Herr Ointment
New Member
Hi, folks!
This spring I decided to purchase an e bike. A bicycle has been my main mode of transportation for over 30 years and the idea of a little battery assist was hard to resist.
I had no prior experience with an e bike, had never even seen one in person and due to my somewhat remote location would be buying an e bike sight unseen. I was worried about making an expensive mistake as I plunged into the internet reviews which of course led me to the reviews posted on YouTube by the owner of this forum.
A month of watching and reading reviews lead me back to EBR's review of the Vado 5.0. Court's review had me convinced that this was the bike I was looking for even though the price was 2X more than I had been willing to spend. Calls were placed and within a week full frame lg Turbo Vado 5.0 was delivered to my door ready to ride.
The first time my feet touched the pedals unprintable words fell from my mouth and more emerged with each turn of the crank arms. I really had no clue. How could an electric drive be so smooth and seamless? I was hooked on that first test ride and now, five months later, I still find myself smiling when I'm on this bike.
I'll try to keep this glowing review short, but I've got to repeat things you've doubtless read many times.
Yes, it's a tank. It does not matter.
People like it. They are curious about e bikes and recognize it as such.
Range and speed of the Vado 5.0 is never an issue.
Equipped with GP5 grips on shortened bars and sporting a pair of Ibera clip on panniers...and towing my Burley Travoy trailer...... I can haul three cases of beer!
The build quality and the quality of the components are IMO top-notch. This is easily the best bike that I have ridden or owned and I've owned 20 some mid-grade bikes of various types over the years.
This is my first bike to sport fenders. The fenders on this model live up to their billing.
I've found my "spot" on this bike and while initially disliking the saddle I'd now say it is the most comfortable bike that I've owned.
I find myself shifting gears more than I ever have before. This is a good thing. The gearing for my terrain is about right. I do find myself down on the smaller chainrings of course but the thing just flies when you are there.
The lights rock. No more battery powered doo-dads.
The display works fine, although I rarely look at it except for the time and power level.
I use the Eco power level 90% of the time, Sport level by accident due to the default and I used the Turbo mode once to pass someone on a road bike who had blown by me. I caught them in a hurry.
I've had only one issue with the bike and that was with the "cadence creak". A check on the forums here and I had the motor mount bolts tightened and the issue resolved. Other than keeping the bike clean I've had no maintenance duties to perform yet. Well, I did replace a broken spoke......
As for criticisms of the model I have a few.....
When fixing the creak issue I was disappointed to see that the wiring/cabling inside the frame was not handled in a neater fashion. It works fine but looks haphazard to my eyes.
The battery attachment mech could be improved. It works but still.
A solid fork would work just as well as the shock fork for my use.
When I am asked about my thoughts on the bike I honestly say that it is one of the best things I've ever bought. That my say more about me than the actual purchase but I believe it.
Next week the snow is forecast to start flying and my Vado 5.0 will be retired for the season.
I hope the winter beater e bike I'm in now building won't be too much of a letdown but after a season on the Vado 5.0 an analog bike just won't cut it anymore.
E bikes are real game changers.
This spring I decided to purchase an e bike. A bicycle has been my main mode of transportation for over 30 years and the idea of a little battery assist was hard to resist.
I had no prior experience with an e bike, had never even seen one in person and due to my somewhat remote location would be buying an e bike sight unseen. I was worried about making an expensive mistake as I plunged into the internet reviews which of course led me to the reviews posted on YouTube by the owner of this forum.
A month of watching and reading reviews lead me back to EBR's review of the Vado 5.0. Court's review had me convinced that this was the bike I was looking for even though the price was 2X more than I had been willing to spend. Calls were placed and within a week full frame lg Turbo Vado 5.0 was delivered to my door ready to ride.
The first time my feet touched the pedals unprintable words fell from my mouth and more emerged with each turn of the crank arms. I really had no clue. How could an electric drive be so smooth and seamless? I was hooked on that first test ride and now, five months later, I still find myself smiling when I'm on this bike.
I'll try to keep this glowing review short, but I've got to repeat things you've doubtless read many times.
Yes, it's a tank. It does not matter.
People like it. They are curious about e bikes and recognize it as such.
Range and speed of the Vado 5.0 is never an issue.
Equipped with GP5 grips on shortened bars and sporting a pair of Ibera clip on panniers...and towing my Burley Travoy trailer...... I can haul three cases of beer!
The build quality and the quality of the components are IMO top-notch. This is easily the best bike that I have ridden or owned and I've owned 20 some mid-grade bikes of various types over the years.
This is my first bike to sport fenders. The fenders on this model live up to their billing.
I've found my "spot" on this bike and while initially disliking the saddle I'd now say it is the most comfortable bike that I've owned.
I find myself shifting gears more than I ever have before. This is a good thing. The gearing for my terrain is about right. I do find myself down on the smaller chainrings of course but the thing just flies when you are there.
The lights rock. No more battery powered doo-dads.
The display works fine, although I rarely look at it except for the time and power level.
I use the Eco power level 90% of the time, Sport level by accident due to the default and I used the Turbo mode once to pass someone on a road bike who had blown by me. I caught them in a hurry.
I've had only one issue with the bike and that was with the "cadence creak". A check on the forums here and I had the motor mount bolts tightened and the issue resolved. Other than keeping the bike clean I've had no maintenance duties to perform yet. Well, I did replace a broken spoke......
As for criticisms of the model I have a few.....
When fixing the creak issue I was disappointed to see that the wiring/cabling inside the frame was not handled in a neater fashion. It works fine but looks haphazard to my eyes.
The battery attachment mech could be improved. It works but still.
A solid fork would work just as well as the shock fork for my use.
When I am asked about my thoughts on the bike I honestly say that it is one of the best things I've ever bought. That my say more about me than the actual purchase but I believe it.
Next week the snow is forecast to start flying and my Vado 5.0 will be retired for the season.
I hope the winter beater e bike I'm in now building won't be too much of a letdown but after a season on the Vado 5.0 an analog bike just won't cut it anymore.
E bikes are real game changers.
It has played many roles in its 4247 km (2648 mi), almost one-year history: it has been a fast commuter, a touring e-bike capable to handle mountain roads, and I even rode light off-road (after I replaced the tyres with more appropriate ones for the role). No e-bike outside Vado/Como can boast such a silent operation!
