Vado SL 5.0 versus Vado SL 2 6.0 Carbon - thoughts on upgrading

[Nubnub]

more than a little confused! and interesting that they didn’t call it an s-works

but it’s a cool thought experiment - how light could make the new vado and still have a fully functioning, rideable bike. and the answer is 30lb

Looks like the answer for less weight was remove the lights and swap the wire bead Hemisphere 47's for narrower rims and foldable narrower tires.

 

[mschwett]

Looks like the answer for less weight was remove the lights and swap the wire bead Hemisphere 47's for narrower rims and foldable narrower tires.

well, I’m guessing a lot more of the savings come from the carbon rims, lighter groupset, carbon cockpit, etc! but yes, the tires too!

 

[Nubnub]

well, I’m guessing a lot more of the savings come from the carbon rims, lighter groupset, carbon cockpit, etc! but yes, the tires too!

You're right, I was basing my comparison from the earlier limited edition Vado SL 2 , the Forward 50 version that already has those things. Not sure how much the SRAM red saves vs the Force groupset. But they also include reducing the 10-44 cassette to 10-36 shaving another 100 grams or so. I wonder if the plan is to produce high end limited (<250 units) a year. But I think one of the bigger potential for weight savings will come from using newer battery and motor technology. DJI who are expert in motors/batteries but not bikes were able to come up with a fullest power full suspension mtn bike in the mid 40 lb range.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Here's an interesting write up of that Vado SL 2 S-Racing bike:

Exclusive: Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2 S-Racing LTD – A City E-Bike With Performance in Its Genes?

Exclusive, fast: the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2 S-Racing LTD is designed to bring pure racing DNA straight onto the city streets.

downtown-mag.com

 

[stompandgo]

That guy is practically kissing the bike at the end. Ey-yi-yi.

It's a $10,000 limited edition, 32 pound, 25 km/h glitzed up city cruiser. The one thing that surprised me in a positive way was the 520Wh battery at that weight. I bet there's a lot of weight savings in the carbon bits and the Red drivetrain.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

That guy is practically kissing the bike at the end. Ey-yi-yi.

It's a $10,000 limited edition, 32 pound, 25 km/h glitzed up city cruiser. The one thing that surprised me in a positive way was the 520Wh battery at that weight. I bet there's a lot of weight savings in the carbon bits and the Red drivetrain.

It's a very strange vanity project. I'm sure Sagan was happy with this new toy.

 

[GAJ]

They are only making 220 of the $10k bikes.

I weighed my SL5.0 non EQ size large when I got it and recall it weighing the same as my old non electric mountain bike, 33lbs and a hair more using a bathroom scale and using simple subtraction.

 

[stompandgo]

Limited availability creates hype, which gets potential buyers to the shop. It's a tried and true advertising strategy used by many retail industries.

We have a regional brewery that has several locations. They do not distribute their product AT ALL. You must come to one of the breweries to buy their beer. There is a two beer per person limit in the tap room, and some to go beers are limited in quantity. I've been to three of their locations. They are jammed every time I go.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Limited availability creates hype, which gets potential buyers to the shop. It's a tried and true advertising strategy used by many retail industries.

We have a regional brewery that has several locations. They do not distribute their product AT ALL. You must come to one of the breweries to buy their beer. There is a two beer per person limit in the tap room, and some to go beers are limited in quantity. I've been to three of their locations. They are jammed every time I go.

I get the marketing aspect. I just find it a very weird looking bike and a bit old fashioned in that red styling so I'm not sure who would be attracted to it. But beauty is in the eye etc etc.

 

[GAJ]

They'll have no trouble selling 200.

I like the looks of the bike for sure.

 

[JustRiding]

Hi all,

I have a 2021 Turbo SL 5.0 which I am very happy with. However, the new Turbo Vado SL 2 6.0 Carbon looks pretty damned good! If anyone here has upgraded from the 5.0 to the 6.0, I'd be interested in your comments. I know the newer motor is more powerful, and the newer battery is larger, but I'm curious about the ride and whether the 6.0 feels substantially different.

Turbo Vado SL 5.0

There's no other e-bike out there with ride quality, range, and power like this, at a weight that's light enough to carry. The Turbo Vado SL 5.0 is best...

www.specialized.com

Turbo Vado SL 2 6.0 Carbon

Nothing delivers more power, speed, and range at such lightweight than Turbo Vado SL 2 Carbon. It’s a premium, performance machine carefully engineered ...

www.specialized.com

Thanks for your thoughts.

John

Hi John,

I did the move from the SL 4.0 to the SL2 6.0 (both EQ) a couple of months ago.

Where it excels the 4.0 and 5.0:
- the engine / battery is more powerful. I still have the 4.0 and when we ride together on both bikes, then the turbo mode on the 4.0 approximately equals the sport mode on the 6.0, so we can ride together at same speed / effort.
- battery is bigger, so lasts equally long with more power. Did commute today to city centre and back in turbo mode (2 x 15 km, 36-38 minutes ride each). 71% of battery remaining
- the display is nice. Very readable, suggest also best gear for your pace
- Rear light works as automatic stop light
- More sturdy rack
- Tires are broader and have more profile, means you get a softer ride and are less prone to flat tires in terrain
- more gears to choose from
- possibility to remotely update the firmware
- integrated Findme Apple functionality and a bike alarm when not unlocked through the app (although rather low volume but at least it prevents activating the bikes display and engine)
- engine is more silent
- Compared to the 4.0 of course the future shock

The disadvantages:
- obviously the price. Costs quite a fortune
- Does not look as slim at the previous model. You can see it's an e-bike
- Carbon has lower weight limits for rider + luggage
- The battery and engine weight more. The carbon version does offset that extra weight, the alloy version obviously doesn't
- rack uses a different system. Had to change the adapter for all my bags to fit the new rack
- The matt finish of the painting attracts dust

Would I do the change again? Yes, the 6.0 is a great bike. The thing I probably miss most is the esthetics of the slim frame of the 4.0. The 4.0 (as the 5.0) is a bit of a stealth e-bike which not everybody recognizes it as such that easily. The 6.0 is lighter than a standard bike but due to the broader and more square frame it looks like an e-bike .

 

[Kaduku]

Ordered a Vado SL 2 LTD S-Racing bike from Specialized and picked it up at my local bike shop a few days ago. It's actually more stunning in person. Rode it home and absolutely happy. I already own a Specialized Creo Expert and a Cannondale Morterra. Bought this specifically for city commute. I have absolutely no regrets getting this bike.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Ordered one from Specialized and picked it up at my local bike shop a few days ago. It's actually more stunning in person. Rode it home and absolutely happy. I already own a Specialized Creo Expert and a Cannondale Morterra. Bought this specifically for city commute. I have absolutely no regrets getting this bike.

Wow, an LTD S-Racing SL 2, right? Would love to hear a follow-up report when you've done a few commutes and pleasure rides.