Any answers at Spesh day about motor and moisture issues ?

[Careyj1]

I''m in the states, I own a 2020 Sworks Epic frame up build, 2017 Sworks Tarmac, and just purchased 6 weeks ago a New 2019 Sworks Turbo Levo. The Levo motor lasted a little over 600 miles and water didn't cause the failure. For the price and Sworks brand, these motor failures are ridiculous. It has to be a product defect. Specialized should upgrade the motor so it doesn't fail and issue a product recall for all motors.

Specialized should step up and solve the problem and they should take better care of their customers that give them a lot of support. They should offer product discounts on items, batteries, shoes, etc. for the loss of use of your bike while it's in the shop. They aren't treating their customers well. They have to replace the defective motor, it's time to step up and treat their customers better.

By the way, the dealer where I purchased the Turbo Levo is amazing. I let them know I appreciate what they do and I give them some extra $$$.

 

[AlwynM]

So, what I'm understanding from this thread is that the motor issues haven't yet been resolved and I should expect my motor to fail after a few hundred miles.

This is a disappointing as I have a 2020 Turbo Levo currently on order and it's now making me think twice.

 

[Bearing Man]

So, what I'm understanding from this thread is that the motor issues haven't yet been resolved and I should expect my motor to fail after a few hundred miles.

This is a disappointing as I have a 2020 Turbo Levo currently on order and it's now making me think twice.

Don't forget about the other 999,900 (ish) people out there riding around with no issues after thousands of miles riding.

 

[Mikerb]

So, what I'm understanding from this thread is that the motor issues haven't yet been resolved and I should expect my motor to fail after a few hundred miles.

This is a disappointing as I have a 2020 Turbo Levo currently on order and it's now making me think twice.

.....or you could take the opposite view which is that the vast majority ( 95% according) to Spesh warranty statistics, do not fail and Brose has implemented design changes on a continuous basis based on analysis of what weaknesses the warranty returns have exposed........and the fact that Spesh have a proven unequalled warranty should any problems occur.

 

[AlwynM]

Thanks. I think my mind is coming to rest again.

 

[Mikerb]

.....or you could take the opposite view which is that the vast majority ( 95% according) to Spesh warranty statistics, do not fail and Brose has implemented design changes on a continuous basis based on analysis of what weaknesses the warranty returns have exposed........and the fact that Spesh have a proven unequalled warranty should any problems occur.

......and the forum is a pretty good way of identifying steps you can take to avoid problems.

 

[AlwynM]

......and the forum is a pretty good way of identifying steps you can take to avoid problems.

Such as steering clear of mud / puddles and paying attention to the motor housing during maintenance?

Is there a specific thread for this?

 

[Mikerb]

Such as steering clear of mud / puddles and paying attention to the motor housing during maintenance?

Is there a specific thread for this?

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm? I have ridden my Levo throughout a particularly wet and muddy UK winter ....and no I did not avoid mud and deep puddles. I have however ensured as much mud etc as possible is prevented from getting into the space between the motor and its covers by fitting an effective rear mudguard and using additional moto foam both in the rear casing opening and ehere the speed sensor cable enters. I also regularly check the drain hole at the bottom is not blocked. I use additional grease to protect the area where the TCU cables connect to the PCB of the motor and the main battery to motor cable. I removed the non drive side crank and motor cover a couple of times during the winter to remove clean and replace the motofoam....the area inside the covers had no ingress of mud leaves etc. I have done a number of mods to better protect the electrical parts of the bike all of which are detailed on this forum and are simple and fairly obvious precautions if the bike is going to be subjected to foul wet conditions. I have never had any electrical problems on my bike.

 

[AlwynM]

That's great advice, thanks a lot and very much appreciated. Sorry for sounding like such an emtb newbie.

 

[Mikerb]

That's great advice, thanks a lot and very much appreciated. Sorry for sounding like such an emtb newbie.

No problem. You can take the attitude that manufacturers could/should take accounts of all extremes of use and include for example all the mods I have done......or accept that for ehatever reason they have not and decide to make thkse improvements yourself.
As an example...not restricted to Spesh....thetr are several bikes I have looked at that have external charging points on the frame. None of them are adequately protected from water/mud ingress or damage. They usually consist of a flimsy plastic or rubber flap. There is no way I would not create some sort of additional cover for that.

 

[KennyB]

Don't forget about the other 999,900 (ish) people out there riding around with no issues after thousands of miles riding.

Make that 999,001

 

[Murch]

If it's less that 5% why is it every shop that people bring thier failed ones into report they have a queue of bikes waiting on motor replacements? Why is it my local shop have replaced almost every motor on all the 2019/2020 they have sold?

I know we don't know or will probably never know but how is the 5% calculated.

 

[nobbyq]

the levo model is now 2 years old ? either brose can't or won't fix the issues .

 

[boBE]

If it's less that 5% why is it every shop that people bring thier failed ones into report they have a queue of bikes waiting on motor replacements? Why is it my local shop have replaced almost every motor on all the 2019/2020 they have sold?

I know we don't know or will probably never know but how is the 5% calculated.

5% is a disaster, most large manufacturers stop production when a failure rate exceeds 1%. The cost in parts and warranty claims at that point becomes more than the cost to stop and solve the problem. The supply chain is also not planned to produce 5% extra parts.

Specialized may be too small to follow the 1% guideline or they may be profitable enough to cover 5%, that we don't know.

 

[Swissrider]

Is there any evidence that the 2019/2020 motor is more likely to fail than the old 1.2 and 1.3 motor? My 2018 Kenevo has just had its motor replaced after 2300k. It had not failed as such but had started to make a loud grunching noise when hot, which I believe is a precursor to eventual failure. I am hoping that the replacement motor will last longer, as it will be out of warranty as bike is nearly 2 years old.

 

[Supratad]

5% is a disaster, most large manufacturers stop production when a failure rate exceeds 1%. The cost in parts and warranty claims at that point becomes more than the cost to stop and solve the problem. The supply chain is also not planned to produce 5% extra parts.

Specialized may be too small to follow the 1% guideline or they may be profitable enough to cover 5%, that we don't know.

I did once read that XBox were working at a 30% fail rate, back in the ring of death days.

 

[SquireRides]

If I was Spesh, I'd skip the warranty and just offer the motor at a 'consumable' price.

An X0 cassette is about £250, a decent BB is about £40... So if they sold the motor for about £300, and I knew that's what it's gonna cost every once in a while, I'd be happy enough.

I dunno if the math quite adds up - fewer free warranty replacements, but more (subsidized) purchases.... But something like that would probably work.

 

[SquireRides]

How much would you pay for ebike-as-a-service, per month?

Free break-fix for the motor, and when Mission Control registers your mileage, they send you replacement break pads, chains, and cassettes.

£50 a month? 50p a mile?

 

[Murch]

If I was Spesh, I'd skip the warranty and just offer the motor at a 'consumable' price.

An X0 cassette is about £250, a decent BB is about £40... So if they sold the motor for about £300, and I knew that's what it's gonna cost every once in a while, I'd be happy enough.

I dunno if the math quite adds up - fewer free warranty replacements, but more (subsidized) purchases.... But something like that would probably work.

I am averaging a new motor every 488miles, that is a faster wear rate than a cassette and not acceptable.

 

[Spagnol]

I am averaging a new motor every 488miles, that is a faster wear rate than a cassette and not acceptable.

Did anyone of the motors had a build date after February 2020 ?

 

[Murch]

My current motor (3rd) has a build date of 01/09/2020,

My 3rd motor is currently popping when I put anywhere over 650 watts of my leg power in it no matter what mode other than off. During my last ride I noticed the power wasn't staying consistent which if like my other two motors it means it is about to fail as they did the same.

 

[Spagnol]

My current motor (3rd) has a build date of 01/09/2020,

My 3rd motor is currently popping when I put anywhere over 650 watts of my leg power in it no matter what mode other than off. During my last ride I noticed the power wasn't staying consistent which if like my other two motors it means it is about to fail as they did the same.

Same thing was doing mine a week or two before failure in fact ...

 

[Spagnol]

My current motor (3rd) has a build date of 01/09/2020,

My 3rd motor is currently popping when I put anywhere over 650 watts of my leg power in it no matter what mode other than off. During my last ride I noticed the power wasn't staying consistent which if like my other two motors it means it is about to fail as they did the same.

Just for curiosity, how long did Specy took to swap your motors ? My retailer told me about 10 days ( so I should have it ready next week ) but I have a feeling that right now they are struggling changing motors .

 

[Murch]

Just for curiosity, how long did Specy took to swap your motors ? My retailer told me about 10 days ( so I should have it ready next week ) but I have a feeling that right now they are struggling changing motors .

My dealer who is a good friend and employs my son normally takes about 4-5 business days to get the motor. Once it fails, they will place the order for a new on that same day and then it's up to Specialized to ship it out to them. Last motor took 4 days to get in and they had it replaced the day it arrived.

 

[Spagnol]

My dealer who is a good friend and employees my son normally takes about 4-5 business days to get the motor. Once it fails, they will place the order for a new on that same day and then it's up to Specialized to ship it out to them. Last motor took 4 days to get in and they had it replaced the day it arrived.

Thanks

 

[Murch]

Thanks

No problem, I like everyone here loves the bike when it's working as it is by far my favorite bike of all time it's just very disappointing and frustrating to have the same failure over and over again and no real communication from Specialized about it. We get a lot of hearsay and third hand knowledge, but it would be great if there was official word from Specialized about it.

Even if this is only affecting 5% of the current owner's, word is getting out about the failures and sales are going to be lost and the brand will take a hit.

 

[beutelfuchs]

If I was Spesh, I'd skip the warranty and just offer the motor at a 'consumable' price.

And that's the only valid solution, having one at spare at home, same as for most other parts.
Warranty is overall useless. Next to that it only last two years and is valid only for the original buyer anyways, comes the worst part, which is that your motor will most likely break during the time you use your bike most, which is often is during vacation, so best part of the year. And then it doesn't matter if usually gets repaired within 4 or 14 days or if that would cost nothing or 999 bucks. Fact is that you just paid 1..2000 bucks to bike on the best trails you know once every 12 months, but now can only sit and wait for your friends returning from their ride.

That btw would be a truly honest next promo vid to do by spec: Rad guy in the camp next to his broken Levo preparing dinner for his non-spec friends out riding all day.

But hey, the claimed in the blue that its only 5%, so that won´t be you, right?

 

[Murch]

And that's the only valid solution, having one at spare at home, same as for most other parts.
Warranty is overall useless. Next to that it only last two years and is valid only for the original buyer anyways, comes the worst part, which is that your motor will most likely break during the time you use your bike most, which is often is during vacation, so best part of the year. And then it doesn't matter if usually gets repaired within 4 or 14 days or if that would cost nothing or 999 bucks. Fact is that you just paid 1..2000 bucks to bike on the best trails you know, but now can only sit and wait for your friends returning from their ride.

That btw would be a truly honest next promo vid to do by spec: Rad guy in the camp next to his broken Levo preparing dinner for his non-spec friends out riding all day.

To your point I am now afraid to take my Levo on some serious remote trails for the fear of it breaking while I am 20 miles from nowhere. It's bad enough to pedal it without a motor for 4 miles on mild terrain.

 

[beutelfuchs]

To your point I am now afraid to take my Levo on some serious remote trails for the fear of it breaking while I am 20 miles from nowhere. It's bad enough to pedal it without a motor for 4 miles on mild terrain.

Since that happened to me I only go ride my Kenevo if I know my wife is available to pick me up by car from the closest road.

 

[#lazy]

Any good retailer should have motors in stock so you shouldn’t have to wait , only for workshop space !