Hi all,
The name is joe if you couldn’t tell from the forum handle. Prior to purchasing my new turbo Vado 3.0 last month I used these forums extensively for research and tested out multiple types and brands of ebikes. Rear hub, Bosch mid drive, trek, giant, specialized and a couple of others.
I thought it might be useful if I give updates each month on my experience using the bike to commute to work 3 or 4 days a week. I hope you all find this as useful as I have found all of your posts.
Firstly about me, I am mid 40’s have been riding all my life primarily road bikes (some track and some triathlon but no mountain). I am 6ft and weigh about 260lbs. Obviously not what specialized measure there expected range with but pretty realistic for some of you out there. I have commuted on my road bike but with no showers at work it limited me to catching a ride with my wife to work and cycling home.
Now about my ride. I have a commute that is 14miles each way, rolling hills, nothing too steep apart from a 3/4 mile climb at maybe 5-6% on last bit of ride home. Yes I do get the downhill on the way to work.
Now why the turbo Vado 3.0.
1. I wanted fenders and a rack.
2. I wanted a bike that felt like I was cycling normally but had more assistance on way to work to avoid getting too sweaty, rear hum drives just feel weird to me, like I am being pushed
3. While 3000 dollars is a lot I couldn’t justify more for the 6.0
4. I was left between the trek super commuter and the Vado. The Vado just felt more natural and the motor was quieter
5. I wanted a bike that assisted to approx 28mph not 20. In the US the 3.0 does that. This is for two reasons, if I am in a rush to get to work and when on my road bike I cycle in the high teens low twenty’s with the slower ebikes the resistance was horrible when you hit the threshold.
First experiences with the bike. Out of 4 weeks I was away 2 so only 2 weeks commuting and 160 miles completed. I used my ortlieb urban back roller pannier which fit perfectly and is waterproof for laptop, bike kit and change of clothes.
The good - Ride, excellent. The bike feels stable, no problem with the tires or chain so far, generally a comfortable ride. Easy to maintain 18-22 mph using a mixture of assistance. I would say I use level 2 mainly for route too work, level 1 on way home for more of a work out level 3 just on hills.
The mediocre - range is a bit less than I expected. I know I am heavy and I have a hilly route but the battery only lasts the two directions. It’s enough so I am not complaining but I am on the end of the last bar and flashing when I crest the final hill. At best I have one full bar left when I have been conservative with the speed. In theory if I weighed 100 pound less I should get that range using maximum assist the whole route. Not sure that would be possible.
The bad - still no app, not a deal breaker as from reading the forum I knew it wasn’t there yet, if ever.
Ok that’s it for update one, next one I should have about 600 miles on her. No regrets on the purchase so far.
Joe
The name is joe if you couldn’t tell from the forum handle. Prior to purchasing my new turbo Vado 3.0 last month I used these forums extensively for research and tested out multiple types and brands of ebikes. Rear hub, Bosch mid drive, trek, giant, specialized and a couple of others.
I thought it might be useful if I give updates each month on my experience using the bike to commute to work 3 or 4 days a week. I hope you all find this as useful as I have found all of your posts.
Firstly about me, I am mid 40’s have been riding all my life primarily road bikes (some track and some triathlon but no mountain). I am 6ft and weigh about 260lbs. Obviously not what specialized measure there expected range with but pretty realistic for some of you out there. I have commuted on my road bike but with no showers at work it limited me to catching a ride with my wife to work and cycling home.
Now about my ride. I have a commute that is 14miles each way, rolling hills, nothing too steep apart from a 3/4 mile climb at maybe 5-6% on last bit of ride home. Yes I do get the downhill on the way to work.
Now why the turbo Vado 3.0.
1. I wanted fenders and a rack.
2. I wanted a bike that felt like I was cycling normally but had more assistance on way to work to avoid getting too sweaty, rear hum drives just feel weird to me, like I am being pushed
3. While 3000 dollars is a lot I couldn’t justify more for the 6.0
4. I was left between the trek super commuter and the Vado. The Vado just felt more natural and the motor was quieter
5. I wanted a bike that assisted to approx 28mph not 20. In the US the 3.0 does that. This is for two reasons, if I am in a rush to get to work and when on my road bike I cycle in the high teens low twenty’s with the slower ebikes the resistance was horrible when you hit the threshold.
First experiences with the bike. Out of 4 weeks I was away 2 so only 2 weeks commuting and 160 miles completed. I used my ortlieb urban back roller pannier which fit perfectly and is waterproof for laptop, bike kit and change of clothes.
The good - Ride, excellent. The bike feels stable, no problem with the tires or chain so far, generally a comfortable ride. Easy to maintain 18-22 mph using a mixture of assistance. I would say I use level 2 mainly for route too work, level 1 on way home for more of a work out level 3 just on hills.
The mediocre - range is a bit less than I expected. I know I am heavy and I have a hilly route but the battery only lasts the two directions. It’s enough so I am not complaining but I am on the end of the last bar and flashing when I crest the final hill. At best I have one full bar left when I have been conservative with the speed. In theory if I weighed 100 pound less I should get that range using maximum assist the whole route. Not sure that would be possible.
The bad - still no app, not a deal breaker as from reading the forum I knew it wasn’t there yet, if ever.
Ok that’s it for update one, next one I should have about 600 miles on her. No regrets on the purchase so far.
Joe
