Specialized really 'missed the mark' by naming both the Vado and the Vado SL by the same name.....these are ENTIRELY differing bicycles in virtually all respects (except for the name) which confuses the consumer and which makes it cumbersome to clearly discuss these two entirely differing bikes.
Some may recall that I purchased a 2022 Vado SL 4.0 last June during a brief period when it was on sale for $2500. I was unsure as to whether I would fully embrace the 'ebike thing' and thus I was seeking something in the $1200 or < range like the Aventon Solterra or similar. After some shopping around it became clear to me that the Aventon or similar quality bikes would not compel me to ride frequently. So when the Vado SL went on sale I snapped it up. I'm glad that I did and in hindsight I consider myself lucky both for (a) the sale price and (b) because the Vado SL was a good fit for my needs.
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I still read a lot of ebike articles and forum comments about the SL. As many of us know the Vado SL looks and behaves very analog-like similar to a Sirrus. It can easily be carried up staircases or lifted on to a car rack. A cursory review of the Vado SL's 320Wh battery and 35Nm 1.1 motor may seem underwhelming and expensive to many within the now broad ebike marketplace. The Vado SL fills a 'fitness' niche allowing a rider to enjoy faster and lengthier rides without giving up any of the fitness benefits of analog biking. I am proof of this given my miles ridden, pounds lost, and now narrower physique. Thanks Vado SL! Perhaps most importantly I really enjoy riding my Vado SL. It is nimble, fun, easy to carry, easy to load on to a car rack, and thus opens up a world of options to a cyclist. Not many ebikes can do this....and few do it so well. No this motor will not power you up steep hills without muscle. No you can't expect long range travel if you require 60%-100% motor assistance at all times. If used as intended, however, this bike will give you motor assist for a near 100 mile range in my experience. Others use(s) may be possible, however, I prefer to keep my Vado SL 'naked' without racks, fenders, bags, or panniers. It is a rigid bike and I have softened it with careful tire inflation, PanaRacer tires, Ergon grips, and a RedShift stem. I use a QuadLock mount for a phone and off I go easily burning about 500 calories in 60 minutes. This bike is a lot of fun. It does 'its thing' very very well. I wouldn't call it a 'one trick pony', however, it excels at my use-case as a lightweight and un-complicated fitness bike. If you are seeking to power through errands, commute, grocery shop etc....this bike might be able to accomplish it for you....but the SL is less than ideal for these tasks. If the SL were a car it would be a Porsche.
The 'Vado' line of Specialized bicycles includes a 'cousin' by name only to the Vado SL more simply named 'Vado'. I could not resist the temptation to have an entirely different ebike type in the garage and I (again) succumbed to the $2750 sale price. The much quieter Vado motor provides DOUBLE the Vado SL's torque at 70Nm and Vado has more than DOUBLE the SL's battery at 710Wh. I bought a white Vado 4.0 and quickly added sticky pedals, a QuadLock, water bottle cage, straps for the rear rack, Garmin Varia radar, and Cool Cave panniers. I am only 100 miles in with the full power Vado but it already opens up many additional cycling adventures. This big Vado is whisper quiet, very powerful, and far more comfortable when compared to the SL. The full power Vado has a great rack system and easily hauls groceries, heavy locks, a 12 pack of cold beverages or anything else that you might choose to carry. The big Vado eats miles and powers through hills. Interestingly I believe that both the Vado and the Vado SL will deliver similar total mileage range for me.....nearly 100 miles per charge. No the big Vado cannot realistically be ridden without some degree of motor assistance which is a strong departure from the 'fitness' ebike niche held by the SL. No the Vado cannot be easily carried up a staircase or loaded on to a car rack. If the Vado were a car it would be a Cadillac.
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Most will face these two entirely differing bikes as a 'one vs. the other' choice and I too originally faced this dilemma. Until technology allows lightweight but still powerful motors/batteries we all face some ebike shopping conundrums. I first chose the SL for my primary goals of fitness and fun and I intend to keep on track using the SL for these purposes. The SL really shines for my weekly exercise goals and I have no complaints (I do wish the motor was a tad bit quieter). The pre-Mastermind 2022 SL enjoys minimalist tech/TCU freeing the rider from distractions and furthering its place as a 'naked fitness bike'.
The big Vado is just an entirely different beast altogether. Vado allows for long and comfortable rides while easily hauling any of the bits that you are compelled to bring along with you for the ride. Sure you can gain some fitness from riding the more powerful Vado if/when using minimal motor support although this is not where Vado shines. Vado is a nearly 60lb bicycle and Vado SL is approximately 35lbs!! The full power suspension equipped Vado does, however, provide quiet comfort and an ability to near effortlessly cycle even while hauling your goods. The 2023 Mastermind equipped version provides a plethora of rider data, radar integration, micro-adjustment, and some degree of electronic security capability. While not a true upright 'cruiser' like the Como, the full power Vado is more Como-like than it is Vado SL-like.
Both are great bikes which serve very differing use cases. Not inexpensive by anyone's imagination, however, with $5250 total invested for both bikes I feel that I have a LOT of capabilities at my fingertips. When factoring my fitness/health, my fun, my entertainment, dealer/service network, and the quality of equipment I feel that this is money well spent. Both of these bikes allow me to really get 'out' and see the city and all of its sights and goings-on. Both bikes improve my fitness albeit to varying degrees. It is going to be a good summer.
