Spinning the cassette backwards by packpedalling......how to?

locoboy

Member
Jan 15, 2022
16
6
Midlands
Being new to E bikes, I didn't realise that when you back pedal the hain doesn't move and the cassette doesn't rotate!
When cleaning and lubing the chain on my normal bike I spin the cranks backwards whilst cleaning/lubing. How do you achieve this with an EMTB? is there something you can attach to the crank arm that engages the sprocket or is the motor not supposed to turn backwards? for info it's a shimano EP8 Rs motor.
Thanks
 

2WheelsNot4

E*POWAH Master
Oct 17, 2021
889
686
Scotland
Correct, the cranks and chain are two separate entities and it's only the pedals that turn backward.

To lube the chain you need a friend to run beside you applying the lube as you cycle slowly ;)

In seriousness. Lift the bike up ,and if you have a stand hook the saddle nose on to the stand to lift the back wheel and turn the pedals as normal(with the power off). You can then lube it just as you would before.
 

Zimmerframe

MUPPET
Subscriber
Jun 12, 2019
13,770
20,452
Brittany, France
Some people just put an allen key in one of the spider bolts, so the crank catches on it and it turns the chainring backwards.

You can buy specific products to do this.

You can also just grab the chain and pull up along the bottom, left to right. Or brave your fingers in the spider (with the motor off) and spin the chainring backwards.
 

GolfChick

Member
May 16, 2019
36
16
UK
Upside down and pedal it forwards, use something to lift the bars off the ground though otherwise your controller will get scuffed.
 

Ziggyrags

Member
Feb 24, 2021
12
5
Cornwall, UK
Some people just put an allen key in one of the spider bolts, so the crank catches on it and it turns the chainring backwards.

You can buy specific products to do this.

You can also just grab the chain and pull up along the bottom, left to right. Or brave your fingers in the spider (with the motor off) and spin the chainring backwards.
I was wondering if rotating the cranks backwards on an EP8 might damage the torque sensor, causing the E010 error; just a thought!
I think that lifting the rear end and rotating the pedals forward is the best option.
 

Tim1023

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2020
637
555
Hamburg, Germany
Some people just put an allen key in one of the spider bolts, so the crank catches on it and it turns the chainring backwards.

You can buy specific products to do this.

You can also just grab the chain and pull up along the bottom, left to right. Or brave your fingers in the spider (with the motor off) and spin the chainring backwards.
I use the allen key method. Just make sure you put some tape on the key where hit meets the crank to avoid chipping the crank. Also helps to identify the correct key from the set
 

eMullet

Active member
Mar 28, 2021
149
171
Planet Earth
Just take a hook and loop and tie the crank to the spider. Works fine. Remove battery while doing this. I've noticed on EP8 that spinning the chainring backwards powers up the bike for some reason. Maybe the motor is acting like generator and wakes the battery?
 

James_C

Active member
Nov 25, 2019
448
218
Kent, UK
I use the allen key method. Just make sure you put some tape on the key where hit meets the crank to avoid chipping the crank. Also helps to identify the correct key from the set

Tried this and in my opinion its going to wreck the bolt/damage the crank arm.

Far easier to do it in a work stand using a chain cleaner. I superglued the handle on the other side so it runs through in the correct direction.
 

Tim1023

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2020
637
555
Hamburg, Germany
Tried this and in my opinion its going to wreck the bolt/damage the crank arm.

Far easier to do it in a work stand using a chain cleaner. I superglued the handle on the other side so it runs through in the correct direction.
I can understand the concern, but I've had no problems at all.
Smart idea with the chain cleaner. Maybe you should patent that before Park Tools creates a cleaner with handle sockets on both sides for standard- and ebikes
 

RustyMTB

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Jul 22, 2020
2,494
6,103
UK
I hook the nose of the saddle over the horizontal arm of the bike stand to lift the back wheel off the ground a couple of inches or so & rotate the cranks by hand. Works for me. :)
 

eMullet

Active member
Mar 28, 2021
149
171
Planet Earth
All well and good, but that requires both a tool in the axle and chainring that has fixing bolts. That rear axle tool is merida specific thing and some ebikes dont have any bolts on the spider because the chainring is one-piece construction.
 

High Rock Ruti

Active member
May 13, 2019
398
317
Massachusetts
Being new to E bikes, I didn't realise that when you back pedal the hain doesn't move and the cassette doesn't rotate!
When cleaning and lubing the chain on my normal bike I spin the cranks backwards whilst cleaning/lubing. How do you achieve this with an EMTB? is there something you can attach to the crank arm that engages the sprocket or is the motor not supposed to turn backwards? for info it's a shimano EP8 Rs motor.
Thanks
High Rock Ruti

I replace the chain more often.....!

Warm Regards Ruti
 

Darren

Active member
Sep 25, 2019
191
245
Warwick
grab the chain and pull is all I do, just turns the motor - probably best to make sure it's switched off first.
 

MrSimmo

E*POWAH Elite
Apr 24, 2020
1,048
985
The Trail.
Alan key in one of the ring bolts, small bit of wood between the alan key and the crank arm (as being an idiot, the alan key gets jammed otherwise) and bob’s your uncle fannys your aunt…

Or just grab the chain with a hand and pull backwards whilst using the other hand to pour the chain oil and your teeth/chin to hold the bike steady 👍
 

IainF

Member
Jan 10, 2021
35
20
UK
Double sided velcro around the back of one of the arms of the spider, then around the crank. Takes seconds, doesn't scratch anything and you can spin the pedals backwards and use your chain cleaner as normal!
 

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