Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)

[Stefan Mikes]

STOP STOP STOP
Impractical. Unable to do it. I use a Redshift seat-post which is solid at the bottom. No way to route the wires through the seat-post.
Oh well, I own what I own and am happy!

 

[mfgrep]

STOP STOP STOP
Impractical. Unable to do it. I use a Redshift seat-post which is solid at the bottom. No way to route the wires through the seat-post.
Oh well, I own what I own and am happy!

yup yup yup. How many threads have SL owners discussed these wiring dilemmas relating to seat posts or stem suspension lol? It ain't easy to do some of these upgrades while keeping the light(s).
I was thinking of ways to improve my saddle comfort as we had discussed and was thinking of a suspension post or new saddle....and these dilemmas continue to pop up.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

yup yup yup. How many threads have SL owners discussed these wiring dilemmas relating to seat posts or stem suspension. It ain't easy.
I was thinking of ways to improve my saddle comfort as we had discussed....and these dilemmas continue to pop up.

You can do it with a Cirrus Cycles Kinekt suspension seat-post that is hollow in the most of the tube. It is only necessary to drill a hole at an angle at the back of the post to let the wires out.

However, I am totally happy with my Redshift. (I had some issues with Kinekt in the past; probably my fault).

 

[mfgrep]

You can do it with a Cirrus Cycles Kinekt suspension seat-post that is hollow in the most of the tube. It is only necessary to drill a hole at an angle at the back of the post to let the wires out.

However, I am totally happy with my Redshift. (I had some issues with Kinekt in the past; probably my fault).

Ya I know I know.....but a Polish gent talked me out of the suspension seat post a few days back in a private message....I can't remember that guy's name....but it is the same guy that rode completely nude to the lab yesterday.

 

[Base]

STOP STOP STOP
Impractical. Unable to do it. I use a Redshift seat-post which is solid at the bottom. No way to route the wires through the seat-post.
Oh well, I own what I own and am happy!

Thats why i am refering to a thick staut stick on cable guide to run the cable externally to the seatpost

 

[Stefan Mikes]

but it is the same guy that rode completely nude to the lab yesterday.

And I thought my English was impeccable and totally understandable!

 

[mfgrep]

Thats why i am refering to a thick staut stick on cable guide to run the cable externally to the seatpost

EXTERNAL WIRING ON STEFAN'S VADO SL!!!! Surely you jest.

 

[mfgrep]

And I thought my English was impeccable and totally understandable!

Your English is perfect. My jokes are imperfect.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thats why i am refering to a thick staut stick on cable guide to run the cable externally to the seatpost

I promised to myself not to install any "peasant" kind of solution on my e-bikes a long time ago (Jason is totally right about that!) The last time I did it was 2020 when I installed an external dropper seat-post cable on my big Vado

Your English is perfect. My jokes are imperfect.

My English is good enough to be able to understand your jokes! @Chargeride is more complicated as he is as British in his banter as I often do not get what he's saying If I do not put a "like" at a Chris' post it means his joke fell flat

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Jason, we sometimes jokingly refer to southeastern Poland as "Galicia" (it is a long and irrelevant historical matter as Galicia in now in Ukraine - and another Galicia in Spain).
The south-easterners here are known for inelegant solutions, especially in the countryside architecture. Want to expand your house? Slap a new part to the existing building as you please!

Having said the above, I don't want my e-bikes look the "Galician style"

 

[mfgrep]

Jason, we sometimes jokingly refer to southeastern Poland as "Galicia" (it is a long and irrelevant historical matter as Galicia in now in Ukraine - and another Galicia in Spain).
The south-easterners here are known for inelegant solutions, especially in the countryside architecture. Want to expand your house? Slap a new part to the existing building as you please!

Having said the above, I don't want my e-bikes look the "Galician style"

Yes I understand. And yes....I have been avoiding making amateurish or unsightly modifications to my SL for the last 2.5 years...I have even been unwilling to add a rear rack to the bike!
I assume that it is part of my 'nature'....and I am admittedly a bit of a perfectionist....or a bit obsessive compulsive as it relates to things being neat/tidy.
After some time, however, I have relented if only a bit. As it relates to my now older Vado SL....I am ready to slap a rack and some bags on the bike to enhance my overall use and experience.
I am particularly pleased with the Ortlieb rack because I can remove it in 10 seconds and have my naked fitness bike back!
Once that Vado 4.0 left my garage.....I immediately longed for the ability to carry a lock, clothing, food etc. on my SL.

Edit: Funny thing....those photos I posted for you today.....showed how filthy my SL currently is! I need to give it a good cleaning this weekend lol.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

For now I continue to use the Bridge Sport saddle.

Me too, on the SL. For me, it is the most comfortable saddle when combined with my sporty position on the bike!
The geometry matters are complex. I maintain a low and aggressive riding position on my big Vado, and I have equipped that e-bike with the expensive Phenom Pro saddle. These two e-bikes are certainly not the same and the Phenom does not feel that comfortable as the Bridge Sport! Not that there is anything wrong with the Phenom Sport. Only my big Vado was converted to the size Small frame during the warranty upgrade; I had to do many things to fix that e-bike geometry!

 

[mfgrep]

Me too, on the SL. For me, it is the most comfortable saddle when combined with my sporty position on the bike!
The geometry matters are complex. I maintain a low and aggressive riding position on my big Vado, and I have equipped that e-bike with the expensive Phenom Pro saddle. These two e-bikes are certainly not the same and the Phenom does not feel that comfortable as the Bridge Sport! Not that there is anything wrong with the Phenom Sport. Only my big Vado was converted to the size Small frame during the warranty upgrade; I had to do many things to fix that e-bike geometry!

Yes. Getting things just right is difficult. I have considered getting a bike 'fit' but am apprehensive to spend the money. After all....I am a recreational rider. The tail end of last season resulted in my nether-regions becoming very sore. I'm trying to avoid that again.
I don't want to open pandora's box.....and require wiring changes and all sorts of changes just to be comfortable. It can't be that hard....but I'm struggling to find 'it'.

 

[Base]

I promised to myself not to install any "peasant" kind of solution on my e-bikes a long time ago (Jason is totally right about that!) The last time I did it was 2020 when I installed an external dropper seat-post cable on my big Vado

Sure, as long as you won't drill in your seatpost.

there would be no room to guide the cable through.


I was refurring to a stick on cable guide we use in our frames, such a full on guide you could stick to the back end of the seattube and guide the cable through. I have used this kind of solution on a few consumer bikes it is not a very ugly solution.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

First of all @Base I want to thank you again for taking your time to find the tail-light I was asking for!

The matter of -- for example -- replacing a Vado SL 1 non-EQ hollow seat-post with a suspension one was had been vividly discussed on these Forums for years. Turned out, the only applicable suspension seat-post was the Kinekt 2.1. Cirrus Cycles was even glad to provide a technical drawing how and where to drill a hole for the tail-light wires!

I prefer Redshift seat-posts, making the solution infeasible. It's a pity I cannot make my Vado SL the real un-EQ but what to do! Unfortunately, Ye Good Ole Specialized loves its integrated and not always the best solutions!

 

[Base]

I've seen the picture indeed

so in your case the only solution is to find an elegant external cable guide. If you want to put the tail light under your saddle.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you, I'm good with the external tail-light.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I Find that 40% OFF - BIG DISCOUNT ON Electric Bike

Reported.