Freego bikes are one of the most popular e-bikes on the market with many enthusiasts considering them a must-have.
Unfortunately, like with any bike, there are some common problems you may run into with your Freego bike. Luckily, these bikes are known to be easy to troubleshoot and fix yourself.
1. A Weak Battery
If your Freego bike has been puttering when going uphill, you notice your bike loses speed quickly, or it dies faster than before and needs to be charged more often, you probably have a weak battery. This can be especially common in secondhand Freego bikes. To find a solution, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot.
Solution
Firstly, you need to inspect the voltage of your bike’s battery. Dim LEDs or LEDs that are not lighting up on your bike’s control panel show that you either need to charge the battery or fix a burnt fuse. Inspecting the voltage can help determine if the battery is damaged.
Use a voltmeter to check the battery voltage by placing the prongs on the negative and positive areas of the battery’s prongs.
Or, place the voltmeter on the battery’s charger connector directly. If the reading checks out, consider the last time the battery was charged.
If it’s been less than six months, try recharging your bike’s battery. If the bike hasn’t been charged in over six months, it may not charge back up and be defective.
The rule of thumb is to charge your bike for up to eight hours but no more than half a day. If the bike still is losing charge too quickly, you may need to replace the battery.
Before buying a full replacement, try to reduce the battery load. The battery’s management system may be shutting the battery as a protective measure to prevent overheating.
To reduce the load, drop down the assist level and pedal harder up steep inclines.
If that doesn’t help, try troubleshooting the throttle by pulling it back and then slowly releasing it. If it feels loose, that could be the problem and you may need to replace it.
You can also troubleshoot the pedal assist by adjusting its magnet position with a flathead screwdriver. Try to push the disc closer to the sensors. If that doesn’t work, take the bike to a service shop.
Read also >> 8 Common Problems With Electric Bikes (Do This Before…)
2. The Bike Doesn’t Turn On
If your Freego bike simply isn’t turning on, you need to troubleshoot everything related to the battery, including the charge, prongs, and charger port.
Solution
First, make sure the bike is charged. If it isn’t, charge it for at least eight hours but no more than 12. If it still isn’t turning on, inspect the prongs on the battery to make sure they are aligned. Use a wrench to manipulate them if they are bent.
If that doesn’t solve the issue, it may be the charger port. First, unplug the battery charger from the wall and plug it into the port. If the indicator lights come on, it’s working fine.
If not, use a multimeter or voltmeter to test the port’s voltage. It should be equal to the battery pack. If it isn’t, it may be time for a new port.
3. Controller Issues
One of the most common issues that can cause your Freego bike to malfunction is the controller.
The controller’s main purpose is to analyze input signals from the sensors and the controls and transfer them accordingly, determining the most efficient way to move power from the battery to the motor.
If the controller even has the tiniest malfunction, it can disturb the power transfer and cause the bike to not function correctly.
Solution
When you have a controller issue, the first thing to do is check its wires. Ensure all cables match their colored counterpart and are not loose. If the controller isn’t turning on, check that the power switch is turned on.
If that doesn’t help, it’s time to check the fuse and circuit breaker. Reset the circuit breaker first by pushing the breaker.
If you have a fuse, remove it and see if it’s burned. If it is, replace it. With the controller wires intact and the circuit breaker and fuse in good condition, the control panel should be fixed.
4. Stuck Breaks
If your bike isn’t turning on and you’ve tried everything, it could be your brakes. If you have recently dropped your bike, it may have pulled the brake levers back, jamming them stuck.
Having the levers pulled back can jam the motor inhibitor in the “on” position. The solution lies in unjamming the brakes.
Solution
You may need to replace the entire motor inhibitor switch, which will require a mechanic. But before resorting to that, complete a quick inspection of your brake pads and shoes for wear.
If they are damaged, replace them. If not, tighten the brake cable adjuster to see if it loosens the brakes. You can find the adjuster on the brake lever.
Alternatively, you could also try tightening the brake until it responds. To do this, first, loosen the stopper. You may need a wrench or rag for this step. Then, pull the cable tight and readjust the stopper.
When the brake lever releases, ensure it doesn’t rub the rim or rotor. With the brakes fixed, the motor inhibitor switch should turn off and allow you to start your bike.
5. A Faulty Charger
One common problem with Freego bikes that sometimes gets overlooked is the charger. If this is defective, it will cause your battery to charge incorrectly and your bike to either not turn on or malfunction.
Solution
To check the battery charger, try plugging it in and ensuring the indicator lights come on. It may be defective if the lights don’t turn on or blink, but you can also check this with a voltmeter or multimeter.
The reading should be higher than the charger’s rated voltage. If it’s lower or zero, the charger is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Final Thoughts
A weak battery, a bike that doesn’t turn on, controller issues, stuck breaks, and faulty chargers are common problems with Freego bikes, but luckily, they are easy to troubleshoot.
Owners can usually find a solution quickly and perform the repair themselves. No matter what the issue, Freego offers plenty of customer support to get you through it.
