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Trying to decide on the right 'Specialized' eBike for a long commute

tl;dr: have long commute. Want eBike. Am fat. Should I buy Specialized Veno 4.0 or Veno SL 4.0 EQ?

Hello everyone,

For multiple reasons I'm looking to purchase my first eBike for my long commute to work. My local bike shop (who I would like to work with on this) sells Specialized. It looks like the Vado 4.0 and Vado SL 4.0 EQ can both be had for around $3200 and these seem like the most likely candidates for this role.

My bike shop is recommending the SL. I normally wouldn't question them but Specialized's website claims I would get more range out of the regular Vado. It also has the added advantage of having a removable battery which means I can charge it at my desk and have a full battery for the commute home.

On the other hand the SL seems more approachable for someone who has a lot of experience with non-assisted riding. Additionally it's light enough that it should function decently as a conventional bike should the electric drive train turn off.

About my commute:

By bike my commute to work will be about 26 miles (42km). Terrain is mostly flat and I will be on dedicated bike paths for 85% of the trip. This commute is located in SE Michigan and I intend to ride 2 or 3 times a week as weather permits. I will likely still ride in rain and cold conditions but snow may be a limiting factor as the bike paths are not plowed during the winter. My workplace has lockers and a shower. I can keep changes of clothes at work but would prefer to not have to use the shower unless absolutely necessary.

About me:

I'm 6'4' (193cm) and about 260lbs (118kg). That may seem too fat to consider this commute, but I race XC (Beginner/Clydesdale) and Enduro (Expert/Open) so I am decently in-shape for my size. For reference Strava has me at 2,458 out of 5,827 at the local hard XC loop, and 75 out of 6584 on one of the downhill sections so I feel capable enough to make this happen. Additionally I used to commute by bike more regularly but the trips were shorter and I would just use one of my mountain bikes.

Google claims that the commute will take 2 hours but I'm guessing that is accounting for a slower rider on a conventional bicycle. If I can get the time down to 1hr 30min then this should be entirely feasible. Especially considering my normal commute takes between 40min to 1hr 30min in my car.

Additional notes:

The bike shop loaned me a demo bike. a Specialized Globe Haul ST. Neither they or I think this is the right bike for me but they had one that's a demo model and suggested I try half my route to see how bad the commute will be. This will give me a decent sample of the route and will be a nice introduction to eBikes in general.

Sorry for the long post. Curious what your thoughts are. Has anyone used these bikes or have any tips or recommendations? Thanks!

Edit: I tested the route today on the Haul ST I'm demoing. I decided to do the route to the halfway point and turn around as this would roughly simulate the total distance.

The good news is despite a couple hiccups with the bike (mostly due to me inexperience), and having to slow down for busy Saturday trail traffic (my rule was 12-15mph anytime I was near any other trail user) I still made the halfway point by 45 minutes. This is exactly the time frame I was hoping for.

The bike shop told me they didn't think the Haul had the range to make the trip at the speed I wanted and they were right. The Haul preformed admirably overall. I ran PA level 3 until halfway back I realized I had misinterpreted the 'RNG' indicator and checking the app showed that I only 9% battery remaining. I switched to PA level 1 for the rest of the trip home. the Haul is an absolute pig on PA 1 but I was able to limp it home without further issue.

If I had a slightly shorter commute and needed to carry more than a couple light bags the Haul would be perfect. However, it's designed to carry heavier loads than I need.

Here's the Strava track if anyone is curious to see how it performed: https://www.strava.com/activities/10121452712

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6 comments

  • Frankly, I'm not sure I'd get either of those, even limiting yourself to Specialized (which is also something I don't agree with, but you put it down as a requirement so I'll go with it).

    Looking through Specialized's "Active"/"transport" e-bike models, the one that catches my eye most for your use-case would be one more like the Turbo Vado 3.0 IGH Step-Through or one of the "Haul" cargo-bike models. Here's why:

    1. Your use-case is commuting, which means you'll want to carry stuff -- potentially, large amounts of stuff. The "Haul" models are best for that, of course, but the reason I suggest the step-through Vado is so that if you've got something bulky strapped to the rear rack, you don't have to swing your leg up and over all of it to get on. I do have concerns about rear rack weight capacity on the Vado, however.

    2. Michigan winters: an IGH is way better than a derailleur for you, so that's why the IGH version of the Vado is attractive. There's definitely a trade-off because Specialized doesn't seem to make an IGH Haul model (which would be ideal IMO), however. Also, for the winter, you should think about tire size and availability of studded tires in that size. Maybe "fat bike" type tires, as found on the Haul, might perform better in snow?

    (Note: there's no particular reason I picked a 3.0, other than that I didn't see a 4.0 IGH step-through. Frankly, I can't be bothered to see what the differences between 3.0/4.0/5.0 are anyway, or whether the higher-end ones are worth the higher price.)

    Of course, the other thing I notice is that the IGH step-through bike I linked has less range than at least one of the ones you mentioned (side note: I'm pissed at how hard Specialized's website makes it to easily see and compare the range for each bike). I think that to get the trifecta of (1) IGH (or single-speed, if your route is really flat) + (2) step-through (edit: plus heavy-duty integrated rear rack) + (3) really long range to handle your 52-mile round-trip even when loaded with cargo in the winter when battery capacity is reduced without having to worry about range anxiety, you really need to start considering other manufacturers even at the cost of not working with that shop.

    • To be clear on the Specialized requirement: I really have no love for Specialized. However, I do love my bike shop. They've supported my racing, my constant component destruction, and they even helped me through a long process of helping me build a custom enduro bike. They're great and I want to throw them a bone by buying a bike from them. They also sell Salsa and Norco but neither brand seems to have a bike that fits this need, so Specialized it is.

      Specialized's website is dogshit but rough break down on spec levels.

      • 3.0 = Smaller battery / smaller motor / 20 mph PA limit / $2700
      • 4.0 = Biggest battery / mid-sized motor / 28 mph PA limit / $3200
      • 5.0 = Biggest battery / biggest motor / 28 mph PA limit / $4200

      I agree the IGH would be ideal but it's only available on 3.0 (too slow) and 5.0 (too expensive). The good news is I'm not planning on riding (at least this year) while there's snow on the trail. We typically have occasional melts and I imagine I will get back at it when the trail is clear but I can be flexible. I don't need to get rid of my car and due to my work, I usually have cars available should it snow after I've commuted in. Point is I will have a lot of flexibility with how I commute. I'd just rather it be on a bike when I can swing it.

      As for the Haul ST, I have one as a demo currently and tested on the route today (see the edit I made to the post). The Haul is fantastic but I don't need to carry more than a couple small bags and the range ended up being an issue when I tested it today. This could possibly be mitigated by using a lower PA level but then the other bikes become more appealing again. Typically I take a laptop bag and a lunch bag. I'd maybe need a bit of storage for tools and rain gear but the Haul is just a little overkill for my current needs. Super-cool bike though. Would recommend.

      As for the step-through, I wouldn't mind it but it definitely isn't a requirement for me. I've never met a bike I couldn't swing over or step over. I think at my height it isn't really a concern.

      I hope this doesn't come across as just dismissing all your suggestions. I appreciate your input and it's helping me think through the problem.

      • To be clear on the Specialized requirement: I really have no love for Specialized. However, I do love my bike shop. They’ve supported my racing, my constant component destruction, and they even helped me through a long process of helping me build a custom enduro bike. They’re great and I want to throw them a bone by buying a bike from them.

        Yeah, I could tell from your initial post that it was about the shop, not the brand, and I totally get wanting to support them. Considering that they've gone so far as to build you custom stuff before, is it possible they'd be willing to let you support them by paying them to assemble and maintain a mail-order bike?

        (Incidentally, I myself do have some love for Specialized, since my trusty old acoustic commuter bike happens to be an early-'90s Specialized Hard Rock that I stripped down, rebuilt, and customized for utility cycling. I don't ride it as much now that I've got an e-bike, but I'm still fond of it.)

        The Haul is fantastic but I don’t need to carry more than a couple small bags... Typically I take a laptop bag and a lunch bag. I’d maybe need a bit of storage for tools and rain gear...

        Once you start bike commuting, you might find it turns into a whole lifestyle change. In other words, I'm suggesting erring high on the cargo capacity not necessarily because of typical work needs, but because you might end up wanting to do things like getting groceries on the way home.

        I’ve never met a bike I couldn’t swing over or step over. I think at my height it isn’t really a concern.

        Makes sense! Being much more average height myself, I didn't think to take that into account.

        Speaking of which, I'm definitely viewing your question through the lens of my own experience, and my use-case is pretty different (relatively short trips, hilly, hauling two kids plus groceries and whatnot, much smaller budget). I've got a Lectric Xpedition with dual-batteries that I love, but I'm trying to stop myself from recommending it to you because it's more "e" and less "bike" than it sounds like you want. In other words, it's probably even more piggish on low- or no-assist than the Haul you're test-riding and it's much more "entry-level" in terms of component quality than a Specialized 4.0 would be, although unlike the Haul, it should have the range you need at a reasonable assist level.

        If what you're looking for is closer to an aggressive-geometry nimble road bike experience with a little electric assist rather than a heavier-duty utility-cycling experience, I don't really know much about that. That's not to say I'm not still perfectly happy to blunder my way through the problem with you, but just that you shouldn't put too much faith in my non-existent expertise.

        I hope this doesn’t come across as just dismissing all your suggestions.

        No worries; it doesn't!

  • Just a very short reply. I don’t know either of the bikes, but I do think the removable battery can come in quite handy. The range will be lower with cold weather, and it can be really nice to be able to charge your battery for the way back home.

    I used to do a 35 km commute on my road bike every now and again, it was really nice. I really did enjoy taking a shower after the (non-assisted in my case) ride though, so it is nice to have that back up at work.

    Would it be available to you to rent one of these bikes for a few months (or even less time), just so you can get a feel for the route and if this is some thing that you want to commit to?

  • "the Haul is an absolute pig" !! You've given me a new nickname for my Haul, that I've come to think of as The Cannonball. I've had it since May, and love it, but it gives me 30 miles on a charge when I'm riding it the way I want, +20 mph on street, 15 mph on trails and shared pathways.

6 comments