Vado tire pressure

[Cyklefanatic]

I am wondering what air pressure people are using on their Vados. Specialized recommends 50-75 but I find 50 too hard with lots of road imperfections coming through the frame. I prefer 35-40 psi. I haven’t had any flats or other tire issues after 1400 km. of mostly road and paved trail use.

 

[Nxkharra]

I am wondering what air pressure people are using on their Vados. Specialized recommends 50-75 but I find 50 too hard with lots of road imperfections coming through the frame. I prefer 35-40 psi. I haven’t had any flats or other tire issues after 1400 km. of mostly road and paved trail use.

I switched from Triggers to Shwable Marathon E Plus recently. The customer service recommended 55psi rear and 50psi front.
Others will comment but I think these size tires need more than 40psi.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I always inflate the tyres near to the maximum allowed by the tyre manufacturer. I'm trying to ride mostly on good roads, am heavy and also need the least rolling resistance. My Vado Electrak 2.0 allow 65 psi (4.5 bar) and I inflate them to 4 bar (58 psi) for a little bit of comfort.

 

[TS25]

I inflate to about 4 bar, a little less in the front, as it is said that the more you get better puncture resistance.

But I used to ride at about 3.5 bar before I installed the Kinect seatpost as I couldn't stand the hard kicks of road imperfections.

 

[Sierratim]

I also run at 65psi, mostly out of concern for the total weight; bike + rider + cargo. MTBers often run below 20psi for improved traction. In the 'old days' they risked pinch (shake bite) flats but with the predominance of tubeless MTB tires now, this is no longer a concern.

How do you verify your pressure? I use a compressor to get close and then hand pump, using the pump's gauge. I use a Topeak digital pressure gauge to verify and check between pump ups.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My pump can measure the tube pressure.

 

[Nxkharra]

My pump has a gage. I use it for approximate inflation and then I measure with Topeak digital for exact measure. Pump and Topeak show a bit of difference.

 

[Kam1936]

My pump has a gage. I use it for approximate inflation and then I measure with Topeak digital for exact measure. Pump and Topeak show a bit of difference.

I've read about tires slowly losing air over night. Before I applied slime I used to check once every two weeks. I never noticed any difference. I suppose it depends on the type of tube. These Specialized thorn resistant tubes hold air really well.

 

[Sierratim]

I usually pump up once a week on the Vados.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

As you might already know, I put Michelin Protek Max tubes into all my e-bikes. When I told my brother about that he said:
— Congratulations! Last Summer, the Decathlon stores were full of those inner tubes and nobody was buying them. I bought a pair. Now I tell you, you inflate these tubes and don't need to use the pump for the next four months, such airtight these tubes are.

 

[Cyklefanatic]

I inflate to about 4 bar, a little less in the front, as it is said that the more you get better puncture resistance.

But I used to ride at about 3.5 bar before I installed the Kinect seatpost as I couldn't stand the hard kicks of road imperfections.

I’ve been thinking about getting a suspension seatpost. Does the Kinect fit without shims? Also I am on the short side so I need the seatpost all the way down does the Kinect raise the lowest position of the seal?

 

[TS25]

The 30.9mm Kinekt fits the Vado without shims.

All the way down? Hmm.

From the Kinekt FAQ:

FAQ

cirruscycles.com

#2- 10cm of Stack Height KINEKT needs about 10cm of space between your seatpost clamp and your saddle rails to allow for proper function. Lighter riders (<110lbs) can work with it about 8cm.

Best to ask them directly. They are very responsive and customer-orientated.

 

[TS25]

How do you verify your pressure? I use a compressor to get close and then hand pump, using the pump's gauge. I use a Topeak digital pressure gauge to verify and check between pump ups.

I use an electric compressor in my garage or my SKS racecompressor stand pump, both have a gauge but it's not exact.

So I pump up a little too much and check with SKS digital airchecker Gen. 2

SKS Airchecker

SKS ▶ A digital gauge especially with rotatable duo head for AV and SV with backlit display.

www.bike24.com

The clou as descibed is
"Incremental pressure deflation is possible with the pressure release button and real-time measuring (gauge does not require removal from the valve stem to reset and give new reading)"

Measurement is very accurate.

 

[DaveHertle]

The 30.9mm Kinekt fits the Vado without shims.

All the way down? Hmm.

From the Kinekt FAQ:

FAQ

cirruscycles.com

#2- 10cm of Stack Height KINEKT needs about 10cm of space between your seatpost clamp and your saddle rails to allow for proper function. Lighter riders (<110lbs) can work with it about 8cm.

Best to ask them directly. They are very responsive and customer-orientated.

The KINEKT comes in two lengths, a regular, and a longer one for taller riders. I got the longer one thinking I would have another option for other riders only to find the seat post would not go fully down the tube. So if your do not ride with most of your seat post extended, just buy the regular length to allow the option of going fully into the tube (seat fully down)

 

[Worm]

This is good to know. I thought the recommended pressure range crazy as even on smooth concrete the slab joints bang through the frame even at 50. There are some rough tarmac on my local rides and I really felt I was tossed about on the bike at the recommended pressures. I am at 40 at the moment and now a softer feel is evident, ... may go lower now, ...

I am wondering what air pressure people are using on their Vados. Specialized recommends 50-75 but I find 50 too hard with lots of road imperfections coming through the frame.

 

[Sierratim]

At pressures under 30psi you run the risk of 'pinch' flats where the tire compresses enough at a bump to pinch the tube against the rim making distinctive twin 'snake bite' holes in the tube. This usually requires a new tube as these twin holes are difficult to patch correctly. This concern goes away if you're running tubeless setups. Others have reported good results using Slime in just the tubes.

 

[Marci jo]

This is good to know. I thought the recommended pressure range crazy as even on smooth concrete the slab joints bang through the frame even at 50. There are some rough tarmac on my local rides and I really felt I was tossed about on the bike at the recommended pressures. I am at 40 at the moment and now a softer feel is evident, ... may go lower now, ...

I hear you Worm!

I have an older Vado (yes 2018 could be considered older in ebike world). And I too seemed to feel every concrete seam, road crack, and repair. It came with 2” Electrac tires which I felt were very harsh and unforgiving even at the lowest recommended pressures. And also made the bike very tall for my vertically-challenged legs. I switched them to 47 mm Trigger tires and it helped, especially in handling and cornering.

Do you have the original seat post on your Vado? The best thing I added was a suspension seat post. I chose the Kinect based on the input of many of the great members of this forum. Of course there are other brands, especially when you consider price. I liked it so much I put one on my 2nd ebike. No more hammering over the crummy roads!

Note: the customer service rep at Kinect said ebikes tend to ride somewhat harsher because of the increased weight combined with the faster speeds. Don’t know about that. All I know is I no longer feel so many bumps.

Please post what works for you.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It came with 2” Electrac tires which I felt were very harsh and unforgiving even at the lowest recommended pressures.

But Electrak 2.0 tyres are unbreakable, @Marci jo I mean, hard to get punctured.

 

[Worm]

I hear you Worm!

I have an older Vado (yes 2018 could be considered older in ebike world). And I too seemed to feel every concrete seam, road crack, and repair. It came with 2” Electrac tires which I felt were very harsh and unforgiving even at the lowest recommended pressures. And also made the bike very tall for my vertically-challenged legs. I switched them to 47 mm Trigger tires and it helped, especially in handling and cornering.

Do you have the original seat post on your Vado? The best thing I added was a suspension seat post. I chose the Kinect based on the input of many of the great members of this forum. Of course there are other brands, especially when you consider price. I liked it so much I put one on my 2nd ebike. No more hammering over the crummy roads!

Note: the customer service rep at Kinect said ebikes tend to ride somewhat harsher because of the increased weight combined with the faster speeds. Don’t know about that. All I know is I no longer feel so many bumps.

Please post what works for you.

The tyres I have are Trigger Sport Reflect, 700x47mm. At 40 psi they seem to be still rock hard. On a punt I replaced the Specialized Canopy Sport saddle that came with the bike for The Body Geometry Comfort Gel saddle which is described as having "Level 5 padding: Ideal for commuting and casual riding". (So why not a commuter seat for a commuter bike in first place?) These two measures turned the comfort factor from terrible to acceptable. I am 67 so I attributed my issues in part to age. However, my 36 year old son (who is a road biker) conceded that the Vado was now significantly more comfortable to ride. I may add I am a pretty gentle rider, so its not like I am pushing pike to edge of capacity. And as regard to speed the engine cuts out at around 27Kph (17 mph) re Australian laws - so hardly zooming along. Regarding tyres the Trigger Sport nor the Electra seem to be sold by Specialized Australia so I possibly will need to replace my tyres with a non Specialized tyre in due course. Nothing wrong with Trigger Sport, it also seems puncture resistant, but at 70 psi they might as well be steel tyres!

But yes, I am now considering purchasing a suspension seat post.

I am so pleased to have found this forum to get some "real world" feedback, but it might also cost me some money, ...

 

[Nxkharra]

The tyres I have are Trigger Sport Reflect, 700x47mm. At 40 psi they seem to be still rock hard. On a punt I replaced the Specialized Canopy Sport saddle that came with the bike for The Body Geometry Comfort Gel saddle which is described as having "Level 5 padding: Ideal for commuting and casual riding". (So why not a commuter seat for a commuter bike in first place?) These two measures turned the comfort factor from terrible to acceptable. I am 67 so I attributed my issues in part to age. However, my 36 year old son (who is a road biker) conceded that the Vado was now significantly more comfortable to ride. I may add I am a pretty gentle rider, so its not like I am pushing pike to edge of capacity. And as regard to speed the engine cuts out at around 27Kph (17 mph) re Australian laws - so hardly zooming along. Regarding tyres the Trigger Sport nor the Electra seem to be sold by Specialized Australia so I possibly will need to replace my tyres with a non Specialized tyre in due course. Nothing wrong with Trigger Sport, it also seems puncture resistant, but at 70 psi they might as well be steel tyres!

But yes, I am now considering purchasing a suspension seat post.

I am so pleased to have found this forum to get some "real world" feedback, but it might also cost me some money, ...

I also looked at specialized Comfort Gel Saddle. The size is 180mm vs Canopy Sport at 153mm. Can you comment on wider saddle for Vado? Is Vado the bike you have?
I also looked at Milano Gel narrower a bit (175mm I think) but out of stock.
I have never measured myself for saddle but looking for something at Specialized brand.
btw Milano is level 4 padding and Canopy is 5 so as Comfort Gel.
I am thinking they put Canopy since is narrower (more sporty look) and cheaper. ($50 vs $30)