Specialized Turbo Vado/Como/Tero/Tero X User Club

[TMH]

Time to dig deeper into the Bulls line? You mentioned that there was a reasonable Bulls presence in Poland, and I think that their aesthetic would be pleasing even to your keen eye.

Plus it appears that many of their e-MTBs have a steeply sloping top tube for the easier step-over which you seem to prefer.

(Plus they seem to work quite well on the trails!)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@TMH, Turbo Levo is the Holy Grail for me

 

[sparked]

Hi all my first post here!

I’ve just read this thread in its entirety and have learnt heaps.

Another Australian here and looking for your opinions on this demo Vado. It’s located on the other side of the country so I can’t go see it. It’s been used as a demo and also a hire bike. The shop is located in the Margaret River wine region so some of its 2000 km has been touring wineries! I’ve asked for the amount of charge cycles on it and the actual date of purchase. Specialized AU’s told me it can’t be sold with new bike warranty given it’s a demo - fair enough too, the shop has made income from the bike so it’s hardly just a store demo/floor stock bike. Seller said other than the upgrade to be able to use mission control it’s been very reliable. I’m trying to keep costs down as my other half isn’t onboard with the expense of a brand new one.

Thoughts?

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[Stefan Mikes]

Hello, @sparked!

The number of charge cycles is very important as the new battery (the one sold in Australia, 604 Wh or the largest one) costs AUD1100. If you go for Vado 3.0, you might find the need of buying the large battery justified very soon, for the range reasons.

The bike comes without the excellent mudguards and without the rack. There are no lights, either. I just say a brand new Vado 3.0 sold in Australia has got these features. What is however good is the fact the bike has the new display.

2000 km on the Vado is not very much but you don't know how good the bike was serviced. You might expect the necessity to replace the cassette and the chain, service the hydraulic brakes (pads, mineral oil). You don't know what the condition of the bearings is. Many unknown variables there -- and no warranty. If the motor happens to break, you are confronted with another expense.

Now, it is vital there is an authorised LBS around you. If the nearest Specialized store is several hundred of kilometres from your place, give up the idea of buying a Vado.

Everybody here knows how great fan of the Vado I am, so I'll say something subversive: better shop for a brand new Giant, for example the Explore E+ 4 that sells for AUD3000 in your country. No mudguards, no rack, no lights either and the 400 Wh battery but you're getting a new e-bike with the warranty and the latest motor. There is no display in new Giant e-bikes but you can use your smartphone as a display and it works just fine. It is very important you buy from a brand that supports you locally!

Vado is a fantastic e-bike but it is overpriced, same as all other Specialized e-bikes. Giant offers quality e-bikes that have fewer issues, the prices are attractive and the customer support is often better. (There are several Giant stores in Melbourne).

At least I think so. Our Club members from the Down Under may have another opinion though.

 

[Oberst]

It does seem overpriced for a bike used as a rental. I would expect it has over 100 charge cycles plus was likely kept topped up at full charge for longer periods. A fair value might be 50% new price or, likely, less as you are taking on some risk with many unknowns such as charge cycles, who and how it was ridden.
Keep in mind I am giving you a US perspective and market values for Australia could be very different.

 

[MAPC]

It does seem overpriced for a bike used as a rental. I would expect it has over 100 charge cycles plus was likely kept topped up at full charge for longer periods. A fair value might be 50% new price or, likely, less as you are taking on some risk with many unknowns such as charge cycles, who and how it was ridden.
Keep in mind I am giving you a US perspective and market values for Australia could be very different.

I agree. No more than 50% of new price.

 

[sparked]

Thanks for the comments!

There is not even a handful of used Vados on the market here at the moment, never mind a Small size one.

just reading the comments I’ve pretty much rules it out. The shop selling it is a Specialized dealer and sooo slow to even provide me with any information. I think this one is just too risky.

But I have found an 18 month old used Levo Hardtail It looks like new. It’s local to me. Has all the original receipts and everything. This was another bike I was interested in. I won’t be using it for commuting, it will be purely a fitness/fun bike for me. Figured I could even put smaller gravel type tyres on it if I want too later on.

A new Vado is released tomorrow - so maybe I’ll change my mind!

 

[pmcdonald]

Hi all my first post here!

I’ve just read this thread in its entirety and have learnt heaps.

Another Australian here and looking for your opinions on this demo Vado. It’s located on the other side of the country so I can’t go see it. It’s been used as a demo and also a hire bike. The shop is located in the Margaret River wine region so some of its 2000 km has been touring wineries! I’ve asked for the amount of charge cycles on it and the actual date of purchase. Specialized AU’s told me it can’t be sold with new bike warranty given it’s a demo - fair enough too, the shop has made income from the bike so it’s hardly just a store demo/floor stock bike. Seller said other than the upgrade to be able to use mission control it’s been very reliable. I’m trying to keep costs down as my other half isn’t onboard with the expense of a brand new one.

Thoughts?

Free local classified ads

Find Men's Bicycles ads. Buy and sell almost anything on Gumtree classifieds.

www.gumtree.com.au

Risky. About 18 months ago a bought a used BH Easymotion. It was in mint condition with about 500 km of use over a couple of years and sold by a specialist electric-only LBS. I had the option of it or a budget Bafang-powered mid drive with a bolt on battery. I feel in love with the BH - it had, for want of a better word, sex appeal, much like the Vado. Cue a couple of months ago the Dapu hub motor seized up, no LBS was willing to go near it, the Australia BH dealer had long since gone belly up (they were reputed to be horrible to deal with, anyway), and now I have an $1800 25kg paperweight sitting in the garage. The previous few months of ownership was fraught too with numerous error codes flashing up. Sexy bike, questionable electronics.

You could have a dream run with a beautiful, cut price specimen of a bike that gives you several years of happy biking ahead. Or have an ultimately frustrating run that sours the ebike experience. It's a roll of the dice.

I'd listen to @Stefan Mikes here and pass if it were my money. $2500 gets you almost to a brand new and fully warrantied mid drive, one that doesn't necessarily have to be ugly. Better yet you get to try the frame size and see how it fits. There's no shortage of options in Melbourne to try out.

My shortlist would include the Merida eSpresso, Cube Hybrid One, Lekker Amsterdam (rear hub but Gates belt), Giant Explore.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My shortlist would include the Merida eSpresso, Cube Hybrid One, Lekker Amsterdam (rear hub but Gates belt), Giant Explore.

To my eye, the Lekker Amsterdam looks very nice but I was talking Giant not only because of the mid drive but also because it is a very strong company and the model includes the latest Yamaha motor. Merida has the low-end Shimano motor and I would welcome Gen 4 Bosch motor in the Cube (it is 3rd Gen there).

 

[pmcdonald]

To my eye, the Lekker Amsterdam looks very nice but I was talking Giant not only because of the mid drive but also because it is a very strong company and the model includes the latest Yamaha motor. Merida has the low-end Shimano motor and I would welcome Gen 4 Bosch motor in the Cube (it is 3rd Gen there).

Yes, I saw a commuter on a Lekker ride past the other week. It looked very nice, very discreet. Sounds like @sparked might be after something more cross?

No complaints with my Giant Yamaha motor. It pulls very nicely. Curious how you find your friends Yamaha-powered bike.

The Bosch Active Line could be a nice entry into ebiking. It's economical and reliable at least. Does it come in Gen 4 flavour? Gen 4 Performance motors here in Oz won't leave much change from $4k.

To be honest down here I'd make the case that unless you're hauling heavy loads or regularly attacking steep hills our 25 km/h limit largely neutralises the benefit of the more powerful motors. The 35nm geared hub in my old BH got me to the limit perhaps a couple of beats slower than my 80nm Giant, and both felt they had a lot more to give beyond that oh so artificial cutoff point.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I've just ordered a Giant ebike myself... Headwind vs torque, what do you think P?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

But I have found an 18 month old used Levo Hardtail It looks like new. It’s local to me. Has all the original receipts and everything. This was another bike I was interested in. I won’t be using it for commuting, it will be purely a fitness/fun bike for me. Figured I could even put smaller gravel type tyres on it if I want too later on.

Hmmm. If that's the MY19 then you could take a risk.

 

[pmcdonald]

I've just ordered a Giant ebike myself... Headwind vs torque, what do you think P?

Very interested to hear your opinions of the Giant versus your current rides.

Headwind vs torque? Our city is coastal so most afternoons my commute home is directly into 20 - 40 km/h winds. Neither bike was lacking whatsoever in pushing me through it at the level limit.

The other week I rode out to run an errand into a 65 km/h headwind. That needed full boost and some leg support!

I suspect most bikes on the market have the grunt to deal with headwind at class 1 speeds. Few would have the battery life to do it for extended periods, as your wonderful trip posts recount!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I intend to ride, among others, with my brother, a traditional MTB FS rider. Part of his routes involve easy off-road. My Vado has been setup by me to be a road beast. Hence my e-MTB purchase because I hate even entering the forest or sand with one of my current bikes.

 

[Rando]

I was considering the insurance....it is nice to hear of a positive experience.

As a new Vado 3.0 owner, want to thank all of you for various gems of information!
Not sure if this has been communicated in reference to Veloinsurance, AAA of Northern Massachusetts offers two services a year as part of their annual plan. (i.e. pickup) USAA covers the bike as part of homeowners policy. Main concerns are theft & possible vandalism from this rider.
As a USAA policy holder across home & auto, they are a very good company to work with on loss. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Nxkharra]

I've just ordered a Giant ebike myself... Headwind vs torque, what do you think P?

Three bikes now?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Three bikes now?

That's right, sir!

 

[MAPC]

As a new Vado 3.0 owner, want to thank all of you for various gems of information!
Not sure if this has been communicated in reference to Veloinsurance, AAA of Northern Massachusetts offers two services a year as part of their annual plan. (i.e. pickup) USAA covers the bike as part of homeowners policy. Main concerns are theft & possible vandalism from this rider.
As a USAA policy holder across home & auto, they are a very good company to work with on loss. Just my 2 cents.

I’ll check with my AAA. My insurance company only covers them under homeowners and we have a high deductible so it won’t be covered.

 

[Nxkharra]

That's right, sir!

Are you sure you don’t want this:

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Are you sure you don’t want this:

Absolutely sure I don't want this