Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)

[2wheelsgood]

Sorry, can't see the total. My mechanic estimated $600-700 parts and labor for similar components. Then he talked me out of it on both performance and maintenance cost grounds.

It was bundled along with a full service and I also had a new chain. I forgot that they put tax on all of that as well.
I cannot show the full bill without personal info here and there.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I forgot that they put tax on all of that as well.

You have a low VAT. Ours is 23%.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

It was bundled along with a full service and I also had a new chain. I forgot that they put tax on all of that as well.
I cannot show the full bill without personal info here and there.

Thanks! Wow, they did a lot for £547. And I thought the 8.5% tax around here was bad!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

And I thought the 8.5% tax around here was bad!

Jeremy, perhaps I will say something obvious, yet... There is no sales tax in Europe. The Value Added Tax is what any end consumer (an individual or a business) has to pay. Only the business can deduct the VAT from the goods or services it bought to produce something more valuable (which is taxed with VAT), hence the tax name. 2wheelsgood got a full invoice with the VAT breakdown. Usually, the VAT is included in the price. So, the price you see on the supermarket shelves or the price in an online store is what you will actually pay. No guessing what tax would be added to the net price.

Not the UK but any EU country transfers the VAT money to the EU treasury, which redistributes the means between the member states. For most of her recent history, Poland was the net beneficiary of such EU funds, which built us the modern infrastructure (even including sewage and water supply in the countryside). Currently, Poland is the net payer of the VAT, same as all rich European countries.

P.S. The VAT can be low, such as 7% (on the construction material or food), depending on the country. I think Germany has the highest VAT rate, 25%.

 

[BioWheel]

Would like to see this setup and frame as the next Vado SL. 50nm motor and 320 battery would be perfect. Maybe everything at about 26lbs or so. Have a wheel sets for mountain and general use and/or road. Ultimate machine.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Would like to see this setup and frame as the next Vado SL. 50nm motor and 320 battery would be perfect. Maybe everything at about 26lbs or so. Have a wheel sets for mountain and general use and/or road. Ultimate machine.


View attachment 203939

Very low stack height there. My back would be in bits!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Would like to see this setup and frame as the next Vado SL.

Nah... What would you need an XC e-bike for? For what purpose?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Very low stack height there. My back would be in bits!

Your back and my marriage. And with that stack height, my neck would also be lawyering up. Otherwise, a dream machine.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Otherwise, a dream machine.

Just demo ride a pedal-only Chisel, Rockhopper or Epic to find it out quite impractical (I think Karl showed an S-Works Epic World Cup).

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Just demo ride a pedal-only Chisel, Rockhopper or Epic to find it out quite impractical (Not sure what model Karl has actually shown).

Maybe so, but I'm fantasizing here on looks alone. And yes, I should know better from applying that approach to women.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I had a fair chance to demo ride an S-Works Epic World Cup (I think it is the one shown by Karl above) but I politely declined the offer and tried a less expensive Epic 8 Expert.

It was the most disappointing demo ride I've ever had. I could ride the Epic a way slower than I would ride my Vado SL with the assist off!

While e-bike such as a Vado SL can be ridden both on paved and unpaved surfaces, Cross Country bikes are for mild off-road only.

 

[BioWheel]

Nah... What would you need an XC e-bike for? For what purpose?

For everything! Even heavy MTB

 

[BioWheel]

I had a fair chance to demo ride an S-Works Epic World Cup (I think it is the one shown by Karl above) but I politely declined the offer and tried a less expensive Epic 8 Expert.

View attachment 203968
It was the most disappointing demo ride I've ever had. I could ride the Epic a way slower than I would ride my Vado SL with the assist off!

While e-bike such as a Vado SL can be ridden both on paved and unpaved surfaces, Cross Country bikes are for mild off-road only.

That model is close but more travel in that rear shock setup. And listening to comments - it's all about my back but I can get a bit more relaxed with slight changes to stem/bar if needed. But to have my current SL be 6 or 7 pounds lighter would be amazing. Of course - the money thing too but I'm retiring in Feb and may need end-all bike - cost be damned. SWorks - Roval - these will be the circles I travel in from now on

 

[Stefan Mikes]

But to have my current SL be 6 or 7 pounds lighter would be amazing.

Well, check the most lightweight Vado SL 2, unequipped and carbon. What was the name? Racing?

I checked with a friend who was a competing XC rider. He clearly told me an XC bike was for easier technical trails but not for paved surfaces or gravel.

 

[Ebikelife72]

I had a fair chance to demo ride an S-Works Epic World Cup (I think it is the one shown by Karl above) but I politely declined the offer and tried a less expensive Epic 8 Expert.

View attachment 203968
It was the most disappointing demo ride I've ever had. I could ride the Epic a way slower than I would ride my Vado SL with the assist off!

While e-bike such as a Vado SL can be ridden both on paved and unpaved surfaces, Cross Country bikes are for mild off-road only.

An Epic or Chisel could make a fantastic on road/gravel bike but would need clearance for a larger chain ring.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

An Epic or Chisel could make a fantastic on road/gravel bike but would need clearance for a larger chain ring.

Trek has made an XC e-bike and the name is e-Caliber.

 

[Ebikelife72]

Trek has made an XC e-bike and the name is e-Caliber.

And?