carima

Reviewer: carima (John) Purchased From: no-hills Purchase Price: £1235 (Including uprated motor) Time Owned: < 1 week Local Terrain: Moderate Hills ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Strengths: Very well engineered; All the benefits of normal bike (Nicely geared for fast unassisted speeds); Very small battery; Doesn't look like a e-bike (If that is what you want); Rides very well when not powered (limited rolling resistance, light nice geometry); Nice control system, no throttle to constantly twist. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Weaknesses: Slightly limited ground clearance (No pedalling around corners); Quite limited range (Yet to fully condition battery); No battery level indicator. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary: This is very early days for me with the bike, but at the moment it is living up to expectations. The power assist is very subtle, but in a positive sense, there is very little jerking into and out of power, partically around the top end of the speed assistance. My bike has the 190rpm motor and even with the very new (unconditioned) battery was able to pull me along on the flat at around 17mph with little or no effort on the pedalling. The bike itself is very nice. I love the road-bike gearing that allows you to maintain a comparatively low cadence at high speeds. I was able to achieve a 45mph while still keeping up with the pedalling (Not contributing much to the gravity effect mind you) on what was admitadly a fairly steep and long hill. On the subject of being a good road bike, on my return trip up the aforementioned hill, with only 10% of it climbed, the battery ran out leaving me to finish the climb unassisted. I was surprised by the bike (and myself a little) that I was able to complete this without standing out of the saddle and shaking the bike all over the place. This really gives you the confidence to stretch the range as the ride home won't be all that bad! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall Rating (out of 10) : 8.5 (Could go down if I don't see the range increase as much as I hope)

Hi Pedalo, I can't comment with authority at the moment, but having just gone through the same decision making process I have very recently ordered a Cytronex, which I am collecting on Saturday. I have a similar requirement to you, namely looking for a bit of help on a journey I was managing to cycle anyway but which left me a little unpleasent thanks to some hills (Not really fair on my fellow train passengers during second leg of commute). As with you, I am relying on this being my only bike so wanted something 'normal' as well. I'll let you know how things go once I have had a chance to try it out. Fingers crossed it will fit the bill! Of course I can't really compare it to other e-bikes as I have only had short-term test rides of these. John

Thanks for the advice. I wasn't too worried about the weight or bulk of the lock/chain as my intention was to leave it at the station locked to the stands. (I hope this isn't some sort of faux pas on this forum, I could see how it could be, but it seems to be quite common at the station.) The chain I was planning on using is very heavy duty, far too much to realistically carry on a bicycle on a daily basis (Previously used for a motorbike), similar to your suggestion eddieo. It is coupled with what seems to me to be a sturdy padlock, which if I recall correctly is actually an Abus, this one I think: http://images.toolbank.com/images/full/ABU9050.jpg It certainly has a very tight shackle (if that is the correct terminology), only just big enough for the chain rings. I was thinking this would limit the options for levering the padlock open; it certainly makes locking and unlocking even with the key quite tricky, but this has to be a good thing? I like the idea of two locks though. Might have to consider one of those suggested d-locks. I could wrap the afforementioned chain around the front wheel, frame and stand, then put the d-lock through the back wheel, frame and also the stand. Looks like I will have to leave 5 minutes earlier each morning just to allow time for all this locking up! I'd like to think I'm being over cautious, but it would be a long walk home if I was wrong! Thanks again!

OK, so thanks for all the advice. I have decided to take the plunge and order a Cytonex. Couldn't justify or really afford the Claud Butler, so Ridgeback it is, despite taking advantage of the cycle to work scheme, thanks to my company agreeing to facilitate it all and stump up the cash. One of our areas of business is sustainable travel, so it would be slightly ironic if they hadn't. I'm heading down to pick up the bike on Saturday. No-hills/Modern Time/Cytronex (So many names!) were fantastically helpful in arranging the package, really going out of their way. Despite some advice to the contrary on this thread (Sorry about that), I couldn't help but go with the higher RPM motor to eek out those few extra mph. I realise I might suffer a little on the hills and in range (This isn't an issue for my daily journey), but if I'm going to use this for more than just my regular commute to the station it needs to be fun! I have also ordered a standard replacement front wheel. I now just need to come up with a good plan for locking this thing up at the station (I appreciate this is quite a risk, so it will be insured). I was thinking of using a heavy duty padlock and coated chain (Previously used with my motorbike) along with a looped extension cable to run through the wheels? Is this likely to be enough? It will be buried in a rack with many many other bikes, so I'm hoping it won't stand out. Obviously the battery will be coming with me, that being one of the key points of the Cytronex. Am I right in assuming that hub motor wheels can't be used with locking skewers? I'll post a review in the appropriate section when i've had time to test it and condition that battery! Can't wait to get going!

Not a prob Soph. I think the bike I tried was the Ride+, although it was referred to as the Trek 7.3fx+ at the shop. Either way, it was the one with Bionx system. Unfortunately, I tried the Trek in central London and Cytronex up the hills in Winchester, so a direct comparison was a little tricky. The Trek was definitely well made and would have fulfilled what I was looking for, namely a traditional looking hybrid bike (With the exception of the battery rack). I don't know if you have looked at the Bionx system before, but to my untrained eye it did look very advanced. Not sure how useful the four power settings are as I played with them for a bit and then just stuck it on the highest. The acceleration was very satisfying away from the lights! The battery is quite bulky (but not all that heavy), but I have no doubt this is necessary to achieve the claimed range. I don't recall this really impacting on the balance that much, it certainly felt like a competent bike. The battery is very securely mounted, but for my tastes is too large to comfortably remove and carry with me on a daily basis. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful on the specific issue. As I was in London traffic most of the time, I didn't lean over all that much to notice any stability issues. Just for reference, it was Action Cycles nr Embankment where I tested it. Very helpful chap in there if you are local and can get in for a test.

Not a prob Soph. I think the bike I tried was the Ride+, although it was referred to as the Trek 7.3fx+ at the shop. Either way, it was the one with Bionx system. Unfortunately, I tried the Trek in central London and Cytronex up the hills in Winchester, so a direct comparison was a little tricky. The Trek was definitely well made and would have fulfilled what I was looking for, namely a traditional looking hybrid bike (With the exception of the battery rack). I don't know if you have looked at the Bionx system before, but to my untrained eye it did look very advanced. Not sure how useful the four power settings are as I played with them for a bit and then just stuck it on the highest. The acceleration was very satisfying away from the lights! The battery is quite bulky (but not all that heavy), but I have no doubt this is necessary to achieve the claimed range. I don't recall this really impacting on the balance that much, it certainly felt like a competent bike. The battery is very securely mounted, but for my tastes is too large to comfortably remove and carry with me on a daily basis. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful on the specific issue. As I was in London traffic most of the time, I didn't lean over all that much to notice any stability issues. Just for reference, it was Action Cycles nr Embankment where I tested it. Very helpful chap in there if you are local and can get in for a test.

Sopht, Not sure if you were asking about my reference to the Trek, or one of the others, but in my case I was referring to the Trek + (Not the Cytronex version). At least this was one of the bikes that I tried out along with newer Cytronex (no longer based on a Trek), which as Flecc pointed out has the Bionx system. John

Thats really interesting to hear, particularly the bit about the magnet. If this proves to be the way I go (it is looking likely), then I might have to get back to you for some advice on that. The 26" wheel certainly isn't at issue for me, in fact it is preferably if only because I already have quite a few pairs of decent 26" tyres from my current bike that might be useful in the future. With regards to geometry, I assume you are partly referring to the sloping cross bar. As I am just over 6' with pretty lanky legs, I was hoping that 21 or 23" frame would help with this. It has been so long since I bought a bit new bike that I'm not even sure what is best for me now....what an amateur!

Barnowl - That explains some of my slight confusion with the Cytronex where I saw a suggestion it was possible for power-only, but didn't recall seeing how in when I tested it. Could you explain this 'Automatic power over 5mph'. Does this solve one of my concerns about the Cytronex; namely that I had to keep turning the system back on after every brake? You are right about the single speed options. I did test the Genesis (I think) single speed and was really surprised. I have always dismissed these and would have done again were it not for the chap at the shop (Completely forgotten his name regrettably - Very helpful) persuading me to give it a go. It was really great. While I'm not unfit (Average BMI etc), I'm certainly not a powerful cyclist and wouldn't have had a chance getting up that hill up the road from the shop on a normal single speed. If I still lived in London or somewhere without hills, that would be a real option. I fear a little too limited as it is. I've actually just got some positive feedback from my company about using the Cycle to Work type scheme, so given that Modern Times can help with the £1000 problem, I think that could mean the Cytronex is the one for me. Do you happen to know anyone who can comment on the higher rpm motor on the bike, aside form the legal issues. Primarily I'm interested in any impact on hill-climbing and battery life? Thanks for you help!

Thanks for your response Straylight. The bikes with the upright battery behind the seat post haven't particularly appealed to me, but I confess this might be an entirely aesthetic issue I should really get over. How do the Whispers act as normal bikes? I should have mentioned that my aspiration (May be not realistic), is to have one that could be used as a normal bike when the power assist isn't needed or can't be used (Such as when on holiday and when not able to charge up the battery). In this regard, the bike would be replacing my current pedal bike, as well as being used for powered commute. Hence my approach to looking at normal bikes, effectively converted. So many options!

Hello all. First post, so be gentle with me. Great site by the way, it has been fun reading up on things and invaluable in my research. I stumbled across this whole e-bike thing a few months ago when looking into electric scooters (The licensed type, Vectrix etc). Anyway, the electric scooter is off the cards as they don't reliably have the range at the moment for my 50+ mile round trip commute, so it is a cycle to the station (3-4 miles) and train from there (Much nicer anyway). A couple of nasty hills though mean I'm usually unpleasent by the time I get to the station and I want something to 'flatten' things out. However, I'm in a slight dilema with which bike to get. I tried out the Cytronex (Claud Butler) and thought it was fantastic. Very well put together and the battery is a winner for me as I can remove it easily and carry it with me when the bike is locked at the station. On a similar thought process, I tried the Powabyke X-24, but I have to be honest, it was such a step down from the Cytronex in quality that I'm not sure I could live with it. I also gave the Trek 7.3FX+ a try, which was again top quality and the Bionx system (with the integrate computer) was very pleasing, but the battery is pretty hefting and I don't think I need the range. The problem I have with the Cytonex (and the Trek) is that it is pedelec only (Please correct me if I have this wrong) and the motorcyclist part of me is tempted by the idea of going under power only with a twist grip. I found on the Trek that I was constantly adjusting the power setting so I'm concerned that, being a control freak, I might be frustrated by the lack of adjustability, particularly on the Cytronex. Finally, on the Trek test ride I really noticed the abrupt 25/26kph motor cut out and kept wanting it to go faster (I tried the Cytronex on hills climbs and not really on the flat for speed unfortunately). After all this, I'm starting to settle on a Cytonex based bike with the uprated 190rpm motor to help on the speed front. Unfortunately, doing the sums I'm not sure I can stretch to the CB, but am hoping the Ridgeback won't be too much of a step down. I'd really appreciate any comment from you experienced e-bikers on my thought process. I'm not exactly flush with cash so don't want to make the wrong choice on this one. Thanks for any help you can provide. John