Bosch bearings

[Gubbins]

Also to consider, my Scott e-aspect 910 is after all a mountain bike, doesn't have mudguards and the bb area gets a lot of muck, dust and water thrown at it. I use a spray cleaner and a stiff brush with a final rinse from a watering can. Lastly I spray the crank ends with gt 69 to displace any water.

 

[barrycoll]

my wife's 6 month old KTM Macina's speed sensor was replaced byThe Electric Transport Shop at a reasonable cost, as returning to the supplying dealer was not a good use of time.
the part itself was supplied by the dealer, and the damaged part returned
KTMs are great bikes as long as I can leave the Power washer alone, and stick to MuckOff and a brush. ....although just why the Speed Sensor should fail is yet another question
However it is nice to know that Col is an interested supplier, and that helpful back up is available, whichever dealer supplied the bike

 

[EddiePJ]

Also to consider, my Scott e-aspect 910 is after all a mountain bike, doesn't have mudguards and the bb area gets a lot of muck, dust and water thrown at it. I use a spray cleaner and a stiff brush with a final rinse from a watering can. Lastly I spray the crank ends with gt 69 to displace any water.

Phill, you have to be very careful when spraying lubricant such as GT85 near to bearing areas. Whilst you are displacing water, you are also potentially degreasing the bearings. I learnt this a long time ago the hard way.

Directed at Martin.. As for dealers not repairing the bikes of riders that haven't purchased from them, I see it as being very short sighted. The person asking for help, was potentially your next bike purchasing customer. I guess that expanding a client base isn't too important to some.

 

[Artstu]

As for dealers not repairing the bikes of riders that haven't purchased from them, I see it as being very short sighted. The person asking for help, was potentially your next bike purchasing customer. I guess that expanding a client base isn't too important to some.

Even more perplexing when you take account of the credit payment from the manufacturer for any warranty work done.

 

[flecc]

Even more perplexing when you take account of the credit payment from the manufacturer for any warranty work done.

A major factor in dealers of any trade refusing to undertake warranty repairs on items not bought from them is quite simply resentment, not of the customers choice to go somewhere else but of the internet sales that so severely damage their business.

Their costs mean they just cannot compete with internet sales and this is the only way they can express their frustration, by saying, "You buy online and you'll have to get the internet supplier to do the repair!"

My sense of fairness means I have a certain sympathy with that view, since they have no way of knowing where someone bought something.
.

 

[Gubbins]

A major factor in dealers in any trade refusing to undertake warranty repairs on items not bought from them is quite simply resentment, not of the customers choice to go somewhere else but of the internet sales that so severely damage their business.

Their costs mean they just cannot compete with internet sales and this is the only way they can express their frustration, by saying, "You buy online and you'll have to get the internet supplier to do the repair!"

My sense of fairness means I have a certain sympathy with that view.
.

For a purchase of high value I always pay more to buy from a reputable dealer. It is oh so much easier to discuss problems face to face.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

This is always a tricky problem, at FWG we try and promote the use of a local stockist, one who will look after you and your bike. If you buy a bike from a retailer at the other end of the country it is difficult to persuade a local stockist to become involved in sorting out a problem. There are of course exceptions and some long range retailers offer excellent service.

If a stockist were to go bust it is the duty of the manufacturer to resolve any issues.

The problem we have experienced with Bosch have been due to the fact that we all have to use Magura in Germany to resolve issues. I was recently with a stockist in London who when trying to get a Bosch issue resolved was told to call back in an hour when an English speaker would be available, this coupled with having to pay for components by bank transfer makes things quite awkward. However I understand that a UK agent is soon to be named which should make things better.

We understand that an electric bike is often a sole means of transport, so on all FreeGo and new Wispers we give the following promise. If a FreeGo or Wisper fails in it's first year and we cannot put it right in 5 working days we will simply replace it with a new one, subject to conditions.

All the best

David

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

However I understand that a UK agent is soon to be named which should make things better.

All the best

David

Hi David... I had a sit down with Bosch at EuroBike to discuss the problems with the delays and how its effect all UK dealers / brands, which isn't good for anyone.

They told me they had no plans for a UK agent, as they handle all other countries from Germany with no problems.

So I left the meeting having placed a large order for spares to ensure we can support UK customers and we'll deal with the warranties second hand, is the plan.

Now I'm slightly concerned, they're thinking we're the UK agent!!

Col.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Col, I have been asked not to mention who they are for the time being, however I can say it is not your good selves, or us!!

No one will be surprised though.

All the best

David

 

[Electrifying Cycles]

I had a very interesting email from Magura a while back. The main problem is issues over payment. I have to say I have been very dissapointed with their service often something as simple as paying an invoice turns into Mission Impossible. I am all for a UK distributer if they do things correctly i.e. stock all items. It does not matter to me where the service comes from as long as it is good. Items only take a few days to come from Europe. We stock a wide range of Bosch spares so customers do normally not have to wait.

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

We stock a wide range of Bosch spares so customers do normally not have to wait.

Thats exactly the way Bosch are used to dealing I think. They expect dealers to have spares in stock and then order to replace those spares. They are shocked that some UK dealers expect them to hold all their spares for them, with the shop holding nothing.

We're going to try to hold some stock too. So any customer can go to their dealer, that dealer should hold some spares. If the dealer hasn't got it, they can ask us, and if we have it we'll supply it next day, or they go to Bosch and it takes a bit longer.

The delays with Bosch this year have been caused by demand out stripping supply, so the dealers that invested in stock, had stock... those who simply waited for it to be needed and then ordered - often had to wait.

Fingers crossed we're all learning about how best to deal with Bosch and 2015 will be better for all the brands selling Bosch bikes, all the dealers working with the brands and in turn the end consumers will have no issues.

 

[Electrifying Cycles]

That is why we try to stock a wide variety of items. However when you want an item which you have not got due to selling out you want it asap.

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

Just to refine any confusion. Bosch will be keeping the parts distribution with Magura in Germany, they are however undertaking more dealer training with many manufacturers in the UK and will also be offering further support of which I have my hands bound to mention any further details... Until its announced, probably early next year.

I can confirm it is not you Col and its not you David, so no worries there

Martin

 

[Artstu]

I see Bosch have uprated the weedy bearing that has failed on my unit with a much larger one, at around 3 times the width for the new one.

 

[RobF]

Thanks to the trade members for posting what they know/feel able to tell us.

The attitude by Bosch to service in the UK seems a bit hit and miss to me.

First it's speak to Magura, then we might open our own UK service centre, then we are not, then we are going to do something with the dealers, but that won't be up and running until next year.

It's almost as if Bosch lack experience in servicing consumer electricals, but they don't - quite the reverse, they've been servicing drills, washing machines and so on for years.

I wonder if the ebike part of the company is not regarded by senior managers as something of an oddity - rather like the general attitude of much of the cycle trade to ebikes in general.

 

[flecc]

The attitude by Bosch to service in the UK seems a bit hit and miss to me.

At least they have the probability of service and available spares. With Panasonic units once out of the two year warranty, no spares, failure means a new unit at circa £500, plus fitting.
.

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

Nic pic
Thanks for reading my blog

Martin

 

[Artstu]

Nic pic
Thanks for reading my blog

Martin

No thank you for the picture. proof if it were needed that my thoughts about this failed bearing not being up to the job are clearly true, seeing as Bosch have seen it fit to fit one about twice the size in the new motor.

Had my bike been a Haibike I wonder would it be repaired and back on the road by now?

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

I'm happy to take onboard criticism and learn from it, but in this case I think we really are actually helping you so I think this dig is a little unfair.

Had my bike been a Haibike I wonder would it be repaired and back on the road by now?

Please don't confuse your problems. It's not down to the brand of bike, it's because you didn't buy from a store or pay full price. Had you bought your haibike on eBay, it wouldn't be Martin you'd be dealing with, unless he takes on warranty work for dealers who don't want it. So you'd be dealing with haibike direct and I have no idea how helpful they'd be. But I'm guessing they wouldn't have offered you a new motor at cost price, or to fix the bearing for you, and also be offering you a cost price road bike as your looking for one at the moment?


Had you bought any brand of bike from a bosch dealer (any of them) you would have been looked after. So the problems are not due to the brand of frame. You bought the bike on eBay from a store at a super cheap price from a shop that don't want to help you and we've dropped as a dealer for a number of reasons. Bosch have told us they won't warranty your bearing because you use a dongle. This was not a ktm decision.

As its not covered by warranty it's just a case of replacing the bearing at a cost of a few £. As I understand it we have offered to do this for you if you aren't comfortable with the job.

I'd be interested to know if whoever sold you the dongle told you it would invalidate your warranty?

Col

 

[Artstu]

Please don't confuse your problems.They are not due to the brand of frame. You bought the bike on eBay from a store that don't want to help you and we've dropped as a dealer for a number of reasons. Bosch have told us they won't warranty your bearing because you use a dongle. This was not a ktm decision.

That's correct, my supplying dealer said they no longer sell KTM bikes, so they directed me to a local dealer when I had the gear issue, and said if there were any problems for my dealer doing the work to contact them. As you were as close as my nearest dealer I thought it best all round to do the work a dealer would have done for the KTM brand myself, to save you having to credit them for the work. Helping to resolve the issue in the most economical way for you, and being just as convenient for me as going to a KTM dealer.

As its not covered by warranty it's just a case of replacing the bearing at a cost of a few £. As I understand it we have offered to do this for you if you aren't comfortable with the job.

Which I appreciate.

I'd be interested to know if whoever sold you the dongle told you it would invalidate your warranty?

Col

It isn't a dongle as such.

My question was to Martin, because I understand it that he will warranty the bikes he supplies, including those with the dongles which he supplies. So whilst perhaps not a brand thing in the true sense, it's still a relevant question to buyers seeking support for their modified bikes.

Bosch don't actually say it will automatically void your warranty.

There is also the danger of negating the guarantee and warranty claims on the bike you purchased.

I myself do not believe that because my bike goes a bit faster it has increased the wear on that bearing, I have not increased my cadence or pedal loading in any way, in fact as I've already said the loading on the bearing is actually much greater whilst trying to pedal above the assist speed, the soft pedalling that is done with the motor running produces a much lighter loading on that bearing.

I wonder what your personal view on the above is Col?

Martin whilst not an importer like yourself does seem to offer much better support to his customers than that offered by KTM. It's a little ironic don't you think that a dealer tuning Bosch motors gets to be the centre of Bosch support in the UK.

I have no doubt that had I bought a Haibike from Martin he would have supported me. Where as you seem more interested in defending Bosch who have supplied KTM with a sub-standard product, how about a bit of support and loyalty for the people who actually buy your bikes?

I think what's done it for me just, is seeing that massive new big bearing on the newer Bosch motor, and I'm feeling a bit hard done by, to be honest. Had my motor had that sized bearing I'd still be happily whizzing along on my KTM, but because they fitted a sub-standard one I'm left with a broken KTM bike.