Winter Service

[BioWheel]

I'm approaching 2k miles on my Vado SL and was considered bringing it to my LBS for service. I got the bike in July. I replaced the chain at 1500 miles and the only other service I've performed are some minor adjustments to the derailleur. It's been an incredible bike. My concern is the belt inside the motor. I suppose I could have it replaced pro-actively but really - this bike hums and I hate to do anything to it. I haven't even updated firmware since I worry something could go wrong. But, looking at two months of poor riding weather, I could be without the bike for a week or two and not miss it too much. What do folks think about a belt replacement? And - has anyone had this kind of service to their motor and how did it go?

Thanks

 

[Marci jo]

Just throwing my two cents in the mix, even though I do NOT have an SL.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

 

[Marci jo]

And another thought:
I very much trust my lbs to work on my Specialized bikes. However, I would wonder how much experience he or she would have working on the new Mahle motor that was specifically designed for the bike.

 

[kahn]

And another thought:
I very much trust my lbs to work on my Specialized bikes. However, I would wonder how much experience he or she would have working on the new Mahle motor that was specifically designed for the bike.

Speaking of trusting the lbs, just remember to make sure that they put the cranks on the appropriate side of the bike!!! My cranks, hence my pedals wound up facing the wrong way somehow when my shop did more extensive maintenance. This is because Specialized e-bike cranks, unlike other bikes have the same crank on both sides.

Got to keep on your toes or cleats when you can't release!

Okay, frankly, I don't know how or why or what. I did a 20 miler the other day. But I was having real problems releasing from my Shimano SPD pedals. I mean it was really tough releasing by twisting the heel out. I thought maybe the wet weather and grit got in THERE wherever THERE is. I...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@BioWheel: First of all, the SL 1.1 motor has no internal belt (cogs only). That's why it's humming
(It is the big Vado that has the internal belt drive, and most of those motors are silent. I have ridden for more than 6000 miles on an internal belt drive 1.2s motor and see no reason to do anything with that).

Speaking of Winter: Maintain your drivetrain, especially the chain!

 

[gpburdell]

A drive belt - inside the motor and relatively protected from the elements - ought to last a very long time.

Motorcycle drive belts - located outside and subject to the elements - typically last several tens of thousands of miles

I'm curious if Specialized / Mahle specifies a maintenance/inspection interval?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

This is because Specialized e-bike cranks, unlike other bikes have the same crank on both sides.

Not. Any cranks are Left and Right, and these have proper markings stamped. It is because the pedal thread direction depends on the drive/non-drive side of the cranks.
Is it possible that you select another Specialized LBS? I could do it, leaving a crappy dealer in the dust once Specialized Brand Store had opened in our capital city. Now, I dream of something would break in either of my Spec e-bikes, so I could meet these guys again!

 

[JeffC57]

My Vado SL has 1500 miles on it. I'm planning on hauling it out to the Hoover Dam area in Nevada next month for a week of riding, so I took it in to the LBS for a tune up. The chain stretch was less than 0.5 mm and the brake pads were fine. The mechanic cleaned and lubed chain, sprocket, and cassette plus some minor adjustments to the derailer. It's running smooth as silk and I am looking forward to worry free rides in Nevada.

If your bike is in warranty and you have motor problems, I think the LBS will just send it back to the manufacturer for service. I don't think they have the proper training and access to the parts. If your bike is out of warranty and need service or overhaul of the motor, look for an ebike motor repair specialist. These guys specialize in ebike motor work and have worldwide partners. My buddy used them to repair his Brose motor and they did a great job:

eBike Motor Repairs & Servicing - Homepage

eBike Motor Parts Repairs & Servicing, (formally, Performance Line Bearings) has become the “go to place” for all your e-Bike motor repairs...

www.ebikemotorcentre.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Biowheel does not have a Brose motor. It is a Mahle motor!
And it is not a belt driven motor! (Do you people read?)

 

[JeffC57]

Biowheel does not have a Brose motor. It is a Mahle motor!
And it is not a belt driven motor! (Do you people read?)

I read fine and know that. My point is that LBS are not typically qualified to repair motors. Although the motor expert link I provided does not specifically state they repair of Mahle motors, I'd certainly ask them.

 

[gpburdell]

Biowheel does not have a Brose motor. It is a Mahle motor!
And it is not a belt driven motor! (Do you people read?)

No need to get snippy at folks trying to help, that just shuts folks down and dissuades further participation.

Remember:
Sometimes people reply to a thread before reading every single post in it.
Other times people did read all the posts, yet new info gets posted during the time they're writing their reply and they don't see it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I didn't intend to be rude. The point is: If you see the exact make and model of the e-bike in question, it is better to know what motor is being discussed before expressing an opinion...

Based on the OP I can only say: Biowheel has no reasons to worry.

Just throwing my two cents in the mix, even though I do NOT have an SL.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

Amen to that.

 

[kahn]

Not. Any cranks are Left and Right, and these have proper markings stamped. It is because the pedal thread direction depends on the drive/non-drive side of the cranks.
Is it possible that you select another Specialized LBS? I could do it, leaving a crappy dealer in the dust once Specialized Brand Store had opened in our capital city. Now, I dream of something would break in either of my Spec e-bikes, so I could meet these guys again!

I guess that is true if you look for those markings. But otherwise, the drive crank does not have an integral spider and therefore, looks just like the opposing crack, other than the marking Left/Right.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I guess that is true if you look for those markings. But otherwise, the drive crank does not have an integral spider and therefore, looks just like the opposing crack, other than the marking Left/Right.

Because it is the most modern, self-extracting Praxis crank?
I can bet your would not like to go back to the old style square bottom bracket, and the ISIS one is not modern anymore.

 

[BioWheel]

Hey all - Thanks for the replies. My mistake about the belt - I must have been thinking about a Vado thread and not SL. I have to say I'm a bit relieved because the bike is running so perfectly and I don't want to service it unless absolutely necessary. I am a bit surprised though there's no maintenance of any kind needed. Surely there must be lubrication inside that needs cleaned and re-lubed? Not sure. Interesting too - I guess LBS's treat the motor like a black box and it's only serviced at the factory? Or are some LBS's trained and can open and perform some service to it? Probably cheaper all around if they just replace at the store and send motor back to be re-worked if necessary.

 

[kahn]

@BioWheel

I have to agree with the idea of your questions - "maintenance free" innards seems unreal BUT my furnace fan is the same way supposedly. I'm not sure how they make turning parts "maintenance free" but they do. Well-designed bearings? Teflon coatings? The good old "No user serviceable parts beyond this gate of hell!"

 

[gpburdell]

@BioWheel

I have to agree with the idea of your questions - "maintenance free" innards seems unreal BUT my furnace fan is the same way supposedly. I'm not sure how they make turning parts "maintenance free" but they do. Well-designed bearings? Teflon coatings? The good old "No user serviceable parts beyond this gate of hell!"

We have a 40 year old refrigerator in the basement that just keeps on working.

My (inexpert) understanding is that lubricants which are sealed from the environment and don't experience shearing loads can last a surprisingly long time. Even those subject to some shearing loads can also last a long time. Maintenance interval for my truck's differential is 60,000 miles. How long until you cover that distance on an ebike?

Still curious as to what the manuf recommended service intervals are for the motors. I'd imagine there's some guidance even if it's aimed at the shops rather than the public.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

There's a point I'd like want to make.
Did you know a manual transmission gearbox is not being maintained and typically outlives the car's engine? It is because the gears and bearings are constantly oiled. Still, given hard operating conditions and mileage, it is amazing how long-lasting the car gearbox is.

With geared mid-drive motor, the gears/bearings are certainly not oiled but the motor is totally enclosed. Given far less mileage and mild operating conditions, it is no wonder why the mid-drive motors are generally not serviced but rather replaced. Of course, the belt driven mid-drives are expected to wear faster but that is not the case of the SL motor.

 

[mschwett]

There's a point I'd like want to make.
Did you know a manual transmission gearbox is not being maintained and typically outlives the car's engine? It is because the gears and bearings are constantly oiled. Still, given hard operating conditions and mileage, it is amazing how long-lasting the car gearbox is.

i have wondered the same thing about many bike components. i assume desire for low weight is the basic reason, but it’s annoying to say the least how short-lived components like brake pads are. i’m not sure if i’ve ever replaced automotive brake pads in 20+ years, and yet all of my bikes eat them like potato chips, and are often squeaky.

 

[gpburdell]

i have wondered the same thing about many bike components. i assume desire for low weight is the basic reason, but it’s annoying to say the least how short-lived components like brake pads are. i’m not sure if i’ve ever replaced automotive brake pads in 20+ years, and yet all of my bikes eat them like potato chips, and are often squeaky.

Dunno where you live, but automotive brake pads are definitely consumable. I’m doing well to get 30000 miles off a front set.

Though since those are usually 3/8” thick to start, it’s not surprising the super thin bicycle don’t last that long.

(I guess if someone leases their car and turns it in for a new one every two years, they’d never see a brake pad wear out like folks who keep cars 10+ years do)