Considering a Specialized, got a few questions

[GaryInCO]

It's a bit of a pain that I have to remove the front wheel before it goes in the hatch, but no big problem. Bigger challenge is lifting it into the car by myself. With two people you can lift at both ends, but by myself it takes serious leverage to ease it in.

So I'm considering a rack. Does anybody have any insights on how well a Saris Superclamp EX rack would work with the Vado's fenders? My brother wants to sell me his, but he's 900mi away so I can't test it for a while.

 

[California]

It's a bit of a pain that I have to remove the front wheel before it goes in the hatch, but no big problem. Bigger challenge is lifting it into the car by myself. With two people you can lift at both ends, but by myself it takes serious leverage to ease it in.

So I'm considering a rack. Does anybody have any insights on how well a Saris Superclamp EX rack would work with the Vado's fenders? My brother wants to sell me his, but he's 900mi away so I can't test it for a while.

I do it by myself. But perhaps my method may help. I don't take the front wheel off until after I have lifted the back wheel into the hatch. Then most of the weight is in the vehicle. Then I can easily take the front wheel off, and maneuver the thing around to make it all fit. This may make it easier.

 

[GaryInCO]

That *is* smarter than taking the wheel off on the ground -- thanks, I'll do that. But levitating the bike into the hatch is still a grunt.

 

[California]

That *is* smarter than taking the wheel off on the ground -- thanks, I'll do that. But levitating the bike into the hatch is still a grunt.

Agreed, but I think this will be less awkward, and the rack has the same issue (but could be a few inches lower).

 

[GaryInCO]

Same issue?? I can lift the bike right into a rack. It's right in front of me, very little leverage required. But getting it into the hatch means holding it by one end, holding it out lengthwise, while jockeying it into the hatch. Much MUCH more leverage and effort, unless I McGyver some kind of rolling cradle to support the far end. Am I missing something obvious?

Hm, it looks like the Saris Superclamp EX is not a good match with fenders...

https://support.saris.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002564234-I-Have-Fenders-on-My-Bike-What-Rack-Should-I-Use-

 

[California]

Same issue?? I can lift the bike right into a rack. It's right in front of me, very little leverage. But getting it into the hatch means holding it by one end, holding it out lengthwise, while jockeying it into the hatch. Much MUCH more leverage and effort, unless I McGyver some kind of rolling cradle to support the far end. Am I missing something obvious?

Hm, it looks like the Saris Superclamp EX is not a good match with fenders...

https://support.saris.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002564234-I-Have-Fenders-on-My-Bike-What-Rack-Should-I-Use-

My rack may be different. I have to load one wheel into its compartment which is awkward. then I have to kind of move the bike "in" enough to get the second wheel on. Each wheel has its own cradle. There aren't all that many racks that support the weight of E-bikes.

 

[GaryInCO]

Yeah that would be more awkward than just lifting right into the cradles. Still not as bad as lifting the bike by one end IMHO.

 

[California]

Yeah that would be more awkward than just lifting right into the cradles. Still not as bad as lifting the bike by one end IMHO.

Give it a try. This is my rack that I bought only because it would support both a recumbent and an e-bike.

It is about a wash, but just getting the rack on and off, leashing it up etc.... takes time. I can't leave the rack on permanently because it won't fit in the garage. So for me I much prefer the hatch method.

Sport Rider Recumbent Rack HR1000R | Buy Platform Recumbent Bike Hitch Rack

Hollywood Racks Sport Rider Platform Style Recumbent Bike Hitch Rack. Nothing beats the Sport Rider 2 recumbent version for fast, simple loading/unloading of bikes. The Sport Rider recumbent will carry two recumbent bikes (Up to 74” wheelbase) using a padded universal top clamp and adjustable...

hollywoodracks.com

 

[GaryInCO]

I'd be a lot more interested in that rack, except I just gave away my old recumbent.

Hadn't considered garage clearance, but I think I'm OK there.

 

[California]

I'd be a lot more interested in that rack, except I just gave away my old recumbent.

Hadn't considered garage clearance, but I think I'm OK there.

I haven't ridden the recumbent since I bought this bike, but I may someday for longer rides.

My garage just isn't that long. My other car is a van that fits in with less than 2' to spare, so I can't do that with this rack.

 

[mcdenny]

Re: Shepard‘s hook carriers and fenders. I have a Como with fenders and a Quat hitch carrier. Works great, I’ve driven probably 5,000 miles with two Comos on the hitch carrier with no problems at all.

I put the hook on the front tire and against the front edge of the fender.

Mounting / dismounting and storing the 52# rack in the garage adds a different kind of hassle but the the bikes are secure and easy to load and unload.

 

[GaryInCO]

Hm. I think my brother has a Kuat and I didn't think it would work -- I remember the hooks going over the top-ish of the wheels. That would work for the front wheel but def not the rear. But I haven't seen his rack since last summer so I'm not sure.

Hey, new question: last week I got an email from Specialized with my "Monthly Ride Activity." It's a quick summary of my rides last month. There's a button that says "View All Activity" but it just takes you to the "Download the app" page. Do they actually have ride stats on the website, or is that app-only?

 

[mcdenny]

My Kuat only has a hook for the front wheel. A plastic strap loops around the bottom of the rear wheel to hold the back down. The hook works with the front fender because the front edge of the fender is only a little bit forward of the fork. A rear hook would never work with a rear fender.

 

[GaryInCO]

Ah. My brother has a Kuat, but the one he wants to sell to me is a Saris Superclamp EX. And that one has hooks front and rear.

SuperClamp EX 2 Bike Hitch Rack, Bike Transport System

A Transport Rack Built with Your Bike in Mind With its robust construction, eye-catching style and compact design that carries both bikes on a single bar, the SuperClamp is your bike’s new BFF. This lightweight – yet mighty – platform hitch rack is ready to hit the road at a moment’s notice...

saris.com

 

[mcdenny]

Maybe I'm wrong about a two hook carrier not working with rear fenders. Click on the link, the saris website shows a bike with fenders on their rack.

Under product design they state ...

• Adjustable arms and wheel trays fit almost any type of bicycle, including those with fenders, mountain bikes and ebikes; bike spacing accommodates widest combination of bicycles.

 

[GaryInCO]

Yeah, and I posted a question there. They answered and said "if it weighs less than 60 lbs and has a 50" wheelbase it'll work." Hello? I *asked* about the fenders ... I don't see how those hooks would work with the rear fender.

 

[GaryInCO]

Resurrecting this thread ...

I keep hitting my heel on the chain guard. If I make an effort to splay my heel out further then it will miss, but within a few minutes my foot rotates slightly and my heel starts hitting again. Is this common? Any suggestions to "fix" it? I've never had this problem on any other bike, and as far as I can tell my foot is aligned parallel with the bike. Not a fatal problem but it's very annoying.

Also: my antique Samsung S8 phone connected to the bike with no trouble. I just got a new Samsung S24 and it's not going quite as smoothly. I copied all my apps and settings over from the old phone, so the app is installed. When I try to connect to the bike, it asks "Is code XXXXXXX displayed on the bike?" Yes, it is. But it doesn't connect. Then it says I should enter the correct PIN, but I don't know what the PIN is or how to enter it. The old phone never did this code / PIN stuff. (Maybe once, when I first got the bike? Don't remember.) Help?

The S24 doesn't fit in the phone-gripper rack I bought for the bike, but I can fix that ...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I keep hitting my heel on the chain guard. If I make an effort to splay my heel out further then it will miss, but within a few minutes my foot rotates slightly and my heel starts hitting again. Is this common? Any suggestions to "fix" it? I've never had this problem on any other bike, and as far as I can tell my foot is aligned parallel with the bike. Not a fatal problem but it's very annoying.

Strange. If your foot is aligned parallel to the e-bike, the heel strike should never happen. Well, I use flat pedals with traction pins and matching cycling shoes (either Adidas FiveTen or Specialized 2FO Flat). My issue is placing the foot too close to the crankarm, so my feet often rub crankarms! No other way for me but to precisely set either foot on the pedal during the ride, and then the traction pins keep the feet on the pedals as if the shoes were glued to the pedals. The ultimate solution is to invest in "easy" or "beginner" clipless pedals and cleated shoes; your feet would be always kept in the same position whenever you are clipped in. I would be the last person to give an advice on using the SPD system though

Me pedalling with CrankBrothers Stamp pedals and Adidas FiveTen Freerider Pro shoes.

Also: my antique Samsung S8 phone connected to the bike with no trouble. I just got a new Samsung S24 and it's not going quite as smoothly. I copied all my apps and settings over from the old phone, so the app is installed. When I try to connect to the bike, it asks "Is code XXXXXXX displayed on the bike?" Yes, it is. But it doesn't connect. Then it says I should enter the correct PIN, but I don't know what the PIN is or how to enter it. The old phone never did this code / PIN stuff. (Maybe once, when I first got the bike? Don't remember.) Help?

You might have overlooked the swap of Mission Control for the new Specialized App.

The PIN is shown in different places depending on your e-bike model and model-year. What is your ride exactly?

 

[GaryInCO]

No, I'm using the Specialized app. I've got a Vado 4.0.

I have some old Shimano shoes with ... Look pedals I think? I was hoping to not need them, or other clipless. I don't pedal hard enough to need rigid cycling shoes.

I think my heel is striking in the circled area -- actually on the frame, not the chain guard.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

No, I'm using the Specialized app. I've got a Vado 4.0.

When you are trying to pair a phone using the app, the PIN is displayed on the TCD display for a short while. If that's a Mastermind Vado, pairing requires depressing a button on the e-bike remote when finishing the pairing (I cannot remember what button to push; @mfgrep: will you help Gary?)

I think my heel is striking in the circled area -- actually on the frame, not the chain guard.

I really cannot understand how that can happen... If I ever get heel strikes, it is on some ill designed panniers I own but not on the chainstay... Do you have big feet perhaps? If yes, please place the foot on the pedal more with its central part. I love Stamps in size large and stiff sole shoes as it almost does not matter what part of the foot is used for pedalling! (I never pedal with a heel, though).