These findings are the result of an independently commissioned investigation by e*thirteen, after the brand became aware of reports that EP8 spindles were failing on bikes fitted with its ebike cranks. quieter(+) smaller(+) lighter(+) more power(-) battery range(=). Basically any minor impact that causes the chain to bounce and tug at the chainring will result in noise. However, you do pay for all that refinement and integration. If you discover damage on your EP8 spindle, you should stop riding the bike immediately. 20ft into my ride and the motor cut out. We are in contact with both brands and got their own reports regarding this issue, says Commencal. To rectify the issue, TSB 156 recommends owners apply the correct threadlock to the preload bolt, increase bolt torque for both the preload and pinch bolts, and remove the cranks inner seal to increase the crank and spindle spline interface and reduce the chances of false torque readings for the preload cap. Can someone make a bike with 50% - 100% assist? I want to use the Shimano EP8 motor for a small production of solar bikes. So this one article, about this one e-bike, says to you that ALL e-bikes lack refinement and therefore aren't worthy of you gracing them with your holy ass? The EP8 RS engine is physically the same as the . It's significantly more muscle, which was much-needed in order for Shimano to keep . To replicate field failures, we had to look outside of the required ISO and EN testing requirements as those tests were passed successfully. Truly unfortunate you lost it. We have shared the results with Shimano and select OEM customers. - Numerous battery options, both from Shimano & 3rd parties This occurs if the cap is not correctly tightened or the factory-fitted threadlock hasnt been adequately applied, and if the crank arms pinch bolts arent tightened to their correct torque. Mine gets very hot. The investigation has led e*thirteen to produce technical service bulletin 157 (TSB), published on its website on 14 October 2021. I rode the engine too, the thing is the engine is super quiet once you charge on the pedals, and you've got that annoying rattling noise as soon as you are on the freewheel and cruising down the trail Shim is working on it from what they said. 214 What would happen if a consumer noticed their axle was cracked in the way described on e*thirteens TSB? e-bikes remove the only non-financial barrier for entry into a sport that historically required at least some small amount of fitness. Still, that clutch design means it is impressively drag-free beyond the cutoff point. We like to setup Profile 1 with softer settings for maximum range when riding solo, and Profile 2 with the punchier factory settings for faster e-MTB group rides. However, we couldnt get the display to pair with our Wahoo ELMNT Roam head unit. I feel like I've been missing out on so much! I despise young people buying ebikeswhat a bunch of lazy. I also got it second hand as I just can't afford new. My first thoughts are that the disengagement part of the motor that allows it to pedal freely after 20 has already broken. When we see failures like this, it is incumbent on us to find the root cause and, if it is within our control, provide a resolution, reads e*thirteens statement. But to give you some numbers, weve consistently achieved around 1,500m of climbing during our 30-50km test rides. Some claim it's a dangerous motor that suffers spindle failures. Really? Simply enjoy what you are riding and watch the world, I should say, e-bike world, pass you by, as they are here to stay and while they are not perfect they are probably the best and most exciting thing to happen to the bike industry in 50 years! In addition to those weve tested, youll be able to find Shimano EP8 on the Santa Cruz Bullit & Heckler, Marin Alpine Trail E2, the Commencal Meta Power, YT Decoy,Pivot Shuttle and Mondraker Dusk. However, where the Bosch Gen 4 feels like a diesel engine at low RPMs, the sporty EP8 drive unit still prefers spinning at a higher cadence. Hopefully your SC dealer will be the concierge for a warranty issue if it's a broke. Hes one of BikeRadars lead testers and knows how to push bikes and products to the limit, searching out the equipment that represents the best value for money. Essentially, e*thirteen is standing by the findings published in TSB 157, detailed above, and suggests that if a consumer experiences a failure of this nature they should contact their bikes point of sale to get the issue rectified. A bit like chain slap when you don't apply force on the pedals. Pros - extremely quiet Cons - annoying rattling noisesums up 2020! Its easy to modulate via how much pressure youre putting through the cranks and the power delivery is progressive, giving it a very natural feel as a result. A dinamo or recharging when braking or something That's what I'm still waiting for! So many issues that can be simply solved by not having a motor. If you don't like e-bikes for whatever reason, you really have no business even commenting on this review. I have a gen 3 and it's totally quiet when coasting . It's kinda frustrating. A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Still, the performance in the adaptive E-MTB mode is excellent, with smooth and flexible power delivery, and riders wanting plenty of grunt will certainly dig the Bosch motor. Shimano's EP8, short for DU-EP800, features a higher maximum torque of 85Nm compared to the older E8000's 70Nm, topping it by an extra 21%. I read a similar story around christmas on an other forum. Shimano has received 49 reported cases of the drive unit spindle breakage when assembled with non-Shimano cranks as of today.. I've already posted this on the Commencal Meta SX Power thread, but wondered if other bikes with the Shimano EP8 motor and battery have seen a similar problem. My local rides average 30-35km with just under 1km of climb. And we certainly wouldnt be upset if Shimano could quieten down the clacking noise. Non-recommended 3rd party cranks can make a crack in the spindle because the difference in design from Shimanos crank causes increased stress around the spindle hole. My Bullit died after 80 miles - same symptoms you describe. You can hear it in the workshop just by lifting the rear wheel and dropping it on the ground, where it sounds a bit like a loose pebble bouncing around inside a wooden box. When youre at those 30-40km/h descending speeds, EP8 doesnt punish you for stamping on the pedals to build some extra speed in the lead-up to a jump or dropoff. Plus integration looks like shit on those Nox bikes. So far so good. Bikers Edge in Kaysville Utah hooked it up and took a motor off their demo heckler mx and put it on mine. I do not have a car. Anyone having problems with the charger? Its also a very quiet motor when pedalling. Shimanos battery flexibility certainly presents a significant advantage over the likes of Bosch, which is much more limited with its battery options. Oh man, so that must mean you know of rigs they've received that they've not done first rides and then field tests on. For a lighter pedal feel than the E8000, the one-way bearing has reduced its rotational resistance, creating a free play. It is now possible to unlock the speed of the new Shimano EP8 motor with the Flash by Eplus software! You dont necessarily go further, but you will be riding and climbing faster. Nothing like on an ebike. Then theres the BT-8035-L battery, which is a 504Wh battery that shares the same physical dimensions as the 630Wh version. 2. I rode an e bike and suffered a little bit yesterday. Lapierre e-zesty. Mkay? Its the Orbea Rise that achieves the most discreet integration however, with a frame that was purpose-built around the smaller EP8 motor, rather than having been retrofitted from a previous E8000 drive unit. Let us know what you find out. In terms of improvements, EP8 is marginally lighter (300g) and smaller in volume (10%) over the old E8000 motor. Personally, were ok with downshifting and spinning our way up a steep incline its better for the health of your knees, and its likely better for the health of the motor too. That Shimano response was pure gold. That makes it tricky to work out how much assistance youll be finishing your ride with. If there is no threadlocker patch, move onto point 2c. Alex then moved back to the UK and put his vast knowledge of mountain biking to good use by landing a job working for MBUK magazine as features editor. I think the only way it can get even close (And still doesn't) to that statement, is riding 25km on an analogue, or 50km on an ebike. It is the most underrated comment ever on the pinkbike. Appreciate the level of detail in this article, good work. Already have an account with us? Also a big improvement over the prior motor is that the EP8 freewheels easily, so on flats or downhill you can blast away without motor resistance. You can't call an e-bike rider lazy when they try to overtake you making this sound. Only the Levos belt-driven Brose drive unit beats EP8 in terms of motor noise. Now well point out here that the Bosch Gen 4 motor exhibits a similar metallic clacking noise, since its internal gear system also employs a clutch. oooof! Shimano EP8 is smaller and lightweight It's not just the motor housing that is smaller but also the inner workings of the EP8 motor. So despite being an engineer the non-linear noisy nature of the reporting makes it very difficult to plan rides and I almost always finish the last few km without assistance for bigger rides. For commercial info: info@eplus.bike. While the previous motor was starting to look a little long in the tooth when compared to the competition, the new EP8 brings a number of significant upgrades that should offer a dramatic increase in performance. They must be under pressure to deliver units as this is at best rushed. As mentioned above, the Assistance Character bears the biggest influence on the motors on-trail feel, and dialling this down can make quite a big difference to the amount of range you can get from the battery. The maximum rider support was raised to 400%, compared to the E8000's 300%. e*thirteen recommends inspecting Shimano EP8 motor spindles to ensure no cracks are present before riding any EP8 equipped bike again and in doing so have provided a step by step process for doing this with images and instructions below. Despite the musclier performance, weve had excellent results in terms of range, with the Bosch motor regularly achieving more miles and elevation over EP8. 2c - If preload cap has no threadlock patch pre applied: Its almost as if the battery drains faster in that final 20%. For consumers who do have an EP8-equipped Commencal with e*thirteen cranks, the Andorran brand is offering to replace the e*thirteen cranks with Shimano ones, regardless of whether theyve experienced issues with their EP8 spindle or not. If you aren't climbing steeps and requiring the torque, you would get way longer distance. [The] topic has been closed from Shimano[s] side but e*thirteen is still investigating with independent labs.. I have to admit some of the comments make me laugh out loud while others score some points for being helpful and based on fact, not hearsay fiction. This means that if you ride in the default Trail and Boost settings, youll actually end up with a similar total range as the old E8000 motor, albeit with the benefit of more power and assistance throughout the ride. I've never heard the rattling noise that has been posted in the early reviews - the motor is super quiet, so it looks to me like much ado about nothing. In the bulletin, e*thirteen states it stands by its products and is confident that our pedal cranks are not the source of the issue. Improving performance on undulating terrain, Shimano has also increased the EP8s available torque at lower cadences. - Available on a wide-range of different e-MTBs, - Clacking noise can be annoying Why so delicate, bro? The new motor, called EP8, is 10 percent smaller and is a lot lighter. This means its impossible to tell whether you have 21% or 39% battery remaining. Shimano tried to take the Apple approach to antennaegateyou're holding your phone wrongyou're coasting your bike wrong. Generally on bikes we spend so little time braking that regeneration would be a waste of effort. Now, we're not going to be working on the actual. Sometimes that means a DIY fix and other times it can mean a recall, software update or part replacement by a dealer. I've had a go on ebikes and think they're fantastic and good fun. They should follow the guidance in e*thirteens TSB 156, which shows how to correctly secure the pedal cranks to the bike, and what to do in order to verify your EP8 axle spindle is undamaged. 'Ve been missing out on so much many issues that can be Why. * thirteens TSB up 2020 and is a lot lighter appreciate the level of detail in this article good... 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