Clean Republic Recalls Hill Topper Electric Bike Motor Controllers Due to Crash and Injury Hazards

[Josh W]

If you're like me and enjoy building Ebikes yourself and sometimes on a tight budget, check your motor. If you own one of these you should really be cautious and look into replacing it. According to THIS link to The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, users are experiencing sudden acceleration and loss of control. Apparently, a bit over 3,000 of the kits have been sold. That's a lot of risky bikes if they get wet.
Has anyone experienced a recall for their kit or bike?

 

[Admin]

Great question @Josh W, our friend Brent just reviewed the new Hill Topper complete bikes but I don't think he was aware of this issue. Maybe it has to do with older products only? Thanks for bringing this to our attention!

 

[Josh W]

According to their website, the products were sold between January 1st, 2017 through May 2018, though I see no model numbers listed. (Link Removed - No Longer Exists) for their official notification from their site.

 

[rich c]

LOL Sudden acceleration on a 250w Hill Topper? Almost laughable. I guess if you are coming into the garage, or coming up behind a crowd it would be an issue. Don't they have shut offs on the brake levers?

 

[harryS]

I believe the basic Hilltoppers use an on/off throttle switch. Probably don't use e-brake switches. Every kit should have both brake levers rigged with cutoffs, in my opinion.

"Sudden acceleration" can be so user dependent, but I've had this really happen once with a kit bike with a regular throttle, but it was a little motor and hardly noticeable as I was going uphill. Having a brake cutoff shut it down. In my case, the ground wire on the throttle cable came loose, and that will give max throttle on many chinese made controllers.

 

[slomoshun]

It does operate with an on/off button. Even if the button stuck down, or there is some sort of electrical fault, the 250 watt Hill Topper [Bafang geared hub] is so anemic it would stall if you apply the brakes.

3350 units sold, "....six reports of a rider losing control of his bike when the motor accelerated without rider input, including one reported injury resulting in scrapes and bruises." The sky is falling.

 

[Josh W]

Even with the lack of gusto these motors have, every instance can be situational. Some failures laughable or not so much even with a small motor.

 

[Deleted member 4210]

if that motor suddenly lunges the ebike forward while simply standing beside it, getting caught by a clawed metal pedal in the back of the calf or heel, would not be pleasant.

 

[Josh W]

if that motor suddenly lunges the ebike forward while simply standing beside it, getting caught by a clawed metal pedal in the back of the calf or heel, would not be pleasant.

You aren't kidding man, that wouldn't be a good experience.