Vado 4.0 SL EQ - is mine a lemon?
- Thread starter Spekstrom
- Start date
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Vado SL is to be ridden with a significant rider's input, that is, in lower assistance modes. For instance, a 60+ mile ride in 45/45% assistance is perfectly doable on the internal battery on the flat and in windless conditions. The range starts considerably dropping above 60/60% assistance, which is normal, as the air drag related to faster riding starts taking its toll.
Riding in Turbo on any e-bike reduces the range very much. For instance, I could ride for only 27 miles on my Vado 5.0 with the 600 W battery in Turbo, and the ride time was one-and-half hour despite almost twice as big a battery as in Vado SL. Only the ride was faster.
I advise against riding in Turbo (unless it is an emergency situation). If you need to ride with higher assistance (such as Sport), consider buying a Range Extender or more of them.
Riding in Turbo on any e-bike reduces the range very much. For instance, I could ride for only 27 miles on my Vado 5.0 with the 600 W battery in Turbo, and the ride time was one-and-half hour despite almost twice as big a battery as in Vado SL. Only the ride was faster.
I advise against riding in Turbo (unless it is an emergency situation). If you need to ride with higher assistance (such as Sport), consider buying a Range Extender or more of them.
Sefutau2020
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northern VA
I used to own a Vado SL and sold it so that I could purchase the full power Vado 4. The SL gave me about 70 miles in ECO, and roughly 35 miles in Sport. I would surmise I could have gotten 20 in Turbo, but never tested it. Even though the Vado 4 is heavier, it is just a stronger machine, and it doesn't feel heavy riding it. I have no regrets upgrading at all...both bikes are great.
The SL series is best suited for riders that have been riding traditional road bikes. They are meant to be primarily powered more by the rider than by the motor. They have a wider range of gears allowing less boost to be used when riding hills. Not to say you have to be that type of rider, but it will have as shorter range if you want to have bike do most of the work.
It is the perfect bike for me, having been an active rider for 45 years. I ride in eco mode 99% of the time, which I have set to 20%/40%. I get 100 plus miles on a charge. My rides are typically 34 miles with 2,500 get off climbing. I'm 74 years old. With my eco mode set as above it requires about the same effort as my regular road bike. I prefer it to my regular bike for the upright position, wider tires(softer ride), rack with bag to carry things, fenders, kickstand and the ability to continue riding into my 80's as I age. Currently I keep the boost low to be the same as my other bike so that if I ever up doing a hard ride that is not appropriate for e-bike, such as a club ride, I don't get dropped riding my regular bike.
If you want a bike that provides more of the power than you, this is probably the wrong bike (unless you always do short rides). Just my 2 cents.
It is the perfect bike for me, having been an active rider for 45 years. I ride in eco mode 99% of the time, which I have set to 20%/40%. I get 100 plus miles on a charge. My rides are typically 34 miles with 2,500 get off climbing. I'm 74 years old. With my eco mode set as above it requires about the same effort as my regular road bike. I prefer it to my regular bike for the upright position, wider tires(softer ride), rack with bag to carry things, fenders, kickstand and the ability to continue riding into my 80's as I age. Currently I keep the boost low to be the same as my other bike so that if I ever up doing a hard ride that is not appropriate for e-bike, such as a club ride, I don't get dropped riding my regular bike.
If you want a bike that provides more of the power than you, this is probably the wrong bike (unless you always do short rides). Just my 2 cents.
Last edited:
Similar threads
