I just purchased the SL 5.0 and am coming from a Cannondale Quick 2 Hybrid. I am noticing some back pain that i suspect is related to a slightly lower handlebar on the SL. It is not obvious to me when I switch from one bike to the other so I am only guessing that this is the issue. Has anyone raised their handlebar on a bike with the future shock? Can it be done? I know that there are some issues with raising the bar but if I understand correctly, it can be done. Correct me if I am wrong.
Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)
- Thread starter Stefan Mikes
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kahn
Well-Known Member
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- northWET washington
I stopped worrying about kosher when I ate lobster for the first time.
I've probably mentioned it but my neck does not appreciate the drop position on the Creo. The headtube and risers on my custom road bike lift the handlebars substantially and I can use the drops there more often.
But as has been recently mentioned in this thread - it is YOUR bike. Make it work for you. I've re-worked tents and some clothing over the years to work better for camping. Same goes for the bike.
kahn
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- northWET washington
CREO, here.
I used the spacers that came with the bike and used all three of them to raise the handlebars. I definitely noticed the difference. I've actually done and undone it about three times seeing how I liked it and using one, then three, then none. And back to all three. I wonder if I could add one more (safety???)
There's a video and I actually purchased his machined aluminum spacers to replace Specialized plastic (nylon, whatever).
Allan47.7339
Well-Known Member
You can probably get away with four. I've seen it referenced on the FB Creo page. I was able to get it set with three spacers and a shorter flipped stem.
kahn
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- northWET washington
I did get a taller stem to give me a bit more height.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
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- Mazovia, PL
Guys,
You wouldn't believe how comfortable has my Vado SL become after that dramatic lowering of handlebars! Strange, isn't it? I used to suffer neck and back ache with the previous setup, and now I know I could ride long distances without painful aftereffect. Moreover, riding upwind (and it is really blowing now!) was easier, as I could easily lean more forward when I needed that.
A guy from Redshift named Dylan has disillusioned me regarding the possibility of swapping Vado SL flat handlebars for drop bars. The Vado remote is a ring of the internal diameter of 22.2 mm that has to be slid onto the bar while a drop bar is of 23.8 mm diameter in its grip area. He has, however, told me many people ride their flat bar bikes with aerobars. Now I'm torn: aerobars or innerbarends?
P.S. @Calcoaster: I have ordered Innerbarends 411. We'll see how that works!
You wouldn't believe how comfortable has my Vado SL become after that dramatic lowering of handlebars! Strange, isn't it? I used to suffer neck and back ache with the previous setup, and now I know I could ride long distances without painful aftereffect. Moreover, riding upwind (and it is really blowing now!) was easier, as I could easily lean more forward when I needed that.
A guy from Redshift named Dylan has disillusioned me regarding the possibility of swapping Vado SL flat handlebars for drop bars. The Vado remote is a ring of the internal diameter of 22.2 mm that has to be slid onto the bar while a drop bar is of 23.8 mm diameter in its grip area. He has, however, told me many people ride their flat bar bikes with aerobars. Now I'm torn: aerobars or innerbarends?
P.S. @Calcoaster: I have ordered Innerbarends 411. We'll see how that works!
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So did I:
Changing Grip in Vado
I use the Ergon Biokork grips with GP3 bar ends from other worn out grip sets. They have more clearance for the mirrors while still providing more positions to relieve hand numbness. The bar ends are at ~45° and the palm rests are basically level. YRMV. Vado 5 cockpit with size large...
electricbikereview.com
And I still prefer the SQlab innerbarends to the Ergon GP3 which I tested in between.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
@Calcoaster & @TS25: I hate you. Because neither of you showed the details of installing of SQLab Innerbarends. Can you see anything wrong here?
Yes, it is. With this setup, the thenar eminence (Mount of Venus) of my palm rests on the remote. Not nice.
To make this wrong setup, I had to:
Now, that could be cured by swapping the remote with the brake lever mount:
I'm going to explode. That little piece of .... German "engineering art" is so small it barely fits my large hands, and will be useless when I put thick winter gloves on...
Yes, it is. With this setup, the thenar eminence (Mount of Venus) of my palm rests on the remote. Not nice.
To make this wrong setup, I had to:
- Remove the (precisely setup) Mirrycle mirror
- Remove the Ergon GP2 bar-end (meticulously tuned for angles)
- Cut the GP2 to remove 22 mm of its width (I won't let my controls travel another 22 mm to the right here!)
- Insert the Innerbarend and set it in a right position.
Now, that could be cured by swapping the remote with the brake lever mount:
- Remove the Ergon grip
- Remove the Innerbarend
- Remove the bars from the Redshift stem (because of the insufficient cable slack to remove the remote and the brake lever)
- Untie the cables
- (write the rest yourself)....
I'm going to explode. That little piece of .... German "engineering art" is so small it barely fits my large hands, and will be useless when I put thick winter gloves on...
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Calm down, Brownie
I thought my pictures in this forum present since 2020 were self-explanatory. Of course you better put the brake levers next to the grips, as shown:
Raising the handlebar on a '19 Vado 3.0
I use Ergon GP3 grips for that :) More space... Well, I'm perhaps pampered with the Vado 5.0 with its unique lighting etc. The only thing I cannot really use is the handlebar bag. Of course, I understand your preferences Terry, just saying Vado is not the easiest thing for modding it ;) I...
electricbikereview.com
No need to remove the bar from the stem, or the remote, for that. Just remove the left brake lever completely, slide the remote to the right and set the brake lever back, next to the grips.
I agree shorter grips are best. I've been trying to source Ergon Dual Twist Shift grips but they've been sold out for months.
OK, here is an offer for you: bring your bike along and I'll fix your grips while you're doing my gardening. And take your time - so will I - as there's a lot to do
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Whoever has invented SQLab Innerbarends shall deserve a slow & painful death...
Now, the two smaller fingers of my left hand are in conflict with the brake lever unit.
Useless crap. You own me a new set of GP2, both of you. You can share the cost And I'm throwing the Innerbarends to a dustbin after the first ride!
Now, the two smaller fingers of my left hand are in conflict with the brake lever unit.
Useless crap. You own me a new set of GP2, both of you. You can share the cost
And I'm throwing the Innerbarends to a dustbin after the first ride!Calcoaster
Active Member
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- USA
Too bad they didn’t work for you. I have large hands (XL glove size) and they work fine for me, with no interference. I put my SQL up against the grips with the +/- switch next. The SQ bar end is small but it just fits the crook of my thumb to index finger and leaves my other fingers to rest on top of the brake lever. My palm (base of thumb) does just touch the +/- switch housing (never the switches themselves) but it has never bothered me. When I use the ends, I am leaning forward and lowering myself down a bit, which pushes my hands forward against the SQL end. I do need to move my hand off the bar end to change the assist level, but I rarely do that.Whoever has invented SQLab Innerbarends shall deserve a slow & painful death...
View attachment 104641
Now, the two smaller fingers of my left hand are in conflict with the brake lever unit.
Useless crap. You own me a new set of GP2, both of you. You can share the cost
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
SQlab Innerbarends Finally Mounted...
The process required shortening the GP2s, removing the handlebars from the stem, loosening all controls on the handlebars, reorganizing some controls, re-tightening and readjustment.
Everything to install that weird contraption It is even not rubberized! Fancy holding it during the frost, snow, in the rain or sleet... I only hope my nearest rides could convince me to this invention...
P.S. The way I reorganized the left side gives me access to the remote, and even to the bell... Only I need to remove my hand from the innerbarend to operate the remote. (I can operate the remote from the main grip without issues).
The process required shortening the GP2s, removing the handlebars from the stem, loosening all controls on the handlebars, reorganizing some controls, re-tightening and readjustment.
Everything to install that weird contraption
It is even not rubberized! Fancy holding it during the frost, snow, in the rain or sleet... I only hope my nearest rides could convince me to this invention...P.S. The way I reorganized the left side gives me access to the remote, and even to the bell... Only I need to remove my hand from the innerbarend to operate the remote. (I can operate the remote from the main grip without issues).
Calcoaster
Active Member
- Region
- USA
When I first installed mine I thought they were going to be too small and uncomfortable. When I’m using them on a ride they feel fine. I only use them when I’m riding into a headwind or want to have a few minutes of a more aero position on my SL, and to vary my hand positions on a longer ride. Hopefully yours will fit you better when you’re using them on a ride.SQlab Innerbarends Finally Mounted...
View attachment 104649
The process required shortening the GP2s, removing the handlebars from the stem, loosening all controls on the handlebars, reorganizing some controls, re-tightening and readjustment.
Everything to install that weird contraption
P.S. The way I reorganized the left side gives me access to the remote, and even to the bell... Only I need to remove my hand from the innerbarend to operate the remote. (I can operate the remote from the main grip without issues).
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Sure I will give them a try
Rider51
Member
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- USA
That seems like an awful lot of work for a little benefit, unless someone absolutely, positively must have inners. I personally don't like them much (though ends are terrific).
I'd like to see someone set up a Vado SL (or Creo for that matter) with either a flatbar, or even old cowhorns, with short aero bars. I don't mean like a true TT bike, those are way too aero. I'm thinking circa 1996. If you ignore the full TT bike and aero position, and just look at the bars, this is what I'm thinking.
I'd like to see someone set up a Vado SL (or Creo for that matter) with either a flatbar, or even old cowhorns, with short aero bars. I don't mean like a true TT bike, those are way too aero. I'm thinking circa 1996. If you ignore the full TT bike and aero position, and just look at the bars, this is what I'm thinking.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The Redshift Sports guy Dylan told me their L-Aerobars (Long) are the common choice of most of the users as these allow assuming easy riding position even with flat bars. While S-Aerobars are for TT pros. Just saying.
Rider51
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- USA
Yeah, but they'll stick out like heck. It also depends on rider position. It sounds like Dylan has put a lot more thought into this than I have, but the reach of a bike is going to have a lot to do with that. The longer the reach on the frame the shorter the bars are likely needed. Of course, that also depends on the rider's size, and comfort level. I honestly don't know what position which bars would put you in on your Vado SL! Will you be really stretched out? Or riding with the pads on your wrists instead of near your elbows? Too much to figure out for me!
Also, if you watch a lot of bike racing you'll also see TT configurations where riders on technical courses will be shorter, or more compact on the bike, whether that has to do with bar length to what degree I don't know. The classic example of how not to position goes back to the 2006 Tour when Rabobank decided to put Michael Rasmussen on a TT bike set-up for speed on the flats, with really skinny tires...except the course was really technical. I can't even remember how many times he crashed that day, on his own. Oh, and he flatted too.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
This.
I have completed my Innerbarends test ride. Honestly, I could live without them. They are hard on palms, even in gloves! The width of handlebars for ride control becomes very narrow, making it less controllable. Still, I won't throw the SQlab into the dustbin. Not yet. I need a very long ride to determine the usefulness of the inner bar ends yet.
What I cannot understand are claims of several users that innerbarends are better than GP2/GP3. Not for me. I spend hours riding in GP2/GP3 bar ends to the utmost satisfaction.
Allan47.7339
Well-Known Member
I have had the Innerbarends on my Vado SL for a few months and the GP3 on my Turbo S. I also find I prefer the GP3 but I can see it would be personal preference. If I keep the Vado SL I will switch to the GP3.
Calcoaster
Active Member
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- USA
I have both the gp3 ends and the SQL inner ends and use them both. I use the gp3 more often but I like the SQL for the more aero times like into a headwind. They let me pull my elbows in and make it easier to hunch down than the outer ends. They did seem uncomfortable and small my first few rides but soon became much more comfortable. I push my hands forward against them and keep my fingers draped over the brake levers while leaning forward.
I find the width is similar to the hand placement I most often used on my road bike’s drop bars - on the bend that curves toward the hoods.
Stefan, I hope after a few more rides you find the SQ’s work for you. If not, maybe a creo is what you need!
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