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

[Jeremy McCreary]

Q: Will I still be able to clamp my bike to my Park Tool work stand by the seat post with a dropper installed?

Between a low back that really doesn't like to work bent over and a mid-drive that doesn't move the chain when pedaled backwards, I really need to work on my bike on the stand — especially for chain maintenance.

The seat post is the only clamping point I'm comfortable with, but maybe there's another on the SL. If not, and I can't clamp a dropper, no dropper for me.

 

[edobici_forza]

Q: Will I still be able to clamp my bike to my Park Tool work stand by the seat post with a dropper installed?

Between a low back that really doesn't like to work bent over and a mid-drive that doesn't move the chain when pedaled backwards, I really need to work on my bike on the stand — especially for chain maintenance.

The seat post is the only clamping point I'm comfortable with, but maybe there's another on the SL. If not, and I can't clamp a dropper, no dropper for me.

I found this video when I was discussing with a friend recently...

A video from good ol park tool on the clamping dropper post topic.
Shop Talk: Is It OK to Clamp My Dropper Post in a Repair Stand? < video link [fixed]
Spoiler alert. Calvin says it is fine to clamp a seat post dropper.

My experience: For my first full suspension Mt. Bike over 10 yrs ago,I had my dropper post slammed so the collar was right at the seatpost clamp. I was uncomfortable clamping the extended post. so I found the Silca Hirobel device to attach to the bike repair stand. I use it with all of my bikes. it is not cheap, but useful. Works for my Creo. photo below

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Calvin says it is fine to clamp a seat post dropper.

Thanks! That Hirobel gizmo looks interesting.

Current No. 4 in my Rules of Life: Do whatever Calvin says.

 

[edobici_forza]

Thanks! That Haribol gizmo looks interesting.

Current No. 4 in my Rules of Life: Do whatever Calvin says.

Jeremy, that is a good great rule! He gave us many years of knowledge! BTW, he is retiring.

just double check your seat clamp is tight. I was adjusting my seat before my ride yesterday and laughed as the seat post clamp has a 6.2Nm torque. my torque wrench does do decimals, but still !!

 

[Nubnub]

Q: Will I still be able to clamp my bike to my Park Tool work stand by the seat post with a dropper installed?

Between a low back that really doesn't like to work bent over and a mid-drive that doesn't move the chain when pedaled backwards, I really need to work on my bike on the stand — especially for chain maintenance.

The seat post is the only clamping point I'm comfortable with, but maybe there's another on the SL. If not, and I can't clamp a dropper, no dropper for me.

You should be able to but it depends on your dropper and clamp. The ratio of the dropper post above/below the collar will determine how ez it is to do. For a 100 mm dropper like on my Tero, there is more seatpost above the collar than there is on my 50mm dropper on my Creo. So there is a more exposed fat part of the dropper to clamp onto on the Creo. On the Tero, there is only a limited area for the clamp. It's easier for me to get the clamp in position on the Creo. Also helps that the Creo is 20-25 lbs lighter than the Tero.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

A video from good ol park tool on the clamping dropper post topic.
Shop Talk: Is It OK to Clamp My Dropper Post in a Repair Stand? < video link

Alas, something wrong with that link, but this should work:

 

[edobici_forza]

Alas, something wrong with that link, but this should work:

I used a link because I was trying to avoid the giant preview thumbnails you get when you just post a YT link. They seem a bit smaller now. but I am viewing this on a browser.

So are you confident that you can use your repair stand with the new dropper?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I used a link because I was trying to avoid the giant preview thumbnails you get when you just post a YT link. They seem a bit smaller now. but I am viewing this on a browser.

So are you confident that you can use your repair stand with the new dropper?

Still need the max insertable post length to figure that out, as I can only clamp completely above or below the dropper seal collar.

And I'm procrastinating on making the measurement for fear of dropping that loose seatpost binder thingy down the seat tube when I remove the existing post. (We discussed how to avoid that in recent months. Will have to find those messages.)

 

[edobici_forza]

Still need the max insertable post length to figure that out, as I can only clamp completely above or below the dropper seal collar.

And I'm procrastinating on making the measurement for fear of dropping that loose seatpost binder thingy down the seat tube when I remove the existing post. (We discussed how to avoid that in recent months. Will have to find those messages.)

I am not a fan of proprietary seat post mechanisms. I didn't know the Vado SL has one.
Is it this post? #3,319

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I am not a fan of proprietary seat post mechanisms. I didn't know the Vado SL has one.
Is it this post? #3,319

Thanks, that was the discussion!