Pole Voima swing arm CRACKED

[Sander]

Hi Sander,

That's unfortunate. We've noticed that the issue you're experiencing typically develops over time; it doesn't happen suddenly. Our service team will replace the affected component for you. It's a straightforward fix.

While you're at it, please also inspect your swingarm for any cracks near the drive side and lower link joint. We've had instances of this, and it's crucial for everyone to check. Although we're not issuing a recall—since the issue is inconsistent and doesn't result in a catastrophic failure—it's better to be safe.

We are in the process of rolling out significant updates shortly to address these issues and will replace parts as needed.

Thanks Leo for your quick answer! Meanwhile can I ride my Voima or can I glue the part in temporarily? Thanks again, Sander

 

[ebikerider]

Add me to the list of owners with cracked swingarms. Pole sorted it out quickly and sent new parts to replace the cracked ones. The new swingarms have bolt on brake mounts so it's a little annoying when they send the wrong sized mounts (after multiple emails requesting what size I wanted) and no mount bolts. After sales service is a bit of a lottery with these guys I've found.

 

[Crush]

This thread is a bummer. Was about to press go but i'm pretty big/fast/heavy dude and hard on bikes and our trails aren't nice either.

Back to the drawing board!!!

 

[Paul Mac]

This thread is a bummer. Was about to press go but i'm pretty big/fast/heavy dude and hard on bikes and our trails aren't nice either.

Back to the drawing board!!!

I think you'll find all these failures are on the first gen voimas, the rear triangle was redesigned for the ID models and I haven't heard of any failures on that model.

 

[Crush]

I think you'll find all these failures are on the first gen voimas, the rear triangle was redesigned for the ID models and I haven't heard of any failures on that model.

How do know which is what though?

 

[Sander]

How do know which is what though?

2nd gen swingarm is more flat and like Paul Mac mentioned part of the ID model (led on uppertube). First gen has the led controler on the handle bar. Like mine ;-)

 

[Paul Mac]

How do know which is what though?

Well you can't buy the old one anymore, but an easy way to visually see is the new design has a bolt on back brake carrier, on the old one the brake carrier was machined into the swing arm.

 

[Sander]

Well you can't buy the old one anymore, but an easy way to visually see is the new design has a bolt on back brake carrier, on the old one the brake carrier was machined into the swing arm.

true ;-)

 

[ebikerider]

This thread is a bummer. Was about to press go but i'm pretty big/fast/heavy dude and hard on bikes and our trails aren't nice either.

Back to the drawing board!!!

ALL bikes can break. This is the first generation only and the new swingarm is updated and stronger. Warranty was dealt with quickly and efficiently and I now have stronger parts. What's not to like?

Don't miss out on a great bike because a small % had issues.

 

[Lightme]

I love mine. No issues at all, it’s ridden hard by a 95kg rider.

 

[jbrown15]

This thread is a bummer. Was about to press go but i'm pretty big/fast/heavy dude and hard on bikes and our trails aren't nice either.

Back to the drawing board!!!

If that's the case you might as well stay away from 95% of the ebikes on the market....lol

Everything can fail, it's how a company stands behind the products, that's what sets them apart.

 

[Plummet]

This thread is a bummer. Was about to press go but i'm pretty big/fast/heavy dude and hard on bikes and our trails aren't nice either.

Back to the drawing board!!!

Yeah, I go pretty hard too. 4 months in and no breakage here. Like others said. If you look hard enough you will find failed frames in every brand.

 

[Sijmes]

This thread is a bummer. Was about to press go but i'm pretty big/fast/heavy dude and hard on bikes and our trails aren't nice either.

Back to the drawing board!!!

If you follow the post, somebody just messaged the CEO of Pole about an issue with his bike on an open forum. CEO then publicly advises to check for another defect, that will also be covered by warranty. It doesn't get any more transparent than this in the bike industry. An email with a photo is suffice for a replacement through the post. Which company does it any better than this ? Going through your local bike shop, proof of ownership, warranty voiding part changes, months of radio silence and all the rest of that bullshit is the usual way these things are handled. By the time they get back to you, your more than willing to accept the wrong size or a different colour. Your missing out on a special bike and a revolutionary company
I'd be interested to know which other bike you're considering?

 

[Welh]

I think you'll find all these failures are on the first gen voimas, the rear triangle was redesigned for the ID models and I haven't heard of any failures on that model.

Not true. Newer swingarms sitll have this issue but there should be new revision coming soon. There is still no news what is actually changed but hopefully the issue is finally resolved.

 

[ebikerider]

Not true. Newer swingarms sitll have this issue but there should be new revision coming soon. There is still no news what is actually changed but hopefully the issue is finally resolved.

Do you have any evidence of the new version cracking?

 

[Welh]

Do you have any evidence of the new version cracking?

Yeah, my own bike cracked. Hoping the new revision will fix the issue. It seems that not every bike develops this issue but I would suggest for every owner to check it periodically.

 

[ebikerider]

Yeah, my own bike cracked. Hoping the new revision will fix the issue. It seems that not every bike develops this issue but I would suggest for every owner to check it periodically.

Good to know. I’ve just fitted the new ones so will keep close eye on them.

 

[4vdean]

this must be the 3rd gen swing arm

 

[mustclime]

You to can be a beta tester.

 

[cozzy]

I don't have Instagram and get no audio watching in a browser.
As someone expecting a voima soon, I would say the right one is the latest?

 

[Murphius]

I don't have Instagram and get no audio watching in a browser.
As someone expecting a voima soon, I would say the right one is the latest?

View attachment 135998

Yes.

 

[Murphius]

My drive side swing arm cracked. Reached out to support, sounds as though I’ll be receiving replacement swing arms (both sides) as soon as they get a production slot (sounds like they’re still behind due to machine downtime). Overall happy with the response, just hope it doesn’t draw out too long.

 

[Durrti]

My drive side swing arm cracked. Reached out to support, sounds as though I’ll be receiving replacement swing arms (both sides) as soon as they get a production slot (sounds like they’re still behind due to machine downtime). Overall happy with the response, just hope it doesn’t draw out too long.

Hope they get you parts quickly! And prioritize broken bikes over new bikes
It was my drive side that broke as well.
Take your time with the install

 

[Murphius]

Hope they get you parts quickly! And prioritize broken bikes over new bikes
It was my drive side that broke as well.
Take your time with the install

Agreed on the prioritization.

Care to share the backstory on the take your time comment?

 

[Durrti]

The replacement

Agreed on the prioritization.

Care to share the backstory on the take your time comment?

the replacement arm I received came with very few instructions, and I had a gap on the shock yoke after install. Pole advised torquing the axel bolts 10# beyond spec which wound up breaking the bolt heads. Luckily I had extra from the broken bits.
It’s a shame that this happening!

 

[Murphius]

The replacement

the replacement arm I received came with very few instructions, and I had a gap on the shock yoke after install. Pole advised torquing the axel bolts 10# beyond spec which wound up breaking the bolt heads. Luckily I had extra from the broken bits.
It’s a shame that this happening!

Interesting, thanks for sharing. They did request a photo of the shock yoke so I’m assuming they have different versions of it and are insuring compatibility, likely due to what you dealt with.

 

[Tomska23]

Now since pole has filed for bankruptcy and therefore any warranties left on the frames have disappeared, is there any knowledge from anyone of which batch of Voima swingarms are prone to failing? There isn't that much information of what caused the cracking, only that Leo said it was inconsistent and that is the reason they didn't recall all the Voimas back then.
I am quite certain that even if they knew which ones are probably "a bad batch" and prone to failing, they wouldn't make that information public, since it would affect the purchase of Voimas. At least if someone has any information of why the Voima is failing from where it is and how can we as community after the bankruptcy support each others. There are at least 3 versions of the swingarms, original one with integrated brakemount (those have failed) and the newer one with removable mount (also failed) and the newest "fixed version" that i am guessing most people do not have as warranty to this day.

Pretty much anyone who owns a Voima or thinks about purchasing one would benefit from this information.
Also information from people who have ridden the Voima for a long time without any failures could share, it would be useful data.
If anyone here has experience on this topic or has pictures of broken swingarms i could analyze them via pics to maybe figure out why they are failing and we can help the owners to understand what makes it happen etc.
Thanks, greetings from a fellow Voima owner!

 

[tooFATtoRIDE]

Now since pole has filed for bankruptcy and therefore any warranties left on the frames have disappeared, is there any knowledge from anyone of which batch of Voima swingarms are prone to failing? There isn't that much information of what caused the cracking, only that Leo said it was inconsistent and that is the reason they didn't recall all the Voimas back then.
I am quite certain that even if they knew which ones are probably "a bad batch" and prone to failing, they wouldn't make that information public, since it would affect the purchase of Voimas. At least if someone has any information of why the Voima is failing from where it is and how can we as community after the bankruptcy support each others. There are at least 3 versions of the swingarms, original one with integrated brakemount (those have failed) and the newer one with removable mount (also failed) and the newest "fixed version" that i am guessing most people do not have as warranty to this day.

Pretty much anyone who owns a Voima or thinks about purchasing one would benefit from this information.
Also information from people who have ridden the Voima for a long time without any failures could share, it would be useful data.
If anyone here has experience on this topic or has pictures of broken swingarms i could analyze them via pics to maybe figure out why they are failing and we can help the owners to understand what makes it happen etc.
Thanks, greetings from a fellow Voima owner!

Also interested in this info. I guess it would be a good idea to buy a spare set of swingarms, one of those which are the latest, improved design.

 

[jbrown15]

Also interested in this info. I guess it would be a good idea to buy a spare set of swingarms, one of those which are the latest, improved design.

How would you buy a spare one? Isn’t everything halted with the bankruptcy?

 

[tooFATtoRIDE]

How would you buy a spare one? Isn’t everything halted with the bankruptcy?

Yes, I would imagine it is. However, if no new owner is found, the liquidation of assets will come in due course. So, not only the machinery, IP, etc but also stock that has not been sold, if any is left. That's is the precise moment to spot.

However, the procedure might look different in Finland so it would be great to heard from one of the Voima owners based there to know how it is done there.