rochrunner
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Rochester Hills MI
Now that I’ve taken a few rides on my Vado 4.0, I guess I’m qualified to make a few observations along with a few questions.
- Range obviously depends on a number of things. On my first ride, I was sort of attempting to get a feel for max range, rode conservatively in (detuned) Eco mode, and used 35% in 26 miles. Yesterday I did a different 26-mile route, but into a stiff headwind much of the way and spent a lot more time in Sport (and a little Turbo) partly for the wind and partly to have some fun with the speed, and used 48%.
- Speaking of speed, I'm going to have to watch myself. I’m now cruising in Eco a good bit faster than my normal cruising speed and should be more careful when passing walkers, etc., especially since the pathways are often crowded these days.
- After playing with Mission Control tuning, I’m getting a better idea of how to set things up. I always thought the default Eco mode was over-boosted for me and have been dialing it down so that Eco does just a bit more than offset the added weight of the bike. Anyone else have some experience on what works for you for the tuning parameters? I sort of wish it had four modes like my wife’s Trek (Eco, Touring, Sport, Turbo), although hers can’t be modified by the rider.
- The riding position and feel are indeed similar to my Crosstrail, but I still feel more upright than I’m used to. I’ll have to take some measurements of the two bikes to see what changes I might want to make. I haven’t seen this style of stem before; can I install a “standard” style stem and top cap?
- I’m amazed how quiet it is – silent would be a better term. My wife’s Bosch-powered Trek Verve+ has a bit of motor whine and the Class 3 Allant+ that I test rode had even more of that “golf cart” sound.
- The seat will have to go, especially if I’m not going to be wearing my shorts with the best pads all the time.
- Does the battery latching issue improve after a while? No matter how good a slap I give it when installing it, on every one of my rides so far it has popped out early in the ride. It’s not enough to disconnect anything and I can just reach down and slam it back in place again with my palm, but it’s definitely annoying. So far it only happens once per ride, but just the same…
- There’s been no repeat of my unexplained motor cutout; so far it’s a one-time thing.
- This thing is a tank, as I realize whenever I lift it onto my carrier. That was brought home to me yesterday when I went to carry my road bike (~20lbs) up to the garage. I grabbed it and picked it up like it was the Vado and almost threw it over the top of my head!
So that’s pretty much where I am. I had a couple moments of buyer’s remorse earlier, but the bike’s getting familiar enough that I’m sure it’s going to be a lot of fun to ride around the area once there are destinations to actually ride to again!
- Range obviously depends on a number of things. On my first ride, I was sort of attempting to get a feel for max range, rode conservatively in (detuned) Eco mode, and used 35% in 26 miles. Yesterday I did a different 26-mile route, but into a stiff headwind much of the way and spent a lot more time in Sport (and a little Turbo) partly for the wind and partly to have some fun with the speed, and used 48%.
- Speaking of speed, I'm going to have to watch myself. I’m now cruising in Eco a good bit faster than my normal cruising speed and should be more careful when passing walkers, etc., especially since the pathways are often crowded these days.
- After playing with Mission Control tuning, I’m getting a better idea of how to set things up. I always thought the default Eco mode was over-boosted for me and have been dialing it down so that Eco does just a bit more than offset the added weight of the bike. Anyone else have some experience on what works for you for the tuning parameters? I sort of wish it had four modes like my wife’s Trek (Eco, Touring, Sport, Turbo), although hers can’t be modified by the rider.
- The riding position and feel are indeed similar to my Crosstrail, but I still feel more upright than I’m used to. I’ll have to take some measurements of the two bikes to see what changes I might want to make. I haven’t seen this style of stem before; can I install a “standard” style stem and top cap?
- I’m amazed how quiet it is – silent would be a better term. My wife’s Bosch-powered Trek Verve+ has a bit of motor whine and the Class 3 Allant+ that I test rode had even more of that “golf cart” sound.
- The seat will have to go, especially if I’m not going to be wearing my shorts with the best pads all the time.
- Does the battery latching issue improve after a while? No matter how good a slap I give it when installing it, on every one of my rides so far it has popped out early in the ride. It’s not enough to disconnect anything and I can just reach down and slam it back in place again with my palm, but it’s definitely annoying. So far it only happens once per ride, but just the same…
- There’s been no repeat of my unexplained motor cutout; so far it’s a one-time thing.
- This thing is a tank, as I realize whenever I lift it onto my carrier. That was brought home to me yesterday when I went to carry my road bike (~20lbs) up to the garage. I grabbed it and picked it up like it was the Vado and almost threw it over the top of my head!
So that’s pretty much where I am. I had a couple moments of buyer’s remorse earlier, but the bike’s getting familiar enough that I’m sure it’s going to be a lot of fun to ride around the area once there are destinations to actually ride to again!
