VADO SL 4.0 tires

[MRE]

I'm purchasing a VADO SL 4.0 and wonder how small I can go with tires. I know it has 700x38 but would it be safe to go with a:

1. 700x35 or 700x32 All Condition Armadillo Elite? OR

2. 700x38 Nimbus 2 Armadillo Reflect?

I ride mostly pavement and a few hills.

 

[RGVCycling]

Hi MRE,

Why are you considering going to narrower tires?

 

[PedalUma]

The bike is made for those tires. Narrower tires are not going to provide greater range if that is the goal, or a better ride feel.

 

[MRE]

Hi MRE,

Why are you considering going to narrower tires?

At this point it didn't matter. The Vado does not have near the output my hills require.

 

[PedalUma]

About 80Nm is all a bicycle drivetrain can take without self destruction. What kind of power are you contemplating? I did a Northern California mountain yesterday with 80Nm of torque at max, in addition to me. But only very rarely do I go to maximum power
expenditure because 1) It does not feel 'good' while riding; 2) It uses 10X more battery than level one. My bike had 50-622 tires that are super fast. Yes, it is electric, but does not look it.

 

[MRE]

About 80Nm is all a bicycle drivetrain can take without self destruction. What kind of power are you contemplating? I did a Northern California mountain yesterday with 80Nm of torque at max, in addition to me. But only very rarely do I go to maximum power
expenditure because 1) It does not feel 'good' while riding; 2) It uses 10X more battery than level one. My bike had 50-622 tires that are super fast. Yes, it is electric, but does not look it.

The 35 that the vado has is not near enough for my 73 year old legs.

 

[PedalUma]

I agree! 35Nm is not enough. This, given the added weight of an electric bike, any electric bike. Choose one in the 60-90Nm range. 100 is too much. Check out the new bike reviews, staying away from bikes that do not have a torque sensor and those that are hub-drives. Watch for weigh keeping it under 40 pounds.

 

[MRE]

I agree! 35Nm is not enough. This, given the added weight of an electric bike, any electric bike. Choose one in the 60-90Nm range. 100 is too much. Check out the new bike reviews, staying away from bikes that do not have a torque sensor and those that are hub-drives. Watch for weigh keeping it under 40 pounds.

I have a pair of 2017 Turbos (basic) that, though heavy, have plenty of torque. Sadly, the torques sensor on one is bad and there are no replacement motors for it. Looking at TREK or Orbea and canyon in road models.

 

[PedalUma]

TREK is better than Orbea. STAY away from the rear hub drives! These cannot do sustained climbs. And are sucky. They burn battery life and do not 'feel' right. Also the balance is off with weight at the rear. With pinch flats on curbs and the hassle of changing flats with a hub-drive. An Orbea X-35 in low gear on a flat will max out at 17.2-Mph while pedaling at 10-Rpm. It is weird to ride. Get a mid-drive. Look for long-term maintenance costs and the feel. Ride a few.

 

[MRE]

TREK is better than Orbea. STAY away from the rear hub drives! These cannot do sustained climbs. And are sucky. They burn battery life and do not 'feel' right. Also the balance is off with weight at the rear. With pinch flats on curbs and the hassle of changing flats with a hub-drive. An Orbea X-35 in low gear on a flat will max out at 17.2-Mph while pedaling at 10-Rpm. It is weird to ride. Get a mid-drive. Look for long-term maintenance costs and the feel. Ride a few.

IF I can find one I will.