Stem/Handlebar Rise On Vado 4EQ SL:

[Stefan Mikes]

Jodi, I know Germany is a country where people think strict and are obsessed with Sicherheit (which is to some extent a good thing). I agree the Specialized User Manual is very restrictive and it disallows replacing many original parts with other types. If we Poles were so strict, I would still be riding Specialized Electrak Armadillo 2.0 tyres (instead of Schwalbe Smart Sam) because the User Manual explicitly forbids replacing the tyres with another make/model.

I hope the changes that have been done so far on your wife's SL would be sufficient for comfortable ride!

 

[ActionJackson]

I am only allowed to ride a bike sitting upright, so I’m in the same boat as Jodi but have already bought the bike. I’ve gone through this with other bikes before, and it’s a bit of a hassle. My solution is to replace the handlebars with a more radical rise BMX version with a 31.8mm mounting diameter. The handlebars give me 150mm of rise. Initially Specialized said they may be able to replace without lengthening the cable, however I knew it would require more length just from looking at the existing cables. Today I received an email which says:


I will inform you that the wages for changing the handlebars of your bike have been confirmed. It is 36,300yen(tax).

The details are
•the handlebar replacement
•shift cable replacement
•brake hose replacement
•battery and motor attachment / detachment as necessary work at that time.

So costs are about $324/£232/€272 parts, labor and tax. Sounds like they have to route the new cables requiring motor and battery removal and replacement. Also sounds like it’s a hydraulic hose going to the brakes. Probably five hours of work. That’s about what I expected, actually maybe a bit less.

The good news is that the bike is finally on the assembly rack!

Also I note - in a normal fitting I’d require an M size, but I went for an L size because it naturally raises the bars by about 50mm anyways. Then I drop the seat 50mm. This worked out great with my Cannondale the last time too.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I am only allowed to ride a bike sitting upright, so I’m in the same boat as Jodi but have already bought the bike. I’ve gone through this with other bikes before, and it’s a bit of a hassle. My solution is to replace the handlebars with a more radical rise BMX version with a 31.8mm mounting diameter. The handlebars give me 150mm of rise. Initially Specialized said they may be able to replace without lengthening the cable, however I knew it would require more length just from looking at the existing cables. Today I received an email which says:


I will inform you that the wages for changing the handlebars of your bike have been confirmed. It is 36,300yen(tax).

The details are
•the handlebar replacement
•shift cable replacement
•brake hose replacement
•battery and motor attachment / detachment as necessary work at that time.

So costs are about $324/£232/€272 parts, labor and tax. Sounds like they have to route the new cables requiring motor and battery removal and replacement. Also sounds like it’s a hydraulic hose going to the brakes. Probably five hours of work. That’s about what I expected, actually maybe a bit less.

The good news is that the bike is finally on the assembly rack!

Also I note - in a normal fitting I’d require an M size, but I went for an L size because it naturally raises the bars by about 50mm anyways. Then I drop the seat 50mm. This worked out great with my Cannondale the last time too.

You know what Voltman? I absolutely understand people who need to ride in the upright position. I love the moderate position I'm taking on my "heavy" Vado (after I raised the stem). The only thing I hate with the Moderate position is the wind resistance. My brother told me not to do anything about my Vado SL because he believes I have no health contraindications to ride in the Forward position (other than a big stomach, haha!), and I would be more happy not to fight with the headwind so much on the lightweight e-bike.

 

[ActionJackson]

I love the moderate position I'm taking on my "heavy" Vado

Your back and neck love that position too! My lower discs still allow me perhaps a safe 45° forwards tilt with comfort for a long ride but I prefer upright as the word I’ve gotten from 2 doctors already is that bicycle riding in a leaned position helps lead to “kyphosis” or “hunchback” because everyone over 60 has osteoporosis (bone thinning) to some measure. If you look closely at a picture of someone riding a bike in competition, I think you’ll find their heads are actually turned upwards about 45° to maintain forward vision. So although that might be aerodynamic it still comes at a cost to your body. I believe Japanese doctors in this area more than western American or European doctors, simply because they have a lot more experience with aged people. I’m also going to a sports hospital, (not intentionally, but by circumstance) so I think I’m getting prudent care in that regard. In the end I don’t wanna find I’ve extended my 9th life into the mid 80s only to have some other condition creep up and ruin it.

 

[CorkJohn]

After talking to our lbs, my wife decided to go with new handlebars instead of a stem rise, like VoltMan. The breakdown of work the shop indicates is exactly what VoltMan reported. Thanks for the price quote, because the shop hasn't exactly said the price yet - still ordering parts. Like Stefan and others reported, shop said they don't think stem riser is safe - even though they sell them! I'm with Stefan that this is a bunch of..... but becaused I didn't think I had enough hose to make the switch we're just going to go with what they suggest. Should preserve the warranties if nothing else. BTW, always felt a slight lean on bike stretches out the disc space in back and makes it feel better - too much lean causes it to hurt.

 

[Cramer Long]

You know what Voltman? I absolutely understand people who need to ride in the upright position. I love the moderate position I'm taking on my "heavy" Vado (after I raised the stem). The only thing I hate with the Moderate position is the wind resistance. My brother told me not to do anything about my Vado SL because he believes I have no health contraindications to ride in the Forward position (other than a big stomach, haha!), and I would be more happy not to fight with the headwind so much on the lightweight e-bike.

Riding in a slightly more Aggressive position does work the Stomach more so then upright . I can really feel a difference recovering from several broken ribs on both sides. When riding my Vado vs Riding My wife's Como . It's really obvious at the moment . So much so I'm contemplating raising my riding position temporarily . In the same respect no pain no gain

 

[ActionJackson]

After talking to our lbs, my wife decided to go with new handlebars instead of a stem rise, like VoltMan.

This is what I went with this time:

Box One Alloy Triple Taper Handlebar

All Box handlebars are engineered and crafted using our Oversized Technology. Handlebars have a dual purpose as they contribute to both steering and pedaling stiffness. By strategically varying wall thicknesses and tube diameters we have moved material from 3 low stress areas to zones of high...

boxcomponents.com

 

[Calcoaster]

Voltman99 -
I followed the link to the Box One Handlebars and this note is at the bottom of the page:

Please note, the maximum recommended rider weight is 100 pounds.

It’s probably a typo - I imagine it should say kg instead of pounds, but it won’t hurt to check.

 

[ActionJackson]

Voltman99 -
I followed the link to the Box One Handlebars and this note is at the bottom of the page:
Please note, the maximum recommended rider weight is 100 pounds.
It’s probably a typo - I imagine it should say kg instead of pounds, but it won’t hurt to check.

Thanks! Yes actually it is 100 lbs - when used as it’s designed- for BMX racing. Forgot to mention that. I’d asked when ordering directly from Box too. There’s a chromoly version which only weighs a bit more. I’ve already received the bars - very impressed with them. Specialized seemed impressed too - mainly with the height (wow they make handlebars for tall fat foreigners!)

I’m not going to do hand-stands, reverse wheelies, or 20 meter Red Bull jumps so not worried.

Not to mention I have Carbon forks that will break before the bars @Stefan Mikes