SRAM Powertrain noise

[candlewax]

Hi Everyone -

I am a new owner of a Transition Repeater PT (new SRAM motor) and after just three rides, a new and horrible squeaking noise has developed in the drive-side crank/chainring area. At first I thought it might be the chain (it's been pretty wet, so maybe needed more chain lube), but alas it's where the crank arm meets the spindle and motor housing. I assume it's just some dirt and grime in some of the internals and I would normally just pull the drivetrain apart and clean and re-lube, but being brand new to E-bikes and especially the SRAM motor assembly, I am wondering how far I should go on my own. The SRAM Powertrain manual says I should be able to take the cranks and chainring off (allowing me to get in and clean the area), but I would like to know if someone else here has run into this issue and whether a home cleaning fixes it, or if it is indicative of a bigger internal motor issue that requires visiting a shop/dealer.

Thanks!

 

[Polar]

I have no answer just saying I'm super jealous of the new powertrain.
Lucky you.

 

[Heliflyr]

Hi Everyone -

I am a new owner of a Transition Repeater PT (new SRAM motor) and after just three rides, a new and horrible squeaking noise has developed in the drive-side crank/chainring area. At first I thought it might be the chain (it's been pretty wet, so maybe needed more chain lube), but alas it's where the crank arm meets the spindle and motor housing. I assume it's just some dirt and grime in some of the internals and I would normally just pull the drivetrain apart and clean and re-lube, but being brand new to E-bikes and especially the SRAM motor assembly, I am wondering how far I should go on my own. The SRAM Powertrain manual says I should be able to take the cranks and chainring off (allowing me to get in and clean the area), but I would like to know if someone else here has run into this issue and whether a home cleaning fixes it, or if it is indicative of a bigger internal motor issue that requires visiting a shop/dealer.

Thanks!

Did you get this noise sorted out?

 

[candlewax]

Did you get this noise sorted out?

Yes, the noise went away after a few more rides. Chalk it up to being a new bike and just needing to break things in a bit. It's actually remarkable at how quiet the bike is, it's been a blast!!

 

[Heliflyr]

Yes, the noise went away after a few more rides. Chalk it up to being a new bike and just needing to break things in a bit. It's actually remarkable at how quiet the bike is, it's been a blast!!

How many miles on yours? My first one had a speed sensor problem and after 400 miles they swapped out the whole bike for me, which was cool of them. Now have 400 miles on the replacement and it just developed a serious issue but waiting to see how Transition / SRAM handles it before I post anything specific (video) online.

 

[uxrjav]

How many miles on yours? My first one had a speed sensor problem and after 400 miles they swapped out the whole bike for me, which was cool of them. Now have 400 miles on the replacement and it just developed a serious issue but waiting to see how Transition / SRAM handles it before I post anything specific (video) online.

So what happened? Can you explain more on the issues? Two bikes and two problems in a short ammount of time does not sound good.

Looking at a repeater PT as an option and worried about this.

 

[Heliflyr]

So what happened? Can you explain more on the issues? Two bikes and two problems in a short ammount of time does not sound good.

Looking at a repeater PT as an option and worried about this.

First one had a speed sensor problem. New one has been intermittently having a lot of powered overruns and one time had battery signal error and would not stay powered on. In the process of getting new drive unit and wire harness installed. Hopefully this clears it up because the bike is simply amazing to ride when working properly.

 

[Heliflyr]

Motor and wire harness were swapped out and working perfectly. Let’s hope it was an isolated problem.

 

[Noelmonkey]

How many miles on yours? My first one had a speed sensor problem and after 400 miles they swapped out the whole bike for me, which was cool of them. Now have 400 miles on the replacement and it just developed a serious issue but waiting to see how Transition / SRAM handles it before I post anything specific (video) online.

Interesting. We are on our third display and second complete wiring loom. Now just waiting to install a new battery. I placed a Facebook post a while back asking if anyone had issues and had loads of DM’s with people having same issue. SRAM are still saying we the only ones they know of. Been a nightmare. Zero transparency of what’s actually going on. The dongle for the service shows no errors. Well over this bike

 

[Heliflyr]

Where did you post about the issue on FB? I never saw it. My SRAM guy did say that they were having a few problems with the Transition PT due mostly to their power connector and that also little to none of them have dielectric grease applied as spec’ed. I had over 1,100 miles before they swapped the drive and harness and I only had that power issue twice.

 

[Noelmonkey]

Where did you post about the issue on FB? I never saw it. My SRAM guy did say that they were having a few problems with the Transition PT due mostly to their power connector and that also little to none of them have dielectric grease applied as spec’ed. I had over 1,100 miles before they swapped the drive and harness and I only had that power issue twice.

Ours have had dielectric grease. On the outside of the connector. I highly doubt that’s the problem though as dielectric grease isn’t conductive and shouldn’t actually go on the connectors themselves. Also our bike had only ever been ridden in the dry and not even washed yet. We replaced all cables and then within 100kms we were in the same position again. We are now on a third set of cables and a new drive unit. We are at 130kms now with no issues. I have a brand new battery here to install but waiting for some hope v4 to arrive so I only pull motor and battery once. Fantastic bike to ride when it’s working. However after I’ve walked the bike home multiple times I’m well over being a Guinea pig.

 

[Noelmonkey]

Ours have had dielectric grease. On the outside of the connector. I highly doubt that’s the problem though as dielectric grease isn’t conductive and shouldn’t actually go on the connectors themselves. Also our bike had only ever been ridden in the dry and not even washed yet. We replaced all cables and then within 100kms we were in the same position again. We are now on a third set of cables and a new drive unit. We are at 130kms now with no issues. I have a brand new battery here to install but waiting for some hope v4 to arrive so I only pull motor and battery once. Fantastic bike to ride when it’s working. However after I’ve walked the bike home multiple times I’m well over being a Guinea pig.

 

[Paulh9848]

Ours have had dielectric grease. On the outside of the connector. I highly doubt that’s the problem though as dielectric grease isn’t conductive and shouldn’t actually go on the connectors themselves. Also our bike had only ever been ridden in the dry and not even washed yet. We replaced all cables and then within 100kms we were in the same position again. We are now on a third set of cables and a new drive unit. We are at 130kms now with no issues. I have a brand new battery here to install but waiting for some hope v4 to arrive so I only pull motor and battery once. Fantastic bike to ride when it’s working. However after I’ve walked the bike home multiple times I’m well over being a Guinea pig.

I’ve got the same problem with mine. Fitted a new motor @100 miles. Now it won’t turn on. Great bike when it works. But this will be the 3rd time it’s gone back and only done 300 miles total. Not good enough for a ten grander.

 

[Paulh9848]

I’ve got the same problem with mine. Fitted a new motor @100 miles. Now it won’t turn on. Great bike when it works. But this will be the 3rd time it’s gone back and only done 300 miles total. Not good enough for a ten grander.