The Rotwild brand, under the ownership of ADP Engineering GmbH, is voluntarily recalling the Rotwild R.X375 and R.E375 models of the 2021 model year. The manufacturer considers itself forced to take this step after material cracks appeared on the motor drive shaft in individual cases. Both the Rotwild R.X375 and the R.E375 are equipped with Shimano EP8 motors in combination with the e-spec-EP800 crankset from e-thirteen.
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- Rotwild R.X375
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- Rotwild R.E375
External testing institute called in
In order to get to the bottom of the cause of the faults, ADP Engineering has had the situation investigated by an external testing institute. In a press release, the manufacturer confirms that the “cranks with the product batch number V40 in combination with motor shafts of the product batches SK, SJ, SL and TA do not fit perfectly together”. A corrosion test based on ISO9227 / 2017-07 had revealed exactly the defect pattern that had previously been experienced by customers. The investigation also showed that material cracks on the motor shaft and even a partial breakage of the shaft can also occur on other bikes that are equipped identically. Provided that the parts are exposed to a “special and extreme” load. In the worst case, the crank arm of affected bikes could fall off while riding. We hardly need to go into detail here about the serious falls and injuries this can lead to.
Taking these findings into account, ADP Engineering decided on Wednesday to issue a voluntary recall of the bikes in question. If you ride one of the mentioned models and have an account at Rotwild Bike, this message should have already reached you digitally. If you are not registered, you can send a message to recall@rotwild.de. Please include your address and phone number as well as the frame number.
Problem with a previous history
According to the manufacturer, the drive shafts will be checked and replaced at the company’s headquarters in Dieburg. During the work of the testing institute, other cranks from e-thirteen apparently proved to be suitable. Rotwild is now having these fitted as replacements free of charge. The whole thing will be taken over by the respective specialist dealers.
The first signs of a problem appeared as early as May of this year. On Rotwild’s online forum, a user called “zr3rs” reported that the left crank on a new Rotwild R.X375 fell off on the second ride.
Rotwild apparently not an isolated case
A report by the manufacturer Stevens fits into this picture. In October of this year, Stevens reported problems with its E-Inception series. The reason in this case was also cracks in the drive shaft of the Shimano EP8, again in combination with the e-spec EP800 crankset from e-thirteen. As a result, Stevens had voluntarily recalled some of the following 2021 season models:
- E-Inception FR 9.7 GTF
- E-Inception ED 8.7 GTF
- E-Inception AM 9.7 GTF
- E-Inception AM 8.7 GT
- E-Inception AM 7.7
At that time, it was specifically about bikes that had been delivered between December 2020 and July 2021.
In several online forums, the name of Orbea was also mentioned in this context. In its Rise series, the manufacturer also offers e-mountain bikes with the EP8 motor and the e-spec EP800 crankset.
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- In the case of Stevens, the October recall is official.
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- As far as Orbea is concerned, this could not be clearly proven.
Pictures: ADP Engineering GmbH; Stevens Vertriebs GmbH; Orbea S. Coop.
