Review of new generation 2022 Vado 4.0

@Stefan Mikes just test ride the Tero 5.0 and it did have Rockshox. Is this a good thing? Better than Vado 5?

also SRAM vs Shimano??

great ride and I am sold.

Waiting to sell my Vado 5 to buy Tero 5
Rockshox is a division of SRAM, famous of their suspension components (forks, dampers). The major feature of the Recon Silver RL suspension fork is it is based on the air spring, which is a MTB standard for better sus forks. (You'll need an MTB shock pump to adjust the damper but it is not an expensive thing). Air spring is reliable, adjustable, and the fork is more lightweight than one with steel coil damper.

The major difference between the new Vado 5.0 and Tero 5.0 is the fork travel, that is 80 mm for the former and 110 mm for the latter (the bigger the better). If you seriously think of some more ambitious off-road riding, go for the non-EQ version (it gives a lot of freedom for future tyre width selection, and makes the e-bike appropriate for off-road; inexpensive temporary blade fenders could be used in need).

Now, you own an older Vado 5 with Suntour sus fork. I think it is steel coil loaded. How do you assess the ride quality on your existing Suntour suspension fork?
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SRAM is the American competitor of the Japanese Shimano. SRAM components enjoy great reputation, and are generally more expensive than the Shimano equivalents (because SRAM is a smaller company). I think Specialized selected SRAM because of the supply chain issues of Shimano. The only thing I wouldn't have liked about SRAM is the "single-click shifter". Equivalent Shimano shifter allows downshifting up to three gears in a single operation; SRAM allows downshifting a gear per click. (Downshifting by single clicks is believed to be easier on the drivetrain). That is a small detail though.

Bear in mind that the brakes are SRAM, too, meaning you would need to buy SRAM specific brake pads in the future (nothing wrong about that).

Do you need to sell your Vado 5? Only to recover some money for Tero purchase? I don't think you are unhappy with your Vado?
 
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Rockshox is a division of SRAM, famous of their suspension components (forks, dampers). The major feature of the Recon Silver RL suspension fork is based on the air spring, which is a MTB standard for better sus forks. (You'll need an MTB shock pump to adjust the damper but it is not an expensive thing). Air spring is reliable, adjustable, and the fork is more lightweight than one with steel coil damper.

The major difference between the new Vado 5.0 and Tero 5.0 is the fork travel, that is 80 mm for the former and 110 mm for the latter (the bigger the better). If you seriously think of some more ambitious off-road riding, go for the non-EQ version (it gives a lot of freedom for future tyre width selection, and makes the e-bike appropriate for off-road; temporary blade fenders could be used in need).

Now, you own an older Vado 5 with Suntour sus fork. I think it is steel coil loaded. How do you assess the ride quality on your existing Suntour suspension fork?
---------------
SRAM is the American competitor of the Japanese Shimano. SRAM components enjoy great reputation, and are generally more expensive than the Shimano equivalents (because SRAM is a smaller company). I think Specialized selected SRAM because of the supply chain issues of Shimano. The only thing I wouldn't have liked about SRAM is the "single-click shifter". Equivalent Shimano shifter allows downshifting up to three gears in a single operation; SRAM allows downshifting a gear per click. (Downshifting by single clicks is believed to be easier on the drivetrain). That is a small detail though.

Bear in mind that the brakes are SRAM, too, meaning you would need to buy SRAM specific brake pads in the future (nothing wrong about that).

Do you need to sell your Vado 5? Only to recover some money for Tero purchase? I don't think you are unhappy with your Vado?
As always. I knew I can count on you for accurate and complete review/advise.
I am OK with my current shock on the Vado 5. But not experienced enough to compare.
I like Tero as I like to venture in some off roading to nature. Not mountain biking.
Most of my rides are still on the road and city.
Tero just felt good and my Vado is now a little over a year old so thought a good decision to do this.
I probably don’t miss the fenders much as San Diego didn’t get rain much.
I will miss the kickstand and rack as I go shopping from time to time using panniers. Also carry emergency stuff in a bag attached to rack.
I realize I can add these to Tero but it will take away from the look of the bike.
As for the purchasing fund I can manage buying but wife would not be happy with two bikes in our new condo. With the amount of my rides two bike might be too much.
Overall I am perfectly happy with Vado 5 specially as it is dialed in with all the upgrades I need for comfort (Kinect seat post, Ergon grip and seat, pedal. All based on your great recommendations).
oh btw. I will also loose the light with Tero.
If I can’t sell the Vado on time the deal might be off. The medium size bike will be at the shop end of this month. (I tried large which was too big for me).
 
A "racially pure" MTB is ridden without any equipment that could endanger the rider on the trail; and possibly light weight is the key. Therefore no permanent fenders, rack, kickstand, bar-ends, lighting or rear-view mirror. MTBers apply temporary fenders known as Ass Savers or blade fenders (blades of plastic mounted with zip-ties to the fork crown and under the saddle). They use external lighting. They avoid the kickstand at any cost! :) Specialized offer the EQ version for urban riders, and that is something to consider if the city riding is, say, 90% of one's activity.

Well, that's why the N+1 concept is so popular :) For instance, it would be very hard for me go get rid of either of my Specialized e-bikes as each of them was made for different purpose. And I have found I personally need no e-MTB. Just saying.

Not baffled with the Class 1 of the Tero, nxkharra?

P.S. Necessary to mention my brother has totally "urbanized" the Trance E+ he got from me; the only thing he would never go for being the kickstand :D
 
Almost never over 20mph.
Class 1 is 15 or 20 mph??
It is 20 mph in the United States. Let me tell you one thing: I'm just jealous of that single American thing! Why are we stuck at the 15.5 mph in Europe is a mystery to me.
Unless you are in "need for speed", the 20 mph is a nice speed restriction. That would be enough for me to go on group rides with my younger and stronger friends!

And that's why I ride my 45 km/h (28 mph) Vado 5.0 "Euro moped" when I'm riding in a group. Ashamed with my number plate!
 
20mph is plenty speed for me.
anything over that makes me nervous.
seldom I ride with my son (the biker) and need 28mph.
class 1 also makes it easier for insurance purposes. Class 3 insurance premium is expensive.
 
The Vado 4 looks interesting to me. I’ve had $2000 in an account at LBS for a Trek Allant 7s (medium guest rider) since January. I wanted to stay with trek for 2 reasons…I like my Allant and thought I could use the second battery on long rides. Bosch is coming out with a new generation so my plans mean nothing. Now I’ll take whatever I can get
 
(Although, nxkharra, that is a nice thing, too, that speed e-bike. I was on a group ride with gravel cyclists. On some occasion, I was putting a burst of my leg power riding at 33% ECO boost, and was disappearing at a distance :) One of my buddies was really upset with my behaviour and sourly commented: "Stefan appears to be breaking the natural order of our pack of wolves!" :D Their revenge was sweet: On the very last part of the ride, they chose the most bumpy terrain available: gravel cyclists are used to it; and they observed with vicious pleasure how I suffered that :D)

The Vado 4 looks interesting to me. I’ve had $2000 in an account at LBS for a Trek Allant 7s (medium guest rider) since January. I wanted to stay with trek for 2 reasons…I like my Allant and thought I could use the second battery on long rides. Bosch is coming out with a new generation so my plans mean nothing. Now I’ll take whatever I can get
You would be shocked Mulezen with the difference, especially as 2022 Specialized e-bikes already sport features known as similar to the Smart System of Bosch, only far earlier... You would be especially happy with the Specialized e-bike connectivity and the motor silence.
 
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I would have to depend on others for a real report. My allant is an XL. Although the connectivity of COBI has been adequate for my simple demands (Strava…Apple watch) Mission Control‘s tricks have always interested me.
 
As always. I knew I can count on you for accurate and complete review/advise.
I am OK with my current shock on the Vado 5. But not experienced enough to compare.
I like Tero as I like to venture in some off roading to nature. Not mountain biking.
Most of my rides are still on the road and city.
Tero just felt good and my Vado is now a little over a year old so thought a good decision to do this.
I probably don’t miss the fenders much as San Diego didn’t get rain much.
I will miss the kickstand and rack as I go shopping from time to time using panniers. Also carry emergency stuff in a bag attached to rack.
I realize I can add these to Tero but it will take away from the look of the bike.
As for the purchasing fund I can manage buying but wife would not be happy with two bikes in our new condo. With the amount of my rides two bike might be too much.
Overall I am perfectly happy with Vado 5 specially as it is dialed in with all the upgrades I need for comfort (Kinect seat post, Ergon grip and seat, pedal. All based on your great recommendations).
oh btw. I will also loose the light with Tero.
If I can’t sell the Vado on time the deal might be off. The medium size bike will be at the shop end of this month. (I tried large which was too big for me).
One more thing about Tero.
Not sure if I am correct but my Vado 5 motor seems quieter than Tero’ motor.
there was a hum specially when I was climbing. Vado is totally silence.
 
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