EMTB: Is there even a warranty on wearing parts?
Dirk Zedler: Liability for material defects, which is now the correct term, is a tricky subject when it comes to wearing parts. In principle, wear parts are not exempt from liability for material defects. Such products must also have a service life that can be reasonably assumed for this category.
EMTB: That leaves room for interpretation. What exactly would be a reasonable lifespan to assume for an E-MTB drive?
This is precisely the subject of frequent disputes. Proper care and the maintenance and replacement intervals of a product should be included in a good instruction manual. If in doubt, an expert should be consulted. In my opinion, a bicycle chain on a high-quality e-bike costing, for example, 4000 euros should last at least 1000 kilometres. Components such as the cassette should last correspondingly longer. Currently, this is hardly realistic because e-bikes still use components that cannot cope with the high drive power. This is actually unreasonable for the consumer.
EMTB: Why are there still hardly any complaints against retailers or manufacturers?
With wearing parts, the value in dispute is simply too low. At 250 euros for a new chain and cassette, you're unlikely to find a lawyer who will go to court over it. What's more, dealers are likely to cushion the blow. However, the situation is different for more serious damage, which dealers are also unable to cope with. For example, in the case of damage to electronics. Due to the higher amount in dispute, this often involves the cancellation of an entire purchase contract, and lawsuits are much more common.
How long do 12-speed MTB drivetrains last?
How long a 12-speed drivetrain lasts on a mountain bike without a motor and how big the differences are between the Shimano MTB components Deore, SLX, XT and XTR compared to the Sram NX, GX and XX1 Eagle drivetrains is explained in the BIKE laboratory wear test with seven 1x12 groupsets .
What should I bear in mind when maintaining my E-MTB?
In our article DIY e-bike maintenance we will show you what you can do yourself to prevent expensive repairs. And also what you can easily repair yourself.
Checklist against e-bike wear on the drive unit
- A clean bike and a clean drive are the basic prerequisite for low component wear. This applies to the drive, but also to all bearings and add-on parts.
- Sufficient lubrication in the drive minimises friction and therefore wear. The right balance is required here, as too much oil attracts dirt and can therefore accelerate wear.
- The right gear minimises the stress to which the components are exposed. Cadences of 80 to 90 revolutions per minute are ideal. Always downshift before setting off.
- Also via the smallest possible support level the drive is happy. This means less power is applied and the components last longer. It also increases the range of the bike.
- The right translation can also contribute to minimised wear. If you pedal a lot on flat terrain on the smallest sprockets, you need a larger chainring. If you always need full power in the mountains, you should consider a smaller chainring.
>> Motor faults or battery malfunctions can really spoil a tour on an e-mountainbike. We show in E-bike troubleshooting: The most important error codes for battery and motor the most important error codes for Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha-Giant and Brose and what you can do about them on your e-bike.
>> The battery on an E-MTB requires special care. That is why 9 answers: How to extend the e-bike battery life exclusively for the maintenance of the centrepiece of an e-bike.
>> At the end of a strenuous season, after winter rides in salt and snow or simply in between: Your e-bike needs regular maintenance. We show you what you can do yourself for the 5 main areas of your e-mountainbike - without high workshop costs. DIY e-bike maintenance: wellness programme for the E-MTB
Adrian Kaether
Editor
