My wife and I went shopping for Vado SL 4.0 EQs last March. I'm about 5'7"/1.7m, so a medium is right for me. She's about 5'/1.52m, so "small" is the ideal size for her. The LBS (Woodcock Cycle Works) had one SL 4.0 EQ in stock: a medium step-through. It fit me fine. In order for her to do a test ride, they swapped the OE saddle and seat post for a saddle on a shorter seat post. She liked the bike, but it definitely was too big. When it became clear that Specialized was not going to have any small versions of the Vado SL 4.0 for the foreseeable future, we decided to purchase the medium step-thorough, provided that the LBS would modify it to better fit her.
Here's what they did:
1. New stem. The original idea was to reduce the reach by replacing the OE 75mm stem with an OE 60mm stem (from the small Vado 4.0 SL). This would have allowed the use of an OE headlight mount. Unfortunately, Specialized did not stock the 60mm stem. Instead, a 50mm MTB stem and a Lezyne headlight mount (https://ride.lezyne.com/products/ebike-forward-mount) were installed.
2. Seat post shortened. The OE seat post was shortened by several mm to lower the saddle.
3. Saddle positioned forward. This further reduced the reach.
4. Handlebars narrowed. The width of the handlebars was reduced by 1"/2.54cm. This promoted a slightly more upright riding position.
She's very happy with these mods. They've made the medium bike much more comfortable (and more safe) for her to ride.
PS. Specialized had several medium step-over SL 4.0 in their inventory and I was able to get one.
Here's what they did:
1. New stem. The original idea was to reduce the reach by replacing the OE 75mm stem with an OE 60mm stem (from the small Vado 4.0 SL). This would have allowed the use of an OE headlight mount. Unfortunately, Specialized did not stock the 60mm stem. Instead, a 50mm MTB stem and a Lezyne headlight mount (https://ride.lezyne.com/products/ebike-forward-mount) were installed.
2. Seat post shortened. The OE seat post was shortened by several mm to lower the saddle.
3. Saddle positioned forward. This further reduced the reach.
4. Handlebars narrowed. The width of the handlebars was reduced by 1"/2.54cm. This promoted a slightly more upright riding position.
She's very happy with these mods. They've made the medium bike much more comfortable (and more safe) for her to ride.
PS. Specialized had several medium step-over SL 4.0 in their inventory and I was able to get one.
