Vado SL 2 Alloy version released

[Stefan Mikes]

I cannot absolutely agree with you (are you a Specialized dealer to know it?) I bought my big Vado in LBS 1 in 2019. That sales organization still exists and has my Proof of Purchase but because of its bad performance it lost its Specialized dealership. I had the e-bike with the Warranty Card and had registered the e-bike with Specialized.com

When the frame of my Vado cracked, I brought the e-bike to Specialized Warsaw and presented all the documents. The LBS sent the warranty request to the distributor where it was authorized. I got my e-bike rebuilt, and upgraded free of charge.

The error in your reasoning is the organization to take responsibility. It is Specialized Europe. Any bike bought at a Specialized LBS and registered at Specialized.com is in the corporate database. Please explain how a global warranty could be upheld in case the original LBS went out of business?

Specialized exactly knows all the details of my e-bikes.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Some useful reading
Global warranty

 

[Base]

Morning,

sure, there is the famous mix-up of the Consumer Warranty backed by EU and local laws and the Commercial Warranty from OEM's via their dealer channel.

in the EU there is the consumer warranty act via Local law applicable, those state that the warranty offered by a "Commercial Reseller" is mandatory for at least 2 years from the date on purchase. This is based on the conformity and it also states that Commercial Warranty backed by a brand/OEM may not inflict on those rulings but can offer a better can be done via the dealer. Note that only the point of sales is obliged to honor warranty, not the brand/OEM/importer etc.

Like wise a bought "warranty" upgrade is also not warranty just a service pay-off for that matter.

Sorry, this is my 15 years experience at different OEM's and 15 years in retail experience and backed up by legal knowledge in this field

So yes, some brands offer much more via their dealer network as "warranty" and that is a really good thing, though a dealer can and will perform some pushback at OEM's when for instance a bike bought online in a foreign country is brought in for a warranty case. In the background we usually come to consensus and settle matters so that the end consumer does not hit the wall.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Will you agree the Specialized Global Warranty is actually pro-consumer and beyond the requirements of the law?
That's why I am a Specialized customer.

 

[Base]

basically that's exactly what I wrote, same applies to all "premium" brands, if you buy a renown brand the OEM/Importer will help the consumer out via the dealer network, however warranty is always handled by the last commercial reseller by law a brand/OEM will help consumers out via their dealer network. it doesn't matter if its a PONbike or Accell brand, Trek C'dale or Specialzed they will backup their offerings. Other brands like Stella, Amslod, van Moof, Minerva et al. they just try to just meet the legal requirements per market and after bankrupt you are lost.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Today was the day! I finally got my new bike.

I seemed to be a long wait since the bike already had arrived at the dealer a week ago (bought it online but chose it to be delivered to a dealer for asembly) . But they said they are too busy, some people ill, bike at their external warehouse... Anyway they said it should be ready today. Then When I phoned them today they said they get the bike form the external warehouse and it is likely ready today. As it takes an hour travelling there, I took a chance. Arrived one hour before the shop closed. The bike was in the entrance area, looked assembled except for the pedals. They said they would have SMSed me and it is still not ready. I got them to make it ready to me nevertheless. Can't travel there everyday. Also need to work and and visit clients. So they did run an update and together with the mechanic I registered the bike. Bike was only charged 20%, so I asked them to plug it in to get some more charge while preparing it. Anyway I realised I would not have enough charge to pedal the 46 km home with that but luckily there is a train station nearby.

Also did buy some better pedals, more grip than on the standard ones.

Mixed feelings about this Specialized dealer. The registration process with the new app seemed new to them and I had to ask them to unplug the service cable to be able to conduct the registration. the old pedals they forgot to put into the package and when I had issues starting the bike (screen went off after 2 seconds) and suspected it could be my old extra battery they said it may be out of order (while I know it works well on my old SL 4.0. We checked if the cable contacts maybe changed but it were the same ones on new cables. Anyway at home I found the reason - the external battery was not put in lock mode at the plug. Also the saddle position appears to be a bit low but I was not asked if the saddle should be adjusted (carbon stem - so important not to fix it too tight). saddle position seems to be as high as for my old bike - guess it's because of the more upright position of the new model it feels a bit too low.
I don't know...what a dealer specialized in ...Specialized (pun intended), I would have expected more. Especially at times where Specialized is in the news for financial issues (their main stakeholder from Taiwan had to write of a substantial amount of their investment). Maybe I'll take the bike for the first service to the dealer where I bought my 4.0 almost 5 years ago. They seemed to be somewhat more competent.

Enough complaining. It is a very nice bike ! And I enjoed the last miles home on my first trip . Managed to activate the Apply Find My and changed my remaining bags to the MIK template so they can be used on the new bike.

Turbo mode appears more powerful than on my old bike and ride is smoother thanks to the broader wheels and the future shock suspension.
More tests will follow . Happy camper now but it seemed like bit of a journey to get this bike

@JustRiding: Congratulations on your new e-bike! Many happy kilometres!

The mass illness among the personnel could be a true thing. One of the Warsaw Specialized stores was closed for several days due to the illness last week. It is true that it takes five days to get the bike transported from the Netherlands even if the bike was ordered by the store, then the store needs time to assemble the bike.

The incompetence simply means: a bad dealership. My first Spec LBS was incompetent. For instance, the mechanic forgot re-inflating the tyres before I left the shop. Later, the workshop installed an inferior cassette on my Vado because they didn't care. That LBS lost its dealership later. The two Warsaw Specialized ownership are excellent, competent and friendly. I wish you going to the one you trust for future service.

(I occasionally visit either store, talk with the personnel and often buy something to be remembered as a friend. It always pays off).

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

(I occasionally visit either store, talk with the personnel and often buy something to be remembered as a friend. It always pays off).

Buttering up a favorite LBS is a time-honored tradition in cycling. As is dropping by for some bike-talk now and then.

That's been my approach with my local fave — Cadence Cyclery of Encinitas, about 4 mi from home — and it's paid off bigtime.

 

[mfgrep]

Buttering up a favorite LBS is a time-honored tradition in cycling. As is dropping by for some bike-talk now and then.

That's been my approach with my local fave — Cadence Cyclery of Encinitas, about 4 mi from home — and it's paid off bigtime.

Yup. And provide an occasional 6-pack of beer for good service which goes a long way towards ensuring that your next visit will be satisfactory. Trust me on this one.

 

[JustRiding]

you bought it online so they just earn a click and collect fee, that is way way less than what the would earn on a sale on a complete bike. A car dealership would even not think in making a car roadworthy if it was not bought there.


Yep some truth in it . However I read that this shop is now owned by Specialized. So their income structure should look somewhat different .

The real problem is though that I actually world have preferred to test ride and then buy it directly in the store . But this is close to impossible because these bikes don’t seem to be readily available in any shop. I.e. in the end you are forced to buy it online and even there availability is a problem

 

[mfgrep]

The real problem is though that I actually world have preferred to test ride and then buy it directly in the store . But this is close to impossible because these bikes don’t seem to be readily available in any shop. I.e. in the end you are forced to buy it online and even there availability is a problem

Yes....and I know that the dealer doesn't make much money on those bikes which are ordered online for store pickup.
I also know that my recent warranty repair....which was a warranty repair simply replacing the handlebar remote for my Vado SL.....grossed the dealer $24US in labor fees from specialized.
They had to log in my bike, go through specialized warranty process(es), order the part, receive the part, uninstall the bad part, install the part, store my bike for 10 days, and call me for pickup etc. All for a lousy $24 fee.
Support your local bike shop(s).

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

The real problem is though that I actually world have preferred to test ride and then buy it directly in the store . But this is close to impossible because these bikes don’t seem to be readily available in any shop. I.e. in the end you are forced to buy it online and even there availability is a problem

In September, 2024, local and online availability and testing opportunities were issues for the yellow SL 1 5.0 EQ I wanted as well. Also none in the dealer network at the time, and no SLs to rent nearby for a decent test on local hills. The local Specialized store eventually dug one up in a Texas warehouse.

I guess that's all to be expected for a pricey niche bike that might be risky for dealers to stock and let out for testing.

 

[Base]

24 dollar for an ebike repair is indeed on the low side. I do know what we and other local brands do for reimbursement and that is a different story. Also there is a different rating system for bike which are sold through click and collect or bikes from dealers stock (which have a bigger revenue than the c&c fee).

Problem is also that dealers cannot stock everything, we do have some really big shops here, think of 12go biking or mantel.com which have super stores and they do have a huge own stock, local bikeshops (we have on everage in every smalltown 3 bikeshops and somewhat bigger vilages at leest 4) have less stock but they can usually order bikes and parts before 16:00u and get there orders delivered the next day. So in case of the Dutch brands and the likes or Trek Spesh and C'dale (also dutch these days) they are all coverd in 24 hour service in the BLX, Germany is 48 hours for shipments from the Netherlands and for the German stock usually also in 24 hours.

Thats a compleet different story than in de US, in the blx we do off coarse all have on everage 2.5 bikes per adult. In the US 0.6% of the population rides a bike. A bit a different world.


Were a drifting away from the op, so could we here more on how the SL2's ride? Currently I have 4 e-bikes at hand so no desire to buy one right now but really interested in how it rides.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@JustRiding: There was yet another option you might not be aware of. Yes, I understand the LBS had no right e-bike on the floor. However, you could have talked to the personnel about your desired purchase. Dealerships have own pool of e-bikes, which is totally different to what you are finding online. The salesman would show you e-bikes available in their B2B database. If you ordered the e-bike, you would get it as quick as ordering it online but the dealership would have got the maximum commission. It is something good to know for the future.

In June 2021, I was already after a demo ride on another model of Vado SL, which I didn't want.

I talked to the salesman. He showed me the corporate database and I found the model I exactly wanted. I told the man: 'What happens if I order this one?' -- to which he replied -- 'Then we are taking it as a pre-order. You pay nothing. However, be aware this model will only be available in December". I asked him to register the pre-order.

Then I asked: 'What is that creme e-bike over there?' -- and he said -- 'This one is for sale'. I cancelled the pre-order and bought the SL on the spot.

Got the e-bike in a short time (but not on the same day). As everyone can understand, the store got a full commission and cleared the floor for another e-bike

In 2021, both the salesman and I learned connecting the e-bike to the app as well (Turned out I had to update the already installed app!)

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Enough complaining. It is a very nice bike ! And I enjoed the last miles home on my first trip . Managed to activate the Apply Find My and changed my remaining bags to the MIK template so they can be used on the new bike.

Turbo mode appears more powerful than on my old bike and ride is smoother thanks to the broader wheels and the future shock suspension.
More tests will follow . Happy camper now but it seemed like bit of a journey to get this bike

I'm sure you read in the EBR bylaws that a new ebike with as much buzz as the SL 2 requires daily reports. Don't worry, you still have an hour.
;^}

What surprises you about the bike?

 

[Llcjay]

I cannot absolutely agree with you (are you a Specialized dealer to know it?) I bought my big Vado in LBS 1 in 2019. That sales organization still exists and has my Proof of Purchase but because of its bad performance it lost its Specialized dealership. I had the e-bike with the Warranty Card and had registered the e-bike with Specialized.com

When the frame of my Vado cracked, I brought the e-bike to Specialized Warsaw and presented all the documents. The LBS sent the warranty request to the distributor where it was authorized. I got my e-bike rebuilt, and upgraded free of charge.

The error in your reasoning is the organization to take responsibility. It is Specialized Europe. Any bike bought at a Specialized LBS and registered at Specialized.com is in the corporate database. Please explain how a global warranty could be upheld in case the original LBS went out of business?

View attachment 191183
Specialized exactly knows all the details of my e-bikes.

Maybe this is just a us thing but specialized buys local Bike stores, so people there are just their employees. Works great for the customer imo, but accessories are very pricey. Thats what Amazon is for I guess!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

but accessories are very pricey.

A long forgotten truth is quality does not come cheap
I'm surprised to see how much gear on my e-bikes is Specialized, good stuff. Although there are things other brands make better: Ortlieb in the pannier and rear rack department, and Adidas for 510 cycling shoes. Having no Future Shock, I went Redshift the whole way. Crankbrothers is my pedal maker. I love SQLab Innerbarends, etc.

Thats what Amazon is for I guess!

Jeff Bezos does not need your money

 

[JustRiding]

I'm sure you read in the EBR bylaws that a new ebike with as much buzz as the SL 2 requires daily reports. Don't worry, you still have an hour.
;^}

What surprises you about the bike?

This evening I took the bike for my second short test ride . Hope to have more time on the weekend for a larger ride . If the weather is fine then I want to ride to office on Friday - 15 km each way . Getting to know the bike better then .

What I really like so far:
- smooth ride , thanks to the broad tires , future shock and carbon frame
- clearly more powerful motor
- the configurable colour display . Especially the optimal pace information is useful .

What surprises me is that it feels as if I am sitting too low for my legs being able to yield full speed . However when comparing both bikes , saddle height to ground to to pedal base is exactly the same as on my 4.0 and I can stretch my leg fully when the paddle position is max low . I assume this is due to sitting more upright on the 6.0. But I think I still want to get my saddle height adjusted slightly . With 186 I am between L and XL and went for L, like my old bike . I think I take it to the nearest bike shop (a Gazelle dealer ) to get it adjusted as I do not have the tools to do it securely on a carbon frame . They surely take s smell fee but should not be much .

Also have the first battery measure . I cycled 10 km on flat surface in turbo mode with no wind, dry smooth surface and 8 degrees Celsius . Used 14% of the battery , which means I could get up to approx 70 km on one charge in turbo mode and same circumstances . That’s pretty neat.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you for interesting findings!

optimal pace

Do you mean "cadence"? The crank rpm?

What surprises me is that it feels as if I am sitting too low for my legs being able to yield full speed .

Please take a tape measure and check the distance from the motor spindle (the center of the crankset) to the top of the saddle (center). This distance should be equal on both bikes. If that distance is different on your other e-bike then you know how much the seat post should be adjusted (give the technician this number).

I cycled 10 km on flat surface in turbo mode with no wind, dry smooth surface and 8 degrees Celsius . Used 14% of the battery

It is 7.28 Wh/km, not a tragedy at all.

which means I could get up to approx 70 km on one charge in turbo mode and same circumstances . That’s pretty neat.

Bear in mind the battery 10% below reduces the assistance, and there is no assistance below 5% battery. I'd say 64 km (40 miles). Will you commute in Turbo or rather in a lower assistance mode?

 

[Base]

And if you visit the LBS, check if they sell a torque wrench, tipically you would need one with a range in 4 or 5 to 24Nm. You thru-axles go at 10Nm in front and 12 at th back, seatpost clamp is usually engraved with the torque spec and this ususally something like 5,2 or 6,2Nm.

 

[Allan47.7339]

Yes....and I know that the dealer doesn't make much money on those bikes which are ordered online for store pickup.

My LBS was quite happy to receive my Creo 2 from an online order. There is a slight reduction. I think it's three quarters or half. The inventories are different between dealer and online. They sometimes will have their customers order online to get the size and model they want. They get nothing if it's shipped to home.