Decoy go BOOM....

[MarkH]

Apologies for the click bait title, but my 2019 Decoy Pro has packed in, 'E010' and no support. Powering off and on just causes the Steps logo to flash on and off, it never gets as far as the normal display.

The battery itself has its LEDs flashing 3 on then 2 on repeatedly when off the bike and I've cleaned up all the electrical connections with Iso and electrical grease, so i'm fairly certain its the battery itself and was quite prepared to buy a new battery.

I've boxed the bike up and sent it to the Mill and they're saying both a new battery and new motor - I'm awaiting details on whats actually gone on the motor as it was working fine until the battery died. Almost 1700 quid in total, as it's well out of warranty.

I also have a 2017 carbon Levo (like to have 2 ebikes, one as a spare) and am planning to buy a new ebike within the next month or so, but was planning on keeping the Decoy as the spare and moving the Levo on. Both bikes are in great condition (both wrapped from new) and the Levo has a virtually unused replacement motor.

I'm assuming the replacement battery and motor will have at least a years warranty but does anyone know if this is transferable to a new owner if i move the Decoy on, as this will make it more saleable. (I've asked YT but await a response)

So my dllemma; spend almost 2 grand to repair a bike thats worth maybe 3 grand. And if so, then move it on and keep the Levo as the spare, or move on the Levo keeping the repaired Decoy.

Or don't bother repairing it, strip the bling off for other projects, and sell the frame etc.

So looking for advice on the above and also is there anyone repairing (rather then merely replacing) Shimano motors in the UK
Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[MarkH]

Update - YT have confirmed the motor and battery will have a new 2 year warranty if replaced but havent confirmed if this is transferable.
They have also confirmed that the motor is being replaced due to an error E01020 code which means 'replace the motor'
The replacement, plus some other maintenance costs they have suggested come to almost 2.5K, so my basic dilemma is to pay up and have a 'good as new' Decoy' which I really have to keep for another 2 years. However this will become my backup bike, used by friends who visit, and myself if the new 'main bike' has problems. And sell the spare Levo (maybe worth 2K)
Or don't bother repairing it, strip it for parts, and then use my Levo as backup bike. The Decoy would be a slightly more useful spare than the Levo, as will be used mostly in the Alps, especially as I'm looking at a lite ebike as my new main ride.
Its likely the net difference in cost will be 500 quid less anything I can get for the Decoy parts. I've never sold a bike frame so no clue as to worth - Any ideas.
Seems I'm leaning towards repairing and keeping the Decoy - Am i mad?

 

[Monkey Dog]

How much do you like the Decoy?

 

[Dirtnvert]

2.5k seems steep. I think you can buy a new motor on ebay for 1k and a battery from yt for under 1k. Id just try the battery first and go from there. If i was going to go for 2.5k id be trying to get an ep8 set up from them. Idk maybe its possible they can do that. If it turns out its just the battery and you buy a new one maybe you could get the old one refurbished. So many questions. You have a spare though. So worth a try

 

[steve_sordy]

Which bike would you more easily sell for a good price? The YT with a new motor and a new battery will do well. Even if the warranty is not transferable, you will have the paperwork to prove the motor and battery are new. The carbon Levo has no warranty either, and its five years old! Good luck with that!

But if you like the YT, why not keep your as new bike and sell off the Levo for what you can get for it (not much I'll bet).

Assign head or tail to either choice. Toss a coin and see what the result is (no cheating). Ask yourself, "am I pleased?" If not, choose the other option!

 

[MarkH]

Guys

Thanks for all your input.
The 2.5K cost is a bit steep. The motor and battery is 1700 and the rest is a full service inc F&R shocks, all bearings replaced, new headstock and full XT drivetrain replacement. So it should be good as new as all needed replacing as its had 2 summers in the Alps.
I still love the way the Decoy rides and if I sold it on would have to replace it with something similar (leaning towards a Kenevo) for the Alpine stuff, wheras if I keep it, then the new bike can be something a bit different, possibly an Orbea Rise, which I tested last week and was really impressed with but which wouldnt be as suitable for some of the stuff I do in france.

 

[Dirtnvert]

Tough call. Itll basically be new after all that and i have a lot of faith in tge frame holding up. Mine is a '19 as well. It saw a lot of vert after my motor blew at 1800km. It took almost 4 months the get a warrantee motor(covid and shimano canada both suck). For 4 months i rode the ljft in revelstoke with it. Super quick gondi laps are 4000ft of vert at there shortest so 4-7 laps/day adds up and the frame and pivots never flinched. Wheels too for that matter. Ive yet to replace wheel bearings in ghase dt swiss 1900's

 

[MarkH]

I bit the bullet and authorised the repairs as I still love the Decoy - expecting it back in 3-4 weeks.

Also went and bought an Orbea Rise M10 as wanted something a bit different to go with the Decoy. Its been an expensive weekend but you can't take it with you........

 

[Dirtnvert]

Basically a new decoy and thats not a bad thing for 2.5k.
Had fun on mine again today

 

[MarkH]

Update - YT have now offered me 700 quid off the new battery and motor as a gesture.

Have to admit I'm impressed by the UK service centre.

 

[Dirtnvert]

Update - YT have now offered me 700 quid off the new battery and motor as a gesture.

Have to admit I'm impressed by the UK service centre.

Good stuff

 

[MarkH]

To conclude this, bike is on its way back to me
If anyone is on the fence about choosing a YT based on lack of local service, then I can say dealing with the YT Mill has been excellent with both customer service and the mechanics contacting me at regular intervals as updates became available.
Approx 4 weeks to replace motor and battery, get all suspension serviced by Fox, new bearings throughout and new headstock and drive train. That's quite a bit faster than my local specialised dealer replaced my Levo motor. Final bill 1800 GBP.
So, if you have access to a service centre (UK, US & Europe), buying via the net shouldn't be a concern.

 

[ebkilla]

I love my Decoy, parts break and ebikes are expensive. Great to hear about the service. I hope that one day Shimano will make their systems serviceable instead of throw away when they fail. Bosch is going this route. I have never ridden a Bosch but I do love the Shimano.

 

[Hale_Storming]

Hey Guys, this thread worries me. Let me explain. I have a Decoy Elite. I just arrived at Val Di Fassa and my bike died on my first run down Double U. Just as @MarkH experianced; I've got the Steps logo flashing on and off and it never gets as far as the normal display.

Took it to the LBS and their diagnostics can't see the battery. They suggest the battery to motor connection has failed but as its a YT battery I need to go back to YT for a replacement.

Emailed YT today and also spoke to Customer service - they told me their super busy as its peak season so I will need to wait 5-8 days for a reply.

Here's me thinking, I just need to wait a couple of weeks to replace a wire that shouldn't be to expensive. But now I realise it may be more serious.

@MarkH Did you get any error messages?

 

[ebkilla]

Sounds like a loose wire. I'm guessing the wire from the display to the motor. You can probably fix it yourself but it's a little bit of a pain. You have get in there find the connection and I would reconnect the wire make sure it works and use some lock tight on any screw threads.

 

[CHENCHIN]

Hola

 

[ebkilla]

Loose wire for sure. Check them all, easy fix. Tip, use some loctite on any connection screws won't happen again.

Hola