Bikeon, "cassette drive" torque sensing motor

[Gruesome]

Sadly, I have to report that I decided to return the BikeOn kit, and Aram has agreed to refund me. On the last ride the belt broke, most likely as I was climbing a hill standing on the pedals.
Aram has put and is still putting a lot of effort into making this motor suitable for all kinds of riders, but unfortunately as of right now it doesn't seem to be for me. I'm sure there was also some plain bad luck involved.

 

[Chalo]

Well I hope it finds its most suitable applications. It's a clever system.

 

[maiz]

Sadly, I have to report that I decided to return the BikeOn kit, and Aram has agreed to refund me. On the last ride the belt broke, most likely as I was climbing a hill standing on the pedals.
Aram has put and is still putting a lot of effort into making this motor suitable for all kinds of riders, but unfortunately as of right now it doesn't seem to be for me. I'm sure there was also some plain bad luck involved.

Would a higher spec belt require a redesign I wonder?

 

[RaymondReed]

It's definitely an interesting piece of tech, and it's a shame to hear about your experience with the belt breaking. It sounds like BikeOn is still in the process of ironing out some kinks, which is not uncommon for innovative products like this. The concept of a cassette drive torque sensing motor has a lot of potential for ebikes, especially for those looking for a more integrated and potentially stealthier solution compared to traditional hub or mid-drive motors.

Given the effort Aram is putting into this, it might be worth keeping an eye on for future iterations or improvements. Early adopters like yourself play a crucial role in these development stages, providing real-world feedback that's invaluable for refinement. For others considering the BikeOn kit, it might be wise to weigh the current experiences and potential for future updates against your specific needs and riding conditions.

 

[spaceman]

Hi everyone,

First, I want to thank everyone for the valuable feedback and productive discussion.

We chose to use a timing belt for its superior properties: it’s highly resistant to mud, water, and contamination, offers longevity, and delivers a smoother ride.
Once I learnt that the belt broke, I arranged a meeting with engineers from the belt manufacturing company.
After a very productive meeting on Thursday, we identified the root cause of the belt breakage. The issue isn’t with the belt itself, but with the overly rigid belt support system, which doesn’t allow for minor misalignment during intense rides. To resolve this, we’ll be adding some flexibility to the support system. We expect this fix to be fully implemented within the next 1.5 to 2 weeks.

We’re committed to working with every user. If there’s an upgrade, we ensure all existing units are updated at our expense. Any issues, including belt breakage, are fully covered under our standard warranty.

As I’ve mentioned before, our goal is to make sure every BikeOn user is completely satisfied-no exception. I appreciate the patience and support of each BikeOn user as we work to refine the product. Most issues have been addressed, and I am confident that within a short time, we’ll have a fully mature and reliable product.

Please let me know if there are any questions or concerns.

 

[spaceman]

Would a higher spec belt require a redesign I wonder?

The belt spec is not the issue.

 

[maiz]

The belt spec is not the issue.

Unrelated @spaceman you mentioned the manner that you addressed resistance while pedaling without assist as similar to the "walk" feature of some kits; powering the motor a few watts to overcome system resistance. I wonder if it might be possible to implement a "limp home" feature in case of chain breakage. Maybe a steady 8-10mph to get home or a bike shop?