Alternatives to Cytronex

[RyanUK]

hi, im new to the world of ebiking but as i need to replace my current bike (its 13 years old and wants to retire) i thought an ebike would be a nice upgrade/investment and would help me out of those pesky hills that i always bump into on the way home.

i use my bike most days for commuting (not huge distances, often just a round trip of maybe 5-6 miles).

i enjoy riding and im a pretty healthy person i really dont have much trouble apart from hills (they arnt huge, but for example my allotment is at the bottom of gently sloping 2 mileish hill, which after a few hours of diging im not always up to making it up without getitng off and pushing)

so as most of the time i intend to be pedaling, and only need assistance on the hills, the look and feel of a normal bike is important to me. ive read how some bikes have drag from the motor and feel horrible with the power off.

from my research i have the Cytronex and Whisper bikes at the top of my shortlist, although im not really a fan of the visible battery on the whispers.

i have emailed Mark at Cytronex, and it might not be possible to have one of those due to im not really able to go collect it. although he did say they were starting a new range which he might be able to send.

so basically right now im waiting for the new Cytronex range to appear on their website, ive also heard Whisper are updating their bikes soon aswel so ill be looking at what changes that will bring.

hopefully if the new Cytronex bike(s?) are suitable for my needs, ill be able to work something out with them to have it delievered. im not too sure how possible it would be to take a bike from Winchester to Leicester via train, due to not knowing if all the operators would allow it and the facts that with the 3 and a half hour travel time each way be difficult to work it arround peak times when i know trains dont allow bikes onboard.

if anyone has any suggestions of alternatives to the Cytronex that look and feel like a normal bike just with that little kick to give me a hand on those hills, id greatly appreciate it, or if anyone has any experiance taking bikes on trains?

thanks in advanced

-Ryan

 

[RyanUK]

oh one more thing, ive looked into buying a decent bike and then using a conversion kit on it, but unless im mistaken and just havent been looking at the right opens, they really arnt that great? and have huge batteries hnaging all over the place?

please correct me if got the wrong end of the stick

-Ryan

 

[Patrick]

if anyone has any suggestions of alternatives to the Cytronex that look and feel like a normal bike just with that little kick to give me a hand on those hills, id greatly appreciate it

This sound very similar to my situation. I'd sugest you check out the Powabyke X-bikes, I'm very happy with how bike-like mine is.

They list Grand Prix Scooters in Leicester as one of the dealers with demo bikes to try out

Grand Prix Scooters, Electric Bike Shop in Leicester : Powabyke : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters

or you can put your details into their site and they'll get in touch to sort out a test ride

Grand Prix Scooters, Electric Bike Shop in Leicester : Powabyke : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters

 

[flecc]

The Cytronex is unique and no other bike quite matches it's combination of quiet unobtrusive power and light weight.

The Powabyke X models come close but are heavier with a larger and somewhat noisier motor, and some find their range not as good as that achievable with the Cytronex.

If you have a driving licence it could be worth you hiring a large hatchback or light van for the Winchester trip, bearing in mind the high cost of train fares and the inconvenience of that particular train journey.

On the A to B Magazine webpage below you'll find a huge amount of information on bikes by rail with details of all the operators and their policies:

A to B Bike/Rail information
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[RyanUK]

This sound very similar to my situation. I'd sugest you check out the Powabyke X-bikes, I'm very happy with how bike-like mine is.

They list Grand Prix Scooters in Leicester as one of the dealers with demo bikes to try out

Grand Prix Scooters, Electric Bike Shop in Leicester : Powabyke : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters

or you can put your details into their site and they'll get in touch to sort out a test ride

Grand Prix Scooters, Electric Bike Shop in Leicester : Powabyke : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters

oh wow, that place happens to be about a 5-10 minute walk from my house.

i have looked at the Powabyke X-bikes, but also not found anyone really reviewing them. also ive heard the battery doesnt perform too well. how does yours free wheel? does the motor add drag? also doesnt it use a brushed motor? my my understanding these arnt too great right?

 

[Tim]

Hi Ryan, if you're in the Leicester area you could come and see us and try a Kalkhoff bike. Unobtrusive electrics, great up the hills.
All the best,
Tim

 

[Rad]

oh wow, that place happens to be about a 5-10 minute walk from my house.

i have looked at the Powabyke X-bikes, but also not found anyone really reviewing them. also ive heard the battery doesnt perform too well. how does yours free wheel? does the motor add drag? also doesnt it use a brushed motor? my my understanding these arnt too great right?

Hey Ryan, I'm a powabyke x6 owner and have placed a review in the reviews section of this 'ere forum.

I've no complaints as far as the battery goes (so far) I have a 19mile round trip. Admittedly I recharge at work but on the odd occassion when I've norked up and forgotten to put it on charge I've gotten home fine.

I like to have mine set on pedal assist and always go for the gear that offers some resistance to my pedalling, so maybe that's why I don't have a problem with the range?

I'd say the x6 is well suited to meandering up an extended but gentle incline. It also copes well with short sharp hills quite nicely too, and as they're based in Bristol I'm sure they've been pushed up some absolute pigs n'all. Can't hurt to try one.

 

[rog_london]

hopefully if the new Cytronex bike(s?) are suitable for my needs, ill be able to work something out with them to have it delievered. im not too sure how possible it would be to take a bike from Winchester to Leicester via train, due to not knowing if all the operators would allow it and the facts that with the 3 and a half hour travel time each way be difficult to work it arround peak times when i know trains dont allow bikes onboard.

if anyone has any suggestions of alternatives to the Cytronex that look and feel like a normal bike just with that little kick to give me a hand on those hills, id greatly appreciate it, or if anyone has any experiance taking bikes on trains?


-Ryan

Hi Ryan

I take the Wisper on the train most weekends, and there's no hassle from the train operators. I understand that the official view is that electric bikes are NOT acceptable on trains but I haven't heard of anyone having a problem, and in the London area that's been my experience.

They don't like you taking a bike on a train during busy periods (i.e. rush hour) as you might expect, unless it's a folder.

There is a 'however' though. Most e-bikes are somewhat heavier than the average standard bike, and you need to bear that in mind as depending on which stations you use you may find yourself having to carry it up or down flights of stairs. A little advance planning might help, therefore. If you're built like King Kong that may not be an issue for you, of course.

Rog.

 

[Patrick]

i have looked at the Powabyke X-bikes, but also not found anyone really reviewing them. also ive heard the battery doesnt perform too well. how does yours free wheel? does the motor add drag? also doesn't it use a brushed motor? my my understanding these arnt too great right?

It uses the same brushed motor as other Powabykes, not the quietest or most efficient motor available but with a track record for ruggedness an reliability. It's got an effective freewheel and I don't notice any drag when I'm pedaling unassisted.

My commute is 10 miles each way over a 400 ft hill and rolling country (i.e. no flat bits worth mentioning), I recharge at work and the battery manages it with help from me.

It's probably not a bike for the cycling connoisseur (think reasonable table wine rather than fine vintage) but it's good enough for me. If you've got a dealer near by then it's definitely worth a test ride to decide for yourself.

If you can manage it then it would be worth a trip to Winchester to test the Cytronex (as well as taking Tim up on his offer to test ride a Kalkhoff).

It's also worth taking out a digital subscription to AtoB magazine (mentioned by flecc above), that will give you access to back issues including reviews of both the Cytronex and the X-bike as well as others.
A to B magazine, folding bikes, electric bicycles, trailers, sister publication to Miniature Railway magazine