Is Kalkoff Aggatu C11 motor kaput?

[covehithe]

My dad has a 2012 Kalkoff Aggatu C11 and only done 1800 miles on it.
He was crossing a road on the bike and when he started peddling it very suddenly started to "freewheel"
and there was no drive to the rear wheel. He back peddled a few times and the drive returned.
But it kept suddenly spinning with no drive.
Does this sound like a terminal motor problem - any thoughts ?
He did ask a local bike repair shop and they said it sounded as though the motor is duff.
If it is beyond repair is it worth putting it on ebay for someone to have a go at as a project.

 

[D8ve]

what is the motor on it? Panasonic, impulse?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Check whether the chain is moving when the drive goes. It could be your rear freewheel that's stuck.

 

[covehithe]

what is the motor on it? Panasonic, impulse?

The motor is an Impulse model - no makers name on the motor

 

[covehithe]

Check whether the chain is moving when the drive goes. It could be your rear freewheel that's stuck.

I think I've got understood him & his neighbour when they say that the chain does not move with motor on or off when the pedals are spinning
If you stop and do a slight back pedal the motor engages but soon starts spinning again.
He has tried riding it again and when the motor engages it works OK but will suddenly disengage and pedals spin with no chain movement. It is much to dangerous to ride in this condition.

 

[Artstu]

The freewheel in the motor will have broken, from what I've seen this is the weakest link in the Impulse motor. I don't think spare parts are readily available so the only repair option is a new motor, however I believe even new motors suffer with reliability issues related to the freewheel.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

If the chain doesn't move when you pedal, it needs a new motor. You have to take it back to the dealer where it was bought from to get it fixed, which should be free. Please let us know what happens next, because we get a lot of different stories about how well dealers cooperate.

 

[covehithe]

If the chain doesn't move when you pedal, it needs a new motor. You have to take it back to the dealer where it was bought from to get it fixed, which should be free. Please let us know what happens next, because we get a lot of different stories about how well dealers cooperate.

He got it from 50 cycles back in January 2012 so I would think it is out of guarantee?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

IIUC, they're guaranteeing the motors regardless of the warranty period because there appears to be a design or manufacturing defect, which was present at the time of purchase.

Here's an extract from a statement by Derby Cycles (kalkhoff manufacturer) posted on the German forum:

"Attention new: On this Impulse Austauschmotor Derby Cycle are independent of the warranty 2 years warranty. Repair service out of warranty and guarantee for Impulse engine damage outside the warranty will also be sent in a message impulse replacement engine within one day to the dealer. The original motor must but back to the dealer and will be picked up from there. If you are replacing an impetus 1 engine after the warranty period, 2.0 engine incl."

 

[covehithe]

IIUC, they're guaranteeing the motors regardless of the warranty period because there appears to be a design or manufacturing defect, which was present at the time of purchase.

Here's an extract from a statement by Derby Cycles (kalkhoff manufacturer) posted on the German forum:

"Attention new: On this Impulse Austauschmotor Derby Cycle are independent of the warranty 2 years warranty. Repair service out of warranty and guarantee for Impulse engine damage outside the warranty will also be sent in a message impulse replacement engine within one day to the dealer. The original motor must but back to the dealer and will be picked up from there. If you are replacing an impetus 1 engine after the warranty period, 2.0 engine incl."

Thanks for that - I have just ophoned him and told him the news. He said he will be contacting 50 cycles to see what they say.
I'll pass on what happens when he has done that.

 

[covehithe]

IIUC, they're guaranteeing the motors regardless of the warranty period because there appears to be a design or manufacturing defect, which was present at the time of purchase.

Here's an extract from a statement by Derby Cycles (kalkhoff manufacturer) posted on the German forum:

"Attention new: On this Impulse Austauschmotor Derby Cycle are independent of the warranty 2 years warranty. Repair service out of warranty and guarantee for Impulse engine damage outside the warranty will also be sent in a message impulse replacement engine within one day to the dealer. The original motor must but back to the dealer and will be picked up from there. If you are replacing an impetus 1 engine after the warranty period, 2.0 engine incl."

He has heard from 50 Cycles re the motor. They will replace the existing Impulse 1 with the latest Impulse 2 - for £350 with 2 year guarantee which becomes rolling should the new motor fail.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Might be worth contacting Derby Cycles to see what they say. I thought it was supposed to be a free replacement.

 

[IR772]

For £350 to replace the motor on a 4 year old bike that then has a rolling motor guarantee sounds like a deal to me.

The bit that says: "If you are replacing an impetus 1 engine after the warranty period, 2.0 engine incl" might be the, "you have to pay £350" bit.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

One could argue that the bike had a design or manufacturing fault in it at the time of manufacture or its design is not fit for purpose. Whatever, a question to Derby Cycles should answer who has to pay, even without arguing anything.

 

[Ted B.]

My dad has a 2012 Kalkoff Aggatu C11 and only done 1800 miles on it.

Given the low mileage, demand a free repair/motor replacement from 50 Cycles. If they don't comply, take legal action (e.g. small claim court).

With only 1,800 miles done, they won't win against a claim, given the high price of the bike, and the fact that it should have lasted a long time (as long as it was well maintained).

 

[covehithe]

Given the low mileage, demand a free repair/motor replacement from 50 Cycles. If they don't comply, take legal action (e.g. small claim court).

With only 1,800 miles done, they won't win against a claim, given the high price of the bike, and the fact that it should have lasted a long time (as long as it was well maintained).

His next worry is the battery. An ebiker in the village told him that as his battery will be 5 years old in January it could be the next thing to go.
I have a feeling he will be asking me or my brother to put it on ebay as is.

 

[Gringo]

An ebiker in the village told him that as his battery will be 5 years old in January it could be the next thing to go.

A little knowllage is a dangerous thing, so many bad decisions are made from second/third hand information
Batterys don't just stop working after 5 years.
I'd expect a gradual reduction in capacity/range. I previously owned a earlier model Agattu and after 5 ish years the battery still had 80% capacity and it was only my need for longer rides (50+miles) that made me buy a new bike

 

[covehithe]

My dad has a 2012 Kalkoff Aggatu C11 and only done 1800 miles on it.
He was crossing a road on the bike and when he started peddling it very suddenly started to "freewheel"
and there was no drive to the rear wheel. He back peddled a few times and the drive returned.
But it kept suddenly spinning with no drive.
Does this sound like a terminal motor problem - any thoughts ?
He did ask a local bike repair shop and they said it sounded as though the motor is duff.
If it is beyond repair is it worth putting it on ebay for someone to have a go at as a project.

If anyone is interested the bike is now on ebay for sale as is, start price £25
http://tinyurl.com/zmkpjjx

 

[D8ve]

If anyone is interested the bike is now on ebay for sale as is, start price £25
http://tinyurl.com/zmkpjjx

If I could like an eBay ad I would do so for yours. It states new motor required . In big letters Good seller

 

[covehithe]

If I could like an eBay ad I would do so for yours. It states new motor required . In big letters Good seller

Thanks - it's the only way to do it.
(I volunteer for a national charity and we sell 300-400 items a week on ebay
If you are not upfront with your product description you loose business very quickly)