Battery Range Experience for Specialized E-Bikes

[Creo rider]

Actually I'm riding in a similar 'race' in November too - ebikes allowed but can't 'win'. The distance is ok - 125kms (78 miles) but there is 2,700m (8,860 ft) of climbing. IME climbing is by far the biggest drain on the batteries. I don't think I could make it on just the internal + RE, but I will borrow a RE from a friend and hope that is enough. Any thoughts on the best way to manage the 2 RE's on such a ride?

 

[BEC111]

I ride an SL4 EQ with an RE. I’ve been less energetic this year than in the past. Maybe being 75 has something to do with it? This means I use Sport and Turbo mode more often. (35/35, 45/80, 100/100)

Anyhow, most of my rides are on a rail trail - long shallow hills - and less than 400 feet of accent - and about 20-30 miles.

I get at least three rides per charge. That means I have about 25-30% charge left when I plug in. So, I get between 60 and 80 miles most of the time. I suspect I could do a century on the right route and weather.

I‘ve never ridden long enough to get below 15% with one exception. I had organized a 40 mile ride for my ebike group. My bike was down to about 25% the day before the ride and thought I’d plugged it in. Nope. I rode to the starting point - about 4 miles - and left the bike powered on while we all gathered. About 5 miles into the ride my batteries got below 5% and gave out. Did the remaining 35 miles without assist. SL!

That was two years ago. I don’t think I could ride that far without assist today.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Any thoughts on the best way to manage the 2 RE's on such a ride?

Were you not in Australia, I would borrow you my 4 Range Extenders Now, seriously.

Set your Creo to use both batteries at the same time. Ride all the flats without the assistance if possible. After you did a climb, go OFF to save the batteries even if you are pedalling downhill. Use the next RE either at the 10% of either battery (15% of 150%) or -- if you must -- deplete both down to 5% (8% of 150%) before swapping the Range Extender. The point is: Below the 10% of either of batteries (15% of 150%) the SL is going into the battery saving mode, dramatically reducing the assistance.

Now, why not ride with the "Discharge the Range Extender First" option? It is because the Range Extender would drain just before the most important climb on your route... Guaranteed! Use the second Range Extender just to complete your race!

Besides, 30/60% SL assistance (main battery + Range Extender) gives maximum range of 165 km in mostly flat area.

 

[Te. S]

I ride a Vado SL 5.0 Eq usually charge the battery to 80%, I ride about 25 to 35 miles on a ride and the battery last me two rids before I charge it, I ride on Eco mode set up @ 25/25 I hardly ever go to Sport or Turbo mods, my last two rids added up to 56 miles and that is in 4 weeks period with the bike sitting in the garage. I am thinking about a RE. For the first time today I went under 20% battery and finished the ride with 15% left.

 

[Allan47.7339]

I ride a Vado SL 5.0 Eq usually charge the battery to 80%, I ride about 25 to 35 miles on a ride and the battery last me two rids before I charge it, I ride on Eco mode set up @ 25/25 I hardly ever go to Sport or Turbo mods, my last two rids added up to 56 miles and that is in 4 weeks period with the bike sitting in the garage. I am thinking about a RE. For the first time today I went under 20% battery and finished the ride with 15% left.

I'm not sure a RE is necessary for your use case. You are not pushing the range on any single ride. You could just do a short charge before your second ride if you plan to go a little further than your usual.

 

[BEC111]

I'm not sure a RE is necessary for your use case. You are not pushing the range on any single ride. You could just do a short charge before your second ride if you plan to go a little further than your usual.

Technically, I agree. As I’ve said, I too ride several 13-20 mile rides a week. I got the RE In case I decided to extend a ride to 30 or 40 miles when I was otherwise between charges.

This plan sort of works. But, of course I often screw it up anyway And either don’t have enough charge for the ride I’m on or have to top off for a less ad hoc longer ride.

 

[Steve Brown]

The range with the Turbo Vado SL models (my wife and I have a 4eq and a 5eq, both 2020 models) is amazing if you’re (1) not in a rush, and (2) willing to do a lot of the easy riding without power.
Two weeks ago we did our first 2 night/3 day mini tour in the south of Spain. In the 3 days we covered just over 200km (c.120 miles) and climbed over 4,000 metres (c. 13,000 ft) on a single charge, and still had over 60% of the battery left when we got back to our base.
We also find the latest version of the App really handy, and have settled on 20%/35% and 60% power settings which get us up most things, and which can be very easily changed for exceptional climbs.
BUT, like I said, it’s best not to be in a rush!

 

[Steve Brown]

The range with the Turbo Vado SL models (my wife and I have a 4eq and a 5eq, both 2020 models) is amazing if you’re (1) not in a rush, and (2) willing to do a lot of the easy riding without power.
Two weeks ago we did our first 2 night/3 day mini tour in the south of Spain. In the 3 days we covered just over 200km (c.120 miles) and climbed over 4,000 metres (c. 13,000 ft) on a single charge, and still had over 60% of the battery left when we got back to our base.
We also find the latest version of the App really handy, and have settled on 20%/35% and 60% power settings which get us up most things, and which can be very easily changed for exceptional climbs.
BUT, like I said, it’s best not to be in a rush!

PS - what I should have remembered to add was that we dis-connected the lights a few years ago. Some calculations which Stefan M kindly did for me showed that the lights use around 4% of the battery capacity every hour, with the management system using around 1%. It doesn’t matter for Stefan, but saving that much usage is a big deal for us if cycling 6-7 hours a day. Stefan’s calculations are all in there somewhere - if anyone is interested I’ll try to find them. Thank you again Stefan M.

We accept that the lights are bright, in front anyway. But they don’t flash, and that became a game changer for us after my wife was knocked off her bike (in 2021) by a car driver who opened his door right in front of her (he actually knocked her forwards and sideways with the door). He hadn’t seen the constant light, and probably hadn’t looked, but anyway she broke her pelvis in three places. Fortunately no long term consequences for my wife, yet anyway.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Two weeks ago we did our first 2 night/3 day mini tour in the south of Spain. In the 3 days we covered just over 200km (c.120 miles) and climbed over 4,000 metres (c. 13,000 ft) on a single charge, and still had over 60% of the battery left when we got back to our base.

Steve, it only tells me you and your wife rode almost the whole trip without any assistance!

Which reminds me a friend whom I let ride my brand new Vado SL on a 133 km (82.7 mi) ride with 937 m (3,070 ft) elevation gain. She only spent 8% of the battery as she soon decided she could ride the e-bike without any assistance I used two batteries (1028 Wh) for Vado 5.0/6.0 myself on that same ride! Our average speed was 22.9 km/h. (Here, a village by name Wódka/Vodka, with Barley and Rye Streets!)

I think talking e-bike battery range only makes sense if you have used the assistance on all the trip. Having said that, I can attest the range on Vado SL with 3-year old Main and Range Extender battery at 40/100% SL assistance is 113 km or 70 miles in an undulated area if your legs are as weak as mine, and you want to achieve the average speed of 21.9 km/h

 

[Steve Brown]

Stefan - you are right of course, as usual.
However, for me the exceptional thing for us about these bikes is the confidence it gives us to do rides we wouldn’t otherwise do, knowing that we have assistance/support when needed.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Stefan - you are right of course, as usual.
However, for me the exceptional thing for us about these bikes is the confidence it gives us to do rides we wouldn’t otherwise do, knowing that we have assistance/support when needed.

Yes, I fully agree with you! Riding a lightweight e-bike in the hilly area was decidedly far easier for you unassisted!

 

[Dazmanturbo]

I do run both my Creo 1 and 2 in unassisted mode. My bike is subject to the 25kph assist limit, so the motor is not used over those speeds. Both my Creo's were under 13kg, the lighter making it easier to use unassisted. Both Creo's if can 100 miles out of the Eco setting. My Creo 2 in on 20 to match the Creo 1

 

[BlackHand]

Range info from Specialized on the new Vado SL 2

https://support.specialized.com/kb/sp_en-us/content/ECV3-6143/04-Turbo-Vado-SL-2-Range-Ride-Time

I applaud the disclosure, but the skeptic in me isn't a fan of the way they extrapolate 32kmph range and don't show any real world 28mph examples.

 

[GAJ]

My SL 5.0 Turbo Vado will go 25 miles or so in max turbo mode on the flats riding briskly, (did that once).

Supposedly the new SL 6.0 Turbo Vado will do 35 miles at a faster pace.

Just changed my bike to 50/50 75/75 and 100/100 as my friend rides at 100/100 on the same bike all the time due to physical issues.

I think 75/75 will be more than enough to keep up with him without unduly draining the battery.

 

[Allan47.7339]

Range info from Specialized on the new Vado SL 2

https://support.specialized.com/kb/sp_en-us/content/ECV3-6143/04-Turbo-Vado-SL-2-Range-Ride-Time

I applaud the disclosure, but the skeptic in me isn't a fan of the way they extrapolate 32kmph range and don't show any real world 28mph examples.

Since their design center is in Switzerland, it's not surprising they don't have real world data other than 15mph/24kmh.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My SL 5.0 Turbo Vado will go 25 miles or so in max turbo mode on the flats riding briskly, (did that once).

It really depends on the power input from the rider (and other factors). My range in SL Turbo was 36 km (22.4 mi) when my Vado SL 4.0 EQ was new.

15mph/24kmh.

It is 25 km/h and 15.5 mph

Since their design center is in Switzerland, it's not surprising they don't have real world data other than 15mph/24kmh.

Switzerland is not only not a European Union country but it also has very liberal e-bike rights*. Swiss Turbo division could absolutely test the range of the 45 km/h / 28 mph e-bikes if they wanted.
---------
*) Ever heard of Stromer?

 

[Allan47.7339]

It really depends on the power input from the rider (and other factors). My range in SL Turbo was 36 km (22.4 mi) when my Vado SL 4.0 EQ was new.


It is 25 km/h and 15.5 mph



Switzerland is not only not a European Union country but it also has very liberal e-bike rights*. Swiss Turbo division could absolutely test the range of the 45 km/h / 28 mph e-bikes if they wanted.
---------
*) Ever heard of Stromer?

The Creo SL or the Vado SL won't support the increased lighting requirements for a 45 km/h ebike and some of the other features required on a Stromer to make it meet them. I suppose they could run a Vado SL 2 around a track but I don't think anyone would find that interesting.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The Creo SL or the Vado SL won't support the increased lighting requirements for a 45 km/h ebike and some of the other features required on a Stromer to make it meet them. I suppose they could run a Vado SL 2 around a track but I don't think anyone would find that interesting.

No reason to really disagree here. Vado SL would not meet the criteria for L1e-B in the EU anyway.

I have always looked at battery range estimates as marketing figures. Specialized says an 80 kg rider with a decent leg power. The range depends on so many factors the advertised figures should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Now, I have found the outcome of an SL Turbo test ride 8 months post my Vado SL 4.0 EQ purchase. I rode using two Range Extenders one after another. As the test results show, each Range Extender was good for 18.5 km (11.5 mi) so both would be good for 37 km or 23 mi. The fact I could ride for 41.2 km (25.6 mi) was only possible because the Main Battery contributed with 8% of the charge extra.

A derestricted e-bike data. A loop ride. The max speed was achieved with tailwind. Low ambient temperature. A 95 kg rider, no cargo. Almost flat.

@GAJ got 25 miles (40 km) so it only proves his riding conditions (and he himself as a rider) were different. Now, if we only look theoretically on the matter, the 520 Wh battery is 1.625x of the 320 Wh one. If we take my results, the SL 1.2/520 Wh range should be 37.4 mi or 60.2 km. Specialized says 37 miles (60 km). I think it is doable.

 

[GAJ]

No reason to really disagree here. Vado SL would not meet the criteria for L1e-B in the EU anyway.

I have always looked at battery range estimates as marketing figures. Specialized says an 80 kg rider with a decent leg power. The range depends on so many factors the advertised figures should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Now, I have found the outcome of an SL Turbo test ride 8 months post my Vado SL 4.0 EQ purchase. I rode using two Range Extenders one after another. As the test results show, each Range Extender was good for 18.5 km (11.5 mi) so both would be good for 37 km or 23 mi. The fact I could ride for 41.2 km (25.6 mi) was only possible because the Main Battery contributed with 8% of the charge extra.

View attachment 184229
A derestricted e-bike data. A loop ride. The max speed was achieved with tailwind. Low ambient temperature. A 95 kg rider, no cargo. Almost flat.

@GAJ got 25 miles (40 km) so it only proves his riding conditions (and he himself as a rider) were different. Now, if we only look theoretically on the matter, the 520 Wh battery is 1.625x of the 320 Wh one. If we take my results, the SL 1.2/520 Wh range should be 37.4 mi or 60.2 km. Specialized says 37 miles (60 km). I think it is doable.

195lbs, "ok fit" for a 67 year old, flat terrain with occasional forced slowdowns due to street crossings etc.

Same route using slower pace would result in 30-35 mile range with Turbo used most of the time, with no assist for almost half the time would be 50 miles.

For me the range is fine and, of course, with absolutely zero range anxiety as non assisted pedaling is easy peasy, albeit slower.

Very few e'bikes, EVs, e'motorcycles, e'lawn mowers come without range anxiety.

 

[Steve Brown]

I have range anxiety most days, and I’m not even rechargeable!