Picking up new Cytronex bikes tomorrow

[themutiny]

Well it's been a bit of a wait, but I'm finally off to winchester tomorrow to collect a Cannondale Synapse for me and a Ridgeback Cyclone for my wife.

Were both reasonably fit cyclists, but dislike steep hills, and the Cytronex arrangement is ideal for us - I also am a fan of Mark's approach to building the units.

Reviews to follow

Cheers

Nick

 

[flecc]

I hope you both enjoy your new bikes Nick, I look forward to the reviews in due course, the first on these new series bikes.
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[Barnowl]

Nice choice. Mark does a great job on those bikes. I hope the rain holds off. Good luck.

 

[HarryB]

Do you think you will get the chance to give some other bikes a try? I would be interested in what you think of the single speed bikes, the Capo etc. Personally I prefer the way they are set up in that they are always 'on' and you just pedal and the power comes on. The more you pedal the more the power. I enjoyed it a lot.

 

[themutiny]

Thanks guys. The rain did hold off, and with a few detours on the way back I managed 28 miles in around 1hr 50 allowing for changing the battery and other meanders needed to fully discharge both.

Although neither battery is conditioned yet, I made 16 miles on the first and had to run the other for 12 to run down (it was part charged). The terrain through Morestead/Corhampton/Hambledon is pretty stretching. It's a constant series of fairly steep hills that I'm pretty sure I would have had a tough time with on my torq 1. All in all I think that's pretty impressive.

I haven't tried the Ridgeback, but the Cannondale is absolutely superb,and really does ride like a normal quality bike without the battery, super slick gearchanges, great brakes etc. Just a slight noise (from the hub turning presumably). Both batteries recharged in about 75 mins, they went to green as near simultaneously as makes no difference.

Wife not keen on the colour of her bike - doh! Personally I hate the mudguards she insisted upon, but then she thought the Cannondale looked like the Torq (because it was the same colour -which it isn't really )

Only slight downside is the saddle on the Cannondale. Ouch!

So a good start then - more later

cheers

Nick

 

[themutiny]

Do you think you will get the chance to give some other bikes a try? I would be interested in what you think of the single speed bikes, the Capo etc. Personally I prefer the way they are set up in that they are always 'on' and you just pedal and the power comes on. The more you pedal the more the power. I enjoyed it a lot.

Sorry Harry, posts crossed.

Ishould really have tried them, but my wife would not have worn it. Still Winchester is pretty local to me, and a good ride, so I think I certainly will at some point.

 

[Barnowl]

Personally I prefer the way they are set up in that they are always 'on' and you just pedal and the power comes on. The more you pedal the more the power. I enjoyed it a lot.

Yes, I thought that was good - especially being on a single speed. Just get on , cycle and enjoy the ride.

"Cannondale synapse looking like the Torq." That's just the sort of thing my wife would say. Vive la difference.

 

[themutiny]

I hope you both enjoy your new bikes Nick, I look forward to the reviews in due course, the first on these new series bikes.
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I will review the bikes properly in due course, but as others have observed, it is better to wait a bit, however there will not now be a review of the Ridgeback!

The Cannondale Synapse is a superb bike in it's own right, and when coupled with the Cytronex system is ideal for someone like me who can (now) cycle unassisted reasonably well, but who doesn't want his route dictated by the terrain. Or to put it another way, wants a normal bike experience with the occasional helping hand.

I made the mistake of letting my wife ride the Cannondale, and as a result have had to do a p/ex deal with Mark on the Ridgeback. Don't get me wrong, the Ridgeback is a fine machine, however in relative terms it is a bit like letting a Toyota driver have a drive of a Lexus, and not expecting a reaction - and of course in my case being naive enough to think that the more female friendly geometry of the Ridgeback meant it was automatically more suitable.

In retrospect the outcome (for me at least)was predictable

The other interesting peripheral effect is that, rather perversely, I have a greater respect for the Torq1 now than I did before I got the Cytronex. I don't know if it's nostalgia or 'absence makes the heart grow fonder', but although I ride it less frequently, when I do, I realise what a stonking bike it is within it's own niche and limitations. Sure, the gear change is positively awful in comparison, and it is far less like riding a 'proper' bike - but maybe that's the point... it is fun to blast away at 22-23mph with very little comparative effort. Just maybe not too often now .

PS I'm doing the capital to coast charity ride on sunday (unassisted). I just can't decide whether to use the Cannondale (without battery as the temptation would be too great) or on my cheap road bike.

 

[flecc]

PS I'm doing the capital to coast charity ride on sunday (unassisted). I just can't decide whether to use the Cannondale (without battery as the temptation would be too great) or on my cheap road bike.

I'm betting you use the Cannondale, it's difficult to ignore any new toy.
.

 

[themutiny]

As usual Tony, you are quite right. Should I swap the front wheels though to save weight? The dilemma here is posh front wheel with DTswiss rim and added street cred but added weight, or nondescript but undoubtedly lighter wheel

 

[flecc]

Mmmm, not sure. A couple of kilos saved will be worthwhile if you are doing any hill climbing on route, especially if they are steep. Otherwise the Nano motor won't give any drag to speak of.
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[themutiny]

Decided then. My biggestconcern is the actual route. I did receive a graphic illustration of the route, and the hills did (do) concern me somewhat - especially Devil's Dyke, which is at the end of the route. the other factor actually, is the noise of the nano motor on the overrun. It's not that intrusive, but a bit like water torture, and i don't want to p**s off my team mates on that length ride. The other factor is that no-one can possibly think that I am 'cheating' with a normal front wheel. Shame though, that DTswiss rim is VERY distinctive. Thanks Tony...

 

[flecc]

I didn't realise it was that ride you meant, Devils Dyke is well named, so definitely no motor weight wanted (unless powered ).

All the best for the ride, the weather looks as though it will be ok after a possibly wet Saturday.
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[Barnowl]

I'd swap the wheel. You'll feel much happier knowing that no-ones going to suspect you of "cheating".

Maybe you could buy a spare DTswiss rim for similar occasions. Then again I guess they cost a princely sum.

 

[Mark/Cytronex]

Fast wheel

I will review the bikes properly in due course, but as others have observed, it is better to wait a bit, however there will not now be a review of the Ridgeback!

The Cannondale Synapse is a superb bike in it's own right, and when coupled with the Cytronex system is ideal for someone like me who can (now) cycle unassisted reasonably well, but who doesn't want his route dictated by the terrain. Or to put it another way, wants a normal bike experience with the occasional helping hand.

I made the mistake of letting my wife ride the Cannondale, and as a result have had to do a p/ex deal with Mark on the Ridgeback. Don't get me wrong, the Ridgeback is a fine machine, however in relative terms it is a bit like letting a Toyota driver have a drive of a Lexus, and not expecting a reaction - and of course in my case being naive enough to think that the more female friendly geometry of the Ridgeback meant it was automatically more suitable.

In retrospect the outcome (for me at least)was predictable

The other interesting peripheral effect is that, rather perversely, I have a greater respect for the Torq1 now than I did before I got the Cytronex. I don't know if it's nostalgia or 'absence makes the heart grow fonder', but although I ride it less frequently, when I do, I realise what a stonking bike it is within it's own niche and limitations. Sure, the gear change is positively awful in comparison, and it is far less like riding a 'proper' bike - but maybe that's the point... it is fun to blast away at 22-23mph with very little comparative effort. Just maybe not too often now .

PS I'm doing the capital to coast charity ride on sunday (unassisted). I just can't decide whether to use the Cannondale (without battery as the temptation would be too great) or on my cheap road bike.

In the races at Presteigne the Henshaw brothers raced against each other - David on the Cannondale Synapse and Peter on the Torq, the Synapse was fitted with a Cytronex 235rpm motor and finished half a lap ahead. Afterwards when we discussed the course, David said he should have selected the 260rpm motor, which I very briefly tried and found powered me at about 24mph. All wheels have the same motor but different gearing. Lucky for your bank balance Nick, we don't currently sell the very fast motors!

Regards,

Mark

 

[themutiny]

Hi Mark

I was aware of the existence of the differently geared wheels, not least because the Trek I originally test rode was fitted with (I think) a 190, but I have resisted the temptation because that's not really what I'm looking for now. Of course this may well change in the future. I should really have qualified my praise of the Torq with a comment about the serious impact on available range, and that in complete contrast with the Cytronex, rding a Torq without assistance because you've exhausted the battery is unpleasant to say the least. It's just fun to have a blast occasionally.

Cheers

Nick

 

[Clarkey]

When I lived in Brighton it always amazed me what an easy climb Devils Dyke was - it always seemed much shorter than I imagined when I was approaching it with trepidation. It is certainly nothing like Ditchling Beacon or Steyning Hill.

 

[themutiny]

Thanks Clarkey - that's good to know. Course i still have the isssue that my team mates are much younger than me and don't smoke. One is an ex semi-pro, so in some ways that might be worse (ie if I'm the only one who has to walk). maybe i should put that powered wheel on after all

 

[flecc]

Going to be very hot tomorrow on the run, anything up to 28 degrees C / 82 Fahrenheit, so best to double up on any fluids carried.
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[themutiny]

Thanks Flecc - certainly noted for my part. unfortunately some of my team mates are seemingly oblivious to the additional dehydration that will be caused by their proposed beer intake, still, they're young.

I'm really glad I swapped the front wheel on the Cytronex. As a powered front wheel it is superb, but the extra weight as previously discussed is not desirable. I had a minor issue with the trip computer because the wheel i put on had round as opposed to flat spokes, but a minor adjustment easily sorted that. It was so easy, even a relative mechanical retard like me could do it easily. With no battery and no motor the Cannondale is a superb ride unassisted. Its light, responsive and smooth. if I struggle tomorrow, it won't be down to the bike, that's for sure! (think I'll blame the heat and the topography)