Giant SyncDrive Pro 2020 "tuning"

[Stefan Mikes]

Now, something interesting: My experience with VolSpeed 3 and Ride Control One remote.

A known fact is the Ride Control One remote expects a connected smartphone to be able to fully control VolSpeed 3 (you do it in the Ride screen of the app as you need the speedometer displayed on the phone screen). Now, I went for a longer ride with no operable Ride Control 2 App, so I had no display available. Whenever you derestrict your Giant e-bike prior to the ride, you need to go through the Down-Up-Down-Up button sequence, and then you need to wait a while (VolSpeed 3 gives you the chance to modify the current speed restriction value). Having no display, I didn't know how long I would need to wait to be able to change the Assistance Level. And you know what I have inadvertently done? I was gradually able to decrease the speed restriction from 36 down to 27 km/h! How miserable I felt as I could not understand the reason my Trance was "hitting the wall" at relatively low speed!

(Only updating the bike with Ride Control 2 app let me understand what had really happened...)

 

[JDean]

Another tuning option for Giant motors is the Speedbox. Speedbox 2.1 for Giant supports Giant motors from 2017 to 2021. They also have products compatible with older Giant motors.

 

[gehu]

Now, something interesting: My experience with VolSpeed 3 and Ride Control One remote.

A known fact is the Ride Control One remote expects a connected smartphone to be able to fully control VolSpeed 3 (you do it in the Ride screen of the app as you need the speedometer displayed on the phone screen). Now, I went for a longer ride with no operable Ride Control 2 App, so I had no display available. Whenever you derestrict your Giant e-bike prior to the ride, you need to go through the Down-Up-Down-Up button sequence, and then you need to wait a while (VolSpeed 3 gives you the chance to modify the current speed restriction value). Having no display, I didn't know how long I would need to wait to be able to change the Assistance Level. And you know what I have inadvertently done? I was gradually able to decrease the speed restriction from 36 down to 27 km/h! How miserable I felt as I could not understand the reason my Trance was "hitting the wall" at relatively low speed!

(Only updating the bike with Ride Control 2 app let me understand what had really happened...)

You might try the chainstay sensor method, very easy to try and then return if not working for you and your firmware and motor. It has worked really pretty well for me. Key is get your position just right. Before you move it for the try, be sure and measure the exact (to the mm) distance from the magnet to the sensor . I have a giant syncdrive sport 2020 motor on this bike 70/80nm. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes-explore-eplus. I sometimes once or twice per ride (sometimes days without it) get the sensor error red but simply turn it off for a second and back on in motion and good to go. It does not shut you down it keeps it at level 3 (at it's highest setting!) even with the code. Giant is not real aggressive in their policing what you do with your speed de-restricting (at least in this firmware release on this motor) like Bosch (iow, no limp mode or that bullshit.) The error code is from sensor too far from magnet by just a fraction sometimes I would guess. If you get a jumping of the motor some complain about it is because they may not realize and they put the magnet is too close thinking closer is better (then they blame the technique not working.) It is easy to simulate that effect just move the magnet really close to the sensor lol. I imagine with speedbox or any that require feedback from a display there will be issues of user/interface interaction. With this you can set and forget and not have to set up every time the motor is turned on.
I use this bike on dynamic group rides where speed change suddenly and jumps in speed are common (converted it to drop bars and a cross/gravel bike.) Of course I have no idea if it will work across various firmware versions and motor models. Glad I at least tried it for fun on this particular one. Saved money and dropping the motor (even though it would be kinda fun tech geek here )

 

[FishR]

Wow, that’s a lot of work! Nice job!
Here’s the installation of the SpeedBox on a Shimano for comparison. The motor wiring and routing is significantly simpler.

Speedbox is a good and solid product. I use Speedbox on my ebike and I am 100% satisfied.

 

[CSH]

Another tuning option for Giant motors is the Speedbox. Speedbox 2.1 for Giant supports Giant motors from 2017 to 2021. They also have products compatible with older Giant motors.

Forgive my ignorance in asking..... Will the Badass Box system work with my 2019 Giant LaFree+E1 (giant/yamaha sync drive) ?
Please advise if anyone knows.
Thank You all for your constant input on this forum. Craig

 

[CSH]

For the benefit of other EBR members, try using the BadAa$$ box to tune your Yamaha motor.

No motor drop or disassembly is required ... just clip the box to your speed sensor. Job Done!

E-Bike tuning with the badassBox for pedelecs with Yamaha motor

www.badassebikes.com

Badass Box 4 for Yamaha

The Badass Box 4 shifts the engine support of your Yamaha electric bike up to 31 mph. A Yamaha Electric Bike Tuning Tool.

www.ebiketuning.com

Will this work on my 2019 Giant LaFree E+1 (with Giant / Yamaha Sync Drive Motor) ?

 

[Browneye]

It will, but not recommended. These work on any of the bikes with a speed sensor on the chainstay.
You can only pedal so fast - so while it does unlock the speed limiter, you have to pedal faster and faster to go faster. I tried the speed sensor relo-hack and it surely goes faster, but for practical purposes only a couple of mph additional are usable.
Plus it voids your warranty. The internal computer also tracks average speed and distance, which will become erroneous, so even removing it will not prevent a warranty claim denial. And your speedo app thingy no longer works right for speed and distance.
I tried it on a couple of my bikes and went back to stock.

 

[malc101]

I think this whole complicated speed modifier is way overthought, with on/off via the lightswitch, messing with the speed reported to the control unit, etc. All a unit needs to do is intercept the Hall effect speed sensor and normally pass the magnet pulse waves through while riding under max speed, and slow those pulses down to a max of 19 mph in the case that the pulses are coming in faster than that. So, when you go over 19 mph, it just reports back magnet passes at 19 mph. No modes, no nothing, and mostly accurate ODO/Speedo readings except when you are in getaway mode from dogs or cars, in which the interpreted speed never goes beyond 19mph. Got to get my Arduino stuff out once winter fully hits.

 

[gehu]

Just an update as far as everyone bad mouthing the speed sensor hack because bosch has everyone scared to take possession of their own bike(s) lol. Let's face it folks if they speed limit you; they own your bike, not you. Now as far as the Giant firmware working with other models of their bikes last year I "purchased..." a Giant Revolt E-plus Pro Gravel bike that I use on fast group rides and to keep it safe while I am in the back of the pack I of course owned it with the speed sensor hack done the correct way. No one needs to worry about being behind me when we hit rolling hills and I hit that 28mph limit and the bike "disengages"....
It has been flawless if you get the exact conditions including the distance away angle, direction etc between the magnet and the sensor on the crankarm. It won't work for gestapo bosch's bikes because they have put in so many anti-bike riders measures to keep them from using their bikes the way they want measures in their firmware. Mind you, there is no speed delimiting of their cars on the autobahn..
In case any cycling luddites out there are wondering, cars kill people on bikes, not the other way around. Yep, they are small minded idiots.