Bosch reliability

[Yew Tree]

I have a Haibike roadster. Its an early series made in 2015 (i think). On two occasions the drive has failed. The pedals turn, but will not engage. This has left me stranded. A trip to the repair shop reveals that the "palls" (sorry if the spelling is wrong) have failed. I'm not technically minded, so this means nothing to me. What it does mean is that the bike is unreliable, and i no longer trust it. I'd like to know if anyone else has had this problem, and if so what is the solution? Should I sell the bike, or is there a repair option that is reliable?
Incidentally, my partner has a Halkoff. Currently her bike does not work due to some computer issue, and the dealer is getting NO support about this problem from Halkoff.
My opinion of e-bikes, based on these experiences, is that they are expensive and unreliable. I'm inclined to stay with my trusty "Edinburgh" town bike that I bought 20 years ago and is still going strong.

 

[soundwave]

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the motors are all gears and bearings they have no palls, you getting any error codes?

 

[Artstu]

The home of ebike motor parts -

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the motors are all gears and bearings they have no palls, you getting any error codes?

That's not true they have a freewheel like in the rear cassette on most bikes. Their newer motors have what I believe is a more reliable freewheel system.
I have 11,000 miles on my Bosch Classic which also has pawls too.

 

[soundwave]

2015 would be gen 2 motors same as i got.

 

[Artstu]

2015 would be gen 2 motors same as i got.

At 8:14 Ok no pawls as you say sorry, unike my Bosch Classic. I guess my assumption that these one way bearings are more reliable is misplaced

 

[soundwave]

i dunno lol my motor has seemed to fix itself after i took it apart and put some new lube in it

 

[Nealh]

peter.collard@performancelinebearings.com
Contact the bearing man regarding the Haibike and he will be able to discuss with you your issue and give an idea of any repair cost to the drive motor.

With regards to a town/errand ebike you may well find better reliability with a rear hub drive bike from the likes of Woosh or Wisper who give good back up service. Hub bikes are cheaper then most of the mid drive bikes but reliability wise hubs are pretty good though, as with all things mechanical they may need a small service by 5K miles.

 

[EddiePJ]

I wonder if the cycle shop actually meant that the pawls in the free hub body had failed, rather than something related to the drive unit.

I have no idea if this is even possible, or what would happen if they did, I'm just thinking aloud.

 

[soundwave]

I wonder if the cycle shop actually meant that the pawls in the free hub body had failed, rather than something related to the drive unit.

I have no idea if this is even possible, or what would happen if they did, I'm just thinking aloud.

if you look at the drive shaft in peters video on the left hand side gear there are 2 circlips that hold it in place and if one snaps the gear can move but not sure if it can move enough so there is no drive at all but you should get a 503 speed sensor error as it drives the Torque sensor

 

[Wander]

Yew Tree, post a picture of your drive unit. Most of the advice above relates to the Gen 2 on Bosch motor.
You are unsure of the year of your bike however if you have a Gen 1 / classic as Artstu refers to this does indeed display the symptoms you describe.
There's a quick & dirty fix you can do if it occurs when you are out riding.
You could also I believe strip it down and re-grease.
Ultimately the best solution is a motor replacement. I was fortunate that my dealer did this free of charge even though (from memory) it was out of warranty. Yours will be too old for this though.
Anyway post a picture first so you can be properly advised further.

 

[Yew Tree]

Thanks to all for a rapid response. I did not anticipate so much interest.
There were no error messages on the screen.
My bike is still with the dealer, being fixed. so, sorry, no picture possible just now. it was the mechanism in the drive until that failed, NOT the free wheel. (Thank for posting the visuals, buy the way). Two different dealers attended to it.
The present dealer has suggested that it's fixed, but may go again at any time, and may need a new motor. But will a new motor solve the problem or simply postpone it.? Also will a new motor fit an earlier case, or will i simply get an original motor with the same design flaw?
As for the suggestion that I strip it down and fix it myself - well that might be a solution for someone with an technical bent, but, it's not the solution for me. And when I'm miles away from home, i don't really fancy a road-side repair.
The suggestion of a rear hub-drive is helpful, and I was pondering on that. Assuming that if the motor fails, i can still pedal. I'll take a look at the Whisper. i notice that Freego is no longer in business. :-(
I've decided to offer the bike for sale. If anyone is interested in a purchase let me know.

 

[soundwave]

well if you want a new motor the gen 3 cx motor will fit the frame you have and depending on mileage go for about 3-350.

my motor is 5 years old and looks like new inside but for the dealer to say it might go again and not saying what they have done to get it working dont help much and peter would be much better to take a look at it and have parts to get it fixed as if you have no errors then it should be able to be fixed.

it is not hard to remove the motor or remove the motor cover to take a look inside but you will need circlip pliers and hex bits to remove it.

this is how the remove the motor from the frame.

 

[Yew Tree]

Thanks for the advice. At £3-350 that is worth considering. I like the bike itself. The quality of the build and comfort is good. I don't regret buying it, but regret the risk of being stranded.

 

[soundwave]

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£247.85 Inc VAT + Shipping
worst case for a full rebuild but it could be just a busted circlip or worn gear but he can also sort you a cx motor if you want one.

if the electric motor itself was going wrong then you would get error messages so would be interesting to know what the dealer thinks is wrong with it and what they have done or not.

 

[Yew Tree]

Thanks. I'll consider that carefully.

 

[Benjahmin]

This is the problem with Bosch powered bikes, you are locked in to their very restrictive parts and service.
With a hub powered bike that has generic parts , you can source them from many dealers at competitive prices. Not true with Bosch. £300 for a replacement motor is a joke, not to mention battery prices.
A hub motor is a simple motor with a reduction gear to drive shaft - about as bullet proof as it gets. All parts (battery, controller, pas system, brake cut offs, etc) can be replaced from self sourced suppliers. Whereas Bosch seems to operate the Apple ' gotcha, gonna abuse ya wallet' model.

 

[Yew Tree]

Thanks for explaining the “parts” for a hub bike. I had not known it was so straightforward
A hub bike is a serious option for me. Is there much difference between the brands, in terms of quality of motor??? .

 

[Woosh]

Is there much difference between the brands, in terms of quality of motor??? .

not a lot.
It's the quality control. You can assemble a hub motor with parts made by a dozen specialist factories like gearbox, wound rotor, magnets, hall sensor boards, ballbearings etc like another factory next door, but it's the quality control that makes Bafang motors outstanding among Chinese motors.

 

[Yew Tree]

Yes. I see your point. I don’t know Bafang bikes.
I do know a bit about Chines HiFi and the quality of the valves range from dubious to excellent. As you point out, it!s down to specification and quality control. I’ll look up bafang bikes. Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 25121]

The home of ebike motor parts -

Spare parts, bearings and repair service for most common ebike motors

www.performancelinebearings.com

the motors are all gears and bearings they have no palls, you getting any error codes?

I thought the Bosch Active Line had a freewheel function using pawls? That seems to have been introduced in 2017 but maybe Yew Tree mistook the year of his Haibike...