[#11]X52.. The 1000watt rear hub motor “grindage” fiasco explained..FINALLY!!
My newest UPDATE is the EBR thread link at the very end of this post.
Hi all,
This is the update that I have been hoping to forward to you viewers for the past 10 months. Today is June 27, 2024. This whole “grindage” scenario was initiated on Aug 19, 2023 (10 months ago). During that time frame the X52 has been stashed in the corner as I have attempted to get some degree of satisfaction as to the cause of/resulting remedy for the grindage.
I will try to keep this posting as short as possible while still being as thorough as need be to convey my situation to you fine folks.
Plan“A”:Contact the rocket scientists at the ArielRider home office.
Easy enough. Right? Finally, after 19 back-and-forth emails, here is an abbreviated rundown of that email fiasco.
[[ArielRider: To start off, I will begin by answering the questions you asked about the model and make information on the parts you requested. Motor Brand: Hengtai 750W Fat Tire E-bike motor.. Where to purchase a replacement planetary gear set: We sell those as a replacement to our customers for $45+Tax+Shipping.. The cost of a total rear wheel assembly: $395+Tax+Shipping.. ]]
Hmm, and to think that I was positive that my motor was the 1000watt beast as advertised by AR for the X52 during its 2021 model year. AR also was selling a 750watt X48 version of that model during 2021.
By the way, the information stamped on the edge of my 1000watt Hengtai rear hub motor is:
HT-QB52V1000WN2103S4995-021.. The "52V" indicates voltage. The "1000W" indicates motor wattage.. Go figure.
So, I did manage to get that item (750w or 1000w) straightened out in short order.
[[ArielRider: To get an invoice over to you for the planetary gear set, I will need to confirm that the address, (my address is listed here) is where you would like the new gear set sent. In addition, if you would like to schedule a call for us to be able to hear the noise that is coming from the bike's motor, I would be happy to do so.
The next available time I have for a scheduled call is tomorrow 9/7at 12pm and 3 pm PST. If you would like to schedule a call during either of those times, please let me know.]]
Cool. So, I did let AR know..
[[ArielRider: Thank you for confirming that for me. Since we use a computer program to send out calls, I will need to initiate the call tomorrow. In order for me to do that, could I please confirm your phone number for tomorrow's call?]]
So, I emailed it(my phone number) to them. I should have seen the RedFlag warning signs right then and there. AR does not allow incoming calls. What an awesome way to screen your company from angry customers who were foolish enough (myself included) to send you$2000+ for an ebike.
[[ArielRider: I was able to confirm that we will include a small amount of lithium grease with the replacement planetary gears you need to repair your motor. I have sent all the necessary information over to our invoicing department and you should see an invoice in your email inbox later today or first thing tomorrow. ]]
That sounds good to me. So, I await their email.
[[ArielRider (three days later): I'm sorry that this process has taken longer than expected. I was informed that our process for servicing motors has changed for instances including the planetary gear system. Due to the nature of the repair and the damage that can occur to the motor when the planetary gear system fails, we have ended the replacement of the planetary gears as a separate component due to issues with other customers. I have been told by management that the only way for us to make the necessary repairs to the motor is to either have you send in the motor for repair, or purchase a new motor core to replace the one currently in the bike. If you would like to send the motor in for inspection, I will be happy to start that process for you and provide you with the instructions and address for where to send the motor. The inspection process will require an inspection fee of $80, which will be put toward the purchase of replacement components.
If you would like to purchase a new motor, the price for a new core is$299+Tax+Shipping. ]]
Well now, isn't that tidbit of information the BeezKneez?? Either their X52 customers are a bunch of completely incompetent dunces OR there is a major reliability problem with that totally awesome Hengtai 1000watt metal gear rear hub motor. I vote for the latter. Why? Because beginning with the 2022 version of the X52, the supplied rear hub motor was a BaFang RetroBlade 1000watt unit (as it still is in2024).. I was born on Tuesday.. But, not last Tuesday..
What to do, What to do?? The above-referenced interaction with ArielRider corporate hdqtrs had taken up about 10 days time. I was definitely seeing the writing on the wall. Now it was time to proceed on to Plan“B”.
However, I decided to disassemble the rear hub unit (YouTube, thank you fine folks very much). Sure enough, on the planetary gearset with clutch assembly, one of the 3 gears had a chip taken out ofa nylon tooth which constitutes the center section of eachmetal/nylon/metal gear “sandwich"(think Oreo cookie). Other than that item, all appeared normal.
At first, I considered just replacing the 3 gears. However, considering that the motor now had 16,383 miles of use, it would just be a matter of time before something else in the gear/clutch mechanism went caa-caa, too. Besides, at under $40 for a brand new planetary gearset with clutch assembly unit, how could I go wrong?? Read on.
By the way, the information stamped on the edge of my 1000watt Hengtai rear hub motor is:
HT-QB52V1000WN2103S4995-021
So, I google the correct information for a 1,000w/2,000wPeak Output Hengtai Geared Hub Motor planetary gear set with clutch.
I find a million billion zillion examples of ebike rear hub motor planetary gearsets, both with clutch assembly and also as only single gears. However, they are all for a BaFang rear hub motor, not a one was for my Hengtai/Shengyi motor. Unfrigging believeable.
Eventually, I stumble across this sole item: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805433865209.html?What the heck, it seemed to fit the required criteria. So, I ordered one. When it arrives, I once again take apart the rear wheel/hub unit, remove the original metal gear set with clutch, and then install this new unit. A perfect fit. It slips right onto the axleshaft. Life is good after a 60 day down time (since mid-August 2023) for the X52 beast.
I install the cover. There is a 4mm gap between the motor outer shell halves. What the #$%&.. These green gears are 16mm thick. The original gears are only 12mm thick. Thus, the gap.. No way, Jose. Screwed yet again. Back to square 1.
Becoming tired of fiddly-farting around, I go direct to the main source. Here is the link for the home company of Hengtai (SHENGYIebike motor corp.) https://www.syimotor.com/
I establish an email interaction with their USA representative. What a frigging condescending a#$hole he proved to be. Yes, I could purchase the desired planetary gearset with clutch assembly. The cost would be $30 for the unit and another $80 for shipping. $80 frigging dollars!!! Plus, I would have to first send the $110 via wire to a bank in China. Upon bank approval, I could then expect the shipment of the item. What the hell!! No credit card/PayPal/etc type of payment. In this modern day and age??!! Anyway, from my interacts thus far with this skank, I definitely smelled a dubious outcome on my end. No way in hell was I going to complete this transaction.
So, from mid-August 2023 until mid-June 2024 (10 months), the peas of chit 2021 ArielRider X52 stayed in the corner. I had been screwed so many times by the purchase of this chit ebike from this chit ebike company that I probably should have started “turning tricks” as a just punishment. But nooo!!!!!!!
Instead, on Oct 20, 2023, sixty days since the original grindage, this item arrived at my front door:
https://sale.m2sbikes.com/products/all-go-cargo.
Thats right.. When life throws you crappydoodle, just go out and buy another ebike. This M2S(brand—my 3rd ebike of theirs) cargo ebike was on sale for $1199 delivered AND it included a 48v/20ah (20 gallon gas tank) battery. YaHoo!! By the way, that particular 48v battery remained in its original shipping box for10 months, until mid-June 2024 (a few weeks ago). But, that is a story for another day.
So, to finish this post, I was still in a quandry about that thoroughly disgusting X52 ebike.
In early June 2024, I had an Einstein(Larry, that is) moment. I had managed to think outside of the box, so to speak. And it paid off in spades. Sure enough, as a result of that epiphany, I was able to emerge victorious over ArielRider(the company), and X52(their ebike model), and Hengtai/SHENGYI ebike motor corp (the builder of the 1000watt peas o chit rear hub motor).
On June 18, 2024, the beast had finally been given a 2nd chance. It was up and running again.
And though I still thoroughly hate it/them. I can now say: Whose YerDaddy!!??!!
I hope to soon have another post here on EBR regarding all the particulars relating to my triumph over these evil beings of the ebike world .When I do, I will post a link to it here at the end of this post. I'm positive that you all will find it to be VERY informative for every rear hub motor ebike owner/potential owner.
I'm still not sure exactly which forum it will be on, but it will be a continuation-on-a-theme to this gear set item.
[UPDATE]
Here is the addendum that I mentioned in the prior paragraph:
https://forums.electricbikereview.c...-hub-bafang-and-hengtai-shengyi-motors.56153/
This post will complete the "trilogy of horror" threads regarding the X52 peas o'chit ebike.
As I often state in my many EBR thread postings: Learn From My Mistakes.. or not..
My newest UPDATE is the EBR thread link at the very end of this post.
Hi all,
This is the update that I have been hoping to forward to you viewers for the past 10 months. Today is June 27, 2024. This whole “grindage” scenario was initiated on Aug 19, 2023 (10 months ago). During that time frame the X52 has been stashed in the corner as I have attempted to get some degree of satisfaction as to the cause of/resulting remedy for the grindage.
I will try to keep this posting as short as possible while still being as thorough as need be to convey my situation to you fine folks.
Plan“A”:Contact the rocket scientists at the ArielRider home office.
Easy enough. Right? Finally, after 19 back-and-forth emails, here is an abbreviated rundown of that email fiasco.
[[ArielRider: To start off, I will begin by answering the questions you asked about the model and make information on the parts you requested. Motor Brand: Hengtai 750W Fat Tire E-bike motor.. Where to purchase a replacement planetary gear set: We sell those as a replacement to our customers for $45+Tax+Shipping.. The cost of a total rear wheel assembly: $395+Tax+Shipping.. ]]
Hmm, and to think that I was positive that my motor was the 1000watt beast as advertised by AR for the X52 during its 2021 model year. AR also was selling a 750watt X48 version of that model during 2021.
By the way, the information stamped on the edge of my 1000watt Hengtai rear hub motor is:
HT-QB52V1000WN2103S4995-021.. The "52V" indicates voltage. The "1000W" indicates motor wattage.. Go figure.
So, I did manage to get that item (750w or 1000w) straightened out in short order.
[[ArielRider: To get an invoice over to you for the planetary gear set, I will need to confirm that the address, (my address is listed here) is where you would like the new gear set sent. In addition, if you would like to schedule a call for us to be able to hear the noise that is coming from the bike's motor, I would be happy to do so.
The next available time I have for a scheduled call is tomorrow 9/7at 12pm and 3 pm PST. If you would like to schedule a call during either of those times, please let me know.]]
Cool. So, I did let AR know..
[[ArielRider: Thank you for confirming that for me. Since we use a computer program to send out calls, I will need to initiate the call tomorrow. In order for me to do that, could I please confirm your phone number for tomorrow's call?]]
So, I emailed it(my phone number) to them. I should have seen the RedFlag warning signs right then and there. AR does not allow incoming calls. What an awesome way to screen your company from angry customers who were foolish enough (myself included) to send you$2000+ for an ebike.
[[ArielRider: I was able to confirm that we will include a small amount of lithium grease with the replacement planetary gears you need to repair your motor. I have sent all the necessary information over to our invoicing department and you should see an invoice in your email inbox later today or first thing tomorrow. ]]
That sounds good to me. So, I await their email.
[[ArielRider (three days later): I'm sorry that this process has taken longer than expected. I was informed that our process for servicing motors has changed for instances including the planetary gear system. Due to the nature of the repair and the damage that can occur to the motor when the planetary gear system fails, we have ended the replacement of the planetary gears as a separate component due to issues with other customers. I have been told by management that the only way for us to make the necessary repairs to the motor is to either have you send in the motor for repair, or purchase a new motor core to replace the one currently in the bike. If you would like to send the motor in for inspection, I will be happy to start that process for you and provide you with the instructions and address for where to send the motor. The inspection process will require an inspection fee of $80, which will be put toward the purchase of replacement components.
If you would like to purchase a new motor, the price for a new core is$299+Tax+Shipping. ]]
Well now, isn't that tidbit of information the BeezKneez?? Either their X52 customers are a bunch of completely incompetent dunces OR there is a major reliability problem with that totally awesome Hengtai 1000watt metal gear rear hub motor. I vote for the latter. Why? Because beginning with the 2022 version of the X52, the supplied rear hub motor was a BaFang RetroBlade 1000watt unit (as it still is in2024).. I was born on Tuesday.. But, not last Tuesday..
What to do, What to do?? The above-referenced interaction with ArielRider corporate hdqtrs had taken up about 10 days time. I was definitely seeing the writing on the wall. Now it was time to proceed on to Plan“B”.
However, I decided to disassemble the rear hub unit (YouTube, thank you fine folks very much). Sure enough, on the planetary gearset with clutch assembly, one of the 3 gears had a chip taken out ofa nylon tooth which constitutes the center section of eachmetal/nylon/metal gear “sandwich"(think Oreo cookie). Other than that item, all appeared normal.
At first, I considered just replacing the 3 gears. However, considering that the motor now had 16,383 miles of use, it would just be a matter of time before something else in the gear/clutch mechanism went caa-caa, too. Besides, at under $40 for a brand new planetary gearset with clutch assembly unit, how could I go wrong?? Read on.
By the way, the information stamped on the edge of my 1000watt Hengtai rear hub motor is:
HT-QB52V1000WN2103S4995-021
So, I google the correct information for a 1,000w/2,000wPeak Output Hengtai Geared Hub Motor planetary gear set with clutch.
I find a million billion zillion examples of ebike rear hub motor planetary gearsets, both with clutch assembly and also as only single gears. However, they are all for a BaFang rear hub motor, not a one was for my Hengtai/Shengyi motor. Unfrigging believeable.
Eventually, I stumble across this sole item: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805433865209.html?What the heck, it seemed to fit the required criteria. So, I ordered one. When it arrives, I once again take apart the rear wheel/hub unit, remove the original metal gear set with clutch, and then install this new unit. A perfect fit. It slips right onto the axleshaft. Life is good after a 60 day down time (since mid-August 2023) for the X52 beast.
I install the cover. There is a 4mm gap between the motor outer shell halves. What the #$%&.. These green gears are 16mm thick. The original gears are only 12mm thick. Thus, the gap.. No way, Jose. Screwed yet again. Back to square 1.
Becoming tired of fiddly-farting around, I go direct to the main source. Here is the link for the home company of Hengtai (SHENGYIebike motor corp.) https://www.syimotor.com/
I establish an email interaction with their USA representative. What a frigging condescending a#$hole he proved to be. Yes, I could purchase the desired planetary gearset with clutch assembly. The cost would be $30 for the unit and another $80 for shipping. $80 frigging dollars!!! Plus, I would have to first send the $110 via wire to a bank in China. Upon bank approval, I could then expect the shipment of the item. What the hell!! No credit card/PayPal/etc type of payment. In this modern day and age??!! Anyway, from my interacts thus far with this skank, I definitely smelled a dubious outcome on my end. No way in hell was I going to complete this transaction.
So, from mid-August 2023 until mid-June 2024 (10 months), the peas of chit 2021 ArielRider X52 stayed in the corner. I had been screwed so many times by the purchase of this chit ebike from this chit ebike company that I probably should have started “turning tricks” as a just punishment. But nooo!!!!!!!
Instead, on Oct 20, 2023, sixty days since the original grindage, this item arrived at my front door:
https://sale.m2sbikes.com/products/all-go-cargo.
Thats right.. When life throws you crappydoodle, just go out and buy another ebike. This M2S(brand—my 3rd ebike of theirs) cargo ebike was on sale for $1199 delivered AND it included a 48v/20ah (20 gallon gas tank) battery. YaHoo!! By the way, that particular 48v battery remained in its original shipping box for10 months, until mid-June 2024 (a few weeks ago). But, that is a story for another day.
So, to finish this post, I was still in a quandry about that thoroughly disgusting X52 ebike.
In early June 2024, I had an Einstein(Larry, that is) moment. I had managed to think outside of the box, so to speak. And it paid off in spades. Sure enough, as a result of that epiphany, I was able to emerge victorious over ArielRider(the company), and X52(their ebike model), and Hengtai/SHENGYI ebike motor corp (the builder of the 1000watt peas o chit rear hub motor).
On June 18, 2024, the beast had finally been given a 2nd chance. It was up and running again.
And though I still thoroughly hate it/them. I can now say: Whose YerDaddy!!??!!
I hope to soon have another post here on EBR regarding all the particulars relating to my triumph over these evil beings of the ebike world .When I do, I will post a link to it here at the end of this post. I'm positive that you all will find it to be VERY informative for every rear hub motor ebike owner/potential owner.
I'm still not sure exactly which forum it will be on, but it will be a continuation-on-a-theme to this gear set item.
[UPDATE]
Here is the addendum that I mentioned in the prior paragraph:
https://forums.electricbikereview.c...-hub-bafang-and-hengtai-shengyi-motors.56153/
This post will complete the "trilogy of horror" threads regarding the X52 peas o'chit ebike.
As I often state in my many EBR thread postings: Learn From My Mistakes.. or not..
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