Kalkhoff Endeavor problems

[markshea]

Hi All, this is my first post.

I bought a Kalkhoff Endeavor BS10 in Jan this year. Most of the time, the bike is great and has made commuter up the long steep hills in Sheffield much more fun. However, I have had a few technical problems which I am hoping some of the forum members may be able to help me with:

The first problem is the chain comes off the front chain ring. This was happening only at high speeds over bumpy ground. The chain ring looks fine, no bent teeth, and this has happened since I bought the bike, initially about once a month or 250 miles. However, more recently the chain has come off at low speeds on smooth surface, three times so far this week. The chain may be getting a bit worn now, I checked it awhile ago and it was ok. I think can understand it coming off at high speeds, the weight of the motor may result in the bottom bracket & chain ring moving more, and with more momentum, than a normal bike, which could throw the chain off. I have been riding bikes on a daily basis for about 35 years, and not experienced this problem before. I have fitted a piece of plastic to the bottom of the down tube to stop the chain getting caught between the chainring and the frame, but it just falls off the other side. I could retrofit something else but I'd rather find a more elegant solution and would welcome any ideas.

The second problem is the rear light turns itself off after about 3 minutes. I imagine this problem is quite specific to this type of light. 50 cycles, the distributor, offered to send a replacement wiring loom, but have never done so, and have stopped returning my calls. Again, any advice would be welcome.

In the interest of balance, the bike is generally very good and these are minor problems. I plan to write a proper review, but evidently have to write 25 posts before I can submit a review.

I found this forum very helpful when I was deciding to buy an electric bike, so thanks to all the contributors.

Thanks, Mark

 

[RobF]

A chain guide mounted on the chainstay may keep the chain in order.

Here's a diy version:

The ready made ones are surprisingly dear, but a good mountain bike shop may have some ideas - it's really a MTB piece of kit.

You could try shortening the chain - assuming you have a derailleur.

Making the same assumption, you could try a 'clutch mech', a rear derailleur with a clutch which creates resistance against moving the derailleur towards the front of the bike.

In other words, it helps maintain chain tension.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-deore-m615-shadow-10-speed-rear-mech/rp-prod108793?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom&gs=1&gclid=COn7w6f15sECFQrHtAodViQAtw&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[rippedupno1]

Hi Mark, I have had exactly the same chain problem with my bs10 which I bought from 50 cycles last September . After a month or so the chain started coming off the front sprocket, and there never seemed to be any rhyme or reason why it happened, sometimes it would happen at higher speed under load and sometimes freewheeling with no load at all on a flat smooth road and what is more weird is that it seemed to happen in groups, ie over say a fortnight rides it would come off pretty much every ride, then nothing for 2 months over the same roads and yes i always check that the chain is properly adjusted and the tyres at the right pressure. After having no joy from 50 cycles i contacted a well repected local ebike bosch dealer (who has asked to remain nameless for fear of invalidating the 50 cycles warrenty ) he stripped and serviced the whole bike and apart from some minor adjustments to the rear derailleur could find nothing wrong, i came to pick it up and took it for a test ride and it had to be said the gear change was a vast improvement, click, click, very nice. I was just freewheeling up to the front of the shop and bang, off comes the chain . it was jammed so tight that it took him 20 mins up on the workstand to get it out! We are both at a loss now, I took the bike home with the view to going back to 50 cycles but i started riding it again and have done 500 miles and nothing, absolutely bloody perfect, go figure.

 

[JohnCade]

quite specific to this type of light. 50 cycles, the distributor, offered to send a replacement wiring loom, but have never done so, and have stopped returning my calls. Again, any advice would be welcome.

In the interest of balance, the bike is generally very good and these are minor problems. I plan to write a proper review, but evidently have to write 25 posts before I can submit a review.

I found this forum very helpful when I was deciding to buy an electric bike, so thanks to all the contributors.

Thanks, Mark

They're not always the best at returning calls. If this thread hasn't helped you should keep at them.

 

[markshea]

A chain guide mounted on the chainstay may keep the chain in order.

Here's a diy version:

The ready made ones are surprisingly dear, but a good mountain bike shop may have some ideas - it's really a MTB piece of kit.

You could try shortening the chain - assuming you have a derailleur.

Making the same assumption, you could try a 'clutch mech', a rear derailleur with a clutch which creates resistance against moving the derailleur towards the front of the bike.

In other words, it helps maintain chain tension.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-deore-m615-shadow-10-speed-rear-mech/rp-prod108793?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom&gs=1&gclid=COn7w6f15sECFQrHtAodViQAtw&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks Rob, the DIY chain guide looks like a good idea, I'll see I can knock one up this weekend. I think I might replace the chain anyway and generally tweak a few things.

 

[markshea]

Hi Mark, I have had exactly the same chain problem with my bs10 which I bought from 50 cycles last September . After a month or so the chain started coming off the front sprocket, and there never seemed to be any rhyme or reason why it happened, sometimes it would happen at higher speed under load and sometimes freewheeling with no load at all on a flat smooth road and what is more weird is that it seemed to happen in groups, ie over say a fortnight rides it would come off pretty much every ride, then nothing for 2 months over the same roads and yes i always check that the chain is properly adjusted and the tyres at the right pressure. After having no joy from 50 cycles i contacted a well repected local ebike bosch dealer (who has asked to remain nameless for fear of invalidating the 50 cycles warrenty ) he stripped and serviced the whole bike and apart from some minor adjustments to the rear derailleur could find nothing wrong, i came to pick it up and took it for a test ride and it had to be said the gear change was a vast improvement, click, click, very nice. I was just freewheeling up to the front of the shop and bang, off comes the chain . it was jammed so tight that it took him 20 mins up on the workstand to get it out! We are both at a loss now, I took the bike home with the view to going back to 50 cycles but i started riding it again and have done 500 miles and nothing, absolutely bloody perfect, go figure.

thanks, that's actually really helpful to know that someone else has had the same problem. I think I may just change a few things (chain, rear cassette, derailleur taken from other bikes) and see if that helps. I'll post an update if it works.

 

[markshea]

They're not always the best at returning calls. If this thread hasn't helped you should keep at them.

Thanks John, I probably will try them again. But am not holding out much hope that they can solve the problem, I'll probably ending up taking it apart and seeing if I can bodge something, otherwise, I'll just stick to using a separate rear light.

 

[markshea]

Thanks John, I probably will try them again. But am not holding out much hope that they can solve the problem, I'll probably ending up taking it apart and seeing if I can bodge something, otherwise, I'll just stick to using a separate rear light.

Update, just checked my emails and have one from 50 cycles responding to my query, so will hopefully soon be able to report that the problem(s) are sorted.

 

[RobF]

Update, just checked my emails and have one from 50 cycles responding to my query, so will hopefully soon be able to report that the problem(s) are sorted.

Tim, the MD of 50 Cycles, popped in earlier today to post his clearance offers.

I wondered if he would see your thread.

Of course, the email at this time was probably just a coincidence.

 

[markshea]

Just to update, I've received a new wiring loom from 50 cycles, but have not been able to put it on the bike as I can't remove the crank / chain ring. I've done this dozens of times over the years on different bikes but with no success this time and don't want to damage the bike using extreme force. But will perhaps take it into my local bike shop.

I've replaced the chain, which had become worn. 50 cycles suggest that the problem of the chain coming off was due to worn chain / cracked or broken link. I couldn't see any problems with the chain but it was due for renewal, so have replaced. I haven't had any problems with the new chain, but it is too early to say.