Still got noises, looking for fix

GuruUno

GuruUno

Well-Known Member
As previously reported, earlier this year my 2017 SuperCommuter 8+ hit 5,000 mile in January. I was beginning to hear louder noises from what seemed to be the motor, and the dealer replaced the motor.
Last year at 3100 miles I had him put in a new cassette and chain.
SO I picked up the bike after a few weeks ago, all seemed well, for a while.
After hitting 250 miles or so, noises came back. Left bike with dealer & mechanic, he drove it for 3-4 days greased the pedals, adjusted the Derailleur, etc.
All seemed well after I got it back, for a short while.
This week as I approached 300 miles the sound (like rice Krispies crunching) is back so today I did a 45 mile run, did every test I could, no power applied, in 5th, 6th and 7th speed, peddling hard and you can hear the noises again. Do I have a bad new motor, do I need a new cassette, do I need a new chain, do I have a lemon bike (it is one of the very first available in 2017), or is something not adjusted? The LBS has had the bike over and over and over and here we go again.
Can't get a loaner, without the bike for several days at times, have concerns about the parts, what are the exact specifications as per Trek FOR E-BIKE's???? (chain cassette, chain-set/ring?
So, did 2017 vs 2018 vs 2019 improve each year by using different parts because of issues happening like mine?
I see as an example a Shimano M8000 11-42T cassette 11 speed was used in 2019, yet a 2017 shows a Shimano SLX CS M7000 11-42, 11 speed cassette and a 2018 shows a SLX M7000
Same with chains, etc.
If each year they mad it better, the I'd most likely want the to integrate those newer parts to bring it current.
Not sure if bikes have lemon laws protection, but heck, I got a real noisy bike, people look and ask questions,
 
Last edited:
GuruUno said:
As previously reported, earlier this year my 2017 SuperCommuter 8+ hit 5,000 mile in January. I was beginning to hear louder noises from what seemed to be the motor, and the dealer replaced the motor.
Last year at 3100 miles I had him put in a new cassette and chain.
SO I picked up the bike after a few weeks ago, all seemed well, for a while.
After hitting 250 miles or so, noises came back. Left bike with dealer & mechanic, he drove it for 3-4 days greased the pedals, adjusted the Derailleur, etc.
All seemed well after I got it back, for a short while.
This week as I approached 300 miles the sound (like rice Krispies crunching) is back so today I did a 45 mile run, did every test I could, no power applied, in 5th, 6th and 7th speed, peddling hard and you can hear the noises again. Do I have a bad new motor, do I need a new cassette, do I need a new chain, do I have a lemon bike (it is one of the very first available in 2017), or is something not adjusted? The LBS has had the bike over and over and over and here we go again.
Can't get a loaner, without the bike for several days at times, have concerns about the parts, what are the exact specifications as per Trek FOR E-BIKE's???? (chain cassette, chain-set/ring?
So, did 2017 vs 2018 vs 2019 improve each year by using different parts because of issues happening like mine?
I see as an example a Shimano M8000 11-42T cassette 11 speed was used in 2019, yet a 2017 shows a Shimano SLX CS M7000 11-42, 11 speed cassette and a 2018 shows a SLX M7000
Same with chains, etc.
If each year they mad it better, the I'd most likely want the to integrate those newer parts to bring it current.
Not sure if bikes have lemon laws protection, but heck, I got a real noisy bike, people look and ask questions,
Click to expand...

It appears you've been very patient and done everything in the appropriate manner. I would return and all call your LBS and nicely, but firmly request that
Trek immediately become involved. Do not accept "Let's try whatever and then contact Trek". I own two Trek e-Bikes, an XM700+ and a Powerfly 7.
My LBS had to deal with Trek on a couple minor issues with my bikes , Trek was great with their support.

The SuperCommuter8+ is a fantastic bike and considering the repairs / replacements that have been made, from this point on your LBS and Trek need
to resolve the situation. One thing to consider, Trek takes the bike back, you pay an agreed upon amount for the use you'd gotten out of the bike ( less the repairs
that were not from normal use) and Trek gives you a new bike. That's what I would do.

I would not turn to this Forum or any other for advise or suggestions as to what's wrong with your bike. You purchased a top shelf bike from one of
top 10 bike companies in the world. Your LBS and Trek need to make you whole.
 
Picked up my Super Commuter 8+ today from Trek Middleton (NJ) . It was there over a week. Again.

Sad to say, with new parts as specified, and the new motor, the very same noise(s) are occurring.

Given the fact that this bike has been in the shop more times than I can count. The last interaction/discussion was to have them (the LBS) remediate with a new chainring which Trek supplied.

I, being proactive and feeling that it would be in my best interest to replace all other potential parts that might be a contributing factor, which I did, has proven to be unnecessary, as the noises previously described, discussed and validated are still occurring, which, by the way, have never, ever, ever existed until my bike had accumulated a few thousand miles, hence the approval for a new motor after it was verified by the LBS that it appeared to be the culprit.

Unfortunately, none of those procedures have resolved the problem. These noises seem to be coming from the crankcase of the motor under hard pedaling, high cadence and Eco mode, all as previously described. I had then replace a new cassette, a new chain, a new chainring, a new deurailer and of course the new motor.

I had initially requested that a Trek representative as well as a Bosch representative either be onsite to concur in the acknowledgement and or resolution of the problem(s), which has never occurred. I was told to do what I have done, and given the fact that I’ve had Trek Middletown attempt to remediate these unresolved issues, I’m declaring that I have a lemon product, and I’m at the end of my patience level and demand the bike be either:
  1. Investigated as requested by both Bosch and Trek, with onsite reps and once and for all resolved
  2. Replaced
  3. Refunded
I'll let all interested know how it turns out, I'm very disappointed.
 
6/24/17-Day one, purchased
6/26/16-Tire blowout, day 3
10/19/17-Calibration off on speedometer
7/26/18-Notified LBS of 'grinding', serviced, new pads, chain, cassette
9/18-New back rim
3/13/18-Again notified LBS of motor noises
3/27/19-New motor replace by Bosch (LBS)
5/15/19-Notified LBS of noise in motor
5/20/19-Serviced pedals, derailleur
6/5/19-Notified Trek of ongoing issue with still having motor noises, they suggest a new chainring
6/16/19-Dropped off to have new chainring, new cassette, new chain, new derailleur installed
6/22/19-Pickup up from LBS, still have motor noise (new motor at 591 miles)

So, moving forward, I will most likely have to get a "selfie stick" as well as figure out a way to mount my Contour Roam camera and/or iPhone to record the problems.
Can anyone tell me how the reviewer who does a great job reviewing on these forms mounts cams?
 
GuruUno said:
6/24/17-Day one, purchased
6/26/16-Tire blowout, day 3
10/19/17-Calibration off on speedometer
7/26/18-Notified LBS of 'grinding', serviced, new pads, chain, cassette
9/18-New back rim
3/13/18-Again notified LBS of motor noises
3/27/19-New motor replace by Bosch (LBS)
5/15/19-Notified LBS of noise in motor
5/20/19-Serviced pedals, derailleur
6/5/19-Notified Trek of ongoing issue with still having motor noises, they suggest a new chainring
6/16/19-Dropped off to have new chainring, new cassette, new chain, new derailleur installed
6/22/19-Pickup up from LBS, still have motor noise (new motor at 591 miles)

So, moving forward, I will most likely have to get a "selfie stick" as well as figure out a way to mount my Contour Roam camera and/or iPhone to record the problems.
Can anyone tell me how the reviewer who does a great job reviewing on these forms mounts cams?
Click to expand...
I don't have any idea what equipment @Court uses, but from different shadows it looks to be a GoPro like camera with a selfie stick and different mounting accessories to mount it pretty much anywhere when he mounts it on a bike he is reviewing. And considering that the top GoPro Hero7 has the new hypersmooth awesome stabilization software, IMO that will be the lightest most capable setup (even if that is not the one @Court uses). BTW, even the oldest cheaper GoPro cameras use EIS (electronic image stabilization even though the latest Hypersmooth is that much better). Hopefully he will see this post and chime in with actually what he is using.
 
Last edited:
GuruUno said:
6/24/17-Day one, purchased
6/26/16-Tire blowout, day 3
10/19/17-Calibration off on speedometer
7/26/18-Notified LBS of 'grinding', serviced, new pads, chain, cassette
9/18-New back rim
3/13/18-Again notified LBS of motor noises
3/27/19-New motor replace by Bosch (LBS)
5/15/19-Notified LBS of noise in motor
5/20/19-Serviced pedals, derailleur
6/5/19-Notified Trek of ongoing issue with still having motor noises, they suggest a new chainring
6/16/19-Dropped off to have new chainring, new cassette, new chain, new derailleur installed
6/22/19-Pickup up from LBS, still have motor noise (new motor at 591 miles)

So, moving forward, I will most likely have to get a "selfie stick" as well as figure out a way to mount my Contour Roam camera and/or iPhone to record the problems.
Can anyone tell me how the reviewer who does a great job reviewing on these forms mounts cams?
Click to expand...

Just curious. You wrote " 6/22/19-Pickup up from LBS, still have motor noise (new motor at 591 miles) " Are you saying your LBS
returned your bike after the entire drive train was replaced and the noise could still be heard or was the noise gone and then reappeared
once you rode for awhile?

You also wrote
"3/27/19-New motor replace by Bosch (LBS)
5/15/19-Notified LBS of noise in motor"

What happed between 3/27 and 5/15, just normal ' street riding'... In the two specific dates listed above ,have you ever power washed
your motor/bike ? Is it possible that your bike handling aka shifting patterns could be contributing to the cause of the problem, perhaps
even unbeknownst to you, ie shifting under extreme load in too high a gear ?

My intent is not to criticize. Sometimes we have unique ways of doing things. Most recently your LBS replaced the entire drive train,
less the bottom bracket, your motor was replaced 15 months ago and you're back at noise square one. The Super Comuter8+ is a
great bike and I'm sure if Trek had any history of multiple SC8+ bike issues like you're having they would have referenced them.

As an aside I had a chain drop issue on the crank of my Trek XM700+. My LBS contacted Trek. They admitted and referenced
the known issue, sent a mod (free) to my LBS , problem solved.
 
Got a new motor 3/27
Noises were intermittent since after a few 100 miles
NEVER "washed" with water, always use 'Pledge' and a rag
Notified LBS of ongoing noise 5/15
ECO, as far as I know is not 'high gear', it's the least strain.
POINT is, never, ever had any noises until after 2500 miles.
 
GuruUno said:
Got a new motor 3/27
Noises were intermittent since after a few 100 miles
NEVER "washed" with water, always use 'Pledge' and a rag
Notified LBS of ongoing noise 5/15
ECO, as far as I know is not 'high gear', it's the least strain.
POINT is, never, ever had any noises until after 2500 miles.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear there was no power washing...At up to 3000PSI the cleaning solution can be forced almost
anywhere past motor seals etc contaminating motor bearings.

Has your bottom bracket ever been replaced ? If not I'd consider replacing just as a process of elimination.

If I understand correctly your entire drive train and motor have all been replaced yet the noise returns.
At this point I'd consider asking ( telling ) Your LBS, assuming you like this idea, that you'd like Trek to buy the bike
back allowing you significant discount on a new SuperCommuter. What's the position of your LBS. Have they thrown
in the towel ?

Do you hear the noise in all four power assist levels ?
 
I had a clicking , creaking noise every complete pedal stroke, silent when coasting. It was driving me mad and was so annoying I didn't even want to ride the bike. Finally found out it was the seat post creaking and put some grease on it, tightened it tighter than before and the problem was solved.
 
John from Connecticut said:
Glad to hear there was no power washing...At up to 3000PSI the cleaning solution can be forced almost
anywhere past motor seals etc contaminating motor bearings.

Has your bottom bracket ever been replaced ? If not I'd consider replacing just as a process of elimination.

If I understand correctly your entire drive train and motor have all been replaced yet the noise returns.
At this point I'd consider asking ( telling ) Your LBS, assuming you like this idea, that you'd like Trek to buy the bike
back allowing you significant discount on a new SuperCommuter. What's the position of your LBS. Have they thrown
in the towel ?

Do you hear the noise in all four power assist levels ?
Click to expand...

I think not (no bottom bracket replacement)
They are obtaining a new SuperCommuter and riding with me this week to compare, will advise.
I do hear in all 4 modes
 
DDBB said:
I had a clicking , creaking noise every complete pedal stroke, silent when coasting. It was driving me mad and was so annoying I didn't even want to ride the bike. Finally found out it was the seat post creaking and put some grease on it, tightened it tighter than before and the problem was solved.
Click to expand...

Wow ! What a great story. That's one for the books. Thanks for sharing.
 
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