EnduroIntern
New Member
Riding ep801 in the rain, no worries or asking for trouble?
Taking a Shimano for a ride in the rain?
- Thread starter EnduroIntern
- Start date
Zed.
Active member
I rode my ep801 powered Canyon Torque:ON through some heavy rain & classic Welsh mud (think liquid mud & generally soggy
) without issues, I’ve just gained an ep8 powered Norco and am fully expecting to ride that in similar if not worse conditions 
Rich.
Astro66
Active member
The problem with the EP801 and EP600 is that they cannot be serviced. If you open them up. They may never run again. And these motors are not 100% waterproof. This means that any ingress of water can never be addressed. And it will eventually lead to a component failure. Whether electronic or a bearing.
I ride in the rain with my EP600. I do realise this is probably shortening the life of the motor. But if I get 5 years out of a motor. Being able to source a new EP801 for about USD$750. I would prefer to just enjoy my riding regardless of the weather, and replace the motor if there is a failure.
Cost of doing business. So Just ride.
I ride in the rain with my EP600. I do realise this is probably shortening the life of the motor. But if I get 5 years out of a motor. Being able to source a new EP801 for about USD$750. I would prefer to just enjoy my riding regardless of the weather, and replace the motor if there is a failure.
Cost of doing business. So Just ride.
steve_sordy
Wedding Crasher
@EnduroIntern I have six years spread over two bikes with Shimano motors; over 7000 miles. All in the UK with our increasingly wet winters (as supposed to snowy winters). Not a single problem. Cranks tight, no loose play. No unwanted noises (well, no unexpected noises), motors much quieter than expected. I cannot believe that you will have a problem in Israel. After all, half your country is desert! Do not worry about your motor. Some riders are unlucky and publicise it on here, most are lucky and don't write in.
Just DO NOT use a hosepipe to wash your bike. I use a bucket of warm water with the cheapest non-wax car wash product diluted into the water to wash the bike. I use a watering can filled with cold water to pre-wet the mud/muck and to rinse off the suds.
In dry weather I use a 2" clean paintbrush to remove dust, but only if it has built up to the point where it can be seen from a distance.
I always clean the stanchions and lube them before every ride. Ditto for the chain.
PS: I also transport my bike on my tow-bar rack. If it rains, I keep going at whatever is a safe speed for the conditions; the bike gets exposed to 70mph rainstorms and I still have had no problems.
Just DO NOT use a hosepipe to wash your bike. I use a bucket of warm water with the cheapest non-wax car wash product diluted into the water to wash the bike. I use a watering can filled with cold water to pre-wet the mud/muck and to rinse off the suds.
In dry weather I use a 2" clean paintbrush to remove dust, but only if it has built up to the point where it can be seen from a distance.
I always clean the stanchions and lube them before every ride. Ditto for the chain.
PS: I also transport my bike on my tow-bar rack. If it rains, I keep going at whatever is a safe speed for the conditions; the bike gets exposed to 70mph rainstorms and I still have had no problems.
I've run a Yeti 16e EP801 for over 2000 miles in the good old North Yorkshire climate, when it's wet, it's very wet, I've yet to experience an error code or any other trouble with the Motor, go for it and enjoy your smiles in your miles.
theremotejuggernaut
Active member
My EP8 equipped bike is regularly up to the axles in mud and puddles.
While the motor was under warranty, I didn't care because if it did fail from water ingress, the warranty would have covered it.
Now that the warranty is up, I still don't care because having ridden it in utterly foul conditions for the last couple of years, I have the confidence that a bit of rain isn't going to kill it.
I wouldn't be happy totally submerging it riding through a river but a splash through an unexpectedly deep stream has never upset it yet.
(probably jinxed it now. Await my post tomorrow evening asking to revive an EP8 after water damage)
While the motor was under warranty, I didn't care because if it did fail from water ingress, the warranty would have covered it.
Now that the warranty is up, I still don't care because having ridden it in utterly foul conditions for the last couple of years, I have the confidence that a bit of rain isn't going to kill it.
I wouldn't be happy totally submerging it riding through a river but a splash through an unexpectedly deep stream has never upset it yet.
(probably jinxed it now. Await my post tomorrow evening asking to revive an EP8 after water damage)
Astro66
Active member
After a ride in really heavy rain, I started getting E914 Errors the next time I rode. I got it twice within 10 mins, so I walked the bike home.
Even though the motor is still under warranty. As I come from an electronic tech background, I looked the error up and read it was a connection error. So I pulled every single electrical power and comms connection apart, including all the SD300 connections. Sprayed with Water Dispersant, then contact cleaner, and reassembled. I have never got another error.
But the moral of the story is, water can get in and cause issues. Whilst I don't care, as I believe I can fix anything myself. People need to be aware that a minority of Shimano EP801 and EP600 motors will experience issues when used in very wet conditions.
Same goes with all motors
Astro66
Active member
Agree. The issue with Shimano EP801 and EP600, is the non serviceability of the motor.
If that E914 connection error was internal. Even though it could have fixed by simply spraying some water dispersant on the affected connector. The motor would be a write off because neither you or a service agent can open it.
The only company near where I live, that used to service Shimano motors, has stopped servicing them, because too many of the motors stopped working after being opened up.
edruid
Member
Have ridden, Bosch, Yamaha and Shimano thought water. the Shims die very easy you should be wary.
There's lots of people who service their own bearings successfully in the ep series motors. I wouldn't say they're none serviceable, you just have to take your time while splitting the cases.
www.E-MotorRepairs.co.uk
They service shimano motor and have a good reputation. Motors done fail after opening them either so don’t know where you got that info from.
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