Question for City Commuter owners about power

[Deacon Blues]

My wife has a 2016 City Commuter and I think it has a power output problem (while pedaling)
At low speeds (10 to 12mph) the power seems fine, but once the speed gets above 15 mph the motor really runs out of juice, and it doesn't matter much what power level she's in.

I'm a fairly fit cyclist (most of my riding is on a light road bike) and I have to work at getting this bike to hit 20 mph on the flats, in any level. Also, there seems to be very little difference in power output in levels 2, 3, and 4.
For comparison, my Pedego RidgeRider, which (I think) has the same motor can easily cruise at 18mph in level 2. My RR feel like it has way more power.

We've had it in our local Pedego's shop once and the shop owner said he took the motor apart and couldn't find anything wrong with it, so I imagine the problem lies elsewhere.

I'd like to find out if my wife's CC is sick or normal. For those of you on this site that ride a CC hows the power level on your bike?

 

[byunbee]

If the motor is fine, would the next component to check the controller?

 

[6zfshdb]

Since you said the City Commuter's motor looks similar to that of your Ridge Rider, I assume it's a hub drive and not the City Commuter Mid Drive version.

I had a similar loss of power issue with my 2017 hub drive Platinum Interceptor. The problem would appear at higher speeds using PAS 3 or 4 when the battery was partially discharged. The power would return though when the throttle was engaged. Pedego tech support suspected the problem was a defective motor controller. I have 3 identical bikes and was able to confirm that was in fact the problem by swapping it with one from another bike. Pedego replaced the controller under warranty.

Unfortunately, the controller in your RR is likely a different model so this swap test wouldn't work. I would give Pedego tech support a call and see what they recommend.

I've seen these Dapu motor controllers on eBay for < $50. I bought one last year to keep as a spare.

 

[Deacon Blues]

Yes, it's a hub drive. I was thinking that it might be the controller. Anyone know where the controller is located. ? Is it inside the motor housing?
We have a pretty good local dealer, so I'll and see what he says.
byunbee and 6zfshdb, thanks for the replies.

 

[6zfshdb]

Yes, it's a hub drive. I was thinking that it might be the controller. Anyone know where the controller is located. ? Is it inside the motor housing?
We have a pretty good local dealer, so I'll and see what he says.
byunbee and 6zfshdb, thanks for the replies.

The controller is located behind the cover plate at the front of the battery box. Just remove the four screws and the cover plate to access it.

 

[Deacon Blues]

The controller is located behind the cover plate at the front of the battery box. Just remove the four screws and the cover plate to access it.

Thanks.