Vado SL 2 Alloy version released

M

mfgrep

Well-Known Member
Region
USA
www.specialized.com

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0

Nothing delivers more power, speed, and range at such lightweight than Turbo Vado SL 2. It’s a high-performance machine carefully engineered to make fit...
www.specialized.com www.specialized.com

I was anticipating this release. It looks pretty good. I must say....I really appreciate my 35lb original Vado SL 4.0.
This latest iteration adds about 10 lbs which causes me to seriously question the "SL" portion of its name.
I fully realize that I sound like a broken record after making this same comment upon the release of the SL 2 Carbon.
The added weight just doesn't make sense to me.

I know that many need/want extended range...or they THINK that they need/want extended range. And more certainly the added range makes for excellent marketing.
My entire reasoning for purchasing my original Vado SL was its analog-like and lightweight nature. "Range" might have been causing me anxiety during my shopping but in real-life range has NEVER been an issue on a super lightweight ebike like the original SL. Now with the added 10lbs on this new iteration.....range is more of an issue.

Surely Spesh knows better than I do. But I had hoped that the low-power and lightweight e-bike segment would entice more riders. I guess not. Riders want more more more. More power. More range etc. This means more weight.

If my SL were stolen I would certainly given this new model a good hard look.....but for my specific use(s) I am not salivating for a trade-in. I guess I can be thankful for that.
 
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Someone (Ras Cnoic?) has explained to me the matter might be related to the government subsidies for e-bikes. When I announced the Vado SL 2 Alloy premiere on my Facebook, a friend has become vividly interested with buying that e-bike for his wife, and he mentioned the subsidy. So there must be something about that. (There must be a market for potential buyers who would benefit from the e-bike subsidy).

As for myself, I like the Vado SL 2. My current stable of e-bikes is:
  1. Vado 6.0: 26.4 kg, 520 W peak power, 85 Nm, 600 Wh battery (the original capacity), no Range Extender, 47-50 mm tyres
  2. Vado SL 1 4.0: 17 kg, 240 W peak power, 35 Nm, 320 Wh battery, 160 Wh Range Extenders, 38-42 mm tyres.
Now, Vado SL 2 (CF or Alloy) is: 18-20 kg, 320 W peak power, 50 Nm, 520 Wh battery, 160 Wh Range Extenders, 47 mm tyres.

For me, the Vado SL 2 is the best of both worlds and could easily replace both my e-bikes, reducing space requirement and maintenance costs...
 
Stefan Mikes said:
Someone (Ras Cnoic?) has explained to me the matter might be related to the government subsidies for e-bikes. When I announced the Vado SL 2 Alloy premiere on my Facebook, a friend has become vividly interested with buying that e-bike for his wife, and he mentioned the subsidy. So there must be something about that. (There must be a market for potential buyers who would benefit from the e-bike subsidy).

As for myself, I like the Vado SL 2. My current stable of e-bikes is:
  1. Vado 6.0: 26.4 kg, 520 W peak power, 85 Nm, 600 Wh battery (the original capacity), no Range Extender, 47-50 mm tyres
  2. Vado SL 1 4.0: 17 kg, 240 W peak power, 35 Nm, 320 Wh battery, 160 Wh Range Extenders, 38-42 mm tyres.
Now, Vado SL 2 (CF or Alloy) is: 18-20 kg, 320 W peak power, 50 Nm, 520 Wh battery, 160 Wh Range Extenders, 47 mm tyres.

For me, the Vado SL 2 is the best of both worlds and could easily replace both my e-bikes, reducing space requirement and maintenance costs...
Click to expand...
Hey Stefan...long time....hope you are doing well!

I can understand the 'best of both worlds' argument in your case. I know that the SL 1 lacked range for your purposes....which indicates to me that you might welcome a bit of extra weight for the benefit of longer battery life and/or more power. I also believe that your use-case scenario is likely more common among buyers when compared to my scenario.

I'd rather give up 25% of my battery life/range for another 5lb weight reduction. For me the SL 1 had sufficient power, plenty of battery/range, and thus hit that sweet spot for me. I can ride it with or without motor power without sacrificing....which translates to virtually NEVER having range anxiety.
 
mfgrep said:
I just cannot get used to the flats. I'm too old for such a change.

I've been skiing for 45 years and my friends say 'you should try snowboarding'. Same answer. Nope.
Click to expand...
Did you mean "drops"?
Well, I could. There is something that made me aware why I was not happy on my Creo 1 demo ride: the bar width was wrong for my arms. If I ever went shopping for a drop bar e-bike, I would analyze the geometry very carefully!
 
Stefan Mikes said:
Someone (Ras Cnoic?) has explained to me the matter might be related to the government subsidies for e-bikes. When I announced the Vado SL 2 Alloy premiere on my Facebook, a friend has become vividly interested with buying that e-bike for his wife, and he mentioned the subsidy. So there must be something about that. (There must be a market for potential buyers who would benefit from the e-bike subsidy).

As for myself, I like the Vado SL 2. My current stable of e-bikes is:
  1. Vado 6.0: 26.4 kg, 520 W peak power, 85 Nm, 600 Wh battery (the original capacity), no Range Extender, 47-50 mm tyres
  2. Vado SL 1 4.0: 17 kg, 240 W peak power, 35 Nm, 320 Wh battery, 160 Wh Range Extenders, 38-42 mm tyres.
Now, Vado SL 2 (CF or Alloy) is: 18-20 kg, 320 W peak power, 50 Nm, 520 Wh battery, 160 Wh Range Extenders, 47 mm tyres.

For me, the Vado SL 2 is the best of both worlds and could easily replace both my e-bikes, reducing space requirement and maintenance costs...
Click to expand...
Don't think it was me... Do you mean the various bike to work schemes? There isn't a cut off low power on these as it applies to analogue and e bikes - I think. You check if your bike shop is signed up to the scheme and your workplace the same and the government pays part of the bike costs. Unfortunately I'm freelance so it doesn't apply.
 
Rás Cnoic said:
Don't think it was me... Do you mean the various bike to work schemes? There isn't a cut off low power on these as it applies to analogue and e bikes - I think. You check if your bike shop is signed up to the scheme and your workplace the same and the government pays part of the bike costs. Unfortunately I'm freelance so it doesn't apply.
Click to expand...
We are getting the subsidy system in Poland soon. I am even not sure whether "bike to work" will be required. The Poland's plan is only relevant to e-bikes. AFAIK, only commuter and cargo bikes will be considered (cargo bikes getting a higher subsidy).
 
BEC111 said:
This is a great discussion. Why we ride Vado Sls? Thinking about I made the choice originally. What are my needs now? Does the SL2 line meet my current needs better than my SL4. If so, is it worth the investment?

Very interesting.
Click to expand...
Very good questions. If I could have only one ebike AND had the money, the SL 2 might be a good choice. Sounds like @Stefan Mikes feels much the same.

But I'm lucky enough have an old hub-drive for utility and beach riding. With weight kept to a minimum to maximize responsiveness, the SL 5.0 EQ does a brilliant job at everything else — even in my hilly terrain. No urge to change a thing.

20250221_072507.jpg


If I were willing to add the necessary storage and leave it unattended, it'd be a decent shopper, too.
 
I am so happy to see this news and I am thinking the new 4.0 or 5.0. I think there is no huge differences but the price is 500 us dollars higher for the 5.0 version. Since the monitor is equipped for both version this time I wonder 5.0 is worthy or not?
 
I have dug into the new planned e-bike subsidy scheme for Poland. The money would be granted to individuals based on the proof of purchase for a new (manufactured within 24 months) e-bike meeting Euro specifications. One of the conditions is that the battery must be 10 Ah or more. Vado SL 1 does not meet this criterion but Vado SL 2 does. Unfortunately, the e-bike must be manufactured in the EU, thus eliminating Specialized. Interestingly, no conditions how the e-bike should be used are set. A regular e-bike purchase would be compensated with the equivalent of some EUR600, while that would be around EUR1,080 for a cargo e-bike.

Jeremy, currently, I'd prefer an unequipped e-bike as the rack and temporary fenders can be found even for a CF frame. However, the Alloy being equipped certainly adds to its commuter e-bike value.
toku said:
I am so happy to see this news and I am thinking the new 4.0 or 5.0. I think there is no huge differences but the price is 500 us dollars higher for the 5.0 version. Since the monitor is equipped for both version this time I wonder 5.0 is worthy or not?
Click to expand...
I would definitely pay the premium on the 5.0. Better brakes, drivetrain, Future Shock...
 
Stefan Mikes said:
I have dug into the new planned e-bike subsidy scheme for Poland. The money would be granted to individuals based on the proof of purchase for a new (manufactured within 24 months) e-bike meeting Euro specifications. One of the conditions is that the battery must be 10 Ah or more. Vado SL 1 does not meet this criterion but Vado SL 2 does. Unfortunately, the e-bike must be manufactured in the EU, thus eliminating Specialized. Interestingly, no conditions how the e-bike should be used are set. A regular e-bike purchase would be compensated with the equivalent of some EUR600, while that would be around EUR1,080 for a cargo e-bike.

Jeremy, currently, I'd prefer an unequipped e-bike as the rack and temporary fenders can be found even for a CF frame. However, the Alloy being equipped certainly adds to its commuter e-bike value.

I would definitely pay the premium on the 5.0. Better brakes, drivetrain, Future Shock...
Click to expand...
Dear Stefan
I think you are right but I think they both use future shock 3.1 this time(from usa and jp website). In japan now they provide 10% coupon of the bike price for the accessories in the shop, that is the price of the battery extender. So i guess i will buy the 5.0. Tomorrow I will visit the shop
 
toku said:
I think they both use future shock 3.1 this time(from usa and jp website).
Click to expand...
It seems to be correct! Well, the 11-speed drivetrains vs 10-speed would be important to me (I am a cadence rider!)
toku said:
In japan now they provide 10% coupon of the bike price for the accessories in the shop, that is the price of the battery extender.
Click to expand...
In Poland, a 10% discount is customary at Specialized. I spent the saving on the Range Extender, RE Cable, and RE Y-Cable for charging both batteries together. I spent exactly the 10%!

Now, an anecdote from the past:
In 2021, the price difference between SL 4.0 and 5.0 was huge. I bought the 4.0. Turned out, I later spent a way more on the upgrades than the price difference between those two models! I should have bought the 5.0, only I hated the colour of the available 5.0! :)
 
Stefan Mikes said:
It seems to be correct! Well, the 11-speed drivetrains vs 10-speed would be important to me (I am a cadence rider!)

In Poland, a 10% discount is customary at Specialized. I spent the saving on the Range Extender, RE Cable, and RE Y-Cable for charging both batteries together. I spent exactly the 10%!

Now, an anecdote from the past:
In 2021, the price difference between SL 4.0 and 5.0 was huge. I bought the 4.0. Turned out, I later spent a way more on the upgrades than the price difference between those two models! I should have bought the 5.0, only I hated the colour of the available 5.0! :)
Click to expand...
haha I agree with the color thing. I think for the previous vado sl. 4.0 is more pretty.
 
Hello all, first post! Looks like there's significantly less difference between the SL2 4.0 and 5.0 compared to the difference between the previous SL 4.0 and 5.0. The previous 4.0 lacked the Future Shock suspension and the MasterMind interface, now both of them have both. So now it seems the main differences are the brakes (as previously), and 10-speed vs. 11-speed. And of course the SL2 4.0 costs $500 less than the SL2 5.0.

A number of upgrades to both SL2 models compared to their previous versions: motor, battery, Future Shock version 3.1 vs 1.5, wider rims/tires, brighter light, more substantial rack. Pity about the 7 lb. weight difference, but hopefully 44 lbs. won't be too onerous to get it onto a car rack.
 
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