SZZS specific CEF50-main thread (initial builds and troubleshooting related only)

TommyR

Member
Subscriber
Sep 19, 2024
41
33
Denton, TX, USA
Some random thoughts from my first week riding my CEF 50...

I had a nice ride on of my favorite trails this week (North Shore near the Dallas area for those familiar). I was quite pleased with the bike. The geo felt really comfortable and natural (I'm 6' tall on a size Large). Suspension felt capable and reasonably supple, but I still have tuning to do. The cables rattled more than I'd like on chunky descents. I plan to tear it down completely to fully sleeve all of the cables with foam from Jagwire. I can't stand a noisy bike!

I did almost 11.4 miles with about 800' of elevation, so not a particularly "big" ride. I was happy to still have 78% battery left, given my weight of about 235 lbs. I rode in Sport mode (3/5) pretty much the whole time and tried to maintain the same cadence as when I ride my Amish bike. It felt very natural overall. It actually made riding fun for me again! Instead of constant frustration from my lack of fitness, I had enough energy to do little jumps and drops that I otherwise might've avoided due to exhaustion. That alone makes an e-bike totally worth it!

Thank you all for the suggestions on the speed senor. I didn't realize it could be rotated! I also installed the Magura magnet to the rotors and it's such a nice and clean install! Pic of the magnet attached.

I also installed some eThirteen 155mm cranks that are designed for Bosch motors. They fit fine, but the aesthetic cover doesn't mate up well (I'll share a picture when I get back home). I opted for the wider Q factor because the stock cranks felt too narrow to me. And eThirteen has a 30% sale on right now! I also tried one of their splined chainrings, but sadly the spline diameter was too small and wouldn't fit. :(

I am running a 200mm Fox dropper post, but it's at the very max limit of fitting. Internally, it can easily hit the charge port and pop it loose if it's too low. The dropper needs to be raised about 3/4" from fully inserted in order to fit properly.

I'm running SRAM Transmission (GX) and it worked like a dream! Never missed a shift, even under some power. The Lewis LH4 brakes with 203mm Magura rotors (2.3mm THK) gave ample power with great modulation and I was really happy with the combo. I also replaced the original chainring with one from SRAM to ensure it would work with the flattop chain. I kept the 32t size and I think it's the right size for how I like to ride.

Current tires are 29" Maxxis with a 2.5" Assegai and 2.4" Dissector, but I really want to try the new Schwalbe radials once I find what I want in stock. I also have a set of 27.5x2.8 tires (DHF/Rekon) on some wide 45mm rims I'd like to try for a new experience! That'll also be my winter setup if/when it snows here in Texas. :D

I've loved riding the bike this week. It honestly had me wondering if I will have a need to keep my Yeti SB140. :unsure: Time will tell...

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mike_kelly

Well-known member
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Aug 11, 2022
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I keep my old "analog" bikes to ride the trails where emtb's are not allowed. I don't ride trails where they are not allowed in hopes that they will come around and open them up to emtb. I don't want to screw that up for anyone by riding illegally.
 

TommyR

Member
Subscriber
Sep 19, 2024
41
33
Denton, TX, USA
I wholeheartedly agree, Mike! The last thing I'd want is to contribute to any bad impressions folks may have regarding e-bikes.....or any bikes in general, really!
 

lkdoido

New Member
Apr 8, 2024
15
11
Brasil
Colegas,

Depois de muito tempo de negociação com Jean SZZS e muito tempo de transporte, minha bike chegou. Acredito que seja a primeira CEF50 aqui no Brasil e já estou brincando com a montagem. Durante o primeiro teste de conexão, recebi um alerta de erro 30. Jean me aconselhou a desconectar e reconectar os cabos e funcionou.
Ainda não tenho todos os componentes para montá-la. Ainda preciso de algumas coisas. Vou começar o ano testando a bike. Pensei em envolvê-la com PPF. Aqui estão algumas fotos e atualizo vocês mais tarde.
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Last edited:

souftosouf

New Member
May 4, 2024
24
2
Marseille - France
Hello guys,
Besides voigtkampff, has anyone cracked his frame ?
Where and how ? i cracked mine and even after 2 repairs (3mm of carbon each time), it's cracking at the same exact spot (lower seat tube). I'm starting to thing the frame itself has been poorly designed / manufactured and i have a hard time trusting it.

How is it going for the enduro riders ?
 

TCFlowClyde

Active member
Feb 26, 2022
1,358
884
Mesa, AZ
Hello guys,
Besides voigtkampff, has anyone cracked his frame ?
Where and how ? i cracked mine and even after 2 repairs (3mm of carbon each time), it's cracking at the same exact spot (lower seat tube). I'm starting to thing the frame itself has been poorly designed / manufactured and i have a hard time trusting it.

How is it going for the enduro riders ?
Got pics? I'm a very heavy rider doing light Enduro...baby jumps/drops. No problems for me 1.5 yrs.🤞
 

TommyR

Member
Subscriber
Sep 19, 2024
41
33
Denton, TX, USA
Happy New Year, y'all!

I decided to get a wheelset with hubs designed for the abuse of an ebike. I usually run Onyx hubs, which I love for the silence, but they're not designed for ebike torque. So while I wait for my new 29" wheeset to show up, I put on my 27.5 wheelset. Tires are 27.5x2.8 Maxxis on Light Bicycle 45mm internal rims. It's a great setup, but even with the 155mm cranks, I was pedal striking the other day. And that wasn't even on a rocky trail. It's not awful and certainly tolerable, but I look forward to my 29er set arriving in a week or two.

Speaking of cranks, I've attached pictures showing how they fit on the Bafang motor. They fit fine, but leave an awkward aesthetic gap. I plan to 3D print a spacer to fill the gap to keep out crud and for a cleaner look. Otherwise, I'm plenty happy with them.

Like many of you, I picked up a mud flap to keep rocks from getting lodged between the swing arm and the frame. I would highly recommend this or something like it to preserve your frame.

Lastly, I'm in the process of tearing the bike down to fully sleeve all the internal housings with Jagwire foam to get this thing as quiet as I can. Looking forward to riding again, but it's well below freezing here in north Texas so it may be awhile. 🥶

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Ger@anio63

New Member
Sep 6, 2024
70
48
Italy
Hi, I would like to buy the Besst tool for the Bafang M820 engine, how much does it cost, including shipping costs in Italy, post code 57126, thanks, I'm looking forward to hearing from you

Screenshot_2025-01-10-09-36-14-431_com.alibaba.intl.android.apps.poseidon.jpg
 

mike_kelly

Well-known member
Subscriber
Aug 11, 2022
948
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US
The BESST tool is comprised of two items. The hardware and the software. The BESST is made for dealers not end users. It requires a dealer password to use it which end users can not get. Unless you use a work around. Get the password from a dealer or use a by-pass script found on the internet.
 

Ger@anio63

New Member
Sep 6, 2024
70
48
Italy
The BESST tool is comprised of two items. The hardware and the software. The BESST is made for dealers not end users. It requires a dealer password to use it which end users can not get. Unless you use a work around. Get the password from a dealer or use a by-pass script found on the internet.
HI
I spoke to Jean from SZST about my problem and she told me that as soon as I have the Besst pro she will provide me with the access credentials 😁
 

TCFlowClyde

Active member
Feb 26, 2022
1,358
884
Mesa, AZ
The BESST tool is comprised of two items. The hardware and the software. The BESST is made for dealers not end users. It requires a dealer password to use it which end users can not get. Unless you use a work around. Get the password from a dealer or use a by-pass script found on the internet.
Related: any good bluetooth updates for the DPC245 v. 5.0? 👇

What can it do to tune the M820 motor again?🔧
Screenshot_20250110-092407.png
 

TommyR

Member
Subscriber
Sep 19, 2024
41
33
Denton, TX, USA
Related: any good bluetooth updates for the DPC245 v. 5.0? 👇

What can it do to tune the M820 motor again?🔧
View attachment 153010
Are you talking about Bluetooth connection from the bar-mounted controller to the DPC245?

For what it’s worth, I got the Besst tool and GO+ app. I think I got the access code from Jean. Was disappointed the Besst tool is the only way to change tire diameter, though. Fortunately, I won’t be changing that very often!
 

TCFlowClyde

Active member
Feb 26, 2022
1,358
884
Mesa, AZ
Are you talking about Bluetooth connection from the bar-mounted controller to the DPC245?

For what it’s worth, I got the Besst tool and GO+ app. I think I got the access code from Jean. Was disappointed the Besst tool is the only way to change tire diameter, though. Fortunately, I won’t be changing that very often!
Yep. Go+ on DPC 245 version to tune the motor's power modes. I believe it's still limited to that feature. I know BESST (I have one) is firmware update tool primarily. Plus, I'm fine with factory power settings. Was just curious.

Also, I'm still waiting for the 85Nm superboost mode for 30-60 sec. That and a more powerful walk mode. Would be nice to use the Go+ app for all that!

C'mon Bafang get on it! It's been more than 2 years since your flagship launch of the M820. Let's get firmware upgrades that can "compete" against the DJI Anivox drive system!😁
 

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