Don't ignore stiff cranks!!!

[Slowroller]

How to turn a bearing into a bushing, just add water.

 

[Kiwi in Wales]

Yup, don't worry, I was with you It may look different on the outside...but that's it! Same on the inside.

Thanks for confirming Bearing Man. Sad and worrying to know Brose have done sweet FA to seal their newer 2019 model engines.

2019 Levo motors. Yes, we will make it lighter using magnesium, yes we will make it more powerful, what? add a simple seal or 2 into the engine to stop water getting in? No, sod that, that would be far too difficult to do....... This is hopefully why we will see more of the new IP67 rated Mahle motors in the next gen Specialized ebikes.

 

[HORSPWR]

You don't really notice a slightly stiff crank while pedalling forward, but if you turn your crank arms backwards and feel resistance you may want to dig a little deeper.

The main reason I am writing this post is because of several other posts I have seen on this issue where people with stiff cranks have been advised to "tip oil into the crank" or "just ride until it stops!". The truth is that a stiff crankshaft is usually caused by a dry crankshaft needle roller bearing. This bearing supports the
crankshaft within the sprocket carrier.

The bearing runs directly on the crankshaft and uses the motors crankshaft as the bearing surface, once this surface is damaged, it is GAME OVER!! You can't buy another one and our stocks are limited.

So what happens and why?
Brose have used a needle bearing with two rubber seals built into it. This is fairly common but this is a bearing designed to keep grease within itself, it's not really designed to keep water out, and this is what it's being used for! Once water breaches the seal, the bearing starts to fail, the worse the bearing gets the less effective the seals become, eventually letting water straight through into the motor.

If your bearing is bad then putting oil into it is like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted. All you are doing is filling your motor up with another substance that is not supposed to be in there (makes my life harder when cleaning it all out too!).

Take a look at some of the pictures below if you wan't to see what this bearing is capable of. (none of these motors had been jet washed)

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Makes me glad I live in the desert and rarely wash my bike!

 

[brizi2003]

I have a 2019 Kenevo bought in Nov 2018 and its already had a motor replacement after 6 months. I recently left the bike standing for 2 weeks whilst I was away and the cranks had 'siezed' - i.e. wouldn't freewheel backwards within the motor like normal. After a bit of pedalling forwards backwards they free'd up but now seem to make a small (but audible) scraping sound once per revolution when pedalled backwards. Motor is still under warranty till Nov 2020. The cranks rotate as normal for now. Do you think it's worth pursuing a warranty claim at this point or better to wait as late as possible before the warranty expires - assuming they don't keep 'seizing'?

 

[Gareth Bowen]

Had my Levo for three years no .Ridden three times a week ,usually muddy ! Never had a problem .
Secret ? Never wash it !! No point !

 

[ebikerider]

2020 Levo with 500klms on it and I've washed it twice from new. Pedaling backwards was initially silent and drag free but the past week or so I was getting a wind up noise and the resistance starting increasing very slightly. Took it to the shop and they contacted Specialized. New motor ordered...coming from Singapore, hopefully get it this week.

 

[Paul Mac]

I don't know how Specialized are getting away with this, its outrageous.
The motors and electronics are not fit for purpose, and they've had years to rectify, they're basically sticking two fingers up at customers!

 

[salko]

Today while cleaning complete drivetrain I noticed slight rubbing sound (keep volume up or use headphones if you don't hear it) and some unusual/inconsistent resistance while rotating the spider forward - as you can see the cranck bump at specific angle - is this normal or is somewhat connected to the problem you are all talking about here? While I turning crank arm backwards I can't feel much of a resistance, just a bit of a swoosh sound ...

 

[Zimmerframe]

In 5 months I've ridden 1500 nautical miles and descended and climbed 30,000 fathoms. I mainly ride in scuba gear and had no problems so far.

 

[TomH79]

Today while cleaning complete drivetrain I noticed slight rubbing sound (keep volume up or use headphones if you don't hear it) and some unusual/inconsistent resistance while rotating the spider forward - as you can see the cranck bump at specific angle - is this normal or is somewhat connected to the problem you are all talking about here? While I turning crank arm backwards I can't feel much of a resistance, just a bit of a swoosh sound ...

Thats a belt sound

 

[brizi2003]

Had my Levo for three years no .Ridden three times a week ,usually muddy ! Never had a problem .
Secret ? Never wash it !! No point !

How do you keep the chain etc. clean? Can you post a pic?

 

[Gareth Bowen]

How do you keep the chain etc. clean? Can you post a pic?

Chain cleaner/wet lube chain oil and change chain/both sprockets regularly,
Gar

 

[Spicey]

You don't really notice a slightly stiff crank while pedalling forward, but if you turn your crank arms backwards and feel resistance you may want to dig a little deeper.

The main reason I am writing this post is because of several other posts I have seen on this issue where people with stiff cranks have been advised to "tip oil into the crank" or "just ride until it stops!". The truth is that a stiff crankshaft is usually caused by a dry crankshaft needle roller bearing. This bearing supports the
crankshaft within the sprocket carrier.

The bearing runs directly on the crankshaft and uses the motors crankshaft as the bearing surface, once this surface is damaged, it is GAME OVER!! You can't buy another one and our stocks are limited.

So what happens and why?
Brose have used a needle bearing with two rubber seals built into it. This is fairly common but this is a bearing designed to keep grease within itself, it's not really designed to keep water out, and this is what it's being used for! Once water breaches the seal, the bearing starts to fail, the worse the bearing gets the less effective the seals become, eventually letting water straight through into the motor.

If your bearing is bad then putting oil into it is like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted. All you are doing is filling your motor up with another substance that is not supposed to be in there (makes my life harder when cleaning it all out too!).

Take a look at some of the pictures below if you wan't to see what this bearing is capable of. (none of these motors had been jet washed)

View attachment 24992

View attachment 24993

View attachment 24994

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View attachment 24996

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So how do we prevent this from happening in the future?

 

[Spicey]

I have a 2019 Kenevo bought in Nov 2018 and its already had a motor replacement after 6 months. I recently left the bike standing for 2 weeks whilst I was away and the cranks had 'siezed' - i.e. wouldn't freewheel backwards within the motor like normal. After a bit of pedalling forwards backwards they free'd up but now seem to make a small (but audible) scraping sound once per revolution when pedalled backwards. Motor is still under warranty till Nov 2020. The cranks rotate as normal for now. Do you think it's worth pursuing a warranty claim at this point or better to wait as late as possible before the warranty expires - assuming they don't keep 'seizing'?

I have the same issue with a kenevo, parked up for two weeks and now cranks jammed solid. Will not pedal backwards, going in for a replacement motor with another two years warranty, thats after 900miles riding through shit weather.

 

[#lazy]

I have the same issue with a kenevo, parked up for two weeks and now cranks jammed solid. Will not pedal backwards, going in for a replacement motor with another two years warranty, thats after 900miles riding through shit weather.

No 2 year rolling warranty mate just 2 year warranty from date or purchase I have been schooled on this !

 

[Spicey]

Thats not good at all, thanks for that.

 

[Spicey]

Think i might go back to a simple hardtail after.

 

[brizi2003]

Think i might go back to a simple hardtail after.

I bought a hardtail to ride when my Kenevo is in for repair! Kenevo is still the best thing when its working!

 

[HORSPWR]

I bought a hardtail to ride when my Kenevo is in for repair! Kenevo is still the best thing when its working!

I'd rather have the second best thing that works all the time than the best thing that hardly works!

 

[ebikerider]

New motor fitted. Apparently it a new 2.2 version. No idea what the changes to this motor are if any

 

[CjP]

New motor fitted. Apparently it a new 2.2 version. No idea what the changes to this motor are if any

 

[ebikerider]

View attachment 25985

lol yeah could be. Apparently a shipment have just arrived in Australia

 

[CjP]

lol yeah could be. Apparently a shipment have just arrived in Australia

Was dying to use that. Hopefully it is an updated motor so they can silence all the hate.

 

[brizi2003]

I'd rather have the second best thing that works all the time than the best thing that hardly works!

So would I but I can't find any emtbs that do that!

 

[sniffy]

Thanks Bearing man - Read this and checked - found stiff cranks, chain off and soaked with oil and after a two or three minutes rotating it freed off and feels and sounds OK, no bearing rumble detected
Not sure if I've been lucky and maybe the seal was dry but even though I check and lube regularly I never noticed the problem
So if the bearing do go, what's the fix ???

 

[brizi2003]

Thanks Bearing man - Read this and checked - found stiff cranks, chain off and soaked with oil and after a two or three minutes rotating it freed off and feels and sounds OK, no bearing rumble detected
Not sure if I've been lucky and maybe the seal was dry but even though I check and lube regularly I never noticed the problem
So if the bearing do go, what's the fix ???

I thought he advised against adding oil?

 

[brizi2003]

Are there any legal people on this forum? I was wondering what our legal position is when the Specialized warranty expires if parts have been replaced once or more under warranty - due to what most people believe is a design flaw. Here is a link to an article discussing this very topic (but for other electrical appliances) - Faulty goods? You've still got rights when the guarantee runs out

 

[#lazy]

“Edited” I love that “Consumer rights act” ! Spesh haven’t a leg to stand on with these motor claims , same with fox/marz shocks !