Vado SL 2 Alloy version released

[Stefan Mikes]

Thanks for making me jealous

If you are not missing the motor power or can live with the louder motor, then Vado SL 2 is not better than the SL 1. It is gooder or more attractive.

 

[BlackHand]

Do.


An abomination, if you ask me Gravel bikes with drop bars have a different geometry to flat bar ones. You're gonna regret it. (Note: I rode both types).

Besides, congratulations for taking the second place in last week's Strava Club. Just fancy: you would have won with @fooferdoggie if you just rode for 5 miles more...

It wouldn't surprise me if Spec releases a flat bar Creo next year - they've certainly made room in their lineup for it with the changes to the Vado SL.

Plenty of bikes do this: Pinarello Nytro, SC Skitch, Cannondale Synapse/Tesoro, Moots Express, to name a few off the top of my head.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It wouldn't surprise me if Spec releases a flat bar Creo next year - they've certainly made room in their lineup for it with the changes to the Vado SL.

Plenty of bikes do this: Pinarello Nytro, SC Skitch, Cannondale Synapse/Tesoro, Moots Express, to name a few off the top of my head.

Creo 2 is logically set with the Diverge in mind while Vado SL 1 followed the concept of Sirrus.

Specialized has the Diverge (a drop bar gravel bike) and had the Diverge EVO (a flat bar gravel bike) in its line up. Either model had a different geometry. While the Diverge is a bestseller, the EVO has been discontinued because of lack of sales. In my opinion, Specialized looks at the sales figures very carefully, and also is proud to make a proper product (it is not that you just swap the bars and the drivetrain although other brands do it).

Of course, I could be wrong.

A different geometry for similar bikes, drop bar vs flat bar.

 

[ronaan]

Interesting. The service manager helped me with the chainring swap. Couldn't expain why size mattered to the bike beyond some vague appeal to motor protection. Could've been trying to build reliance on his services, I suppose, but it didn't feel like that.

How's the 40t working out on your hills? Mine gave me 22-100 gear-inches over 12 speeds — nearly perfect for the climbs I face. (Lucky guess.)

Goal #1 was to keep motor and knees happy with an 80-90 RPM cadence no matter what, and the 40t does that well for me. Lost some pedaled speed at the top end but happy with the trade-off.

The 40T was the difference between "I bought the wrong bike" and "I can work with this and still get up the hill towards home".

Still would have needed a bit more punch. Selling my SL and getting a Tero X instead, now after three years.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

getting a Tero X

A good decision, everything considered. When do you plan getting your new e-bike?

 

[ronaan]

A good decision, everything considered. When do you plan getting your new e-bike?

Should be back in stock around April 10th, then the dealer needs to have it delivered and do the final assembly. End of April at the latest I hope.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It seems the Netherlands has returned as the distributorship central. (We had a distributor in Czech Republic for awhile).

 

[BioWheel]

Creo 2 is logically set with the Diverge in mind while Vado SL 1 followed the concept of Sirrus.

Specialized has the Diverge (a drop bar gravel bike) and had the Diverge EVO (a flat bar gravel bike) in its line up. Either model had a different geometry. While the Diverge is a bestseller, the EVO has been discontinued because of lack of sales. In my opinion, Specialized looks at the sales figures very carefully, and also is proud to make a proper product (it is not that you just swap the bars and the drivetrain although other brands do it).

Of course, I could be wrong.

View attachment 191072
A different geometry for similar bikes, drop bar vs flat bar.

I think the small differences in geometry between drop and flat bar frames could be compensated for with stem length/angle and seat position changes. I converted a Cannondale Synapse road bike to a flat bar and one of my all time favorite bikes. No, not ideal but I don't see Specy ever going back to a minimal power/light ebike model.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Karl, buy yourself a Skitch. You'll be the first Forum user, I guess
If I ever bought a drop bar e-bike, I would surely learn riding the drops

I have at least tried

 

[JustRiding]

Today was the day! I finally got my new bike.

I seemed to be a long wait since the bike already had arrived at the dealer a week ago (bought it online but chose it to be delivered to a dealer for asembly) . But they said they are too busy, some people ill, bike at their external warehouse... Anyway they said it should be ready today. Then When I phoned them today they said they get the bike form the external warehouse and it is likely ready today. As it takes an hour travelling there, I took a chance. Arrived one hour before the shop closed. The bike was in the entrance area, looked assembled except for the pedals. They said they would have SMSed me and it is still not ready. I got them to make it ready to me nevertheless. Can't travel there everyday. Also need to work and and visit clients. So they did run an update and together with the mechanic I registered the bike. Bike was only charged 20%, so I asked them to plug it in to get some more charge while preparing it. Anyway I realised I would not have enough charge to pedal the 46 km home with that but luckily there is a train station nearby.

Also did buy some better pedals, more grip than on the standard ones.

Mixed feelings about this Specialized dealer. The registration process with the new app seemed new to them and I had to ask them to unplug the service cable to be able to conduct the registration. the old pedals they forgot to put into the package and when I had issues starting the bike (screen went off after 2 seconds) and suspected it could be my old extra battery they said it may be out of order (while I know it works well on my old SL 4.0. We checked if the cable contacts maybe changed but it were the same ones on new cables. Anyway at home I found the reason - the external battery was not put in lock mode at the plug. Also the saddle position appears to be a bit low but I was not asked if the saddle should be adjusted (carbon stem - so important not to fix it too tight). saddle position seems to be as high as for my old bike - guess it's because of the more upright position of the new model it feels a bit too low.
I don't know...what a dealer specialized in ...Specialized (pun intended), I would have expected more. Especially at times where Specialized is in the news for financial issues (their main stakeholder from Taiwan had to write of a substantial amount of their investment). Maybe I'll take the bike for the first service to the dealer where I bought my 4.0 almost 5 years ago. They seemed to be somewhat more competent.

Enough complaining. It is a very nice bike ! And I enjoed the last miles home on my first trip . Managed to activate the Apply Find My and changed my remaining bags to the MIK template so they can be used on the new bike.

Turbo mode appears more powerful than on my old bike and ride is smoother thanks to the broader wheels and the future shock suspension.
More tests will follow . Happy camper now but it seemed like bit of a journey to get this bike

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Today was the day! I finally got my new bike.

I seemed to be a long wait since the bike already had arrived at the dealer a week ago (bought it online but chose it to be delivered to a dealer for asembly) . But they said they are too busy, some people ill, bike at their external warehouse... Anyway they said it should be ready today. Then When I phoned them today they said they get the bike form the external warehouse and it is likely ready today. As it takes an hour travelling there, I took a chance. Arrived one hour before the shop closed. The bike was in the entrance area, looked assembled except for the pedals. They said they would have SMSed me and it is still not ready. I got them to make it ready to me nevertheless. Can't travel there everyday. Also need to work and and visit clients. So they did run an update and together with the mechanic I registered the bike. Bike was only charged 20%, so I asked them to plug it in to get some more charge while preparing it. Anyway I realised I would not have enough charge to pedal the 46 km home with that but luckily there is a train station nearby.

Also did buy some better pedals, more grip than on the standard ones.

Mixed feelings about this Specialized dealer. The registration process with the new app seemed new to them and I had to ask them to unplug the service cable to be able to conduct the registration. the old pedals they forgot to put into the package and when I had issues starting the bike (screen went off after 2 seconds) and suspected it could be my old extra battery they said it may be out of order (while I know it works well on my old SL 4.0. We checked if the cable contacts maybe changed but it were the same ones on new cables. Anyway at home I found the reason - the external battery was not put in lock mode at the plug. Also the saddle position appears to be a bit low but I was not asked if the saddle should be adjusted (carbon stem - so important not to fix it too tight). saddle position seems to be as high as for my old bike - guess it's because of the more upright position of the new model it feels a bit too low.
I don't know...what a dealer specialized in ...Specialized (pun intended), I would have expected more. Especially at times where Specialized is in the news for financial issues (their main stakeholder from Taiwan had to write of a substantial amount of their investment). Maybe I'll take the bike for the first service to the dealer where I bought my 4.0 almost 5 years ago. They seemed to be somewhat more competent.

Enough complaining. It is a very nice bike ! And I enjoed the last miles home on my first trip . Managed to activate the Apply Find My and changed my remaining bags to the MIK template so they can be used on the new bike.

Turbo mode appears more powerful than on my old bike and ride is smoother thanks to the broader wheels and the future shock suspension.
More tests will follow . Happy camper now but it seemed like bit of a journey to get this bike

Congrats on your new bike! And thanks for the comparison photos.

Are the pedals in the photo the originals or the replacements? If the latter, which model?

 

[BioWheel]

Today was the day! I finally got my new bike.

I seemed to be a long wait since the bike already had arrived at the dealer a week ago (bought it online but chose it to be delivered to a dealer for asembly) . But they said they are too busy, some people ill, bike at their external warehouse... Anyway they said it should be ready today. Then When I phoned them today they said they get the bike form the external warehouse and it is likely ready today. As it takes an hour travelling there, I took a chance. Arrived one hour before the shop closed. The bike was in the entrance area, looked assembled except for the pedals. They said they would have SMSed me and it is still not ready. I got them to make it ready to me nevertheless. Can't travel there everyday. Also need to work and and visit clients. So they did run an update and together with the mechanic I registered the bike. Bike was only charged 20%, so I asked them to plug it in to get some more charge while preparing it. Anyway I realised I would not have enough charge to pedal the 46 km home with that but luckily there is a train station nearby.

Also did buy some better pedals, more grip than on the standard ones.

Mixed feelings about this Specialized dealer. The registration process with the new app seemed new to them and I had to ask them to unplug the service cable to be able to conduct the registration. the old pedals they forgot to put into the package and when I had issues starting the bike (screen went off after 2 seconds) and suspected it could be my old extra battery they said it may be out of order (while I know it works well on my old SL 4.0. We checked if the cable contacts maybe changed but it were the same ones on new cables. Anyway at home I found the reason - the external battery was not put in lock mode at the plug. Also the saddle position appears to be a bit low but I was not asked if the saddle should be adjusted (carbon stem - so important not to fix it too tight). saddle position seems to be as high as for my old bike - guess it's because of the more upright position of the new model it feels a bit too low.
I don't know...what a dealer specialized in ...Specialized (pun intended), I would have expected more. Especially at times where Specialized is in the news for financial issues (their main stakeholder from Taiwan had to write of a substantial amount of their investment). Maybe I'll take the bike for the first service to the dealer where I bought my 4.0 almost 5 years ago. They seemed to be somewhat more competent.

Enough complaining. It is a very nice bike ! And I enjoed the last miles home on my first trip . Managed to activate the Apply Find My and changed my remaining bags to the MIK template so they can be used on the new bike.

Turbo mode appears more powerful than on my old bike and ride is smoother thanks to the broader wheels and the future shock suspension.
More tests will follow . Happy camper now but it seemed like bit of a journey to get this bike

Congrats on finally getting your new bike! Sounds like quite an adventure just to get it ready, but at least you made it happen. Definitely frustrating when a dealer doesn’t seem as dialed in as they should be—especially for a brand like Specialized—but at least the bike itself is living up to expectations! Hope you get some great rides in and looking forward to hearing how it performs on longer trips.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Today was the day! I finally got my new bike.

I seemed to be a long wait since the bike already had arrived at the dealer a week ago (bought it online but chose it to be delivered to a dealer for asembly) . But they said they are too busy, some people ill, bike at their external warehouse... Anyway they said it should be ready today. Then When I phoned them today they said they get the bike form the external warehouse and it is likely ready today. As it takes an hour travelling there, I took a chance. Arrived one hour before the shop closed. The bike was in the entrance area, looked assembled except for the pedals. They said they would have SMSed me and it is still not ready. I got them to make it ready to me nevertheless. Can't travel there everyday. Also need to work and and visit clients. So they did run an update and together with the mechanic I registered the bike. Bike was only charged 20%, so I asked them to plug it in to get some more charge while preparing it. Anyway I realised I would not have enough charge to pedal the 46 km home with that but luckily there is a train station nearby.

Also did buy some better pedals, more grip than on the standard ones.

Mixed feelings about this Specialized dealer. The registration process with the new app seemed new to them and I had to ask them to unplug the service cable to be able to conduct the registration. the old pedals they forgot to put into the package and when I had issues starting the bike (screen went off after 2 seconds) and suspected it could be my old extra battery they said it may be out of order (while I know it works well on my old SL 4.0. We checked if the cable contacts maybe changed but it were the same ones on new cables. Anyway at home I found the reason - the external battery was not put in lock mode at the plug. Also the saddle position appears to be a bit low but I was not asked if the saddle should be adjusted (carbon stem - so important not to fix it too tight). saddle position seems to be as high as for my old bike - guess it's because of the more upright position of the new model it feels a bit too low.
I don't know...what a dealer specialized in ...Specialized (pun intended), I would have expected more. Especially at times where Specialized is in the news for financial issues (their main stakeholder from Taiwan had to write of a substantial amount of their investment). Maybe I'll take the bike for the first service to the dealer where I bought my 4.0 almost 5 years ago. They seemed to be somewhat more competent.

Enough complaining. It is a very nice bike ! And I enjoed the last miles home on my first trip . Managed to activate the Apply Find My and changed my remaining bags to the MIK template so they can be used on the new bike.

Turbo mode appears more powerful than on my old bike and ride is smoother thanks to the broader wheels and the future shock suspension.
More tests will follow . Happy camper now but it seemed like bit of a journey to get this bike

Good looking bike. Side by side is interesting, it's a lot fatter. Certain loss of elegance I think! Price for bigger battery, chunkier wheels & tyres. But you get more grunt for sure.

I'm always surprised when bike shops are a bit underwhelming when purchasing an expensive bike. It's like mentally they are still stuck in an 'it's only a pushbike' place and don't acknowledge the large 4 or 5 figure sums we pay for these machines these days. I mean car showrooms are all slick and fancy, not sure if we want to go totally that way but some bike shops are so dull about how they go about their business. Big e bike specialist near me that I was passing back in the summer and decided to pop in to have a look was very disappointing. Huge number of emtbs from Spesh, Giant, Trek etc and loads of expensive Tern e cargo bikes. But all higgildy piggildy, not show room, hard to see any of them because they were all stacked side by side, big floor space but no design or lighting effort, paint peeling, monosyllabic grumpy staff etc. Given the value in the shop was £100s of thousands in bikes it's mad to me.

Yeah I saw about Merida bailing out Specialized few weeks back - writing off something like $105m of Specialized investment. Not looking great there. Giant profits down 60% in same period apparently.

 

[mfgrep]

I wonder if Spesh will keep the full power Vado models in the lineup now. This new SL2 is a neat bike and is inching closer to the full power Vado in terms of use-case.

I vastly prefer this new SL2 over the full power Vado line. And I despise attempting to type about Vado vs Vado SL because the similar names confuse all readers except for us fanatics.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I wonder if Spesh will keep the full power Vado models in the lineup now. This new SL2 is a neat bike and is inching closer to the full power Vado in terms of use-case.

Well, the decision can only taken by judging the sales figures. From the user standpoint:

• Vado SL 2 is too delicate for heavy riders. I would need to buy the alloy version and then replace the wheels with sturdier ones (a stronger rim, more spokes), which is very expensive
• Many target users have weak legs and need the power to ride fast
• Vado SL 2 lacks the power necessary for hilly or montane areas
• The handlebar remote and the display of the big Vado are simply better
• The big Vado has more powerful brakes; again, it is critical for the hills.

To put it simply, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my high mountain vacation if I didn't own an 85 Nm/520 W Vado 6.0. I wouldn't be able to participate in Sudovia Gravel race if I wouldn't ride an 85 Nm e-bike (taking a Giant Trance E+ Pro 2 for the e-race this year). Yes, a Tero EQ (non-X) could be the replacement.

I said (for many times) I liked the Vado SL 1 de-equipped for riding gravel. The low weight allows me to carry the e-bike over terrain obstacles, up stairs, etc. The e-bike is nimble and maneuverable. Having said that, I need to compare two e-bike gravel rides I had on two consecutive days:

First, I rode the Vado SL 1 in a military range (where riding bikes is allowed). My Vado SL was comfortable (and indeed I had to lift and carry the e-bike one time there). The average speed was pretty decent at 80/80% assistance. However, I had to shorten the ride as riding against the headwind made me exhausted. Assistance 1.44x, max motor power 192 W.

On the next night, I rode my Vado 6.0 on gravel close to the river in Warsaw. The ride was comparably effortless. Assistance 1.28x, max motor power 208 W.

One might say the assistance was comparable for both e-bikes. How come I returned tired from a Vado SL ride while I finished the Vado 6.0 ride fresh? (Hint: My Vado SL ride was during the daytime and I pedalled harder to get at a higher average speed on the less powerful e-bike; the headwind for the half of the ride was a factor, too). The ride on Vado SL was on the flat while Vado 6.0 helped me to do several short but very steep climbs easily.

And I despise attempting to type about Vado vs Vado SL because the similar names confuse all readers except for us fanatics.

It is also Levo vs Levo SL. It was Kenevo vs. Kenevo SL but the former was discontinued.

 

[JustRiding]

Congrats on your new bike! And thanks for the comparison photos.

Are the pedals in the photo the originals or the replacements? If the latter, which model?

Thanks ! These are the replacements .” Bennies Platform pedals”. Much better grip

 

[JustRiding]

Good looking bike. Side by side is interesting, it's a lot fatter. Certain loss of elegance I think! Price for bigger battery, chunkier wheels & tyres. But you get more grunt for sure.

I'm always surprised when bike shops are a bit underwhelming when purchasing an expensive bike. It's like mentally they are still stuck in an 'it's only a pushbike' place and don't acknowledge the large 4 or 5 figure sums we pay for these machines these days. I mean car showrooms are all slick and fancy, not sure if we want to go totally that way but some bike shops are so dull about how they go about their business.

Yes you are right , it is s bit more chunky and the wheels are wider . That was one reason for me thinking so long about doing the change or not .

But I like the new model and finally went for it.

The ride is smoother , quieter and the turbo mode more powerful .

Your observation regarding bike dealers nailed it. I would have expected to be welcomed , treated as buyer of a top range product , but ended up almost pleading them to get it ready while I waited , so I did not have to come back another time . How different would the treatment be at a car dealer , if you bought a top range car of s premium brand ? Something to learn for dealers I guess , especially as many brands are struggling with excessive stock levels and consecutive margin erosion past COVID

 

[Base]

Your observation regarding bike dealers nailed it. I would have expected to be welcomed , treated as buyer of a top range product , but ended up almost pleading them to get it ready while I waited , so I did not have to come back another time . How different would the treatment be at a car dealer , if you bought a top range car of s premium brand ? Something to learn for dealers I guess , especially as many brands are struggling with excessive stock levels and consecutive margin erosion past COVID

you bought it online so they just earn a click and collect fee, that is way way less than what the would earn on a sale on a complete bike. A car dealership would even not think in making a car roadworthy if it was not bought there.

Click and collect fee is a fixed price, revenue on a complete bike with acc etc is a completely different game. In the trading community its called show-rooming, you go to a shop look at product with you smartphone in your hand to check best prices online to what you see at the shop and after taking a testride, fit the garment or asking alott of questions to the staff you buy online based on price. That's the sentiment for the bikeshop you went to.

A lot of shop will not service products for this matter when they are not bought at their shop.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Your observation regarding bike dealers nailed it. I would have expected to be welcomed , treated as buyer of a top range product , but ended up almost pleading them to get it ready while I waited , so I did not have to come back another time . How different would the treatment be at a car dealer , if you bought a top range car of s premium brand ? Something to learn for dealers I guess , especially as many brands are struggling with excessive stock levels and consecutive margin erosion past COVID

This really depends on the dealership. We have two Specialized owned dealerships in Warsaw that work together as a team. They make you feel like a VIP and are very well versed in e-bikes.

Specialized Warsaw (South Warsaw). A salesman updating my Vado SL as well as four Range Extenders free of charge post the warranty expiry.

Specialized Warsaw Soho (Northeast Warsaw).

You can demo ride any showroom bike or e-bike free around the dealership. Or, pay a moderate fee, and enjoy a day's ride. Or, join Specialized Test Days and get a bike for an hour free. I have tested many Specialized bikes and e-bikes including the Epic 8 Expert shown in the picture. I tested the Vado SL 2 6.0 Carbon EQ free in Specialized Soho on last Saturday.

you bought it online so they just earn a click and collect fee, that is way way less than what the would earn on a sale on a complete bike.

Correct.
For this reason, I either order an e-bike at the brand dealership or buy what is available on the floor. The dealership gets the maximum commission that way.
The other way is to order online and have it delivered home or collected at the dealership (less commission to the store).

However, Specialized stores are obliged to handle the warranty disregarding where the bike was bought. The service fees will be charged while the bike bought via the dealership often gets free or inexpensive service.

A free Specialized lecture on maintaining bikes.

 

[Base]

However, Specialized stores are obliged to handle the warranty disregarding where the bike was bought. The service fees will be charged while the bike bought via the dealership often gets free or inexpensive service.

That's based on dealership contracts and even than its thin ice, that doesn't hold up in court. In the EU the retailer (commercial retailer that is) where the product is bought (so which name is on the invoice) is the sole entity to be enforced to honor consumer warranty. This entity cannot forward a consumer to another party, not anther dealership nor to the importer/brand etc.

So in general it is fine if a dealership/brandstore will help you out in case of a warranty claim and most will help you out and that is fine, although it is not mandatory based on the law in the EU.