Turbo Vado 3

[Stefan Mikes]

Specialized has just announced new Turbo Vado 3 models: 6.0, 5.0, 4.0.
Strangely, all the models despite huge difference in price are equipped with the same 3.1 motor and the same 840 Wh battery. A lot of new electronics.
Well, judging by the looks: not for me. No sporty character at all, pure commuter e-bikes. (Were I to buy a new Specialized that would be still a Vado SL 2).

Discuss!

The 6.0. What is this part pointing forward?!

 

[kevinmccune]

Specialized has just announced new Turbo Vado 3 models: 6.0, 5.0, 4.0.
Strangely, all the models despite huge difference in price are equipped with the same 3.1 motor and the same 840 Wh battery. A lot of new electronics.
Well, judging by the looks: not for me. No sporty character at all, pure commuter e-bikes. (Were I to buy a new Specialized that would be still a Vado SL 2).

Discuss!

View attachment 208404
The 6.0. What is this part pointing forward?!

maybe the designers had too many"vados!"( believe me there are "vados" that can cloud your judgement,at that level I do not find them appealing.whats that on the front a tow bar or parking sensor?

 

[stompandgo]

And why a flap on the front of the front fender where it's useless, and no flaps on the bottom of the rear fender, where it could be useful?

The stem looks proprietary (says the guy who rides a Pinarello with TICR).

 

[RunForTheHills]

I am sure there are practical reasons for the bent seat tube and low seat stay, but I hate the look.

 

[opimax]

Front fender extensions do protect from water off tire better than not. Also catch a lot of junk the moment you are off clear paths.

 

[kevinmccune]

I can add this,as ebikers we should be happy as gas prices escalate( in the city why even have a car?) I know "strods muddy the water,lets hope for more practical bike infrastructure and the manus stop calling those recycles ebikes,the way it is going something is going to come down hard on those overpowered things( back in the day mopeds had pedals,go figure)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

whats that on the front a tow bar or parking sensor?

No idea. Only available on the most expensive model. I can visualize that thing breaking off on a first low tree branch met on a forest path.

And why a flap on the front of the front fender where it's useless, and no flaps on the bottom of the rear fender, where it could be useful?

"Ye Goode Olde Specialized"* This patented front fender flap has been on all Vados (including SL) since 2017. The intention is to protect the motor chamber (that has ventilation slots) against being stained. If you only used the e-bike as a commuter in the city that would be fine. However, as @opimax says, the thing stops any objects it shouldn't (like little twigs in the forest) that might block the front wheel. The flap also may have get damaged during the transport in the car rack. Most users remove that flat and accept the dirty motor cover.

The stem looks proprietary (says the guy who rides a Pinarello with TICR).

*) YGOS The rear light is integrated with the rear fender, the rear fender is integrated with the rear rack... as always with Specialized
After a lot of effort, I could "deproprietarize" the cockpit of my older Vado 6.0. I keep the rear intact, though. The older Vado also had a long rear fender flap: removed as well by me.

I am sure there are practical reasons for the bent seat tube and low seat stay, but I hate the look.

I wouldn't have minded. What is worse, it looks the Vado 3 is intended to be ridden in an upright position. Another thing that is not for me. Yet, it could be explained the following way:
Many users upon buying a Vado also bought a stem raiser because they liked riding upright and with their back straight. It seems Specialized has addressed this portion of the market

 

[RunForTheHills]

It looks like it is a rack in the front of the 6.0:

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It looks like it is a rack in the front of the 6.0:

Oh no. Yet another Como...
Of course, the headlight is integrated with the front rack...
5.0 and 4.0 have the headlight integrated in the stem...
Maybe you can move the headlight from the front rack to the stem then remove the front rack Looks like a modular system.

YGOS at its finest

Note: The EVO models have more suspension fork travel and a bigger granny gear sprocket compared to non-EVO models. Nothing else is different between them.

P.S. Weight starting at 30 kg and up for some models. A 2017 Vado 5.0 was 24 kg. A 2020 Vado 6.0 was 26 kg. And now this monster that is even hard to lift! Just think of people complaining Vado SL 2 was heavier than Vado SL Gen 1...

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I am sure there are practical reasons for the bent seat tube and low seat stay, but I hate the look.

Is there rear sus incorporated back there? Bike looks more like an on road commuter version of the Tero.

 

[twy]

The front rack is an MIK compatible rack and mounts the same as on my wife's Como. The headlight is removable from the rack. They have the manual posted on the site and it looks like light can be in the stem, on the fender, or on the rack.

I am curious how the digital lock on the rear wheel works without damaging the spokes.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Oh no. Yet another Como...
Of course, the headlight is integrated with the front rack...
5.0 and 4.0 have the headlight integrated in the stem...
Maybe you can move the headlight from the front rack to the stem then remove the front rack Looks like a modular system.

YGOS at its paramount

Note: The EVO models have more suspension fork travel and a bigger granny gear sprocket compared to non-EVO models. Nothing else is different between them.

P.S. Weight starting at 30 kg and up for some models. A 2017 Vado SL 5.0 was 24 kg. A 2020 Vado 6.0 was 26 kg. And now this monster that is even hard to lift! Just think when people complained the Vado SL 2 was heavier than the Vado SL Gen 1...

It is set up as a commuter or utility bike & front racks are useful, the light being out front means it isn't obscured by any oversize bag or goods you strap to the front rack. Notice the rack is attached to head tube not forks so when the front wheel flops over the rack stays upright. Handy. Was one of the few designs I liked on Rad bikes.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It is set up as a commuter or utility bike & front racks are useful, the light being out front means it isn't obscured by any oversize bag or goods you strap to the front rack. Notice the rack is attached to head tube not forks so when the front wheel flops over the rack stays upright. Handy. Was one of the few designs I liked on Rad bikes.

The EVO version is meant as a Tero replacement but it is not. A purely urban beast.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

No idea. Only available on the most expensive model. I can visualize that thing breaking off on a first low tree branch met on a forest path.


"Ye Goode Olde Specialized"* This patented front fender flap has been on all Vados (including SL) since 2017. The intention is to protect the motor chamber (that has ventilation slots) against being stained. If you only used the e-bike as a commuter in the city that would be fine. However, as @opimax says, the thing stops any objects it shouldn't (like little twigs in the forest) that might block the front wheel. The flap also may have get damaged during the transport in the car rack. Most users remove that flat and accept the dirty motor cover.

I think Stomp was referring to the very front of the front fender/mudguard not the lower back where flaps usually go and are indeed very handy for stopping spray up on feet and the motor. I think this looks like an extendable front part, perhaps to protect goods carried on that front rack, or else just a design quirk.

 

[twy]

I think Stomp was referring to the very front of the front fender/mudguard not the lower back where flaps usually go and are indeed very handy for stopping spray up on feet and the motor. I think this looks like an extendable front part, perhaps to protect goods carried on that front rack, or else just a design quirk.

When Specialized originally came out with those fenders they made a big deal of that front piece having channels to help direct the water away better. They are on both our Tero and Como fenders (bought in 2022).

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I think Stomp was referring to the very front of the front fender/mudguard not the lower back where flaps usually go and are indeed very handy for stopping spray up on feet and the motor. I think this looks like an extendable front part, perhaps to protect goods carried on that front rack, or else just a design quirk.

Ah. This is the part of the patented mudguard/fender, too. It is a very short extension in the front, and it has never caused any issue while the long rear flap has always been problematic. Besides the rear fender has a very short rear extender part, which has always worked perfectly.

When Specialized originally came out with those fenders they made a big deal of that front piece having channels to help direct the water away better. They are on both our Tero and Como fenders (bought in 2022).

Yes, the "DRYTECH" patent.

 

[twy]

Ah. This is the part of the patented mudguard/fender, too. It is a very short extension in the front, and it has never caused any issue while the long rear flap has always been problematic. Besides the rear fender has a very short rear extender part, which has always worked perfectly.


Yes, the "DRYTECH" patent.

The rear extension on my front fender does get caught frequently when on trails but has yet to break (disclosure - I do not ride real trails often). The most annoying thing about the fenders is how easily they pick up gravel.....but I would rather be dry.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The rear extension on my front fender does get caught frequently when on trails but has yet to break (disclosure - I do not ride real trails often). The most annoying thing about the fenders is how easily they pick up gravel.....but I would rather be dry.

I am dry on my rides. The down tubes of my two Specialized e-bikes are regularly being stained though.

The long flap on my big Vado was damaged during the transport inside the car. Removed.

Two weeks into the ownership of my Vado SL, I rode in the nearby National Park, which is a more XC area than anything. My e-bike's front wheel was blocked by a twig dragged between the fender and the wheel twice. The blockage was as dangerous as I immediately removed the long flap upon my return home! (6th of July 2021).

 

[BlackHand]

My, what a big stem you have!

The styling/color choices are interesting

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My, what a big stem you have!

Which model has the headlight on the fork crown, the first picture?