When will Vado SL 4.0(or 5.0) upgrate in 2025

[toku]

Hi everyone. It is very nice to join the community and I have one question regarding the specialized Vado SL 4.0 e-bike just like the title. As far as I know, the current Vado SL 4.0(or 5.0) on the official website is still the 2023 version and it is 2025 already. A few months ago they released the 1.2 motor and I think it has been applied on the vado sl 2(and obviously its price is significantly high).
I am planning to buy a vado SL 4.0 but I just worried that what if I buy one and they release the new one or make the sales for the old one( from a costomer's point of view, obvioulsy we can not accept it). I tired to contact them through email but they all said there is no news regarding it. As far as I know, Korea has published sales of vado SL 4.0 and 5.0 since last year and the discount is about 50%. Does it show some hints from the new version of Vado SL bike?
Thank you all!

 

[MartsEbike]

The SL 2 is the updated version of this bike - but as you know it's basically a completely different bike, and considerably more expensive. If you're wondering if they'll put the 1.2 motor in a Vado SL 1 and make a new "6.0" bike, it's extremely unlikely. The original Vado SL 1 has been out of production for quite some time - so only existing stock is for sale, and I doubt they'll want another bike to compete with the SL 2.

I purchased a SL 1 5.0 in late October 2024 and it was discounted price of £2,880. The price dropped again just a couple of months later to around £2,500 - but these tended to be "step-thro" versions, and with limited choice of colours available. I've just checked the dealer I purchased from and they appear to be sold out of SL 1 5.0 bikes, but some 4.0's are still available, and they're being sold for £2,095.

So your options are to pay more for an SL 2, or maybe wait a while for price reductions of the SL 1. This has already been the case across Europe and America, and as you've mentioned in some places in Asia. So it should be only a matter of time.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

The SL 5.0 EQ is still available on Specialized's US site (size XL only now) for the same full price I paid for a size L in September, 2024 — and that was for a frame with a 2022 sticker.

At this point, lack of a discount could reflect a combo of good reputation and continued US demand in the face of increasing scarcity.

But I have no real insight into Specialized's thinking on the Vado SL line, and I doubt anyone else here knows much more.

Bought my SL 5.0 at a time when rumors of an update with the 1.2 motor were rife. Sure enough, the SL2 with that motor dropped a few months later, but sure glad I pulled the trigger on the SL 5.0 when I did. With nearly 5 months and 1,200 miles on mine, nothing I've seen about the SL2 would tempt me to switch — including the motor and battery specs.

 

[toku]

The SL 5.0 EQ is still available on Specialized's US site (size XL only now) for the same full price I paid for a size L in September, 2024 — and that was for a frame with a 2022 sticker.

At this point, lack of a discount could reflect a combo of good reputation and continued US demand in the face of increasing scarcity.

But I have no real insight into Specialized's thinking on the Vado SL line, and I doubt anyone else here knows much more.

Bought my SL 5.0 at a time when rumors of an update with the 1.2 motor were rife. Sure enough, the SL2 with that motor dropped a few months later, but sure glad I pulled the trigger on the SL 5.0 when I did. With nearly 5 months and 1,200 miles on mine, nothing I've seen about the SL2 would tempt me to switch — including the motor and battery specs.

Thank you so much for the comments and shared experience. I think for me the best way is to wait for a few days even months to see the discount. It is sure that once the 1.2 motor is applied, the price will rise as well so the best strategy for me, I guess, is to wait for the sales coming. Many thanks!

 

[toku]

The SL 2 is the updated version of this bike - but as you know it's basically a completely different bike, and considerably more expensive. If you're wondering if they'll put the 1.2 motor in a Vado SL 1 and make a new "6.0" bike, it's extremely unlikely. The original Vado SL 1 has been out of production for quite some time - so only existing stock is for sale, and I doubt they'll want another bike to compete with the SL 2.

I purchased a SL 1 5.0 in late October 2024 and it was discounted price of £2,880. The price dropped again just a couple of months later to around £2,500 - but these tended to be "step-thro" versions, and with limited choice of colours available. I've just checked the dealer I purchased from and they appear to be sold out of SL 1 5.0 bikes, but some 4.0's are still available, and they're being sold for £2,095.

So your options are to pay more for an SL 2, or maybe wait a while for price reductions of the SL 1. This has already been the case across Europe and America, and as you've mentioned in some places in Asia. So it should be only a matter of time.

Thank you so much for your commnets. It helps a lot. I think the only thing I could do now is waiting for the sales coming. At the same time, I would like to see some other brands such as Trek or Cannodale. Many thanks!

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Just looking at the UK Specialized site under "ebike clearance" and the cheapest bike of all is the Vado SL 4 at £1,500 (Size large & XL only) Then some SL Vado step throughs & SL Comos, then as the price rises the big Vados and Teros and the usual glut of Levos.

It's looking like the Levo Gen 5 is being released in April (a full year late) be interesting to see what tricks Spesh will have implemented.

As to an alloy Vado SL 2? Hope they do this but no idea if they have plans. I'd love that gen 2 SL motor with wider clearance same battery (not concerned too much about greater drain because of more powerful motor, I have the range extender and would prefer that existing system to being locked in to a heavy bigger battery) and a reasonable price!

The other Levo rumour for that April release is that the S Works Levo could cost an eye watering £15-16K! All rumours for now...

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Levo Gen 4... not 5

 

[JustRiding]

Just looking at the UK Specialized site under "ebike clearance" and the cheapest bike of all is the Vado SL 4 at £1,500 (Size large & XL only) Then some SL Vado step throughs & SL Comos, then as the price rises the big Vados and Teros and the usual glut of Levos.

It's looking like the Levo Gen 5 is being released in April (a full year late) be interesting to see what tricks Spesh will have implemented.

As to an alloy Vado SL 2? Hope they do this but no idea if they have plans. I'd love that gen 2 SL motor with wider clearance same battery (not concerned too much about greater drain because of more powerful motor, I have the range extender and would prefer that existing system to being locked in to a heavy bigger battery) and a reasonable price!

The other Levo rumour for that April release is that the S Works Levo could cost an eye watering £15-16K! All rumours for now...

If the carbon version already has the weight of the 5.0 , then the alloy version likely passes the 20 Kgs mark

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Just reviewed current Vado SL prices on Specialized's official US site. They haven't budged since I started shopping for an SL 5.0 back in August, 2024. No discounts in sight.

Bought my SL 5.0 EQ through a local Specialized store in September, 2024. They pulled it from a warehouse in another state, as there were no yellow size Ls online and none at other dealers at the time. Paid the same full price showing online now.

Yet I keep reading about deep discounts on Vado SL 4.0s and 5.0s in the UK and EU. What's up with that? Is demand that much higher in the US?

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Just reviewed current Vado SL prices on Specialized's official US site. They haven't budged since I started shopping for an SL 5.0 back in August, 2024. No discounts in sight.

Bought my SL 5.0 EQ through a local Specialized store in September, 2024. They pulled it from a warehouse in another state, as there were no yellow size Ls online and none at other dealers at the time. Paid the same full price showing online now.

Yet I keep reading about deep discounts on Vado SL 4.0s and 5.0s in the UK and EU. What's up with that? Is demand that much higher in the US?

Hard to say. Hard to see an accurate bigger picture internationally. From all accounts they've been periodically discounting to get rid of the backlog of stock - in general I mean - The bike industry is slowly getting rid of the post covid backlog so they can introduce new models in their medium term plan of "Survive to 25". But hard to say if the cost of living crises has hit sales here but not with you in California? I don't think cycling in general is in great shape in uk right now, plus it is the depths of winter so not a great time traditionally for bike sales. Things tend to pick up with Spring & that's also when Spesh likes to launch new models. Makes sense.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

The OP lives in Asia. Who knows what Specialized will do there? But I wouldn't bet on any Vado SL 1 online discounts in the US in the foreseeable future.

Independent US dealers looking to get SL 1s off their floors might be a different story, but I don't know how much price leeway they really have on these bikes.