Seventysomething
Member
- Region
- USA
What brand mirror? Mine sticks out and I’m always bumping it out of adjustment
EBR made me do it! (new Vado SL 5.0 EQ)
- Thread starter Jeremy McCreary
- Start date
Seventysomething
Member
- Region
- USA
Nice ride Jeremy, I have them on my turbo Vado, helps on the long rides. I considered the SL, just didn’t make financial sense to use only when I’m in our Rv.
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Question for Vado SL EQ owners with experience riding them when wet.
Just removed the long plastic mud flaps at the bottoms of the fenders. Am I likely to regret this when it rains?
Main motivation: The rear flap keeps me from standing the bike on its rear wheel to roll it between cars in the garage. Vastly easier than any other method, and much less risk to car paint. And they're easy enough to reinstall.
Besides, both flaps look kinda dorky to me. Looks sportier — or at least more normal — without the flaps in this before and after.
The hub-drive's fenders work well enough in the rain. Its front fender goes no lower now, and its rear is only a few inches longer than the SL's sans flap. This will generally be my foul-weather bike.
Thanks!
Just removed the long plastic mud flaps at the bottoms of the fenders. Am I likely to regret this when it rains?
Besides, both flaps look kinda dorky to me. Looks sportier — or at least more normal — without the flaps in this before and after.
The hub-drive's fenders work well enough in the rain. Its front fender goes no lower now, and its rear is only a few inches longer than the SL's sans flap. This will generally be my foul-weather bike.
Thanks!
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Just expect the down tube getting soiled. Otherwise, these flaps are not necessary at all. Removing the front mud flap could be even beneficial: the flap has the tendency to pick up objects such as little twigs and blocking the front wheel, which could be even dangerous.
I think it was my first forest ride on a Vado SL (July 6th, 2021). I can't even remember whether it was the mud flap or the front fender to block my wheel on the ride twice. As forest riding would be one of the principal activities on that e-bike, I got rid of the front fender early, and went with a temporary AssSaver for the next 3 years... Which probably is not your use case, Jeremy!
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Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Not so sure about that. I think we could all use some ass-saving now and then.As forest riding would be one of the principal activities on that e-bike, I got rid of the front fender early, and went with a temporary AssSaver for the next 3 years... Which probably is not your use case, Jeremy!
;^}
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Don't be worried Jeremy without any obvious reason! Act only when the issue arises. Besides, the zip-tie mounted AssSaver was not the best of ideas: the rear part of the "blade" used to rub the down tube, and eventually it damaged a piece of paint there. So many people ride Vado SL EQ and nobody really complains... I should have bought a Vado SL 5.0 non-EQ (provided such a version was ever available) but you can never know what your real needs are...
A friend (incited by me) bought a Vado SL 5.0 EQ early this summer and was together with his wife on several multi-day tours: no complaints!
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
My friends and mentors on EBR will be relieved to know that I'm just about done with the hand-wringing over the SL. Only 2 remaining issues:
1. Storage: Want just the right amount without resorting to a big trunk bag. This will take time and a lot of trial and error. A 3L waist pack may be involved.
2. Tubeless tires: The tubeless Pathfinder Pros go on in 2 days. Tubeless tires weren't even a thing the last time I was an avid cyclist, and I have no experience with maintaining or repairing them.
Luckily, found someone very knowledgeable at the LBS doing the tire work who's willing to teach me and get me set up with a repair kit to carry.
BTW, this LBS (Cadence Cyclery, Encinitas) sells only the highest-end bikes. (Think S-Works Tarmacs and comparable Colnagos, Cervelos, Pinarellos, etc.) Way out of my league, but they're friendly and helpful nonetheless.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
What is your opinion on panniers Jeremy? If you want one, be aware it is the Specialized Tailwind that fully matches the Vado SL rear rack (I recommend the "right hand side" one). The rack is small, and most of panniers are too big. (No experience with trunk bags). In my opinion, the last thing you want is a waist bag!
Tubeless tyres require more frequent re-inflating, that's it.
(I hope you can get Chris King valves). The maintenance requires replenishing the sealant every three months. What I do myself is rotating the wheel to have the valve in 6 o'clock position. Then, I relieve the pressure from the wheel by unscrewing and slightly pressing the valve core. The Chris King valve cap has an appropriate tool, with which I remove the valve core. Then, I take a small syringe (no needle!) and inject some 30 ml of sealant through the valve stem. Eventually, I replace the valve core and reinflate the tyre. It is a good idea to rotate the wheel many times to distribute the sealant or just going for a ride.
Regarding the punctures: In case of small punctures, it is enough to remove the foreign object from the tyre, and it will re-seal soon (carry a pump with you). In case of a BIG puncture, you will need a repair kit, possibly involving a CO2 cartridge. The procedure is easy. Only I have never had to use the repair kit, so let me spare some words here
A big puncture on my e-MTB, August 2020. I didn't have the tubeless repair set with me at that time, yet the tyre resealed itself!
Tubeless tyres require more frequent re-inflating, that's it.
(I hope you can get Chris King valves). The maintenance requires replenishing the sealant every three months. What I do myself is rotating the wheel to have the valve in 6 o'clock position. Then, I relieve the pressure from the wheel by unscrewing and slightly pressing the valve core. The Chris King valve cap has an appropriate tool, with which I remove the valve core. Then, I take a small syringe (no needle!) and inject some 30 ml of sealant through the valve stem. Eventually, I replace the valve core and reinflate the tyre. It is a good idea to rotate the wheel many times to distribute the sealant or just going for a ride.
Regarding the punctures: In case of small punctures, it is enough to remove the foreign object from the tyre, and it will re-seal soon (carry a pump with you). In case of a BIG puncture, you will need a repair kit, possibly involving a CO2 cartridge. The procedure is easy. Only I have never had to use the repair kit, so let me spare some words here
A big puncture on my e-MTB, August 2020. I didn't have the tubeless repair set with me at that time, yet the tyre resealed itself!
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Very helpful! The Tailwind panniers caught my eye for occasional use. But need to work out a minimalist day-to-day storage solution first.What is your opinion on panniers Jeremy? If you want one, be aware it is the Specialized Tailwind that fully matches the Vado SL rear rack (I recommend the "right hand side" one). The rack is small, and most of panniers are too big. (No experience with trunk bags). In my opinion, the last thing you want is a waist bag!
Tubeless tyres require more frequent re-inflating, that's it.
(I hope you can get Chris King valves). The maintenance requires replenishing the sealant every three months. What I do myself is rotating the wheel to have the valve in 6 o'clock position. Then, I relieve the pressure from the wheel by unscrewing and slightly pressing the valve core. The Chris King valve cap has an appropriate tool, with which I remove the valve core. Then, I take a small syringe (no needle!) and inject some 30 ml of sealant through the valve stem. Eventually, I replace the valve core and reinflate the tyre. It is a good idea to rotate the wheel many times to distribute the sealant or just going for a ride.
Regarding the punctures: In case of small punctures, it is enough to remove the foreign object from the tyre, and it will re-seal soon (carry a pump with you). In case of a BIG puncture, you will need a repair kit, possibly involving a CO2 cartridge. The procedure is easy. Only I have never had to use the repair kit, so let me spare some words here
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
Tubeless has been a life saver for me. Now... to qualify that I ride trails often, and around here the blackberry thorns are ubiquitous indeed. Have not had another flat for over 3 years.
I ride on the road a lot too, so glass, metal shards etc. are always available.
Yes, there are some maintenance aspects, but the trade off (IMHO) is negligeable.
Storage is very personal. I do love my Topeak bag, and it expands to a position of carrying a weeks' worth of groceries, but that is of course not what everyone wants/needs. Hope you find the right fit!
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
Regarding tubeless.. Methinks tire pressure plays a part.
I run 30psi on my Conti Rubans.
Those that run double/triple psi may not benefit as much? This is just an uneducated guess.
It occurs to me that a lower psi tire has more of an opportunity to seal than a higher psi.
Happy to be corrected.
I run 30psi on my Conti Rubans.
Those that run double/triple psi may not benefit as much? This is just an uneducated guess.
It occurs to me that a lower psi tire has more of an opportunity to seal than a higher psi.
Happy to be corrected.
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Ability to run lower pressures than the 50-80 psi the stock tires allow is one of the main reasons I want to go tubeless on the SL. Also — from what I keep reading here and elsewhere — better puncture resistance and field repair options.
My only reservation: I'm the kind of guy who'll end up with sealant all over everything.
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
I've been using Stans regular.
The presta valves let you use Stans small bottles on the road.
Once a year I go to LBS and get a tune up and sealant replacement.
steve mercier
Well-Known Member
Very sad waste of peeps...
steve mercier
Well-Known Member
Take a look compact on your glasses.
steve mercier
Well-Known Member
It took me a long time to convince my wife to get rid of the handlebar mirror and switch to the Take a Look " compact " eyeglass mirror but now she would never go back. The field of vision is exponentially greater and you can easily pan behind you with a slight turn of the head.
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Very cool design! Might just return the EVT and try this as either a 2nd mirror or one to take on trips that might involve rental bikes, which seldom have mirrors.
Biggest gripes about the EVT were (a) fiddly aiming, (b) downward drift on bumpy surfaces, (c) easily knocked out of aim, and (d) long learning curve for focusing on it without closing the right eye. Not to mention the dorky look.
This design might address some of that.
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Imagine my surprise when I noticed, 2 days after taking delivery, that my SL has a dork disk!
If that doesn't give the much-maligned dork disk some cred, I don't know what would.
If that doesn't give the much-maligned dork disk some cred, I don't know what would.
Slaphappygamer
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Aptos
Don’t worry, with enough sun exposure, it’ll soon start shattering apart.
mschwett
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
how about a custom wedge or half frame bag? way less drag than a burrito bag or other front bag, weight much closer to the center of the bike, etc. what are you trying to store? as many here know i’m quite a minimalist on the bike, over time having done unsupported centuries with a smaller bag than yours. with your phone on the bars, tubeless tires, and a pocket or two in your shorts, what do you really need on the bike
here’s a good article with lots of links to custom
bag makers : https://bikepacking.com/gear/custom-frame-bags/
the only real downside of a medium frame bag (that doesn’t block your bottles) is in heavy crosswinds. i don’t think it’s as windy down there as it can be here, likely not an issue….
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