Well all I know is that I feel very sad that people have spent their money on something that wasn't what they thought it was, wasn't what was promised and people who ride bikes are usually decent people who care for the environment and maybe don't have enough money to run a car. Personally I feel like I've been treated ruthlessly, and that I will end up trapped indoors without my bicycle because I am disabled and I cannot walk very far. It is very sad and I actually feel depressed now.

 

I don't know if they can do it in this instance, but 50cycles have sometimes sent out the kit to load the software fix on other motors, for the user to post it back afterwards. Ask Joe and he may be able to do this for you. 50cycles are capable of excellent service at times and I've twice been a recipient of service from them that went far beyond the call of duty, so don't despair.

.

A statement was published some time ago stating that the issues with the Impulse motor had been resolved via a software update. Problems seemed to continue after that statement was made.

 

Current situation at the german Forum:

Since summer there are only a few failure posts, most from the new Impulse2.2. On the other hand there are several problems with the EVO, clacking noise, metalic grinding noise, you know!

 

Current situation at Ebikemonitor (Pedelecmonitor):

I got only some new mails with failed Impulse2.0 units. Nearly all were 2015 and 2016 motors. 3 units were from 2017.

 

So either the problem is solved and the failure rate reaches an acceptable number or there are just a few biker left with impulse motors.

 

The current situation in this forum:

the last 10 pages are most discussions about derby, daum and 50cycles. Compared to end of 2016 just a few new failed units.

Current data from begin of November:

 

and the new 2.2

 

Give it a few more month, but my feeling is, it's getting better.

I don't know if they can do it in this instance, but 50cycles have sometimes sent out the kit to load the software fix on other motors, for the user to post it back afterwards. Ask Joe and he may be able to do this for you. 50cycles are capable of excellent service at times and I've twice been a recipient of service from them that went far beyond the call of duty, so don't despair.

.

Hi Flecc, I could, with a struggle, go to their showroom , it's a two hour train journey from Cambridge , and I could manage a small fee for the software upgrade, but I have not received a reply to my post to 50cycles regarding how to go about getting this upgrade. I think 50cycles needs to understand that it is not at all unreasonable for people to get very upset at paying a huge amount amount of money for these bicycles for them only to start going wrong before the 1,000 mile mark/three years (with reasonable care by the owner). It is morally the right thing to do to provide a free software upgrade at the very least to all of the Impulse bicycles which were from bought 50cycles which have displayed these faults (no matter if the ownership has been passed on, as long as the rest of the bike has been kept in good condition) I do not think it is nice, decent, fair or good practice for 50cycles to be hostile about that, no matter how upset the owner is. I am waiting to experience the good customer service you speak of, Flecc.

I do not think it is nice, decent, fair or good practice for 50cycles to be hostile about that, no matter how upset the owner is. I am waiting to experience the good customer service you speak of, Flecc.

 

I understand Keterick, but always remember that if you stand in the other's shoes the view can be very different. No-one likes to be on the receiving end of a verbal battering no matter how justfied, so it can pay to be restrained and very courteous no matter how real the grievance. Let me illustrate that with my experience.

 

Years ago I bought a popular and normally reliable e-bike from 50cycles, long before the Kalkhoffs. By 100 miles it was grinding badly and the motor seized at 200 miles. I rang them and poitely offered to drive the 300 mile round trip to have it repaired which of course suited them. They suggested a day on which the bike's designer was visiting from the Orient so I could meet him, a nice benefit, but unfortunately my car was due MOT and booked for that day. Telling 50cycles that brought the immediate offer to see if the garage next door at that time would do it for me. A pause on the phone while they checked and it was arranged.

 

So a couple of days later I drove up, the garage did the MOT immediately while the designer of the bike fitted the new motor in person and I was able to have a long chat with him about e-bikes in general and his in particular. It couldn't have been better service and far beyond the call of duty, all from keeping my cool and making a generous offer to bring the bike to them. I've no doubt that if I'd blown my top about the very early motor failure it wouldn't have happened that way.

 

That wasn't the end of the good service though. Many months later and riding over a "chocolate bar" speed bump the battery weight bouncing shattered the plastic battery platform. I araldited the bits together and posted the incident in this forum with photos.

 

The next morning to my surprise I received a new battery platform by first class post! 50cycles had spotted my report of the incident in here and had immediately posted the new platform without even telling me or posting about it. Service just doesn't get any better than that.

 

These events were well over a decade ago and the first one before this website even existed, so to 50cycles I was just another person, not someone possibly having influence.

 

So my advice is to practice extreme restraint and courteously try to get the problem resolved with Joe and 50cycles. I'm sure they will respond by sorting the problem to your satisfaction. Working together usually solves problems.

.

I understand Keterick, but always remember that if you stand in the other's shoes the view can be very different. No-one likes to be on the receiving end of a verbal battering no matter how justfied, so it can pay to be restrained and very courteous no matter how real the grievance. Let me illustrate that with my experience.

 

Years ago I bought a popular and normally reliable e-bike from 50cycles, long before the Kalkhoffs. By 100 miles it was grinding badly and the motor seized at 200 miles. I rang them and poitely offered to drive the 300 mile round trip to have it repaired which of course suited them. They suggested a day on which the bike's designer was visiting from the Orient so I could meet him, a nice benefit, but unfortunately my car was due MOT and booked for that day. Telling 50cycles that brought the immediate offer to see if the garage next door at that time would do it for me. A pause on the phone while they checked and it was arranged.

 

So a couple of days later I drove up, the garage did the MOT immediately while the designer of the bike fitted the new motor in person and I was able to have a long chat with him about e-bikes in general and his in particular. It couldn't have been better service and far beyond the call of duty, all from keeping my cool and making a generous offer to bring the bike to them. I've no doubt that if I'd blown my top about the very early motor failure it wouldn't have happened that way.

 

That wasn't the end of the good service though. Many months later and riding over a "chocolate bar" speed bump the battery weight bouncing shattered the plastic battery platform. I araldited the bits together and posted the incident in this forum with photos.

 

The next morning to my surprise I received a new battery platform by first class post! 50cycles had spotted my report of the incident in here and had immediately posted the new platform without even telling me or posting about it. Service just doesn't get any better than that.

 

These events were well over a decade ago and the first one before this website even existed, so to 50cycles I was just another person, not someone possibly having influence.

 

So my advice is to practice extreme restraint and courteously try to get the problem resolved with Joe and 50cycles. I'm sure they will respond by sorting the problem to your satisfaction. Working together usually solves problems.

.

Hi Flecc, Thanks for your thoughtful reply. You are quite right, it is important to try very hard to be courteous, and I am glad to know you have been treated with due respect and care by 50cycles, and I hope you always will be.

When the car makers issue a recall, not always safety related, there is never any issue about from whom/when the vehicle was purchased.

 

I would have thought a recall for a software update to prevent motor failure was something a car maker would do - even if just to prevent warranty claims.

I was getting some noises from the belt and motor on my year old Agattu. I had done 1200 miles and it was still performing Ok but I was concerned about the noise. I therefore rode down to 50cycles new Twickenham shop. They asked me to leave the bike with them and that they would check it over and get back to me. The next day they emailed me to say that they were going to get a new motor from Germany. A week later they emailed me to say that the motor was replaced and the belt adjusted and that I could collect the bike. The bike now has the new 2.2 motor and is working well. They also told me that the new motor is under 2 years warranty. There was absolutely no fuss or quibbling and I am really pleased with the service I received. I would recommend 50cycles at Twickenham and I must say I do like my Agattu bike.

It is very well finished and comfortable to ride and I have never regretted buying it. Mind you the Twickenham store is really nice and has some tempting new bikes. I particularly like the Scott e-bike with the Bosch CX performance motor. I expect some of you will say that this is just an ad and that I actually work for 50cycles. Well I don't - I am just a satisfied customer.

has anyone ever tried to fix these engines, not for the "regular hobby-man) but more specialized craftsmen?

my impulse 2 motor is running ok, i'd say 80% for now.

when the engine engages, then i hear a sound but that's not worrying to me.

what bothers me is the support from the engine is sometimes gradually fading away. then after a hard step on the pedals i can bring it back to life. that's the only complaint i have sofar.

bought the bike (univega renegade) mtb second hand.

doesn't have 500km on the counter yet...

if i can't get warranty (previous owner claims his bookkeper can't find the invoice anymore) then i'll try to see what i can do to fix this. don't plan on buying a new motor on my expense...

 

cheers, Hannes.

has anyone ever tried to fix these engines, not for the "regular hobby-man) but more specialized craftsmen?

my impulse 2 motor is running ok, i'd say 80% for now.

when the engine engages, then i hear a sound but that's not worrying to me.

what bothers me is the support from the engine is sometimes gradually fading away. then after a hard step on the pedals i can bring it back to life. that's the only complaint i have sofar.

bought the bike (univega renegade) mtb second hand.

doesn't have 500km on the counter yet...

if i can't get warranty (previous owner claims his bookkeper can't find the invoice anymore) then i'll try to see what i can do to fix this. don't plan on buying a new motor on my expense...

 

cheers, Hannes.

Hi Hannes, I know what you mean about power fade/engine atrophe. I used to have a Pro-Connect with a Panasonic motor. It had much better torque and no jerky on/off power issues like what we are both experiencing with these Impulse motors. I am going to get the sofware on my Impulse updated, I will report back to you when I've had this done at Rutland Cycling (do you know which software version your running on? I think mine is C005, because it flashes up when I get the display error).

Is there an idiots guide to showing what software version is running?

has anyone ever tried to fix these engines, not for the "regular hobby-man) but more specialized craftsmen?

 

The problem with mechanical repairs is lack of any spares when the units have to sent back to get a new one.

 

When the Panasonic mid drive units were popular a few years ago that didn't have to happen, so parts from the odd failed units could be used to restore others and many were put back on the road that way, going on to last for years. In addition all the sealed bearings were standard easily available ones.

 

But with Bosch, Impulse etc., if a gear wheel shreds or other complex part fails, there's no viable solution other than a new motor.

.

i didn't get an error display ...yet.

i'm not experiencing on/off jerky feeling.

as i said, my bike is like 80% ok so far...

if it would only not fade and start assisting after i stopped pedalling, then it would be a good bike for me...

it might be fixed with an upgrade, yes, i really hope so.

today i found the axle/spline where the front sprocket is located, moves aswell as the front sprocket.

front sprocket moving is ok ,i guess, but nog the axle with the splines moving in the engine?? it's minor but noticabe . no extra weird sounds yet...

The problem with mechanical repairs is lack of any spares when the units have to sent back to get a new one.

 

When the Panasonic mid drive units were popular a few years ago that didn't have to happen, so parts from the odd failed units could be used to restore others and many were put back on the road that way, going on to last for years. In addition all the sealed bearings were standard easily available ones.

 

But with Bosch, Impulse etc., if a gear wheel shreds or other complex part fails, there's no viable solution other than a new motor.

.

 

say i opened the engine up before catastrophic failure happens... and i could fit better bearings and what else needs fixing that can be found or made on a lathe?

say i opened the engine up before catastrophic failure happens... and i could fit better bearings and what else needs fixing that can be found or made on a lathe?

 

I don't know the Impulse 2 unit well enough to say if anything can be easily made, but some of the parts that have caused problems can't be. For example the toothed nylon gear wheel and the pawl assembly. The quality of the bearings is unlikely to be a problem.

 

There are four photos of the pawl assembly components on this link

.

Is there an idiots guide to showing what software version is running?

When you press the off button, keep an eye on the display, it might flash up for about one second after the word "bye". I thought, from reading on this forum, that this was the software version, but mine still says C005, even though it's been updated, so I now have my doubts that it is the software version number. I will report back soon as to whether or not the update has made a difference to the actual ride.

I don't know the Impulse 2 unit well enough to say if anything can be easily made, but some of the parts that have caused problems can't be. For example the toothed nylon gear wheel and the pawl assembly. The quality of the bearings is unlikely to be a problem.

 

There are four photos of the pawl assembly components on this link

.

 

i did hear that the bearings are of questionable quality though...and because of lack of sufficient lubrication, these low grade bearings start wearing out...and in turn bring damage to the nylon gear wheel...

so maybe instead of grease, one could try the thickest oil available instead?

they opted for grease because ther's less chance for "leaks", oil will most likely start to leak the gaskets and seals.

The problem with my granddaughters low mileage 2013 model Agattu C8 impulse 1.0 step through bike ( 612 watt battery still shows 100% ) was a broken pawl in the freewheel drive in the crank .Kalkhoff will not supply replacement pawls despite these being wearing ,mechanical parts (easily and cheaply replaced as per any freewheel bike hub) and the motor out of warranty.50 cycles have quoted £600 for a new motor with a 2 year warranty.This is a very unsatisfactory state of affairs for any owner of these “”Rolls Royce “ of ebikes that are more than 2 years old

I've only just come back to this forum. 50 Cycles replaced the motor in my Tasman City 8 in the summer of 2016. Since then I've done over 1500 problem-free miles. I didn't have the "clacking" noise, mine showed "pedal" on the screen and assistance was intermittent. I have to say the the service I had from 50 Cycles was excellent and from Joe in particular. I saved the transit carton for "just in case" but it's looking like I won't need it.

I've only just come back to this forum. 50 Cycles replaced the motor in I saved the transit carton for "just in case" but it's looking like I won't need it.

 

:eek:Don't speak to soon, your now doomed keep the carton just in case.

The problem with my granddaughters low mileage 2013 model Agattu C8 impulse 1.0 step through bike ( 612 watt battery still shows 100% ) was a broken pawl in the freewheel drive in the crank .Kalkhoff will not supply replacement pawls despite these being wearing ,mechanical parts (easily and cheaply replaced as per any freewheel bike hub) and the motor out of warranty.50 cycles have quoted £600 for a new motor with a 2 year warranty.This is a very unsatisfactory state of affairs for any owner of these “”Rolls Royce “ of ebikes that are more than 2 years old

 

Surely its only a pawl? Kalkhoff won't have manufactured themselves a specific pawl. They'll have used something from a supplier that will be available and is probably used in hubs.

 

I bet if you take the pawl into a decent bike shop, one that's been around for years, so I'm afraid I'm talking about a shop that probably isn't an eBike shop.

 

Show them the pawl, tell them its from an unbranded hub. Can they find you one. I bet they'll have something.

 

Don't mention eBikes is the key to success here I'm sure.

I bet if you take the pawl into a decent bike shop, one that's been around for years, so I'm afraid I'm talking about a shop that probably isn't an eBike shop.

 

Unfortunately they are these odd double ones with a shoulder. The one I'm showing is from a Panasonic unit, but the Daum is a copy, exactly the same design and may even be identical. But of course Panasonic don't supply spares either:

 

http://www.flecc.uk/p/images/freewstrip5.jpg http://www.flecc.uk/p/images/freewstrip3.jpg http://www.flecc.uk/p/images/freewstrip2.jpg

The above pawl is the same as the ones in the Swizzbee rear hub. So might be a generic type.

I wondered if the 3/5 speed Sturmey's were a match but not quite.

Unfortunately they are these odd double ones with a shoulder. The one I'm showing is from a Panasonic unit, but the Daum is a copy, exactly the same design and may even be identical. But of course Panasonic don't supply spares either:

 

http://www.flecc.uk/p/images/freewstrip5.jpg http://www.flecc.uk/p/images/freewstrip3.jpg http://www.flecc.uk/p/images/freewstrip2.jpg

 

Yup, thats a totally generic pawl, that will be used by a host of hub brands.

 

eBike market is pretty small, so they won't be making specific parts they don't need to.

 

Many of the problems with eBikes are easily solved if you remove the e bit from the equation. They really aren't that complicated and bike shops have been solving them for close to 100 years in many cases.

Very much like Campagnolo's.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Campagnolo-Freehub-Pawl-and-Spring-Kit-12-17mm-FH-BO014/232562891836?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

 

Or more likely a DT Swiss pawl.

https://en.hollandbikeshop.com/branded-bicycle-parts/dt-swiss-bicycle-parts/dt-swiss-hub-parts/dt-swiss-pawl-and-spring/dt-swiss-pawl-8x8-for-370-onyx-hubs/

 

https://www.tftuned.com/dt-service-kit-3-pawl-system/p3199

Edited November 24, 20178 yr by Nealh

Hmmm, sadly my impulse motor has failed, and I am reluctant to spend money on getting a replacement motor, if as KTM ( Colin ? ) states that it is a common part, I am minded to pull down the motor to replace the pawls.

The pedals freewheel , so I believe that the pawls are broken, you can try backpedaling untill the motor engages then you get drive, totally unfit to ride as you can't pull away.

Should I pull down the motor and not be able to source new pawls, will I be able to exchange the motor still with the German company that Sounded very posted earlier?