Experiencing Mark's Vado 5.0 SL

On our ride today, Mark had his future Specialized VADO 5.0 SLEQ. Both Phil and I had ordered one and were interested in a trial run. My experience with Mark's new ride was both positive and negative when comparing to my road bike. I suspect the negative aspects that I noted would evaporate with experience. (See the Specialized page on this blog for the bike's spec's)

First, while pedaling it around the parking lot it was remarkably smooth. Mark said, "You don't have the motor turned on." Most likely, the great ride was due to the 37-mm tires versus my 28's.   Plus the Future Shock 1.5 suspension was a noticeable benefit. The VADO SL is advertised to weigh 33 pounds, but at the bike shop, the "large" EQ version came in at 37 pounds.

On our ride, when we got to the corner of Hollis Chapel and Moore Lane, I jumped on the VADO and rode it down Hollis Chapel to the Wilson Road. I then pedaled it back up the hill on Hollis Chapel. 

I noticed a lot of steering play in the VADO hybrid handle bars partly because they were slightly misaligned and partly because they were about 12-inches wider than my road bike handlebars. Also, my road bike steering tends to lock in place when the wheel is centered. (Helpful for sleeping while riding.) Nevertheless, I was uncomfortable with the excessive play in the VADO steering.

The VADO had three levels of motor assist. Down the hill on Hollis Chapel, I set the motor for medium assist. Reversing course once reaching the bottom, I engaged the motor at full power and adjusted the gearing, a step at a time, to higher granny levels. 

The bike had twelve-gears in its cassette with a 45-cog at the top. I don't think I got is all the way to 45.  I was trying to feel the benefit of the electric assist at each gear selection.

The motor provided far less help than I expected. Crap! I still had to work on the climb. I eventually conceded, "It's an eBike, not a moped." 

Nevertheless, at the top of the climb, where I typically tire out and sometimes debate whether I needed an off-the-bike rest, the motor assist became noticeably welcome. I powered down to medium assist and was surprised how quickly and comfortably I was back at my starting point. That day, both Phil and I put the VADO through its paces on Hollis Chapel and Mark rode it an additional 24 miles. 

On most rides, Mark struggles to keep up. Not this day. He was always at the front (I assume because many times he was out of sight). We drained the battery to 42%.  Phil and I figured on a normal ride, with our fat butts, that 60 miles and not the advertised 80 miles would be an upper limit.

Back at the Bike Shop, we related our experience to David Hardin, especially about not coming near the advertised 80 mile range. He thought that once we got used to the bike that the 80 mile range was possible. He also said that the VADO has a feature in which we can set our desired range, approaching 80 miles, and the bike would manage our ride appropriately.  I thought, "Maybe."

An important consideration is the "assist" of the VADO SL.  It is advertised to provide 180% rider assist (whatever that means). It is not a moped. I interpret it to mean, "If I am comfortable doing 30 mile rides, with the VADO I will be comfortable doing 54-mile rides" That target is reasonably in range of the battery and of our typical daily tour distance. Phil said, "If in 3 to 5 years we need additional assistance, we can buy an upgraded version."

I thought, "If I am still riding bike tours in five years, it wasn't the bike that got upgraded."

Tom