2020 Turbo Vado 3.0 vs. 2021 Trek Verve+ 3

[CharmCityCommuter]

Trying to decide on the right bike...
I've been doing research via this forum, other online resources and test rides.
However, I'd like to hear from folks who own or know these bikes well.

Here's my situation:
I have a 7.5 mile commute each way (15 miles round trip)
The way downtown is essentially all downhill and the way back is all uphill.
I have no trouble getting to work. However, after working all day, I would like the electric assist to get me up the hill and back home.

I want a bike that can be serviced at the LBS and I want a mid-drive bike under $3K..

I have narrowed my search to a 2020 Turbo Vado 3.0 vs. 2021 Trek Verve+ 3
Due to a Trek rental credit I can get the Trek for $2,750 or the Specialized for MSRP at $2700...

I am pretty sure the 2020 Turbo Vado is the better deal since it is a class 3 and has a front shock.
Otherwise the bikes are pretty similar in components etc.

I have historically rode Trek bikes and prefer the Trek LBS, but there is nothing wrong with the Specialized dealer.

Is there any reason I should get the Trek instead of the Specialized? Just wanted to check before I pull the trigger.
Thanks!

-Charm City

PS I rented a Trek Verve+ 2 and did the commute a couple of times. The bike was fine, but when I rode the Verve+ 3 I liked it that much better.
While I have not made the commute on the Specialized, I have ridden it twice on short test rides and I really like it. I just want to make sure I'm getting the best bike for the money.

 

[Art Deco]

I missed this thread. So better late than never. I ride the Como3 with the same motor and drivetrain as the Vado3. I tried the Trek verves 2 and 3, and a Giant Momentum in the same price class before buying, found the Como to be a more comfortable bike to ride.

I didn't like the weight forward position on the Vado at all, the Verve 3 was OK but "twitchy" on down hills, and the Verve 2 is underpowered and twitchy.
The Giant was also OK, but only came with a 7 speed IGH.

The Vado is a better climber (and a faster bike) than the others mentioned, so if you are comfortable with the rather harsh ride on the Vado that's probably your best choice, if your dealer has them in stock.

 

[Papa G]

My first ebike was a 2018 Trek Super Commuter +7, class 1 with pedal assist limited to 20 mph. It is a nice ebike, Bosch performance line motor is powerful with 63 nm of torque, but loud. I have a 15 mile bike trail commute each way to work and found the 20 mph pedal assist a bit annoying, as I was often riding at the limit. I bought a 2020 Turbo Vado 4.0, it is a comparably spec’d ebike, but I was amazed at how much nicer it is, more powerful super quiet 1.2 motor with 72 nm of torque, more nimble handling, and best of all a 28 mph speed limiter (although I had to change the chainring to 48t and use turbo mode to really ride at that speed). I don’t know much about the Verve 3, but the Turbo Vado’s just seem like more refined ebikes, with a frame integrated and upgradable battery. If you have to spend a bit more up front, it may save you in the long run if you are more satisfied with your choice a year or two down the road. I have no regrets with the Turbo Vado, but if I had it to do over again, I would have bit the bullet, spent the extra and bought the 5.0 with the larger 604 wh battery, XT 11 speed components and most importantly a torque of 90 nm, especially when it comes to the hills or riding up closer to the 28 mph limit. I wish you the best with your choice, you really can’t go wrong either way, the ebike experience is worth the price of admission!

 

[TrevorB]

Vado for fork, mobie is good commuter & touring fork. The mobie on my bike is considerable better than wifes entry level suntour especially around town.
Ride can be soften more by suspension seat post eg Suntour NCX and lowering tire pressure. If mudguards allow for try 29×2.15 tire.

For your 15mile commute 460wh is heaps should get two trips without problem if you don't use turbo all time.

 

[Papa G]

My first ebike was a 2018 Trek Super Commuter +7, class 1 with pedal assist limited to 20 mph. It is a nice ebike, Bosch performance line motor is powerful with 63 nm of torque, but loud. I have a 15 mile bike trail commute each way to work and found the 20 mph pedal assist a bit annoying, as I was often riding at the limit. I bought a 2020 Turbo Vado 4.0, it is a comparably spec’d ebike, but I was amazed at how much nicer it is, more powerful super quiet 1.2 motor with 72 nm of torque, more nimble handling, and best of all a 28 mph speed limiter (although I had to change the chainring to 48t and use turbo mode to really ride at that speed). I don’t know much about the Verve 3, but the Turbo Vado’s just seem like more refined ebikes, with a frame integrated and upgradable battery. If you have to spend a bit more up front, it may save you in the long run if you are more satisfied with your choice a year or two down the road. I have no regrets with the Turbo Vado, but if I had it to do over again, I would have bit the bullet, spent the extra and bought the 5.0 with the larger 604 wh battery, XT 11 speed components and most importantly a torque of 90 nm, especially when it comes to the hills or riding up closer to the 28 mph limit. I wish you the best with your choice, you really can’t go wrong either way, the ebike experience is worth the price of admission!

One major benefit of the Specialzed Turbo Vado’s that I forgot to mention is the Turbo Connect Display Wired (TCD-W), with a smartphone app that lets you program the motor output in each of the 3 modes, has 5 programmable screens, including all standard information but adding heart rate, power output in watts, cadence, remaining battery life readout as a % and more. The Bosch Purion display (which I also have on my Trek SC +7), not so much, very basic (but does have a nice “Range” feature).

 

[CharmCityCommuter]

Thanks for the feedback...I got the Turbo Vado 3.0 from my LBS. I am very happy with my purchase. It's so much fun to ride.
I currently have just over 100 miles on the bike with 5 round trips to the office.

So far I've mostly ridden in "Turbo" as I've wanted to see how fast I can get to work. Even in Turbo, I have about 42% battery life after a round trip, so I'm sure once I figure out the Smart Control settings I should be able to get 2 trips on one charge...

 

[Papa G]

Thanks for the feedback...I got the Turbo Vado 3.0 from my LBS. I am very happy with my purchase. It's so much fun to ride.
I currently have just over 100 miles on the bike with 5 round trips to the office.

So far I've mostly ridden in "Turbo" as I've wanted to see how fast I can get to work. Even in Turbo, I have about 42% battery life after a round trip, so I'm sure once I figure out the Smart Control settings I should be able to get 2 trips on one charge...

@CharmCityCommuter, it sounds like you made a great choice, enjoy the ride!