Am I too big to bother repairing the motor in my Gazelle Innergy XT for the third time?

[grazer]

Hi all
I am new to these forums, from down under in Sydney, but have had my Gazelle for seven years. I must say I do like the frame size I have - I am 6'10" and this was the only real option I had at the time I bought it. The issue is I am also quite big and dare I say strong - 280 pounds ex-rugby union player if that helps you visualise. I have just blown out the electric motor for the third time - did it once when under warranty and once out. It was quite expensive to fix when out of warranty and I wonder whether it is worth trying to fix it, trying to replace it with a better kind of motor, or giving up and buying a brand new ebike that is suited to a man of my proportions and ability to wreck bicycles. I do not limit that ability to ebikes either - I wrecked the front sprocket in a bicycle because I was too strong for it pedalling up a hill, and my current non-electric bicycle has a back wheel that refuses to bear my weight.
I have looked through the forums for similar advice for tall, heavy or strong people but not sure if the advice applied to people that are all.
Any advice gratefully received.

 

[pmcdonald]

Have you been quoted a figure for a new motor? That Gazelle is an elegant looking bike but it sounds like even if you replace it you'll arrive at a similar place sooner or later. I think I'd put the money towards a new bike. Others can comment on the merits of a hub vs mid drive motor for heavier riders.

6'10" is challenging. I'm 6'2" and comfortable on an XL frame. A long seat post and extended stem should get you a good fit, provided there's the cable travel. Definitely something to size up and get installed prior to purchase at your bike store - you don't want to buy first or order online and find the electronics can't early reach out that far. A bike store can use cable extenders.

There's this thread here (https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/the-best-electric-bikes-for-large-people.22763/) which you've probably seen, but most of the bikes referenced aren't available down here. Electra is.

Sydney Electric Bikes (http://www.sydneyelectricbikes.com.au/) is well worth a drop in to get their opinion. They're helpful people and their range is as good as anywhere. All the best, keep us posted.

 

[Explorer-1]

I think it is time for a new bike. You could fix it and then sell it, or give it away, not too cost effective, but maybe someone you know would like the bike.

 

[kmccune]

some of the mid drive cargo bikes would probably suit as well a real strong geared Hub motor would work for awhile, if you could put the steel gears in the 750 + watt Bafang hub motor it would probably last for awhile, ,I ruined a crankset too( my gross weight probably exceeded yours,I was doubling up a steep hill and it got tight, then nothing as the crank arm attachment sheared.) Weight does matter, I am amazed you have never had chain trouble, the mid drives with your weight are going to put a lot on the chain, maybe take a look see at a belt drive, they are expensive, worth it though if you can afford it.

 

[CodyDog]

A lot has changed with ebikes in 7 years. I would look into buying a new bike.

 

[Dallant]

New ebike vote here. Heavier duty, stronger frame, more torque. Bosch CX is a great, reliable motor. I have one in my Trek Allant+7 and it’s been great for almost 1000 miles now. You don’t see many issues related here about them. Frame size for you is going to be an issue no matter what motor you choose.

 

[Bigal1463]

Welcome grazer, keep on asking and searching. If you can’t find an answer her, you‘ll likely not find it anywhere. Good luck and happy safe miles to you.

 

[indianajo]

OP was last seen July 29, posters.

 

[Mike TowpathTraveler]

OP was last seen July 29, posters.

His one and only post, as well. Suspect a very, very, very, very, very, very, very deliberate person who takes a long, long, long time to weigh his options, given the info from some well intentioned folks here!

 

[Newgrazer]

His one and only post, as well. Suspect a very, very, very, very, very, very, very deliberate person who takes a long, long, long time to weigh his options, given the info from some well intentioned folks here!

Hey I'm the OP - back with a different user name because I signed up with Facebook and then deleted Facebook so had to sign up again with an email.
Anyhoo - yes maybe you missed one very, and maybe two longs. I have been weighing the options and have basically come to a view.
I think I will keep the Gazelle as a 'project'. I like riding it even without electric because it is a big frame and comfortable. Just might change the front wheel to reduce weight a bit.
And I will head on down to Sydney Electric Bikes to look at a new model. The main thing holding me back at the moment, or up until now, was that I'm not really commuting at the moment - been working from home since March. I've only been back to the office a couple of times and unlike before, no showers at the end of trip available yet.
But then yesterday I had a local trip where I was waiting for my wife to get home with the car so I could head out. And couldn't help but think I would not have this problem if I had a working electric bike.

 

[Mike TowpathTraveler]

Welcome back, OP. Just having looked at this bike online, I'm thinking that it's underpowered for your weight. Not sure what kind of budget you would be looking at, but I believe a mid drive bike with a rear cassette that can allow some form of spinning the pedals (thereby not increasing stress on the motor) is ultimately the kind of ebike that would serve you best. The newer Bosch mid drive is pushing 85 newton meters of torque, the Yamaha's about 80 in the PW-X2 and over 100 in the Bafang mid drives; all with a battery to better match these motors. Unfortunately, they do come with a premium in price.

Take a look at some of the newer rear cassette clusters that are out there today, some real mountain goat low gear ranges in many of them. Spinning at about 75 to 90 rpm will raise less wear on everything, from your knees to the motor, chain, front sprocket teeth and so on. And I believe in the long run, you will be rewarded by a long-lived ebike.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do and let us know what you decide to do!

 

[Haystacks]

Hey I'm the OP - back with a different user name because I signed up with Facebook and then deleted Facebook so had to sign up again with an email.
Anyhoo - yes maybe you missed one very, and maybe two longs. I have been weighing the options and have basically come to a view.
I think I will keep the Gazelle as a 'project'. I like riding it even without electric because it is a big frame and comfortable. Just might change the front wheel to reduce weight a bit.
And I will head on down to Sydney Electric Bikes to look at a new model. The main thing holding me back at the moment, or up until now, was that I'm not really commuting at the moment - been working from home since March. I've only been back to the office a couple of times and unlike before, no showers at the end of trip available yet.
But then yesterday I had a local trip where I was waiting for my wife to get home with the car so I could head out. And couldn't help but think I would not have this problem if I had a working electric bike.

Hehe this could be me, 6' 7" ex union tight head prop, technically we are giants, so bikes are tricky, as has been stated mid drive is your best option, dare i say a bafang ultra. If youre a bit handy with a toolkit maybe build one, you can ensure the components are upto spec, if you want suspension you need forks and rear shock with lockout it'll stop you blowing them, wide handle bars will help make it comfy to ride rather than standard ones making you ride squished up, i have 800mm bars feels very natural. Haters gna hate when i say this but maybe a fat bike (not sure a bafang ultra fatty frame is a thing) it helps with stability and brings the centre of gravity into a less precarious position. Its very possible just needs a different set of requirements to standard people

 

[Mike TowpathTraveler]

Haters gna hate when i say this but maybe a fat bike (not sure a bafang ultra fatty frame is a thing) it helps with stability and brings the centre of gravity into a less precarious position. Its very possible just needs a different set of requirements to standard people

You and Newgrazer have a good foot or so on me, but I'm an advocate for fatbikes, as I own two, a Specialized Fatboy and Haibike Full FatSix. As you point out in your post, H-Stacks, a rear shock on a dual suspension fatty can be a tricky thing with guys approaching 300 lbs. Now, a hard tail fatbike with a front shock might be more appropriate. And I'd be very careful of airing down a fat bike tire in a hard pack trail or asphalt road situation, since I believe the likelihood of bent rims will certainly increase. I'm 180-190 and ride my Haibike on road surfaces with tire pressures running 22-25 psi (Schwalbe Jumbo Jims).

I've outfitted my H-Bike with front and rear racks with several different style Ortlieb bags to choose from. It can be a commuter bike that also happens to be the best off-road bike capable of going over sugar sand. No other bicycle out there has the all around versatility that the fat bike has.

 

[Haystacks]

You and Newgrazer have a good foot or so on me, but I'm an advocate for fatbikes, as I own two, a Specialized Fatboy and Haibike Full FatSix. As you point out in your post, H-Stacks, a rear shock on a dual suspension fatty can be a tricky thing with guys approaching 300 lbs. Now, a hard tail fatbike with a front shock might be more appropriate. And I'd be very careful of airing down a fat bike tire in a hard pack trail or asphalt road situation, since I believe the likelihood of bent rims will certainly increase. I'm 180-190 and ride my Haibike on road surfaces with tire pressures running 22-25 psi (Schwalbe Jumbo Jims).

I've outfitted my H-Bike with front and rear racks with several different style Ortlieb bags to choose from. It can be a commuter bike that also happens to be the best off-road bike capable of going over sugar sand. No other bicycle out there has the all around versatility that the fat bike has.

Sorry to go a bit off topic op buttttt........

You are absolutely correct there mike, there was that post the other day about efficiencies but what efficiencies are we discussing? can a road bike roll over a 6 inch rock efficiently? can a 1.9 glide through a bog efficiently? Horses for courses and all that. Mine just happens to be a warhorse.

 

[Newgrazer]

Back with the progress.
I had a test ride of a bike with a Bafang mid drive and certainly that seems to have the power I need, so one of the options is refurbish with one of those.
I also have three options for new bikes - Kalkhoff Include 8, Kalkhoff Endeavour 1.B, and Gazelle Chamonix T10.
The Include 8 seems to be well reviewed on this site but I see some comments about lack of after sales service.
Estimate on refurbish is maybe $2500 (Australian dollars) - apart from the motor I'd need a new front fork and wheel, and probably replace the brakes, etc. There would only be a one year warranty on the motor though.
The Kalkhoff Include 8 is on sale so can get it for $3595 - the cheapest of the 3 on offer new.
I'm inclined to go for the Kalkhoff Include 8 - it seems the best for me of the three and comes with a two year warranty. And I've bought from the bike shop before.

 

[pmcdonald]

I'm inclined to go for the Kalkhoff Include 8 - it seems the best for me of the three and comes with a two year warranty. And I've bought from the bike shop before.

Don't! That was some standout advice I got when searching for a new Ebike. Fully disclosure: I don't have experience with one myself but the list of Kalkhoff user horror stories is long and tortured.

 

[john peck]

Hi all
I am new to these forums, from down under in Sydney, but have had my Gazelle for seven years. I must say I do like the frame size I have - I am 6'10" and this was the only real option I had at the time I bought it. The issue is I am also quite big and dare I say strong - 280 pounds ex-rugby union player if that helps you visualise. I have just blown out the electric motor for the third time - did it once when under warranty and once out. It was quite expensive to fix when out of warranty and I wonder whether it is worth trying to fix it, trying to replace it with a better kind of motor, or giving up and buying a brand new ebike that is suited to a man of my proportions and ability to wreck bicycles. I do not limit that ability to ebikes either - I wrecked the front sprocket in a bicycle because I was too strong for it pedalling up a hill, and my current non-electric bicycle has a back wheel that refuses to bear my weight.
I have looked through the forums for similar advice for tall, heavy or strong people but not sure if the advice applied to people that are all.
Any advice gratefully received.

Put the poor critter out of it´s misery, mate.

 

[E-Wheels]

Don't! That was some standout advice I got when searching for a new Ebike. Fully disclosure: I don't have experience with one myself but the list of Kalkhoff user horror stories is long and tortured.

I would agree for models which have the Impulse or EVO drive units
If I was to choose a Kalkhoff it would only be models with the Bosch drive units

 

[TrevorB]

This model has Impulse motor which has history of failures.

Given your weight I'd go for 60-90nm motors. Bosch Activeline Plus is only 50nm while PerformanceLine is 65nm, I suggest test ride bikes with these two different motors to see difference.

Bike weight rating is combined weight of bike and rider plus gear. For 130kg ebike that is realistically 100kg rider. Small cargo bikes like Tern HSD, GSD or Benno Remidemi, Boost won't have any issue with your weight, height is another story, GSD is best here at 195cm. Best to talk to shop and see what they can do.

Corractec Life CX6 is stepthrough rated to 180kg the 57cm frame maybe big enough for you. Not bike Australia dealers are likly to carry but they may bring one in for you.

Moustache have some nice step throughs with PerformanceLine, not sure of weight limit but likely to be 130kg.

 

[Dallant]

I’d make a pitch for you to test a Trek Allant+7 with the Bosch Performance Line CX motor. With the updated firmware you get 85Nm of torque with EMTB mode for climbing. Very reliable, comfortable and a strong climber in your price category. Best of luck in your search.

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