Early adopters....

[NoDTMF]

There are many fragmented thoughts in making this post, so hopefully you can bear with me....

Perhaps, I should post in Bosch thread, as this is about Bosch Mid-Drives. I bought some e-bikes with Bosch Active Line, 2014 models. I am trying to upgrade from Active to Performance line. I mention Early Adopters, but in some respects, this about adopting a technology without fully understanding the manufacturers policies.

I doubt in the US there will ever be Bosch Active line...does anyone have one? My LBS does not have any with Active line. My bikes were demos from Europe.

My belief is one should be able to upgrade their bike...with non-ebikes this has not been an issue.

Ok, my upgrade path is shaky, somewhat unsupported by Bosch. I'm working with my LBS to do this as a legit transaction.

It may not work out, and I just committed to $800.00 where I may be stuck with a a motor that may not work, and I can't return. I chose to take the risk...this is not my LBS's concern.

Why I am posting? I think we should be aware of our upgrade paths, yes the Hub guys shine here, so I will re-phrase, and say the mid-drive guys should understand the upgrade path, should they want to go down that path. Compared to people who's hobby is cars and such, my financial risk is in the noise. To people who are spending countless hours evaluating ebikes on a budget this may be important, hence my post.

I will update with my progress....

 

[MLB]

I think it's a real clear choice between the "fully vetted" (the better ones, mostly) manufactured E bikes and the simplicity, neatness (wiring mostly) and warranty that you do pay for. Both up front and in being locked into their design, their parts, etc Versus the do it yourself for a lot cheaper, but don't have those other attributes. Can make a lot of E bike for a lot less money but it won't look AS sweet as the wires hidden, and it won't be worth nearly as much down the road selling used.
How could you be stuck if you replace the motor? Would think the worse case that you need a compatible display??

 

[NoDTMF]

Basically I may not be able to return the motor, and the unknown is the mount. It should be a drop in replacement on the mounts, but no guarantee. I tested my head unit on a performance line bike and it booted up saying performance line, so it seems the HUs are interchangeable (just cosmetically different). Looking at Haibike and Felt with Performance motors, the mount looks the same, so I'm not too worried. But still, it would be nice to have an upgrade path that is known. For example Bosch is bringing out the Performance CX, it doesn't look like it would fit...but who knows.

See pictures here:
http://www.bosch-ebike.de/en/komponenten/drive_unit/drive_unit.php

 

[NoDTMF]

Well, Bosch will not sell me an upgrade motor. Or rather, would not let my LBS order one for me. I will post more details on the Bosch group.

 

[MLB]

You're trying to get, through channels that can't get. You need to find out who can order those motors, and figure out how to get them to sell you one.

 

[NoDTMF]

Agreed...but it seems complicated. Bosch wants to to know the the serial of the motor they are replacing. They then flash it before sending out. Also they seem to know the bike the motor comes from. In my case the figured out that the bike was active line and would not sell the motor to the LBS.

 

[MLB]

Wow, I sure didn't think they'd be THAT organized! LOL Dang