The short version: I have no idea.
Longer Version: The automatic aspect is absolutely the best thing to happen to bikes from a riding experience perspective. But could it be that the automatic is responsible for the issues a lot of us are seeing? Honestly? Maybe. I certainly am more aware of users struggling with the 5.0 than other models. But it is impossible to tell without analyzing specialized warranty/support/communication information if there is a correlation there.
In *theory*, the way the automatic works could be putting more stress on other aspects of the bike (and maybe also the hub). In practice, I have no idea if that is true. Typically, on a manual enviolo, how much you can shift and when is limited by pedal power. For example, you can't shift into the highest or lowest gear ratio when stopped. You have to be moving. You also can't shift the entire gear range when stopped, only about 1/3 from where you are and not *all the way* to either end without being in motion. You also can't shift under heavy load. But moderate pedaling works great. These are non-issues in practice. If manually shifting, the enviolo experience is absolutely my favorite (still beats the rohloff on my current bike). Second only to the automatic version.
None of those limits exist on the automatic. The automatic smoothly moves through the entire gear range rapidly based on cadence setting. Now, I experienced enviolo calibration problems, slipping problems and sensor problems on my specialized vado. The sensor problems probably were not related to the IGH in any way (I hope). It took specialized 2 weeks to fix that. They also "fixed" the calibration problems. The slipping problems were never fixed and their answer was to throw parts at the bike. In this case, a new enviolo hub. The problem is, an enviolo hub is not serviceable by *anyone*. And the design is very unlikely to slip unless the hub *is* broken. This leaves parts outside of the hub as the most likely cause of issues. ( and if broken enviolo hubs *is* the issue, they have a QC problem and maybe a design problem around automatiq ).
If I were to take a guess, the automatic allows the user to apply massive torque assisted by the motor during shift changes that would otherwise by highly limited in a manual shift setting. That said, I had a different slipping on a manual enviolo bike. There would be a loud "crack" and the pedals would jump under load on that bike. On the vado, the pedaling got really light like the bike was rapidly switching from the heaviest to the lightest gear instantaneously (which it can't physically do). It would do that on every downstroke of the pedals for an extended period of time. Then the problem would go away. It was very disconcerting.
Both of the above problems could have been due to a problematic free wheel assembly. But if that's the case, then I generated those problems on *3 different enviolo bikes* in very short mileage only one of which was automatic. Not a good track record.
At the end of the day, my biggest problem with the vado IGH (or any IGH) is: We could never identify the source of the issue. This mean there was zero chance of acting preventatively or correcting the problem long term. I *LOVE* the bike. And I hope either the knowledge to address this becomes available or updated versions correct whatever is causing these issues.
I'm with you. But luckily, theft is not a big issue where I am. I would get it in pink and yellow neon stripes if I could.
Sorry that isn't more helpful. I am struggling with the same decision again myself. The experience of the vado IGH, when working, is second to none.
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