Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)

[Jeremy McCreary]

Q: Will I still be able to clamp my bike to my Park Tool work stand by the seat post with a dropper installed?

Between a low back that really doesn't like to work bent over and a mid-drive that doesn't move the chain when pedaled backwards, I really need to work on my bike on the stand — especially for chain maintenance.

The seat post is the only clamping point I'm comfortable with, but maybe there's another on the SL. If not, and I can't clamp a dropper, no dropper for me.

 

[edobici_forza]

Q: Will I still be able to clamp my bike to my Park Tool work stand by the seat post with a dropper installed?

Between a low back that really doesn't like to work bent over and a mid-drive that doesn't move the chain when pedaled backwards, I really need to work on my bike on the stand — especially for chain maintenance.

The seat post is the only clamping point I'm comfortable with, but maybe there's another on the SL. If not, and I can't clamp a dropper, no dropper for me.

I found this video when I was discussing with a friend recently...

A video from good ol park tool on the clamping dropper post topic.
Shop Talk: Is It OK to Clamp My Dropper Post in a Repair Stand? < video link [fixed]
Spoiler alert. Calvin says it is fine to clamp a seat post dropper.

My experience: For my first full suspension Mt. Bike over 10 yrs ago,I had my dropper post slammed so the collar was right at the seatpost clamp. I was uncomfortable clamping the extended post. so I found the Silca Hirobel device to attach to the bike repair stand. I use it with all of my bikes. it is not cheap, but useful. Works for my Creo. photo below

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Calvin says it is fine to clamp a seat post dropper.

Thanks! That Hirobel gizmo looks interesting.

Current No. 4 in my Rules of Life: Do whatever Calvin says.

 

[edobici_forza]

Thanks! That Haribol gizmo looks interesting.

Current No. 4 in my Rules of Life: Do whatever Calvin says.

Jeremy, that is a good great rule! He gave us many years of knowledge! BTW, he is retiring.

just double check your seat clamp is tight. I was adjusting my seat before my ride yesterday and laughed as the seat post clamp has a 6.2Nm torque. my torque wrench does do decimals, but still !!

 

[Nubnub]

Q: Will I still be able to clamp my bike to my Park Tool work stand by the seat post with a dropper installed?

Between a low back that really doesn't like to work bent over and a mid-drive that doesn't move the chain when pedaled backwards, I really need to work on my bike on the stand — especially for chain maintenance.

The seat post is the only clamping point I'm comfortable with, but maybe there's another on the SL. If not, and I can't clamp a dropper, no dropper for me.

You should be able to but it depends on your dropper and clamp. The ratio of the dropper post above/below the collar will determine how ez it is to do. For a 100 mm dropper like on my Tero, there is more seatpost above the collar than there is on my 50mm dropper on my Creo. So there is a more exposed fat part of the dropper to clamp onto on the Creo. On the Tero, there is only a limited area for the clamp. It's easier for me to get the clamp in position on the Creo. Also helps that the Creo is 20-25 lbs lighter than the Tero.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

A video from good ol park tool on the clamping dropper post topic.
Shop Talk: Is It OK to Clamp My Dropper Post in a Repair Stand? < video link

Alas, something wrong with that link, but this should work:

 

[edobici_forza]

Alas, something wrong with that link, but this should work:

I used a link because I was trying to avoid the giant preview thumbnails you get when you just post a YT link. They seem a bit smaller now. but I am viewing this on a browser.

So are you confident that you can use your repair stand with the new dropper?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I used a link because I was trying to avoid the giant preview thumbnails you get when you just post a YT link. They seem a bit smaller now. but I am viewing this on a browser.

So are you confident that you can use your repair stand with the new dropper?

Still need the max insertable post length to figure that out, as I can only clamp completely above or below the dropper seal collar.

And I'm procrastinating on making the measurement for fear of dropping that loose seatpost binder thingy down the seat tube when I remove the existing post. (We discussed how to avoid that in recent months. Will have to find those messages.)

 

[edobici_forza]

Still need the max insertable post length to figure that out, as I can only clamp completely above or below the dropper seal collar.

And I'm procrastinating on making the measurement for fear of dropping that loose seatpost binder thingy down the seat tube when I remove the existing post. (We discussed how to avoid that in recent months. Will have to find those messages.)

I am not a fan of proprietary seat post mechanisms. I didn't know the Vado SL has one.
Is it this post? #3,319

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I am not a fan of proprietary seat post mechanisms. I didn't know the Vado SL has one.
Is it this post? #3,319

Thanks, that was the discussion!

 

[Nubnub]

Still need the max insertable post length to figure that out, as I can only clamp completely above or below the dropper seal collar.

And I'm procrastinating on making the measurement for fear of dropping that loose seatpost binder thingy down the seat tube when I remove the existing post. (We discussed how to avoid that in recent months. Will have to find those messages.)

for something like chain clean/lubricate you could probably just rest the saddle rails on the top of the clamp (be sure dropper is fully extended when exerting upward forces on the saddle tho), for something more involved, you could just replace the dropper with your old post and clamp that - tho that does mean you have to deal with the wedge clamp/bolt.

 

[edobici_forza]

Q: Will I still be able to clamp my bike to my Park Tool work stand by the seat post with a dropper installed?

Between a low back that really doesn't like to work bent over and a mid-drive that doesn't move the chain when pedaled backwards, I really need to work on my bike on the stand — especially for chain maintenance.

The seat post is the only clamping point I'm comfortable with, but maybe there's another on the SL. If not, and I can't clamp a dropper, no dropper for me.

I forgot to comment on this...but this experienced ebike group probably has covered this many times. I came across a technique which allows you to pedal backwards to in order to use something like a chain cleaning device (which I use regularly):

Just align the crank arm to one of the spider arms on the chainring and connect both tightly, using a strong zip tie, or velcro strap. There are reusable zip ties out there, but I sacrifice a regular type when I need to.

Someone may comment that this bad for the motor to rotate in reverse. If so, let us know.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

An argument for droppers with handlebar remotes for all bikes.

Lever-actuated droppers aren't mentioned.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

"I think every mountain bike regardless of the price or the intended riding style should come with a dropper post". He didn't mention all bikes.

The benefits of the dropper related to the technical riding are explained. No word about using the dropper for the comfort

Jeremy, please don't be angry with me but I have already done my homework on the dropper seat posts

"Every mountain bike..."

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

He didn't mention all bikes.

You didn't watch the last few minutes.

 

[edobici_forza]

"I think every mountain bike regardless of the price or the intended riding style should come with a dropper post". He didn't mention all bikes.

The benefits of the dropper related to the technical riding are explained. No word about using the dropper for the comfort

Jeremy, please don't be angry with me but I have already done my homework on the dropper seat posts


"Every mountain bike..."

VIDEO LINK

The 'How To Use A Dropper Post On The Trail' video is great, and while I have 5% of his ability, it shows how and when I use my dropper on my MTBs and to a lesser extent on my Creo.

Jeremy, the under seat lever type of dropper is a different application you obviously need to take one hand off of the handlebar and they type of riding in the video I mentioned, is not practical. But the under seat lever type of dropper, is useful for rides with less variation in terrain or if you change from pavement to down hill rough trail where you want to have a lower center of gravity.

 

[mogulman]

So, almost bike riding weather here in Colorado (bad ski year). Anything new going on with the Vado SL? Have they updated the app so firmware can be updated? I'm assuming no. Trying to figure out if I need anything new for this year, before I do some tuning.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

The 'How To Use A Dropper Post On The Trail' video is great, and while I have 5% of his ability, it shows how and when I use my dropper.

Jeremy, the under seat lever type of dropper is a different application you obviously need to take one hand off of the handlebar and they type of riding in the video I mentioned, is not practical. But the under seat lever type of dropper, is useful for rides with less variation in terrain or if you change from pavement to down hill rough trail where you want to have a lower center of gravity.

Understood. My main goal is to lower my seat to improve footing around stops. Not just when stopped, but also for maneuvers on uneven ground — like getting to crosswalk buttons without getting off the bike. These situations and others come up a lot in my largely suburban environment.

@Rás Cnoic and @Stefan Mikes tried and rejected lever droppers for that purpose. But my mechanic has a KS eTen that pops up by itself when the lever's released and says it might still be useful to me.

Having never used a lever dropper, not too hopeful but worth a try if the fitment works out.

 

[edobici_forza]

Understood. My main goal is to lower my seat to improve footing around stops. Not just when stopped, but also for maneuvers on uneven ground — like getting to crosswalk buttons without getting off the bike. These situations and others come up a lot in my largely suburban environment.

@Rás Cnoic and @Stefan Mikes tried and rejected lever droppers for that purpose. But my mechanic has a KS eTen that pops up by itself when the lever's released and says it might still be useful to me.

Having never used a lever dropper, not too hopeful but worth a try if the fitment works out.

Yes, with the seat in a lower position, with the KS eTen, when you press the lever upward, the seat will extend until either the lever is released or it tops out or hits a resistance (your butt). While riding, you need to unweight the seat by standing on the pedals just long enough for the extension. The benefit of the handlebar thumb lever is you have both hands on the grips. You will only have one hand on the bars with the KS eTen style. Of course you can manually raise and lower the seat when dismounted off of the bike, the way we used to use a quick release seat post lever.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Yes, with the seat in a lower position, with the KS eTen, when you press the lever upward, the seat will extend until either the lever is released or it tops out or hits a resistance (your butt). While riding, you need to unweight the seat by standing on the pedals just long enough for the extension. The benefit of the handlebar thumb lever is you have both hands on the grips. You will only have one hand on the bars with the KS eTen style.

Thanks, very helpful! I think this eTen "work flow" has at least a chance of working for my purposes, but only field testing will tell.

I often go one-handed for hand signals and other purposes, and I often stand on the pedals for bumps and rough surfaces. If I can manage reaching under the saddle with my long arms at the same time — in traffic —maybe my mechanic's right.

Next ride, I'll try some dry runs and see how they go.