At certain low speeds when I'm braking, the Bionx motor generates vibrations loud enough to definitely be heard by others. At the correct speed, the oscillations are the correct frequency so that they accumulate to a loud vibrations. I haven't been able to figure out where the noise is coming from though. Anyone got tips to reduce the vibration noise?
Do you guys who place (not mount) the battery in a pannier bag hear any braking vibrations?
I think it is the motor itself that is making these vibrations. I have my battery firmly mounted with a thin isolation pad ( to protect the paint) on my bikes downtube and I notice this. It also does this a bit when it is outputting in level 4. So I think it occurs at certain speeds anytime it is in level 4, regen or output.
If it really bothers you, you could program your system to only use level 3 when braking. Another thing to try is putting some thin rubber pads ( pieces of old bike tube, maybe) between the hub nuts and your seat stays, although the hub axle itself will still be mechanically connected to the bike frame.
I agree. The motor vibrates under heavy load which includes regenerative braking. It's never bothered me particularly, and I like that fact that others can hear it. This lets them know that I'm around. I can't imagine what might diminish the sound.
"we must be the change we wish to see in the world"
I feel it more as a vibration. I can't really hear it on my bike. I kinda like it. The motor is usually so quiet and smooth it's hard to tell if it is working when I'm in the lowest assist level. When it vibrates I know I turned it on.
The noise sounds like it's coming from right under me... such as the battery. I tried putting some pads between the battery mount and the frame in the past. That helped some when the noise was louder. Also, one time, the noise was particularly loud and I found that the front of the rear fender was just touching the bike frame. So it was rattling against that when the motor had to work hard (braking or high assist up hills).
I'll have to experiment one day and ride with the battery in a pannier and see if that makes any difference.
Hi,
I've experienced this exact same thing when going up/down steep hills. The combination of the slight vibrations and loud noise (reminds me of a truck downshifting) makes me think something's gonna snap in the motor. Everything seems fine so far, but I'd be curious if there was a way to minimize this, too.
Just to follow up, I opened my battery case (because I wanted to paint the case black) and found a spot where the battery could be knocking against the plastic case. So i added some padding there. It made quite a difference. When I hit that particular speed where the vibration is the loudest, it's not as loud anymore.
I had a terrible vibration caused by the Bionx motor that I traced to my rear fender. Very loud metallic noise at certain speed. I insulated the metal fender/support rods from each other with folded plastic straws. Problem solved. No more noise and vibration.
If your bike has fenders I think this motor will play havoc with them, vibration wise.
Next focal point could be the battery box. It really needs a screw in the top of the case too, in addition to those on the bottom and side of the case.