Get same bike my wife has or Turbo Vado?
Posted by Ok-Pollution-1928@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 11 comments
My wife just ordered a Velotric Discover M. We will typically just ride bike paths and town streets and explore for the daytogether. I have analog road and mountain bikes too.
I can't decide if I should get a Discover M like hers or a Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0. They are within a few hundred dollars of each other right now. I am not worried about the small price difference. Any suggestions?
onlyTryingtoBeNice@reddit
I work at an independent Ebikeshop, and LOVE the new discover M... motor has 50% more power, a bigger battery and is highly tuneable (you can turn the assist WAY down on the bike itself without an app)
The vado is more of a hybrid and the discover will be a bit more of a cushy ride (depending on if your vado has a sus-fork) But with the larger motor and throttle, the M will be more 'fun'.
The discover M also has room for larger tires, so even more comfort if you upgrade to tires a little wider
both have 2 year warranty on the electronics
RockHead-MA@reddit
I'm an admitted Velotric fanboy (3 in the family -2 T1 ST+, currently building a carbon T1 Pro into a drop bar GRX road/gravel/sport commuter). I'm intrigued by the Discover M and more of Velotric's '26 lineup. Interesting that you say the M would be more 'fun'. Could you expound on what you mean when you say that?
I think I'd probably get the Specialized. But then I ride/commute 50-100 miles/week on a 350W Velotrics, because I need the fitness with the assist.
onlyTryingtoBeNice@reddit
on max assist and in the 46t cassette ring, the bike almost does a wheelie. It can launch you up the steepest hills faster than seems physically possible
yet can be dialed all the way down to like 5% assist, just enough juice to make the bike light and feathery feeling, at 5% its just like a light weight acoustic bike
Ok-Pollution-1928@reddit (OP)
This was exactly the type of advice I was looking for thank you! Yes I think at the end of the day I want the "fun" factor for cruising with the wife. If I want to hit the pedals hard thats what my other bikes are for. Thanks!
Correct_Cockroach818@reddit
My wife has a Vado and I have a Vado SL. If you are active with a regular bike you will prefer the SL. It is noticeably lighter and handles more like a bicycle. The Vado is fine but it feels heavy, cumbersome, and more like a moped than a bike. The main downside is the rigid aluminum fork, not too bad for short street rides but on the rail trails it is too harsh. I changed to more swept back handlebars which helped by taking weight off the hands.
band-of-horses@reddit
The SL does at least have the stem future shock that takes out some of the vibration and small bumps.
unseenmover@reddit
vado for sure. Its more performance orientated in its progressive geometry, components and nm/wattage output.
chrispark70@reddit
There is no such thing as an "analog bike"
trevor_plantaginous@reddit
That’s a tough decision. I have the Vado 4 and it’s about the most perfect ebike I’ve owned - but I’ll admit it’s getting a bit long in the tooth/old. I think it’s about 4 yrs old now. I have about 5000 completely trouble free miles - I actually get 70+ miles in range - and bike is surprisingly light/nimble. It’s fun in how it handles but it’s not a rocket ship.
I have no experience with velotric. My only concern with the velotric would be the throttle on a mid drive. Typically a throttle on a mid drive will absolutely kill your chain and cassette. I had a bike a few years ago with both I gave up on because I’d have to replace the cassette twice a year. Not sure if velotric somehow addressed this. But a mid drive throttle wil turn the chain vs a hub that just drives the wheel.
NJdestroyed@reddit
Wait till she gets hers and try it , then make your decision
ConfidentChemistry83@reddit
Specialized on brand name alone