Bosch SX motor reliability

[Captain Slow]

I know this motor is relatively new so there won't be a lot of data, but how reliable have these motors been? Are they noticeably different than past Bosch motors?

I find the smaller size, and lower weight quite appealing, but not if it comes at the cost of reliability.

 

[Captain Slow]

Hmmm, quite a few views and no replies. Could Bosch sx owners at least chime in with their experience ie how long they owned the bike, mileage, user experience, etc …..

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Hmmm, quite a few views and no replies. Could Bosch sx owners at least chime in with their experience ie how long they owned the bike, mileage, user experience, etc …..

I guess there are not many of them yet

 

[Deacon Blues]

I noticed that Cannondale's new Synapse Neo comes with the Bosch SX motor. So far it's not available in Canada.
That's the first e-road bike I've come across with the SX motor.
Most of the installs seem to be for mountain bikes.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I could see a Canyon Grizl:ON CF 9 (gravel e-bike) with the Bosch SX motor in Warsaw. That e-bike looked gorgeous!
The US/NZ version comes with the Performance Line Sprint motor (SX Class 3). Of course that version cannot be bought in Europe.

 

[BlackHand]

I noticed that Cannondale's new Synapse Neo comes with the Bosch SX motor. So far it's not available in Canada.
That's the first e-road bike I've come across with the SX motor.
Most of the installs seem to be for mountain bikes.

Hah, I was just looking at the Synapse Neo Allroad online last night! Sharp looking bikes. It looks like a few of the road versions have made it to US dealers, but no Allroads yet.

"powerful boost up to 28mph, then seamlessly disengages for effortless pedaling at greater speeds."

I don't know about you, but if I could 'effortlessly' pedal faster than 28mph I probably wouldn't need an ebike!

 

[Deacon Blues]

For its size the SX motor puts out a lot of power, compared to the TQ motor, but unfortunately to get that power a very high cadence is needed.
From what I've heard, Bosch realizes this is an issue and is looking into ways to keep the high peak power while reducing the needed cadence to reach that power.

 

[dhj49er]

I bought my first eBike in early May 24.
I purchased a Cube Hybrid AMS 144 SLX.
I chose this model for it's low weight at 17.3Kg
This has the Bosch SX motor.
I am a keen mountain biker, but at 74 I was finding the climbs tiring.
I love riding this bike and the assist has been a game changer.
I've ridden over 1200km with no issues so far - touch wood!
I would like to check the motor seals, but haven't been able to find any information or video online detailing the procedure.
Likewise I haven't been able to find SX seal kits and would like to know if the Gen 4 seal kit is compatible?
TIA

 

[Captain Slow]

This place seems really good, if anyone has a seal kit they likely do.

eBike Motor Repairs & Servicing - Homepage

eBike Motor Parts Repairs & Servicing, (formally, Performance Line Bearings) has become the “go to place” for all your e-Bike motor repairs...

www.ebikemotorcentre.com

 

[dhj49er]

This place seems really good, if anyone has a seal kit they likely do.

eBike Motor Repairs & Servicing - Homepage

eBike Motor Parts Repairs & Servicing, (formally, Performance Line Bearings) has become the “go to place” for all your e-Bike motor repairs...

www.ebikemotorcentre.com

Thanks...I had already contacted them and got the following reply

To be truthfully honest, we have never seen a Bosch SX motor as of yet, so were not sure if Gen 4 kit would fit.
We're happy for you to purchase and return for a full refund if it doesn't fit so we can know!

 

[Captain Slow]

If you but the kit, please report back here.

 

[dhj49er]

If you but the kit, please report back here.

I'm planning to first check the seals and refit with new tacky grease. The ebike is relatively new and I'm hoping the seals don't need to be replaced. I will take photos and measurements of the seals and pass to eBike Motor Repairs hoping they will check if the Gen 4 seals are compatible.
I'll report back here when I know more.

 

[liesa]

I bought my first eBike in early May 24.
I purchased a Cube Hybrid AMS 144 SLX.
I chose this model for it's low weight at 17.3Kg
This has the Bosch SX motor.
I am a keen mountain biker, but at 74 I was finding the climbs tiring.
I love riding this bike and the assist has been a game changer.
I've ridden over 1200km with no issues so far - touch wood!
I would like to check the motor seals, but haven't been able to find any information or video online detailing the procedure.
Likewise I haven't been able to find SX seal kits and would like to know if the Gen 4 seal kit is compatible?
TIA

Hey, did you ever remove your motor? I've got a query on mine that I'm waiting for a reply from cube on (taking forever) just wondered if you had a gap between the black Bush on the motor mount and the frame down one side front and rear. Scared to ride it atm

 

[dhj49er]

Hey, did you ever remove your motor? I've got a query on mine that I'm waiting for a reply from cube on (taking forever) just wondered if you had a gap between the black Bush on the motor mount and the frame down one side front and rear. Scared to ride it atm

I haven't removed the motor....I never said I would!

Like you, I have removed the motor cover.

The attached photo shows the underside of the motor....it looks similar to yours.

You mention a gap, that suggests something is moving. Do you feel any movement or play when you grab the underside of the motor?

I don't on mine.

I have ridden over 2000km and that's how it looked a couple of weeks ago with 1600km on the odometer.

The bike is fantastic to ride especially on trails.
I've just spent a week in Yorkshire and ridden over 400km, with an overwhelming majority off-road.

 

[liesa]

I haven't removed the motor....I never said I would!

Like you, I have removed the motor cover.

The attached photo shows the underside of the motor....it looks similar to yours.

You mention a gap, that suggests something is moving. Do you feel any movement or play when you grab the underside of the motor?

I don't on mine.

I have ridden over 2000km and that's how it looked a couple of weeks ago with 1600km on the odometer.

The bike is fantastic to ride especially on trails.
I've just spent a week in Yorkshire and ridden over 400km, with an overwhelming majority off-road.

Oh, my mistake I though you were after seals so assumed it was an internal motor thing.

Yes mines the same as yours with that gap between the frame and rubber bush on the motor on the left side.

There's no movement in it at all just a really bad creak when pedaling, like louder than the motor noise. Greased and torqued everything.

Yes bike is fabulous I can use it everywhere to do pretty much anything with and good on tarmac.

Thanks for the reply

 

[dhj49er]

Oh, my mistake I though you were after seals so assumed it was an internal motor thing.

Yes mines the same as yours with that gap between the frame and rubber bush on the motor on the left side.

There's no movement in it at all just a really bad creak when pedaling, like louder than the motor noise. Greased and torqued everything.

Yes bike is fabulous I can use it everywhere to do pretty much anything with and good on tarmac.

Thanks for the reply

My bike had a creak and my partner's 144 had a really bad creak.

Both bikes are creak free now...touch wood!

And on neither bike was it the motor!

I resolved the creak on my bike by applying a lot of MucOff Protect & Shine to the pivot arm and trailing arm bearings.

My partners was resolved by the bike shop. They found the rear shock had been installed dry, with no grease at all. They applied grease and loctite to prevent the bearing from working loose.