Back pedalling noise

[Old Codger]

When I back pedal on my Bosch Gen 5 motor I get a quite loud ratcheting click just like on a freehub on an analog bike. This is slightly annoying but gets really annoying for a couple of seconds when I stop pedalling and the motor stops.
My Gen 1 and Gen 2 motors are completely silent on the back pedal. Is this normal on the Gen 5?

 

[Mikerb]

yes

 

[Old Codger]

yes

Puts a damper on a new quiet motor. It’s louder than anything on my Gen2.

 

[Mikerb]

Puts a damper on a new quiet motor. It’s louder than anything on my Gen2.

Why would you back pedal? The ratchet noise when back pedalling is on all gen 4 motors and is merely a sprag clutch.

 

[Old Codger]

Why would you back pedal? The ratchet noise when back pedalling is on all gen 4 motors and is merely a sprag clutch.

It’s not the back pedalling which I don’t do it’s the clicking roar when you stop pedalling and the motor runs down. My other two Bosch motors are silent.

 

[Mikerb]

It’s not the back pedalling which I don’t do it’s the clicking roar when you stop pedalling and the motor runs down. My other two Bosch motors are silent.

well it should not do that! I would think it is more likely to be the freehub than the motor however. Easy to check. Put the bike on a stand and remove the chain. If the noise goes a way it is not the motor but the freehub. If you are not into basic mechanics on the bike take it to the lbs to check.

 

[Zimmerframe]

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[Old Codger]

- YouTube

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Yes when he back pedalled in that video you could hear the ratcheting. That becomes really fast and loud when you stop pedalling and the motor runs to a stop then it is normal ratcheting if you backpedal but coming from the motor not the freehub. The chain doesn’t move when you backpedal an E-bike so the freehub is not involved.

 

[jtvt]

I get the same on my Bosch. Clicks when backpedaling. However, it seems to be much louder than it was.

It also happens when I stop pedaling for a couple seconds. It's like the motor is "catching up". This seems to be new behavior.

I did have to bike in some rain a week ago or so. I'm wondering if to grease the sprag clutch?

 

[Old Codger]

I get the same on my Bosch. Clicks when backpedaling. However, it seems to be much louder than it was.

It also happens when I stop pedaling for a couple seconds. It's like the motor is "catching up". This seems to be new behavior.

I did have to bike in some rain a week ago or so. I'm wondering if to grease the sprag clutch?

Bosch must have introduced a ratchet gear in the new motors similar to the rear freewheel. The Gen 1 and Gen 2 motors are completely silent when the pedals are turned backwards.
I don’t notice it so much now, earlier I was listening for the source of another rattle/ clicking noise which I tracked to a loose bolt behind the rear shock.

 

[Misenko]

Exactly this is an issue with gen4. Gen3 completelly silent when back pedaling. Also there chain is running backward. I much more like this design. But what is problem with gen4 (i hoped gen5 solved it but obviously not) is that when you stop pedaling and cruising your legs/pedals makes slight movements back anf forth and everytime it’s back it triggers the clunk noise of the ratchet system. This is then amplified by a frame and it’s like constant clicking. O ver a bump your pedals moved and clunk noise. I’ve found it supper annoying and it can’t be prevented. They need to get rid of this mechanism or at least makes the freewhel ratchet in motor not so sensitive.