Vado SL 2 Alloy version released

[BioWheel]

I agree. It’s not a comparison. I love riding my Sl1 but as I’ve aged I frequently wish it had a bit more power. My wish list had been for the same bike with the 1.2 motor. But that bike wouldn’t have the range I need, though with the RE it would come close.

For me, my SL is a fitness bike suitable for road or lite gravel. The SL2 is a bit more gravel focused. But it’s still a fitness bike too. Lifting that extra 6 pounds onto my hitch rack will be a much better strength workout!

If I had the money, which I don’t right now I’d probably spring for one. With the tariffs I probably won’t be able to afford one for quite a while. Makes the wishing more fun.

You should reconsider your bike - it can handle more than 'lite' gravel. Especially with a wider tire than stock.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You should reconsider your bike - it can handle more than 'lite' gravel. Especially with a wider tire than stock.

Hear, hear! (only the fenders limit the tyre size to 38 mm). I rode two difficult gravel races on 38 mm tyres.

 

[BEC111]

You should reconsider your bike - it can handle more than 'lite' gravel. Especially with a wider tire than stock.

I know the bike can withstand quite rough paths. When my Ebike group rode to Harpers Ferry last summer town entry was via a single track through woods, over a stream and large stones gravel railroad track grading. The bike was fine, I’m just not comfortable riding there. I’m older and no longer that adventurous.

 

[tgcordell]

I picked up a SL 2 alloy recently and am loving it - but I think I'm the target demographic for it. Use it around Ventura, CA to run errands, take my 18 month old to and from daycare, and generally commute around town. I didn't want the full power of a big Vado and I'm not a fitness enthusiast looking for the SL1's nimbleness.

That being said - I'm looking for a front basket or shelf. I saw the Pizza Rack, which looks like exactly what I'm looking for, but sadly I don't think it's compatible. I need a place to store some light items for my son while he's in a child seat on the back rack. Any ideas?

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I picked up a SL 2 alloy recently and am loving it - but I think I'm the target demographic for it. Use it around Ventura, CA to run errands, take my 18 month old to and from daycare, and generally commute around town. I didn't want the full power of a big Vado and I'm not a fitness enthusiast looking for the SL1's nimbleness.

That being said - I'm looking for a front basket or shelf. I saw the Pizza Rack, which looks like exactly what I'm looking for, but sadly I don't think it's compatible. I need a place to store some light items for my son while he's in a child seat on the back rack. Any ideas?

You could try "jack The Bike Rack" Simple and secure to attach & then you can tie down any bag you like. Had one from the crowdfunding stage few years back & it is very good.

WholeGrain Cycles - JACK the bike rack

WholeGrain Cycles presents JACK The Bike Rack, a front rack that carries your things so you don't have to. It fits most if not all bikes with standard handle bars using just two straps. Jack might just be the worlds most versatile front rack.

wholegraincycles.com

 

[Base]

I was thinking of the

XLC Carrier LR-F03 Universal, XLC front carrier​

With a klickfix handlebar adapter. Easier and cheaper than Jack-rack

 

[Twowheelxtc]

If you have the equipped version with a front light already fitted to the handlebars unfortunately those solutions would bring a new problem! The only way to deal with that is to remove the front light altogether and use a battery light. Ortlieb sell an accessory strap that is very secure and if positioned at wheel rim level shouldn’t present any safety concerns in the unlikely event of it being pushed inwards. A readily available short stub to hold the light would need to be screwed into the strap. I’ve had this fitted to my wife’s SL1 for a couple of years as she wanted an Ortlieb Handlebar Bag.

 

[Base]

If you have the equipped version with a front light already fitted to the handlebars unfortunately those solutions would bring a new problem! The only way to deal with that is to remove the front light altogether and use a battery light. Ortlieb sell an accessory strap that is very secure and if positioned at wheel rim level shouldn’t present any safety concerns in the unlikely event of it being pushed inwards. A readily available short stub to hold the light would need to be screwed into the strap. I’ve had this fitted to my wife’s SL1 for a couple of years as she wanted an Ortlieb Handlebar Bag.

I would run the front light on the fork bridge. cable length is already excessive and a rather simple bracket can be mounted on the bridge because there is already a pre-tapped screw hole.

nicked a photo from another thread:

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I was thinking of the

XLC Carrier LR-F03 Universal, XLC front carrier​

With a klickfix handlebar adapter. Easier and cheaper than Jack-rack

View attachment 193179

Cheaper maybe but easier? I use Klickfix mounts. They are a right pain in the arse to fit. Badly & cheaply made with that plastic mount & those deep set Phillips head screws that have a habit of stripping and are impossible to remove. That carrier looks pretty small as well with that curve designed for roll bags only.

Regarding the light position, yes its a relatively easy swap to buy a Lezyne light and fork crown mount

 

[Base]

 

[Rás Cnoic]

View attachment 193184
View attachment 193185

Point?

 

[Base]

I've been mounting the klickfix handlebar holders for a few years, never had an issue with them and they hold out (worked a bike-travel shop in Rotterdam). And we own a few bikes with these clamps, atfter 20+ years of service no issue with them.

Also have the adapter for the Brompton to Klickfix to use these bags on the trusty folder and we use a round frame klickfix clamp on the travel folders (Tern 20") for loaded touring while we catch other forms of transport once in a while.

Besides that, I do know that the XLC/Klick fix rack complies with the EN14872 and for sure that the rack jack doesnt.

 

[Base]

Point?

it is indeed a tad bit smaller, and not just for a roltop bag

 

[Base]

TETRARACK M1

<p>The perfect quick-mount front rack system for MTB suspension forks or rigid forks without rack eyelets. This one-size-fits-all front rack features an innovative top plate that adjusts to level independent the fork angle. Integrated QuickTrack® system allows Topeak TrunkBags to slide and lock...

www.topeak.com

could also be an option, easy to remove

 

[Twowheelxtc]

I may be wrong (not unusual) but I don’t think the SL2 has a mounting hole on the fork crown. The carbon version certainly doesn’t but the Alloy version may well have.

 

[Base]

sl2 also has the future shock... so hanging stuff on the handle bar is not a good option either. So that would lead to either a lowrider setup with panniers or a rack like the Terarack... hmmm

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I've been mounting the klickfix handlebar holders for a few years, never had an issue with them and they hold out (worked a bike-travel shop in Rotterdam). And we own a few bikes with these clamps, atfter 20+ years of service no issue with them.

Also have the adapter for the Brompton to Klickfix to use these bags on the trusty folder and we use a round frame klickfix clamp on the travel folders (Tern 20") for loaded touring while we catch other forms of transport once in a while.

Besides that, I do know that the XLC/Klick fix rack complies with the EN14872 and for sure that the rack jack doesnt.

Look I've a mixed view of Klickfix. I've had to replace those long Philips head screws a number of times through stripping, they are soft cheap metal. The mounting tech is old and clunky with cheap plastic parts. It's practically 80s tech. I still use it because there haven't been many other options and a lot of bike brands use the system. Thankfully Ortleib and Sonder/Alpkit to name two higher tech modern systems now have good handlebar bags. I have an Altura bag with klickfix mount that I swap between 2 bikes with the mounts on both bikes. That's a handy way of using same bag on multiple bikes. Ive also had that same bag fly off the handlebars on a gravel road, so the klickfix mount is not completely safe whatever the EN rating. I now use velcro bands as added support strapped to the bars. The Jack rack is much better made, with high quality parts and is so simple to attach. Foolproof. It's very robust and above all you can mount and unmount it in a couple of moments. Whereas Klickfix mounts are a nightmare to put on, really fiddly, and if you want to change stems or bars getting the mount on or off is, as I said, a right pain in the arse.

 

[Base]

that one from Ortlieb?


BTW, the EN rating is for the rack. I've seen a lot of front racks on the test jig, not many tend to survive these test. And indeed moving the handle bar mount from one to another bike is not a 2 minute job. So that's the reason we have a few of them on different bikes.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

View attachment 193186


that one from Ortlieb?


BTW, the EN rating is for the rack. I've seen a lot of front racks on the test jig, not many tend to survive these test. And indeed moving the handle bar mount from one to another bike is not a 2 minute job. So that's the reason we have a few of them on different bikes.

Not sure, I think it's a different one. The 'Handlebar Pack QR' - it comes with extra safety cords for gravel, like I was forced to do with velcro straps as safety back up for the klickfix.

Handlebar-Pack QR

A new fastening system, the Bar-Lock, enables the waterproof Handlebar-Pack QR (Quick Release) to be attachedand removed in no time at all.

uk.ortlieb.com

Here's the Sonder/Alpkit one. A fairly simple 3 point Carradice style attachment:

Gravel Bag Roll-top handlebar bag

A weatherproof roll-top handlebar bag with 5-litre to 8-litre expandable capacity. Sustainably made in the UK. Easy access, expandable storage for snacks and valuable when bikepacking.

alpkit.com

 

[Base]

Not sure, I think it's a different one. The 'Handlebar Pack QR' - it comes with extra safety cords for gravel, like I was forced to do with velcro straps as safety back up for the klickfix.

Handlebar-Pack QR

A new fastening system, the Bar-Lock, enables the waterproof Handlebar-Pack QR (Quick Release) to be attachedand removed in no time at all.

uk.ortlieb.com

indeed same mount.

The handlebar bags on the Tern's do get a good whack when riding on unpaved roads, the swing "a bit" up and down with the 20" wheels, never lost one. Maps are unreadable in those conditions...

Alpkit does have a EU shop now so shipping from them would be easier these days.