Data point: Dealer brought my SL 1 firmware up to date on purchase in September, 2024. Another routine update in February, 2025.
. If it seems doable then I will contact manufacturer's or Specialized directly, if not I will strap a step stool to my rack! Thanks!
The major reason I could not install a dropper on my Vado SL is there is no space to go with yet another cable through the opening in the e-bike frame where all other cables go. I was considering a wireless dropper but I decided it would be too expensive for me. Same with swapping the drivetrain for a wireless one and using a regular cable operated dropper seat-post.
I tried an external cable dropper a couple years ago and it was a huge mistake. You see, e-bike frames are not as slim as the ones on traditional bikes so the external cable is difficult to install, and it always makes your e-bike look like something taken from a skip
I didn't know that droppers with under the seat activation even existed. I think I will forgo that option as well!I tried an external cable dropper a couple years ago and it was a huge mistake. You see, e-bike frames are not as slim as the ones on traditional bikes so the external cable is difficult to install, and it always makes your e-bike look like something taken from a skip
I own a dropper that is operated by a handle under the saddle. It is the worst solution I know! Fancy you are on the trail and suddenly need to drop the seat. It is simply no time available to reach beneath you and pull the handle!
Thanks! I didn't think about inserting a straight post. I'll try this after I can excavate it from the basement. I think I remember dropping the original seat post down as far as it could when I was replacing it and it didn't go down the whole way, so that doesn't bode well for a lot of room--less than 250mm. Did you have to remove the motor to get the internal cable threaded or were you able to fish it through somehow? This is something I don't feel comfortable doing on such an expensive bike; I'd probably have my LBS do it, but I'm not keen on that idea either. PNW has an external cable routed dropper--the Pine, but Stefan Mikes makes a good argument against external routing it because of how it looks. Sharp bike. I love the color, looks like you put a new chain ring--love the minimalist look of it.
Did the dropper with the externally routed cable, though fugly, work well?I didn't know that droppers with under the seat activation even existed. I think I will forgo that option as well!
I think a gravel bike short-travel electronic dropper such as REVERB AXS XPLR 27.2 50 could do. It is a 27.2 mm post diameter, 50 mm travel dropper seat-post. Now, it is not only deadly expensive but you also need to buy a very expensive handlebar remote at an extra price... Were I you, I would give up the whole idea.I didn't know that droppers with under the seat activation even existed. I think I will forgo that option as well!
Yes it did.
Thanks for the info about the Pro brand; it's one I haven't looked at.
Thanks Stefan--I do get on my bike by leaning it after my usual swing over method resulted kicking the rack a few times. I am not as adverse to the ugliness of the external cable as most of the bikes I rode from the 70's to the early aughts had external cable routing. I am aware of what droppers are mostly used for as I did ride MTB's for awhile. But thanks for your excellent info--I may just leave well enough alone.I think a gravel bike short-travel electronic dropper such as REVERB AXS XPLR 27.2 50 could do. It is a 27.2 mm post diameter, 50 mm travel dropper seat-post. Now, it is not only deadly expensive but you also need to buy a very expensive handlebar remote at an extra price... Were I you, I would give up the whole idea.
You see, a dropper is not for making the dismounting a bike easier. It is for the riding technique on gnarly trails. For instance, the seat is dropped on technical singletrack descents where the rider gets the seat to the bottom position, stands on the pedals, moves the butt far backwards, and that way moves their weight on the rear wheel. Or, riding in the mud or in the sand: the rider partly drops the seat and pedals in a low position to make the centre of gravity go down; it also makes it easier to support the body with the feet when necessary.
The easiest way to get off the e-bike is to support yourself on the ground on one foot then lean the bike sideways and raise the other leg
Yes it did.
View attachment 190660
View attachment 190661
Installed on my big Vado almost five years ago. I would not do it again.
Yeah, I find the cost of the wireless dropper post prohibitive. If I can't work out any other solution, I will probably abandon the whole idea as you recommend.I think a gravel bike short-travel electronic dropper such as REVERB AXS XPLR 27.2 50 could do. It is a 27.2 mm post diameter, 50 mm travel dropper seat-post. Now, it is not only deadly expensive but you also need to buy a very expensive handlebar remote at an extra price... Were I you, I would give up the whole idea.
You see, a dropper is not for making the dismounting a bike easier. It is for the riding technique on gnarly trails. For instance, the seat is dropped on technical singletrack descents where the rider gets the seat to the bottom position, stands on the pedals, moves the butt far backwards, and that way moves their weight on the rear wheel. Or, riding in the mud or in the sand: the rider partly drops the seat and pedals in a low position to make the centre of gravity go down; it also makes it easier to support the body with the feet when necessary.
The easiest way to get off the e-bike is to support yourself on the ground on one foot then lean the bike sideways and raise the other leg
Yes it did.
View attachment 190660
View attachment 190661
Installed on my big Vado almost five years ago. I would not do it again.
If only for this purpose, then it perhaps could. For instance, the XLC SP-T09.
Ha I got one of those handle droppers for the Cairn. It isn't perfect but fine for what I need, for steep drops or long techie descents, I just stop, lower it and trundle on down. Im not racing and am ok to stop to operate it but its helped enormously on steep trails where without it I would have been too perilous to risk riding down. For price and cable routing hassle I decided not to buy a handlebar operated dropper, though they are much better in operation.I tried an external cable dropper a couple years ago and it was a huge mistake. You see, e-bike frames are not as slim as the ones on traditional bikes so the external cable is difficult to install, and it always makes your e-bike look like something taken from a skip
I own a dropper that is operated by a handle under the saddle. It is the worst solution I know! Fancy you are on the trail and suddenly need to drop the seat. It is simply no time available to reach beneath you and pull the handle!
True. As I said I found the handle activated dropper useful only not the most practical. I feel a way better on a suspension seat-post for most of my rides. I am spoilt by a proper seat-post (OneUp V2) I used on my Giant Trance E+ when I owned that e-bike.
