Another big up to EBike Motor Centre (Performance Line Bearings)

[MrSimmo]

So after my Levo's 2nd motor started doing strange things (wouldn't back pedal, lots of noise), I dutifully took it to the bike shop where I bought the bike (a large UK main dealer for Specialized) as the bike/motor was still within its warranty.

The bike shop said they'd have to send the motor away instead of the previous service I'd had where they swapped it while I waited; they said they'd try to raise a warranty claim with Specialized but it may get rejected.

I did think about trying the warranty route but being without a bike for weeks and then potentially having the claim rejected and having another OEM motor that would probably only blow up again; I decided to get in contact with the guys at Ebike Motor Centre in Fordingbridge.

10 days later, I now have a completely rebuilt motor; stronger parts fitted and a much better solution to water and dirt ingress... and a years warranty (which takes my total motor warranty inc OEM to 5 years!).

It's a shame that I couldn't rely on Specialized's warranty, but for the price (a lot less than a new motor) - it's definitely worth it, at least in my eyes.


Big thanks to the guys over there, I'd highly recommend them if you are thinking about motor work.

 

[cozzy]

Thats great but also sucks. Wonder if due to finances specialized are cutting back on their legendary warranty service, or if its the dealer being rubbish.

 

[#lazy]

I would’ve thought that a soon as the motors been serviced outside of spesh their warranty is invalid , might be wrong though !

 

[MrSimmo]

I would’ve thought that a soon as the motors been serviced outside of spesh their warranty is invalid , might be wrong though !

You're correct; the extra years' warranty is through Ebike centre rather than Specialized as part of the work they did.

 

[Mikefiver]

Ebike Motor Centre serviced and upgraded my 2018 Levo motor almost 3 years ago.
It’s had a hard life usually around Innerleithen. Motor is still as smooth and reliable as it was after the work was done.
These guys know what they’re doing!

 

[randycpu]

Ebike Motor Centre serviced and upgraded my 2018 Levo motor almost 3 years ago.
It’s had a hard life usually around Innerleithen. Motor is still as smooth and reliable as it was after the work was done.
These guys know what they’re doing!

Can I ask the cost of your motor rebuild?
Their web site says costs will vary depending on the work performed...

 

[Mikefiver]

Can I ask the cost of your motor rebuild?
Their web site says costs will vary depending on the work performed...

My motor had a broken clutch bearing probably from a heavy pedal strike/crash. I got a full upgrade done. The cost was £240 which included a bearing replacement as a precaution.
It’s probably more expensive now though.
Cheers

 

[MrSimmo]

Can I ask the cost of your motor rebuild?
Their web site says costs will vary depending on the work performed...

£220 iirc, but it varies on what needs to be done, plus I paid for the upgrade kit which improves water ingress resistance and some other bits

 

[Mikefiver]

£220 iirc, but it varies on what needs to be done, plus I paid for the upgrade kit which improves water ingress resistance and some other bits

If I was buying a new one, I’d be very tempted to take the motor out and send it to them straight away and stuff the warranty. The upgrade does a great job in keeping the water out. Mine isn’t jet washed or anything but it’s out in all weather.

 

[cozzy]

My brose 2.1 was £350. Needed a new torque sensor, power output was variable. This was about £90.
The motor was pretty decent inside as i don't ride in the wet, but was still showing slight signs of water ingress.
Oh and it was 4 years old.

 

[MrSimmo]

If I was buying a new one, I’d be very tempted to take the motor out and send it to them straight away and stuff the warranty. The upgrade does a great job in keeping the water out. Mine isn’t jet washed or anything but it’s out in all weather.

Agree 100% - if I were going Brose again, Id seriously consider this route from new

 

[Digital]

So after my Levo's 2nd motor started doing strange things (wouldn't back pedal, lots of noise), I dutifully took it to the bike shop where I bought the bike (a large UK main dealer for Specialized) as the bike/motor was still within its warranty.

The bike shop said they'd have to send the motor away instead of the previous service I'd had where they swapped it while I waited; they said they'd try to raise a warranty claim with Specialized but it may get rejected.

I did think about trying the warranty route but being without a bike for weeks and then potentially having the claim rejected and having another OEM motor that would probably only blow up again; I decided to get in contact with the guys at Ebike Motor Centre in Fordingbridge.

10 days later, I now have a completely rebuilt motor; stronger parts fitted and a much better solution to water and dirt ingress... and a years warranty (which takes my total motor warranty inc OEM to 5 years!).

It's a shame that I couldn't rely on Specialized's warranty, but for the price (a lot less than a new motor) - it's definitely worth it, at least in my eyes.


Big thanks to the guys over there, I'd highly recommend them if you are thinking about motor work.

Cool. Those cats at Fordingbridge seem to really have their act together!

 

[steve_sordy]

My previous bike had a Shimano e8000. I did over 3000 miles without issue. I sold the bike and heard nothing back.
My current bike has a Shimano EP8 motor and I've done just over 3000 miles, again without issue. There is no movement in the crank when I rock it from side to side, the cranks spin freely and there is no grittiness. It sounds just fine; I don't even get the clatter that so many complain about.
I will be out of the country for a month later this year. I am wondering whether to send the motor off for a service while I'm away (like you do for suspension, before they go wrong). Is this a matter of "a stitch in time saves nine" or "don't fix what isn't broken"?

 

[Digital]

My previous bike had a Shimano e8000. I did over 3000 miles without issue. I sold the bike and heard nothing back.
My current bike has a Shimano EP8 motor and I've done just over 3000 miles, again without issue. There is no movement in the crank when I rock it from side to side, the cranks spin freely and there is no grittiness. It sounds just fine; I don't even get the clatter that so many complain about.
I will be out of the country for a month later this year. I am wondering whether to send the motor off for a service while I'm away (like you do for suspension, before they go wrong). Is this a matter of "a stitch in time saves nine" or "don't fix what isn't broken"?

I had my motor rebuilt over the winter "just in case" / "preventative maintenance". Feels better mentally when I'm deep in the backcountry

 

[steve_sordy]

I had my motor rebuilt over the winter "just in case" / "preventative maintenance". Feels better mentally when I'm deep in the backcountry

Thanks forthat, what motor is it?

 

[Digital]

Thanks forthat, what motor is it?

2018 Brose. Second motor for this bike. Spesh' warrantied the first one / the second one I'm babying

 

[Streddaz]

My previous bike had a Shimano e8000. I did over 3000 miles without issue. I sold the bike and heard nothing back.
My current bike has a Shimano EP8 motor and I've done just over 3000 miles, again without issue. There is no movement in the crank when I rock it from side to side, the cranks spin freely and there is no grittiness. It sounds just fine; I don't even get the clatter that so many complain about.
I will be out of the country for a month later this year. I am wondering whether to send the motor off for a service while I'm away (like you do for suspension, before they go wrong). Is this a matter of "a stitch in time saves nine" or "don't fix what isn't broken"?

The eBike Motor Centre don't support Shimano motors as Shimano won't share the error code information, and apparently when you crack open the motor it can induce an error code and effectively brick the motor. You can buy some of them bearings off them but it's your risk to do the work yourself.

 

[Bearing Man]

My motor had a broken clutch bearing probably from a heavy pedal strike/crash. I got a full upgrade done. The cost was £240 which included a bearing replacement as a precaution.
It’s probably more expensive now though.
Cheers

Don't worry, we haven't put our prices up for a couple of years now.

The eBike Motor Centre don't support Shimano motors as Shimano won't share the error code information, and apparently when you crack open the motor it can induce an error code and effectively brick the motor. You can buy some of them bearings off them but it's your risk to do the work yourself.

We do try and support Shimano as much as possible with parts and bearings etc. And we used to repair lots of them (The fault code when a motor is opened is a total myth).
Sadly, Shimano are absolutely adamant that their motor is a sealed unit and not repairable. Therefor they will not entertain anyone working on their motors... full stop!
We know their motors are totally repairable and resealable, but this attitude is just going to hurt them badly in the long run.
If the bike manufacturers knew just how many people do not buy another one of their bikes after bad Shimano experience they would be able to put the pressure on Shimano to help us to help their customers.

 

[Bearing Man]

Just saying

Interesting

 

[Weeksy]

Don't worry, we haven't put our prices up for a couple of years now.

We do try and support Shimano as much as possible with parts and bearings etc. And we used to repair lots of them (The fault code when a motor is opened is a total myth).
Sadly, Shimano are absolutely adamant that their motor is a sealed unit and not repairable. Therefor they will not entertain anyone working on their motors... full stop!
We know their motors are totally repairable and resealable, but this attitude is just going to hurt them badly in the long run.
If the bike manufacturers knew just how many people do not buy another one of their bikes after bad Shimano experience they would be able to put the pressure on Shimano to help us to help their customers.

I guess the problem is mutiple, from the fact that not everyone knows about any issues, but also the fact that not all buyers have much choice.
I chose the Rise and i really like it. Mine has the newer EP6RS motor and full warranty. In truth, i bought the bike because i'd ridden a slightly older EP8RS a fair bit and really liked it, then Orbea at MTB Monster dropped the price to £3000 for £5500 and it was bought. If the bike needs a motor after warranty ends i still will feel i'm quids in and happy with it.
If i'd paid £5500 and had an issue, i'd maybe feel slightly differently.
I'm still hoping that by the time my warranty is up, you'll have solutions for any of the issues

 

[James_C]

Don't worry, we haven't put our prices up for a couple of years now.

We do try and support Shimano as much as possible with parts and bearings etc. And we used to repair lots of them (The fault code when a motor is opened is a total myth).
Sadly, Shimano are absolutely adamant that their motor is a sealed unit and not repairable. Therefor they will not entertain anyone working on their motors... full stop!
We know their motors are totally repairable and resealable, but this attitude is just going to hurt them badly in the long run.
If the bike manufacturers knew just how many people do not buy another one of their bikes after bad Shimano experience they would be able to put the pressure on Shimano to help us to help their customers.

This is pretty terrible, and wasteful for environmental resources etc. This is also very offputting to buying a shimano equipped bike! I'd been looking at a new canyon, using the shimano 801 motor. This definitely puts me off.

 

[Streddaz]

Don't worry, we haven't put our prices up for a couple of years now.

We do try and support Shimano as much as possible with parts and bearings etc. And we used to repair lots of them (The fault code when a motor is opened is a total myth).
Sadly, Shimano are absolutely adamant that their motor is a sealed unit and not repairable. Therefor they will not entertain anyone working on their motors... full stop!
We know their motors are totally repairable and resealable, but this attitude is just going to hurt them badly in the long run.
If the bike manufacturers knew just how many people do not buy another one of their bikes after bad Shimano experience they would be able to put the pressure on Shimano to help us to help their customers.

Not sure where I heard about the fault code when opening the motors but that's interesting to know.
Do any of the brands supply spare parts to you or have you had to source them all yourselves?
Honestly, all motor manufacturers should have their motors as fully serviceable units with not only bearings and seals as service parts, but gears, shafts, housings and electronics that are all able to be replaced.
I won't buy a Shimano powered bike for this reason.

 

[Bearing Man]

Not sure where I heard about the fault code when opening the motors but that's interesting to know.
Do any of the brands supply spare parts to you or have you had to source them all yourselves?
Honestly, all motor manufacturers should have their motors as fully serviceable units with not only bearings and seals as service parts, but gears, shafts, housings and electronics that are all able to be replaced.
I won't buy a Shimano powered bike for this reason

Until very recently, no manufacture would sell any internal motor parts. So everything had to be sourced by ourselves. This has changed since we became the Brose Warranty Service Centre for the UK and Southern Ireland. We then became the trusted after warranty service repair centre (worldwide) for Specialized through us and our service partners. This then allowed Brose to offer us sole supply for the internal motor parts to help us support their motors. We can also source Yamaha parts, but currently, that's about it. Although there is more in the pipeline that I can't talk about just yet.
I just wish Shimano would talk to us

 

[James_C]

Peter - does this mean you are fixing broken motors for customers for warranty, then sending them back rather than the usual replacement that went on ? Is this done on an exchange basis now, so customers aren't getting new motors, they are getting refurbed ones? or do you wait for repair via yourselves then get sent back your old motor once fixed?

 

[randycpu]

Peter - does this mean you are fixing broken motors for customers for warranty, then sending them back rather than the usual replacement that went on ? Is this done on an exchange basis now, so customers aren't getting new motors, they are getting refurbed ones? or do you wait for repair via yourselves then get sent back your old motor once fixed?

I think you almost always got a refurb and not a new motor from Spec

 

[irie]

Until very recently, no manufacture would sell any internal motor parts. So everything had to be sourced by ourselves. This has changed since we became the Brose Warranty Service Centre for the UK and Southern Ireland. We then became the trusted after warranty service repair centre (worldwide) for Specialized through us and our service partners. This then allowed Brose to offer us sole supply for the internal motor parts to help us support their motors. We can also source Yamaha parts, but currently, that's about it. Although there is more in the pipeline that I can't talk about just yet.
I just wish Shimano would talk to us

Reading between the lines I do understand exactly what you're saying.

 

[Bearing Man]

Peter - does this mean you are fixing broken motors for customers for warranty, then sending them back rather than the usual replacement that went on ? Is this done on an exchange basis now, so customers aren't getting new motors, they are getting refurbed ones? or do you wait for repair via yourselves then get sent back your old motor once fixed?

No, we don't fix any motor within it's warranty period for Brose, these are exchanged un the UK through us for a new motor so long as warranty terms are met. This can only be done through a Brose dealer and they would be dealing with our daughter company 'EMCB' (eBike Motor Centre Brose).
We also don't deal with any Specialized Brose motor within it's warranty period, this is currently done direct between Specialized and Brose. We only repair and service these once outside of warranty.