While Ebike motors are not silent, it is important to be able to distinguish if the noise it abnormal or not. Below we will discuss different factors that may cause a change of tone or overall motor noise. It is important to be familiar with the sounds of your bike in order to catch possible issues early for rider safety and the longevity of your bike.
- Normal operating motor noises may vary depending on factors such as heat, load, and/or mileage on the motor. If you simply hear changes in the tone of the motor, this is generally not a cause for concern and is normal. If the motor heats up or is under extra load either from cargo or a steep grade, the sound of the motor may change. You may also notice tone variability while the motor breaks in.
- Abnormal motor noises can be described as screeching or grinding sounds. These sounds can be accompanied by motor slippage or a general reduction of motor performance. The most common culprit for this type of sound on a hub drive motor is damage to the planetary gears. The planetary gears are within the hub motor and can become stripped if the motor is abused, damaged, or worn out from excessive use. The final stages of worn-out planetary gears would result in the motor's inability to turn the wheel. The motor may spin but no power would be delivered to rotate the rear wheel.
Hub and Ring Gear Planetary Gear Assembly Motor & Axle
- Other factors that could be mistaken as a damaged motor sound could be brake rotor/ caliper issues, drivetrain issues, or fender alignment problems. If you are unsure it can be helpful to try spinning the wheel by hand with the bike off to see if the sound persists. Other tests can be performed to see if the sound is consistent when the throttle or PAS is applied vs. the wheel simply rolling without power applied. If the sound cannot be pinpointed, we recommend visiting your local Aventon dealer bike shop for a professional evaluation.