My GIANT Entour + year 2020

[Marais]

Hello to all,

I am a professional classical musician, and a passionate rider and have already accumulated 10 000 kilometers.

I have replaced the chain often, the cassette and the crank, of course tires and such.

I do a lot of repairs myself, such as degreasing the chain.

My question is mostly about the Giant Syncdrive motor.

Made as we know by Yamaha.

I don't use it that much, usually out of 5 "dots" of possible assistance I ride using three or two. Sometimes nothing at all.

I'm sure also that like the other mechanical parts, this motor will wear out.

Anyone here that :
- tips to keep the motor in top condition?
- has had experience and can let me know warning signs of the electric motor getting tired
- does one have to replace the motor or is it possible and therefore cheaper to have it refurbished?

I do toss the idea about of changing the Entour bike of these days.
On the other hand; I have invested in two batteries = 1000 euros and lots of other equipment specific for my bike (like the Topeak bag and rack) so I'm not too keen on spending thousands of euros all over again.

I often have been to Giant as well as many other bike dealers. I do not like the new models, which are very heavy.
My bike is hybrid and works perfectly well with no battery or motor at all.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mike TowpathTraveler]

I have a 2016 model year Haibike Full FatSix that I began riding in April, 2017. Close to 20 thousand miles (US miles, not Km) on the odometer. Like you, I've gone through a good number of large front chain rings (I've since gone to a Shimano steel front ring to cut back on the kind of wear the aluminum FSA chain ring was giving me. A few stretched chains. 2 cassettes replaced. 3 seasons ago I installed a PearTune speed chip so I had the potential of going above 20mph with full assist available.

The motor (Yamaha PW), battery(s....I have 3 additional spare 500wh batteries along with the original 400wh battery).....LCD display and motor control have given me no issues at all, with the exception of about a 2 year LCD battery changeout to new.

I run exclusively in the full power setting as this is a heavy, fat tired Jeep of ebikes.

Tips for a long life? Exactly what you've done so far. Along with: No fording of streams or deep water that will allow water to get into the motor. Keep the bike inside when not in use. No pedal strikes that play havoc on the internal motor gearing and torque sensor. Other than that, I would expect a trouble, happy free ebiking experience for tens of thousands of miles to come.

In Europe, Performance Line Bearings in the UK has the ability to service the internal components of your motor, including bearings and gears. Pete, the owner, has a video out on his website on how he disassembles, cleans and repairs the Yamaha motor.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

- tips to keep the motor in top condition?

Just ride the e-bike.

- has had experience and can let me know warning signs of the electric motor getting tired

If that ever happens, you would hear a terribly grinding noise from the motor and then you know it's dead Not likely to happen to Yamaha/SyncDrive!

- does one have to replace the motor or is it possible and therefore cheaper to have it refurbished?

I have not heard of the Yamaha/Syncdrive motor ever failing. However, Giant motors are plagued with water ingress. Our @RabH has once refurbished his Giant motor with new bearings but he rides his Giant e-bike for improbable distances. If anyone has a say here, it's Rab.

Your fellow here I'm a Specialized man but owned a Giant Trance E+ 2 Pro. That e-bike has been ridden for perhaps 25000 km and the motor is still fine. The only issue is the water ingress, so the Giant e-bike at times requires removing the battery as it does not want to turn off if the motor/electronics are wet.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Welcome!
What is a guitar?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Welcome!
What is a guitar?

It looks a cello to me!

 

[RabH]

As Stefan mentioned I had bearings replaced at 14000 miles, I had noticed a roughness at the crank which wasn't noisy but I knew something wasn't right! I sent the motor to a specialist and asked them to do a full overhaul but on inspecting it there were only 2 bearings that were actually worn! They told me the other bearings were in perfect condition and there was no need to replace them, I have now covered almost 32000 miles and the motor is as smooth as when it was new in 2018!

I ride the bike through Scottish winters and I think that probably caused the worn bearings, I did submerge the motor once in a flood and that wouldn't do it any good as @Mike TowpathTraveler mentioned above! I have the Syncdrive Pro motor but I'm sure the Syncdrive motor will give you many trouble free years so I wouldn't worry about it! Just pop the chain off occasionally and spin the crank to check its running smoothly! At 10000km I wouldn't envisage your motor having any problems!

 

[Marais]

Just ride the e-bike.


If that ever happens, you would hear a terribly grinding noise from the motor and then you know it's dead Not likely to happen to Yamaha/SyncDrive!


I have not heard of the Yamaha/Syncdrive motor ever failing. However, Giant motors are plagued with water ingress. Our @RabH has once refurbished his Giant motor with new bearings but he rides his Giant e-bike for improbable distances. If anyone has a say here, it's Rab.

View attachment 175748
Your fellow here I'm a Specialized man but owned a Giant Trance E+ 2 Pro. That e-bike has been ridden for perhaps 25000 km and the motor is still fine. The only issue is the water ingress, so the Giant e-bike at times requires removing the battery as it does not want to turn off if the motor/electronics are wet.

I indeed remove the battery as I have a luggage rack model, always remove it to charge.

 

[Marais]

It looks a cello to me!

Nah =