Crank Drive Motor Clunking Noise

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,921
6,516

Andy88

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 6, 2016
747
135
69
Ayrshire
This opens up a whole new avenue in ebikes just so many facets from the casual shopper on a 250w halfords special to off road monsters up to ??w
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,921
6,516
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,921
6,516

 
  • Like
Reactions: Andy88

EddiePJ

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 7, 2013
4,632
4,013
Crowborough, East Sussex
www.facebook.com
I can't answer for other systems, but with the Bosch Performance Line and CX motor system, any clonking noise comes from gear changes.

Another aspect of clonking and related noise when looking at film clips, is where the camera has been mounted. It can make a massive difference, to what is or isn't picked up.

For my part, tyre choice can be the most significant noise.

0.00 to 1.00 min point and 7.00 to 8.22 min of this clip highlights that fact.

 
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
The clunking is when the guy with the crank-motor keeps changing gear to try and get his motor at its maximum power, like you would on a small motorbike going up a steep hill. The hub-motor doesn't need to change gear because its power and torque are independent of gears. It's nothing to do with the type of crank-motor. they're all the same in that respect.

Normally, people stop pedalling or shut off the throttle to change gear with a crank-motor to try and mitigate the clunk, but you can't do that in a race up a steep hill because, you'd lose momentum.
 

Andy88

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 6, 2016
747
135
69
Ayrshire
The clunking is when the guy with the crank-motor keeps changing gear to try and get his motor at its maximum power, like you would on a small motorbike going up a steep hill. The hub-motor doesn't need to change gear because its power and torque are independent of gears. It's nothing to do with the type of crank-motor. they're all the same in that respect.

Normally, people stop pedalling or shut off the throttle to change gear with a crank-motor to try and mitigate the clunk, but you can't do that in a race up a steep hill because, you'd lose momentum.
It gets really confusing as cranks are supposed to be better up the hills?

I know the hub is 500w bigger but it literally flies up the hill leaving the crank for dead.

Would have been nice if both Motors had the same power output.
 

Andy88

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 6, 2016
747
135
69
Ayrshire
Here is another example, this time the lower powered mid-drive hammers the 2k watt hub motor from a standing start.
 
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
You need to read back over everything I said about efficiency. All motors have close to zero efficiency at zero speed. That test was done at a very low speed, so the hub-motor's efficiency would be severely compromised.

Also, those large DD hub-motors are often chosen for high speed (about 40 mph). They sometimes have trouble starting, depending on what controller you have and whether it's running sensored or sensorless. Some need to be helped to start by pedalling.

The only thing that test shows is that some (well at least one) hub-motors might not be suitable for low-speed off-road riding. If the test were repeated with the same hub-motor, but the sensored 180 rpm version, it would probably have flipped the bike going up that hill.

I don't know why you said, "cranks are supposed to be better up the hills". This is a complete myth based on misunderstanding and bigotry.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Andy88

Andy88

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 6, 2016
747
135
69
Ayrshire
You need to read back over everything I said about efficiency. All motors have close to zero efficiency at zero speed. That test was done at a very low speed, so the hub-motor's efficiency would be severely compromised.

Also, those large DD hub-motors are often chosen for high speed (about 40 mph). They sometimes have trouble starting, depending on what controller you have and whether it's running sensored or sensorless. Some need to be helped to start by pedalling.

The only thing that test shows is that some (well at least one) hub-motors might not be suitable for low-speed off-road riding. If the test were repeated with the same hub-motor, but the sensored 180 rpm version, it would probably have flipped the bike going up that hill.

I don't know why you said, "cranks are supposed to be better up the hills". This is a complete myth based on misunderstanding and bigotry.
There is so much misinformation on the internet and from so called reliable sources touting CD motors more efficient on hills, that's why the phrase included "Supposedly" as opposed to "Are"

But if you think about it logically there are other instances that are inefficient from a standing start so what you say makes absolute sense and not just confined to ebike variables.

 

EddiePJ

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 7, 2013
4,632
4,013
Crowborough, East Sussex
www.facebook.com
I don't know why you said, "cranks are supposed to be better up the hills". This is a complete myth based on misunderstanding and bigotry.
@Andy88, It was Dave that said it.

I've done side by side tests.
CDs gain on very steep hills because you can use low power to climb slowly when a HD will stall out, so CDs can be advantageous if you have a lot of steep hills.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Andy88

Andy88

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 6, 2016
747
135
69
Ayrshire
Aha.. It's as David Niall of Wisper said, I quote "it's an absolute minefield out there"

Hes right, so many variables with news sources and dealers bias in their own opinions or offerings.

As far as trying to trace threads back using Tapatalk, more chance of locating Lord Lucan.
 

Woosh

Trade Member
May 19, 2012
20,387
16,884
Southend on Sea
wooshbikes.co.uk
There is so much misinformation on the internet and from so called reliable sources touting CD motors more efficient on hills, that's why the phrase included "Supposedly" as opposed to "Are"
Hello Andy,

I agree with d8veh's statement 'All motors have close to zero efficiency at zero speed'.
However, you should consider the advantage of CD motors in extending their climbing ability.

The following image shows the power profile for the Woosh Big Bear (Bafang BPM motor, 36V 20A controller, 15AH Samsung cell battery). The red plot is the maximum mechanical output, between 0 to 23mph. The BPM is practically useless at below 3-4 mph and above 22mph, most input power from the battery is turned into heat. That's OK for most customers though, because the controller will cut out at 15 mph and it will still climb 10% gradient fairly well at about 8mph.



the following image shows the power profile for the Woosh Sirocco CD (2013, 15A controller, same 15AH battery).
It has 8-speed cassette at the rear (12T-34T) and 44T chainring. Instead of a single power output plot, you have one for each gear. So the mechanical output power depends on the selected gear.
The lowest gears (1 and 2) give clearly the CD a better efficiency at below 8mph. It can climb 10% gradient better, at around 10mph despite having less raw input than the Big Bear.
The Woosh Krieger has the same profile, just 20% more power.



 

Andy88

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 6, 2016
747
135
69
Ayrshire
Hello Andy,

I agree with d8veh's statement 'All motors have close to zero efficiency at zero speed'.
However, you should consider the advantage of CD motors in extending their climbing ability.

The following image shows the power profile for the Woosh Big Bear (Bafang BPM motor, 36V 20A controller, 15AH Samsung cell battery). The red plot is the maximum mechanical output, between 0 to 23mph. The BPM is practically useless at below 3-4 mph and above 22mph, most input power from the battery is turned into heat. That's OK for most customers though, because the controller will cut out at 15 mph and it will still climb 10% gradient fairly well at about 8mph.



the following image shows the power profile for the Woosh Sirocco CD (2013, 15A controller, same 15AH battery).
It has 8-speed cassette at the rear (12T-34T) and 44T chainring. Instead of a single power output plot, you have one for each gear. So the mechanical output power depends on the selected gear.
The lowest gears (1 and 2) give clearly the CD a better efficiency at below 8mph. It can climb 10% gradient better, at around 10mph despite having less raw input than the Big Bear.
The Woosh Krieger has the same profile, just 20% more power.



Very interesting. So how about BBSO2 Mid Coupled with a BPM on the front wheel, 2 x batteries, 2 controllers serving each motor independentally, then we have the best of both worlds? Or the bike would collapse?
 

Croxden

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2013
2,134
1,384
North Staffs
As far as trying to trace threads back using Tapatalk, more chance of locating Lord Lucan.
I'm sure I saw him on an ebike the other day.
 

Woosh

Trade Member
May 19, 2012
20,387
16,884
Southend on Sea
wooshbikes.co.uk
Very interesting. So how about BBSO2 Mid Coupled with a BPM on the front wheel, 2 x batteries, 2 controllers serving each motor independentally, then we have the best of both worlds? Or the bike would collapse?
The effective speed and acceleration range of the BBS02 is so wide (3mph to 30mph) that you won't improve the bike by adding a BPM (4mph-22mph) to a BBS02.
 

anotherkiwi

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2015
7,845
5,786
The European Union
Very interesting. So how about BBSO2 Mid Coupled with a BPM on the front wheel, 2 x batteries, 2 controllers serving each motor independentally, then we have the best of both worlds? Or the bike would collapse?
You will have a bike that is about 5-6 kg heavier than any other e-bike and it won't be street legal. The BBS has an internal controller already of course...
 

Andy88

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 6, 2016
747
135
69
Ayrshire
The effective speed and acceleration range of the BBS02 is so wide (3mph to 30mph) that you won't improve the bike by adding a BPM (4mph-22mph) to a BBS02.
Sorry, I meant adding a BPM to a pre built Bosch Mid Drive effectively giving you a throttle on a branded CD bike.