Firmware Update for Giant SyncDrive Pro2: Time to Cool Down

When an ebike is ridden under full load for a long time and, in addition, the outside temperatures climb to such high values as they have this summer, the motors of various manufacturers sometimes reach their limits when it comes to temperature management. Giant has found a way to better protect its SyncDrive Pro2 motors from possible overheating. With a recent firmware update, the solution is also available for your ebike.

It is not new knowledge that high operating temperatures together with high ambient temperatures are something that ebike motors do not like at all. Perhaps you have already experienced on a tour how your ebike fails when it gets too hot. As a result, the performance drops and sometimes the only thing that helps is a rest period in which the unit can cool down. Well aware of how frustrating such an experience can be, Giant has put a lot of effort into addressing the problem. In addition to extensive laboratory tests, the manufacturer sent professional riders out onto the track to give various solutions a reality check.

Giant Syncdrive Pro2 motor on the Giant Trance X Advanced E+ LTD

Faster pedalling leads to more cooling

In addition to unspecified revisions to the hardware, the focus was primarily on the software. For example, the tests showed that the limit at which the software intervenes and protects the motor from overheating can be raised from 80 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius. The SyncDrive Pro2 can withstand such loads. This automatically extends the range in which you can ride with this motor without hesitation.

The second key finding is probably largely based on the experience of the pros. Giant has confirmed that high cadence is the most effective way to get the temperature management of a very hot motor back under control. That’s why the manufacturer is taking a new approach to overheating protection. Above a certain value, the software reduces the maximum torque – gradually by ten Newton metres at a time. If you still want to get a comparatively large amount of power back from the motor, simply increase your cadence. If you pedal less frequently, you will receive significantly less of the maximum motor power. In addition, you will achieve less of a cooling effect.

The diagram illustrates how the maximum motor power benefits from a higher cadence depending on the torque.

Back in the day things were different, not better

In the past, if a warning message appeared on your display that the operating temperature of the motor was too high, the software automatically switched to the next lower support level. But what happened next? Well, many ebike riders tried to compensate for the lower support and pedalled harder. The bottom line, however, was that this did not reduce the motor power and the cooling effect did not occur.

With the lowering of the torque, there is now a new protective measure as a first step. If this proves unsuccessful, the motor is still switched off in a second step. However, this should be limited to exceptional situations.

All these changes are contained in a firmware update released last week. You can install it yourself via the RideControl app. Note that the new firmware version only applies to ebikes with SmartGateway technology.

Pictures: Giant Deutschland GmbH