Are there any e-bike motors that last?
#26
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Location: Maidstone, Kent, England
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Bikes: 1970 Holdsworth Mistral, Vitus 979, Colnago Primavera, Corratec Hydracarbon, Massi MegaTeam, 1935 Claud Butler Super Velo, Carrera Virtuoso, Viner, 1953 Claud Butler Silver Jubilee, 1954 Holdsworth Typhoon, 1966 Claud Butler Olympic Road, 1982 Claud
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Most of the Chinese parts aren't unbranded, or poor quality. There are only three main companies doing the Chinese e-bike operation and they're not budget companies in China.
You've only heard of Bosch and Yamaha because they've long been selling drills and keyboards in the west.
My bike is made of Risunmotor and Hallomotor parts, and they've proven bomb-proof the last few years.
You've only heard of Bosch and Yamaha because they've long been selling drills and keyboards in the west.
My bike is made of Risunmotor and Hallomotor parts, and they've proven bomb-proof the last few years.
#27
Senior Member
Thanks for the reply 2Old,
During the four years that you have had your ebikes:
How often do you ride each one?
How far would you say you ride on a weekly basis?
Do you ride up a lot of steep hills?
Do you ride in the winter, with below freezing temperatures?
How fast can your bikes take you?
And what motors do you have? Make and model?
currently I'm doing a minimum of 26 miles per day without a motor, 7 days a week. with some steep hills on my commute.
During the four years that you have had your ebikes:
How often do you ride each one?
How far would you say you ride on a weekly basis?
Do you ride up a lot of steep hills?
Do you ride in the winter, with below freezing temperatures?
How fast can your bikes take you?
And what motors do you have? Make and model?
currently I'm doing a minimum of 26 miles per day without a motor, 7 days a week. with some steep hills on my commute.
Last edited by 2old; 05-14-19 at 04:43 PM.
#28
Clark W. Griswold
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Bosch always comes to mind. I think in the 5 years of selling and repairing e-bikes our shop has probably had to replace 2 Bosch motors. We sell tons of Bosch equipped bikes and work on a ton of different stuff from different manufacturers. We do occasionally replace wiring and older Intuvia display mounts and on rare occasions displays and batteries but that is not that often. If you want the highest of quality with the lowest repair rate, Reise and Muller is the way to go. We sell Gazelle, Specialized, Raleigh, Reise and Muller, iZip, Haibike, Tern, Surly, Yuba and in the past we sold Focus, Kalkhoff, E-Motion, Motiv, Bulls and did various kits (some very high priced supposedly high quality) and I can say we have the fewest problems with the R+M bikes and all their bikes use Bosch. A few problems here and there and some of them have required some high levels of Bosch support but only because they are so rare.
Also many people have heard of Bosch because making motors is what they do from household appliances to tools to motorsports to various other things all around various industries. They aren't just some rinky-dink company that is only known because they sell a drill (a very high quality drill a that) but because they are world leaders in what they do and have been doing what they do since the mid to late 1800s. They are not a seller on Alibaba nor do they make kits, they focus on making a high quality product and stand right behind it. I can easily reach Bosch and here back from them right away and we even have a Bosch guy coming to the shop tomorrow to help us out with some warranty stuff which sadly these Chinese companies cannot do and even if they have some actual U.S. presence some of that is quite lacking.
Also many people have heard of Bosch because making motors is what they do from household appliances to tools to motorsports to various other things all around various industries. They aren't just some rinky-dink company that is only known because they sell a drill (a very high quality drill a that) but because they are world leaders in what they do and have been doing what they do since the mid to late 1800s. They are not a seller on Alibaba nor do they make kits, they focus on making a high quality product and stand right behind it. I can easily reach Bosch and here back from them right away and we even have a Bosch guy coming to the shop tomorrow to help us out with some warranty stuff which sadly these Chinese companies cannot do and even if they have some actual U.S. presence some of that is quite lacking.
Last edited by veganbikes; 05-18-19 at 01:09 PM.
#29
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Western Canada
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Bikes: E+ kit, BIONX
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This question is to Veganbikes
If somebody came to your shop with broken Bafang installed ebike,
would you accept it for repair?
I understand you repair not only brands which you sell.
If somebody came to your shop with broken Bafang installed ebike,
would you accept it for repair?
I understand you repair not only brands which you sell.
#31
Senior Member
Wiring them across is called "in series", wiring them in inline is called "parallel". you are correct it doubles your volts but cuts your amp hours in half, you'll get there faster but only have half the range
#32
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Location: Chicago Suburbs
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Bikes: GT Transeo & a half dozen ebike conversions.
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Mikey has a direct drive hub motor with no moving parts other than the two axle bearings. If you can get over having 10 pounds or more added at the axle, it is cheap. runs fast. runs forever. Good stuff. Needs some help on steep hills, as torque isn't that high given its power. Some drag when pedaling. Why don't I have one. Don't like looking at a big hub on my wheels, I guess.
Makers of commercial ebikes must feel the same way. Most store boughts use mid motors for the models that cost more than a decent used cars or new small motorcycles, and small geared hub motors for the less expensive models. I think it's more about regulations. To get decent riding with a direct drive, you want to go 1000W or more, and that exceeds the typical legal definition for an ebike. Or maybe the bike makers don't like looking at big dinner plate size motors either.
Last edited by Doc_Wui; 05-18-19 at 10:01 AM.
#33
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
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We try to repair just about anything. However it is tougher to get parts for the kits. Most of the stuff we refuse is stuff that is dangerous (IE: the e-scooter that was smoking when we plugged it in or the incorrect motor being used on a painted huffy with no real brakes) or stuff we just cannot source parts for or would have to spend hours and hours trying to track stuff down.
#34
Senior Member
I have made a lot of people happy repairing their no name Chinese bikes. But like Vegan theres a bit of pick and choose where an unsafe bike that cannot be made safe wont get repairs. Most of the time its something silly and simple. But if its not, it becomes way more difficult, like a really nice scooter I cant get a throttle for despite numerous messages to the manufacturer AND replies. There is often a horrible communication gap.
Id it has a name and someone to ask questions to, a Chinese product may be OK, but if you want to keep riding, stick with a real brand.
-SP
Id it has a name and someone to ask questions to, a Chinese product may be OK, but if you want to keep riding, stick with a real brand.
-SP
#35
Senior Member
I worry about the magnets on my $100 chinese motor, it can destroy the windings, game over but so far so good. After a year of almost everyday use including a Canadian winter mine needs a rebuild. Cleaning, new bearings (you need a bearing puller) and new brushes, another year ahead
#37
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Location: Western Canada
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Bikes: E+ kit, BIONX
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Frankenbike,
where in Canada do you ride?
I ride my Eplus in Alberta winter January-March day after day to work
you should see inside my motor .
why do you need new bearings after one year of riding!!!
horrible
where in Canada do you ride?
I ride my Eplus in Alberta winter January-March day after day to work
you should see inside my motor .
why do you need new bearings after one year of riding!!!
horrible
Last edited by powell; 06-23-19 at 09:02 AM.
#38
Full Member
My BH Easy Motion's Dapu geared hub one is still torquing strongly after six seasons. I suspect, fear my Samsung battery will expire before my motor does.