Advice on riding my Gazelle Grenoble

[beckgirl]

Hi everyone. I am new to the community and new to an ebike. I have just bought a nearly new Gazelle Grenoble C7 elite. I haven't ridden an ebike before and, when I come to a stop when riding, I push the pedal backwards so that it is in a position where I can pedal away.

I hadn't realised I can't do that with my Gazelle bike and I wondered if anyone could give me some advice on how I should ride to help me get used to this. Hope this isn't a stupid question - do you try to manage where your pedals end up as you slow down. I'd be really grateful for any advice or pointers to helpful resources.

Thank you

 

[indianajo]

That is one reason I hated PAS. I would line up the pedal to start briskly, the motor would start and the pedal would whack my leg in the shin.
Most displays have a way to turn the assist down to "zero" or off. This is what a rider should do if he/she wants to move the pedal backwards.
I hated PAS so much, I removed my pickup from the proximity to the magnet wheel, meaning the controller never saw the pedal "move". I had a throttle, to control the motor with my hand. You in Europe, are not allowed to have one of those. Throttles are banned in Poland I know, so Gazelle that sells there, probably has one controller that is compliant everywhere.

 

[TrevorB]

Hi everyone. I am new to the community and new to an ebike. I have just bought a nearly new Gazelle Grenoble C7 elite. I haven't ridden an ebike before and, when I come to a stop when riding, I push the pedal backwards so that it is in a position where I can pedal away.

I hadn't realised I can't do that with my Gazelle bike and I wondered if anyone could give me some advice on how I should ride to help me get used to this. Hope this isn't a stupid question - do you try to manage where your pedals end up as you slow down. I'd be really grateful for any advice or pointers to helpful resources.

Thank you

All the Bosch motors should be able to be back pedaled. Does the your bike have back pedal brake?. Failing that see your dealer.

 

[beckgirl]

Thanks for those replies. It has normal brakes (ie, not a back pedal brake). If I am riding with the power off, I still can't move the pedals back so that they are in the right position to push off.

If I am off the bike and push it backwards the pedals turn backwards. I'm not a very confident cyclist and I'm a bit worried about how I am going to get used to this. I called Gazelle and they said they won't move backwards or the motor would be damaged (but I wondered after I spoke to them if they thought I meant when the PAS is on).

None of this is helped by the fact that my knowledge of bike mechanics and biking generally would fit on the back of a postage stamp!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@beckgirl,
I am from Europe. Please don't be confused by some North American users here as some of them ride different e-bikes from ones we ride in the UK or Europe or Australia/NZ. (So do not listen to terms such as "PAS" or "throttle", only confusing).

My understanding is that with your Bosch mid-drive the crank should spin freely as you pedal backwards while riding. Isn't it so? Is the crank blocked when you pedal backwards? (@David Berry: Can you pedal backwards as you ride your Bosch e-bike?)

When you walk your Gazelle backwards, the pedals will spin backwards because it is the cassette on the rear wheel that drives the thing through the chain. (On a normal ride, pedalling backwards should disconnect the crank from the motor).

Please spin the cranks backwards with your hand when your e-bike is stationary and you are off the bike. What happens?

 

[beckgirl]

Hi Stefan. Thanks so much for your reply. I spoke to the guy I bought the bike from and he said that this bike won't allow me to spin the pedal back to line it up (if I am stationary at the lights for example). As far as I've experienced so far, there is no way to move the pedals backward (with no power on) when I am on the bike. It seems strange to me, but that is the problem with being so clueless when it comes to bike mechanics! I have booked it in to a local bike shop so they can have a look.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A Bosch E-Bike user should chime in here then to definitely say if a Bosch Active Line motor allows spinning the crank backwards.

 

[TrevorB]

A Bosch E-Bike user should chime in here then to definitely say if a Bosch Active Line motor allows spinning the crank backwards.

It maybe nexus 7spd IGH. My wife had 8spd with gen2 activeline, they allowed pedals to spin backwards but the chainring didn't. Test rode Gen3 Activeline plus with cassette and don't remember it not being able to back pedal.

 

[Marci jo]

A Bosch E-Bike user should chime in here then to definitely say if a Bosch Active Line motor allows spinning the crank backwards.

Beckgirl, no not a stupid question. Trust your instincts when you feel something is wrong.
My class 1 Trek has a 3rd generation Bosch Active Line Plus, 50 nm torque. The pedals easily turn backwards.

 

[Marci jo]

And another thing, moving pedals backwards is very normal. I don’t think Bosch would sell many bikes if that was not possible.

 

[fooferdoggie]

And another thing, moving pedals backwards is very normal. I don’t think Bosch would sell many bikes if that was not possible.

nope something is wrong. on the older motors all that happens the cranks rotate not the drivetrain.

 

[beckgirl]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. I have sent a question via the Bosch motor support hub but will send it in to the bike shop so they can have a look.

 

[fooferdoggie]

if it is out of warranty bosch may or may not replace the motor. if not then its going to cost around 900 and labor. there is no repairing on the motors.

 

[DiggyGun]

A Bosch E-Bike user should chime in here then to definitely say if a Bosch Active Line motor allows spinning the crank backwards.

I can pedal backwards on my Nevo3 with the Bosch Performance CX motor

 

[beckgirl]

Thanks again all. If it helps anyone with a similar problem in the future, I spoke to a Gazelle dealer who confirms I should be able to pedal backwards - he is going to look at my bike for me.

 

[Marci jo]

Thanks again all. If it helps anyone with a similar problem in the future, I spoke to a Gazelle dealer who confirms I should be able to pedal backwards - he is going to look at my bike for me.

Excellent!
Hopefully they can find the problem and you will be enjoying ebike life soon. please post what they find.