Stefan, I know you have a Vado 5/6 and now the SL.
Guru, very interesting questions.
I initially a year ago test rode the SL (4.0) and was not too impressed. It felt kinda cheap and I had conveyed that in these forums. Compared to a Vado 5 which I ultimately did get, the comparison is similar to driving a luxury Mercedes or BMW and a VW Golf (Polo). Although each has its merits one feels different from the other.
That must be a personal thing. For me, both Vado and Vado SL are elegant and wonderfully designed e-bikes. Vado SL gives the impression it was even better designed and feels somewhat more modern than the full Vado. Both e-bikes serve quite different purposes (as for me). "Big" Vado is a long range, fast, strong and effortless machine that has never let me down. The major downside? The weight. Also, full Vado doesn't give me enough workout. Suffice to say, my own pedalling contribution for the Vado 5/6 is around 30% only (if I want to ride comfortably). Yet, I can ride it for even 140 km in a group of younger & stronger cyclist who cruise at 30 km/h; I just need a spare battery for doing that. And... I could only make my Imperial Century on the big Vado.
Vado SL couldn't be my only e-bike. Yet, it has become my
everyday e-bike. In case I need to set off for any ride, I just put my backpack and helmet on, take the SL in my hand, carry it three flights downstairs and am just riding. Vado SL feels like an ordinary e-bike I used to ride when I was young. (If I plan a longer ride of undefined and unpredictable length, I additionally mount the Range Extender).
My question is now that I've reached the point where I can comfortably do 20-35 miles a day somewhat effortlessly on the Vado 5, and most times in ECO averaging 45-55% remaining on the battery do you think I'll be challenged or disappointed with a 5.0 SL EQ?
You might be. It is because Vado SL (as a fitness e-bike) is more demanding and slower. My typical contribution to pedalling is now 50% or even more. The amount of calories burnt with the SL is terrific! I may fancy riding for 100 km. As long I'm not in hurry, the weather is fine, I just ride, ride, and ride, enjoying the life. And I have never returned on flat battery (+RE) even if I tried. Yet, the SL is made for healthy people, and I am not one. When I return from any longer SL ride, I'm pleasantly tired, which almost never happens with the big Vado.
If you are not ready to enjoy the life and pedal at slower speed, Vado SL is not for you.
My biggest concern has always been 'range anxiety, and even though I did get a 2nd battery and made a special carrier, I never ever have had to use it.
The extender for the SL is a minimal contribution to the maximum range (my opinion), but again, I defer to your opinion.
The Range Extender is indeed a life saver, and it brings huge contribution to the range. Let me describe my latest experience.
I was planning to go on a solo metric century. If that happened, I would be happily pedalling at low speed until the ride were completed. Yet, I took the risk of riding with an extremely fit female friend of mine. I told her we would be riding quite slowly, and she agreed to that, following me on her traditional Haibike for almost all the trip. To not to disappoint her too much, I set 55% Vado SL assistance, which is exactly 30% of Vado 5/6 support level. We pedalled for 116 km, with the remaining main battery + Range Extender range good for only 4 km more. Of course, I returned very tired, with 1700 kcal burnt. Now: I burned the same amount of calories on my 168 km trip with the big Vado (two batteries). It should tell you the story.
I only ask because you seem to favor the SL and if you had to choose which one would you keep and which one would you give up (if you had to).
If I had to, I would give up the SL (but with a big regret). The SL is such a lovely e-bike!
Because I put the Kinekt suspension seat post and stem it helps tremendously to absorb the miserable roads here in NJ and my past experience with a carbon fork (which is what is on the SL 5.0 EQ) on a Trek Allant 9 left my hands numb.
I think I saw in these forums someone retrofitted the SL with a Kinekt suspension stem and that might make the difference.
I have never ridden a carbon fibre fork but Vado SL 5.0 also has the Future Shock feature, which is praised by the owners. I went another way: bought Vado SL 4.0 EQ and installed Redfshift ShockStop stem front, and Redshift ShockStop seat-post rear. The biggest bang for the buck! The SL rides have become improbably smooth!
Additionally, I had put the Como handlebars which also helped the comfort level.
Bear in mind, curved handlebars do not work well with suspension stems (it has to be either a straight or drop bar to work properly).
I was not too impressed with the Baramind handlebars.
Not my experience. For specific technical reasons, I cannot replace the stem of my Vado 5/6. After reinstalling the Baramind handlebars properly, I have found them almost as good as the Redshift stem; especially as bigger Vado tyres add to the cushioning effect.
Just kicking it around and thought your experience might guide me.
Here you are!