Fuel EXe Is motor drag normal?

[Casting_Shadows]

Hi all,

I just bought my first e-bike last weekend, It is a second hand Fuel EX-e 9.7 '22 model with 2500km's on it and I'm not sure if it's functioning correctly and hoping for some clarity.

Is there supposed to be some sort of "engine" braking when you stop pedalling? What i mean by that is, sometimes, not always, when i stop pedalling the bike drags and slows down like there is engine braking like a 4 stroke motorbike when you let off the accelerator.
When it happens, if you don't start pedalling again it feels like it will bring you to a stop. It's like it doesn't disengage.

This can happen at any speed, even when switching modes and changing gears. It really throws my momentum off.
It happens even when I hold the "down" button on the lever to disengage the motor, when i pedal it feels like I'm being held back, even rolling down a hill.

The thing is, I don't think it does it all the time, sometimes it doesn't do it.

I thought it was a battery power thing and was only doing it once the battery was a like 30% depleted but it done it yesterday at 100% for the entire ride.

I went to a local trek sub-dealer and rode one of their exact same demo bikes and my bike back to back in the carpark but they felt the same but i think it was when the issue wasn't occuring.

Thanks

 

[RustyIron]

Is there supposed to be some sort of "engine" braking when you stop pedalling?

No, there is no engine braking. The freehub freewheels as you coast, like on any other bike.

 

[Casting_Shadows]

No, there is no engine braking. The freehub freewheels as you coast, like on any other bike.

Okay, thanks.
Looks like I need to get it looked at.
I’m trying to get a copy of the original receipt as it’s still under subsequent owner warranty I believe.

 

[ohiomoto]

I've had the same sensation when using full assist while climbing. It happens cresting hills and undulations where I expect to get a bit of relief. I have noticed this on the Fuel EXe and the TQ powered Scott gravel bike I own.

But as pointed out, it's "impossible" because the freehub disengages when you STOP pedaling. I think it's the assist dropping as I ease up on the pedals expecting a free ride over the top of a hill, but I'm not sure.

Also, the Maxxis Minion tires that came on my bike are slow. I love the traction but they are by far the heaviest/slowest tires I've ever used which might contribute to the slowdown.

 

[Mteam]

Hi all,

I just bought my first e-bike last weekend, It is a second hand Fuel EX-e 9.7 '22 model with 2500km's on it and I'm not sure if it's functioning correctly and hoping for some clarity.

Is there supposed to be some sort of "engine" braking when you stop pedalling? What i mean by that is, sometimes, not always, when i stop pedalling the bike drags and slows down like there is engine braking like a 4 stroke motorbike when you let off the accelerator.
When it happens, if you don't start pedalling again it feels like it will bring you to a stop. It's like it doesn't disengage.

This can happen at any speed, even when switching modes and changing gears. It really throws my momentum off.
It happens even when I hold the "down" button on the lever to disengage the motor, when i pedal it feels like I'm being held back, even rolling down a hill.

The thing is, I don't think it does it all the time, sometimes it doesn't do it.

I thought it was a battery power thing and was only doing it once the battery was a like 30% depleted but it done it yesterday at 100% for the entire ride.

I went to a local trek sub-dealer and rode one of their exact same demo bikes and my bike back to back in the carpark but they felt the same but i think it was when the issue wasn't occuring.

Thanks

as per others there should be no significant drag when you are coasting, it should just feel like any normal bike when coasting along.

if you lift the bike off the floor, do the wheels spin freely if you spin them by hand? Maybe the brakes are binding causing drag? or maybe there is something wrong with the bearings in the wheel hub causing them not to spin freely?

 

[Casting_Shadows]

I've had the same sensation when using full assist while climbing. It happens cresting hills and undulations where I expect to get a bit of relief. I have noticed this on the Fuel EXe and the TQ powered Scott gravel bike I own.

But as pointed out, it's "impossible" because the freehub disengages when you STOP pedaling. I think it's the assist dropping as I ease up on the pedals expecting a free ride over the top of a hill, but I'm not sure.

Also, the Maxxis Minion tires that came on my bike are slow. I love the traction but they are by far the heaviest/slowest tires I've ever used which might contribute to the slowdown.

That's exactly what i noticed too. When i get to the top of a hill where i'd expect to start coasting, it would feel like someone pulling the brakes on. It's a noticeable resistance.

 

[Casting_Shadows]

as per others there should be no significant drag when you are coasting, it should just feel like any normal bike when coasting along.

if you lift the bike off the floor, do the wheels spin freely if you spin them by hand? Maybe the brakes are binding causing drag? or maybe there is something wrong with the bearings in the wheel hub causing them not to spin freely?

Yeah the wheel spins freely if you lift it off the ground and there is ample brake pad clearance and no rubbing of the brakes.
Some times it it rolls like a dream but other times its very noticable.

 

[whitymon]

The momentum/gravity of an heavier bike should carry you further on flat and dh when stop pedaling by physic law.

But uphill this is the opposite, an heavier bike have to fight gravity therefore will stop moving before the lighter one.

If you have find yourself out of these case there might be something very odd!

 

[Winford]

rear brakes will drag, when they are beyond their wear limits, because the calipers get cocked a little sideways, causing drag. worth noting

 

[Casting_Shadows]

Sorry, i should have mentioned in the original post, although it's my first e-bike it's not my first bike, i've been riding bikes for almost 40 years and worked for a bike company for 15 years so i have a pretty good understanding of pedal bikes but just not with e-bikes haha.

It's definitely a drag caused by the motor. I can physically feel it and it feels like it's not disengaging when I stop pedalling. Sometimes I can even feel the drag when pedalling at a high enough cadence that the motor should be working.

I wouldn't have thought it was an issue but it does it sporadically. Sometimes it doesn't drag at all, even on the same spot where it would drag previously on a trail.

I think i just need to take it to a dealer and hopefully I can replicate it there.

 

[Mteam]

Sorry, i should have mentioned in the original post, although it's my first e-bike it's not my first bike, i've been riding bikes for almost 40 years and worked for a bike company for 15 years so i have a pretty good understanding of pedal bikes but just not with e-bikes haha.

It's definitely a drag caused by the motor. I can physically feel it and it feels like it's not disengaging when I stop pedalling. Sometimes I can even feel the drag when pedalling at a high enough cadence that the motor should be working.

I wouldn't have thought it was an issue but it does it sporadically. Sometimes it doesn't drag at all, even on the same spot where it would drag previously on a trail.

I think i just need to take it to a dealer and hopefully I can replicate it there.

Check the speed sensor magnet on the rear wheel is completely clean, metal particles from the brake pads can gather on the magnet and prevent it being detected properly by the sensor on the bike. The magnet is located near the centre of the wheel on the brake disc side, it's attached the same way as the brake disc, either bolts in the case of a 6 bolt brake disc or centre lock.


Also check the speed sensor itself is clean, it is located on the non drive side chain stay.

 

[whitymon]

I do not understand how the motor could do anything if the pedal are not moving.

If the chainring does not move it cannot impact the rear wheel no?

 

[Mteam]

I do not understand how the motor could do anything if the pedal are not moving.

If the chainring does not move it cannot impact the rear wheel no?

From the op latest reply I Presume the op didn't actually mean drag when he was coasting or free wheeling, presume he meant drag when pedalling

 

[Mteam]

It could also be the freehub not free wheeling like it's supposed to and therefore rotating the chain ring and motor? But that should be obvious when you look at the bike and spin the back wheel.