Turbo Vado 2 4.0 or 5.0 or 6.0?

[Jeremy McCreary]

Just now Spec website shows SL (not 2) 5.0 EQ in silver available from warehouse in XL and in stock at a few stores in M and L. $5249.00!
$150 more than the new SL 2 5.0 EQ.

That's what I paid for my 2022 in 2024!

This is starting to smell like manufactured scarcity: Hold back some NOS on models with a strong niche following and trickle them out at full price.

 

[rochrunner]

This is the dorky looking Selle Royal I've been using on my Como (quite upright posture).
I have found it comfortable for 3-4 hours riding. No chafing ever.
10" long, 8.5" wide, very soft.
View attachment 205717

My wife has that saddle on her Trek Verve+ and likes it a lot, but she rarely rides for more than an hour at a time. I had the equivalent in a narrower size on my e-bike and/or road bike at one time. That Serfas looks interesting. If they have it at REI I might give it a try (REI because of EZ returns at the local store).

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

If they have it at REI I might give it a try (REI because of EZ returns at the local store).

Took 6 saddle tries to break the 30 mi butt pain barrier on my commuter. Thanks to REI's generous return policy (full refund after plenty of time for a good trial), 3 of them cost me only some time and gasoline.

Well, more than that actually, cuz I NEVER get out of REI without buying something I didn't even know I wanted till I went in.

 

[rochrunner]

Took 6 saddle tries to break the 30 mi butt pain barrier on my commuter.

What did you end up with?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Regarding saddles

I tried many of them (especially the wide and soft Selle Royal). Developed skin issues as the aftermath.
After 3 years of suffering I removed stem risers from all my e-bikes. Modified my e-bikes to assume a more forward position. In other words, I could fit my e-bikes myself.
I was explained by my gravel cycling buddies (but also @mschwett) that certain types of bikes require narrow and firm saddles. Having said the above, my longest riding distance was 163 miles (6 hours of sleep), and the second longest was 129 mi (a single day, 10 hours in the saddle). No pain, no ache. Yes, I wear chamois on longer rides.

I need to re-iterate: Como is a bike type that assumes the upright riding position and a "comfy" saddle.

The Spec website implies they aren't available at all. Sure sounds like a computer glitch.

No, it's a different pool of e-bikes (the one for dealers).

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

What did you end up with?

Pretty sure it was this one:

611 ERGOWAVE® active 2.1

www.sq-lab.com

SQlab makes high-quality saddles, has a good return policy, and superb customer service.

This one takes care of the perineal and coccygeal pain on my upright commuter — provided I keep my sit bones back where they belong. But still not perfect, as (a) I tend to slide forward onto my perineum, and (b) the nose is too long and tends to snag on my shorts at times.

Frankly, if the commuter were my only bike, I wouldn't have stopped there. But once I got the SL, it was relegated to utility and beach rides well under 20 mi.

On the other hand, the stock saddle on my SL 1 5.0 is the best I've ever had. Neck gives out long before my butt does now.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

On the other hand, the stock saddle on my SL 1 5.0 is the best I've ever had.

I once replaced the Bridge Sport with something else but returned to the stock saddle soon. It is even better than the expensive Specialized Phenom Expert I use on my other e-bike!

Neck gives out long before my butt does now.

Meaning, your Vado SL is very well fit to your body!

Besides, I had a chance to ride a Vado SL 2 6.0 EQ. I might just take that e-bike as it was and ride home!