Ebike reliability

[Paul Mac]

Hi all,
I have a 2019 Specialized Levo and have had a couple of power leads fail and recently a rear xd drive wore out.
I do use my bike at least twice a week and have over 3000 miles on it, and it is ridden in some nasty conditions.
Unfortunately most of my riding peers are on the same bike and we are all experiencing the same issues, mainly with the power cable failures.
My question is, is this a Specialized thing, or are all ebikes from different brands having endemic failures as well.
I'm wondering if you just hear about the Specialized problems more as they are the most common ebike?
What are your experiences?

 

[Zimmerframe]

Your title is a perfect Oxymoron.

I'm wondering if you just hear about the Specialized problems more as they are the most common ebike?

I think so, they all have problems. It's still relatively in it's infancy and whilst batteries, motors and so on get used in some fairly extreme conditions, it's taking time for the companies to learn what does and doesn't work when it comes to bikes.

The power cable thing is pretty much a Specialised problem though. I don't think anyone else has a floating power cable you connect to the battery and have to remove each time you want to charge it. We should probably start thinking of it as a "service item". It's actually a really neat idea, but at the same time it's a crap idea !

 

[MattyB]

All ebikes are less reliable than analog bikes, but IMO (and it is only an opinion) the Brose motored Specializeds are less reliable than other options. I base this not on my own experience (I don't have one) but on those I know who do - all 5 have had at least one motor replacement and in some cases 2 under warranty, plus a number of additional electrical issues, mostly linked to the power cable and sealing of the control unit in the top tube. Some still love their bikes, but for others this has spoiled their enjoyment to the extent they say they would not buy Spec again.

I personally view the 2019 Levo as a beta product at launch that had a number of avoidable issues including a lovely muck collector at the base of the swingarm. This (combined with my very average Spec dealer who doesn't seem to know much about the ebike side) means I would not buy one myself. YMMV.

 

[R120]

I have two Shimano motored bikes, but most of the people I ride with have Levo's and they have the same problems you describe

One of my motors went after 2k, but up until then I had zero faults or issues. My other bike has about 1500miles on it an no issue. Both bikes ridden all condition all year.

It does seem to me that the Specialized seem to suffer with a lot of niggly faults, that are not major and quick enough to fix, but still require a trip to the dealer, whereas other brands seem to have an all out failure or nothing.

 

[Paul Mac]

Your title is a perfect Oxymoron.

 

[Robbie928]

It’s like everything I own a 2020 Levo and wouldn’t deny they have their issues but it’s a popular bike, like everything more of them more problems show up but Ebikes will chuck up issues I’ve already found I use it more and in worst conditions than my analogue bike because I can and I would say others are the same? What I will say is my LBS are spot on with help, faults and warranty failures I can put up with as the enjoyment ect is worth it but I hope they sort it out for 2021 bikes