias a dios tengo una de 500 dolares, pero de ahí a esta es otro mundo, el precio actual es de 4,783 dolares (precio normal) y oferta por primavera 3,587 dolares. Sigue siendo muy caro, pero si pudiera o mejor dicho, primero dios cuando pueda me la comprare sin duda alguna, no tendrá tanta potencia como la Vado normal, pero me encanta andar en bicicleta y la sensación de libertad que te brinda, creo que esta es una bicicleta más bicicleta y que si es necesario se puede hasta cargar por un puente peatonal porque hay veces que la ruta no lo permite y hay que subir por ahí si o si, no quisiera hacer eso en una Vado normal, terminaría arrepentido de la compra muy rápidamente. Creo que es una bicicleta perfecta, a un precio claro esta. Me parece elegante la verdad, y creo que si no cargaras mucho la opción de tijera de carbono es la mejor, si quieres cargar más la del video es mejor porque se pueden poner un par de alforjas delanteras para algo extra de carga ligera, aunque no creo que sea la opción más acertada para viajes, aunque ocasióneles quizá si. Me encanto la reseña.
I love the Creo but I wish it had the handle bar motor adjustment switch as the Vado does. It's easier to use than having to go down to the top tube. Any chance one could be added to the Creo?
can programme the Creo to a taylored solution in each mode. personally I don't change it from level 2 ever, unless I am going for a very long ride..........
Is it possible to ride the bicycle without the electric motor? So, if the battery is empty, can you still ride it well without it? Or is it cumbersome then?
Would this make a good touring bike given the tiny battery? The rack seems to support some rather low weight - does this mean the rack is swappable to something more heavy duty… and what about this vs the Orbea Kemen?
Were you able to determine what is the largest tire size possible to be installed without the fenders? I am considering ebike mainly for winter commuting. I prob would need to install some knobs for winter. Might just spring for emtb bike. Great review. Thanks
I want to ask a question about range, not sure if anyone knows the answer. The Vado SL spec is the same in the US as it is in the U.K. the only difference is the speed is 28mph in the US but restricted to 15.5mph in the U.K. So my question is why is the range exactly the same if the speed is different?
I am trying to decide between the Vado 3.0 and the SL - what are your thoughts on comparing the two ? Not so much the weight and the more ebike look - that I get. More about components and versatility of riding surfaces.
Just picked up a 2020 model, and I'm regretting it, big time. The battery life is horrid. There is an available firmware update, but I can't see that making a significant difference. I got about 35km mostly in Sport mode, and when I saw how it was draining, I put it in Eco mode for about 15% of my ride. I arrived at my destination, just over 30km, and Mission Control showed that I had 7% left. My other ebike, (Qualibike, about a quarter of the price), gets 80km on a charge.
Looking to buy a very lightweight electric bike in the US. Considering these options and open to any alternatives GOGORO EEYO LEMOND PROLOG SPECIALIZED TURBO VADO SL 5.0 Any advice will be appreciated!
my concern is the noise ,sound loud from the video since road tire produce less noise than MTB tires so I guess u can here more sound unless u are in a heavy traffic area.
Exactly what I’m looking for- unfortunately it’s hard to find for purchase in western Canada. Is it too new and hard for suppliers to keep in stock or not in stores yet? Edit- are websites no updated with this beauty on it? grrrr
Hi Barrie, the tires are Specialized Nimbus II Sport Reflect, 700x38c (38-622) and some of the details are 50 to 80 PSI, 3.5 to 5.5 BAR, Blackbelt Puncture Protection, and Reflective Sidewall Stripes :D
It's good to see Specialized is finally working on it's outdated city bike line. I'm not a fan of this bike however because the motor is weaker and louder, it uses chain instead of gates carbon drive , and it's the year 2020 and still no USB port for the phone. They swung and missed.
Agree on the USB charger. There's actually gears inside the SL 1.1 motor, no chains. Hopefully you give it a ride to hear the motor is pretty quiet. If you think that's too loud, we still have the carbon belts on the Turbo Vados.
The USB port has its downsides - risk of rain water getting in (and replacements sure ain't cheap). Prefer to keep the phone in the bag on a portable battery charge. Motor has enough power to get to 20mph; its just the torque on steeper hills where it may struggle - just drop down a few gears to help it)
how much worth is EQ version? if I buy without EQ version then add mudguard and rear, front light, and also the rear rack will it be okay? or do they add something more important accessories?
I tested out this bike recently and found the noice coming from the freehub quite noisy, doesn't this put anyone off? Maybe I'm just used to my bike where it's almost silent.
Specialized SL 1.1 motor overview and stats at 1:10
Internal battery and range extender 6:49, charger 15:47
Integrated lights and reflective accents demo at 12:16
Mission control app 13:47, Optional LCD 15:05, Operation 21:02
Ride test begins 23:25, Closeup shots 25:39, neighborhood 30:24
Comparison with older Vado. Old Vado moter does 4 x, four times rider effort. New version Vado does 2x rider's effort. Weight reduced from 49 lbs to 33 lbs. From rider perspective on the old Vado 2 X approximates the "economy", lowest power setting, with 3 x for sport and 4 x for turbo. So for comparison, on the new Vado SL you would max out at the lowest level. Despite these number, I will probably trade in my Vado for the new version as weight is a really big deal to me.
I bought the Vado EQ 4.0 SL in the XL frame size about 6 months ago and I love it. I'm 6'2" and 230lbs and this bike performs perfectly for me. I have absolutely no problems climbing hills or maneuvering in virtually any terrain. I've had it up to speeds of 30 mph and it is a rock solid ride. I did remove the fenders and rack as I didn't like the look. I had to buy the under seat mounted light from specialized at a cost of $130 and do the install myself. It gave me the opportunity to do a partial tear down of the motor assembly/wiring and I can tell you it's a very easy bike to work on if you're into DYI maintenance. I also replaced the tires with 700x45c for better handling. I've tried various tire sizes and the max tire size you can run on this bike without the fenders is 29x1.9 while maintaining adequate clearance on the front forks.
I just put some 700x42 Sawtooths on my 4.0 and really like them , I was wondering what 45's did you get for yours
I love how it doesn’t scream “e bike” with a stealthy battery, motor and control system. I hope these design ideals trickle down to mid-priced and adorable bikes.
Mine doesn't scream E-Bike and it's a piggyback design. At least I can remove it and there's no damn hole to see. Plus I can have 2 batteries and use them alternately. See my 3000km review TREK DUAL SPORT PLUS.
Got a story bikes road bike for $1900 that’s 33lbs with a 350W motor, hidden battery, 9 speed shifter, hydraulic brakes, and torque sensing cranks. They’re amazing value!
I just got one of these and went for my first ride of 12.6 miles and it was amazing. Going up a short steep hills was a breeze. The bike is beautiful and attracts attention. Worth every cent.
Although you don't want it to attract too much attention if you know what I mean
Do you still have the Vado?
Just got my 4.0 turbo vado sl this week ! It is nice , fun and pretty fast ! At 58 years old I can get it up to 30 mph no problem
Honestly, this was THE most thorough, succinct and educational review of any bike I've ever watched. You pretty much sold this to me!
I have done more than 10 thousand km in this bike. It is really amazing, the best way to commute in the city. Moreover, I live in Mexico city and there are many bumps is amazing that in 10k kms I have never get a flat tire. Before I used to had a route bike and it happened very often. Finally, it is amazing how you can use it with the engine off to go with guys who are not as fit as you and you can set the engine to different assistance levels.. .I ve never encountered someone who I cannot keep up with when the engine is on. So I am amazed about how good this bike is.
I couldn't help but notice that every review came out at a coordinated time of 11:00 AM on May 12th. The Specialized marketing machine is a formidable one. Nice bike/review though and a game changer I'd think.
Its in the review contracts to keep quiet about the bikes until the big launch day :) Makes sense really to emphasise the launch - and it also means that reviewers don't feel any rush to be the first one out with a review so get to spend more time on the bike.
I just found a 5.0! Can't wait to pick it up next week! Thanks as always for the detailed review.
Looking to buy a very lightweight electric bike in the US.
Considering these options and open to any alternatives
GOGORO EEYO
LEMOND PROLOG
SPECIALIZED TURBO VADO SL 5.0
Any advice will be appreciated!
@@coconuto the other two are hubs. You'll get a lot more bang for your buck overall with the mid-drive specialized. Loving mine so far.
This is by far the most beautiful and clever engineered ebike I have ever seen. I love how they made the bike light and fully integrated. The only concern I have is how you can not access the battery or take it with you.
I think this is the reason, the extra battery, if you cant plug your bike, you need the extra battery that you can bring inside and plug it.!
Why do you need to access the battery DP
@@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834 i guess it so that you can store the battery in your home at room temperature so prolong battery health. If you store battery outside it will be subject to more extreme temperature changes (too cold or too hot).
Yeah, wish the battery was removable. What happens when the battery dies? Do you have to take it to the local bikeshop to remove and replace? $$$$
I liked how you mentioned that this is your favourite bike this year. It would be great if you could compare bikes to other similar models from different brands and give your expert opinion on which is better and why. Keep those excellent reviews coming
Thanks Marcelo! I'm trying to do more of that... like I mentioned how I preferred the SL 1.1 motor on these Specialized ebikes vs. the Fazua and Bosch Active Line. Here's a list of my favorite commuter models for 2020 so far with some back to back comparison language: electricbikereview.com/best-commuter-electric-bikes/
I don't think a comparison serves much purpose. Write down your key requirements and then find one that checks off your boxes. For me, it is lightweight, good price, and slim profile. I need it light to lift up on train, stairs, and I need it sleek because I have to fit it on train racks and car, and I need it cheap because I don't have money. Bulky heavy bikes are not for me.
The rest is not important. They all have decent range on battery and limited to 23 mph by law. 28 mph is a lie, heh heh. And speed is irrelevant. If you go any faster on roads with cars you will die early. Color is immaterial because once you have isolated bike to 1-2 models, you are stuck with those colors. So you see, in this market, you are limited in choice due to requirements so no need for much analysis.
Another impressive and complete review. I would only add that one advantage of those really long front fenders is that they keep dust (in dry weather) and moisture (in wet weather) off of the drive train resulting in a slightly longer life for the chain. It may only be a marginal gain, but if you hate cleaning and lubing the chain it is well worth it.
Nice review of a very attractive bike. I agree that the rear rack should be capable of carrying greater loads. Thanks for sharing and best regards.
Sure thing, I'm glad you caught that. My goal is to be thorough and honest about the trade-offs I see with these products... as nice as it is, there are always optimizations like weight vs. power or price vs. quality parts
@@ElectricBikeReview
I would guess that the goal of Specialized engineers was to design a light weight bike that are well equipped for commuters, not those who wish to use their bike as a alternative or replacement to their car.
This a step in the right direction and I applaud the overall design. That being said, I hope that Specialized is listening and next year will offer a more capable rack.
Awesome bikes...I’ve ridden most of the high end bikes and the Specialized IMO feels the best!
Sweet! Have you tried any of the SL models, Richard? This motor is killer... and I couldn't wait to see it on the Vado, and to see this frame redesign because it's what I would use day to day with the upright geometry and carrying capacity vs. Creo and Levo. I got to look at this a while back but couldn't release until today... Hope you get to try it soon, and yeah, I think that Specialized usually feels great because they put so much effort into the Body Geometry touch points as well as the drive system and batteries now. I'm biased a bit though, because my own bicycle is Specialized... which I bought on my own many years ago. I still love it :)
Specialized makes a really good suspension seatpost themselves...The CG-R...I’ve got one one a Specialized Roubaix and on a Specialized Crosstrail and I really like them...Plus they look good!!! I personally feel that they smooth out the road better than the Thudbuster ST.
Good call, Dick! I've heard it called the Cobble Gobbler and love the concept, though I've never tried it. I searched the Specialized website and ended up on an Australian page? I mention it in the full writeup, glad to hear you like it even more than a Thudbuster! Have you ever tried one of the Kinekt/Bodyfloat suspension posts? Thanks for the feedback ;)
I've been watching your reviews for years. They are simply the BEST. I bought a Specialized Turbo X years ago after seeing your review and a Haibike Fat 6. Thinking about the Vado 5.0 or Creo SL 5 Thanks for sharing!
I test rode this in San Francisco. It's a super clean design, and only 36 lbs -- the Mazda Miata of e-bikes. And really nice to see 48V coming to mid-drive motors.
But (again, in San Francisco), it only has 35Nm of torque and 240W, so it's kind of a slug on our 10% grade roads. Perfect for flat-land riders, though.
I live on a long street in another state that is similar to SF streets -- very steep on the uphill. Would you recommend this ebike or another make/model of ebike to climb steep streets?
I love my Specialized! My next bike will be a Specialized as well! Great company!
Nice video,thanks Court. My favorite part was “let’s go on an adventure down here”
Its difficult to find a comparison for these two great bikes, so thank you for a brilliant video that is about the bikes and not about your production skills! I was really after a bike that you can detach the battery to recharge for security reasons. I would love the SL with a detachable battery, that would be perfect! You watching Specialized, any ideas? Thanks Jericho
If this had a removable battery it would tick all the buy boxes. Living in CO the idea of garage storage and the potential of damaging the battery is so concerning.
I don’t have this bike, but we do have two other e-bikes that sit in our garage all winter here in Minneapolis, where it can be up to -15F. No issues with either of those batteries or motors, so I suspect the Specialized would be at least as reliable.
I don't get some of the negative comments about this bike. It is 37 pounds and has some great features. The 2021 model without the fenders and rear rack is even lighter and costs $3600. To get a bike that is this light with a more powerful battery you are going to pay over $5000. Some of the other bike brands that people are throwing out there are way more expensive and weigh 10 to 25 pounds more or are limited to 20mph. I think that this is a great bike if you are not going to be riding in an area with a lot of steep hills. For me, this bike is great. I don't care to lug a 55 pound bike around and I want to be able to keep up with friends riding road bikes.
Add a carbon seatpost, carbon handlebars and pair of 32c tires and you can drop another 2 pounds off of it.
Extremely comprehensive and verbose review of this bike but it answers any and all questions about this bike. Even the ones you didn’t think of. Essentially its an e-bike for those who actually like to pedal. An E-bike for those who are willing to do the commute anyway but would like to take less time to do it in my opinion. Let’s face it, that don’t pedal themselves. I’d love some help! I’ve got a 30 mile commute to work in a different town that starts at 8 and in my business if your not 30 early, your 30 late. Now I don’t mind the distance or effort, I just don’t want to have to get up TOO early to make it happen. This turbo Vado SL makes a 2 1/5 hour analog commute down to an hour and a 1/2! This means I don’t have to start riding any earlier than 6 a.m. Any earlier than 6 would mean I’d have get up before 5 and I am NOT into that. My 3 year journey with this bike has given me nearly 5 grand in miles so far that has made life on my MTB so much better! Imagine 5 thousand free miles from which to be ready and fit to rally on! This bike is EVERYTHING YOU NEED AND NOTHING YOU DON’T! I’ve got a full blown ridiculous 12 g MTB and I love using the best and this bike needs nothing else and its not the highest end model. Get it !use it! Be happy!
I rented up the hill from this setting when completing Uni, in 1995. Beauty!!! Oh, nice bike too.
Great review! While I can't comment on the 2020/2021, but as of the 2022 models, my Vado 4.0 full power is much quieter than what this motor is. It's quite surprising really! Fantastic beast, even for a 200lb guy. I'm sure the SL is even lighter and slicker, but we do have some large hills all around us that could be painful to lug up manually (the benefit of the SL is that w/o assist, it is a much better hill climber than the standard Vado w/o power).
Specialized have always been some of the nicest looking and best performing ebikes..
Yeah, and I feel like they are fully committing to the space now. Their custom motor feels great, and is very lightweight. This bike won me over, and I'm glad that they are also innovating with lights and fenders. It's a very utilitarian, but also beautiful ebike ;)
You got me interested in this bike. Looks like exactly what I'm looking for. Also you do a very nice job on your videos
Hey, thank you Steve. I do try to be thorough and have fun with it. Bikes are great :D hope you find one that is perfect for your use case and budget ;)
You do great reviews and I have seen quite a few. My only recommendation would be if you could somehow do an "executive summary" at the front of your reviews. For example, I wanted to know on this bike if there is a thumb throttle. Perhaps you could talk about several factors of what you think are key items in a bike; mid vs rear hub, speed, motor wattage, etc. Your technical knowledge is terrific but for many first time viewers, a little more general overview would be helpful.
Knowledgable, comprehensive review and reviewer. Plus a very well crafted video. As a fellow professional, can you tell me what camera and stabilizer you used? thanks.
I did a test run this afternoon. Loved it. I currently own a flyer emb which I love. But some days I just wanna fly. I did just that with this.
I took delivery of one of these a month ago. Great bike, though here in Europe it’s limited to 25km/h. Took it a little off road here at the weekend and it was a hoot flying up the hills! Would be great with som knobbley tires on for dirt tracks :)
@@analogueaidan7292 I found a site that sells chips to remove the limit. However, here in DK bikes which can go up to 45km/h are called e-pedelecs & require moped insurance, and the kind of bike has to be approved by the authorities. So I wont do it as I would be uninsured and end up liable if involved in an accident.
Thx so much - v nice review! Also had a test ride on the (5.0 eq) today and ... I was really flashed! Light to handle, stable an solid - and smart looking. Minus is: battery is fix mounted in the frame. The is no option yet for light offroad. The price tag is ambitious. But more o less the best buy in this upcommin new class - in ly eyes. Greetz from Bavaria im Germany, Flex
The noise in the video sounded louder than in real i think. i was testdriving it yesterday.
I pick my 5.0 EQ Sl up this week :))
Clifford Holliday How is the bike? Do you like it?
@@einarclausen219 i really enjoy the ride! Can recommend it!
Clifford Holliday Thank you.
Looking to buy a very lightweight electric bike in the US.
Considering these options and open to any alternatives
GOGORO EEYO
LEMOND PROLOG
SPECIALIZED TURBO VADO SL 5.0
Any advice will be appreciated!
Court, I like the mid-drive, the diagnostic app, and those fenders. I have always enjoyed speedy looking hybrid style bikes. That rack and the cost of the extra batteries seems a bit short-sighted by Specialized. It looked like the assist was quick enough that the lack of a throttle was not a big deal. Take it easy!
Oh yeah, the bike is very satisfying. This one didn't have me wishing for a throttle. Even their walk mode is snappy and powerful compared to most others... that really caught me by surprise in a good way, and wasn't something I had seen "done well" from other brands yet :)
Watch out for the seat post locking mechanism. Ive heard that if you remove the seat post the locking mechanism tends to fall into the seat tube and can get stuck above the motor.
Beautiful review! I like this one, too!
Thank you so much, flyshacker. I always appreciate your comments :)
You probably know this by now…..but you just stick a hex key in one of the chainring holes, then rotate the cranks back slowly against the hex key-viola!-chain now rotates along with the crank like an analog bike; so you can clean the chain without any special stand/lift.
I really enjoy your reviews and was excited to read this one but I am surprised at how much you like the bike and your comments that this is one of the best ebikes you have reviewed. The list of cons over on the website is quite long and well thought out. The main concerns I have would seem to dampen enthusiasm for this bike. Probably the biggest concern is the use of an unproven / unknown motor. Follow that with a minimum battery that requires extra batteries to be purchased, expensive accessories, relatively small carrying capacity on the rear rack, harsh standard ride without upgrading to the $1,000 more expensive frame...
There seems to be some really good things here but with the lengthy list of cons, it just doesn't seem to add up to such a lofty review.
Well said iugradmark. Not to mention the very weak Wattage rating of the motor and the lack of torque. If you're 200+ lbs, this bike is NOT for you. Let's face it, an 145 Lb fit man is probably not always looking for an E-bike, but a 200+ Lb person IS looking for a way to get active again and a lightweight Ebike is definitely a solution. It's too bad, cause they have a good solid foundation, but they went cheap on some things (most importantly the power of the motor) and that is going to keep the educated Ebiker on the sidelines with this one.
Hey iugradmark, - we've had the SL 1.1 system on Turbo Creo SL and Levo SL. Being leary of new technology is understandable but with these light weight systems, you can't go off previous ebike metrics. With a light weight system running on 48v (opposed to 36v), the power and range may surprise you. Hopefully you get to ride one before you finalize your opinion.
@@TheStoneWhisperer Hopefully you can be fully educated and take the Vado SL out for a ride.
Salsa makes a seatpost clamp as well as very simular looking clamp that attaches to the seatpost only that has the bosses for a rack.
Great review! What AV equipment do you use to make these videos?
Nice bike but that neighborhood! Gorgeous!!
Thanks for the good review. How does this bike compare to the cannondale quick neo SL , Also a fitness bike ?
Dude this video is so good. Thank you
Awesome review as always!
Looking for an e-bike for my 2*15k daily commute.
This bike ticks a lot of my boxes except that we in Europe only seem to get this with a 25 km/h limit.
As a relatively fit person doing this trip with an average speed between 25 and 30 on my racing bike I'm not sure how much benefit I will be getting by this bike. There are a few hills and I bike along a windy coastal line as well as having some traffic lights here and there where I need to accelerate from, but just have the feeling that I will be spending a good amount of time just above or around the assist limit. Without much knowledge of e-bike I'd appreciate if someone watching this channel would have some input.
I have a similar context Thomas. 2*25km commute, mostly flat with a 15minute climb each direction. EU based / EU restricted bikes only.
I'm a roadie fan so went for the Giant Road-E (the first version from a few years back) based off of Court's excellent review. Yes, the Giant is excellent, very comfortable and makes the commute easy including the relatively easy climbs), and i never arrive to work exhausted. It is pedal assist so i get a mild cardio benefit. Its a great tool for the job, however I struggle to get it past 28kph on the flat.
I could be tempted to trade in against the Vado SL in the hope that the lightness (as with your road bike) would help get me to 30-32 kph if the wind was behind. For my situation, I'll stick with the Road-e though. If i were to do it again, the Vado with the extended mudguards, shock stem (on the v5.0) and lightness (of the motor & compact frame battery) would be a better option, especially if the commute involves more hills, more stop-starts (at traffic lights) and more carrying (up stairs/ into cars/ onto trains).
Would like the fork from the 4.0 added to the 5.0 sl and jones bars. Maybe I can see if my lbs specialized dealer can custom build it? Great review and want to visit Vancouver again soon, take care, enjoy the ride.
I totally feel you, assuming you want the front rack bosses from the alloy fork? Sounds like a sweet setup with Jones bars. Do you like to tour or would this be a commuting around town sort of setup?
Thanks for the reviews. I saw the Trek Allant one also. Are there any reasons to chose one bike over the other?
My man's really selling this bike :).
Yooo I know!
How does this compare to the Cannondale Tesoro Neo X 3 at the same price point?
What does the power feel like on this bike? As someone who has never had an ebike before I don't really have a frame of reference. I know Specialized simplify it as "2x You" but is that powerful enough to take the bite out of a strong headwind? I'm wanting one as a commuter/trekking bike and I don't know whether to go for the Vado SL that is nice and light and nimble or a Levo HT that has more power and a front shock but is considerably heavier and has chunky mtb tires.
This motor has about 1/2 the power of my 5 year old Haibike (with a a Yamaha motor). I'm in San Francisco, and the Haibike has plenty of power to get me up the big hills. When I test rode the SL a few months ago (in Bernal Heights, note HEIGHTS), it was a struggle.
But if I lived in the flats, I'd definitely get it. Quality gear. And much lighter than my 60 lb (with lock) Haibike.
And nice to finally see a 48V mid-drive motor; that's been the exclusive domain of hub drives for a while now.
Great review, thank you! THIS is my next bike.
totally agree that this is the way to go for an electric bike.
I enjoyed this review. It seemed too good to be true - as you talked further you highlighted some glaring mistakes. Thanks.
The water-resistant aspect is important for those of us in parts of the world where it rains a lot. But that rack is pointless - not strong enough and no way to replace it with something stronger.
I am glad to see a city ebike without a suspension fork. I am fed up with makes like Cube, Bergamont, Scott who seem to think that any hybrid / city ebike must have some cr*ppy suspension forks on them.
But it is so disappointing that there is no U unisex frame model or some kind of step-through frame with a diagonal bar - something like the Bergamont Lady Horizon frames. I am a 6 foot tall male but I find being able to step on and off a bike to be so mucy easier, especially when I have my shopping in my pannier bags on the rear.
Why should I damage my hips having to stretch over a high crossbar of a 'male' bike?
Specialized are heading in the right direction but some of the glaring mistakes will see myself buying a Bosch system next. Shame. Maybe in 2 or 3 years Specialized will get this bike just right.
All the Turbo Vado SLs are unisex. To get on easily, try leaning the bike as you swing your leg over the back wheel. Watch this video to learn more about how we design our bikes. ua-cam.com/video/_RTfFwlN8UQ/v-deo.html
Man... Still can't get over the non-removable battery. Why oh why?! For many of us without a garage (or a garage with no outlet in an urban complex), and with the inability - or inclination - to bring the bike into the house all of the time, this is a deal killer. I keep coming back to the Priority Embark. Not quite the expected range, not quite as sleek, and heavier, but the rest is a cut above and as a city bike, it is far easier to live with. Almost zero maintenance, quiet, comfy, and can still bomb around pretty effectively. No e-bike should have a non-removable battery.
thoght the same. without garage its the only way to bring it home. But then also all the dirt from the streets i have to bring in too... or what to do when it was raining...hmmm but maybe gonna buy it haha. the rest is so nice.
Excellent review
At this price point, why isn't there a belt drive?
Great review!
Hey. Thank you for a nice review :)
How much resistance is there from a motor when you are pedaling with the motor turned off? Would you say it is like riding a non-electric bike?
Zero additional drag. Believe it or not, it's the same as a traditional drivetrain.
why would you turn the motor off. there is no noticable drag with the 1.1 SL system, but you are peddling a heavier bike than you would on a similar non ebike. If you run out of battery then it still works very well...
@@SpecializedUniversity Does the blue color is available in Canada? 😱
@@SpecializedUniversity Exactly - One can ride the bike like a traditional bike -
Awesome review! I went back and forth between the 4.0 and the 5.0 and finally decided on the 5. Really looking forward to it! This will be my first experience with the Mission Control app. Do you know if it integrates with the Apple Watch so that I can use the watch to monitor my heart rate and then Mission Control manages the assist based on the bike?
*Faz Azad* Would love to get Your Thoughts once you get and ride it This looks like what I have been waiting for : Not Bulky : Really like teh idea you can ride without Motor support :
It actually does not connect with your apple watch. To use the heart rate feature in Smart Control (which is awesome!) you'll need a HR monitor that straps around your chest. Have fun tuning with the Mission Control App.
I love your reviews thank you 🙏
Thanks for the detailed video.
I’d like to ask about the sunglasses u’re wearing, pls.
Nice review. Wonder if you think the wider Q factor would be more difficult with the small frame size and shorter cranks for a senior woman, for example? Also, what's a "taller space"? Nevermind....
The q-factor conversation is almost irrelevant in my view, we're talking about 6mm... but it's something I've mentioned before and wanted to highlight since this is competing and comparable to non-electric bikes. The topic gave me a segue into the improved water seals that Specialized used. I feel like Specialized has done a great job with the shorter cranks, stem, handlebar, and saddle for smaller frames... just wish they had a mid-step trepez style frame option for lower standover height :)
Really interesting bike and review, quite excited with the new lighter ebikes coming with assists that don't hold you back after the assisted limit (from a 25kph jurisdiction). Just wondering about the comparisons with the fauza powered bikes have you tried one of those since the firmware changes?
road a fauza in January, and it did not match up...
You should say CAD price when you make videos from Vancouver. This bike is not $3500, it’s closer to 5 grand in Vancouver at the city cycles store where you are filming in. The 5.0 is Almost $7000 after tax, patently ridiculous for its 250 watt, 6.7 ah battery. You can buy a deluxe Rize rx with 21 ah battery and 1000 watt motor with full suspension, suspension seat post, and mid drive for $3200 before tax. Paying double you get the benefit of what? Half the weight? I like specialized, already own them for 15 years, but this is nowhere close to a deal. It’s aesthetics only.
Any word on the new SL model with 1.2 motor?
The step through was added I think. I wish the carbon fork and the 5.0 had the brazons up front. I really like what you said about the rack bosses for the rear rack. With the mile range for the Vado touring is a great option.
Great review and very informational. I have an off-topic question. What brand of sunglasses are those and are they prescription? I want a pair!
About 2 months ago the Dutch bike company Qwic released a (limited edition) e-bike that's called the: Qwic Premium Q. It's a €5500,- high-end (low-step) e-bike featuring hydraulic disc brakes, front- and seatpost- suspension, 700+wH battery powering a 90nm Brose mid-motor and to top it all off.... The brand-new automatically shifting Enviolo n380 'Automatiq' hubgear. There isn't ANY video-review about this e-bike on UA-cam, other than a few short developer video's. Maybe this company doesn't want to promote their products outside the Netherlands... I don't know. Would you be interested to take a look at it?
Oh yeah! I'd love to check it out, thanks for the heads up Tim! I'm in Canada, do you know if they distribute here? If you're in touch with them, you can point them my way and maybe they will get in contact and send a bike for review... it sounds pretty awesome :D
Could the Vado be used for Bikepacking long Adventure trips?
Love the look of this bike and most things about it. Just the lack of removable battery puts me off no idea why it’s not a standard option these days. I can’t take my bike into my home or office to charge I need that removable battery or I would pull the trigger on this
A very enjoyable review. Thank you.
Best aid for visibility is high vis jacket/top , the amount of cyclists I see on the road wearing dark clothing is unbelievable, it stands to reason the largest surface area I can see as a driver is your back .
Una bicicleta que vale la pena, aún no me alcanza ni de lejos para una así, gracias a dios tengo una de 500 dolares, pero de ahí a esta es otro mundo, el precio actual es de 4,783 dolares (precio normal) y oferta por primavera 3,587 dolares. Sigue siendo muy caro, pero si pudiera o mejor dicho, primero dios cuando pueda me la comprare sin duda alguna, no tendrá tanta potencia como la Vado normal, pero me encanta andar en bicicleta y la sensación de libertad que te brinda, creo que esta es una bicicleta más bicicleta y que si es necesario se puede hasta cargar por un puente peatonal porque hay veces que la ruta no lo permite y hay que subir por ahí si o si, no quisiera hacer eso en una Vado normal, terminaría arrepentido de la compra muy rápidamente.
Creo que es una bicicleta perfecta, a un precio claro esta. Me parece elegante la verdad, y creo que si no cargaras mucho la opción de tijera de carbono es la mejor, si quieres cargar más la del video es mejor porque se pueden poner un par de alforjas delanteras para algo extra de carga ligera, aunque no creo que sea la opción más acertada para viajes, aunque ocasióneles quizá si. Me encanto la reseña.
Superb, detailed review
I love the Creo but I wish it had the handle bar motor adjustment switch as the Vado does. It's easier to use than having to go down to the top tube. Any chance one could be added to the Creo?
Good question especially as the Creo is 3 down to 1, needs to run through the assistance sequentially
can programme the Creo to a taylored solution in each mode. personally I don't change it from level 2 ever, unless I am going for a very long ride..........
Is it possible to ride the bicycle without the electric motor? So, if the battery is empty, can you still ride it well without it? Or is it cumbersome then?
Would this make a good touring bike given the tiny battery? The rack seems to support some rather low weight - does this mean the rack is swappable to something more heavy duty… and what about this vs the Orbea Kemen?
Were you able to determine what is the largest tire size possible to be installed without the fenders? I am considering ebike mainly for winter commuting. I prob would need to install some knobs for winter. Might just spring for emtb bike. Great review. Thanks
I want to ask a question about range, not sure if anyone knows the answer. The Vado SL spec is the same in the US as it is in the U.K. the only difference is the speed is 28mph in the US but restricted to 15.5mph in the U.K. So my question is why is the range exactly the same if the speed is different?
I want to move to Vancouver so bad, there is a Home Depot there and its the cycling capitol of north america.
You know Home Depot is everywhere in North America?
I am trying to decide between the Vado 3.0 and the SL - what are your thoughts on comparing the two ? Not so much the weight and the more ebike look - that I get. More about components and versatility of riding surfaces.
Just picked up a 2020 model, and I'm regretting it, big time. The battery life is horrid. There is an available firmware update, but I can't see that making a significant difference. I got about 35km mostly in Sport mode, and when I saw how it was draining, I put it in Eco mode for about 15% of my ride. I arrived at my destination, just over 30km, and Mission Control showed that I had 7% left. My other ebike, (Qualibike, about a quarter of the price), gets 80km on a charge.
I think I love this bike ❤🎉😂
It’s one of my personal favorites, and one that is like to get for my Mom
Looking to buy a very lightweight electric bike in the US.
Considering these options and open to any alternatives
GOGORO EEYO
LEMOND PROLOG
SPECIALIZED TURBO VADO SL 5.0
Any advice will be appreciated!
my concern is the noise ,sound loud from the video since road tire produce less noise than MTB tires so I guess u can here more sound unless u are in a heavy traffic area.
Exactly what I’m looking for- unfortunately it’s hard to find for purchase in western Canada. Is it too new and hard for suppliers to keep in stock or not in stores yet? Edit- are websites no updated with this beauty on it? grrrr
Great video thank you. would you consider reviewing the Canyon Precede On?
Nice review 👍
What size do you recommend for someone 177cm tall? Thanks
Great Bike -Great review....!
Thank you SO much. Yeah, I fell in love with this one... it's awesome!
what are the name of the tires.I like the bike could make a nice commuter it reminds me of one of the OHM bikes
Hi Barrie, the tires are Specialized Nimbus II Sport Reflect, 700x38c (38-622) and some of the details are 50 to 80 PSI, 3.5 to 5.5 BAR, Blackbelt Puncture Protection, and Reflective Sidewall Stripes :D
It's good to see Specialized is finally working on it's outdated city bike line.
I'm not a fan of this bike however because the motor is weaker and louder, it uses chain instead of gates carbon drive , and it's the year 2020 and still no USB port for the phone.
They swung and missed.
Agree on the USB charger. There's actually gears inside the SL 1.1 motor, no chains. Hopefully you give it a ride to hear the motor is pretty quiet. If you think that's too loud, we still have the carbon belts on the Turbo Vados.
my only disapointment with the creo, and its a minor one....the USB port
The USB port has its downsides - risk of rain water getting in (and replacements sure ain't cheap). Prefer to keep the phone in the bag on a portable battery charge. Motor has enough power to get to 20mph; its just the torque on steeper hills where it may struggle - just drop down a few gears to help it)
how much worth is EQ version? if I buy without EQ version then add mudguard and rear, front light, and also the rear rack will it be okay? or do they add something more important accessories?
Wow! You liked the bike that much that you could tell it bike 2020 already in may? ;)
What computer display do you have attached and what can it display?
The motor drive sounds quite loud to me. Is this usual with e bikes ?
Now I'm totally torn between this bike & the Orbea Gain.
I tested out this bike recently and found the noice coming from the freehub quite noisy, doesn't this put anyone off? Maybe I'm just used to my bike where it's almost silent.
How does this bike compare to the Gazelle Ultimate t10 plus? Which bike is the better deal.
will it get me to work without me sweating? or should i get a more powerful ebike. like the giant fastroad?