Vado SL 2 Alloy version released

[MC2]

sorry if someone has already posted this but it seems this video has flown a bit under the radar on YouTube

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

sorry if someone has already posted this but it seems this video has flown a bit under the radar on YouTube

No question, the SL 2's a very impressive ebike. But I have 2 quibbles with this video's take:

1. The SL 2 — especially the alloy — isn't just an "upgrade" of the SL 1. It's a substantially different ebike serving riding goals that don't fully overlap with the SL 1's.

2. Based on the many SL-related posts I've read here, some SL 1 owners will genuinely prefer to stick with what they already have, myself included.

Haven't ridden an SL 2, but the manager at my local Specialized store has ridden both. His candid impressions align with the above. So does the visual I got of an SL 1 and 2 side by side on the showroom floor.

 

[GAJ]

He never directly answered the question in that video.

 

[mfgrep]

He never directly answered the question in that video.

I agree with both of the above posts. They changed the SL1 enough that the SL2 really is a differing bike. That said, and as an SL1 owner, I like the SL2 but not enough to buy one.

The video did not compare the two bikes whatsoever. It was a fine video and a decent review of the SL2, but not a comparison between the two bikes.

 

[BEC111]

I agree. It’s not a comparison. I love riding my Sl1 but as I’ve aged I frequently wish it had a bit more power. My wish list had been for the same bike with the 1.2 motor. But that bike wouldn’t have the range I need, though with the RE it would come close.

For me, my SL is a fitness bike suitable for road or lite gravel. The SL2 is a bit more gravel focused. But it’s still a fitness bike too. Lifting that extra 6 pounds onto my hitch rack will be a much better strength workout!

If I had the money, which I don’t right now I’d probably spring for one. With the tariffs I probably won’t be able to afford one for quite a while. Makes the wishing more fun.

 

[mfgrep]

I agree. It’s not a comparison. I love riding my Sl1 but as I’ve aged I frequently wish it had a bit more power. My wish list had been for the same bike with the 1.2 motor. But that bike wouldn’t have the range I need, though with the RE it would come close.

For me, my SL is a fitness bike suitable for road or lite gravel. The SL2 is a bit more gravel focused. But it’s still a fitness bike too. Lifting that extra 6 pounds onto my hitch rack will be a much better strength workout!

If I had the money, which I don’t right now I’d probably spring for one. With the tariffs I probably won’t be able to afford one for quite a while. Makes the wishing more fun.

I have really enjoyed my SL1....and I too am getting older. I finally bought a light-weight lock which mounts to the frame and an Ortlieb quick-rack....both options I swore I would never add to my SL1. Now I use the SL1 as my fitness bike.....but I also run to the bank, coffee, grocery etc. I'm loving my new capabilities.....and loving that I still have my 'naked' fitness bike whenever I wish and without much fuss switching between these modes.

The SL2 would likely be even better for those errands around town.....but I'm afraid that I would not like the SL2 as well for my fitness use(s). Reminder.....fitness use is my primary use.

I REALLY do like the SL2.....it is a nice 'tweener' between the SL1 and the full power Vado. I find the SL2 to be very appealing in many ways and I wouldn't kick the SL2 out of my bed if one fell into my 'lap' (gross). It is nice though.....that I am not click click clicking all the time in hopes of swapping my SL1 for the new SL2. I just don't have that itch to trade for the newer model in this case. Sure the money thing is real.....but I really am not itching to switch bikes. This says a LOT about my SL1.

I'm not particularly a weight weenie.....but I love the light weight of the SL1....and its slender frame profile and tires. I'm largely riding asphalt streets. I NEVER feel that I wish the SL1 had more power. I never once have felt that the SL1 battery was insufficient. I am not willing to trade weight and frame/tire profile for the benefit of power or battery.....which makes me believe that I am an outlier given Specialized marketing and trends. I DO occasionally wish that the SL1 motor was quieter.....but the sound just isn't a big deal to me.

I suppose if my SL1 got stolen I would be giving the SL2 a good hard look but only because I likely could not find another SL1 in medium size lol.

 

[BEC111]

I have really enjoyed my SL1....and I too am getting older. I finally bought a light-weight lock which mounts to the frame and an Ortlieb quick-rack....both options I swore I would never add to my SL1. Now I use the SL1 as my fitness bike.....but I also run to the bank, coffee, grocery etc. I'm loving my new capabilities.....and loving that I still have my 'naked' fitness bike whenever I wish and without much fuss switching between these modes.

The SL2 would likely be even better for those errands around town.....but I'm afraid that I would not like the SL2 as well for my fitness use(s). Reminder.....fitness use is my primary use.

I REALLY do like the SL2.....it is a nice 'tweener' between the SL1 and the full power Vado. I find the SL2 to be very appealing in many ways and I wouldn't kick the SL2 out of my bed if one fell into my 'lap' (gross). It is nice though.....that I am not click click clicking all the time in hopes of swapping my SL1 for the new SL2. I just don't have that itch to trade for the newer model in this case. Sure the money thing is real.....but I really am not itching to switch bikes. This says a LOT about my SL1.

I'm not particularly a weight weenie.....but I love the light weight of the SL1....and its slender frame profile and tires. I'm largely riding asphalt streets. I NEVER feel that I wish the SL1 had more power. I never once have felt that the SL1 battery was insufficient. I am not willing to trade weight and frame/tire profile for the benefit of power or battery.....which makes me believe that I am an outlier given Specialized marketing and trends. I DO occasionally wish that the SL1 motor was quieter.....but the sound just isn't a big deal to me.

I suppose if my SL1 got stolen I would be giving the SL2 a good hard look but only because I likely could not find another SL1 in medium size lol.

Not only isn’t an SL1 medium not available, the SL 2 also isn’t available near me.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I'm not particularly a weight weenie.....but I love the light weight of the SL1....and its slender frame profile and tires. I'm largely riding asphalt streets. I NEVER feel that I wish the SL1 had more power. I never once have felt that the SL1 battery was insufficient. I am not willing to trade weight and frame/tire profile for the benefit of power or battery.....which makes me believe that I am an outlier given Specialized marketing and trends. I DO occasionally wish that the SL1 motor was quieter.....but the sound just isn't a big deal to me.

I suppose if my SL1 got stolen I would be giving the SL2 a good hard look but only because I likely could not find another SL1 in medium size lol.

Starting to think you're the twin I never knew I had. Exactly my take on the SL 1 — especially the part I put in bold. The responsiveness is one of its very best qualities.

If I ever lost mine to crash or theft, I'd be searching high and low for an exact replacement. Unfortunately, that also means that I don't dare let it out of my sight.

 

[mfgrep]

Starting to think you're the twin I never knew I had. Exactly my take on the SL 1 — especially the part I put in bold. The responsiveness is one of its best attributes.

If I ever lost mine to crash or theft, I'd be searching high and low for an exact replacement. Unfortunately, that also means that I don't dare let it out of my sight.

I'm loosening up a bit on security now that I'm reaching the 2 year ownership mark. But I live in a relatively low theft environment and don't have to be overly cautious.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

We all are spoilt with the SL 1 Vado SL 2 is of course not any upgrade of SL 1 but a new construction type, a commuter bike.

While I could accept the higher weight of the SL 2 in exchange for some more boost and range, there are two things I dislike about this e-bike:

• The wheels are too delicate. 24 spokes for the front wheel? The e-bike would collapse under me soon, especially in rough terrain
• I hated the new handlebar remote. Whoever has tried any new Specialized Turbo with the new part will understand me.

The T3 is stupid, counter-intuitive, flimsy and imprecise.

 

[mfgrep]

We all are spoilt with the SL 1 Vado SL 2 is of course not any upgrade of SL 1 but a new construction type, a commuter bike.

While I could accept the higher weight of the SL 2 in exchange for some more boost and range, there are two things I dislike about this e-bike:

• The wheels are too delicate. 24 spokes for the front wheel? The e-bike would collapse under me soon, especially in rough terrain
• I hated the new handlebar remote. Whoever has tried any new Specialized Turbo with the new part will understand me.

What is the new remote form factor? Photo?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Post #230 updated.
You do +/- actions with a flimsy forward/backwards joystick, which has no clicks. I just fancy myself in rough terrain full of vibrations and me trying to select an appropriate setting... Worse, the T3 is also delivered with Levo Gen 4, where you expect precision and ruggedness...

 

[mfgrep]

Post #230 updated.
You do +/- actions with a flimsy forward/backwards joystick, which has no clicks. I just fancy myself in rough terrain full of vibrations and me trying to select an appropriate setting... Worse, the T3 is also delivered with Levo Gen 4, where you expect precision and ruggedness...

Hmm. I need to go to the shop and have a look

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The part is tiny with microscopic extra buttons (probably F1 and F2). It is hard to visualize for myself how I would operate the remote in thick gloves in winter.

 

[mfgrep]

The part is tiny with microscopic extra buttons (probably F1 and F2). It is hard to visualize for myself how I would operate the remote in thick gloves in winter.

You may recall: at the beginning of this season during my first ride, I found that my - button was inoperable. Perhaps the old version was problematic?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Perhaps the old version was problematic?

Nah...

 

[GAJ]

Popular motorcycle sport touring bikes usually weigh far more than 500lbs, often over 600lbs, mine weighs 450lbs.

Sports cars, even light ones, weigh 4500lbs, mine weighs 2300lbs.

The SL1 is perfect for me as I don't even own a range extender battery.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

One of my rides of today was as follows:

• It was 19 km against 40 km/h headwind
• The first 12 km had to be completed in 30 minutes
• The next 7 km required as quick transport as possible (ice cream and hot meal). I made it in some quarter-hour.

Sorry to say it but I would have never completed the mission in time on a Vado SL 1

 

[GAJ]

One of my rides of today was as follows:

• It was 19 km against 40 km/h headwind
• The first 12 km had to be completed in 30 minutes
• The next 7 km required as quick transport as possible (ice cream and hot meal). I made it in some quarter-hour.

Sorry to say it but I would have never completed the mission in time on a Vado SL 1

I think many of us could have.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I think many of us could have.

I said "I"
That's why I need two different e-bikes.