Shop talk - 2021 Commencal

[rb.]

Starting this thread so people can share their experiences working on their bikes and tips/tricks they have learned along the way. Learn from each other’s mistakes and successes.

Here is my story.
Got my bike yesterday and planned to swap out the brakes right away to get maximum resale value for the code rsc’s that came on it. To do this job I know at the very least I would need to remove the battery. Should be simple enough, right? Well here is where things started going downhill. When I was trying to follow the picture instructions on the bottom of the down tube to remove the battery with the 4mm allen, I heard snapping sound and this was the result.

This is the mechanism that sits in the top of the down tube and I believe is meant for easy release of the battery. Snapped this piece off, and when I went to go replace the battery in the bike, to my surprise it snapped in place, but now I’m not sure how to get it back out. Because that 4mm bolt just spins.

Another thing to note is that if you plan to drop the motor, which I recommend when swapping a rear brake, you will need to remove the chainring. And to do that, you need a special tool which I do not have.

I was finally able to get the rear brake routed with the motor in place, and my battery is secure in the bike for the moment, so hopefully I will be able to ride it this weekend without any issues.

Still have a few things I want to do before riding it, but got too frustrated after this ordeal to want to work on my bike anymore.

 

[leftside]

An expensive nice bike like that deserves a proper bike stand for maintenance work

 

[rb.]

An expensive nice bike like that deserves a proper bike stand for maintenance work

When doing motor work it’s the easiest to have it upside down.

And at this point I was already frustrated so the tools and everything just ended up on the ground.

 

[R120]

On the e8000 you can just undo the front motor bolts and then swing it down to give access, looks like you could do the same?

 

[rb.]

On the e8000 you can just undo the front motor bolts and then swing it down to give access, looks like you could do the same?

I could not do this. Motor would not budge.

 

[R120]

Well at least they torqued it up properly!

 

[R120]

this is the tool you need fyi

lockring-tool-shimano-steps-lrt-2

 

[noblige]

this is the tool you need fyi

lockring-tool-shimano-steps-lrt-2

Thanks! Cheaper than https://www.jensonusa.com/Shimano-TL-FC39-E8000E8050-Chainring-Tool and does not need extra adapter!

 

[rb.]

Thanks! Cheaper than Shimano TL-FC39 E8000/E8050 Chainring Tool | Jenson USA and does not need extra adapter!

Yes, I ordered the park tool one on Amazon prime for about $25.

That shimano one you linked is dumb. “Here is a custom tool, that you need another custom tool to use”

 

[Darkyhs]

Oh man, I have the Saint Brakes here ready to be mounted. But after seeing your epic quest, I think I will ask my LBS to do this

 

[Zimmerframe]

Oh man, I have the Saint Brakes here ready to be mounted. But after seeing your epic quest, I think I will ask my LBS to do this

You can normally just pull the new hose through with the old hose. You can either use a barbed connector which screws into both ends or you can make your own by just cutting the head off a small screw. Alternatively you can tape them together carefully, if using the tape method it's sometimes a good idea to also tape on a very thin piece of nylon cord to the bit you're pulling through with, so if the hoses do separate, you can still pull the string through and try it with the string pulling the new hose - and another bit of string in case it comes off again. Remember to pull and push the hoses at the same time - you can lube the hoses too if you're concerned.

 

[rb.]

You can normally just pull the new hose through with the old hose. You can either use a barbed connector which screws into both ends or you can make your own by just cutting the head off a small screw. Alternatively you can tape them together carefully, if using the tape method it's sometimes a good idea to also tape on a very thin piece of nylon cord to the bit you're pulling through with, so if the hoses do separate, you can still pull the string through and try it with the string pulling the new hose - and another bit of string in case it comes off again. Remember to pull and push the hoses at the same time - you can lube the hoses too if you're concerned.

You’ve done this before on a Commencal ebike? The routing under the battery and over the motor is tricky enough I don’t think there is any way tape would work. Never seen anyone is a barbed connector or tiny screw before.

 

[rb.]

Update on my original post: Commencal sent out a warranty claim to shimano for the broken part. Will let you know what happens next.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Never seen anyone is a barbed connector or tiny screw before.

Nope. Not on a Commencal, so it maybe impossible.

This kind of thing :

Rockshox Reverb Stealth Barb Connector - Routing Tool

The Reverb Stealth Barb Connector is perfect for when you need to replace your hose. You simply screw the tool into your existing hose and then screw the other end into the new hose so you can pull the new hose through your frame! It's a genius little piece of kit for those who would rather...

www.mtbdirect.com.au

Fingers crossed on your replacement part.

 

[rb.]

When setting up my tires tubeless I decided to toss on this Hutchinson on the front. I run a DHF 95% of the time, but thought I’d try something different since it was super cheap. Anyone have any experience with these?

 

[rb.]

Also here is my chain lube setup. Velcro strap that I think I’ll store on my frame so it’s always accessible.

 

[rb.]

Update on my original post: Commencal sent out a warranty claim to shimano for the broken part. Will let you know what happens next.

Update, Got a call from Commencal and they said Shimano approved the claim and a new part would be sent out under warranty, but unfortunately they don't have these parts in stock anywhere and have no timeframe when they will be arriving.

 

[Trail-Niels]

You’ve done this before on a Commencal ebike? The routing under the battery and over the motor is tricky enough I don’t think there is any way tape would work. Never seen anyone is a barbed connector or tiny screw before.

I’ve replaced the dropper post hose twice - first time to install a Reverb, second time a warranty replacement of the Reverb.
As the cables/hoses run over the motor, it’s virtually impossible to do this without partially removing the motor as described. As everything is tight getting something through is difficult. To ease up the process I connected both new and old hose with a shifter cable and the wrapped tape around the connection. By pushing and pulling I finally succeede, but only with the motor detached from the front 4 bolts.

 

[Zimmerframe]

but only with the motor detached from the front 4 bolts.

It was interesting that @rb. said that the ep8 didn't swing down on the back bolts like the e8000 .

 

[R120]

just to be clear, the E8000 doesn't easily swing down, but depending on the bike its possible,

 

[rb.]

It was interesting that @rb. said that the ep8 didn't swing down on the back bolts like the e8000 .

I could not get it to swing down, but maybe others could. I could never get my e8000 to rotate down either, would only rock maybe 10-20 degrees max which isn’t much help.

 

[rb.]

Newest upgrade to the bike. EDC LITE TOOL

I honestly like the specialized SWAT tool better if it would have 1 size smaller allen. This is quite hard to remove from the stem and then you also have to remove the cap from the multi tool.
But I like how this uses the star-nut and I don’t think it should ever rattle.

 

[thewrx]

whats the tq setting for that head set? and is it 2x pinch bolt?

it seems like having a sturdy headset/stem on these heavy ebikes, especially if your wheels are off the ground often, is important on a single crown setup. I am not sure the integrated swat/edc tool stem setups would be weaken that part of the bike or not.

 

[thewrx]

Also here is my chain lube setup. Velcro strap that I think I’ll store on my frame so it’s always accessible.

View attachment 44927

View attachment 44928

Well first wtf are you talking about chain lube setup? must be missing something here...

But on the velcro, don't put that on an unprotected part of your frame, velcro will scratch, or the dirt that gets in between the velcro and frame will become abrasive and scratch up your paint. ask me how i know...


And yes to the brake line replacement above. I would have kept the old lines or got one of those double ended barbed fittings to attach a the new hose to the old brake line and pull it through. Hopefully you went with some nice MT7's!

 

[Zimmerframe]

Well first wtf are you talking about chain lube setup? must be missing something here...

Some people use a velcro strap, stick, allen key .. to lock a crank to the chain ring - to make lubing easier.

Personally, I just push the bike back, lube a section, push it back, lube a section... bla bla .. until the chains lubed.

 

[Endoguru]

Newest upgrade to the bike. EDC LITE TOOL

I honestly like the specialized SWAT tool better if it would have 1 size smaller allen. This is quite hard to remove from the stem and then you also have to remove the cap from the multi tool.
But I like how this uses the star-nut and I don’t think it should ever rattle.

View attachment 45166

The EDC tool is very hard to remove. I put a light grease on the rubber o-ring and it makes it much easier.

 

[rb.]

Well first wtf are you talking about chain lube setup? must be missing something here...

And yes to the brake line replacement above. I would have kept the old lines or got one of those double ended barbed fittings to attach a the new hose to the old brake line and pull it through. Hopefully you went with some nice MT7's!

How do you lube your chain? Spin your cranks backwards and tell me what happens.

Thank you for the warning, I will remove the strap from my bike and the times I inevitably forget to lube my chain before leaving the house just use a different method.

As far as I’m aware brake lines are not universal between any mountain bike brands. Bike is now fitted with Saints.

 

[ShaneBean]

Crank arm popped off while I was in the air during a jump at my local bike park. It happened late in the day so I had got a bunch of runs in already. Landed on my right ankle with my back tire. It's super sprained, maybe broken. Getting x-rays now.
PSA tighten everything on your new bike.

 

[Darkyhs]

Get well soon buddy

My Team edition just arrived. I will take it to the LBS a bit later to exchange the brakes and ask them to torque all the bolts up.

 

[Gw0175]

Rookie Q but the main plug connector from battery to motor... Is it just a push fit or should I be expecting to hear a 'click' if I pushed hard enough? Just doesn't feel very secure??