Vado SL 2 Carbon LTD premiered today!

[Stefan Mikes]

But on here we might be outliers, using the Vado SL on gravel etc and Spesh would say they already have the Creo, Levo, Tero and Keno for off-road use.

Gravel e-bikes are mostly drop bar but the flat handlebars can also be used, as proven for instance by Santa Cruz Skitch (my brother rides a Marin DSX 3, a flat bar gravel bike). Specialized has nothing in this e-bike category while the Diverge has been available as a flat bar EVO. Actually, Vado SL un-EQ could be used for gravel out of the box, especially the 5.0 with Future Shock and the carbon fork (the latter being the industry standard on flat bar gravel bikes).

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You know guys what?
If I'm ever in need of adding something new to my stable that would be the Vado SL 2 6.0 Carbon non-EQ Even the weight is right there!

 

[Chargeride]

Veydoh.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I only have one minor gripe about the SL 1. The motor noise annoys me a bit.

I could do without the SL 1's motor noise, but I'm usually enjoying the bike too much to notice these days. Until I turn the motor off. Then I appreciate how smooth and peaceful the SL 1 can be. A win either way.
;^}

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Odd that the SL 2 5.0 alloy version does not come with a carbon fork unlike SL 1 5.0.

How do you know it? Specialized once told me the FutureShock would only work on a carbon fork.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I have to admit that I have considered buying the carbon version the last few days and still do a bit. But on the other hand it's quite some money and my SL 4.0 EQ is still doing a good job and is even slightly lighter. Also wondering on how long they will keep these prices up like this. Whole bike industry is having issues with over capacities and lessening demand after Covid era

Good point. Still all doom and gloom in the bike biz and US tariffs are not going to help. Spesh & Trek seem determined to keep prices high for now so I'm guessing there are still enough buyers. Be interesting if the alloy Vado 2 takes biz from the more expensive carbon or if they both sell well. The EMTB market is closely watched but you don't hear as much about the commuter/fitness bikes sales. Less fanboys obsessing about the next great thing!

 

[GAJ]

How do you know it? Specialized once told me the FutureShock would only work on a carbon fork.

Whenever they have a carbon fork they advertise it to justify the higher cost.

Here is the "At A Glance" from the site for the Turbo Vado SL2 5.0 (which despite not being designate as such is an EQ model).

Note that the $500 less Turbo Vado SL2 4.0 is also an EQ model but unlike the older version DOES come with a Futureshock 3.1 as well.

At a Glance​

Use​

Fast Commuting, Fitness, and Exploration​

E-Bike System​

Specialized SL 1.2
320 watts
Up to 5 Hours Range​

Frameset ​

Alloy Frame and Fork​

Suspension​

Future Shock 3.1​

Weight ​

As Light as 20kg​

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Here is the "At A Glance" from the site for the Turbo Vado SL2 5.0 (which despite not being designate as such is an EQ model).

Aha, thank you!
So it looks Specialized has redesigned the alloy fork to accommodate the FS.
The confusing thing is the "2024 SL fork". The brand could have named it "2025" to avoid confusion!

 

[BEC111]

Aha, thank you!
So it looks Specialized has redesigned the alloy fork to accommodate the FS.
The confusing thing is the "2024 SL fork". The brand could have named it "2025" to avoid confusion!

As if the year designation would lessen Specialize branding confusion.

I‘d be amazed if any salesperson at any LBS older than 40 could keep it straight. Especially if they carry other brands.

 

[GAJ]

As if the year designation would lessen Specialize branding confusion.

I‘d be amazed if any salesperson at any LBS older than 40 could keep it straight. Especially if they carry other brands.

Never mind that the alloy SL2 5.0 and 4.0 versions released thus far in the US are EQ versions but don't come with an EQ designation.

 

[GAJ]

I have no desire to upgrade but one of the things I love is the low weight so if my 5.0 SL 1 were stolen tomorrow I'd get that Turbo Creo 2 Comp E5, no question.

I could live with the lower bars and skinnier tires.

Just checked, the Creo SL2 Comp E5 has wider rims than my bike but runs the same size tires stock.

I'm happy with the stock size on my TV SL1 5.0.

Nice to have a "plan" should the worst happen and my bike gets stolen.