Vado SL 2 Alloy version released

[Stefan Mikes]

I cannot absolutely agree with you (are you a Specialized dealer to know it?) I bought my big Vado in LBS 1 in 2019. That sales organization still exists and has my Proof of Purchase but because of its bad performance it lost its Specialized dealership. I had the e-bike with the Warranty Card and had registered the e-bike with Specialized.com

When the frame of my Vado cracked, I brought the e-bike to Specialized Warsaw and presented all the documents. The LBS sent the warranty request to the distributor where it was authorized. I got my e-bike rebuilt, and upgraded free of charge.

The error in your reasoning is the organization to take responsibility. It is Specialized Europe. Any bike bought at a Specialized LBS and registered at Specialized.com is in the corporate database. Please explain how a global warranty could be upheld in case the original LBS went out of business?

Specialized exactly knows all the details of my e-bikes.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Some useful reading
Global warranty

 

[Base]

Morning,

sure, there is the famous mix-up of the Consumer Warranty backed by EU and local laws and the Commercial Warranty from OEM's via their dealer channel.

in the EU there is the consumer warranty act via Local law applicable, those state that the warranty offered by a "Commercial Reseller" is mandatory for at least 2 years from the date on purchase. This is based on the conformity and it also states that Commercial Warranty backed by a brand/OEM may not inflict on those rulings but can offer a better can be done via the dealer. Note that only the point of sales is obliged to honor warranty, not the brand/OEM/importer etc.

Like wise a bought "warranty" upgrade is also not warranty just a service pay-off for that matter.

Sorry, this is my 15 years experience at different OEM's and 15 years in retail experience and backed up by legal knowledge in this field

So yes, some brands offer much more via their dealer network as "warranty" and that is a really good thing, though a dealer can and will perform some pushback at OEM's when for instance a bike bought online in a foreign country is brought in for a warranty case. In the background we usually come to consensus and settle matters so that the end consumer does not hit the wall.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Will you agree the Specialized Global Warranty is actually pro-consumer and beyond the requirements of the law?
That's why I am a Specialized customer.

 

[Base]

basically that's exactly what I wrote, same applies to all "premium" brands, if you buy a renown brand the OEM/Importer will help the consumer out via the dealer network, however warranty is always handled by the last commercial reseller by law a brand/OEM will help consumers out via their dealer network. it doesn't matter if its a PONbike or Accell brand, Trek C'dale or Specialzed they will backup their offerings. Other brands like Stella, Amslod, van Moof, Minerva et al. they just try to just meet the legal requirements per market and after bankrupt you are lost.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

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

@JustRiding: Congratulations on your new e-bike! Many happy kilometres!

The mass illness among the personnel could be a true thing. One of the Warsaw Specialized stores was closed for several days due to the illness last week. It is true that it takes five days to get the bike transported from the Netherlands even if the bike was ordered by the store, then the store needs time to assemble the bike.

The incompetence simply means: a bad dealership. My first Spec LBS was incompetent. For instance, the mechanic forgot re-inflating the tyres before I left the shop. Later, the workshop installed an inferior cassette on my Vado because they didn't care. That LBS lost its dealership later. The two Warsaw Specialized ownership are excellent, competent and friendly. I wish you going to the one you trust for future service.

(I occasionally visit either store, talk with the personnel and often buy something to be remembered as a friend. It always pays off).

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

(I occasionally visit either store, talk with the personnel and often buy something to be remembered as a friend. It always pays off).

Buttering up a favorite LBS is a time-honored tradition in cycling. As is dropping by for some bike-talk now and then.

That's been my approach with my local fave — Cadence Cyclery of Encinitas, about 4 mi from home — and it's paid off bigtime.

 

[mfgrep]

Buttering up a favorite LBS is a time-honored tradition in cycling. As is dropping by for some bike-talk now and then.

That's been my approach with my local fave — Cadence Cyclery of Encinitas, about 4 mi from home — and it's paid off bigtime.

Yup. And provide an occasional 6-pack of beer for good service which goes a long way towards ensuring that your next visit will be satisfactory. Trust me on this one.

 

[JustRiding]

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.


Yep some truth in it . However I read that this shop is now owned by Specialized. So their income structure should look somewhat different .

The real problem is though that I actually world have preferred to test ride and then buy it directly in the store . But this is close to impossible because these bikes don’t seem to be readily available in any shop. I.e. in the end you are forced to buy it online and even there availability is a problem

 

[mfgrep]

The real problem is though that I actually world have preferred to test ride and then buy it directly in the store . But this is close to impossible because these bikes don’t seem to be readily available in any shop. I.e. in the end you are forced to buy it online and even there availability is a problem

Yes....and I know that the dealer doesn't make much money on those bikes which are ordered online for store pickup.
I also know that my recent warranty repair....which was a warranty repair simply replacing the handlebar remote for my Vado SL.....grossed the dealer $24US in labor fees from specialized.
They had to log in my bike, go through specialized warranty process(es), order the part, receive the part, uninstall the bad part, install the part, store my bike for 10 days, and call me for pickup etc. All for a lousy $24 fee.
Support your local bike shop(s).

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

The real problem is though that I actually world have preferred to test ride and then buy it directly in the store . But this is close to impossible because these bikes don’t seem to be readily available in any shop. I.e. in the end you are forced to buy it online and even there availability is a problem

In September, 2024, local and online availability and testing opportunities were issues for the yellow SL 1 5.0 EQ I wanted as well. Also none in the dealer network at the time, and no SLs to rent nearby for a decent test on local hills. The local Specialized store eventually dug one up in a Texas warehouse.

I guess that's all to be expected for a pricey niche bike that might be risky for dealers to stock and let out for testing.