***UPDATE***: I’m going with the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0!
I tried out the large REI Co-op CTY e2.2 that I bought. REI puts a hold on your credit card so that you can test-ride the bike before taking home. For better or worse, it felt too small! I am 6’2” with a 35-36” inseam. We had that seat post up to the max, and even so, I could immediately tell the bike felt too cramped!
However, I would strongly recommend that others consider the new e2.2. The new Bosch system is fantastic, and the e-bike display can even show navigation!
Hello everyone,
I'm thrilled to be able to get an eBike for commuting for the first time soon, and I'm very lucky to have an opportunity for some good prices on possible bikes. However, I have a few needs that are a little complicated and are compounded by timing for the release of new models, and I would love some input on how best to approach this!
My commute is:
-24 - 40 miles generally roundtrip (with ability to charge at work)
-VERY hilly
-often raining
I am debating among:
-Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0
-Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 IGH
-REI Co-op CTY e2.2 (new Class 3 version with updated Bosch motor)
Personal factors:
-I am tall and have long legs and am a size XL with Specialized
-I'm an experienced bike commuter on a heavy steel bike and very fit, but I'm getting an eBike to give my legs a break and reduce risk of overtraining as I play a lot of sports and do strength-training, etc. (my bike-commuting days are often on my "rest/active recovery" days)
-I've been renting a Vanmoof S3 for bike-commuting, and while it's a flawed bike, I've been loving having an eBike! Oh God why didn't I look into this years ago!!
Here's the puzzle:
-I will be trying out the REI Co-op CTY e2.2 next week in a Large model. They only had it in Medium for me to try last week, and while I was overall impressed with the bike, of course it's no fun to be so scrunched up when test-riding!!
+ If I got the Large model, I'd have 365 days to return it
-I have also tried a Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0. It was great, and:
+I currently have the chance to buy one for a steal of a price
+I'd have 30 days to return it
-There are no Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 IGH's for me to try out or available online my size right now, BUT:
+Whenever the new models are released, I'd have the chance to buy one at the upper limit of my budget
+While I haven't gotten to test-ride the bike, the idea of a belt drive with lower maintenance--especially given how much rain I bike in!--is very appealing
My brain is telling me to go with the REI Co-op CTY e2.2 for now and then return it once the Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 IGH becomes available, thanks to that ability to return it within 365 days. However, the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 is available to me at a steal of a price... if my heart ultimately pulled me towards that one as my eBike for commuting RIGHT NOW (let's say I found that it handled significantly better than the REI one), would I regret not holding out for the Turbo Vado 5.0 IGH, especially if it might be released within the next few months? By that point, I'd be beyond the return window for the Turbo Vado 4.0. Of course, I could SELL the Turbo Vado 4.0 in the future, but I worry a bit about resale possibility given the XL size.
Gosh, if you've made it this far, THANK YOU! I'm sorry for the brain dump! I appreciate any insights or input you might have.
I tried out the large REI Co-op CTY e2.2 that I bought. REI puts a hold on your credit card so that you can test-ride the bike before taking home. For better or worse, it felt too small! I am 6’2” with a 35-36” inseam. We had that seat post up to the max, and even so, I could immediately tell the bike felt too cramped!
However, I would strongly recommend that others consider the new e2.2. The new Bosch system is fantastic, and the e-bike display can even show navigation!
Hello everyone,
I'm thrilled to be able to get an eBike for commuting for the first time soon, and I'm very lucky to have an opportunity for some good prices on possible bikes. However, I have a few needs that are a little complicated and are compounded by timing for the release of new models, and I would love some input on how best to approach this!
My commute is:
-24 - 40 miles generally roundtrip (with ability to charge at work)
-VERY hilly
-often raining
I am debating among:
-Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0
-Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 IGH
-REI Co-op CTY e2.2 (new Class 3 version with updated Bosch motor)
Personal factors:
-I am tall and have long legs and am a size XL with Specialized
-I'm an experienced bike commuter on a heavy steel bike and very fit, but I'm getting an eBike to give my legs a break and reduce risk of overtraining as I play a lot of sports and do strength-training, etc. (my bike-commuting days are often on my "rest/active recovery" days)
-I've been renting a Vanmoof S3 for bike-commuting, and while it's a flawed bike, I've been loving having an eBike! Oh God why didn't I look into this years ago!!
Here's the puzzle:
-I will be trying out the REI Co-op CTY e2.2 next week in a Large model. They only had it in Medium for me to try last week, and while I was overall impressed with the bike, of course it's no fun to be so scrunched up when test-riding!!
+ If I got the Large model, I'd have 365 days to return it
-I have also tried a Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0. It was great, and:
+I currently have the chance to buy one for a steal of a price
+I'd have 30 days to return it
-There are no Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 IGH's for me to try out or available online my size right now, BUT:
+Whenever the new models are released, I'd have the chance to buy one at the upper limit of my budget
+While I haven't gotten to test-ride the bike, the idea of a belt drive with lower maintenance--especially given how much rain I bike in!--is very appealing
My brain is telling me to go with the REI Co-op CTY e2.2 for now and then return it once the Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 IGH becomes available, thanks to that ability to return it within 365 days. However, the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 is available to me at a steal of a price... if my heart ultimately pulled me towards that one as my eBike for commuting RIGHT NOW (let's say I found that it handled significantly better than the REI one), would I regret not holding out for the Turbo Vado 5.0 IGH, especially if it might be released within the next few months? By that point, I'd be beyond the return window for the Turbo Vado 4.0. Of course, I could SELL the Turbo Vado 4.0 in the future, but I worry a bit about resale possibility given the XL size.
Gosh, if you've made it this far, THANK YOU! I'm sorry for the brain dump! I appreciate any insights or input you might have.
Last edited: