Any thoughts on the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0?
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Any thoughts on the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0?
I am looking to replace my ageing Surface 604 Colt with a Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 and would appreciate any feedback - positive or negative - on this bike. I am aware that it is not a 'sit back and cruise' type e-bike and I am quite OK with that as I need the exercise!
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
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Clark W. Griswold
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It is a great bike. My one biggest qualm with it is the fork/headset situation. Either go with a future shock or a carbon fork but aluminum fork and no future shock doesn't gel with me. The SL 5.0 has both but the 4.0 has neither but is ready for a future shock. Beyond that it is a decent drivetrain and a so far so good mid-drive motor and has decent assist and is nice and light. If I could swing I would go 5.0 for the comfort and the 12 speed XT is actually quite nice and having the TCD as standard is nice as well however the 4.0 is not a bad option in the least.
I say test ride one but go for it. The Vado SL is on my short list of E-bikes I really want and probably will be my next bike purchase this year assuming all the funds work out.
I say test ride one but go for it. The Vado SL is on my short list of E-bikes I really want and probably will be my next bike purchase this year assuming all the funds work out.
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It is a great bike. My one biggest qualm with it is the fork/headset situation. Either go with a future shock or a carbon fork but aluminum fork and no future shock doesn't gel with me. The SL 5.0 has both but the 4.0 has neither but is ready for a future shock. Beyond that it is a decent drivetrain and a so far so good mid-drive motor and has decent assist and is nice and light. If I could swing I would go 5.0 for the comfort and the 12 speed XT is actually quite nice and having the TCD as standard is nice as well however the 4.0 is not a bad option in the least.
I say test ride one but go for it. The Vado SL is on my short list of E-bikes I really want and probably will be my next bike purchase this year assuming all the funds work out.
I say test ride one but go for it. The Vado SL is on my short list of E-bikes I really want and probably will be my next bike purchase this year assuming all the funds work out.
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I did get to test the Turbo Vado 4 SL EQ, and am definitely leaning that way, but have not had the chance to ride the larger Vado 4. Given my liking for a little off roading (loose dirt), I am tempted to try the bigger bike to see if the suspension and larger motor make it a better choice.
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I did get to test the Turbo Vado 4 SL EQ, and am definitely leaning that way, but have not had the chance to ride the larger Vado 4. Given my liking for a little off roading (loose dirt), I am tempted to try the bigger bike to see if the suspension and larger motor make it a better choice.
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If I weren't going for a Vado SL I would look at the Como instead. I and many others are not as big fans of the regular Vado. It is a bit too heavy and the suspension isn't worth the weight. If I wanted a suspended bike it would be more like the R+M Charger or Supercharger or Nevo or something like that. The Vado SL 5.0 has the right amount of suspension for what it is and if you went with a 650b wheelset you could run plenty wide tires for the bike if the 700c tires are too thin.
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#10
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I love mine, though I agree with veganbikes that the 5 with front suspension would have been better. I couldn’t justify the extra bucks as I was $1000 over budget with the 4. Chose it for weight and range. Rides like my Cannondale Adventure 1, but easier on my old bones.
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Honestly if they had done the 4 with a carbon fork I would go for that and it would be way better on my end. I could do what I wanted with the drivetrain and swap the brakes which I would do on the 5 anyway (because I am a chronic tinkerer and I can get flat mount XTR brakes now) and I would be changing bars, stem and seatpost as well so it could save me some coin.