Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ electric bike.
Turbo Vado = mid-drive electric bike with integrated battery in down fork
SL = super light (electric bike weighs approx. 35 lbs)
EQ = equipped (front & rear fenders, rear bike carrier, front & rear lights)
5.0 = top model with future shock, full color display, better components
Pretty much looks like a regular bike, but has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and mid-drive electric motor built-in to the frame to assist you biking. Very light weight for an electric bike.
Regular price = $5250.
Sale price = $3999.99.
2 colors available. Limited sizes left in stock.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en...281-216530
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- It can't go as fast as a 750W hub motor bike
- It has a lower load limit than many $1500 bikes (275lbs vs 300lbs+)
- It has hard-to-source replacement parts (hard to get parts for those Bosch motors, Bafang parts are available everywhere)
- Less range than many hub motor bikes
- Torque sensor + assist levels make it harder to get a particular level of motor output vs straight power-based assist levels + cadence sensor
- Lower rack weight limit than many lower-cost bikes
- Cheap plastic fenders vs. high-quality metal fenders on some $1500 ebikes.
- Very limited display vs many lower-cost ebikes.
- Non-removable battery
I won't list the pros because that's not the point. The point is that the Turbo Vado SL isn't strictly superior to other, much cheaper bikes, so it's perfectly reasonable to compare them.https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-.../660471406
35#
35 pounds
This is, first and foremost, a very rideable bicycle and quite a nice one at that. It is intended for those who actually want to pedal their bike. The seamlessly smooth and reliable electric assist is a bonus, for keeping up with others, a little help going up a hill or into a head wind, or getting home easier after a long day.
What it is not is a heavy behemoth of a motorized two wheel vehicle with some pedals thrown on as an afterthought or to get around legalities. I mean, that's great if that's what you want, but that is nowhere near the intent of this bicycle.
35 lbs.
35#
35 pounds
35#
35 pounds
This is, first and foremost, a very rideable bicycle and quite a nice one at that. It is intended for those who actually want to pedal their bike. The seamlessly smooth and reliable electric assist is a bonus, for keeping up with others, a little help going up a hill or into a head wind, or getting home easier after a long day.
What it is not is a heavy behemoth of a motorized two wheel vehicle with some pedals thrown on as an afterthought or to get around legalities. I mean, that's great if that's what you want, but that is nowhere near the intent of this bicycle.
35 lbs.
35#
35 pounds
28.6 lbs.
28.6#
28.6 pounds.
And its regular price is $1700 less than this bike's sale price.
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28.6 lbs.
28.6#
28.6 pounds.
And its regular price is $1700 less than this bike's sale price.
As for the price, the cheaper one is a direct to consumer brand. You can't test ride it or get fit advice from someone that can see you on the bike. The battery, motor, and electronics are generic at best. And you have to assemble it and deal with problems, which are quite likely with a D2C electric bike, yourself.
Electric bikes run the full gamut, from nearly non-detectable in-frame bottom bracket motors that some road racers have tried to cheat with to practically full-on fat-tired motorcycles. Each person has to choose the style of bike, weight, range, power, speed, quality, price, and included service that meets their needs. That this bike doesn't have the 750watt hub motor of a cheap e-bike, as suggested earlier, doesn't make it a bad bike, it just makes it different. And for a lot of people, that difference is ideal.
(*non name-brand Chinese carbon frames are always a crap shoot, some good, some bad, some lightweight, some heavy, some stiff, some noodly, etc.)
My current bike has 32 mm tires, it works fine for city streets, and I've never had a flat. The bumps can be harsh though, currently keeping an eye out for a good gravel bike with 40+ mm.
- It can't go as fast as a 750W hub motor bike
- It has a lower load limit than many $1500 bikes (275lbs vs 300lbs+)
- It has hard-to-source replacement parts (hard to get parts for those Bosch motors, Bafang parts are available everywhere)
- Less range than many hub motor bikes
- Torque sensor + assist levels make it harder to get a particular level of motor output vs straight power-based assist levels + cadence sensor
- Lower rack weight limit than many lower-cost bikes
- Cheap plastic fenders vs. high-quality metal fenders on some $1500 ebikes.
- Very limited display vs many lower-cost ebikes.
- Non-removable battery
I won't list the pros because that's not the point. The point is that the Turbo Vado SL isn't strictly superior to other, much cheaper bikes, so it's perfectly reasonable to compare them.you are comparing a Mercedes to a Kia. They are not comparable other than they are ebikes…..
The Vados are known for their balance, comfort, smooth power, geometry, and overall quality Vs 1500 generic hub bike with low end parts and no support.
To some of your points.
-Hub motors are a different beast…... like comparing FWD to RWD cars. Nobody prefers Hub power delivery. Also much harder to change flat tires.
- power is comparable.- assists to 28MPH and has comparable torque….also more efficient so will go further. Accelerates and handles quicker due to lower weight.
- Torque sensors > cadence sensors for controlling power…..this is not even a question. Specialized further includes an app which allows full customization over the assist levels within the controller. This system is a top pick for smooth, natural power delivery. Polar opposite of a hub motor with cadence sensor jerking from behind.
- comparing Bosch/Brose parts availability to Bafang ???. Good luck to find a bike shop that will help you with Bafang or stock/sell you parts……most wont even service them unless they sold it so you are on your own to find parts. ALL bike shops will help you with Bosch or Brose and are TRAINED on them, and most have parts on the shelf. Bosch/Brose are built to automotive standards…. Bafang, nope- not automotive grade.
- small color display is preferred and easy to read in the sun….cheap bike screens might be larger but are hard to read outside - not better.
- many other points are related to the SL - super light variant of the Vado… heavy hub drive models not comparable.
No serious biker would compare this to a <1500 hub drive bike any more than a kia owner would cross shop a Porsche.
Source: I have both a $1500 juiced hub drive (first bike) and just bought a turbo vado 4 (also on sale). Easily worth double the price, but appreciated the "cheap" bike as a first step.