Her Ebike Odometer Totals 51,000 km (31,689 mi) with 1 Motor. Learn how She Did It!

Astrid (she didn’t want us to publish her full name) just wrote us asking advice for repairing her 51,000 kilometers (31,689 miles!) Moustache Dimanche 28, model year 2014, featuring a Gen 2 Bosch Performance line motor, 250 watts, 65 Newton meters of torque, and a 500Wh battery.

We couldn’t resist interviewing this phenomenal e-biker.

Astrid lives at Schorbach (Moselle), a tiny village in a very hilly French area close to the German border. There, winters are cold below 0 C° and summers heat waves are hot beyond 37 C°, a climate that can shorten an ebike motor lifespan. On the phone, she sounded like a polite lady with an assertive character.

Inteview with Astrid, about her ebike with 51,000 kilometers (31,689 miles!)

What is the model year of your Moustache Dimanche 28 ebike, and what year did you buy it?
Both 2014.
Are you satisfied with it?
Compared to my new Moustache, pedaling feels like it’s being “braked” when there’s no assistance, and it consumes a lot of electricity. (Our note: indeed, pedaling resistance of Bosch Smart System engines has been considerably reduced compared to previous Gen. 2 Bosch engines).
What features do you like most?
It was good when I bought it, but now it’s seriously outdated.
How did you use it, on what routes, in what temperatures and weather conditions?
All routes, all temperatures, all weather conditions.
What assistance modes did you use, and did you often ride without assistance?
I used the eco mode and also rode without assistance, even on Mont Ventoux to Chalet Reynard, because I needed to save battery life to get back to Apt.
How did you maintain your bike?
I replaced the chain and Bosch front sprocket.
How often have you changed your brake pads?
The pads very often because I’m scared on descents and I brake a lot.
And the tires?
Schwalbe Kojak tires are very durable. Three times on the rear, twice on the front.
What about the chain?
The chain 4 or 5 times.
Where and at what temperature was it usually stored?
In the garage, between 10 and 20 degrees.
Where and at what temperature was it usually stored?
Between 10 C° and 2C° (50.0 °F and 35.6°F).

Have you replaced the battery or other parts?
I bought two other batteries and the original battery still works.
Did you follow the advice of charging the battery with no less than 20% of capacity, up to no more of 80%?
Not really, I always charged to 100%, and normally I recharged around 10%.
Have you noticed any deterioration or decrease in engine performance after a certain number of kilometers?
The engine now has 50,000 km. Performance decreased at around 40,000 km.
Do you find the torque sufficient for climbs, even the steepest ones?
Very good torque, as the bike climbs very steep hills with loaded panniers.
If you were to buy a new ebike, what would you want? For example, less weight, more torque, better suspension, etc?
A lighter ebike with more range.
How old is your car? (We wanted to know if she usually keeps things for long)
Opel Corsa, 35 years old and 50,000 km, like the ebike.
What do you suggest to increase the use of electric bikes as a means of transportation?
The development of bike paths could help increase the use of electric bikes as a means of transportation.
In your opinion, why do very few young people use electric bikes, or even conventional bikes?
They’re all lazy, all they do is fiddling with their smartphones – lol

Conclusion

Even the first Bosch engines were outstanding for quality and duration. When used by a wise, careful biker, although challenging steep climbs, they can last beyond the most optimistic expectations. Congratulations to Astrid, with a caveat: had you respected common advice to prolong your battery lifespan, you probably wouldn’t have had to buy two new batteries.

Photos: Pixabay, Bosch, Astrid