Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 Review | Electric Commuter Bike

E-Bike Question of the Day ⚡🚴 Would you choose the Turbo Vado over a more affordable electric commuter? Why? Let us know in the comments below 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

I have a 2020 Turbo Vado 3.0 that I bought in Nov. 2020. I've put over 6,200 miles on it and it performs very well in our hilly neighborhood for this 76 year old.

I had a Trek E-bike for 3 years before getting this 4.0. I also had traditional bikes for years before from road to Hybrids. This 4.0 is hands down the best bike I have ever had. The power is so smooth and powerful. Love the mission control syncing with my iPhone. The ride is unbelievable between the front suspension and suspension seat. Tires are rated for 50 psi but can be aired down to 25 for an even smoother ride off-road. Being in my 70's, 20-28 I found very attainable with even power throughout the speed range. At speed it is very stable ride. Just can't say enough about this bike. I use it for exercise and photography and the MIK rack fortunately allowed me to keep my previous bags I use to carry my camera equipment and will allow me to add bags in the future.

I have Tantalus mountain near my house. Used to climb it on trek 1500 road bike. Won Tantalus time trails in my age group several. Also did 3 cycle to sun on Maui. Sea level to 10,000 feet. Blew out my knee trying to push big climbing gears at 59 trying to match my early 40's times up Tantalus. Ended my cycling didn't try again until 72 spinning a low gear up the mountain. My knee hurt just a small amount on the steeper grades esp. as I got stronger my cardio always strong slow heart beat & large lung capacity. Have lost some of that in older age. Looked into e bikes most are very heavy & handle poorly. I did research ended up with Specialized Vado SL 4.0. Climbing Tantalus use sport mode in steep sections rest of time in eco mode turn it off for mountain downhill. My knee doesn't hurt & I'm getting in good shape turn 73 next month. I love this bike. Makes me want to ride every day.

I live in the UK in West Wales - a place well known for its hills! I bought the 4.0 2 years ago - after a trial - that left me with a permanent smile! I have never been a keen cyclist, but as a 70yr old wanted something different to enjoy the Covid Lockdown and fresh air! It is quite simply a fine piece of Engineering and quality build. I regularly complete 25 miles on half battery! Love it!

Great review! Very thorough, detailed and informative for us that consider going into this market. The only thing I wish you would include, is metric conversions on your numbers. Even if it's just an overlay on the screen, it really helps for us that don't use anything else. Hope this is something you would consider 😊 Again, thank you for the video! It really helps when choosing what I want from a bike!

Bro, I am getting so stoked just watching this. I can tell you love it. I just test rode one of these earlier this evening, and oh man it was a delight. I was smiling the entire time.

I have a 2020 Vado 4.0 and its superb. I'm glad they updated it this year. I like the new geometry and things like the tapered head tube. They finally got rid of the RackTime rack too. Its the only thing I really dislike with the previous generation.

I was able to snag a Turbo Vado 5.0, and I just love it. 90% of my time I ride in Eco mode, but found myself falling back on Turbo when I attempt a ride that is a bit beyond the level that I've conditioned myself for, and that extra boost gets me back to my car with no issues. The Mission Control app and web interface are also fun and useful for analyzing your rides, and viewing accurate maps of the path taken.

This bike is fast! Even at the highest speeds, it feels stable and safe. This bike also smooths out the bumps very well. I'm having one built as we speak.

Really good detailed review thank you. Today by chance, I tried out a Specialized Turbo Vado 4 on a super hilly city in New Zealand. Same model as this one but with no fenders. Initially I rode along with the motor off noticing how lovely the shifting and ride was. At 90 kg I then raged easily up a notorious local hill which two 85 nm ebikes had struggled to get me up the week prior. I now have a size XL on order and can happily recommend this bike. I look forward to going anywhere in the city now fearless of its hills.

What a clean and handsome ebike. Specilaized did a great job revising the already stellar Vado lineup for 2022. New display, locking features and over-the-air software updates are huge improvements.

One of the best ebike reviews I have ever seen. I own the Turbo Vado SL 4.0 and couldn't be happier. However, at age 62,I am have some knee issues and more newton meters torque would be welcome for all the hills in Charlottesville.

Great review! I just picked one up 2 weeks ago, but darned snowstorms haven't even let me get the first ride in yet, so doing it vicariously through reviews for now. fit and finish do seem really incredible, and looking forward to the function as this will be my regular commuter come spring.

I loved your in-depth review especially the hill portion. We live in Maine near the White Mts with lots of paved and gravel roads and easily get 2 to 3 k vertical every ride. We are trying to decide between the Cannondale Tesdro Neo series and Vado. Where is your video taken as it looks like a beautiful area and path? Any other bike you recommend? Thank you!

One of the best reviews of the Vado 4 on the internet. I have owned 2 Vado 4's and they are great e-bikes, and this review is spot on. My only issue is that in ECO mode with the default setting at 35/35 is roughly 112% of the motor/battery support, I can get roughly 90 miles in that setting on a full charge. In Sport mode, 75/75 setting, close to 50 miles. This is my favorite e-bike hands down. The current sale on the 4.0 makes it a steal.

Just ordered the 5 IGH. Ecstatic 😊

The 3.0 belt version is the only ebike that checks all the boxes for me but as a full-time bike commuter I'm just so hesitant to drop ~$4k on a bike because of theft. The ride1up 700 cannot isn't nearly as nice and you're taking a chance on quality control & customer support but it still checks the important commuter boxes and costs ~$1.5k. Not only can I replace the thing and still spend less than a Vado but I can ride around with a lot less theft anxiety. If only people left bikes alone...

Awesome review. You are bang on. I bought this bike and I'm loving it.

I say it again. Very great job at every review you guys do. Probably the best reviewers on YouTube and anywhere else. !! Very good job. Keep going