Motor cover question

[yarg]

Hi All,

I've just received my Stereo Hybrid 140 and I have a question about the motor cover (I've contacted the support of the shop I bought it from too, but while waiting to hear from them I thought I'd ask here too). There is a gap between the plastic cover and the frame; I can see some wires and stuff inside....this is my first e-bike so I don't know if that's normal? Took a load of pics from all angles, hope you can see what I mean.
Should it be like this or should it be flush to stop water/mud/etc from getting in there? As far as I can see it's all mounted correctly: the plastic cover at the bottom is one continuous piece from back to front and there is no wiggle-room or play to move it more flush, so I'd just like to double-check before going riding...

Thanks!
J

 

[Mamba90]

It looks like it's sitting out of whack on your hybrid as compared to a pic I found on the net. You will note the rear plastic piece is not quite following the curvature of the motor.

 

[TommyC]

Water will get in there. That’s why there’s a hole in the bottom.

Hard to tell from the pics but you might have a ‘connect module ready’ cover. This has extra space in that left hand side for the module. If you can take the cover off and see what part number is written inside I’ll compare against my two.

Edit: actually looking at the pic above I’d say you have got a bcm ready cover

 

[yarg]

Thanks for your replies guys. Yeah I was expecting something more like in Mamba90's pic, just something that would be more flush. I didn't realise that water was supposed to/allowed to get in there; just assumed that would endanger the electronics and the mechanics in there.....but thanks for explaining why there's that hole in the base...I couldn't figure that out before!

@TommyC I'll try and get the part number today or tomorrow, but looking at BCM Ready Cover pics on the internet, the shape does seem to match what I've got. I don't have the BCM though, so if I don't buy one of those, it will just be "normal" to have such a big gap there? Or could/should I buy a non-BCM cover?

Thanks!

 

[yarg]

PS I've just heard back from the shop and they claim it's normal. Depending on the manufacturer they say there will be more or less of a gap, but that what is shown on my pics is normal. I've asked if there is some kind of attachment sold by Cube or Bosch to cover that over somehow. Would still prefer to prevent mud/dirt/water from getting in there in the first place if possible?

 

[macp]

A liberal spray of dry lube should help things I would think.

 

[Hattori-Hanzo]

It's a good idea to remove that cover every time you clean the bike. Water and dirt get packed in there and needs removing.

 

[yarg]

Ok thanks for the feedback. Being new to all this, I didn't realise it was "normal" to have muck get in there among the wires and just expected something more sealed. Good to know...thx!

 

[Hattori-Hanzo]

All of the electrical connectors into the motor are water sealed but it's a good idea to clean out any wet mud regularly to negate the chance of water getting past the seals

 

[Arminius]

@yarg
Hi,
Here are some pics of my 2022 Stereo Hybrid 140. looks more tight than yours. Maybe remove it and adjust it? Make sure that the pin at the wheel side is locked / sitzing correctly in the hole in the frame.
As mentioned by the others before it is recommended to remove and clean this lower cover from time to time as it is collecting lots of gravel and dirt.

 

[Arminius]

The underside of my cover looks different than the one of Yark. Except the dirt. Either it was updated 2022 to 2023 or could it be a wrong cover?

Edit: Likely changed by Cube as Bosch invented in 2023 the connect module, as mentioned by TommyC

 

[TommyC]

Normal vs bcm ready. 2nd part number is the bcm ready.

 

[yarg]

Thanks @Arminius for the 2022 pics and to @TommyC for the comparison. I haven't had a chance to take the cover off but mine definitely looks like the BCM ready cover (with the bigger "bulge" on the left hand side as we look at it in your pic). I visited the local Cube dealer yesterday (not where I bought the bike from though) and when I showed him the pics he confirmed the change for 2023 model year.

So a question then: the Bosch Connect Module basically gives you "last known GPS location" for theft tracking and also the ability to lock/unlock the bike with your phone...correct? LBS quoted 170 euros yesterday to supply and fit one to my bike, and I'm not sure those features are worth that additional outlay personally. So if I don't fit the BCM, could it be worth trying to source the non-BCM cover which should theoretically then have less of a gap? I now understand that basically no matter what I do, gunk is gonna accumulate in there, but just aesthetically it would be nicer to not have a huge gap there with nothing in it....

 

[TommyC]

To be honest I’m not sure the bcm is worth it. Especially once the £40 a year subscription kicks in. It would be easily removed by a thief anyway.

I had a biketrax before and that was better in my opinion. No alarm so I didn’t alert the thief that it’s being tracked. I made a longer power cable for it so sat in the top tube which you can only get to by removing the battery catch. You could also fit a bigger back up battery to it if you wish.

If you do go for the bcm it’s easy to install yourself. I got mine here;

Bosch Connect Module for Smart System

Have the ConnectModule installed by a Bosch specialist dealer. The unit is installed on the eBike and contains a radio and GNSS module, a separate battery and various sensors. You can only use eBike Alarm after installing this component. Then you simply activate the eBike Alarm digital service...

ebikeufo.co.uk

 

[Arminius]

You are welcome.

Here is an article (click) in German but with pics and vid of installation of the BCM. Hope that may help you with regard to needed space(?).

Since mine is sitting closer to the motor it allows maybe less cooling to the motor but may better protect to gravel and spray.

The BCM sounds interesting but like TommyC I have doubts. Perhaps in the Beergarden if you are quick enough but if bike is stolen and the assholex know how to deactivate, dismantle or block (jammer) the BCM signal it will not protect the bike from being stolen. And on the other hand bike owners reported trouble with the earlier (non BCM) Bosch locking function on Smart System via app - and I will not activate it on mine.
But that is little OT.

 

[Pete M]

I recently bought a cube 140 not a chance would I accept the gap surrounding the motor, take it back and get them to fit it properly here's a picture of mine


View attachment 20230909_151150.jpg

 

[Arminius]

Looking to a couple of pics of 2023 models and above pics of both covers it looks like the wider gap due to BCM is normal.

 

[jackamo]

Hi All,

I've just received my Stereo Hybrid 140 and I have a question about the motor cover (I've contacted the support of the shop I bought it from too, but while waiting to hear from them I thought I'd ask here too). There is a gap between the plastic cover and the frame; I can see some wires and stuff inside....this is my first e-bike so I don't know if that's normal? Took a load of pics from all angles, hope you can see what I mean.
Should it be like this or should it be flush to stop water/mud/etc from getting in there? As far as I can see it's all mounted correctly: the plastic cover at the bottom is one continuous piece from back to front and there is no wiggle-room or play to move it more flush, so I'd just like to double-check before going riding...

Thanks!
J

View attachment 124026 View attachment 124028 View attachment 124029 View attachment 124030 View attachment 124031 View attachment 124032 View attachment 124033

Yes it's pretty normal, you can play around with the cover for a more snug fit if you want but it doesn't close up all the way.

 

[yarg]

Yeah I don't think the BCM is worth it personally. So then, would a non-BCM cover fit? Are they identical in all other ways except for the space for the BCM? If so then does anyone know where I could get a non-BCM cover? I asked at the local Cube dealer and they said they can't get them...
I have found this place, but don't know if they are legit or not:

Cube Motor Cover Bottom Stereo Hybrid HPC (18-05599) 3151 Not BCM or Smart System Compatible

Cube Motor Cover Bottom Stereo Hybrid HPC (18-05599) 3151 Not BCM or Smart System Compatible £37.95

www.theelectricbikeshop.co.uk

Cheers!

 

[rzr]

I didn't realise that water was supposed to/allowed to get in there; just assumed that would endanger the electronics and the mechanics in there

Motor is enclosed and all electronics is protected. these are only cables connecting remote, sensors etc.
Water will enter everywhere, so better to have a good drainage. (the same with small holes at the bottom of BB)

 

[TommyC]

Yeah I don't think the BCM is worth it personally. So then, would a non-BCM cover fit? Are they identical in all other ways except for the space for the BCM? If so then does anyone know where I could get a non-BCM cover? I asked at the local Cube dealer and they said they can't get them...
I have found this place, but don't know if they are legit or not:

Cube Motor Cover Bottom Stereo Hybrid HPC (18-05599) 3151 Not BCM or Smart System Compatible

Cube Motor Cover Bottom Stereo Hybrid HPC (18-05599) 3151 Not BCM or Smart System Compatible £37.95

www.theelectricbikeshop.co.uk

Cheers!

I got my bcm cover from the electric bike shop. Took me 3 months to get the right one, they’re a pain in the arse but only place that did it at that price

 

[yarg]

I got my bcm cover from the electric bike shop. Took me 3 months to get the right one, they’re a pain in the arse but only place that did it at that price

Ok thanks for the feedback! I'll look for someone local to me here in France, but at least in the worst case I know that eletric bike shop are legit...

 

[Arminius]

@yarg
Could this be an option? I had good experience with that shop:

Cube Engine Bash Cover - Stereo 140/160 MY23 | black

Cube engine bash cover Stereo Hybrid 140/160 - MY23 | black Cube engine cover Stereo Hybrid 140/160 from model year 2022. Cover with…

nanobike.de

 

[yarg]

@yarg
Could this be an option? I had good experience with that shop:

Cube Engine Bash Cover - Stereo 140/160 MY23 | black

Cube engine bash cover Stereo Hybrid 140/160 - MY23 | black Cube engine cover Stereo Hybrid 140/160 from model year 2022. Cover with…

nanobike.de

Thanks for the link to an EU shop, should make things easier to get to France. It's weird: the title of your linked item says MY2023, but then in the description it says MY2022....guess I'll get in touch with them to clarify. Wouldn't want to by the exact same cover again by mistake

 

[Arminius]

Besides the item description with Mod 2022 is carrying the item number 20-04373 as marked in the covers in the pics by TommyC above. Nevertheless makes sense to make sure with them before ordering.

 

[MasterDabber]

An absolutely dumb question but... to remove the plate/cover on my Stereo Hybrid 160hpc 750 I just have to undo the two bolts inside the bottom of the battery cover... and is there some sort of lip that slips in a the back of it? It's embarrassing to ask

 

[Arminius]

@MasterDabber If you look to the pics above you will find at the opposite end of the cover, not were the screw holes are, a plastic nose that locks in the frame behind the motor. Maybe you need to pull cover first a little down and then push lttle towards the back wheel to „unlock“ the nose as well.
Good luck!

 

[MasterDabber]

@MasterDabber If you look to the pics above you will find at the opposite end of the cover, were the screw holes are, a plastic nose that locks in the frame behind the motor. Maybe you need to pull cover first a little down and than towards the back wheel to „unlock“ the nose as well.
Good luck!

Thanks a lot @Arminius I haven't actually tried to take the cover off first but after yesterday's boggy ride I thought a clean up in the area would be a good idea. I saw the "plastic nose" and guessed it might be something like that. Tbh, I originally thought there might be some more bolts at the rear but couldn't see any. Thanks again

 

[Arminius]

Welcome! Its recommended to take it off from time to clean it as it collects leaves and mud/gravel..

 

[Arminius]

@MasterDabber, @BeBiker had posted some pics that fit in here as well to show what it may look like after a while:
Post in thread 'Cube Stereo 160 S 750 2022 Specs Modifications'
Cube Stereo 160 S 750 2022 Specs Modifications