Experience high quality encompasses many facets of the Turbo Vado SL 2 and the way it feels to experience. We discovered its general experience high quality to be glorious, however I’ll break down every ingredient of the experience intimately; this may doubtless be one of many longest sections of the evaluate.
The bike is obtainable in 4 body sizes (S, M, L, and XL). We didn’t obtain details about the advisable peak ranges for every, however we expect it’s secure to imagine that they need to not deviate a lot from the unique Turbo Vado. As such, we may count on the peak ranges to be 5’1-5’5” (S), 5’5”-5’10” (M), 5’10”-6’1” (L), and 6’1”-6’4” (XL).
We examined the Massive body, which felt sized correctly for me (at 5’11”) and our different take a look at riders, who’re between 5’10” and 6’1” —as anticipated primarily based on the unique’s sizing.
By way of contact factors, I appreciated the 680-mm handlebars and ergonomic grips. Saddle form and magnificence are largely as much as private desire; I initially favored the usual saddle however discovered it agency after roughly an hour on the bike, so I might doubtless commerce it for one thing totally different.
I appreciated the truth that pedals had been included on a motorcycle of this caliber; many bikes on this worth vary usually require them to be chosen and added individually. The included pedals usually labored nicely, however I might doubtless nonetheless exchange them with one thing with extra grip and a bigger platform.
Beforehand, I discussed the Vado SL 2’s ethereal, energetic really feel and agile dealing with; this was maybe essentially the most notable ingredient of its experience apart from the pure but impactful feeling of its motor and PAS. The bike felt extraordinarily mild, maneuverable, in a position to nook tightly, and usually spirited and enjoyable to experience.
To explain the motor’s really feel, it engaged and disengaged nearly instantly when stress was utilized to/faraway from the pedals. Because the motor energy elevated by means of its PAS settings, the modifications had been instantaneous and impactful. Pedaling felt practically the identical as on an analog bike, however I moved sooner and coated extra distance with every stroke.
I discovered the bike’s Future Shock 3.2 suspension exceptional as nicely. This stem-integrated coil suspension is shrouded by a versatile rubber cowl, so it’s practically invisible on the bike. Its 20mm of journey is comparatively minimal, however it provides a noticeable discount within the influence of bumps, particularly when mixed with the carbon body and tires.
The Vado SL 2 is provided with customized Specialised Hemisphere tires with a gravel-appropriate knobby tread sample. I favored the steadiness, traction, and cushion they offered, however riders looking for to maximise these facets can outfit the bike with as much as a 56-mm tire. Mixed with the suspension, they provide the power to discover off the overwhelmed path.
One side I’ve not mentioned intimately is the Specialised app. As soon as paired, this extraordinarily helpful app permits customers to trace experience knowledge, tune the motor output, and obtain upkeep reminders and over-the-air firmware updates.
It can be used to arrange safety features corresponding to a lock and/or alarm, change battery use/charging preferences, and sync experience and coronary heart price knowledge with Strava, Komoot, and Apple Well being.
Specialised labored instantly with Apple to combine Discover My™ know-how. I used to be unable to pair this with my iPhone, however I’ve examined a handful of different e-bikes with this location-tracking tech, the place it functioned as anticipated. I might count on the identical from the Vado SL 2 with extra time to check the bike.
I appreciated all the app’s options, in addition to the bike’s glossy coloration show. The display options anticipated experience knowledge, together with the battery proportion, present pace, and so on, but in addition features a cadence monitor that signifies when shifting is suitable.
We additionally appreciated the EQ mannequin’s included MIK-HD cargo rack. This standardized locking rack system is appropriate with a variety of equipment. Specialised provides hard-shell panniers, however the system may be geared up with comfortable panniers, quite a lot of storage baggage, and even a toddler seat—one thing not usually seen on a commuter!
All in all, the Turbo Vado SL was a pleasure to experience and function. It felt as high-performance as its $6k worth would possibly recommend (at the very least on the time of writing), with sturdy building, a enjoyable and light-weight really feel, loads of built-in tech, dialed-in geometry, and a natural-feeling experience.
