X-Bike Rocket Launcher actually works

[Rad]

Well... It launches off of its brackets if you're not careful.

Twice now I've had this happen. Once when hitting a well disguised pothole and again just last night when braking as I went over a bump in the road. Both occasions ended up with the battery being dragged along the road by the power lead. The blue end cap is scuffed as hell, though so far it seems unaffected. Obviously it needs some kind of strap to keep it on its brackets. I just thought I'd say something here so other owners can be aware of it.

 

[flecc]

The similar position Cytronex battery mount has been working loose for owners as well, though I've never heard of one detaching.
.

 

[Patrick]

Well... It launches off of its brackets if you're not careful.

Twice now I've had this happen. Once when hitting a well disguised pothole and again just last night when braking as I went over a bump in the road. Both occasions ended up with the battery being dragged along the road by the power lead. The blue end cap is scuffed as hell, though so far it seems unaffected. Obviously it needs some kind of strap to keep it on its brackets. I just thought I'd say something here so other owners can be aware of it.

My bike came with the wrong battery brackets and the position of the power cable made it impossible to push the battery all the way in, my batery came out once because of that. Since then I've been using a velcro cable tie to hold it in place. It's quick to put on and take off and is enough to remove the possibility of it jumping out the bracket.

Powaybyke sent me the correct brackets and they were easy to change but I still don't trust the friction clips on their own, especially for a heavy battery on a vibrating bike.

 

[Barnowl]

The similar position Cytronex battery mount has been working loose for owners as well, though I've never heard of one detaching.
.

To be fair mines been fine and I think only 2 posters have had a problem. Not sure about the X6 but on my bike I just check the cage nuts are not loose and the battery is not rattling every now and then. Never is though.

As Mark at Cytronex posted there is a problem caused if the battery is pulled out inadvertently at sufficient angle to bend the cage. It can be very easily solved. Just carefully but firmly grip the extended cradle part of the cage and push it back in towards the down tube until it just starts to bend back a little. Then try the battery again and repeat until tight. Cytronex are now using a stronger cage but this was only because Trek discontinued the previous one and they had to find another supplier.

Edit: Also the power cable for the cytronex is connected to the top of the battery. The way it is connected makes it look as though it helps hold it more securely in the cage and unlikely to jump out.

 

[Mussels]

I've had things fall off in a similar fashion, stick a spring washer or threadlock in there and it shouldn't happen again.

 

[Mike63]

cheers for that Rad....it could be an expensive misfortune...or worse :

...'gonna find a strip of velro.

......Mike

 

[Rad]

My bike came with the wrong battery brackets and the position of the power cable made it impossible to push the battery all the way in, my batery came out once because of that. Since then I've been using a velcro cable tie to hold it in place. It's quick to put on and take off and is enough to remove the possibility of it jumping out the bracket.

Powaybyke sent me the correct brackets and they were easy to change but I still don't trust the friction clips on their own, especially for a heavy battery on a vibrating bike.

That's really interesting Patrick. I had a look at my brackets after reading your post and there's a good 3mm between the lugs on the battery and the bottom of the bracket. The power cable is also tight against the seat tube and pushes out to the right. Does this sound like the issue you had?

 

[Patrick]

That's really interesting Patrick. I had a look at my brackets after reading your post and there's a good 3mm between the lugs on the battery and the bottom of the bracket. The power cable is also tight against the seat tube and pushes out to the right. Does this sound like the issue you had?

The extended brackets move the battery away from the seatpost to make room for the conector on the end of the power lead.

I just measured them, the extended brackets are 45mm long and there's just enough room between them for the lower pair of fittings on the battery to fit in. They're the same width and thickness as the origonal ones.

If you cantact Powabyke via their website Powabyke, Electrically powered bikes : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters they should be able to help you out if that is the problem. You could also try PMing fcurran on this site, but he hasn't visited the site in the last couple of days (he probably would have contacted you already if he had).

Switching the brackets is a simple 60 second screwdriver job.

 

[Rad]

Thanks for the info Patrick. Much appreciated. I'll drop Frank a line. He loves to hear from me!

 

[fcurran]

Hi Rad, sorry Ive not been on for a couple of days. drop me an email with your address to fcurran@powabyke.com and I will send some in the post. If anyone one else has the gents X6 or X24 and has the smaller brackets, also drop me a line with their address and I will send some out to you. Please allow 7 days for delivery as Im away for a couple of days next week.

Regards

FrankC
Powabyke Ltd
fcurran@powabyke.com

 

[Rad]

Top fella as always. Cheers for that Frank.