Turbo Vado 2 4.0 or 5.0 or 6.0?

[mcdenny]

I've been riding a Turbo Como 3.0 for 4 years (~2,000 miles) and enjoy it a lot. In the beginning it was a way to get strong enough (78 y/o, decent shape) to ride a regular acoustic bike. I got a Trek FX3 hybrid (not electric) a couple of years ago and like riding that more. I like the nimbleness and ease its light weight provides but can't keep up speed or distance-wise with friends on drop bar road bikes who have been riding for a long time. Also can't manage the longer steeper hills on some of the greenways around here (Nashville).

I've had my eye on the Turbo Vado SL since I got the itch for a "sportier" bike. I test rode a gen 1 SL 4.0 a couple of years ago and remember thinking it was really harsh and I wasn't comfortable with the leaned forward riding posture. That's when I got the Trek. It was even lighter and a lot cheaper. A 2" stem riser solved the comfort issue.

I should add the Como is the super low step and the Trek is the stagger frame, like the SL step thru bikes. I don't have the hip flexibility to swing my leg easily over the seat. I've experimented with alternative mounting techniques but none make me feel confident.

I just came back from riding 170 miles over 5 days on rail trails in Florida. I loved it and that convinced me I want to upgrade my E Bike.

So, I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a new gen 2 SL. I think it will give me a lot of the feel of my Trek hybrid bike but actually has just as much power and battery storage as my Como so no problem riding 18 mph or going up long hills. Like everyone else I'm disappointed at the weight gain gen 1 to gen 2 but can't say I'll mind having the 50 NM motor. Anyway gen 2 its going to be.

I'm asking for advice on choosing 4.0, 5.0 or 6.0. My use case is 10 -30 mile rides on paved bike trails, mostly flat or rolling but some hills I often see acoustic. bike riders walking up. I would like to branch out into riding forest service roads or rural gravel roads. I also use my bike for shopping and have a custom wooden version of a milk crate on the Como rack. When I go on a longer ride I like having that box to carry my lunch, a jacket, etc.

My LBS has a 4.0 step-thru and a 6.0 non-EQ in my size. I tried them both Saturday, about 10 minutes each riding in a bumpy parking lot. Other than mounting the 6.0 I really couldn't tell much difference between them. I was a little uncomfortably leaned forward on both. The LBS owner will fit a 2" higher handlebar on any bike and a dropper seat post if i get the 6.0 (no step-thru option on the carbon frame). 4.0 is $4,600, 5.0 is $5,100, 6.0 is $6,400 or 6,900 for EQ. I can afford any of them but obviously cheaper is better.

From what I can tell the main difference between the three levels are drive train and obviously the 6.0 carbon frame. Lifting the 35# carbon 6.0 bike compared to the 44# alloy bike didn't seem that different. (I can easily load my 62# Como on my hitch rack.)

Do you think the weight difference would make very much difference riding? Do you think the Shimano CUES 6000 vs 8000 vs Deore XT would feel any different? Other differences I haven't thought about?

Thanks. I visit here often. I don't post much but enjoy the wisdom of many of you regulars.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The 5.0 is a good balance.

 

[mcdenny]

The 5.0 is a good balance.

It is the middle child price wise. Do you think riding the CUES 6000 would feel any different from the 8000?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I apologise for my curt answer. Now, here's what I think.

If I wanted a noticeably more lightweight e-bike, that would be the 6.0 non-EQ. However, it is a High-Step frame. Also, I'm sure you would appreciate having the rear rack. I'm not a fan of carbon fibre frames. Eventually, the price is high. Which leaves the 5.0 or 4.0 EQ Step-Through.

The only differences between the two models are:

• 11-speed drivetrain (5.0) vs. 10-speed (4.0)
• Gorgeous Satin Deep Lake Metallic paint on one version of the 5.0.

Now, it all depends on what type of a cyclist you are. My favourite distance is 50 miles but I do not avoid a way longer distances (using Range Extenders). I very often ride gravel and forest paths. For me, pedalling efficiency is the king, and Cadence is the queen One of the features of Vado SL 4.0 Gen 1 I hated was the 10-speed drivetrain. Fancy you are riding at a good steady speed. The gaps in the 10-speed gearing make you either spin in one gear or mash the cranks in the next one. While I need a gear in which I can pedal at the optimum cadence! The 11-speed drivetrain has the gearing much better spaced, and that's very important to me. (I had to replace the drivetrain in my Vado SL to achieve my goal). Also, if I were in your position, I would swallow the higher price of the 5.0 just to get the Satin Deep Lake Metallic You ride the e-bike and you can see it all the time. A nice colour would give me additional comfort.

If the price really matters, go for the 4.0. I can see a greatly discounted one in my neck of woods but that's because the Gloss Oasis frame colour is not what many of us would love.

I'm sure you are aware there are two different pools of Specialized e-bikes? One pool is for your local dealer. Ordering online (another pool) with the delivery to your LBS gives the dealer some earning. If the delivery to your home by the dealer is available (from the online pool), the dealer would earn even more. The availability of Specialized e-bikes for dealers and online means different choices and sometimes also some extra discount.

You complained about the too forward riding position. That's a tough subject. The riding position for ane-bike such as a Vado SL 2 is greatly optimised. If you could raise the handlebars then your body weight would shift onto the saddle meaning inevitable butt pain on any longer ride, which could not be compensated by any "comfortable" saddle. With the original design, your body weight is equally spread between your arms, butt, and legs. I was a "stem riser" guy in the beginning. It took me long 3 years to understand how wrong I was! It would be good if you could get used to the slightly more forward riding position

Additionally, the design of the Future Shock suspension system will probably make installation of the stem rises infeasible.

Thank you for your patience!