jason.flood
Well-Known Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
- City
- Edinburgh
Hello EMBR Forums,
I'm Jason, from Edinburgh, Scotland. I recently bought my first e-bike, a Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ, after much deliberation.
I want to get a post or two under my belt as I haven't used a forum in ages and have only recently create this account.
These forums really helped me make a purchasing decision. I would say my thought process for the purchase was a mixture of rational and irrational...
The overall geometry and riding position of the Vado SL is soo new for me, after spending so many years on my stretched out 19'' 1995 Stumpjumper with 4.5'' reach stem.
After 100km on the bike my neck is very happy at being more upright, but I'm making tweaks to suite my back - although I'm wondering if there is just a certain number of miles I need to get in the saddle for my body to adjust to such a big change.
I read with Interest the thread - Vado SL 5.1 GQ, a 27.5/650b “Gravel-Queen” - started by @e-levity . This was not specifically to make the bike into a Gravel-Queen for my partner, but to allow me to explore the differences with a 650b/fatter tyre setup (with Rack and Fenders removed). My LBS had suggested just trying the 700x42 pathfinder pro's with the existing rims. However, I wanted a 2nd set of wheels anyway so ordered a set of DT Swiss HG 1800 SPLINE 650B wheels (along with the GravelKing SK 27.5 x 1.9 tyres from e-levity's post)
Hopefully I'll still get the clearances he reported
. I will see in later in January when the 2nd wheel set arrives.
I also bought some Ortlieb Sport Roller Free panniers that are quite dinky, but fit perfectly onto the EQ rack. The Quick-Lock 2.1 adjusters, that provide for varying the spacing of the hooks, fit absolutely perfectly between the front and rear braces on the rack. It's almost like there is a std sizing used by both manufacturers
(My older rack and 1994 Karrimore panniers required some effort to stop loads sliding about.)
I also bought an Ortlieb Frame-Pack RC 4L , which although bought for my other bike , fits pretty well on the Vado SL too without fouling on the mastermind display (if not using the RE battery)
My brain is swirling with ideas from these forums but I'll get out and get some miles under my belt before waffling on any more.
I'm Jason, from Edinburgh, Scotland. I recently bought my first e-bike, a Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ, after much deliberation.
I want to get a post or two under my belt as I haven't used a forum in ages and have only recently create this account.
These forums really helped me make a purchasing decision. I would say my thought process for the purchase was a mixture of rational and irrational...
- I wanted something I could try/buy from my LBS.
- I wanted a big brand but didn't look far beyond Specialized since my current bike has served me so well for 27 years.
- I currently commute 6-11km each way to work each day (uphill out, downhill return) on a regular bike, but decided I wanted to see if the e-bike could get me out doing rides that I would otherwise have skipped because my knees and lungs are not quite what they used to be.
- I feel somewhat guilty for "caving" into an e-bike I'll get over it.
- I wanted something for commuting and off-road but but the Vado SL will probably require more daily/weekly cleaning/maintenance for the long damp winters here.
- I have to carry my bike up/down 2 flights of stairs each day to my apt so wanted something relatively light but 17kg is a lot more than the 12.5kg of current non ebike
The overall geometry and riding position of the Vado SL is soo new for me, after spending so many years on my stretched out 19'' 1995 Stumpjumper with 4.5'' reach stem.
After 100km on the bike my neck is very happy at being more upright, but I'm making tweaks to suite my back - although I'm wondering if there is just a certain number of miles I need to get in the saddle for my body to adjust to such a big change.
I read with Interest the thread - Vado SL 5.1 GQ, a 27.5/650b “Gravel-Queen” - started by @e-levity . This was not specifically to make the bike into a Gravel-Queen for my partner, but to allow me to explore the differences with a 650b/fatter tyre setup (with Rack and Fenders removed). My LBS had suggested just trying the 700x42 pathfinder pro's with the existing rims. However, I wanted a 2nd set of wheels anyway so ordered a set of DT Swiss HG 1800 SPLINE 650B wheels (along with the GravelKing SK 27.5 x 1.9 tyres from e-levity's post)
Hopefully I'll still get the clearances he reported
. I will see in later in January when the 2nd wheel set arrives.I also bought some Ortlieb Sport Roller Free panniers that are quite dinky, but fit perfectly onto the EQ rack. The Quick-Lock 2.1 adjusters, that provide for varying the spacing of the hooks, fit absolutely perfectly between the front and rear braces on the rack. It's almost like there is a std sizing used by both manufacturers
(My older rack and 1994 Karrimore panniers required some effort to stop loads sliding about.)I also bought an Ortlieb Frame-Pack RC 4L , which although bought for my other bike , fits pretty well on the Vado SL too without fouling on the mastermind display (if not using the RE battery)
My brain is swirling with ideas from these forums but I'll get out and get some miles under my belt before waffling on any more.
