Turbo Vado SL EQ Step Thru Geometry

[BBdoc]

I recently bought a 2022 Turbo Vado SL EQ Step Thru model. I have only had a few opportunities to ride the bike and it seems quite nice. However, I find the step thru geometry awkward. I don’t have any physical limitations but I seem to need to raise my leg quite high to get a leg across the bike. With a water bottle in place it is even harder. In some ways, the geometry feels more awkward than the traditional geometry.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I recently bought a 2022 Turbo Vado SL EQ Step Thru model. I have only had a few opportunities to ride the bike and it seems quite nice. However, I find the step thru geometry awkward. I don’t have any physical limitations but I seem to need to raise my leg quite high to get a leg across the bike. With a water bottle in place it is even harder. In some ways, the geometry feels more awkward than the traditional geometry.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Well, try raise your leg over the high-step frame (I do it out of necessity). ST e-bikes are not Low-Step. Whenever I mount my older full power Vado 5.0 ST, I'm glad I chose that model!

 

[BBdoc]

Well, try raise your leg over the high-step frame (I do it out of necessity). ST e-bikes are not Low-Step. Whenever I mount my older full power Vado 5.0 ST, I'm glad I chose that model!

I see. So the high step model is even more challenging? Do you find the water bottle gets in your way on the ST ebike? I probably won’t put a water bottle in the upper bar of my ST since my foot catches on it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I see. So the high step model is even more challenging? Do you find the water bottle gets in your way on the ST ebike? I probably won’t put a water bottle in the upper bar of my ST since my foot catches on it.

There are two styles of mounting High-Step bikes:

• Similar to mounting a horse: swinging a leg over the saddle
• Doing a high step over the top tube.

For medical reasons, I cannot swing my leg in the traditional way, so I am doing a high step for my Vado SL (even if that is seemingly more difficult). It is easy for me to do the step on the Vado ST (non SL). True, I do not have a water bottle there.

 

[rochrunner]

I recently bought a 2022 Turbo Vado SL EQ Step Thru model. I have only had a few opportunities to ride the bike and it seems quite nice. However, I find the step thru geometry awkward. I don’t have any physical limitations but I seem to need to raise my leg quite high to get a leg across the bike. With a water bottle in place it is even harder. In some ways, the geometry feels more awkward than the traditional geometry.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

I had this trouble when I was just looking around at the bikes, and found that my problem was that I was not standing in the correct position. What I was doing was standing next to the bike facing forwards and then trying to lift my leg sideways over the step-thru frame. That was definitely awkward! So if you're not already doing it, try facing directly toward the bike, such as with your left hand on the bar end and your right hand on the back of the seat, then step forwards over the frame tube.

And you're right that the bottle mount makes this more difficult. On my wife's ST Trek they put the bottle mount quite high up on the top tube where it's not in the way (and also very convenient for her). On the Vado SL it's near the bottom of the tube in order for the Range Extender to reach the plug.

 

[BBdoc]

I had this trouble when I was just looking around at the bikes, and found that my problem was that I was not standing in the correct position. What I was doing was standing next to the bike facing forwards and then trying to lift my leg sideways over the step-thru frame. That was definitely awkward! So if you're not already doing it, try facing directly toward the bike, such as with your left hand on the bar end and your right hand on the back of the seat, then step forwards over the frame tube.

And you're right that the bottle mount makes this more difficult. On my wife's ST Trek they put the bottle mount quite high up on the top tube where it's not in the way (and also very convenient for her). On the Vado SL it's near the bottom of the tube in order for the Range Extender to reach the plug.

 

[BBdoc]

Very helpful advice. It is useful to get perspectives and opinions of others. So, thanks.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

So if you're not already doing it, try facing directly toward the bike, such as with your left hand on the bar end and your right hand on the back of the seat, then step forwards over the frame tube.

I 100% subscribe to that. That is how you're doing the step. Only you do not need to keep by the saddle if you depress the brake lever with your other (the one on the bar side) hand while doing the step.

 

[mjh5]

I had this trouble when I was just looking around at the bikes, and found that my problem was that I was not standing in the correct position. What I was doing was standing next to the bike facing forwards and then trying to lift my leg sideways over the step-thru frame. That was definitely awkward! So if you're not already doing it, try facing directly toward the bike, such as with your left hand on the bar end and your right hand on the back of the seat, then step forwards over the frame tube.

And you're right that the bottle mount makes this more difficult. On my wife's ST Trek they put the bottle mount quite high up on the top tube where it's not in the way (and also very convenient for her). On the Vado SL it's near the bottom of the tube in order for the Range Extender to reach the plug.

As I don't use a range extender I have the bottle cage on the mounts on the battery compartment so no interference from a bottle stepping over. If one uses a range extender only occasionally it might still make sense to put the water bottle on the lower tube.

 

[BBdoc]

As I don't use a range extender I have the bottle cage on the mounts on the battery compartment so no interference from a bottle stepping over. If one uses a range extender only occasionally it might still make sense to put the water bottle on the lower tube.

Yes, I will do the same thing. I am not sure about getting a range extender. It is something I may consider down the road. I guess the range extender can also be carried in a rack bag when not in use.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I guess the range extender can also be carried in a rack bag when not in use.

I carry as many as up to two Range Extenders in a small backpack. These are so lightweight!

 

[BBdoc]

That is helpful to know. If I do buy a range extender, I will keep that in mind. Thanks!!!

 

[Kayakguy]

I had this trouble when I was just looking around at the bikes, and found that my problem was that I was not standing in the correct position. What I was doing was standing next to the bike facing forwards and then trying to lift my leg sideways over the step-thru frame. That was definitely awkward! So if you're not already doing it, try facing directly toward the bike, such as with your left hand on the bar end and your right hand on the back of the seat, then step forwards over the frame tube.

And you're right that the bottle mount makes this more difficult. On my wife's ST Trek they put the bottle mount quite high up on the top tube where it's not in the way (and also very convenient for her). On the Vado SL it's near the bottom of the tube in order for the Range Extender to reach the plug.

I don't have that model, but I do have a step thru. I find it helps to keep one hand firmly on the brake to keep the bike steady.