specialized vado anyone?

levity

E*POWAH Elite
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Feb 15, 2018
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SoCal
Last summer I posted a short note in "The other bikes thread", but here's some more info:

2018 Vado 6 (US model, Class III, 28mph max speed assist)

motor - 1.2S strong and smooth, but no app to change tuning
Eco/Sport/Turbo are fixed at 20/50/100% which I find OK
acceleration is fixed and feels like the early Levo "Race" setting, great for street

battery - 600 Wh, good for ~50+ miles, 5000+ ft climbing for 160 lb rider working it
(mrs levity, 115 lb. and more fit, can get about 50% more miles and elevation gain)

handling - The OEM stock bike was a somewhat truck-like clumsy commuter, riding high and harsh with 29er wheels and heavy Armadillo tires. We built up 27.5 wheels to lower it and use Schwalbe G-ONE tires for a smooth ride. Very nice now!

drivetrain - all fine, I repaced 48t chainring with 42t to lower gearing, can spin just over 30mph

brakes - the TRP Zurich hydraulic disc brakes are powerful, just be sure to bed the pads in at the outset

misc - removed heavy fenders and rear rack, installed better fork with 44mm offset,
Answer 20/20 carbon bars, KS dropper post, left the kickstand (love it, haha!)

Overall... fast, sweet on the street, fun in the twisties
passable on gravel, but no hardtail pushing 50 lb it going to ride well in the rough

Vado.jpg
 
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