FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Silicon Valley
Brendon, you have the right attitude for the changing cycling market landscape... I am sure your shop will be very successful for years to come!
Are Vado's Cursed?
- Thread starter Mr. Max
- Start date
Brendon, you have the right attitude for the changing cycling market landscape... I am sure your shop will be very successful for years to come!
Brendon@OEB
Well-Known Member
Thanks friend!
Back to OP, any response to my questions? That can help dictate a repair that will help alleviate said issues.
Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
What this survey showed me was that all the big three were in the bottom half, and suggests being nice to your LBS. You'll probably need their service.As an engineer I am interested in data... here are the results of a recent owner survey. Nice to see Wattwagons near the top
Spring 2020 Ebike Reliability Survey Results
Here are the results of the first ever Ebike Test Lab Reliability Survey, which we plan to do every Spring and Fall moving forward.
The rankings are based solely on the survey responses. An algorithm was developed to take into account the total number of miles, number of failures, severity of failure, rating of reliability, and rating of the manufacturer. The end result is the EBTL Miles per Failure rating, so the higher the number the better. I only included brands with at least 10 surveys (except for one, which I marked with an asterisk). More data would have been better so I’m hoping to get more responses when we do this in the Fall! Here are the results, with more details below:
View attachment 60190
GuruUno
Well-Known Member
Well, after putting close to 5,000 miles on a Trek 2017 Super Commuter + 8S in 18 months, then getting an identical replacement bike last July gratis Trek and replacing that with an Allant+ 9.9S (on my own) which is no longer in my stable, I abandoned Trek and have gone to a 'Specialized' place. I plan to ride the hell out of the new Turbo Vado 5.0. I hope I can attest to the positive contributors of this forum and continue to stay in love with the bike. It is everything one needs to enjoy cycling. Other than a trunk bag and a new Bodyfloat seat post to be installed, I'm hoping to share my opinions, experiences and should need nothing else.
It's understandable that because the technology is constantly maturing and that if/when any problems occur that Specialized will make things right. And also the most important aspect is local bike shop support and commitment to the customer.
I can attest that Trek went the extra mile for me multiple times and they are a top shelf manufacturer, which I'm sure hoping that Specialized is also......just in case. It is perplexing that the stories of motor failures are numerous, but as long as they are corrected and not just swapped out for the same problematic revision as well as the LBS having the ability to move things along in an acceptable time frame is key.
As my pleasure increases from my new found love I am excited to see what is forthcoming over the next 2 years. In the e-bike and electric vehicle world, to me, the biggest advancement that can be a boon for all is better battery technology (to lessen the range anxiety) and less weight.
It's understandable that because the technology is constantly maturing and that if/when any problems occur that Specialized will make things right. And also the most important aspect is local bike shop support and commitment to the customer.
I can attest that Trek went the extra mile for me multiple times and they are a top shelf manufacturer, which I'm sure hoping that Specialized is also......just in case. It is perplexing that the stories of motor failures are numerous, but as long as they are corrected and not just swapped out for the same problematic revision as well as the LBS having the ability to move things along in an acceptable time frame is key.
As my pleasure increases from my new found love I am excited to see what is forthcoming over the next 2 years. In the e-bike and electric vehicle world, to me, the biggest advancement that can be a boon for all is better battery technology (to lessen the range anxiety) and less weight.
Turbo Vado Pip
Member
Wow, doesn’t that just say it all!!As an engineer I am interested in data... here are the results of a recent owner survey. Nice to see Wattwagons near the top
Spring 2020 Ebike Reliability Survey Results
Here are the results of the first ever Ebike Test Lab Reliability Survey, which we plan to do every Spring and Fall moving forward.
The rankings are based solely on the survey responses. An algorithm was developed to take into account the total number of miles, number of failures, severity of failure, rating of reliability, and rating of the manufacturer. The end result is the EBTL Miles per Failure rating, so the higher the number the better. I only included brands with at least 10 surveys (except for one, which I marked with an asterisk). More data would have been better so I’m hoping to get more responses when we do this in the Fall! Here are the results, with more details below:
View attachment 60190
BEC111
Well-Known Member
Thanks for taking this on. This is data that has been sorely missing. With the boom in ebike sales and the proliferation of brands, knowing about reliability , the nature of the problems, and vendor reactions is extremely useful.
I encourage all of the forum users to contribute their responses. if you haven’t done so, post the results in as many of the brand forums as possible. The more participants the better the data. If you intend this to be your business I hope you succeed in the endeavor.
No, it doesn't.
Because the data base is minimal:
P.S.: " Most brands on the list had 20 to 30 respondents."
It's up to us. Take part in the surveys and then it'll likely "say something".
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Agreed!
So very much looking forward to smaller batteries & motors and lighter weight.
Turbo Vado Pip
Member
I’ve taken part in owning 2 Turbo Vado 4s and both have been horrendous so my data would have helped keep Specialized at the bottom of the pile. It’s sitting in bits as we speak so my current cycling holiday has turned into a walking one!
BEC111
Well-Known Member
Definitely. More data is needed and no one else, to my knowledge, is making the effort
Sierratim
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Nevada City, CA & Paradise Valley, AZ
Agreed. The more responses, the more meaningful the results.
This data was originally complied by @EbikeTestLab and published in May. Their more detailed post and follow up discussions shed more light on the data and are worth reading.
Look for their Fall survey and participate!
Turbo Vado Pip
Member
Perhaps the industry should ask local Cycling bodies such as Cycling UK to promote a yearly reliability survey like they do for cars. These are expensive machines and I feel sorry for any newbies trying to buy one as there is a baffling amount of brands, types, motors etc. Can only be a good thing for the whole eBike industry. And perhaps encourage certain brands to pull their socks up where required.
Sorry! I've been busy with work and bike riding and haven't checked the forum much lately. I started this thread quite a while ago, so it's surprising to see it brought back to life. I thought I'd share a short version of my Vado story.
I took advantage of the Specialized Spring Sale and picked up my Vado 4 in late March. Since then, I've strived to ride it every day, 15-35 miles. I've put over 2000 miles on it and it's given me zero problems. Buying the Vado 4 has been the smartest thing I've done since the pandemic started. I feel like my daily Vado rides have been keeping not just my body alive, but my heart and soul alive too.
I'm sorry that Turbo Vado Pip and some of the others in this forum have had problems, but for me that hasn't been the case. Again, I've put a fair number of miles on my bike and I've had zero problems.
Of course now that I've said this, today I'm probably going to break a couple of spokes, crack my frame and have a flat. Hopefully not and the Bike Gods will keep smiling on me!
I took advantage of the Specialized Spring Sale and picked up my Vado 4 in late March. Since then, I've strived to ride it every day, 15-35 miles. I've put over 2000 miles on it and it's given me zero problems. Buying the Vado 4 has been the smartest thing I've done since the pandemic started. I feel like my daily Vado rides have been keeping not just my body alive, but my heart and soul alive too.
I'm sorry that Turbo Vado Pip and some of the others in this forum have had problems, but for me that hasn't been the case. Again, I've put a fair number of miles on my bike and I've had zero problems.
Of course now that I've said this, today I'm probably going to break a couple of spokes, crack my frame and have a flat. Hopefully not and the Bike Gods will keep smiling on me!
Turbo Vado Pip
Member
Just got mine back from the repair shop 3 hours ago £162 poorer after the derailleur committed suicide. Such a lovely bike to ride when it works and I totally agree about it being great for the body heart and soul! Hopefully I can enjoy the final month of my holiday without issues. Please be kind to me Vado 4!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
What was the reason of the damage? I'm curious.
Turbo Vado Pip
Member
No idea Stefan. Was free wheeling down a hill, changed gear, heard a boom and it was all just hanging there a mangled mess. No doubt everyone will be shouting User Error at me, but it’s my 2nd Vado 4 and I did 4K miles on the first one without any gear issues, this one has done less than 1k. I note that they did change the gears from the 2017 to 2020 model.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Hmm... User Error for sure because Shimano Deore is not a rubbish. I don't want to guess reasons. Do you know whether the derailleur hanger was replaced, too?
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