Fazua Ride 60. Yay or Nay? Reliability Improved?

[Ou812]

Oh no :/ looks like we were both unlucky with the replacements…
What Kind of noises you experience?
So Hw version 5 might be just hw version 2 for non-EU, maybe….

My mate is having the same issues with his Decoy SN, he’s waiting for motor 4 now but it’s been about a month. His would start off making a metallic tinging noise then eventually turn to a grinding noise.

His bike shop seems to think the casings are separating when the motor gets hot and allowing the internals so misalign once it cools back down. They were saying they’ve been tightening the casing bolts after so many rides on their demo bikes and have a lot better luck out of them. No idea if that’s actually the case or not but evidently it seems to be working.

 

[JP-NZ]

5th revision of a motor and it’s still as shit as the first models. Fazua

 

[Tmae]

His bike shop seems to think the casings are separating when the motor gets hot and allowing the internals so misalign once it cools back down. They were saying they’ve been tightening the casing bolts after so many rides on their demo bikes and have a lot better luck out of them. No idea if that’s actually the case or not but evidently it seems to be working.

This could be true.
Mine tempted to make metallic noises also when i was already some km into the ride, not from start of the ride.

But it also seamed to drain exentively the battery. I experienced up to 50% less range. I will check how the new motor now is performing regarding efficiency.
So might be the case that retightening could fix the noise, but not sure if battery drain would be also fixed.

 

[cykelk]

Oh no :/ looks like we were both unlucky with the replacements…
What Kind of noises you experience?
So Hw version 5 might be just hw version 2 for non-EU, maybe….

Yeah. Mine sounds similar to the first motor I had, a subtle grinding sound when the assist is on.

 

[Tmae]

I see….
What happened to your bosch gen5?

 

[cykelk]

I see….
What happened to your bosch gen5?

Still in the shop waiting on stuff from Bosch, that process has been slow. Fortunately (as usual) the Fazua remains rideable.

 

[Snoggin]

I have Heckler SL and getting close to 1000 miles since October

 

[jokermtb]

I've had my Transition Relay Alloy NX since Nov 2024, and now have over 700 trouble-free miles (Michigan winter is no problem w/ the removable battery). I really like the performance of the drive system. Seems I have the Version 2 motor, and from what all you mention, they're up to Version 4 (or 5?) now. For now, my version 2 motor is quiet and performs well, so we'll see what happens in 2025. Posting up an overview from Fazua Toolbox for reference (a while back). Anyone have a similar configuration?

 

[Tmae]

You have a F4 Hw2, same as me and my past 2 motors. Sometimes it hold up nice, sometimes metallic noise out of the box, at least for me.
F4 HW5 is supplied besides hw2, i guess these are the same but hw5 is only supplied to non-Eu, but just my guess.
1st hw2 motor 2700km, silent back ratchet
2nd hw2 motor 60km, then metallic noises, loud back ratchet
3rd hw2 motor, silent back ratchet, 1st ride tomorrow

 

[jokermtb]

A month into Gen 5 Bosch ownership and it’s been unusable for longer than my Fazua has over 18 months. There’s no risk-free choice here. So far, I much prefer Fazua support and data openness.

Fazua North America (located within the giant QBP HQ/headquarters in Minnesota) has been very responsive - had an issue with the ring controller housing fastener bolt for my wife's bike, and they sent me a few for free within the week of calling them. They definitely pick up the phone and use their email.

 

[jokermtb]

All three motors were "Motor F4, Hardware Version 2, Firmware 2.0" and produced in 2023.

#1 produced Q1 2023 had a faulty freehub. (Motor did spin but not engage. Apparently a known production issue caused by bad quality glue)
#2 produced Q4 2023 developed play in the bottom bracket axle. (I suspect it lead to water getting in and had the motor turn off and on like a loose connection)
#3 produced Q3 2023 gets loud and slower under load, like something is jamming the gears

None of the motors showed any error messages.

In Germany there is a difference between warranty by the retailer that has to cover all costs by law and the voluntary manufacturer warranty. To save time i opted for the Fazua warranty in a local bike shop instead of sending the bike back to the dealer. It was two different local bike shops and in both instances Fazua did not cover the cost of installation.

I've the same motor, and it's been trouble free for over 700 miles now...

 

[cykelk]

Fazua North America (located within the giant QBP HQ/headquarters in Minnesota) has been very responsive - had an issue with the ring controller housing fastener bolt for my wife's bike, and they sent me a few for free within the week of calling them. They definitely pick up the phone and use their email.

For sure. Bosch is kind of jerking us (my LBS and me) around now as far as I’m concerned. I’ll hold off on a detailed rant until I see how things actually play out, but I’m much more frustrated with Bosch right now than I have ever been with Fazua.

 

[tp806]

So, after just 3.5 months of good functioning without any issues, in typical UK muddy winter weather, I got an E002 drive train error, out the blue and the motor started cutting power in any mode selected, on my 2025 Santa Cruz Heckler SL, with FAZUA Ride 60 motor.
Usual FAZUA troubleshooting suggested, did not fix the issue. Yellow blinking lights suggests a soft error, apparently.
I was hoping this being a newer production motor would not have such issues...
Now bike is with my LBS to try and sort it out, so no riding for next 2 weeks.
Wonder if I should cut my losses now and sell this bike or persevere using FAZUA's 2 year warranty?
The Heckler SL is an amazing riding mid-power e-mtb, nonetheless, especially as it is my first e-bike, and has been stellar up until now.
But what to do?!!!


Drive Unit:
SERIAL NUMBER: 04101100xxxxxxxx
MOTOR TYPE: Motor F4
FIRMWARE VERSION: 2.1
HARDWARE VERSION: 5
PRODUCTION DATE: Wed Mar 27 2024 15:23:07 GMT

 

[Tmae]

Sorry to hear. Sucks if you can‘t ride it until the replacement arrived
Most of the fazua failures are fortunately strange motor sounds or sporadic issues that you can still use the bike until the repair.
Used ebikes are hard to sell and other motor systems also have their issues (most likely not as much as Fazua, but they have).
Plus the warranty is always reset to 2 years from a motor swap for Fazua (usually this is not the case).
So i would stick with the bike since you enjoy it.
I will also keep my Transition Relay, also like it, and take the life time warranty of Fazua, because I can‘t imagine the motor holds up more then 2 years by my frequent riding

Btw: interesting you have the hw version 5, i guess because it‘s the stock motor. I assume your next will be HW version 2, should be the same
Had my 1st ride hw version 2, 4th motor today, appears tb a good one. Also battery drainage is back to normal. The last metallic noises motor drained the battery up to 50% faster.

 

[jokermtb]

So, after just 3.5 months of good functioning without any issues, in typical UK muddy winter weather, I got an E002 drive train error, out the blue and the motor started cutting power in any mode selected, on my 2025 Santa Cruz Heckler SL, with FAZUA Ride 60 motor.
Usual FAZUA troubleshooting suggested, did not fix the issue. Yellow blinking lights suggests a soft error, apparently.
I was hoping this being a newer production motor would not have such issues...
Now bike is with my LBS to try and sort it out, so no riding for next 2 weeks.
Wonder if I should cut my losses now and sell this bike or persevere using FAZUA's 2 year warranty?
The Heckler SL is an amazing riding mid-power e-mtb, nonetheless, especially as it is my first e-bike, and has been stellar up until now.
But what to do?!!!


Drive Unit:
SERIAL NUMBER: 04101100xxxxxxxx
MOTOR TYPE: Motor F4
FIRMWARE VERSION: 2.1
HARDWARE VERSION: 5
PRODUCTION DATE: Wed Mar 27 2024 15:23:07 GMT

View attachment 155460

I'd keep it, as I do keep up on many of the other e-mtb discussions regarding motor issues, and it seems there's same WTF moments for everyone no matter what brand you pick. I'd stick it out, as it is a fantastic system, and Fazua is improving their stuff. I have an older motor, trouble free, but I keep waiting for it to happen to me - might not ever happen, but you worry. Suxx to be stuck like you are, but we are enjoying the early-days of a new 'sport' and there's bound to be some hiccups. They are pretty awesome when they do their thing.....

 

[Tmae]

Some good news regarding the new Fazua stuff incl. REX:

News - Fazua upgrades!

A bike shop in Hope, Hope Valley in the Derbyshire Peak District. Offering MTB, cyclocross, road and more!

www.18bikes.co.uk

Fazua Energy 210 REX Range Extender

Fazua Energy 210 Range Extender

www.18bikes.co.uk

Looks like the REX Bracket is a REX and a fidlock mount in one.
As expected no cable needed and the rex is directly plugged at the bracket.

 

[jokermtb]

That's going to be a game changer for me when I travel far with my Relay.

 

[sethimus]

That's going to be a game changer for me when I travel far with my Relay.

you are only allowed to bring up to 2 160wh batteries on a plane

so far, the specialized sl bikes are the only ebikes you can bring on a plane with you and ride with your own batteries because they can be run without the main battery present

 

[Mteam]

you are only allowed to bring up to 2 160wh batteries on a plane

so far, the specialized sl bikes are the only ebikes you can bring on a plane with you and ride with your own batteries because they can be run without the main battery present

Not quite correct, the Trek fuel exe and any other bike that uses the tq hpr 50motor can also be run on just the range extender, and the range extender is 160wh so can go on a plane

 

[Tmae]

Bad news guys….

 

[G.M.]

Bad news guys….
View attachment 156844

...2026

 

[craezor]

anyone know what the support is like in australia? considering a heckler SL

 

[Montana St Alum]

I bought an Ari Nebo a little over a month ago with the Fazua system. I live about 45 minutes from them in Utah.
The only problem I had was that the battery would drain about 3% overnight. I called Ari and they contacted Fazua. I was given the suggestion to "reset the battery". Turn on the bike and rotate the ring down to the unpowered position (white lights). Then hold the ring controller down for about 8 seconds, until a blue light blinks. That solved the problem. No more battery drain overnight.
Before I did that, I did go to the "toolbox" on Fazua's site on my laptop and followed the very easy instructions to select the "online" update option with the laptop connected to the bike to check for updates. None were required, but if you're interested in installing the latest one, it's - dare I say - a "breeze"!
There are tons of LBS in my area that carry bikes with Fazua motors/batteries, and they all work well, it seems, with Fazua.

 

[sethimus]

do you live under a rock and assume everyone else does to?

 

[johndeu]

do you live under a rock and assume everyone else does to?

Sorry man, just logged in after a long time and missed the updates above! deleting the duplicate.

 

[jokermtb]

I bought an Ari Nebo a little over a month ago with the Fazua system. I live about 45 minutes from them in Utah.
The only problem I had was that the battery would drain about 3% overnight. I called Ari and they contacted Fazua. I was given the suggestion to "reset the battery". Turn on the bike and rotate the ring down to the unpowered position (white lights). Then hold the ring controller down for about 8 seconds, until a blue light blinks. That solved the problem. No more battery drain overnight.
Before I did that, I did go to the "toolbox" on Fazua's site on my laptop and followed the very easy instructions to select the "online" update option with the laptop connected to the bike to check for updates. None were required, but if you're interested in installing the latest one, it's - dare I say - a "breeze"!
There are tons of LBS in my area that carry bikes with Fazua motors/batteries, and they all work well, it seems, with Fazua.

I went on yet another ride today… other than excessive fun, nothing went wrong

 

[Snoggin]

I put 1300 miles on my Heckler SL between October last year and May this year. Just got my motor replaced in a week here in NorCal . Great service. Thought I was going to miss out on the motor failure but the fix has been quick and easy at least. Of course i had to buy a new Bullit to ride while it was out of service lol I ride five days a week most times.. Love my HSL though. Back has been blown out since October and these e-bikes keep me riding.
Gnarly downhill no problem I just cant put much power into the pedals. Trying to find a fix. Exercise and stretching for now. Bikes are great!

 

[Tmae]

I just received a new motor, Fazua offered a new one when I asked if they finally fixed the creaking issue.
Now i Have a G4 Hw Version 7.
Appearently they switched from alu to steel bushings, but i doubt this will prevent squeaking over time.

Anyway, when the squeaking comes back I‘ll put green loctite, tired of applying anti seize every few hundret km.

 

[ehfour]

Oh interesting on the switch to Steel- Curious how you get along with the Green Loctite

 

[Tmae]

I have power loss issues with my new motor… All light on as usually but no assistance. Started after about 150km and now persistent. Happened all the time the past 2 rides, really annoying.
Anyone had the same issue?
Fazua bribgs a fw update which should fix „power loss issues“ let‘s see…