50.000 km without issues, is there any mid-drive motor able to do this ?

[Jil]

Hi !

I'm looking for a very reliable mid-drive motor, with torque sensor, able to withstand at least 50.000 km without major issue.
Is this realistic ? Is there any motor able to meet these criteria ? Bosch CX, Shimano EP8, Brose S-Mag, Yamaha PW-X, Bafang M..., Panasonic, etc ?

I know that the Bafang BBS is well known for its durability, but torque-sensor is a must for me (and the BBS has a simple pedal-sensor).

 

[Stihldog]

50K? I haven’t reached that yet but based on how and where I ride I don’t expect to ever reach those numbers. But I’m around 15K so far on the CX gen4. I suppose I could expect that distance if the bike was a commuter, but it’s not. Sometimes it’s a submarine .

 

[Paulquattro]

Conditions will play a massive part
But i do think even in the driest cleanest conditions 50,000km ( 31,068 miles ) is asking a lot truthfully.

 

[Jil]

Conditions would be a round-the-world trip, for example So, pretty rough.
But when I say 50k without major issue, it doesn't mean without preventive maintenance ! Ideally, maintenance that you can do alone.

 

[Stihldog]

I’ve only needed to drop my motor a few times (3-5) for upgrades to the bike (brakes, dropper etc.). I can’t remember actually having to service the motor, other than a mild cleaning. Motors are expensive and I want to be able to work on it myself. But there’s a limit. Specialty tools, ability and time to learn a new skill are my only obstacles. Motors other than the Bosch CX gen4 may be easier.

 

[robbydobs]

I'm going to say NO.

I think to do those mileages every part would need to be serviceable and I don't any can be serviced to that level unless it's some of the lesser used brands like Polini?

I'd use a hub motor for those mileages, also adds some redundancy either motor or drivetrain fails (if it the motor can run on throttle alone). T

If it really is for a round the world trip, you'll also have problems flying with the battery.

 

[Paulquattro]

I'm going to say NO.

I think to do those mileages every part would need to be serviceable and I don't any can be serviced to that level unless it's some of the lesser used brands like Polini?

I'd use a hub motor for those mileages, also adds some redundancy either motor or drivetrain fails (if it the motor can run on throttle alone). T

If it really is for a round the world trip, you'll also have problems flying with the battery.

I would suggest a Hub motor but The OP wanted torque sensing so a figured it was a no from the off
All thou i agree it would be the best chance they have for durability (not a reduction hub type).

 

[Jil]

Thanks for your answers.

I actually have a good hub motor right now on my current bike : GMAC 8T with 52V batteries.
It's perfect on flat lands, but it's clearly inadequate in mountainous areas, especially off-road where you get often inclines above 10%, and where the motor overheats quickly, even at moderate power.

That's why I want to try a mid-motor. I used to have a reliable BBS1 on my former bike, and I've enjoyed nice test rides with Bosch Cargo, Brose S and Shimano EP8 motors, allowing me to compare. That's why my preference would be for a good torque-activated motor.

 

[TQFreak]

Hi !

I'm looking for a very reliable mid-drive motor, with torque sensor, able to withstand at least 50.000 km without major issue.
Is this realistic ? Is there any motor able to meet these criteria ? Bosch CX, Shimano EP8, Brose S-Mag, Yamaha PW-X, Bafang M..., Panasonic, etc ?

I know that the Bafang BBS is well known for its durability, but torque-sensor is a must for me (and the BBS has a simple pedal-sensor).

Yamaha PW-X

 

[Redlemon]

Yamaha PW-X

There are no proof that the Yamaha motor would make it to 50 000km more than a Bosch or whatever.

I would say that you're most likely to run in some kind of issues riding up to 50K so I would consider a motor that shows great initial reliability combined with a great dealer network.

Can't go wrong with Bosch or Yamaha PW-X3/Giant Syncdrive Pro 2 in that perspective.

Brose and Shimano are not showing great reliability even if supported by a great dealer network.

 

[Jil]

Yamaha PW-X

Thanks. I know that Yamaha has a good reputation for reliability, have you tested it yourself (or do you know people happy with their Yamaha motor on the long run) ?

 

[Jil]

Can't go wrong with Bosch or Yamaha PW-X3/Giant Syncdrive Pro 2 in that perspective.

Same question Are you happy, or do you know people happy, with your/their Yamaha or Bosch motor on the long run ?

 

[TQFreak]

Thanks. I know that Yamaha has a good reputation for reliability, have you tested it yourself (or do you know people happy with their Yamaha motor on the long run) ?

I have 1/2 of the distance you ask on my Yamaha pw-x worked 100% of time at maximum power mode in the rain being speed limit derestricted without any issuies. I saw some posts people reported mileage well over 30000 miles on their Yamaha powered bicycles.

I am happy with Yamaha pw-x in terms of reliability but I am going to switch to Bafang m620 due to now I commute on it for longer distance and 250W 80 Nm of Yamaha pw-x combined with 500Wh battery is too slow and too small for this purpose.

 

[spicker]

Isn’t there a ride here with 30k km on their Shimano powered bike? Or am I making that up? I’m sure I saw pics posted of their odo.

 

[sparkbikes]

I think that many motors are capable of this, but there is always uncertainty. And if you really intent to ride in remote areas the lack of repair manuals, parts and specialists is gonna hit you, regardless of the average reliability of the bike/motor. So choose one with good reliability record and service network at the places you want to go.

If you are planning a big trip, I would be interested to know how would do you plan to keep up with charging and keeping a relatively high mileage.

 

[Jil]

If you are planning a big trip, I would be interested to know how would do you plan to keep up with charging and keeping a relatively high mileage.

That's another question I plan to use several batteries, up to 2000 Wh total capacity. For real remote travelling without charging point for more than 200-250 km, the only option is... muscle power, or solar charging.

 

[cappuccino34]

Yamaha PW-X

I had nothing but trouble with my Giant using the PWX-2 motor.
Round the world?
Mine sometimes didn't make it around the block.

 

[cappuccino34]

That's another question I plan to use several batteries, up to 2000 Wh total capacity. For real remote travelling without charging point for more than 200-250 km, the only option is... muscle power, or solar charging.

Some of the Polini powered bikes have dual 500 batteries, one in the downtube and one in the top tube. The batteries themselves are about 2.6kg each, so two either side of a backpack is a possibility.

There's a greasing port on the Polini motor and from memory it needs to be greased every 5000km.

 

[franciscoasismm]

Mis E8000 siguen funcionando bien después de 30.000 km y 18.000 km.

 

[cappuccino34]

My E8000 still runs fine after 30,000 km

View attachment 102857

I know of a few people who have big mileage on the E8000, and right now I can only think of one occasion where one had to be replaced under warranty.

I think Shimano went too far trying to shave weight off the EP8 though and lost durability. Even the launch was delayed for months because of cases cracking on assembly.

 

[Jugglematt]

RIESE & MULLER SUPERDELITE GT ROHLOFF EBIKE​

is the only bike that calls out long touring miles with long battery life. 2x integrated bat , running the rholoff hub , belt drive and bosch motor . the price is a bit of a shock , but seems to do a lot of what your looking for . just sell a kidney to pay for it .

 

[humber44]

There are no proof that the Yamaha motor would make it to 50 000km more than a Bosch or whatever.

I would say that you're most likely to run in some kind of issues riding up to 50K so I would consider a motor that shows great initial reliability combined with a great dealer network.

Can't go wrong with Bosch or Yamaha PW-X3/Giant Syncdrive Pro 2 in that perspective.

Brose and Shimano are not showing great reliability even if supported by a great dealer network.

I Don think so..my pwx motor got water in it and fried the board at about 15000k..they all seem to have trouble with water getting in...I never pressure washed it either just out in wet weather so I built a hub driven bike for winter ..

 

[CarbonMan]

Hi !

I'm looking for a very reliable mid-drive motor, with torque sensor, able to withstand at least 50.000 km without major issue.
Is this realistic ? Is there any motor able to meet these criteria ? Bosch CX, Shimano EP8, Brose S-Mag, Yamaha PW-X, Bafang M..., Panasonic, etc ?

I know that the Bafang BBS is well known for its durability, but torque-sensor is a must for me (and the BBS has a simple pedal-sensor).

I think you'd need a direct-drive motor to have a shot at it (no gears to wear out). The only one I can think of that might qualify is the TQ motor, which has some kind of eccentric 'gear' thingy but not actual gears, from the picture on their website. They make a 50Nm (Trek fuel exe, others) and I think I've seen mention of a 60 Nm version. They make a 120Nm but haven't seen anything like it on bikes.

For hub motors, I believe Falco has an internal torque sensor and is direct drive, so it might make that distance.

 

[MountainBoy]

There are a lot of fully manual pedal bikes that come with crank bearings that can't make it 50K kms without replacement. That said, most mid-drive e-bikes come with beefier crank bearings.

 

[franciscoasismm]

I know of a few people who have big mileage on the E8000, and right now I can only think of one occasion where one had to be replaced under warranty.

I think Shimano went too far trying to shave weight off the EP8 though and lost durability. Even the launch was delayed for months because of cases cracking on assembly.

An E8000 with SKF bearings could reach 50,000 km

 

[Bearing Man]

We service and repair many eBike motors belonging to delivery riders, dispatch riders and long distance riders etc. It's not uncommon for us to see road bike motors with 50,000 to 60,000 miles ( 80,467 to 96,560km) on them. The ones we have seen with this type of mileage on them are generally in very good condition internally with a little backlash on the gears, but nothing too bad.
This does go to show that the bearings and gears are more than up to the job in most motors when used on road.

 

[franciscoasismm]

We service and repair many eBike motors belonging to delivery riders, dispatch riders and long distance riders etc. It's not uncommon for us to see road bike motors with 50,000 to 60,000 miles ( 80,467 to 96,560km) on them. The ones we have seen with this type of mileage on them are generally in very good condition internally with a little backlash on the gears, but nothing too bad.
This does go to show that the bearings and gears are more than up to the job in most motors when used on road.

Do you remember which is the E8000 with the most kilometers that you have seen?

 

[Bearing Man]

Do you remember which is the E8000 with the most kilometers that you have seen?

Although we used to repair Shimano motors, we stopped working on them due to their software issues and total lack of support.
Unfortunately, this means we don't have anywhere near the data that we have amassed on other motors, or enough knowledge to answer this question accurately.

 

[Jil]

Many thanks to all for your useful inputs

 

[Jil]

We service and repair many eBike motors belonging to delivery riders, dispatch riders and long distance riders etc. It's not uncommon for us to see road bike motors with 50,000 to 60,000 miles ( 80,467 to 96,560km) on them. The ones we have seen with this type of mileage on them are generally in very good condition internally with a little backlash on the gears, but nothing too bad.
This does go to show that the bearings and gears are more than up to the job in most motors when used on road.

Do you remember what were the main models of motor with such mileage ?