Fazua Ride 60. Yay or Nay? Reliability Improved?

[G-Sport]

Considering a Ride 60 equipped bike (latest motor). How is the reliability these days? I know there were a lot of problems in the past but have they improved? Would you buy again?
My current bike is a Levo SL and the motor and electronics have given me some problems but nothing that left me without power out on the trails (so far, fingers crossed) which would be my biggest worry.

 

[notaninfluencer]

i heard a lot of motors get noisey.... no idea on percentages but a lot get swapped.

 

[ehfour]

I have the Version 2.0 on mine, I've heard they are up to 4.0- No idea what the rolling updates are though
Mine has been very quiet since day 1- (Knock on wood), there are times when Im mashing that the motor gets loud
I do ride pretty much exclusively in Green(eco) and River(Blue)- Any time I hear the loud whine is when testing Pink (Rocket)

My theory is to put less strain on the motor by riding in the lower assist modes- No idea if this works on not

My stats from Trailforks
Rides
15
Distance
189 km
Climb
8,517 m
Descent
8,563 m
Moving Time
18h 10m

 

[Ou812]

My mate returned his Heckler SL after a month, it went through 2 motors and 2 ring controllers. Both of his motors were the “newest” version 4s but they still failed for the same thing the original versions did. They get loud when they get hot and eventually implode.

 

[Dax]

Can’t comment on reliability, but spent a few hours riding a Pivot Shuttle with the Fazua motor. Power felt similar to Specilized SL, quieter than SL, much more drag with the motor off so the bike felt less like regular mtb to pedal. Controller is a nice concept but badly executed, felt cheap and sometimes didn’t respond.

I wouldn’t say it’s a motor upgrade from the Specilized SL (although the Shuttle SL was a brilliant bike). I’d be looking at a Whyte elyte with the Bosch motor if I was buying today.

 

[Al-ec]

Nervously watching this. No problems so far.... (Why did I say that?). A few hundred Km's in, endlessly filthy weather, new to the world of electricity, so probably pushing quite hard.

 

[Desert_Turtle]

2 of my bikes, Transition Relay & Santa Cruz Skitch, have the Ride 60 and I have not had any issues whatsoever but I do not ride when it’s really wet out.

 

[Natch]

The motor on my Transition Relay would get loud and rattle under load, then the power would cut in and out. I only bought it a couple of months ago and it's currently out of service in the bike shop waiting for a replacement motor and battery. I figured that I'd get this taken care of before prime rising season starts here.

 

[JayGoodrich]

Considering a Ride 60 equipped bike (latest motor). How is the reliability these days? I know there were a lot of problems in the past but have they improved? Would you buy again?
My current bike is a Levo SL and the motor and electronics have given me some problems but nothing that left me without power out on the trails (so far, fingers crossed) which would be my biggest worry.

Just received 1 of 2 Heckler SLs, so only have a few rides on it. It’s quieter than my Trek EXe and has way more power than my Orbea Rise—on the easy climbs where we have compared them side by side. Still just running the stock tuning modes, but that will probably change when I get on the bigger and steeper trails that I will use this thing for.

It connected to my Garmin Fénix 7 watch pretty easily. The FAZUA app is easy to use and has its own amount of riding data—like actual battery percentage (this also available on the watch). The led display is a little archaic looking but still functions fine. The ring controller feels loose but it has side functions that allow you to push it in which is why most people discuss its cheapness? The ring controller is metal so lets see how this goes further down the road.

It also has a bunch more range obviously the Trek and the Orbea without the fantasy, forthcoming, rumored range extender.

Obviously, I don’t really know reliability over the long haul yet, but I feel that in general Santa Cruz did a really good job creating and integrating this bike.

There are a ton of firmware updates to the FAZUA system as well. It’s currently up to number 9. It feels like they care about the system as a whole so I wouldn’t be surprised with more updates/accessories/tweaks coming in the future.

I’ll definitely circle back as I ride this over more varied terrain over the summer.

Hope this helps with your decision.

 

[G-Sport]

The motor on my Transition Relay would get loud and rattle under load, then the power would cut in and out. I only bought it a couple of months ago and it's currently out of service in the bike shop waiting for a replacement motor and battery. I figured that I'd get this taken care of before prime rising season starts here.

Thanks everyone for the replies.
My worry is that they have been saying they have fixed the issues multiple times over the last couple of years. When I have test ridden one it has seemed nice, quieter and more powerful than my SL though with a slightly less natural power application. I also really liked the ring remote.

Can’t comment on reliability, but spent a few hours riding a Pivot Shuttle with the Fazua motor. Power felt similar to Specilized SL, quieter than SL, much more drag with the motor off so the bike felt less like regular mtb to pedal. Controller is a nice concept but badly executed, felt cheap and sometimes didn’t respond.

I wouldn’t say it’s a motor upgrade from the Specilized SL (although the Shuttle SL was a brilliant bike). I’d be looking at a Whyte elyte with the Bosch motor if I was buying today.

The SX is the other option but I do wonder if it is better to go with a more mature product rather than something so new. Though obviously Bosch have a lot of other motors to draw on.

 

[Natch]

My motor ran quietly under light to moderate load but when I’d go up any pitch that required more oomph it sounded like a small freight train. “Chugga chugga chugga chugga chugga.”

 

[Dax]

The SX is the other option but I do wonder if it is better to go with a more mature product rather than something so new. Though obviously Bosch have a lot of other motors to draw on.

Go ride some and see what you like. At the end of the day, the motor is a small part of the bike, there’s a lot more to how the bike rides. it

 

[Oldfella]

Just received 1 of 2 Heckler SLs, so only have a few rides on it. It’s quieter than my Trek EXe and has way more power than my Orbea Rise—on the easy climbs where we have compared them side by side. Still just running the stock tuning modes, but that will probably change when I get on the bigger and steeper trails that I will use this thing for.

It connected to my Garmin Fénix 7 watch pretty easily. The FAZUA app is easy to use and has its own amount of riding data—like actual battery percentage (this also available on the watch). The led display is a little archaic looking but still functions fine. The ring controller feels loose but it has side functions that allow you to push it in which is why most people discuss its cheapness? The ring controller is metal so lets see how this goes further down the road.

It also has a bunch more range obviously the Trek and the Orbea without the fantasy, forthcoming, rumored range extender.

Obviously, I don’t really know reliability over the long haul yet, but I feel that in general Santa Cruz did a really good job creating and integrating this bike.

There are a ton of firmware updates to the FAZUA system as well. It’s currently up to number 9. It feels like they care about the system as a whole so I wouldn’t be surprised with more updates/accessories/tweaks coming in the future.

I’ll definitely circle back as I ride this over more varied terrain over the summer.

Hope this helps with your decision.

Hi. I have a EXE and want a bit more power but not a lot. I have riden the new Giant Trance but do you think the Fazua is a good upgrade.

 

[Tmae]

Mine made strange metallic noise after just 60km, got it replaced with a new motor (version f4), now 550km in and no issues so far, let‘s see…

 

[Desert_Turtle]

I have three bikes with the ride 60 and no issues.

 

[JayGoodrich]

Hi. I have a EXE and want a bit more power but not a lot. I have riden the new Giant Trance but do you think the Fazua is a good upgrade.

The Fazua crushes the EX-e. I had an EX-e prior to my Heckler SL and just gotta say that the Heckler is one of the best bikes that I have owned to date. The Fazua climbs everything that I throw at it, has an amazing range, and handles like no other bike that I have ever owned. I literally have zero complaints.

 

[Desert_Turtle]

I totally agree. I initially bought a Skitch just to try the ride 60. It worked great, I’m able to get 50 miles on the pavement. Then, after not being able to get a Heckler SL, I picked up a Transition Relay PNW. Love the Relay. The power is just right. I got lucky and came across a great deal on a Heckler SL and I picked that up too. Between the the two it’s hard to figure out which one I like better. The Fazua ride 60 has been flawless in both. The removable battery on the Relay is really great. It’s small enough that I’d rather carry a spare battery rather than a range extender. I like the ring controller but I can see where it could be a problem….just not for me.

 

[sethimus]

We have signs on the wall of all the motors we service. The Fazua sign got demounted 2 months ago. Service only for the bikes we sold by now (We usually service every bike brand).

Fazua is now in the same bracket as Bafang and other chinese motors for new customers -> no service.

 

[Dax]

We have signs on the wall of all the motors we service. The Fazua sign got demounted 2 months ago. Service only for the bikes we sold by now (We usually service every bike brand).

Fazua is now in the same bracket as Bafang and other chinese motors for new customers -> no service.

Why did you stop servicing Fazua?

 

[cykelk]

Why did you stop servicing Fazua?

I'd love to know more detail too. I wonder how much the quality of the distribution partner plays a role.

My updated data (I use intervals.icu to track) --
First motor (v2): 400 miles, 80k feet vert. I had problems from day 1, but worked well enough while we waited for shipment.
Second motor (v5): going strong after 950 miles and 170k feet vert. I've ridden it on days that were well below freezing up to days in the 80s (hottest it's gotten here), lots of rain and lately a good bit of shine, and probably 30% River / 70% Rocket since I'm often trying to keep up with full power folks.

My philosophy is just to ride the shit out of it and use warranty if I have to the bike is so good.

 

[sethimus]

Why did you stop servicing Fazua?

not worth the trouble

 

[Desert_Turtle]

I don’t know where all you guys are but Fazua has been going out of their way to fix motors here in the states. They have been making running changes and sending shops motors and ring controllers very quickly. I really think they are trying to get it right. I have no doubt that I can get any of my motors warrantied quickly. Service isn’t an issue.

 

[cykelk]

not worth the trouble

What was “the trouble” though? Just doing too many of them?

I don’t know where all you guys are but Fazua has been going out of their way to fix motors here in the states. They have been making running changes and sending shops motors and ring controllers very quickly. I really think they are trying to get it right. I have no doubt that I can get any of my motors warrantied quickly. Service isn’t an issue.

Same experience, from my warranty and things I’ve heard since it seems like Fazua NA (via QBP) have been handling it well.

 

[sethimus]

explaining to pissed of customers that their bike needs a new part right after buying? we talking about commuter bikes here, not mountainbikes. these people just want a bike that works. not a bike with a removable battery where the lid is loose. not a bike where the battery connector in the frame is not on one of the ends of the battery, LIKE WITH EVERY OTHER MOTOR, but right on the side, build from some flimsy plastics that can move in the frame.

shit design, can‘t be fixed properly.

bad spot for the connector, can get loose.

when loose, customer can‘t commute to work, gets there late. you ARE NOT LATE FOR WORK in switzerland.

whoever designed this POS should be hit with a stick till he yells. and then some more.

 

[cykelk]

explaining to pissed of customers that their bike needs a new part right after buying? we talking about commuter bikes here, not mountainbikes. these people just want a bike that works.

You are posting this in the EMTB discussion section of the EMTB forums, so we care specifically about how the mountain bike integrations hold up. Is this a problem Relay owners contend with?

I love me some fast, rough trail and have had zero battery connection issues on my Heckler SL but it uses the integrated battery with a different connector.

 

[Desert_Turtle]

I was skeptical at first but the design works fine on my Relay. You just need to make sure that all cables, zip ties etc are not in the way. The system is probably not for people that aren’t mechanically inclined. When you meet some very basic conditions it’s flawless. As far as my two other bikes without a removable battery, it’s the best SL system I’ve tried. I do admit that early motors had a high rate of failure and didn’t feel great but the latest versions and software are excellent. The Fazua is the most natural feeling motor that I’ve pedaled..

Santa Cruz, Transition, and Fazua make warranty repair quick, easy and repair/replace anything questionable. I have never heard of them turning down a claim and they are really lenient about who owns the bike etc. meaning that as long as you have a proof of purchase, regardless of the name on it, they fix it quickly. They don’t give you any BS run around like Bosch and Shimano do.

 

[sethimus]

nice stockholm syndrome you have there. how about the system is reliable in the first place?

 

[Ou812]

explaining to pissed of customers that their bike needs a new part right after buying? we talking about commuter bikes here, not mountainbikes. these people just want a bike that works. not a bike with a removable battery where the lid is loose. not a bike where the battery connector in the frame is not on one of the ends of the battery, LIKE WITH EVERY OTHER MOTOR, but right on the side, build from some flimsy plastics that can move in the frame.

I don’t blame you guys for not wanting to deal with it. My mate is a Pivot dealer and went through it with the Shuttle SL, he stopped selling the bike. He’s been in business for 15 years and the Shuttle SL is the only bike he’s ever had to refund.

 

[Desert_Turtle]

nice stockholm syndrome you have there. how about the system is reliable in the first place?

3 bikes no issues. I’m not sure where the Stockholm syndrome analogy comes into play? I’m not being held captive. I can buy any bike I want.

 

[JP-NZ]

I think the general consensus is they are getting better but they were trash to begin with. I still wouldn't bother with a ride 60 system for perhaps another generation yet.

I know two pivot dealers in NZ that have had over 50% return rate on shuttle SL's