Bike Maintenance

[Andy-Mat]

I get through two sets a year on average.

.

I am really surprised, on my first e-bike, where I was off road probably 90+% of the time, other than a very occasional re-lube and clean (x3 maybe), and not overly heavy torqued up, I had that one headset that came with the bike for over 6 years. I sold the bike with the same headset.....
My latest bike was delivered with the wrong top bearing, but once I had the correct one and installed it, over a year ago, no problems.
Heavy usage must be down to something, for instance (but I do not consider this list in any way complete):-
1) Poor quality parts
2) Forks with maybe a slight "bend" between the bearings, that really "works the bearings very hard
3) Very hard, high speed, rough riding.
4a) Heavy frame, battery, person, and a bearing that is in some manner "not strong enough" for the total weight.
4b) No front suspension, all the shocks hit the bearings combined with 4a)
5) Wrong lubricant
6) Dirty environment is somehow entering the headset bearings, possibly up the middle of the tube (guessing only, never actually ever seen it).
7) Over tight torquing. I make "contact" slowly using the middle bolt, and then maybe up to a 1/8 turn or less more, just going by "feel".

Both my e-bikes have front suspension, and I know from my hands, that this makes a big difference on a ride. They also both have sprung rear suspension. I need that as I have suffered from back problems all my life, operations on my spine, and suspension has helped dramatically.
As far as I remember, on my first bike I covered a total of around 18,000 Kms.. With no real problems except for a single controller failure.
Have you yourself found out why you need new headsets so often?
It has certainly piqued my curiosity!
Maybe others here also need them as often as you!! Hopefully they will chime in as well....
regards and apologies for being so nosy
Andy

 

[EddiePJ]

I am really surprised, on my first e-bike, where I was off road probably 90+% of the time, other than a very occasional re-lube and clean (x3 maybe), and not overly heavy torqued up, I had that one headset that came with the bike for over 6 years. I sold the bike with the same headset.....
My latest bike was delivered with the wrong top bearing, but once I had the correct one and installed it, over a year ago, no problems.
Heavy usage must be down to something, for instance (but I do not consider this list in any way complete):-
1) Poor quality parts
2) Forks with maybe a slight "bend" between the bearings, that really "works the bearings very hard
3) Very hard, high speed, rough riding.
4a) Heavy frame, battery, person, and a bearing that is in some manner "not strong enough" for the total weight.
4b) No front suspension, all the shocks hit the bearings combined with 4a)
5) Wrong lubricant
6) Dirty environment is somehow entering the headset bearings, possibly up the middle of the tube (guessing only, never actually ever seen it).
7) Over tight torquing. I make "contact" slowly using the middle bolt, and then maybe up to a 1/8 turn or less more, just going by "feel".

Both my e-bikes have front suspension, and I know from my hands, that this makes a big difference on a ride. They also both have sprung rear suspension. I need that as I have suffered from back problems all my life, operations on my spine, and suspension has helped dramatically.
As far as I remember, on my first bike I covered a total of around 18,000 Kms.. With no real problems except for a single controller failure.
Have you yourself found out why you need new headsets so often?
It has certainly piqued my curiosity!
Maybe others here also need them as often as you!! Hopefully they will chime in as well....
regards and apologies for being so nosy
Andy

Hi Andy, sadly the answer in my case is quite simple to answer.

I ride in very abrasive acidic conditions, and everyone that I know who ride mtb's/eMTB's all get through a couple of sets a year. I also used to get through a couple of suspension bush kits a year, and at least one fork rebuild a year. I eat jokey wheel bearings to the extent that they just fall apart, and brake pads and chains last no time at all either. I probably get through a set of brake pads once a month during the winter months, but that is more my fault, as I don't like sintered pads, and run softer organic pads instead.
Interestingly though, I never have any of the issues that others have with their drive units and bearing failure. The only conclusion that I have drawn from it, is that I don't ever wash or clean the motor, and just have a layer of crud around the bearing area, which I suspect might be acting as some form of protective barrier. Failing that, I might just be lucky.

Here is an example of my local riding conditions.

"Mud Stop" for Bosch CX....500KM Later

So.... the 1.005% wear on my chain was rapidly approaching the park 3.2 checker needed some pressure to drop in.... I changed the chain, thoroughly cleaned the EX1 cassette and jockey wheels and installed a new 16t sprocket. ... after removing the "Mud Stop" (bit of a reassuring battle lol)...

www.pedelecs.co.uk

 

[Woosh]

I am surprised that the fork and the headset are 'dead'.
The fork is Suntour NEX HLO 63mm. It's basic but robust and don't need any maintenance. It could be that the quick lock is stuck for some reason.
The headset is standard semi-sealed ballbearings and don't need much looking after even if the bike is rained on for a month.

 

[Andy-Mat]

Hi Andy, sadly the answer in my case is quite simple to answer.

I ride in very abrasive acidic conditions, and everyone that I know who ride mtb's/eMTB's all get through a couple of sets a year. I also used to get through a couple of suspension bush kits a year, and at least one fork rebuild a year. I eat jokey wheel bearings to the extent that they just fall apart, and brake pads and chains last no time at all either. I probably get through a set of brake pads once a month during the winter months, but that is more my fault, as I don't like sintered pads, and run softer organic pads instead.
Interestingly though, I never have any of the issues that others have with their drive units and bearing failure. The only conclusion that I have drawn from it, is that I don't ever wash or clean the motor, and just have a layer of crud around the bearing area, which I suspect might be acting as some form of protective barrier. Failing that, I might just be lucky.

Here is an example of my local riding conditions.

"Mud Stop" for Bosch CX....500KM Later

So.... the 1.005% wear on my chain was rapidly approaching the park 3.2 checker needed some pressure to drop in.... I changed the chain, thoroughly cleaned the EX1 cassette and jockey wheels and installed a new 16t sprocket. ... after removing the "Mud Stop" (bit of a reassuring battle lol)...

www.pedelecs.co.uk

Many thanks for your interesting reply. I never even considered an acidic environment!!
regards
Andy

 

[sjpt]

I get through two sets a year on average.

I had to replace one once ... I guess you ride more/harder than me?

 

[Nealh]

I get through two sets a year on average.

.

Not surprised as I and some of the forum know the conditions you ride in.

For the normal road or light trail user headset bearings should have a relatively easy life.

 

[nigelbb]

The OP mentions a commute not off-road & the Carrera Crossfuse is a hybrid. What maintenance should he have done other than oiling the chain & moving parts?

 

[Woosh]

he should keep the drive system clean but there is no real need to oil the chain. I don't understand why he said the the headset and suspension fork are dead, and I sell a fair number of bikes to deliveroos.

 

[Amoto65]

I don't understand why the bike shop are saying the motor is faulty when they wont have touched it (bosch) and he says it was ok when he took it in.

 

[Nealh]

Distance selling not the best way to buy a bike but then again as we know there are some very good vendors who are worth dealing with.
For warranty an obligatory free check up may be necessary after several weeks use and if not carried out may void said warranty or companies abililty to deal with the buyer fairly.