Newbie from Buckinghamshire UK
- Thread starter Clive58
- Start date
Envious! Capped to 15 here! Voids warranty if you deregulate!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Not quite correct, @Clive58. The European law reads too:
L1e-B “mopeds” are defined as vehicles with a maximum design speed of more than 25 km/h and up to 45 km/h and a maximum continuous rated power of in between 1000 W and 4000 W.
This definition is also valid for the UK:
The L1e-B category is subject to a maximum design vehicle speed of 45 km/h and a maximum continuous rated power of 4000W. In the UK, an electric bike over 250W is legally classified as a moped if it is to be ridden on the road. Mopeds must be 'type approved'*, registered, taxed, insured and have an MOT.
I can tell you I heard the rule of wearing the motorcycle helmet on the L1e-B in the UK at the Electric Mountain Bike Network channel on YouTube, EMBN is made by British guys. Here's a perfect reading for you:
ebiketips.road.cc
Having said all above: I own the Vado 5.0. I have "type approved"*, registered** and insured*** the bike so I should know better
I only need to wear a regular cycle helmet in Poland, but the MOT has to be done 3 years after the registration date.
-----------------
*) A lot of pain even if Vado 5.0 comes with Vehicle Identification Number and European Certificate of Conformity
**) Even more pain. I was thrown out of the Vehicle Registration Office and came back with more solid papers the next time. I did all my best to avoid the officer who denied registration at the first time. (The Specialized dealer was smarter the second time; he even provided a document the company was a Specialized Authorized Centre having the right to sell Turbo Vado 5.0)
***) The agent had to ask the head office for a permission to register the "electric moped" even if I came with the temporary registration document.
L1e-B “mopeds” are defined as vehicles with a maximum design speed of more than 25 km/h and up to 45 km/h and a maximum continuous rated power of in between 1000 W and 4000 W.
This definition is also valid for the UK:
The L1e-B category is subject to a maximum design vehicle speed of 45 km/h and a maximum continuous rated power of 4000W. In the UK, an electric bike over 250W is legally classified as a moped if it is to be ridden on the road. Mopeds must be 'type approved'*, registered, taxed, insured and have an MOT.
I can tell you I heard the rule of wearing the motorcycle helmet on the L1e-B in the UK at the Electric Mountain Bike Network channel on YouTube, EMBN is made by British guys. Here's a perfect reading for you:
Buying and riding an S-pedelec in the UK
You know how motorists are always banging on about how cyclists “don’t pay road tax”? Well check out what I’ve been riding. My bike has a number plate and everything. Welcome to the confusing world of speed pedelecs in the UK. I was contacted by Dan Jones, the UK sales manager for Riese und...
Having said all above: I own the Vado 5.0. I have "type approved"*, registered** and insured*** the bike so I should know better
I only need to wear a regular cycle helmet in Poland, but the MOT has to be done 3 years after the registration date.-----------------
*) A lot of pain even if Vado 5.0 comes with Vehicle Identification Number and European Certificate of Conformity
**) Even more pain. I was thrown out of the Vehicle Registration Office and came back with more solid papers the next time. I did all my best to avoid the officer who denied registration at the first time. (The Specialized dealer was smarter the second time; he even provided a document the company was a Specialized Authorized Centre having the right to sell Turbo Vado 5.0)
***) The agent had to ask the head office for a permission to register the "electric moped" even if I came with the temporary registration document.
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Well... what if you found out Vado 5.0 had a support for the registration plate that is lit at night? The support that cannot be easily removed? A bike with the lights always on and a horn instead of a bell? 
I think a policeman might notice that and if not the cop, other cyclist might have spotted that...
Strange thing: Why Vado 5.0 is not advertised at the British Specialized web site?!
I think a policeman might notice that and if not the cop, other cyclist might have spotted that...Strange thing: Why Vado 5.0 is not advertised at the British Specialized web site?!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Clive,
I'm pretty sure the European version of Vado 4.0 is the 15 mph restricted one. All Turbo Vados are of Swiss design and Specialized are deadly serious about the law. If no number plate, no permanent lighting etc, then it is just an EPAC (Electrically Power Assisted Cycle), not the S-Pedelec. From the 2020 Turbo Vado/Como User Manual:
If your VADO/COMO is classified as a Pedelec, your motor support will automatically switch off when you reach a maximum speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph) or 20/28 mph depending on the country.
I think Specialized do not want to struggle with S-Pedelecs for the UK market. Too low sales? Lack of Certificate of Conformity? Only guessing.
Specialized only sell through Authorized Dealers. Why don't you call any of these stores to confirm. As you can see, there is "Out of Stock" for Vado 4.0. You might determine availability and facts by calling a dealer.
I'm pretty sure the European version of Vado 4.0 is the 15 mph restricted one. All Turbo Vados are of Swiss design and Specialized are deadly serious about the law. If no number plate, no permanent lighting etc, then it is just an EPAC (Electrically Power Assisted Cycle), not the S-Pedelec. From the 2020 Turbo Vado/Como User Manual:
If your VADO/COMO is classified as a Pedelec, your motor support will automatically switch off when you reach a maximum speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph) or 20/28 mph depending on the country.
I think Specialized do not want to struggle with S-Pedelecs for the UK market. Too low sales? Lack of Certificate of Conformity? Only guessing.
Specialized only sell through Authorized Dealers. Why don't you call any of these stores to confirm. As you can see, there is "Out of Stock" for Vado 4.0. You might determine availability and facts by calling a dealer.
| 1. | SPECIALIZED CONCEPT STORE - RUISLIP 47-49 HIGH STREET RUISLIP, HA4 7BD 01895 623333 Http://Www.Specializedconceptstore.Co.Uk/Ruislip-Store | STORE HOURS
| OUT OF STOCK | 7.1 MILES AWAY Get Directions | |
| 2. | CYCLES UK 484 ST ALBANS ROAD WATFORD, WD24 6QU 01923 243707 Http://Www.Cyclesuk.Com | STORE HOURS | OUT OF STOCK | 7.9 MILES AWAY Get Directions | |
| 3. | STOWS 72 HIGH STREET WEST SLOUGH, SL1 1EL 01753 520528 Http://Www.Stows.Co.Uk | STORE HOURS | OUT OF STOCK | 8.5 MILES AWAY Get Directions | |
| 4. | EVANS CYCLES (MAIDENHEAD) 7, BISHOP CENTRE, BATH RD, TAPLOW, TAPLOW MAIDENHEAD, SL6 0NY 01628 722300 | STORE HOURS
| OUT OF STOCK | 8.9 MILES AWAY Get Directions | |
| 5. | CYCLE SURGERY - HEMEL HEMPSTEAD ST ALBANS HILL HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, HP3 9NH 01442 508123 |
| The 2020 UK line up are the 3.0 a 4.0 with the main difference being a bigger battery for longer distance. There are a few older models around. I think the main reason for this is the UK classification and that it is classed as an e-cycle. Accordingly Specialized will not garner sales in any other area so it’s fit for purpose! Looking through the specifications apart from the battery they’re the same. There are of course frame variances. | , |
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Oh, these two model differ in specifications more than you think, especially by more expensive components for the 4.0. That justifies the GBP500 higher price of 4.0.
- Drive-train
- Brakes
- Axles
- Fork
- Motor (1.2 vs 1.2e)
- Battery
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