Fatbike motor making noise: causes, how to check yourself and get it repaired
By the Sache Bikes workshop · updated 17-10-2026
If your fatbike motor is making noise, worn gears in the hub motor, a rubbing brake disc or loose wheel bearings are usually the cause. Listen to when the noise occurs (under load, with every revolution, or also without pedalling) and first check the simple things such as the brake disc and axle nuts. Repairs can be carried out in The Hague and Zoetermeer, often on the same day.
In short
- Humming or rubbing that gets louder when the motor pulls usually indicates worn gears in the motor.
- Rhythmic ticking or rubbing with every wheel revolution often comes from the brake disc, a loose spoke or a cable.
- Play or a metallic sound in the wheel indicates loose axle nuts or worn bearings: do not continue riding.
- If the motor is running but the bike does not move forward, the freewheel (clutch) or the gears are broken.
- Replacing gears costs an estimated €120 incl. installation; a complete motor rim is rarely necessary.
Most common causes
Worn gears in the hub motor
Most fatbikes have a hub motor with a planetary gear transmission in the rear wheel. Those gears are often made of plastic (nylon): quiet and light, but they wear out. How quickly that happens depends on your weight, luggage, someone riding pillion, bridges and how often you give it full throttle from a standstill. The typical sound is a humming, rubbing or rattling sound that gets louder as soon as the motor delivers power and disappears when you coast. If you let it continue, teeth can break off and you will hear cracking or slipping.
Broken freewheel or clutch in the motor
There is a freewheel in the motor that ensures the wheel can spin freely when the motor is not pulling. If you hear the motor humming but get no push, or it feels like the motor slips for a moment when starting off, then that freewheel or the gear set is usually worn. This is a typical workshop job because the motor has to be opened.
Rubbing brake disc or brake caliper
A slightly bent brake disc or a crookedly mounted brake caliper produces a rhythmic "sssj-sssj" with every revolution. Because the brake disc is directly next to the motor, many people think the noise comes from the motor. Lift the rear wheel, spin it around and see if the disc rubs anywhere between the brake pads.
Loose spokes, cables or mudguard
A motor wheel has a lot of power to endure. A loose spoke ticks with every revolution, just like a motor cable or mudguard bracket that comes into contact with the wheel. A loose chain guard or a stand that ticks against the chain can also quickly sound like motor noise.
Play due to axle nuts or bearings
If you feel the wheel moving sideways, the axle nuts are loose or the wheel bearings are worn. Loose axle nuts on a motor wheel are dangerous: the motor axle can start to spin in the dropouts and damage the motor cable. Worn bearings produce a rattling or grinding sound, even when the motor is off.
Electrical problem
A motor that stutters, jerks or makes a rasping sound while barely pulling may have an electrical problem: a damaged connector, a defective hall sensor or a problem with the controller. That sounds like mechanical noise, but the solution is completely different. Also read symptoms of a broken controller.
Checking yourself: step by step
- Turn the bike off and put it on the stand, or have someone lift the rear wheel.
- Spin the rear wheel by hand. If you hear rubbing, check if the brake disc is rubbing between the brake pads.
- Grip the wheel at the top and move it sideways. If you feel play or a tick, do not continue riding.
- Squeeze the spokes two by two together: a spoke that is clearly looser than the rest could be the source of the tick.
- Check that the motor cable, mudguard and stand do not come into contact with the wheel or chain anywhere.
- Ride for a bit and pay attention to the difference between giving it throttle (motor pulls) and coasting (motor does not pull). Noise only under load strongly indicates the gears.
Do not open the motor yourself if you have no experience: when opening, the wheel must be removed from the bike, the motor cable and brake sensor must be disconnected and the motor must be correctly sealed again against moisture.
When to go to the workshop?
Go to the workshop if the noise only occurs when the motor pulls, if the motor slips, if you feel play in the wheel or if the motor stutters. It is also wise to have the motor checked after a ride through deep water or after a fall. We first determine where the noise comes from; often it turns out to be a brake disc or bearing and a new motor is not necessary. A complete motor rim is only necessary if, for example, water has gotten into the motor, magnets have come loose or the windings are damaged.
Repairs in The Hague or Zoetermeer
| Repair | Estimated price incl. installation |
|---|---|
| Inspection costs | €30 |
| Replace motor gears | €120 |
| Replace wheel bearing | €60 |
| Replace brake disc | €40 |
| Complete 250W motor rim | €400 |
Estimated prices incl. VAT and installation, excluding any parts unless stated otherwise. The inspection costs of €30 are waived if we carry out the repair. If more is needed, we will consult you first; we never do anything without consultation. Home repairs are also possible, excluding travel costs.
View the repair page in your city or book an appointment directly:
- The Hague (Calandkade 44-45, Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00): Motor repair in The Hague, Replace wheel bearing in The Hague, Brake repair in The Hague.
- Zoetermeer (Philipsstraat 3B, Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00): Motor repair in Zoetermeer, Replace wheel bearing in Zoetermeer, Brake repair in Zoetermeer.
Via book an appointment, you choose the repair, see the total price and send your request via WhatsApp. We repair all common brands, such as Ouxi, Qmwheel, 7GO, RSE, AGM, Windgoo and Koolux, even if you did not buy the bike from us. Larger motor jobs sometimes take 1-2 working days; you will be informed in advance.
Ordering parts yourself
Are you handy and sure what is broken? Then you will find motor gears, complete fatbike motors and wheels and wheel parts in the webshop. Check the number of teeth, the power and the plug of your motor beforehand, or send a photo via WhatsApp (+31 85 060 9232). Delivery in 1-3 working days for €8.95, free from €125, or free pickup in The Hague or Zoetermeer.
Read more: fatbike creaks or rattles and wheel wobbles or has play.
Frequently asked questions
Is a humming motor dangerous?
Usually not directly, but worn gears quickly get worse. If teeth break off, the motor can seize or slip. Therefore, have it checked in time before more damage occurs.
How long do hub motor gears last?
There is no fixed number. Heavy use, frequent pulling from a standstill, a passenger pillion and many hills make them wear out faster. A changing motor sound is the clearest signal to have it checked.
Can I just spray grease into the motor?
No. A hub motor is not lubricated via a grease nipple. When replacing the gears, we use grease that is suitable for plastic gears; other grease can damage the nylon or run away when heated.
Do I need a new motor if it makes noise?
Rarely. In most cases, it is the gears, a bearing or a rubbing brake disc. A complete motor rim (estimated price €400) is only necessary in cases such as water damage or loose magnets.
My motor only ticks at low speed. What is that?
Ticking that goes with the wheel speed often comes from a spoke, the brake disc or a cable that comes into contact with the wheel. Check that first with the wheel lifted. If the ticking continues, have the bearings and motor checked.
Do you also repair motors of bikes that were not bought from you?
Yes. We repair all common fatbikes and e-bikes in The Hague and Zoetermeer, even if you bought the bike elsewhere. After the repair, we set the bike to the legal 25 km/h.