Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,097
Likes: 6,551
From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
It is a great bike. My one biggest qualm with it is the fork/headset situation. Either go with a future shock or a carbon fork but aluminum fork and no future shock doesn't gel with me. The SL 5.0 has both but the 4.0 has neither but is ready for a future shock. Beyond that it is a decent drivetrain and a so far so good mid-drive motor and has decent assist and is nice and light. If I could swing I would go 5.0 for the comfort and the 12 speed XT is actually quite nice and having the TCD as standard is nice as well however the 4.0 is not a bad option in the least.
I say test ride one but go for it. The Vado SL is on my short list of E-bikes I really want and probably will be my next bike purchase this year assuming all the funds work out.