Sorry, but this is not a question I should answer on a public forum.Bearing man, what motor would you buy if you were looking at a bike?
And dont say none ?
So you agree it is the type of rider/user that typically experiences problems.!!!
Some good points but I do not fully agree with your analysis. I think there is sufficient evidence to suggest that all of the motors have limitations in their design that are exposed or accentuated by degrees and types of use. I am astonished by the mileage some do, the temperatures some ride in and the type of riding some do considering the Levo is a trail bike. The wear and tear of other components is accepted as normal but the difference is that most are within the scope of DIY. We are still at the stage where motors are a non maintainable sealed unit. You can pay nearly the equivalent cost of a motor for a set of forks and they need servicing every 50 hours.....and its no bother to diy or get a lbs to do that.
Of course the manufacturers are not going to suggest any limitations on use of an e bike compared to its analogue equivalent and lots of claims about its added capability but that is not the reality.
I hope the time comes when motors are serviceable/repairable items with lbs able to perform some jobs and specialists like bearings man available to do the rest. Meanwhile I think the best approach is to be aware of the way the motor is constructed and treat it accordingly and be reassured by the 2 year warranty. If it needs a new motor after that....well its about the same cost as new tyres all round for my car...and they only last 25k miles
So you agree it is the type of rider/user that typically experiences problems.!!!
Hi Bearing Man. I was wondering if you've had a Dyname 3 motor apart? As a Rocky owner, I'm interested if there's anything to keep an eye out for.As the owner of Performance Line Bearings I repair more than my fair share of ebike motors. We repair most makes of motors, including Brose.
What we have noticed is that each make of motor has its weak point, but it is usually only one weak point! Bosch, it's the lack of water tight seals (Now addressed on the Gen 3 motor). Yamaha, it's the lack of seals and a noisy drive gear. But with Brose there seems to be 5 main weak points!
1, Brose fitted a lovely water tight seal to cover the right-hand crank bearing, but water still enters the left-hand bearing.
2, Water regularly enters the needle roller bearing between the crankshaft and the sprocket carrier. (This is normally when you hear of people complaining that their pedals are stiff to turn backwards) Sadly, if this is not addressed quickly, it tends to destroy the bearing surface on the crankshaft.
3, There are two clutch bearings inside the motor called sprag bearings, one works when you pedal, one works when the motor assists. The bearings Brose use have plastic cages to keep the sprags in place. These plastic cages crack and the bearing starts to fail. (This normally manifests itself by a slipping sensation through the pedals and sometimes noise and notchy feeling through the pedals.
4, Drive belt tensioner failure. This is where the drive belt tensioner actually snaps, shortly followed by the belt stripping. (Felt as instant failure and loss of drive)
5, Drive belt stripping. (Normally felt as a soft bumping or jumping sensation through the pedals, shortly before all drive is lost).
Before you get too disheartened, please bear in mind that there are thousands and thousands of these motors out there, doing exactly what they should be doing, with no problems.
And Specialized have a great warranty attitude. And, when you're out of warranty we are here to help.
I've not had one to play with yet, but anything with that many sprockets, pulleys and tensioners, I think your maintenance schedule is going to be pretty full .Hi Bearing Man. I was wondering if you've had a Dyname 3 motor apart? As a Rocky owner, I'm interested if there's anything to keep an eye out for.
Cheers.
Yep, keeping on top of the chain maintenance is important and I made a stand especially for making the job easier.I've not had one to play with yet, but anything with that many sprockets, pulleys and tensioners, I think your maintenance schedule is going to be pretty full .
Seriously though, apart from the grief you will get from the pulleys, the idea is sound. Standard bottom bracket and only one drive sprocket situated high up and out of the way. I hope it lasts you well.
Put a lot of people off that2020, 90 miles in, new motor fitted by lbs with great service
I've got my 2018 Vitus E-Sommet for sale on here and glad I got that instead of a Levo.
Just heard there is a new part number for replacement motors. They have a different “price”as well, yes I know all 2019 are still under warranty. Apparently brosse has a new better belt in the updated motor
Know what you mean. Done 1800 miles new cable only issue but always in the back of kmy mind waiting for it to go.My motor went out riding around the neighborhood as corona has closed all the trails. No power, loud high pitch whine. 2019 Carb Comp. 500 miles, no mods. In the shop now waiting on replacement motor under warranty. LBS has no idea what issue is. Family has 3 of these bikes. Now not really trusting them and waiting for others to fail. I would NOT have bought these if I discovered this info in my research.
Awesome place isn't it, I've been for the last 3 years and was supposed to be going this year too ??OMG! 15 years ago! I think it will be a bit different now. I watched so many You Tube videos before I went, I still didn't ride all of the trails. I spent time just learning a few and getting used to the big jumps!
This is a big question. Please don't shoot the messenger because to be honest, I love the Brose motor to ride, I love the smooth quiet power etc. But what I've got to say, is not good.Bearing Man, How many of the 5 Brose issues do you have fixes for? Are any replacement parts available, either from Brose or aftermarket? Do you think there are solutions for any of the issues that could be implemented by users or LBSs once out of warranty? How big do you think the repair business for these motors will be in the near future? I am interested in this end of it myself...on a small,out of the garage for the local community scale!
We don't see many of the newer motors because people are not allowed to use us until their motor is out of warranty, or it has been voided. However, the 2020 motors did have a big belt snapping issue to begin with, but Brose has had a new slightly tougher belt manufactured and it seems to have done the job.Hi Bearing Man, have you found the Brose 2019/20 to be as unreliable as the 2018's?
Although I've not had any issues, only done 400 miles since December, I'm getting nervous. Is there anything I can do as a rider to minimise the risk of the motor going, or is it pot luck?
Thanks
We don't see many of the newer motors because people are not allowed to use us until their motor is out of warranty, or it has been voided. However, the 2020 motors did have a big belt snapping issue to begin with, but Brose has had a new slightly tougher belt manufactured and it seems to have done the job.
I know the S-Mag motor up to 2019 has 90% of the same issues, but I can't answer regards the 2020 motor until I get one to play with.
Hi Bearing Man, have you found the Brose 2019/20 to be as unreliable as the 2018's?
Although I've not had any issues, only done 400 miles since December, I'm getting nervous. Is there anything I can do as a rider to minimise the risk of the motor going, or is it pot luck?
Thanks
From the look of those pictures the only thing I think you could do is move to a place where it never rains and never wash your bike!
Don't worry Mikerb, your crank bearings in relation to your wheel bearings, headset, pivot bearings etc. are massive, you stand very little chance of damaging them by jumping or dropping your bike. I have seen many pedal strikes hard enough to snap belts or drive gears and still no bearing damage. The main culprits are definitely just water and dust.I have done lots to protect the electrics on my bike...all detailed in other threads so I will not repeat them here. I think 2 things contribute to motor damage more than anything else. One is washing the bike...I just use a brush and damp cloth.....the other is cra kshaft bearing wear due to heavy landings from big drops and jumps. The Levo is a trail bike and whilst it has capabilities beyond that use I would use an analogue bike for pure gravity riding.....after all you can replace a bottom bracket but you cannot even service a motor crank.
Hmmmm. You may be on to something. Mine died at 500 miles. Lol.I have done lots to protect the electrics on my bike...all detailed in other threads so I will not repeat them here. I think 2 things contribute to motor damage more than anything else. One is washing the bike...I just use a brush and damp cloth.....the other is cra kshaft bearing wear due to heavy landings from big drops and jumps. The Levo is a trail bike and whilst it has capabilities beyond that use I would use an analogue bike for pure gravity riding.....after all you can replace a bottom bracket but you cannot even service a motor crank.
I do not doubt that but all the bearings you mentioned wear out and are easily replaced. Good riders cushion the landing but if you not that expert...or make a mistake the motor crank has to absorb an enormous force.Don't worry Mikerb, your crank bearings in relation to your wheel bearings, headset, pivot bearings etc. are massive, you stand very little chance of damaging them by jumping or dropping your bike. I have seen many pedal strikes hard enough to snap belts or drive gears and still no bearing damage. The main culprits are definitely just water and dust.
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