My opinion, is the Vendetta (probably any model) will out climb any Silvio (any model). It's lighter, stiffer, faster.
Me, I'm comparing the Silvio 2.rick to the Vendetta 2.rick. I think were I to adjust my seat angles, V high vs S low, S and V same, or V low vs S high, I'm very confident me on V will win every race to the top.
I also believe, speculation, theory, whatever, the Silvio 2.x vs Silvio 30. evolve - the S 30 evolve will climb better. But I don't think it will climb better than the V any model.
My personal thoughts on climbing. I like a lower seat to the ground recumbent for climbing, this is just my personal feeling, easier to get my leg from the pedal to the ground, little easier to start on hill from dead stop. Like Steve said, the V has a longer wheelbase, more weigh is on the front end which has less wheel slipping. I found it to be true in many of the hills I climb, I will have more slippage on the same hills on the S vs the V.
Now this is also only my opinion. For a person deciding between a V or S, don't decide based on climbing alone. Although I believe the V will climb faster than the S, it's just not going to be a big significant amount to justify that on its own. There should be many other reason to consider purchase a Vendetta or Silvio no matter the model.
Tires, wheels, inflation can improve any road surface to a point. The Silvio will have a little more supple ride over the Vendetta. However, short wheelbase takes uneven surface harder than longer wheelbase, Silvio has the rear always-active suspension to help that and then some. Good luck on deflating the piggy. On any bike I would try and stay out of the potholes, even on the Silvio, I think it hard on the bike, wheels, tires, etc.
Edit: With all of that said, everyone is different, for me the Vendetta is a more efficient climber, when for someone else they find the opposite true because they can produce more efficient power in a more upright seat position (I think this is why the seat reclined theory can't be proved). But for me, because I ride a Vendetta 2.rick, I can if I want to, adjust my seat in a more upright position equal to or greater to the Silvio. I can also recline my seat lower than the stock Vendetta seat.
Also something to consider. My Vendetta does not have a significant harsher ride than the Silvio because of my seat mod (see seat mod to know why). I live in an area that has a mix of road surfaces, from almost not rideable to oh-so-silky-smoooth. I still find myself choosing the Vendetta over the Silvio to ride the rough roads 100% (and that's a Silvio with the front shock). This again, is me. I have nearly 10,000 miles on the Vendetta and over 3000 on the Silvio, and most of the Silvio miles came before the Vendetta purchase. The biggest consideration, if you want the fastest and most efficient Cruzbike available, it's the Vendetta hands down (Robert said this in an earlier post). If that's not important, then the Silvio which is the second fast Cruzbike may be for you, there are of course many other things to consider). By the way, the Silvio is a fast bike, and I think considerably fast than many of the stick bikes available, just because of the MBB FWD and a faster climber to boot (just hope BROL members didn't see that
).
I should also note. The better climber is not always the faster climber. For example the best climber I've ever owned was the Catrike 700. I had it geared so low I could darn near climb a tree. No hill was too big or too steep. Because I could ride it at 2 mph towing the dog trailer loaded with an ice chest, with my camera and water bottle in one hand and a sandwich in the other while chatting with my wife (not concentrating on the road) and still not fall over
!
