Kris Mason
Member
- Region
- Australia
Hi Everyone,
Nice to meet you I am new to ebikes and exploring I’ve gone from $3k to $4k and now nearly $6k AUD whilst exploring models! Eeek. Now I’m getting cold feet. I’ve been reading lots, watching lots and reading heaps on here.
I rode a Merida heavier and more classic ebike style commuter (it was a hit dorky) it wasn’t for me, I rode a Orbea Vibe which I liked but it was one of the first ebikes I’d ridden so it was a great experience but I wondered what else is out there? It was also at 4K+ but when you added genuine Orbea rack and mud guards genuine it was 6 which puts it into completion with Specilaized.
A serious rider I know highly recommended specialized to me so here we are! And then another colleague has just bought the new 2022 Vado SL 4 EQ and has not yet had it long but is happy. I’ve also looked (online only) at Lekker but have concerns about buying a non big brand bike and at about 5k for a envolio GT Amsterdam.
I have a 12 year old Giant hybrid no suspension and disc brakes that cost $600-$700 about 12 years ago! Which still remarkably rides well. So why am I after an ebike?
I have a very young kid so looking at an ebike to reduce commute time as she goes to bed earlier (ride is approx 18kms) and to improve my fitness (in time that I currently spend to and from station and on train) I’m on the heavier side and keen to improve my health I’m in my late 30s, my commute now can vary but takes 45-55 mins each way on average.
I test rode this commute for the first time on my normal bike over the weekend and it was 2 hours and 15 mins round trip given I wasn’t always 100% sure where I was going (navigating) we rode 37kms.
My ride only has hills of any significance for the last 1km which are OK on a non ebike but would be a breeze I’m sure on any bike. Of course a push along with wind etc would always be nice - it’s cold, wet and dark here in the autumn/winter period.
Otherwise the ride is along loose gravel and through side tracks (poorly lit and sometimes narrow) for probably the first 8kms and then onto a normal bike path in Melbourne Australia beside a freeway for the last 10 which chops and changes a bit. On the ride we did our best to battle the traffic on the bike path and avoid roads (not keen don’t tray trucks, buses etc).
My questions are
- am I over committing is a 6k bike worth it? Will it really shave that much time of my commute ride or should I just try some rides (probably one way to start) on my normal bike to get a feel for it all and build up my fitness (probably the wrong forum to ask this on)!
- I have concerns about it getting stolen I’ve reached out to my insurance to see if they’ll cover it - it’s hard because I can keep it secure at work/home but may be to scared to ride it elsewhere
- should I be looking at more powerful bikes? That are bigger and heavier? I like the guards, and think I’ll use the rack for a pannier
- I have a Thule ride along like this one https://www.99bikes.com.au/baby-seat-thule-ridealong-dark-grey - I would love to throw my daughter in this from time to time but not sure if it will work with the rack being where it is?
- the bike is really unchanged from the 2020 model compared to the 2022 from what I can see - I reached out to Specilaized about the bike not having any security features that other bikes they have 3 years on they replied with “Our SL range of bikes are still in their first generation of the system. This new Mastmind TCU came along with the new generation 3 Levo bikes. As the SL range has not moved towards the second generation of the design yet, it still is using parts designed for the generation 1 system.” The said the only ones with security are “ The TCU 2 or also known as Mastermind TCU is our new display designed for our newer generation of turbo bikes that has a screen and a lot more built-in features.” When I asked about a firmware upgrade to get the security “This would require a new TCU unit to be developed, as well as firmware to make the new Mastermind TCU work with these bikes that utilise the first generation TCU.” Are they developing this bike series, Or is just that good they are content? I’d of thought a 6k bike would have some security but guess the extra weight of the other control system must be a deal breaker?
The tips I’ve had from another friend is buy a known brand (warranty, parts supply, serviceability) and from a shop near home so you can easily get it there if somethings up - which should be less of an issue with this bike.
I went to on bike shop and rode the bike (they had it built) tried the medium and large and it rode great - but I’m still worried I don’t know what I don’t know (what else is out there) they didn’t have any of the Vado 3.0 available to try. (It’s close to work) they were very friendly.
Another bike much closer to home has one in stock in a box. But today I’ve come across a shop who will soon no longer be a specialized dealer with one they expect will arrive tomorrow for $5600 (5%ish off) where the other shops say they each only have one and they are impossible to get buy quickly… I don’t want to rush and regret - are there other bikes I should be looking at? I’m worried I’m perhaps rushing into it due to the lack of supply which we all know about (thanks Covid) but at this time of year (cold wet dark) and this price point they aren’t flying off the shelves!
I like that the bike didn’t “fall of a wall” when I hit 25kms and just kept on - gearing felt great - my wife and I often say pay a bit more, go without other things and have something of quality.
If you’ve made it this far - thanks a million.
Thanks (please help)
Kris
Nice to meet you I am new to ebikes and exploring I’ve gone from $3k to $4k and now nearly $6k AUD whilst exploring models! Eeek. Now I’m getting cold feet. I’ve been reading lots, watching lots and reading heaps on here.
I rode a Merida heavier and more classic ebike style commuter (it was a hit dorky) it wasn’t for me, I rode a Orbea Vibe which I liked but it was one of the first ebikes I’d ridden so it was a great experience but I wondered what else is out there? It was also at 4K+ but when you added genuine Orbea rack and mud guards genuine it was 6 which puts it into completion with Specilaized.
A serious rider I know highly recommended specialized to me so here we are! And then another colleague has just bought the new 2022 Vado SL 4 EQ and has not yet had it long but is happy. I’ve also looked (online only) at Lekker but have concerns about buying a non big brand bike and at about 5k for a envolio GT Amsterdam.
I have a 12 year old Giant hybrid no suspension and disc brakes that cost $600-$700 about 12 years ago! Which still remarkably rides well. So why am I after an ebike?
I have a very young kid so looking at an ebike to reduce commute time as she goes to bed earlier (ride is approx 18kms) and to improve my fitness (in time that I currently spend to and from station and on train) I’m on the heavier side and keen to improve my health I’m in my late 30s, my commute now can vary but takes 45-55 mins each way on average.
I test rode this commute for the first time on my normal bike over the weekend and it was 2 hours and 15 mins round trip given I wasn’t always 100% sure where I was going (navigating) we rode 37kms.
My ride only has hills of any significance for the last 1km which are OK on a non ebike but would be a breeze I’m sure on any bike. Of course a push along with wind etc would always be nice - it’s cold, wet and dark here in the autumn/winter period.
Otherwise the ride is along loose gravel and through side tracks (poorly lit and sometimes narrow) for probably the first 8kms and then onto a normal bike path in Melbourne Australia beside a freeway for the last 10 which chops and changes a bit. On the ride we did our best to battle the traffic on the bike path and avoid roads (not keen don’t tray trucks, buses etc).
My questions are
- am I over committing is a 6k bike worth it? Will it really shave that much time of my commute ride or should I just try some rides (probably one way to start) on my normal bike to get a feel for it all and build up my fitness (probably the wrong forum to ask this on)!
- I have concerns about it getting stolen I’ve reached out to my insurance to see if they’ll cover it - it’s hard because I can keep it secure at work/home but may be to scared to ride it elsewhere
- should I be looking at more powerful bikes? That are bigger and heavier? I like the guards, and think I’ll use the rack for a pannier
- I have a Thule ride along like this one https://www.99bikes.com.au/baby-seat-thule-ridealong-dark-grey - I would love to throw my daughter in this from time to time but not sure if it will work with the rack being where it is?
- the bike is really unchanged from the 2020 model compared to the 2022 from what I can see - I reached out to Specilaized about the bike not having any security features that other bikes they have 3 years on they replied with “Our SL range of bikes are still in their first generation of the system. This new Mastmind TCU came along with the new generation 3 Levo bikes. As the SL range has not moved towards the second generation of the design yet, it still is using parts designed for the generation 1 system.” The said the only ones with security are “ The TCU 2 or also known as Mastermind TCU is our new display designed for our newer generation of turbo bikes that has a screen and a lot more built-in features.” When I asked about a firmware upgrade to get the security “This would require a new TCU unit to be developed, as well as firmware to make the new Mastermind TCU work with these bikes that utilise the first generation TCU.” Are they developing this bike series, Or is just that good they are content? I’d of thought a 6k bike would have some security but guess the extra weight of the other control system must be a deal breaker?
The tips I’ve had from another friend is buy a known brand (warranty, parts supply, serviceability) and from a shop near home so you can easily get it there if somethings up - which should be less of an issue with this bike.
I went to on bike shop and rode the bike (they had it built) tried the medium and large and it rode great - but I’m still worried I don’t know what I don’t know (what else is out there) they didn’t have any of the Vado 3.0 available to try. (It’s close to work) they were very friendly.
Another bike much closer to home has one in stock in a box. But today I’ve come across a shop who will soon no longer be a specialized dealer with one they expect will arrive tomorrow for $5600 (5%ish off) where the other shops say they each only have one and they are impossible to get buy quickly… I don’t want to rush and regret - are there other bikes I should be looking at? I’m worried I’m perhaps rushing into it due to the lack of supply which we all know about (thanks Covid) but at this time of year (cold wet dark) and this price point they aren’t flying off the shelves!
I like that the bike didn’t “fall of a wall” when I hit 25kms and just kept on - gearing felt great - my wife and I often say pay a bit more, go without other things and have something of quality.
If you’ve made it this far - thanks a million.
Thanks (please help)
Kris
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