Wheel change on 2014 bike

Seanoge

Pedelecer
Jan 16, 2017
173
14
79
Gulval, Penzance
It was pointed out to me at Halfords that my 2014 Freego Regency needed a new back Wheel Rim. If I change the whole wheel out with a new Motor.......would this change the "Grandfather Rights" on the bike?
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
7,928
3,648
Telford
It was pointed out to me at Halfords that my 2014 Freego Regency needed a new back Wheel Rim. If I change the whole wheel out with a new Motor.......would this change the "Grandfather Rights" on the bike?
Changing the motor shouldn't change anything. Your bike is still a 2014 Freego Regency that had the throttle on it in 2014. What about when you change the tyre or the brake pads? Nobody cares about that, so I don't see why the motor would make a difference.

Do you have an old forum post with a picture of your bike or anything like that, or is there a plate on the bike showing its date, or maybe the serial number? Anything like that would help as evidence.

Although you're supposed to be innocent until proved guilty, in this case it's more likely to be the other way round. If you haven't got anything, it might be an idea to find an old review of your bike and download it onto your phone or do a printout, so that if ever you were asked, you'd have the evidence.
 
Last edited:
  • Agree
Reactions: flecc

thelarkbox

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 23, 2023
1,451
451
oxon
Rebuilding a wheel with a new rim is no longer the dark art thanks to lots n lots of 10,imute+ youtube how-to vids..

Yes you will screw up and have to restart at least once , missing a hole or not ;) but the tools needed are minimal and empty front forks make an adequate balancing jig using snipped cable ties as guides (watch the vids and the penny will drop)
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
7,928
3,648
Telford
Rebuilding a wheel with a new rim is no longer the dark art thanks to lots n lots of 10,imute+ youtube how-to vids..

Yes you will screw up and have to restart at least once , missing a hole or not ;) but the tools needed are minimal and empty front forks make an adequate balancing jig using snipped cable ties as guides (watch the vids and the penny will drop)
It's a rear motor, so won't fit in forks. Personally, I never use any sort of jig. I just do it on my lap until all the spokes are in, then I put it in the actual frame to finish it off, using a couple of cable ties to show where it needs truing. That way, you get the rim exactly in the middle of the frame. Rear motors usually need a bit of offset built in to get the rim in the centre, so doing it in a jig isn't as good unless you know the offset before you start.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: flash and flecc

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,449
30,767
It was pointed out to me at Halfords that my 2014 Freego Regency needed a new back Wheel Rim. If I change the whole wheel out with a new Motor.......would this change the "Grandfather Rights" on the bike?
Do you have an old forum post with a picture of your bike or anything like that, or is there a plate on the bike showing its date, or maybe the serial number? Anything like that would help as evidence.
I can't see you've posted about it early enough, only posts from 2020 and 2021 referring to its 5 or 6 years age respectively.

However, here are three links from 2011 to 2015 referring to the Freego Regency in the days long ago when it was a current model, so they should be proof enough of your Wife's elderly bike's vintage:



.
 

Seanoge

Pedelecer
Jan 16, 2017
173
14
79
Gulval, Penzance
I presume that 14 refers to year, I have the same bike except 18. I'm worried now as I have the same marks on my wheel rim. Measuring with a caliper they are both 25mm at the widest point.
Halfords said the 14 bike needed a new wheel rim, but I'm sure he didn't examine it much....as he refused to service it. Any advice on how I can actually find out?
The 2nd. image is the 14 bike, the 3rd. the 18.both look the same to me.....
 

Attachments

AndyBike

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 8, 2020
1,564
658
What about when you change the tyre or the brake pads? Nobody cares about that, so I don't see why the motor would make a difference.
Bit of a grey area really.

Was the work carried out by a qualified bike mechanic ?(home trained isnt the same as qualified professional)

If not then that might invalidate the guarantee .

Even changing wheels or anything, needs to be done by pro mechanic.

There was a recent case with Giant. Their carbon Ebike frames were in some cases suffering from cracking, and the owners found that Giant wouldnt honour the guarantee. Reason given was the owner had fitted oem/new parts.

If the manufacturer was to play hard ball they could say naff off as an entire new motor isnt part of original equipment

Unlikely of course in most cases, but the law would still stand and you would be unable to fight against it.
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
7,928
3,648
Telford
I presume that 14 refers to year, I have the same bike except 18. I'm worried now as I have the same marks on my wheel rim. Measuring with a caliper they are both 25mm at the widest point.
Halfords said the 14 bike needed a new wheel rim, but I'm sure he didn't examine it much....as he refused to service it. Any advice on how I can actually find out?
The 2nd. image is the 14 bike, the 3rd. the 18.both look the same to me.....
Just point to the serial number and say "Week 04 2014". It would still help to have some backup evidence to show that the throttle was fitted from new, like a review from 2014, forum posts. pictures or anything like that. As time goes on, you won't be able to find those things on the internet, so get them now.
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
7,928
3,648
Telford
Bit of a grey area really.

Was the work carried out by a qualified bike mechanic ?(home trained isnt the same as qualified professional)

If not then that might invalidate the guarantee .

Even changing wheels or anything, needs to be done by pro mechanic.

There was a recent case with Giant. Their carbon Ebike frames were in some cases suffering from cracking, and the owners found that Giant wouldnt honour the guarantee. Reason given was the owner had fitted oem/new parts.

If the manufacturer was to play hard ball they could say naff off as an entire new motor isnt part of original equipment

Unlikely of course in most cases, but the law would still stand and you would be unable to fight against it.
The bike is more than ten years old and Freego have disappeared off the face of the Earth, so I don't think he's too worried about the guarantee.
 
  • :D
Reactions: AndyBike

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,449
30,767
I presume that 14 refers to year, I have the same bike except 18. I'm worried now as I have the same marks on my wheel rim. Measuring with a caliper they are both 25mm at the widest point.
Halfords said the 14 bike needed a new wheel rim, but I'm sure he didn't examine it much....as he refused to service it. Any advice on how I can actually find out?
The 2nd. image is the 14 bike, the 3rd. the 18.both look the same to me.....
Below is a link to page 7, Operational Instructions, of the Freego Regency Owners Manual. This refers to the throttle several times and confirms it had a twist throttle fitted as standard.

Print that out as the proof you need.

.
 
Last edited:

Seanoge

Pedelecer
Jan 16, 2017
173
14
79
Gulval, Penzance
Below is a link to page 7, Operational Instructions, of the Freego Regency Owners Manual. This refers to the throttle several times and conforms it had a twist throttle fitted as standard.

Print that out as the proof you need.

.
Great, thanks for that.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
21,279
8,707
61
West Sx RH
Buy a new rim and lace the old hub back in.
 

Seanoge

Pedelecer
Jan 16, 2017
173
14
79
Gulval, Penzance
You think the Rims need replacing then?. I'm too old to do it myself so will be getting a Mechanic to do it......that's why I thought a new wheel and motor may be easier & cheaper.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
21,279
8,707
61
West Sx RH
Rims have a wear indicator on them , this is a complete shallow grooved line around the rim. Once that indiactor grooved line can no longer be seen in place/s then it is time to think about repalcement .
From the pics they don't look nothing to wory about.