Just a month after unveiling its new Vado 3 and Vado 3 EVO urban e-bike lineup, Specialized is already expanding the family with a new model that pushes even further into adventure-bike territory.
Meet the new Vado 3 X.
While the original Vado 3 was aimed squarely at urban commuting and the Vado 3 EVO added more all-terrain versatility, the new Vado 3 X essentially takes the EVO concept and dials it up another notch with the addition of full suspension.
The headline change is obvious: the Vado 3 X now features 120 mm of rear suspension travel paired with a longer-travel 130 mm front suspension fork, compared to the hardtail setup and 120 mm fork found on the Vado 3 EVO. The result is a commuter e-bike that looks increasingly comfortable hopping curbs, smashing potholes, tackling gravel trails, or venturing onto rougher off-road routes that would normally push the limits of a traditional commuter.
With the new full-suspension design, this feels like a fairly natural evolution for where the premium commuter e-bike market has been heading lately.
The line between commuter bikes and light electric adventure bikes keeps getting blurrier as riders want machines capable of handling everything from weekday city riding to weekend exploration. The Vado 3 X appears designed exactly for that kind of rider.
Underneath the new suspension platform, though, the bike retains the same electronics and core powertrain as the rest of the Vado 3 family.
That means Specialized’s latest 3.1 motor system remains at the heart of the bike, producing up to 810W of peak power and 105 Nm of torque. Those are seriously healthy numbers for a commuter-oriented e-bike and are heavily derived from the company’s Levo electric mountain bike platform.
The bike also retains the large 840 Wh battery pack, with Specialized claiming up to five hours of riding depending on conditions. Riders can optionally add the 280 Wh range extender for even longer rides.
Like the other Vado 3 models, the Vado 3 X comes loaded with premium integration features. That includes Specialized’s new 2.2-inch MasterMind C4 touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple FindMy tracking, integrated lighting with up to 805 lumens on high beam, and the company’s new digital Abus wheel lock system.
Top comment by PaulL
I built essentially this same bike, with double the range, for under $2000. A full suspension frame, Suntour air suspension front and rear, two batteries for about 2000wh of power, and similar motor power.
It doesn't have the panache of this one, but if I can do it, they should be able to as well. Bike companies still haven't gotten their heads out of their rear ends yet on price, and they wonder why they're still struggling.
It's great that we have several choices in cycling that are the equivalent of Mercedes, but we're still lacking a true Honda or Toyota. Something that's good, reliable and cheap.
Cargo and utility features also remain intact despite the more aggressive suspension setup. The rear rack is still rated for up to 27 kg (around 60 lb), and the bike maintains compatibility with trailers and child seats.
Pricing varies depending on the build level and component package. The Vado 3 X 4.0 starts at around US $5,500, while the higher-spec Vado 3 X 6.0 climbs to approximately $8,000.
That firmly plants the Vado 3 X in premium territory, but Specialized doesn’t really seem interested in competing on price here. Instead, the company appears focused on building what increasingly feels like a luxury SUV version of the commuter e-bike: highly integrated, highly capable, extremely comfortable, and ready to handle far more than just smooth bike lanes.
Sure, it limits the market. But if you’re buying a Specialized e-bike, it’s because you want a high-end machine, not because you’re a budget shopper.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments