PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee
Well-Known Member
Congrats! You'll be looking for your second one in no time flat hahahaha
Congratulations! Welcome to the club!Today was a big day. I got approved to post in the EBR forum - and I just pulled the trigger on a Vado SL 5.0 EQ step through
The decision process was pretty drawn out - made easier by you guys - particularly rochrunner who mirrored a lot of my issues.
I've been riding a traditional carbon dropbar road bike for a while (BLUE NX), but as my flexibility has decreased, it got to the point that I spent most of my rides looking at my front wheel because picking up my head was too painful. Finally went backwards to my Specialized Sequoia Elite which I bought in 2003. (Your old bike, Rochrunner?) I'm 73, with other issues, and between the bike and me, there was no group ride so large I couldn't be last. And I wound up not doing the rides which involved a lot of climbing and distance.
My bike buddies pushed for me to get an ebike so I could keep riding. I rented one in Alaska last month and road the Tony Knowles trail - about 38 miles round trip - on a rented Aventon Pace 500. I think it is a Class 1 with a thumb throttle and 3 or 4 settings. Probably weighed 60 pounds - and was a hoot to ride. Had to stop for moose on the trail (they have the right of weight). Lots of power on the bike - although it tended to run away when you engaged the motor. And it was fun.
After much lurking here and elsewhere, and a lot of thought, I decided I wasn't looking for a moped - just a bicycle that I would ride and enjoy and still get some excercise. So the criteria boiled down to a bike I could pick up and a step-through frame. (I still get on and off my road bike - but my execution is getting less elegant as my flexibility goes south.) And enough of an assist to keep doing the rides I have been doing and enjoying them more.
My expectation with the SL is that I will still be riding a bike and won't be flying up steep hills - but I will get over them. And maybe keeping up with my buddies. And that's what I want.
Looked hard at the 4.0 - initially worried about the gearing - the ones available anywhere near me had a 46T chain ring. And harsh ride. And EQ vs. non EQ. And do the SLs have enough power.
Test drove a 4.0 SL (not step through) - then rode the same hills with my Specialized - just to verify the power assist was significant. (I had also looked at the Como which had the most comfortable saddle I ever used!). Looked at the Trek equivalents - but picking them up to put in the SUV might be possible now, but maybe not in a couple of years.
And nothing was available locally in a step-through.
And after all the test rides, and the reviews, and studying specs, and lurking in forums, I put a deposit down on a 5.0 with a local dealer. (I would have bought the 4.0 if I could have found it in town.) And then realized the bike not be available any time in the near or maybe distant future. So I found one out of town and bought it on the phone. Should have it next week I think. Very excited.
Anyway - thanks for all he help you didn't know you were giving me!
(I'll report back after I get the bike and try it on a group ride.)
Jay
Congratulations! I’m on a Vado SL 5 and found I can now go up hills I couldn’t make before on an analog bike with a mask on. Even passing much younger roadies with no masks haha. Also if you have an SUV, consider a climber’s rope pulley hoist to get the bike into the back should it start getting difficult. Easy to tie off a hinge or a roof rack and turns you into Superman again. I’ve used that technique to lift my 34kg telescope mount on occasion.I just pulled the trigger on a Vado SL 5.0 EQ
I have been thinking of a pulley system to get my Creo further into my car. I can get it so far but then it can get hung up on the "seams" and "hinges" where the back seat has been lowered. Being able to "lift" it from above just slightly would make moving it fully into the rear easier. An anchor point would be the issue, possibly the overhead grab bar above the window.Congratulations! I’m on a Vado SL 5 and found I can now go up hills I couldn’t make before on an analog bike with a mask on. Even passing much younger roadies with no masks haha. Also if you have an SUV, consider a climber’s rope pulley hoist to get the bike into the back should it start getting difficult. Easy to tie off a hinge or a roof rack and turns you into Superman again. I’ve used that technique to lift my 34kg telescope mount on occasion.
Thanks! Hopefully my days of doing group rides alone are numbered.Congratulations! I’m on a Vado SL 5 and found I can now go up hills I couldn’t make before on an analog bike with a mask on. Even passing much younger roadies with no masks haha. Also if you have an SUV, consider a climber’s rope pulley hoist to get the bike into the back should it start getting difficult. Easy to tie off a hinge or a roof rack and turns you into Superman again. I’ve used that technique to lift my 34kg telescope mount on occasion.
Search for “Car Clothes Bar” on Amazon- distributes the load across 2 handles. Remember the handles are made of plastic!I have been thinking of a pulley system to get my Creo further into my car. I can get it so far but then it can get hung up on the "seams" and "hinges" where the back seat has been lowered. Being able to "lift" it from above just slightly would make moving it fully into the rear easier. An anchor point would be the issue, possibly the overhead grab bar above the window.
Hi Stefan,@Atlgaga Congratulations on your new SL 5.0! So if I get this right, you used my post as inspiration and then you beat me to getting your bike?? Hardly seems fair...
But in all seriousness, you are close to where I am as I'll be turning 75 in a couple months. My riding this year on my non-e-bikes has actually exceeded my expectation considering where I thought I was a year ago with a potentially serious back issue. However, ever since my back cleared up last November it hasn't given me any further trouble at all, although I am very careful as to how I move -- especially bending down -- and try not to lift as much weight as I used to (i.e., no longer hesitant to ask for help). So at this point, I'm back to being one of the stronger riders in our regular group of old guys (average age ~70 I would guess), and in fact a couple of them asked why I would "need" an e-bike when the subject was recently raised (I don't ride mine on the group rides since we usually go just 20-30 flat miles). My answer at the time was that I liked it for longer distance rides or multi-day tours.
By the way, we really like our Thule EZ-Fold carrier that comes with a ramp that I've used a few times when my wife wasn't available to help lift the heavy e-bikes on.
I don't have a deposit down on my 5.0 quite yet but am considering doing that at two different dealers since the availability even for next year is so unpredictable. I really want to have it by next season since I see it as my ticket to doing a couple more of the multi-day fully supported tours that I've enjoyed so much in the past (such as with Carolina Tailwinds) but have had to skip the last two years. It took a little while, but they're now accepting e-bikes on most tours and besides, the SL is not that more difficult to handle than a regular hybrid can be (they often carry the bikes on the roof of a van and it's hard to lift a 60lb bike up there easily and safely).
Good luck with your bike and I'll be anxious to read your riding impressions!
Not Stefan....Rochrunner!Hi Stefan,
I was looking for the step-through. There were seven available in the country. Now there are six! So if that is what you want, let me know and I'll walk you through how I found it. I might have waited, if I had any idea how long it would be. But my ride today convinced me it can't come soon enough. Might be here on Thursday.... and I'm hanging out waiting like a kid watching for Santa.
Don't know about the Carolina Tailwinds - but I did Cycle North Carolina (mountain to sea over 7 days) a few years ago. Western NC is magnificent country to ride in. Didn't quite have the catering Carolina Tailwinds does - but Bubba's Pampered Peddlers and the ride organizers made it pretty nice.
I figure that I might be slow in my group - but the fact that I am out there riding puts me ahead of most of my peers. Getting older is absolutely great when you consider the alternatives.
Hoping to have a bike I can plug in soon!!
Best,
Jay
Bubba is great! I went with him back in 2009 and 2010 for the Michigander and Shoreline West, which are the best-known rides of that type in Michigan. But when I started getting old enough that I had to get up in the night to relieve myself, climbing out of the tent and stumbling in the dark to the nearest porta-potty while trying not to trip over tent stays, etc., I knew that my days of camping were over. A private hot shower and soft bed do wonders for one's state of mind on a long tour...Don't know about the Carolina Tailwinds - but I did Cycle North Carolina (mountain to sea over 7 days) a few years ago. Western NC is magnificent country to ride in. Didn't quite have the catering Carolina Tailwinds does - but Bubba's Pampered Peddlers and the ride organizers made it pretty nice.
At a certain age, roughing it includes a warm shower, a cold beer, a hot meal, and a soft bed. With age comes wisdom.Bubba is great! I went with him back in 2009 and 2010 for the Michigander and Shoreline West, which are the best-known rides of that type in Michigan. But when I started getting old enough that I had to get up in the night to relieve myself, climbing out of the tent and stumbling in the dark to the nearest porta-potty while trying not to trip over tent stays, etc., I knew that my days of camping were over. A private hot shower and soft bed do wonders for one's state of mind on a long tour...
My wife's idea of "roughing it" is staying at a hotel with only one restaurant...At a certain age, roughing it includes a warm shower, a cold beer, a hot meal, and a soft bed. With age comes wisdom.
Charging from the vehicle battery is a big" it depends". Some cigarette lighters can provide enough power but most can not, same thing with starter battery... some are deep cycle and can take it, most cannot. You will at least have to install an inverter or more. It's not plug and play.All, I picked up my 5.0 SL EQ last December and after 140 miles in the first 3 weeks of 0-10 degree weather, ended up having heart surgery and didn't get discharged until the end of April (4th sternotomy). So now I am off and riding again as of last month. I've put about 75 miles on since. I love this bike and it sure is helping with the heart surgery recovery especially on hills.
Here is my question - Has anyone charged their battery from an auto AC inverter outlet. I was trying to find what the battery draws while charging, but haven't found anything yet and I am not electrical enough to fully understand amps, volts and watts and how they work together. I was thinking the worst that could happen was blow the fuse in the jeep, but then I thought "Could it damage the battery?" I am asking because I will be out with my jeep for a few days , but no AC power except my Grand Cherokee factory AC inverter . TIA
Rick
He said that his Cherokee has a factory built-in inverter as most pickups and such come with these days. Since it is undoubtedly a high-end device I would think that the bike charger would be OK on it.Charging from the vehicle battery is a big" it depends". Some cigarette lighters can provide enough power but most can not, same thing with starter battery... some are deep cycle and can take it, most cannot. You will at least have to install an inverter or more. It's not plug and play.
I can't link but search for Charging on the Road thread and ask there with your specific bike and starter battery. A good question.
Apparently they vary a lot. Check with a multimeter at least. My Sprinter came with one in the front that would work and one in the back that would not.He said that his Cherokee has a factory built-in inverter as most pickups and such come with these days. Since it is undoubtedly a high-end device I would think that the bike charger would be OK on it.
Thanks all. I tested it out. My factory inverter is 30 amp fuse, so roughly 300watts max. The battery started to charge but then after about 1 minute started blinking red and green intermittently and the LED on my jeep AC outlet changed from green to yellow. This was with the jeep running. The fuse in the jeep did not blow and the battery charger is charging the bike now from the house 110-120 AC outlet so appears no damage there (hopefully)... At least Iknow that I will either need a stronger converter or a small honda-like generator. But I will search for charging on the road forums for other ideas.Apparently they vary a lot. Check with a multimeter at least. My Sprinter came with one in the front that would work and one in the back that would not.
Edit it's 12 years old...
Many DC-AC inverters are modified sine wave output meaning the output appears more as a chopped square wave to the AC load. Ok for light bulbs and AC syn motors, touch and go with switching power supplies like your bike charger or high power laptop AC adapters. You should try a pure sine wave inverter. A bit more expensive but less susceptible to noise and harmonic distortion. I would also recommend overrating the power by at least 2x - perhaps 1000W.Thanks all. I tested it out. My factory inverter is 30 amp fuse, so roughly 300watts max. The battery started to charge but then after about 1 minute started blinking red and green intermittently and the LED on my jeep AC outlet changed from green to yellow. This was with the jeep running. The fuse in the jeep did not blow and the battery charger is charging the bike now from the house 110-120 AC outlet so appears no damage there (hopefully)... At least Iknow that I will either need a stronger converter or a small honda-like generator. But I will search for charging on the road forums for other ideas.
Couple of threads to checkThanks all. I tested it out. My factory inverter is 30 amp fuse, so roughly 300watts max. The battery started to charge but then after about 1 minute started blinking red and green intermittently and the LED on my jeep AC outlet changed from green to yellow. This was with the jeep running. The fuse in the jeep did not blow and the battery charger is charging the bike now from the house 110-120 AC outlet so appears no damage there (hopefully)... At least Iknow that I will either need a stronger converter or a small honda-like generator. But I will search for charging on the road forums for other ideas.
Update - bike is hereToday was a big day. I got approved to post in the EBR forum - and I just pulled the trigger on a Vado SL 5.0 EQ step through
The decision process was pretty drawn out - made easier by you guys - particularly rochrunner who mirrored a lot of my issues.
I've been riding a traditional carbon dropbar road bike for a while (BLUE NX), but as my flexibility has decreased, it got to the point that I spent most of my rides looking at my front wheel because picking up my head was too painful. Finally went backwards to my Specialized Sequoia Elite which I bought in 2003. (Your old bike, Rochrunner?) I'm 73, with other issues, and between the bike and me, there was no group ride so large I couldn't be last. And I wound up not doing the rides which involved a lot of climbing and distance.
My bike buddies pushed for me to get an ebike so I could keep riding. I rented one in Alaska last month and road the Tony Knowles trail - about 38 miles round trip - on a rented Aventon Pace 500. I think it is a Class 1 with a thumb throttle and 3 or 4 settings. Probably weighed 60 pounds - and was a hoot to ride. Had to stop for moose on the trail (they have the right of weight). Lots of power on the bike - although it tended to run away when you engaged the motor. And it was fun.
After much lurking here and elsewhere, and a lot of thought, I decided I wasn't looking for a moped - just a bicycle that I would ride and enjoy and still get some excercise. So the criteria boiled down to a bike I could pick up and a step-through frame. (I still get on and off my road bike - but my execution is getting less elegant as my flexibility goes south.) And enough of an assist to keep doing the rides I have been doing and enjoying them more.
My expectation with the SL is that I will still be riding a bike and won't be flying up steep hills - but I will get over them. And maybe keeping up with my buddies. And that's what I want.
Looked hard at the 4.0 - initially worried about the gearing - the ones available anywhere near me had a 46T chain ring. And harsh ride. And EQ vs. non EQ. And do the SLs have enough power.
Test drove a 4.0 SL (not step through) - then rode the same hills with my Specialized - just to verify the power assist was significant. (I had also looked at the Como which had the most comfortable saddle I ever used!). Looked at the Trek equivalents - but picking them up to put in the SUV might be possible now, but maybe not in a couple of years.
And nothing was available locally in a step-through.
And after all the test rides, and the reviews, and studying specs, and lurking in forums, I put a deposit down on a 5.0 with a local dealer. (I would have bought the 4.0 if I could have found it in town.) And then realized the bike not be available any time in the near or maybe distant future. So I found one out of town and bought it on the phone. Should have it next week I think. Very excited.
Anyway - thanks for all he help you didn't know you were giving me!
(I'll report back after I get the bike and try it on a group ride.)
Jay