Pedals slipping when under load - any idea what I should tighten?

[Tetsugaku]

Hi all - apologies for the rambling nature of the post but I really don't know what the problem is, nor am I any sort of bike expert.

So - when I set off from a standing start, generally at traffic lights, and I haven't managed to switch down to a lower gear before I stop, I put my weight down on the pedals and they slip, as in I can feel the pedals going round without moving the chain. My feet 'slide' as it were, normally takes about half a revolution and it stops slipping and I'm slowly off again.

Doesn't happen if wither I have managed to change gears or if I'm going downhill, so it's defiantly related to how much power I'm putting in with my feet

Turbo Levo 2018 with. about 4,000K on the clock

Any ideas?!
thanks!!

 

[SquireRides]

4000 miles on the clock (not 4,000,000 I assume!). When did you last change the chain/cassette/chainring?

 

[Tetsugaku]

Ah that’s for Kiometers

It’s definately not the chain, the pedals are going round but the chain isn’t moving for a quarter to half a revolution ?

Thanks!

 

[SquireRides]

Have you changed the chain/cassette/chainring during those 4000KM?

If not, it's probably simply wear on the chainset. Slipping is the #1 sign that one (or all) of those components are worn.

If you havent changed them so far, suggest you change all three. You can't usually change just one or two of them in isolation once theyre very worn.

YMMV but I'm just past 1500 miles and due a new cassette/chain/chainring myself.

 

[Tetsugaku]

No I’m not being clear - I don’t have the right words to discuss what’s happening so I will keep trying.

It’s not the cassette. There’s no chunky noises or anything - the pedals are going round but the big cog that the pedals moves round, that’s just not moving at all. Pedals move. That doesn’t. Make sense?

 

[knut7]

Not very familiar with the Brose. If you pedal, and both pedals move as they should, but the chain ring isn't moving. There's gotta be something wrong inside the motor. Could it be the belt inside the motor is slipping under heavy load?

 

[khorn]

That’s definitely sounds like an internal motor issue, take it to your lbs and let him fix it under warranty.

Karsten

 

[ccrdave]

sounds like the internal belt slipping in the motor as Karsten says take it to the shop and get them to look

 

[Tetsugaku]

Can regular shops do that? It was bought online so I’m not sure of the warranty coverage

 

[Tetsugaku]

And thanks everyone

 

[ccrdave]

Talk to Chris at berkshire cycles

 

[Tetsugaku]

Bit far away I’m in Brighton

 

[ccrdave]

Im in the forest of dean 2 hour drive for me but worth every mile to get my bike sorted by someone who know what they are doing
But maybe you have someone closer

 

[Tetsugaku]

Oooo I wish I had that sort of time - basically if it's not on the way to the train station for work (as I'd have to train if i cannot ride) and they open at 8am it won't happen!

 

[R120]

Freeborn bikes in Horsham are closer to you, they know there stuff with the Levos

 

[R120]

So are you saying the cranks move, but the chainring doesn't? The attached picture shows the:

Crank arm
Spider
Chainring

From the sounds of it the cranks are rotating but the spider and chainring are not?

 

[ccrdave]

Take off the drive side crank arm and check the spider lock ring is tight any bike shop should be able to do this

 

[Gary]

If you are suggesting what @R120 has explained is happening. It sounds like the freewheel in the motor is slipping

There's no way the chainring lockring would be so loose it'd slip without serious and easily noticable latteral movement in the chainring

 

[Tetsugaku]

Freeborn bikes in Horsham are closer to you, they know there stuff with the Levos

That’s really good of you to look thank you

 

[Tetsugaku]

So are you saying the cranks move, but the chainring doesn't? The attached picture shows the:

Crank arm
Spider
Chainring

From the sounds of it the cranks are rotating but the spider and chainring are not?

View attachment 6075

I’m going to say this sounds right yes. Thank you for the idiots guide ‘Cos I need it

 

[Tetsugaku]

Ironically the chain snapped last night and I had to leave it at a friends house so I can’t check directly!

 

[ccrdave]

If you are suggesting what @R120 has explained is happening. It sounds like the freewheel in the motor is slipping

There's no way the chainring lockring would be so loose it'd slip without serious and easily noticable latteral movement in the chainring

Have you seen the design, tapered shaft but you are right i would have to be very loose

 

[Gary]

Not in detail. No.. Just using common sense Dave

 

[Tetsugaku]

I've booked it into a local shop nearby on Friday who can deal with warranty issues in the motor as well as doing a full service for me at the same time. Hasn't been serviced in over 6 months and I do use the beast for a good 200K per week. Asked for them to look at the slipping (as described after all your help) as well as change things like the cassette and brake pads for me - of course I put a new chain on today!

thanks all

 

[R120]

Let us know what the problem/soloution end up being, as good for others wh may have this happen

 

[Tetsugaku]

Good plan

 

[njn]

It does sound like an internal motor issue, like a one way bearing or belt slipping.

Going forward, a new chain on old sprocket and cassette could slip under power. Typiclly chains and sprockets should be replaced as the same time since they wear at similar rates. Some high mile riders rotate a set of two or three chains every few hundred miles so they wear at similar rates to extend the life of the other components.

 

[Tetsugaku]

Quick update on this - it’s the clutch apparently. Rayment cycles who are very local and sell Levos are sorting it out for me
Home | Rayment's of Brighton

Under warranty etc

Thanks all!

 

[Tetsugaku]

Oh it’s a total motor replacement BTW

 

[khorn]

Oh it’s a total motor replacement BTW

For your on sake make sure that you get an equivalent 1.2 motor and not one of the newer 1.3 motors as they are a bit down on power compared to your old one.

Karsten