It was when I got to my first hill that I realized Id never even turned the bike on.
Once properly motorized, riding the Vado SL felt like my legs had just gotten a lot stronger.
That first ride really told me everything I needed to know about the Turbo Vado SL.
I wish there were more ebikes like it.
Ive tested bikes thatdouble or triple those specsfor far less money.
Specializeds heavier, more powerful non-SL Vado actuallystarts at lower pricetoo.
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For one, despite the small batteries, Specialized can (realistically!)
claim 80 miles of range, or 120 with the range extender.
But really, the Vado SLs best selling point is its weight.
For reference, NYCs super-popular rideshare Citibikes weigh 45lb a pop.
Compared to your typical ebike, its no contest.
Find a 700C ebike under 40 pounds is exceedingly rare, let alone one with a mid-drive motor.
The Vado SLs featherweight status matters for more than just ride quality.
It makes the bike easy to bring on public transport.
Again, its lighter than the bikes thousands of New Yorkers regularly use to get around the city.
To that end, the bike justfeelshigh quality, as one would hope from a company like Specialized.
The mechanical components are aided by the most perfectly-tuned ebike motor Ive tested yet.
That said, its important to keep your expectations in check.
But this is exactly the punch in of experience I personally want from an e-bike.
I have no trouble imagining someone lighter reaching 80 miles on a charge.
Plus the 4 Amp charger tops up the battery pretty fast too.
No, the Vaso SL isnt perfect.
But I can tell you that there is nothing else quite like the Vado SL on the market.
Meanwhile, most lightweight alternatives come with major caveats in range, speed, or components.
Sometimes less really is more.
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