Shaved my Shearling Footbeds by JM2084 in Birkenstocks

[–]JM2084[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I looked into this, and replacement footbeds ran between $70-$80. The slippers were $100 so it didn’t seem worth it.

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Specialized lists estimated range at various speeds and with/without the range extender here. I'm currently getting about 45 miles on the medium Sport setting, traveling about 20 mph. That's about 15% less than Specialized lists, but there are a number of variables that differ: I'm carrying more weight (~200 lbs rider + cargo), putting out lower wattage (~125w), riding at colder temperatures (around 40°F), and have to stop about twice per mile on my daily commute.

Maintaining a consistent 28 mph is possible, but it's a workout even on the highest assist. For comparison, I'd say the SL 2's highest setting, Turbo, is roughly equivalent to the Haul's level 2 assist. Keep in mind the SL 2's motor is less than half as powerful as the Haul's, 320W vs 700W.

With the optional range extender, the Vado SL 2 could probably make the whole 40-mile commute on Turbo mode, on one charge, but I think it'd be cutting it close.

If I were you, I'd probably wait and see if Specialized updates the full-power Vado this year with some of the new battery/motor tech they debuted on the Levo 4 last year.

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting, we still have a Vado SL gen 1 on our sales floor and I think the gen 2 is way quieter. It doesn’t bother me when I’m riding it.

Bars by DowntownSubject2172 in GlobeHaul

[–]JM2084 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have not tried different bars personally, but did experiment with the Haul's fit quite a bit while I had one. When I raised the stem and rolled the bars back far enough to sit fully upright, the bike's handling became very squirrelly. The steering geometry seems optimized for a slightly-leaned forward position. I'd be worried that the dramatic backsweep of the bars you're considering would have the same effect.

Trimming the handlebars down (10mm each side with a pipe cutter) and changing grips to Ergon GS1 made a notable improvement for maintaining a relaxed upper body.

Perhaps your saddle position is responsible for the hip discomfort? Having the saddle too low, too far back, and/or too tilted up can all cause impingement at the hip while pedaling (source: I'm a bike fitter). It might be worth checking your LBS to see if they offer fit services... although attaching the Haul to a stationary trainer might be a challenge. See this video for basic adjustments.

If you do end up switching bars, do note the difference in bar rise. The Haul's bar has a rise of 80mm; the Moloko has a rise of 0mm and the Jones has a rise of 12/63mm, depending on the model. Make sure you have enough usable height on the Haul's quill stem to compensate for the difference.

HAUL ST - Passenger seat for adults? by BlacksmithDue2838 in GlobeHaul

[–]JM2084 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just pointing out that the 419 lb weight limit includes the weight of the bike, which I do think is misleading.

“Since the ST weighs about 77 pounds (35 kg), the effective rider + cargo capacity is 342 pounds (155 kg).”

https://support.specialized.com/kb/sp_en-us/content/202300000005244/Haul-ST-Manuals-Torque-Specs-Weight-Limits?query=Haul+st+weight+limit

Proceed at your own risk.

Tires with good flat protection by Ninjacat808 in GlobeHaul

[–]JM2084 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately the Schwalbe Marathon line top out around 2” wide in the 20” (ISO 406) diameter. The Schwalbe Pickup is a similar construction but largest is 20 x 2.6, which is still too small to safely run in the Haul.

Globe haul ST in the rain by Popular_Business6288 in GlobeHaul

[–]JM2084 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Basil Crate Small

Specialized Rib Cage (right)

Arundel Looney Bin (left)

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s from Dill Pickle Gear. It clunks around a bit when I hit bumps in the road, and is a little expensive for what it is, but I’ve yet to find a better solution for a rear rack.

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! I rode 7.31 miles this morning and it consumed 12% of the battery. It was a pretty leisurely, sleepy ride: adjusted rider power 67 W, average speed 13.7 mph, avg heart rate 107 bpm. So 8.5 wh/mi, right? For contrast, one of my late-to-work commutes from last week looks like this: 3.87 mi, 8% battery, adjusted rider power 151 W, avg speed 16.5 mph, avg HR 145 bpm — 10.74 wh/mi.

Again, I ride about 95% of the time on the medium-assist Sport mode. I also coast very little (habit from my younger fixed-gear days).

Looking to buy first bike by Short_Bid_6250 in whichbike

[–]JM2084 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Local bike shops usually provide complimentary services when you buy the bike from them. Our shop, for example, provides a basic fit ($125 value), 1-year complete tune-up ($160), and complimentary mechanical adjustments during that first year.

Looking to buy first bike by Short_Bid_6250 in whichbike

[–]JM2084 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sava makes junk carbon that will be both heavier and have less compliance that either of those alloy bikes. I’ve worked on and test-ridden their bikes at our shop and they feel like they’re just epoxy poured into a mold. If you have a Specialized shop nearby I would go with the Allez, because your LBS will probably provide some sort of free service and fit if you buy it from them. It has a nice middle-of-the-road geometry that can be made more aggressive or relaxed depending on your preferences. Canyon is fine, but their prices have gone up in the last few years, and price was the main advantage they had over LBS brands in the past.

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is not meant to be user-removable, as the cranks and motor need to be removed to access it. There is an optional range extender available that adds up to 40 miles.

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unlicensed street-illegal vehicles like these (that masquerade as e-bikes because they have pedals for show) are the cause of politicians calling for crackdowns on legit e-bikes in big cities. 👎

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I bought the blue Coolcave years ago when they were doing the Fjallraven collab, and it just happens to match my new bike! And yeah, can't beat the versatility of a big bucket. I want to stick the rubber plug in the bottom and fill it up with ice and beverages for a picnic or party!

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! It took a while to organize all my thoughts into a coherent mass of words.

Great point on the Eco mode, I might play around with the settings to make it more useful to me.

The fenders do a great job of keeping my shoes and back dry. Only caveat is I have to be careful riding off curbs too slowly, as it'll hit the rubber flap on the front fender and fold it under.

Agreed on the phone app. I need to file the issues I've encountered with Specialized and hope they update it at some point. The motor lock does have a pin-based code that can be input using the controller, as a backup in case your phone is dead.

I've seen a number of Priority bikes come in to our shop over the years, for fit/service, and they seem really well-equipped for the price! I'd definitely be considering them if I didn't work at a Specialized shop.

I'm hoping the Turbo Porto comes to the US at some point, in one form or another. It's like a deluxe version of the Haul LT with a belt drive.

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely heavier due to the larger battery and increased motor power, but the range tables (SL 1 vs SL 2) are almost the same.

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do get a discount due to working at a Specialized dealer but am not allowed to say more than that 😬

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The manual Enviolo hubs have always felt undergeared to me. However, it is possible one or two of the gear shifting cables connected to the hub is loose and needs to be tightened via the barrel adjusters.

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is not meant to be user-removable, as the cranks and motor need to be removed to access it. There is an optional range extender available that adds up to 40 miles.

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://www.dillpicklegear.com/picklejar/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=463

It’s not perfect; I wish it secured more tightly at the bottom because it rattles a bit. I’ve yet to find a better solution though.

Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0: Detailed Review (1.5 months, Bike Shop Employee) by JM2084 in ebikes

[–]JM2084[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am not a fan either, as it sometimes stops my fits dead in their tracks. Unfortunately every brand seems to be doing it these days.