Vado 5 vs Super Commuter+ 8S vs BMC Alpenchallenge

[tekwondo]

I am researching and testing the bike to purchase and have tried these 3. I first tried Super Commuter 8S and this is very respectable bike, lot of power, very fast.

I then tried Vado 5 and this was the smoothest ebike I have ever tried. This one was butter to ride. Power delivery was smooth, its fast, good when you get to top speed. All around I loved it. Even break wine didn't take away from positive experience. Sales guy at the shop also noted that there are reliability issues with Vado. Sigh.

BMC Alpenchallenge was really nimble due to such low weight, it felt just like standard bicycle but with little extra power. This one was fun. But, I feel its under powered for hilly areas. The Alpenchallenge limited editions have more torque and its really noticeable but drag at in both versions at 20mph really stinks and I feel like price was too high for limited edition, at this price this should have been Class 3. If BMC had Class 3 at close to this weight it would be hard bike not to buy.

Back to Vado 5, I really liked the bike but all the issues I'm reading here about the motor are giving me a huge pause. I really don't need a project or aggravation and time wasting in shop.

Are Bosch and Shimano motors that much more reliable?

 

[lloydt]

I agree with you. I rode all the e-bikes I could find (bosch, shimano, Yamaha motors). There is nothing like the Brose motor (used by specialized). It is so much smoother and has so much more torque.

I'm 900 miles into my Vado and recently 200 miles into my Levo with no problems.

If you it locally and your bike shop should fix anything that goes wrong (if it something happens). I don't see anyone complaining here that they couldn't get a problem fixed.

IMO, buy the bike you love.