Specialized launches impressive full-suspension Vado 3 X commuter e-bike
Posted by MeasurementDecent251@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 69 comments
Posted by MeasurementDecent251@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 69 comments
OldCalligrapher1990@reddit
$5500/$8000
mrwhitewalker@reddit
Its basically a level 3, not sure why anyone would go for this
Mobile_Ad8543@reddit
It's cheaper than a car, and gas prices are extortionate? Taken care of properly, it'll last a long time.
bobcharliedave@reddit
My daily driver car, my ebike, and my normal bike combined cost less than 8k USD combined. The legacy bike companies charge straight up extortion prices.
RXrenesis8@reddit
Those are used prices you paid, and the $5000 is the new MSRP.
Someone will buy this bike new, and then someone like me or you will buy it used from them in a couple years once they figure out it's jist not for them for 1/4 of the price.
🎵 It's the circle of life 🎵
mrwhitewalker@reddit
I agree with everything you said. But you can also spend 1/4 the price for the same bike from a different brand
UT07@reddit
Yes, quality car replacements are not cheap
stormdelta@reddit
Paying more for quality is one thing, but $5-8K is well beyond what makes any sense for a practical commuter e-bike.
Or put another way, this isn't about practicality at all, it's a toy marketed to yuppies.
UT07@reddit
It's definitely the Lexus of ebikes. Show me an example of what you think is the Toyota of ebikes...
robotcoke@reddit
There's not cheap and then there is this nonsense.
$2500 will get you a nice ebike that can reliability replace your car.
UT07@reddit
Which one?
robotcoke@reddit
About 50 different ones, or even more than that. I saw this shop in person: https://www.cyrusher.com/
And I don't think they have anything that was over $2500. One was carbon fiber and only weighed 35 or 40 pounds.
You guys are out of your minds pretending that there are only 4 good brands and they all have to cost more than a good used car.
That linked shop is in Salt Lake City.
UT07@reddit
Sir or madame, I said *quality* CAR REPLACEMENT, not a disposable toy. Read my OP
robotcoke@reddit
Yeah, those ARE quality. If you're disputing that then explain. What makes that overpriced bike better than the ones for sale locally in that shop?
UT07@reddit
Honestly, didn't look. And if they use traditional bicycle components, established motor brands, and are only sold at local bike shops then they may be perfectly fine. I'm referring to the e-waste DtC junk bikes
robotcoke@reddit
Ah, so you're just repeating internet cliches and don't actually have any idea what you're talking about. Got it.
For the uninformed - Salt Lake is a major bike area. The city is surrounded by mountains. The entire area is blanketed in trails. Lots of outdoorsy type of people and lots of people on bikes.
This is a local bike shop in Salt Lake. The pictures and videos on the website are all from that brick and mortar shop in Salt Lake.
The actual bikes are also for sale online, and you can see many popular youtubers reviewing them if you search for it.
UT07@reddit
Okay, you motivated me to take a looksie. Jfc, what a pile of junk with throttles. Not a single mention of motor manufacturer. I assume bafang or worse. Not transparent about the drivetrain or brake components...assume bottom of the barrel or no name junk. Not surprised, you didn't defend the points I made in my previous points. Instead, you went on a nonsensical emotional tangent about Utah. Guy, quality bikes use Bosch, Shimano, Brose, TQ motors and UL certified batteries. They also use quality mid-range or higher Shimano or SRAM components. What you linked is a no-name brand that uses bottom barrel components.
robotcoke@reddit
In this moronic rant all you basically said was: "I dint know what I'm talking about, so I'll just continue to repeat internet cliches and pretend like I actually know something."
For everyone who wants the TLDR, this clown literally said, "I don't know who the manufacturer is, so I'll just assume it's garbage..." Then he goes on a rant about how his hypothetical garbage is not good quality.
What a moron. For everyone else, like I said, there are lots of reviews on YouTube from all the big youtubers, and it's a local shop with their phone number and address in the website. Your can call them and ask whatever questions you have, and you can drop in and take one on some test ride if you want. They have a warranty, UL Cert, local presence, etc, etc. Don't let this fool tell you "I don't know anything about it, therefore it must be trash..."
redvsblueheeler@reddit
Literally any Lectric or Aventon cargo bike?
UT07@reddit
Uhh, no
Fuzzy-Heart@reddit
No, for the average person, this is too damn expensive. We need the general populace to be able to afford bikes if we ever want to have a chance of seeing a noticeable drop in car usage. At this price point, this is a product for the wealthy.
UT07@reddit
How much do poor people spend on cars in the US?
LilAbeSimpson@reddit
The *average price of a new car in the US is now $50,000. It’s insanity.
nicholt@reddit
It's funny the cognitive dissonance people have with car purchases. Spend 50k on a car and then complain about spending $100 on gas. $5k ebike is pretty crazy too but if that's what you choose to spend your money on it's not nearly as expensive as car expenses.
LilAbeSimpson@reddit
Guilty of it myself honestly. I’d never spend $50k on a car, but I’d also never spend $5k on a bicycle. Even though I can afford both…
UT07@reddit
Sir or madame, I said *quality* CAR REPLACEMENT, not a disposable toy.
stormdelta@reddit
Yikes.
I don't know who they're targeting with that price, but it's not regular people.
councilmember@reddit
Also, it’s a commuter bike with mountain bike handlebars. Commuter should have swept back handles like a Dutch bike for upright riding.
LilAbeSimpson@reddit
It has full suspension because city streets are absolute garbage here in the US. Same reason it has MTB bars too. Better control.
Fuzzy-Heart@reddit
Jfc…
Worried_Document8668@reddit
meh, just another SUV bike(aka a touring fully with a granny handlebar and fenders/rack).
not exactly a new or interesting concept. Though, knowing Specialized it will probably be cream of the crop in features and performance, but not worth the asking price
stormdelta@reddit
The problem isn't the design, it's entirely the price.
Someone looking for a practical commuter isn't paying $5K for an ebike, especially if it's as locked down and proprietary as their other ebikes (making it more expensive to repair/maintain).
Resplendent_Komorebi@reddit
Found the drop bar road cycle elitist.
Worried_Document8668@reddit
i don't even own a roadbike currently. But the frames used to build SUV setup would be way more fun withput the highrise stems,riserbars and wider saddles. So just keeping them as equipped cross country mtbs
Resplendent_Komorebi@reddit
But it’s not a cross country mountain bike. It’s a commuter bike. Why would you want to turn it into a mountain bike when you can buy a bike that comes with those specs out of the box? That’s what the Turbo is.
Worried_Document8668@reddit
i don't want to turn it into anything. I'm just really lukewarm on the concept of SUV bikes, that's why i find it pretty meh and not worth talking about.
the whole cross country frame, really high stack cockpit and too wide, generalist tyres angle has been done to death already and they never handle all that nicely
Resplendent_Komorebi@reddit
Idk. I think it appeals to a niche of consumers who use their bikes as a means of transportation on less than ideal surfaces and aren’t interested in riding in a more aggressive forward position because they’re older and/or casual riders who are probably wearing a backpack.
Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it isn’t worth talking about. It’s not the bike for you.
neversayalways@reddit
I am that consumer niche and I don't think it's even niche. I ride an ebike on my office commute. I don't have time to change out of a riding outfit in to my office clothes & I will have a pretty heavy backpack.
So my priorities are comfort & ease of use, whilst still being able to travel up a pretty steep hill & manage some pot holes, the odd rough path, etc. This bike is way too pricey for me but I don't understand people writing off the whole area of the market.
robotokenshi@reddit
I have the Tero with has identical geo to Vado(prev gen), basically it was marketed as Vado with suspension for light trails and commuting. I suspect specialized got rid of the Tero because of overlap with Vado now that it comes with suspension fork front, and rear with x kinda like how it was Tero lineup.
Acsteffy@reddit
JFC that price is one hell of a profit margin.
VeryAverageAchiever@reddit
If you want to go off-road as part of your commute just get a gravel bike? Suspension just adds a ton of weight, potential failure points and expensive servicing costs.
Bucksin06@reddit
You don't need to go off road to benefit from suspension I guess you haven't seen the potholes in my city.
Worried_Document8668@reddit
learning to bunnyhop a gravelbike is way more fun than servicing full suspension
5ma5her7@reddit
Bunnyhop an ebike is literally impossible for most people...
Worried_Document8668@reddit
that's why you get a lightweight gravel e-bike and not any kond of full suspension setup
5ma5her7@reddit
For example?
Worried_Document8668@reddit
canyon grizl series, ktm macina gravelator series, cannondale synapse, Specialized turbo creo...
lots of option that keep it in weight ranges conparable to fully mtbs.
i mean you can even bunnyhop a full power e-mtb but won't get a lot of air put of it
pfhlick@reddit
Bike shop employee: "hello welcome to possible bikes how can I help you"
Customer: "i want a commuter ebike that i can bunny hop over potholes"
Bike shop employee: *taps the sign*
Worried_Document8668@reddit
it's kinda funny how hpw tp wheelie things is such a recurring theme on here, but everyone loses their mind about bunnyhops
pfhlick@reddit
It's partly a matter of physics, partly a skill issue. I find if you're a wheelie kid you will wheelie the bike. If you're a bunny hopper you will bunny hop it. The bike can help or hurt but it can't make it make sense.
Bucksin06@reddit
I'd be doing more hopping than the Easter Bunny. I guess you haven't seen the potholes in my city
Resplendent_Komorebi@reddit
laughs in Tennessee road surface conditions at the end of the winter season
5ma5her7@reddit
laughs in the bottom of the pothole of Parramatta Rd.
Superb_Raccoon@reddit
"They made the road out of potholes."
Deansies@reddit
Not a budget friendly choice, but I guess it's cool.
toopla251@reddit
It’s similar to the Tero x (I ride a 6) but I think about 10 lbs heavier. The Tero x is actually the perfect bike for someone like me who goes long distances on poorly maintained or steep roads and also rides basic MTB trails. In my case I don’t have to put the bike on the car, I can just ride 5 miles to trailhead. The new Vado x checks some of the same boxes but geared even more toward commuting.
For people wondering about the appeal of these bikes, there are few on the market with high-quality suspension and components that are also road-ready with racks, fenders etc. and aren’t built like complete tanks or with fat tires. I previously rode a Priority Current for 7k miles. I added a suspension stem and seat post, but that just made the roads more tolerable.
OldCalligrapher1990@reddit
72 frakking pounds !!!!!
Ur-in-a-tor@reddit
Just another morbidly obese ebike. And who the needs a full suspension in a city environment? They're just an added weight and future maintenance cost.
mperham@reddit
I bought a prev gen Turbo Como. One thing I will point out that others might not notice is the sheer number of big, custom parts that Specialized uses. The handlebars aren't circular so bar mounts for cameras, lights, phones won't work. The headstock is extremely thicc and has prevented me from using generic accessories in the past. The tires are quite wide and have prevented me from putting my bike on the bike rack of our public buses around here or bike hangers on trains/rails.
In short, I wish Specialized hadn't supersized every part. It makes for a big, heavy bike.
DeuceMachinima@reddit
The price is certainly impressive.
unseenmover@reddit
I like the vado 4 x better
BodSmith54321@reddit
Bulls makes a Bosch powered full suspension bike that goes 28mph for $3500.
https://bullsbikesusa.com/products/iconic-evo-tr-2-speed
AntEaterApocalypse@reddit
It's almost like an eMTB for the road or like... a diet fatbike. I guess it really depends on how much of your commute requires going over rough terrain, which is a very niche market. The rear suspension would be nice but there is a very good reason why commuter bikes generally have more efficient tires. 27 MTB tires blow chunks for riding on pavement in comparison.
pfhlick@reddit
Coming to fill the gigantic void left in the US market by the withdrawal of Riese and Müller
ChristianLS@reddit
Honestly, with how bad the road surfaces can be where I live, I can see the advantages of having full suspension on a commuter bike. Also seems like it would be very nice on gravel or dirt trails?
Damn well better be able to store your bike inside at home/work though if you're dropping this much cash on it.
REDMOON2029@reddit
5500 and 8000$ what an insane price
godver3@reddit
Looks great - this is exactly my use-case. I commute \~7 miles one way and like riding trails on the way though nothing too intense. Additionally I have two kids and prefer not to use a trailer - this would allow both a front and rear child seat - perfect.
Wants-NotNeeds@reddit
Super Deluxe! That motor is amazing. Exceptionally smooth and quiet, extraordinarily powerful. Rear suspension has Epic vibes, I imagine it's just lovely.
xAPPLExJACKx@reddit
I don't hate. But I don't like it