Camasonian
Active Member
- Region
- USA
Finally had a chance to ride both the Vado and Vado SL side by side today and brought home a brand new white Turbo Vado 5.0. This exact model pictured below (from the Specialized Web site). I'll take my own photos later. After riding and seeing both in-person it was pretty obvious that the Vado was going to be the right choice. I bought it from the E-Bike Store in North Portland and they were very good and easy to deal with so far. I can recommend them for anyone in the Portland area although we have a lot of choices here. I was hoping for a black one but the white is the first and only Vado 5.0 they have gotten from Specialized and there was no word on when other colors might arrive. So I bought it instead of risking this one getting sold and not getting a black on in a timely manner. I think the white will probably grow on me. I can put all black accessories on it and it will look good and not too "ninja".
Conclusions after doing a side-by-side ride and comparison between the Vado and Vado SL?
1. Riding positions are near identical or at least very similar. I didn't have the seat perfectly adjusted on the Vado SL but they both are at least quite similar in seating position and geometry. At least close enough that I couldn't really tell.
2. Vado is considerably quieter than the Vado SL. the SL motor has a persistent and constant whine that I expect one will quickly get used to. But the more powerful motor on the regular Vado was definitely quieter.
3. The display on the Vado seems more sophisticated and full featured compared to the SL. I may have been riding a 2021 model SL but it had a smaller black and white display. I didn't stand there and do a screen by screen comparison of the displays but the Vado was nicer to look at.
4. Personally I prefer the Shimano shifters on the Vado SL because that is what I'm used to with the thumb push and index finger pull to shift vs the SRAM on the Vado which is both thumb push to shift up and down. But that is pretty trivial. I'm thinking I may have been on a 2021 model SL because Specialized is showing that both the 2022 models are now SRAM.
5. Headlights appear identical, but the the Vado definitely has a far superior taillight integrated into the rear rack that also illuminates to the sides compared to the small fender-mounted tail light on the SL. Also the SL headlight is mounted on the underside of the handlebars which means any handlebar bag will block the headlight whereas the Vado headlight is mounted on the fork arch (see photo) so it is low enough to not be blocked by a handlebar bag.
6. Vado rack is far more robust which is somewhat important to me as I'll be carrying cargo from time to time.
7. The Vado SL with the far lighter frame/battery/wheels and fork is definitely a more nimble bike-like bike. I think for someone athletic for whom this is will be their primary bike for all uses including recreation the SL will be superior. But for me, I already have several good recreational road and mountain bikes and primarily need this new one for daily commuting in my hilly neighborhood. So the more robust and powerful Vado seems to meet my needs better.
8. The radar that warns of approaching cars from behind is pretty cool. You have both an indicator on the display (white dot that moves up the screen) and a chirp alarm that you can turn off or on. This is only on the Vado, not the SL
I haven't actually ridden it at home yet. Will post a more substantial review when I have a chance to get some big rides in this weekend and next week. But I'm very much looking forward to it. Anyone with any questions about this specific bike fire away. This is an all-new model compared to the 2021 version. Pretty much everything has changed.
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Conclusions after doing a side-by-side ride and comparison between the Vado and Vado SL?
1. Riding positions are near identical or at least very similar. I didn't have the seat perfectly adjusted on the Vado SL but they both are at least quite similar in seating position and geometry. At least close enough that I couldn't really tell.
2. Vado is considerably quieter than the Vado SL. the SL motor has a persistent and constant whine that I expect one will quickly get used to. But the more powerful motor on the regular Vado was definitely quieter.
3. The display on the Vado seems more sophisticated and full featured compared to the SL. I may have been riding a 2021 model SL but it had a smaller black and white display. I didn't stand there and do a screen by screen comparison of the displays but the Vado was nicer to look at.
4. Personally I prefer the Shimano shifters on the Vado SL because that is what I'm used to with the thumb push and index finger pull to shift vs the SRAM on the Vado which is both thumb push to shift up and down. But that is pretty trivial. I'm thinking I may have been on a 2021 model SL because Specialized is showing that both the 2022 models are now SRAM.
5. Headlights appear identical, but the the Vado definitely has a far superior taillight integrated into the rear rack that also illuminates to the sides compared to the small fender-mounted tail light on the SL. Also the SL headlight is mounted on the underside of the handlebars which means any handlebar bag will block the headlight whereas the Vado headlight is mounted on the fork arch (see photo) so it is low enough to not be blocked by a handlebar bag.
6. Vado rack is far more robust which is somewhat important to me as I'll be carrying cargo from time to time.
7. The Vado SL with the far lighter frame/battery/wheels and fork is definitely a more nimble bike-like bike. I think for someone athletic for whom this is will be their primary bike for all uses including recreation the SL will be superior. But for me, I already have several good recreational road and mountain bikes and primarily need this new one for daily commuting in my hilly neighborhood. So the more robust and powerful Vado seems to meet my needs better.
8. The radar that warns of approaching cars from behind is pretty cool. You have both an indicator on the display (white dot that moves up the screen) and a chirp alarm that you can turn off or on. This is only on the Vado, not the SL
I haven't actually ridden it at home yet. Will post a more substantial review when I have a chance to get some big rides in this weekend and next week. But I'm very much looking forward to it. Anyone with any questions about this specific bike fire away. This is an all-new model compared to the 2021 version. Pretty much everything has changed.
Well, one cannot have it all!
