Used or new < 2k$ ?

[metalo77]

Hello

I am looking for an e-bike, mainly for commuting (3 to 6mi one way, mostly flat, one portion above a highway with lots of trafic), grocery shopping, etc…
After giving it some thoughts, I am between a new Aventon Level2 and a used Specialized Vado 3.0.

I otherwise Mountain Bike but want to keep it non-assisted there.

What I think is important:
- Torque sensor
- Integrated lights for night riding
- hydraulic brakes
- decent drivetrain

I keep reading that the Vado’s pedaling feels incredible. Is it that different from the Level2? I know you are going to advise to test them, but they are very hard to find in my area. I was thinking about buying the Level2 at a LBS with a good return policy in case I don’t like it.

Any thoughts or bikes I could have missed?

Thanks!

 

[metalo77]

Cool ride! I thought about getting a Levo to go to work, but… as you said: overkill
Also trying to stay within the 2k$ budget.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

If you can find a used Vado in good nick, worth checking the Spesh site for warranty info as I think they can transfer the the warranty to you, even if not original owner. The motor & electrical parts warranty is 2 years so probably out of date with used bikes but frame and forks are lifetime I think.

 

[tomjasz]

I am between a new Aventon Level2 and a used Specialized Vado 3.0.

The Aventon may be a better choice for owner access to repair parts. Pretty impressIve bike as configured and priced. IME used batteries are a coin toss. Regardless of branding.

 

[AHicks]

Hello

I am looking for an e-bike, mainly for commuting (3 to 6mi one way, mostly flat, one portion above a highway with lots of trafic), grocery shopping, etc…
After giving it some thoughts, I am between a new Aventon Level2 and a used Specialized Vado 3.0.

If I were allowed to vote-
Easy call here for me. No throttle would be a deal breaker....
Proprietary parts would be another.....

 

[PedalUma]

Proprietary parts

That is the deal killer for me. It is like the printer that only works with the brand name cartridge and is programed to stop working so you need to then buy a new one. Specialized is a hardball company. In the thread 'Is Smoking Vados Addictive,' one person quoted the 'It is you, but more" slogan. That was funny. This is what a bike can look like after a conversion. It is a 750 mid with a 504Wh bat.

 

[metalo77]

Cool, thanks! So what I hear is:
Go with the Aventon Level2.
But I also hear: maybe a conversion is the best way to go? I don’t know anything about conversion. Where should I start?
Can I get a torque sensor? TBH I have dismissed it in the past because I am afraid it will not be a trustworthy option…

 

[PedalUma]

A Level2 is the sure bet. Conversions take a lot of effort. This is particularly true of clean ones. That one is zip tie free. You would need to source components and tool up. That red one has a duel clutch motor with 90Nm of torque. The pedals work like the accelerator on a Tesla. Slightly increase pedal pressure and zoom.

 

[metalo77]

To be honest I like a good challenge! Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll check out conversions to see if they could be a good fit.

 

[PDoz]

If you discover conversions are more trouble than you are prepared for, keep in mind specialized provide a transferable and rolling warranty on the motor. So if you find a levo that's had the motor replaced recently the motor has 2 years warranty . That resets every time you kill the motor. It shouldn't be hard for a mtb rider to kill the brose every couple of years....Just don't kill the warranty by derestricting the bike.

In the unlikely event you fail to kill the brose within it's 2 year warranty, they are repairable AND upgrades are available to make them more reliable https://www.ebikemotorcentre.com/brose-motor-upgrade-service/

Or if that is too much trouble, you can buy a fresh motor and start another 2 years of warranty claims.

I sometimes wonder if karma exists....the6 could bury the brose engineering team in their own ewaste

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A Vado 3.0 would be a very good choice if the readout of the battery recharges (reported in the owner's Mission Control app) were under 100.

@PDoz: You think of Levo, and you think of very hard use of that e-MTB on technical trails. The OP says "short commute" and he says "Vado". I have ridden my Vado 5.0 for over 13,000 km with no issues. You also say "do not derestrict". An American does not need to derestrict their Class 3 e-bike (neither do I with my 45 km/h Vado).

Yes, the Vado riding experience is incredible. Vado vs. Aventon is like the first vs. third world

 

[metalo77]

Ok, I looked at conversion... and I think I prefer the look of integrated batteries.
So, now: if I find a good used Vado, I'll do that. Otherwise, I'll go Level2.
I will try to figure out a way to test-ride them.

 

[AHicks]

Yes, the Vado riding experience is incredible. Vado vs. Aventon is like the first vs. third world

With the Vado being 3rd world for those demanding a throttle.....

 

[tomjasz]

Remember Mikes doesn’t no poop from shoe polish.

 

[CodyDog]

" I am between a new Aventon Level2 and a used Specialized Vado 3.0."

Food thought though... A new Vado is a much better bike than New Aventon Level2.

 

[metalo77]

So, I ended up test riding the Vado and Vado SL… they are both fantastic in terms of pedaling. But then I purchased a Level 2.
The Level 2 is definitely not up to the Vado, like not even close.
The Vado is smooth, you don’t really feel like there is a motor, you are just much faster. Everything is super responsive. It’s a joy. But… it’s almost twice as expensive as a Level 2 (got it at Sport Basement with 10% off).
The Level2 feels a bit heavier to ride and it’s definitely not as smooth. I would actually even say it’s not really smooth.
But its price point is unbeatable and it will work like a charm for my use.
So overall happy with the "reasonable" purchase. I would rather use the money diff to upgrade my MTB

 

[Rexlion]

Glad you found something that works for you! We all (well, most of us anyway) have to prioritize our wants and needs based on our ability to pay.

 

[AHicks]

Congrats on the new bike! Now go ride the hell out of it....