Removing Bionx 20mph speed limit

Sounds to good to be true. Did anybody else try this?

Hi Bionx users,
We would like to discourage all the persons from removing the speed limit of their Bionx kits.
This can result in unpredictable consequences.
The motor of the Bionx Kit is not designed to assist a speed of over 32 km/h.

The speed limit of North American Bionx kits (PL-350) is 32 km/h and the ones sold in Europe is 25 km/h.
A European Bionx kit with firmware version 4.0 and higher cannot be unlocked to 32 km/h by using the 3773 code.

Please visit our site or email us at info [at] tecbikes.com for special offers on Bionx kits.

Tecbikes.com

If you can't remove the speed limit, change the wheel size to half, indicators will be half the real, 12km/h is 23km/h but there is no longer a speed limit (25km/h in Europe) That said, in a 250W engine it will only help up to 30km/h so you gain only about 5km/h but at least you wont have this nasty wall effect.

What code do you use to change the wheel size? I remember i tried this once, but it did not work out. Seemed like the wheel size was locked.

I reckon it was 3771, but there seems to be another one for wheele size 2005 but it might be an old version

NEW BIONX SYSTEM CONSOLE CONFIGURATION GUIDE

To enter the access section you push on MODE and CHRONO in same time.

2001: KM or Miles
2002: Generative Breaking
2003: Time last with the battery
2004: Clock
2005: Wheel size
2006: Programming brake sensor
2007: Polarity throttle (0-5volt or 5-0volt)

3771: wheel size
3772: diagnostic mode
3773: max speed
3775: throttle max speed
3776: Speed that motor will start
5000: Full reset
1976: motor direction
1234: sensor speed signal; 1= slow 5= fast
1970: Configuration activation backlight ad DCDC automatic
0007: Sensor signal gain, 0.1 to 4.0
0008: Configuration of extra assistance 1.0 to 4.0
0041: activation of the I2C

Error Code
SMC_ERROR_VCTRL 20
SMC_ERROR_VPRCH 21
SMC_ERROR_RELAY 22
SMC_ERROR_BMS 23

wheel size
18’’ 1437
20’’ 1596
22’’ 1756
24’’ 1915
26’’ 2075
27’’ 2156
700mm 2199

No luck.
I can use the other codes listed in the manual to change settings like units, but when i try to change code 3771 it always reverts to the old value. I suppose this is somehow protected. There has to be a backdoor somewhere ...
On the other hand a backdoor for changing the max speed would be more convenient, since it would leave the speed and distance indications intact.

Hope i find a sollution soon, it's driving me nuts to try and follow cyclists at 32 km/hr with this heavy bike and no assist at all.

Does sucks. I guess is the problem with a branded Trek BionX when they only have a wheel size. Matra has many sizes so they left that feature unlocked. I don't think of anything you could do that wouldn't void the warranty.

Hello there,

I just bought, a few weeks ago, a BionX 350PL. This 25 km/h speed limit really sucks and is unconfortable. I like sport activity a lot, and I do a lot of cycling every week-end with no assistance at all. But when I go to my work, I want to have assistance, at least until 30 km/h.

As the speed limit parameter appears to be now blocked, can someone imagine it can exist a way to downgrade the firmware to a previous version, wich didn't have the speed limit blocked yet ?
Maybe using the IC2 connection ?

JagFab

Have you tried the wheel size? if you kit is generic it shouldn't have the wheel size locked, although it might,

You can change measures to miles (code 2001), and use the code 3771 to change your wheel size to Size/1.60934, for example if 26' then 2075/1.60934 = 1289

You can continue treating measurements as kilometres because for every mile you will actually travel a kilometre, and will have a limit of 40km/h although by design the motor will have a gradual drop in output until reaching 33Km/h, but it wont have this wall effect, in High speed you don't need it anyway.

If you have throttle it's supposed to give a boost regardless off.

To reprogram the console you would need to get the binary and a way to flash it, more likely you will corrupt it. I can be done in the factory.

Cheers,

E

Thanks for your reply.

I already tried to change the wheel size. I divided by 2 the value of the code 3771, but it only changed the speed displayed, not the real speed limit (the wall effect applied at 12,5 km/h on the display instead of 25 km/h). I think the motor is electronically linked and blocked to the controller, and as the motor is hard-linked with the wheel size, you cannot really change it.

Changing km/h to mph wont make a difference for that size restriction, right ??

No one all over the internet did found another way to change that annoying speed limit ?? I've tried everything on Google, but found nothing. :-/

Sorry JaggFab,

It did worked for me, my bike is 2009 but the controller is probably 2008 or 2007.

I guess they are putting some logic into the motor now, not only the controller, so this means you would need to get a 20' Wheel and rewire it to a 28' to get past the speed limit. Or get a kit from places where the limit are not so stringent.
This means that my next kit is going to be Chinese. or a used BionX that you can still modify. Too bad.

Changing the units to inches make the engine switch of at 16 mph, which is about the same as 26kmh
I am beginning to think that the only way to get past this speed limit will be to switch back to an older firmware version.
Anybody any experience in removing the limit in 4.0?
On the other hand it is a bit of a pitty to throw away all the improvements made in the latest versions.

With newer software versions (3.8 up) it is not possible to unlock the speedlimit with a code.
You need a dealer interface and a BIB Box.
After installing the dealer interface program open the regedit and search for "VB and VBA Program Settings". (CURRENT USER)
Go To "EPS Bike Interface" - Properties. Set all TRUE.
Now you have access to the original BIKE INTERFACE by opening the "dealer interface" program.

Search for the params you need to change (I am currently at this point) (french language)

Best luck!

Please give me feedback if anyone finds the correct settings.

Hi!

It is not possible to downgrade the software. Not with a standard dealer software.

Matra Pro,

What is this dealer interface and bib box? Where do I get those?

Cheers,

The BIB Box is a device to connect your PC via USB to the BionX components.
Your local BionX, Trek, KTM... dealer can order such a BIB box.
The dealer interface is the software that is needed to use the BIB box.
Dealer can download the newest version via FTP-Server. (currently version 4.4)

Hi Matra Pro, thanks a lot you just gave me hope again !! :)

I'm about to run by my BionX dealer and throw some banknotes to obtain this BIB and dealer interface! :)

In case of he refuses, are you able to sell this interface (refering to your username..) ??

De you speak French? I'm from Geneva.
Thanks a lot for your investigation and help !

(but isn't Matra a concurrent of BionX ?? )

Best regards

JaggFab,

Non, Matra is a Seller of BionX and has it's own BionX version for their bikes.

Alas, the dealer refuses to do anything to unlock the bike,

Cheers,

Matra Pro,

Where are you at? In France? Where? Currently I'm in Montpellier, would love to get access to this BIB Box,

E

Thanks for the replies.
Currently the BIB boxes are hard to get because the Software Version 4.1 made big troubles and a lot of dealers ordered one to update their bikes. The box and the official software dont't allow you to erase the speedlimit. A bit of hacking is needed.

Got this from tecbikes

subject Re: www.tecbikes.com: Unlocking bionx (Matra)
mailed-by yourhostingaccount.com

hide details 2:25 PM (4 minutes ago)

Hi Ed
we have noticed that the European Bionx kits (PL-250 HT) cannot be unlocked without changing the console.

You need a console with old version (3.8) or a US console which retails for 171 Eur in our online shop.

Regards

Tecbikes.com

Matra Pro,

I have the 4.1 version. Have you been able to unlock it? Are you in France?

E

No I'm not in France! I mentioned the 4.1 Version because 50% of them have a motor problem sooner or later. At the moment I am not able to unlock the Bike but I am working on it.

If anyone wants to try hacking the software, I can give you the download link.

What is the nature of the problem with the 4.1? Yes send me the link, see if I can do anything.

Here is the Link to the BionX Software (KTM background version 4.3).
This software works with every BionX bike including Matra and Trek.

http://www.materialordner.de/qijp7C8UGqfmZioECpDDRZ2Xkuo1lsOC.html

Follow the steps to the registry like mentioned earlier.

I think I'm not able to do anything with that file. What file extension is that for ?

That's fine aramas, but the reason I bought a Bionx 500 and had it placed on a Trek road bike is that I have a disablility in my leg that will not allow me to pedal at high RPMs. I am a previous road bike racer. All I want to do now is stay with my buddies on training rides. I used to get dropped out of the parking lot but now with the limiter, I am dropped on the straights and downhills. I don't care about going 40 MPH I need to go at least 30mph though. My friends can go 34mph with a tailwind and I still cannot keep up. I want a user friendly upgrade package that can be employed for special circumstances. Is there an option for this demographic?
Steve

The only-thing I could do with my BionX is Change the Diameter of the wheel. I set it to half the size, and I do get assistance up to 28km/h, where otherwise it would abruptly end at 25Km/h. I do think that this is due to some logic in the wheel. At least the American 32km/h would be more acceptable. I'm pretty upset about the whole thing. Especially as I tried a Mountain Bike with Crystalyte 350 Watts in a dealer shop and I was pushing 40 km/h in Europe. Granted there's no display, regen, the engine is noisy, but it rocks and so much cheaper and is not blocked. Weight-wise is about the same. I'm seriously considering selling my Matra I-Step Cross with integrated BionX and buying one of these crystallite kits. I really like the Matra but everyday reaching 25 and then slowing is a real pain.

Cheers,

Hey can anyone upload the software again? thx

I have the 250ht with 4.3 firmware and the
3773 code doesn't work same as weele size changing.

Hope in the future we can break the speed limit.

I have a 350w 2009 american model with 3.8 firmware.
I have changed '3773' to 1 but it didn't unlocked the 32 km/h limit.
this week my dealer upgraded my firmware to 4.5 because i had clock setting problems...
What a surprise when I rode back home and dicover I was still assisted at 35 km/h.
I think it is probably because the '3773' parameter was set to 1 while the dealer was installing the firmware.
He didn't want me in the room when he was working on the system and I know He would not have unlock the speed limit voluntarily.