Worlds most unlucky Vado 4 owner or just a terrible bike?

[Turbo Vado Pip]

Was pretty upsetting when my original Vado 4s frame cracked and the entire bike had to be replaced under warranty. But with the other issues including the rear wheel falling apart, getting a shiny new 2020 model Vado 4 was not a bad thing. Currently on a cycling holiday and the rear wheel has fallen apart again (2 times on the new one) and just when it was fixed was out for a ride today and the entire derailleur sheered off leaving me stranded yet again.
It’s quite incredible how awful both bikes have been. I fear it’s time to join the dark side and move to Trek. I’ve been more than patient enough.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

If you don't mind my asking, how much do you weight and are you riding with panniers? Once a rear wheel starts breaking spokes we usually rebuild by hand and/or spec something more robust. The stock wheel is 28 hole, perhaps a 32 or 36 hole rear wheel makes more sense?

Sorry about the frame, that's a bum deal!

 

[Turbo Vado Pip]

When it happened on the first bike they rebuilt the rear wheel by hand and it went on to do another 3000 miles without any problem. To my mind that still means the stock wheel is of poor quality

 

[Brendon@OEB]

When it happened on the first bike they rebuilt the rear wheel by hand and it went on to do another 3000 miles without any problem. To my mind that still means the stock wheel is of poor quality

That's a false assumption. Depending on rider weight and intended use a more robust rear wheel can be a good idea right out of the gate, perhaps both wheels.

 

[jaizon]

That's a false assumption. Depending on rider weight and intended use a more robust rear wheel can be a good idea right out of the gate, perhaps both wheels.

no direct response, so I'm guessing "heavy" rider. I am one myself and and will consider this advice when ordering another bike.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

We've set many riders in the 300+ range on bikes, most folks are sheepish about wanting to ride and it's really fun to enable them to enjoy an activity we're so passionate about. The bike frames themselves are very robust, the wheels are the next link. E bikes already come with decent tires, if we need to pull out the stops, 36 hole DT Swiss hubs with a Velocity rim laced 3 cross with straight gauge spokes is about as tough as you can get.

 

[onlineaddy]

36 hole DT Swiss hubs with a Velocity rim laced 3 cross with straight gauge spokes is about as tough as you can get.

How much would something like that set one back?

 

[Turbo Vado Pip]

That's a false assumption. Depending on rider weight and intended use a more robust rear wheel can be a good idea right out of the gate, perhaps both wheels.

A correct assumption. I totally agree. The wheels should be more robust right out of the gate. What was interesting was that it happened away from home. So I got the opinion of a repair shop that wasn’t trying to protect the Specialized brand. They said they were surprised that Specialized ships them with those wheels as so many of the spokes go in at an angle. Which means they are vulnerable to the extra eBike pressures of heavy frame, battery, luggage and motor torque etc. Specialized have the rider pulling a wheelie in the advertisement for the Vado so they clearly believe it can take more abuse than I would ever give it!