Why you’ll be able to belief TechRadar
We spend hours testing each services or products we evaluate, so that you may be positive you’re shopping for one of the best. Find out more about how we test.
Specialised Vado SL2: One minute evaluate
After I first jumped on the Specialised Vado SL2 Carbon, it immediately jogged my memory of my time with the Tenways CGO600 Professional. It had one thing to do with the shape issue and modern design however above all, it was the graceful experience and easy energy supply that by no means left you wanting.
I used the Vado SL2 Carbon on quite a lot of totally different routes, together with to journey between residence and work, which itself contains metropolis streets and rural roads. I discovered that it carried out admirably and is most positively worthy of consideration as probably the greatest e-bikes round.
It’s been some time since we reviewed the primary iteration of this e-bike, the Vado SL, however suffice it to say, Specialised has made it higher in nearly each method. That features the design, efficiency, and battery life.
Few e-bikes ship this premium degree of high quality, however with nice outcomes comes a reasonably hefty price ticket. Because of this, the Vado SL2 Carbon is just for elite commuters who’ve extra money than they actually know what to do with.
|
Element |
Specialised Vado SL2 |
|---|---|
|
Measurement vary: |
Not specified |
|
Motor: |
Specialised 1.2 SL System |
|
High pace |
15.5mph / 25kmh (UK) |
|
Energy: |
Specialised SL2-520, Totally Built-in, 520Wh |
|
Management: |
LCD Show |
|
E-bike classification: |
Class 3 |
|
Speeds: |
Shimano 12 pace |
|
Brakes: |
Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
|
Body materials: |
Carbon |
|
Weight: |
17.9kg / 39.7lbs |
|
Vary: |
5 hours driving |
Specialised Vado SL2: Worth and availability
- $6,500 USD, £5,500 UK / $9,900 AUS
- Accessible in black or purple paint finishes
At $6,500 USD, £5,500 UK / $9,900 AUS, the Specialised Vado SL2 Carbon Outfitted is, palms down, the costliest e-bike I’ve ever had the pleasure of driving. Second to it will be the Brompton Electric P Line Urban, which retails at $4,750 / £3,695 and is a constructive steal compared. The Vado SL2 Carbon is offered in both black or purple paint finishes.
Specialised Vado SL2: Design
- Carbon body
- Non-detachable battery
- Glorious handlebar display
The graceful and modern design means you’ll look the half as you commute between residence and work and again once more. In comparison with the earlier iteration of this e-bike, Specialised has opted for a a lot smoother and streamlined aesthetic. I do know I’m not alone in pondering this however they’ve completely nailed it. It shouts premium from each single angle.
The body and different parts are fabricated from carbon, which ends up in one severely mild e-bike. Now I’m no weightlifter, however I had no issues lifting the entire thing with only one hand. At 17.9kg / 39.7 lbs you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a lighter e-bike of the identical measurement. Regardless of not being foldable and due to this fact not appropriate for automotive trunks, the minimal weight will make it simple to throw up onto a motorcycle rack.
The load and ergonomic positioning of the seat and handlebars make for an easy telepathic dealing with expertise. With some e-bikes, it feels such as you’re shifting a truck round however not so with the Vado SL2. Turning spherical corners and making fast changes is as simple because it might be. General, the e-bike delivers a shocking degree of stability contemplating it has a heavy battery constructed into it. This isn’t the case for a lot of e-bikes however in the course of the more difficult inclines, I used to be even capable of rise up and experience.
Due to Future Shock 3.2, Specialised has produced an e-bike that effortlessly cushions any uneven bike observe or potholed street floor. Each experience is due to this fact tremendous easy, a perfect expertise for commuters who wish to flip as much as work with out feeling like they’ve accomplished a exercise.
I examined the EQ (outfitted) model, which features a vary of additional options that aren’t out there within the base bundle. These embrace a rear rack with lights, cage mounts, fenders, and a kickstand. I used to be glad to have these additional elements, particularly whereas biking by the British winter, which is thought for being moist, muddy, and darkish!
The e-bike additionally has probably the greatest handlebar screens that I’ve ever come throughout, with a well-designed interface that gives enough knowledge, together with pace, distance traveled, and battery life left. There’s a Specialised app that takes this to a complete new degree however I opted to stay with the e-bike’s built-in display on account of not eager to need to mount my telephone every time I went for a experience.
Specialised Vado SL2: Efficiency
- Easy energy supply
- Responsive dealing with
- Efficient shockproof expertise
The Specialised Vado SL2 Carbon is a powerhouse of efficiency. Having examined the e-bike on a variety of surfaces over a interval of a number of weeks, I by no means discovered myself wanting. That is hardly ever the case once I’m testing e-bikes with both the torque, dealing with, or motor sensitivity falling wanting what I would like. Not so with the Vado SL2 Carbon.
Formidable energy and excessive torque are delivered from Specialised’s bespoke SL 1.2 motor. As quickly as I had clocked up my first kilometer of driving, I knew this was one particular e-bike. I used to be notably impressed with each the responsiveness and easy energy supply that this bike offers. With no delay between turning the pedals and energy supply, I knew I may belief the SL2 to offer me precisely what I wanted when accelerating from a stationary place.
With the motor up and operating, I beloved the way it easily went by the motions all the best way as much as high pace, even when touring up medium inclines. As is the case with most e-bikes the SL2 struggled to supply the facility required for steeper hills. I don’t thoughts getting the muscle groups burning at this stage but when this can be a drawback for you, then you definately would possibly wish to discover different choices.
As a result of severely light-weight carbon body, I used to be somewhat involved that dealing with was going to be twitchy and unreliable however all my issues have been unfounded. Slightly, dealing with was fantastically telepathic due to the ergonomic format of the handlebars and seat. If something, the lowered weight meant pressure on my arms was restricted
The 12-speed rear derailleur offers an outstanding vary of gears however was sadly somewhat clunky throughout gear modifications. I used to be capable of entry all gears however shifting between gears was slower than I’d have anticipated for an e-bike at this value level. Whereas we’re with reference to issues that might be improved, I discovered the effectiveness of the disc brakes meant I wasn’t capable of cease as shortly as I’d have anticipated.
Extra positively, I beloved the Future Shock 3.2 expertise, which effortlessly handled any uneven surfaces that I cycled on. This was notably noticeable when touring over pothole-laden roads round the place I reside.
I used to be additionally positive to check the e-bike at night time to see how the lights carried out. Each entrance and tail lamps are powered by the battery however solely the rear is built-in into the body. Each present sufficient mild ranges to be seen by others however the entrance lacks the power to mild up nation roads that don’t have road lighting. I due to this fact discovered myself requiring a secondary entrance mild to do that for me.
General, the Vado SL2 Carbon is likely one of the highest-performing e-bikes I’ve ever had the pleasure of driving. It’s highly effective, easy, and delivers improbable dealing with.
Specialised Vado SL2: Battery life
- As much as 5 hours vary
- Specialised SL2-520
- Totally built-in
Specialised is unusually silent on what number of miles or kilometres the e-bike will handle nevertheless it does decide to a variety of 5 hours. That is more likely to be on the lowest degree of pedal help, minimal rider weight, and no headwind.
Throughout my take a look at rides, I discovered that I achieved round 35 miles per full cost, which equated to round two and a half hours. These rides included a variety of terrains and climate situations that will have made the e-bike work more durable than normal.
If vary is more likely to be a priority for you, then you may all the time purchase a Specialised vary extender battery, which is probably going to offer you an extra 1 hour of vary. That is more likely to be much less in real-world checks and is nowhere close to the identical as shopping for a second battery. The extender does benefit from being tremendous transportable, although.
The battery is built-in throughout the body, which suggests you’ll have to have the ability to cost it the place you retailer the e-bike. That is removed from very best for me and I a lot favor batteries that I can take indoors in a single day.
- Battery life rating: 3.5/5
Specialised Vado SL2: Scorecard
|
Class |
Remark |
Rating |
|
Worth |
The excessive value might be laborious to justify for a lot of |
3.5/5 |
|
Design |
A stunning carbon body design that lacks a removable battery |
4.5/5 |
|
Efficiency |
Easy energy supply and responsive dealing with offers a dream experience |
4.5/5 |
|
Battery Life |
35 miles per full cost wants bettering for the value |
3.5/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally contemplate
|
Element |
Specialised Vado SL2 |
ENGWE MapFour N1 Air |
Tenways CGO600 Professional |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Measurement vary: |
Not specified |
Not specified |
157cm x 96cm |
|
Motor: |
Specialised 1.2 SL System |
250W In-Rotor Moto |
250W (UK) / 350W (US) |
|
High pace |
15.5mph / 25kmh (UK) |
15.5mph / 25kmh (UK) |
15.5mph / 25kmh (UK) and 20 mph (US) |
|
Energy: |
Specialised SL2-520, Totally Built-in, 520Wh |
360Wh 10Ah high-capacity battery |
36V 10Ah Lithium-ion Battery with LG Cells |
|
Management: |
LCD Show |
LCD Show |
Small OLED Show |
|
E-bike classification: |
Class 3 |
Class 3 |
Class 1 |
|
Speeds: |
Shimano 12 pace |
Shimano 7 pace |
Single-speed |
|
Brakes: |
Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
TEKTRO Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
|
Body materials: |
Carbon |
Carbon |
Aluminum |
|
Weight: |
17.9kg / 39.7lbs |
15.6kg (34 lbs) |
18kg together with equipment |
|
Vary: |
5 hours driving |
62 miles / 100 Km |
62 miles / 100 Km |
How I examined the Specialised Vado SL2
As quickly because the e-bike dropped onto my doorstep, I cracked straight on with getting it constructed. It didn’t take lengthy, due to the best way it was packaged and principally pre-setup. With the remainder of the setup accomplished, I proceeded to make use of the e-bike for all my rides throughout a six-week interval. This included my every day 7-mile commute by the nation, alongside closely congested roads, and thru metropolis streets. My testing interval was in the course of the winter season so I used to be capable of take a look at the e-bike throughout a variety of climate situations, together with rain and ice.
First reviewed: February 2025