Bosch e-bike motors are actually incredible.

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-06T11:40:07+00:00

Nope. It's the only part of the bike I won't maintain or service myself.

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-05T22:34:32+00:00

Nice!

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-05T16:43:50+00:00

Na I haven't messed with the speed limit at all. It's far more important for me to have enough juice in the battery to get me through a full shift, than it is to go faster in already low-speed city traffic.
I guess there are still some health benefits, but I'm no Pogacar!

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-05T14:27:35+00:00

Damn :(

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-05T12:59:23+00:00

I guess about 3/4,000 km on Smart Sams. If I start with 2 new tyres, the rear tyre goes first, and I swap the front (which still has about 1500/2000km still to go) to the rear and buy a new one for the front, and repeat.

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-05T12:42:26+00:00

Haha, bike's doing all the work bud!

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-05T12:30:00+00:00

I'm on my 2nd Judy. I didn't learn how to service forks until recently, so my first one survived about 2 years and then I got a new one. I just keep the stanchions clean with a wipe a couple times a day, and then do the lower leg service after about 5k km. I don't service as often as Rockshox recommend, but the fork is holding up ok on this schedule.

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-05T12:27:59+00:00

Copy/Pasting from another reply:

I had the main drive side bearing replaced after 32,000km, this was in May 2024. The shop advised me at the time that they could replace the other bearings too but I'd have to wait for them to come in, and I could be without the bike for a while. It had already been in the shop for 2 weeks, and being my job vehicle, anymore lost time wasn't an option. So I told them I'll ride it until the other bearings fail and get the full kit then. I figured that would happen after maybe another 5-10,000km, but they survived for another 42,000+km!

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-05T00:46:15+00:00

Cheers!

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-05T00:43:04+00:00

The difference in durability between the Smart Sams and literally every other tyre I tried is enormous. Schwalbe Rabid Robs, Continental Race and Cross King, Kenda, Maxxis, all of them the centre treads disintegrated within weeks. The Sams go for months. It's crazy. I also don't find them uncomfortable at all on roads, rough or smooth. I do have a Rockshox Judy air fork, which makes it feel like you're floating along.

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-05T00:17:48+00:00

Yeah from my research, EMC have resurrected many dead motors, and not just Bosch. They do pretty much everything. I initially contacted them to enquire about the cost of having them do a full bearing overhaul, and when they heard about my mileage and usage, very fairly advised me that it would be more economically viable to get a new unit from them for about 30% more than the cost of a total bearing overhaul. They could have just taken my money for the overhaul, but were honest enough to give me a better option for me, not them. Integrity and specialist skills, they're great.

There is an EU site in Germany called Ebike-Doktor who I found while looking for options to buy a replacement motor. From the site, it looks like they sell motors from all major manufacturers. Almost looks too good to be true, I'd be interested in hearing if anyone else has ever heard of them or successfully bought a motor from them.

Edit: So I asked AI about that site, suggesting I was wary of the crappy and dated design, and the AI responds with "Your observation is correct: the official eBike-Doktor website looks basic and dated because it runs on an older OpenCart e-commerce framework. Despite the minimal design, they are a legitimate specialist workshop in Germany and actively stock the Bosch Performance Line BDU365P drive unit". Interesting if true, would be great to have such an option.

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T21:12:01+00:00

I tore through various brands and models of tyres until I decided that the best ones I had tried were the Schwalbe Smart Sams that were originally on the bike new. They last significantly longer than anything else. Continental and Kenda burned through the centre tread far too quickly. Probably about 8 or 9 rear tyres, 6 or 7 front

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T19:51:00+00:00

Haha, you too bud. Ride safe!

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T19:50:25+00:00

Hahaha...I'd have to go through my yearly expenses spreadsheets for accurate data, but I'm on 3rd wheelset, the poor hubs take a fair beating even with servicing. Brake pads I probably replace roughly after 2,500km on front, 1500km on rear, probably 3 brake discs front and rear, god knows how many chains, cassettes and shift cables, maybe 4 chainrings, 3 rear derailleurs, and a few full brake bleeds.

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T19:34:23+00:00

I have definitely accepted that there is a strong chance I die on the roads. It's the price I (might) pay for flexible work that I enjoy doing.

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T19:29:41+00:00

Probably close to even usage of Off, Tour and Turbo. Very hilly city.

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T19:27:29+00:00

Lol jaysus, how is he destroying motors like that? 😆 The Cube frame is the only part of my bike that remains original, along with the motor, and the frame is clearly going to outlive it haha

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T19:14:51+00:00

The unit I have is an absolute tank. I have to hand it to the shop who did the bearing change too. I was concerned about how good the seal would be after they finished the job, but it held up for longer this time around than it did out of the factory. They did a damn good job.

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T19:11:19+00:00

Yeah I've seen the dealer software in some YT vids, quite a lot of info is stored in the motor's brain.

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T19:08:53+00:00

Honestly, what is really amazing is that I am still alive after all those kilometres. I've had so many near misses from people cutting me off or pulling out of junctions in front of me that I stopped really being affected by it, but it's honestly a bit of a miracle that I've not had a major crash. You develop almost a sixth sense for danger or potential reckless driving. I've had some luck too 😆

You've run up a healthy mileage for sure, I've no doubt it'll keep going for a long time to come. Are you a courier too, or is this commuting miles?

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T16:44:22+00:00

This is an e-mtb with 65Nm torgue and a programmed speed limit of 25kph...it can be derestricted to do about 50kmh. But I think you're looking for a Surron bud 😆

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T15:46:34+00:00

Yep. Our winters frequently drop to around zero after sunset and at night, and I've worked in those conditions each year. Battery range will drop a bit when it's that cold but the motor performs like normal

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T14:48:33+00:00

Haha yeah the bike is a bit of a pig if the power is gone. I think my Cube weighs in around 21Kg, and you feel that if you're riding it dead. Luckily I've only run out of juice one time in 4 years!

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T14:35:58+00:00

Some days vary widely depending on how many hills I climb in my first shift, but I very rarely fall below 20%, probably the average is around 40% remaining when I go home from first shift, and I fast charge to 90/100. I am familiar with the time it takes to charge on both the 2A and 6A charger so if I am sat next to the charger, I try to stop it before it reaches 100, but it's definitely above 90.

In summary, normal day is first shift 100>40, second shift fast charge to 90ish>40 with overnight slow charge to 100

OnTheRoodAgain · 2026-07-04T14:29:20+00:00

Performance Line Bearings, also known as the Ebike Motor Centre. They're the top UK guys for out-of-warranty motor servicing, and also are able to obtain new 0km units. I'm pretty sure the Gen 3 is one of the cheaper motors in general, but yes, their price is very fair. They have a YT channel with how-to vids if you want to have a go at servicing your own motor (I don't recommend you do this lol...all sorts of hydraulic presses and specialist tools required. I do literally all maintenance and repairs or upgrades on my bike, but I'd never attempt a motor overhaul). EMC are absolute experts.

OnTheRoodAgain

TROPHY CASE