04SG3 - X1 Stealth Gen 3: Resistance when peddling
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X1 Stealth Gen 3: Resistance when peddling


X1 Stealth Gen 3: Resistance when peddlingSymptomsReasonChecklistTroubleshootingSolution


Symptoms

When pedaling, there is an abnormal amount of resistance making it more difficult to turn the cranks. 


If you are experiencing noise, or abnormal heat, or are unable to roll your rear wheel backward, refer to the 📄 Motor Resistance article instead.


Reason

1. The left retaining lock ring is too tight

2. The left bottom bracket cup bearing is not turning smoothly

3. The tolerance on the stage 1 gear assembly is incorrect

4. The sprag clutch has failed or the sprag clutch has an incorrect tolerance


Checklist

  1. Ensure that pedal resistance is the only issue and that there are no additional symptoms that need to be taken into account. 
  2. Ensure that you have inspected your bike's cassette and ensure that the issue is not related to the bike instead. 


Troubleshooting

  1. Put your bike on a stand where you can freely spin the back wheel and turn the cranks without external obstruction.
  2. Follow the flow chart below and refer to the Solutions section below when you have narrowed down the cause of your issue.




Solution

1. Left Retaining Lock Ring Too Tight 

Reason no 1 is the most common and very easy to get wrong during installation. Be sure to check this when having a report of this kind especially if the kit is newly installed. The Photon's official installation video also demonstrates how to correctly pre-load the retaining lock ring: How to build an eMTB with CYC Photon - Complete Installation Guide - Official  

 

2. Left Bottom Bracket Cup Tolerance

If the left side bottom bracket cup bearing does not turn smoothly when the nylon cover is on but still turns smoothly without the nylon cover, replace the whole left side bottom bracket cup.

 

This has been solved by a design change.

 

3. Tolerance on Stage 1 Gear Assembly

Reason no 3 is only an issue if the user complains that there is significant resistance when pedaling forwards after confirming that it is not related to the retaining lock ring or left bb cup. The solution is to simply change the retaining ring to a 0.8mm version. 

 

This was a manufacturing issue that has been solved and should not occur in more recent orders.  

 

 

 

4. Sprag Clutch 

Reason no 4 is when the user complains that pedaling backward has significant resistance which is due to a batch of sprag clutches that has tighter tolerance than it should. 

 

This is a manufacturing issue that should also not be in newer Photon orders. For dealers, we will replace the gear only.  

 

For B2C customers, please consult before organizing a replacement.