Sorry Flecc,

I think I must be missing something. If you carry a second battery as spare you will have a range of up to 40 miles agreed, but it doesn't need to be wired or have a switch etc. Less is more.........more or less.

 

It doesn't need to have John, but the wider market I'm speaking of might want the convenience of continuous riding. Swapping batteries or connections can be irksome when it's bucketing down or in a heavy traffic area. As I said, optional, those who don't want, don't get.

 

Also, I was not aware there was a new mudguard version available, I thought they were just optional extras?

 

I'm sure Mark said he was preparing a second version with those extras as standard.

 

On an unrelated and trivial matter. When you post, why is there an extra full stop at the beginning of the line following your last sentence?

 

Artistic sensibilities and individuality John. Since I don't sign off with a name as you do, a final line of text can end up very close to and overlapping the Quote box and icons. The end result looks cluttered and unbalanced when that happens, and the stop prevents that and balances the text in the box.

 

After all, a quality post deserves a quality presentation.

 

While on such idiosyncrasies, when someone posts an oversize photo forcing others to subsequently scroll laterally to read responses, I frequently insert returns line by line on any reply of mine so that others are not inconvenienced in that way when reading my response. Just another quality touch. . And here's that stop again, just in case.

.

Sorry not been able to get on to the forum recently with all the interest we have had. To answer a few questions:

 

1. There isn't a version that comes with mudguards, but now you can buy online and add fitted full SKS full mudguards at £19.95, a Madison G14Z saddle fitted for £21.95, Tubus vega rack fitted for £64.50 (these are very good racks indeed), or a Blackburn EX1+ rack fitted for £29.95 (well, haven't quite managed to get that one on the web site yet). I attach a photo of the FX with the full SKS mudguards and Tubus Vega rack.

 

2. Our system is designed to be modular - we believe a bike should be as light as possible and that there is no point lugging a 4 Kg battery when you are going 5 miles. Most bike journeys are well under 20 miles and this is why we have this approach. Hence if you are doing over 20 miles or touring, another battery will fit neatly on the seat tube exactly as John suggests and can be swapped over at half time (most people will be stopping at least once in that trip). It is very quick and easy to do.

 

3. Chris, I suggest you try fully charging immediately before use – I am sure you will find both extra power and extra range.

 

4. One earlier point was made about fitting racks to ladies frames. We have fitted several and we now hold the extra long struts for both the Tubus and Blackburn racks. As Chris pointed out, standard frames do not fit ladies geometry bikes in many frame sizes.

 

Regards,

 

Mark

second ride, went up the worst hill ever in the mendips, works brilliantly

second ride, went up the worst hill ever in the mendips, works brilliantly

 

Welcome to the club Robert. I did 42 miles in Mid-Wales this weekend - truly exhilarating!

The design rationale for an electric bike (that mark has cleverly understood) is you need to keep the most rideable aspects of a good light road bike and just add a powerful hill climbing tool, thats all.

 

The electric part of the bike is absolutely minimal. I think this bike blows all the others out of the water.

 

Hopefully it will also cure the following two comments; 'thats cheating isnt it?' and/or 'does it charge up going downhill' , because most observers cannot tell its electric anyway....

The design rationale for an electric bike (that mark has cleverly understood) is you need to keep the most rideable aspects of a good light road bike and just add a powerful hill climbing tool, thats all.

...

 

That was exactly my view Robert and it's why I only nearly bought an electric bike for the first two years of looking. I had just about persuaded myself that the Pro Connect was as close to a "normal" bike as I was likely to find when I saw the Trek..... case closed.

Edited July 22, 200817 yr by Chris_Bike

 

The design rationale for an electric bike (that mark has cleverly understood) is you need to keep the most rideable aspects of a good light road bike and just add a powerful hill climbing tool, thats all.

 

That's always been the best design rationale for power assist on bikes Robert, but the public at large don't seem to see it that way.

 

The petrol power assist units of the 1950s followed the ideal, light add-ons to good normal bikes, but most of the public migrated to scooters as soon as they appeared, and those who stayed with pedals were on the sole survivor of that era, the very heavy VeloSolex which had nothing in common with a good bike.

 

When the e-bike appeared from 1991, they were predominately light add-on kits for normal bikes, and although initially lumbered with lead acid batteries, NiMh ones soon appeared. This concept once again didn't suit the public, and by the end of the decade we had the very heavy first Lafree, the moped like Yamaha and the 40 kg Powabyke "tank", and they were what sold.

 

Giant then attempted to bring back the cycling element with the Panasonic equipped 22 kg Twist Lite with some good cycling qualities, but that failed to make sufficient inroads, the commonest complaint being not enough power though it easily fulfilled the hill climbing brief you mention.

 

That's been answered in the latest generation with an added High Power mode for occasional use, but what we see is most gearing them up to provide full time power and some using the High Power mode all the time.

 

The indicators remain that most of the buyers and potential buyers want fulltime high power as they've always done. Forums like this can be very misleading since only a tiny minority of e-bike users will ever visit it. With e-bike sales (UK) currently probably nearing 35,000 pa currently and at least 100,000 and probably more on the road, only one per cent are active members here.

 

The majority of the other 99% regard pedals as a handy place to rest their legs in between the occasional light twirls of them.

.

Edited July 22, 200817 yr by flecc

Forums like this can be very misleading since only a tiny minority of e-bike users will ever visit it. With e-bike sales currently probably nearing 35,000 pa currently and at least 100,000 and probably more on the road, only one per cent are active members here.

.

 

However you forgot to factor in the Aldby factor, who owns 99% of all ebikes ever made and is an active forum member. By my calculations that means this forum has 100% coverage of all ebike owners in the U.K. :D

However you forgot to factor in the Aldby factor, who owns 99% of all ebikes ever made and is an active forum member. By my calculations that means this forum has 100% coverage of all ebike owners in the U.K.

 

. Nice one

 

I won't make that much allowance, though I'll concede a reduction to 98%.

.

What an interesting thread. 34 pages of information, trip reports, photos, comparisons and even the odd bitchy comment. I love the internet!

 

I just thought I'd post to put a slightly different perspective. I live in Brighton, I'm 36 and in the lazy habit of driving to work despite it not being particularly far. Partly to force myself to stop driving and partly to be nice to the guys at work I'm converting the parking spots into a cycle park. About the only time I've ridden a bike since I was a teenager was the odd trip to Center Parcs.

 

I was thinking about buying a regular bike but like a lot of coastal places Brighton is pretty hilly. I don't fancy doing a full days work, getting worn out riding up the hill and then having to put the kids to bed. I thought about a Segway, which I love, but they cost a fortune and you open yourself up to ridicule. Last Friday I googled to see if electric bikes had come any further than the mum's-shopper-bike-with-a-big-battery style. I was about to give up when I came across the Cytronex.

 

When I saw the bike I assumed I was looking at the 'before' picture, i.e. before it had the motor added. It took me a while of looking for the 'after' pictures before I realised I was looking at it. From an aesthetic engineering point of view this is something of a milestone moment for ebikes. As I read earlier in this thread, the aim of the bike was to create something that avoided the usual social stigma of ebikes and amongst all this talk of wattage and ranges I think that point gets missed a little. If that was the goal from the start then they've achieved it in spades. Even when I asked some colleagues where they thought the battery was they failed to identify the rogue water bottle - the perfect crime!

 

With the government's ride to work scheme the bike works out at a little over £500 (if I've done my maths correctly). Since the unmodded bike retails at £350 (and gets some great reviews) the price is right. It might have to come a little lower before it's a real mass market proposition but since the modifications are hand built in the UK I can see how you'd get to that price.

 

I wish Mark and Sam the best of luck with this. I really hope they get the marketing budget to reach a wide market. If I were Trek I'd have Cytronex firmly in my sights as an acquisition target.

 

Many thanks to Chris for posting so many trip reports. Well written, informative and entertaining. Thanks also to John for providing the flickr photos, without which I think I'd still be doubting that I was looking at the 'after' pics! Speaking of which: Mark & Sam, more pics on your site please - you're underselling your product's best attribute.

 

I spoke to Mark today and will go up for a test ride once he has some more batteries in stock. Who knows, maybe I'll go there and be disappointed but I have a strong feeling I'll be leaving on two wheels.

The indicators remain that most of the buyers and potential buyers want fulltime high power as they've always done. Forums like this can be very misleading since only a tiny minority of e-bike users will ever visit it. With e-bike sales currently probably nearing 35,000 pa currently and at least 100,000 and probably more on the road, only one per cent are active members here.

 

The majority of the other 99% regard pedals as a handy place to rest their legs in between the occasional light twirls of them.

 

 

It's an interesting contrast to look at this forum, which seems to have a reasonably large proportion of cycling members looking for power assist, with the Endless Sphere forum, where the majority of members are trying to get as much electric motor power as possible into a bike................

 

I think it makes your point well, Flecc. The majority are indeed interested in outright power, at least if the popularity of the ES forum is anything to go by.

 

Another observation I've made is how busy the various electric vehicle forums are now getting. It seems that interest in EVs generally is growing at a rapid rate, no doubt due, in part, to the recent hike in oil prices.

 

Jeremy

What an interesting thread. 34 pages of information, trip reports, photos, comparisons and even the odd bitchy comment. I love the internet!

 

I just thought I'd post to put a slightly different perspective. I live in Brighton, I'm 36 and in the lazy habit of driving to work despite it not being particularly far. Partly to force myself to stop driving and partly to be nice to the guys at work I'm converting the parking spots into a cycle park. About the only time I've ridden a bike since I was a teenager was the odd trip to Center Parcs.

 

I was thinking about buying a regular bike but like a lot of coastal places Brighton is pretty hilly. I don't fancy doing a full days work, getting worn out riding up the hill and then having to put the kids to bed. I thought about a Segway, which I love, but they cost a fortune and you open yourself up to ridicule. Last Friday I googled to see if electric bikes had come any further than the mum's-shopper-bike-with-a-big-battery style. I was about to give up when I came across the Cytronex.

 

When I saw the bike I assumed I was looking at the 'before' picture, i.e. before it had the motor added. It took me a while of looking for the 'after' pictures before I realised I was looking at it. From an aesthetic engineering point of view this is something of a milestone moment for ebikes. As I read earlier in this thread, the aim of the bike was to create something that avoided the usual social stigma of ebikes and amongst all this talk of wattage and ranges I think that point gets missed a little. If that was the goal from the start then they've achieved it in spades. Even when I asked some colleagues where they thought the battery was they failed to identify the rogue water bottle - the perfect crime!

 

With the government's ride to work scheme the bike works out at a little over £500 (if I've done my maths correctly). Since the unmodded bike retails at £350 (and gets some great reviews) the price is right. It might have to come a little lower before it's a real mass market proposition but since the modifications are hand built in the UK I can see how you'd get to that price.

 

I wish Mark and Sam the best of luck with this. I really hope they get the marketing budget to reach a wide market. If I were Trek I'd have Cytronex firmly in my sights as an acquisition target.

 

Many thanks to Chris for posting so many trip reports. Well written, informative and entertaining. Thanks also to John for providing the flickr photos, without which I think I'd still be doubting that I was looking at the 'after' pics! Speaking of which: Mark & Sam, more pics on your site please - you're underselling your product's best attribute.

 

I spoke to Mark today and will go up for a test ride once he has some more batteries in stock. Who knows, maybe I'll go there and be disappointed but I have a strong feeling I'll be leaving on two wheels.

 

 

Congratulations on finding the thread and the bike David, and especially on converting the car park to a bike park! I hope you get your test ride soon, I am sure that you will like it.

Edited July 22, 200817 yr by Chris_Bike

As posted elsewhere I have just returned from a round trip to the pub in Mid-Wales – 15 miles with a decent of 720 feet on the way out and a corresponding climb on the way back. In fact, we took a circuitous route back that took us uphill one side of the valley only to descend before climbing again. My average speed was 12.8 mph (max 33.8, but I had to use brakes a lot on descents due to poor road surfaces). The battery was fine, despite last being charged the previous week.

 

I rather hope that Mark will have his new batteries in soon so that there can be some new contributors to this thread.

That`l be me then..........

 

 

I rather hope that Mark will have his new batteries in soon so that there can be some new contributors to this thread.

 

Hi Guys,

 

As a bit of an introduction, until about 3 weeks ago, I hadn’t heard of Kalkhoff, Cyclonex or even Pedelec (still not quite sure what it actually means).

 

At 52 and retired for 2 years I decided it was time to do some exercise, also like a lot of people I have started thinking about how and when I use my car (old 4x4) because of the cost of petrol. I live about 2 miles from town and a few times a week make my way in to meet the wife for lunch (she being the worker in the family), shopping etc.

 

So, the exercise idea eventually led me to the possibilit6y of buying a cycle and that led to possibly buying a e-bike, mainly for that little bit of help when required. I have never been athletic and since childhood have only ridden a cycle in one or two short bursts, the longest being when I used one to travel 2 miles to work and back about 7-8 years ago and that only lasted a few weeks.

 

I had made my mind up that I wanted a bike that looked as much as possible like a `normal` bike. I also wanted one that was easy to cycle without power as I was expecting to `run out` of power quite often, the reason for that will become clear.

 

The first problem was my size (as it always is), at 6ft 5in and over 19 stones I ruled out a few bikes immediately. Spoke to the very helpful guys at wisper who didn’t think I would be comfortable on the 905; this pretty much left me with the Kalkhoff and the Cyclonex.

 

To cut a long story short, I first spoke to Phil at Cyclonex a week last Friday and drove down last Tuesday and collected 2 of the Trek 7.3 FX`s, the first a 22.5 inch for me and a 17 inch for my wife. We had visited a local cycle shop and tried the bikes for size.

 

I had mudguards and racks fitted to both and had they been able to spare it, would have probably purchased a spare battery for mine. I have since added a stand to both and a Halfords `comfort saddle` to mine.

 

My plan is to use mine during the week when my wife’s battery will become my spare and when we hopefully go out together at the weekend, I will be doing a lot more peddling than she will be (she is 5ft3in and 8 stones).

 

We have had our first very short ride together today and are both very impressed. It’s nice to know when that hill comes along or that steady incline, you are not alone.

 

I know that Cyclonex owners seem to have been categorised as super human, athletic cycle gods, well, that we aint I can assure you.

 

I can’t assist with technical jargon and obviously can’t get involved in the discussions about which bike is the best, all I can say is that the Cyclonex is a nice looking bike, exceptionally well converted and it does what I want when I want it too.

 

We will only ever be leisure and no doubt fair weather cyclists, but who knows where it might take us.

 

I live in Stafford which is about 35 miles north of Birmingham and 50 miles south of Manchester and we are about 5 minutes from M6 J14. Anyone who wants to come and take a look at the Cyclonex before making the journey to Winchester, drop me a PM.

 

My only problem is trying to fine a bike rack that fits on a Honda CRV, which has a spare wheel on the rear door (right side) and the rear window opens vertically whilst the door opens sideways. I have a tow bar but the ones that seem to fit there go straight up and the wheel is in the way. I wanted to avoid using the roof but it may be the only solution. Anyone know of any other options?

 

Hope to be able to chip in where and when i can to hopefully put a little back into this forum which has been instrumental in making me spend 2 grand when I could have probably got away with £500 on a couple of Halfords specials had i not visited here so often, thanks guys.... (;0)

 

Steve

Edited July 27, 200817 yr by Encantador

Welcome to the club Steve. I hope that you and your wife enjoy the bikes as much as we are. On the carrier issue, I'm sure I have seen racks on 4x4s at bike races that clear the spare wheels. Have you googled 4x4 bike carriers to see what comes up (this might work:Cycle Racks And Storage : Maxxraxx 4x4 Bike Carrier 06 - £119.00. If I see any at my next few races with my son, I will ask the owners where they got them.

Edited July 28, 200817 yr by Chris_Bike

Thanks Chris. That one excludes the CRV. I have purchased a pair of halfords roof racks for the time being as I already have the bars. ideally though want to get them on the back asap.

 

There are some that attach to the spare wheel itself, not sure that the wheel fitting is designed for the extra weight though, probably a bit too risky. That leaves a tow bar mounted one that kicks out 5-6 inches first to miss the wheel.

 

Steve

Batteries

 

Just to say that we do now have plenty of batteries in stock.

 

Regards,

 

Mark

So, anybody with certifiably lousy cycling proficiency bought the Cytronex yet? Oh dear:D

 

Conceptually, this ticks all my boxes, and I think this will really take off. I kept looking at the designs of e-bikes with some dissatisfaction - and let's face it, the UK bicycle market is unique and quixotic - I didn't see why the bikes I was used to (fast hybrids) weren't used more as a starting point. Then I saw the Schwinn Continental and thought, that's for me, good bike, unobtrusive motor, battery in rack, ...weird shaft drive, over there, not over there....

 

Oh dear, again. Why is this technology so iffy? It's not like electric motors haven't been around for a century?

 

I digress. The Cytronex looks perfect for me. I mingle (in my travels) with London cycle commuters all the time, and anticipate joining them soon. I have room for one bike only and love the conventional bike I have as is - similar to the Trek. The anticipation however includes cycling when I'm knackered, off-colour, against a headwind and every day without fail etc etc, so the choice of adding power at these times would make my life a deal more pleasant.

 

The thought of having a bike that's fine to use conventionally, but with the addition of a water bottle (!) gives me a helping hand is something I'd pay for.

 

And there's the rub. Non mass produced prices, youzza. Very understandable and worth it for the work gone into - if you have it. Which leaves me buying one in my head in, say, 6 months (Mark, make note!). In the meantime, I suppose it's back to the possibilities of putting some parts together. More reading. Gulp.

So, anybody with certifiably lousy cycling proficiency bought the Cytronex yet? Oh dear:D

 

Conceptually, this ticks all my boxes, and I think this will really take off. I kept looking at the designs of e-bikes with some dissatisfaction - and let's face it, the UK bicycle market is unique and quixotic - I didn't see why the bikes I was used to (fast hybrids) weren't used more as a starting point. Then I saw the Schwinn Continental and thought, that's for me, good bike, unobtrusive motor, battery in rack, ...weird shaft drive, over there, not over there....

 

Oh dear, again. Why is this technology so iffy? It's not like electric motors haven't been around for a century?

 

I digress. The Cytronex looks perfect for me. I mingle (in my travels) with London cycle commuters all the time, and anticipate joining them soon. I have room for one bike only and love the conventional bike I have as is - similar to the Trek. The anticipation however includes cycling when I'm knackered, off-colour, against a headwind and every day without fail etc etc, so the choice of adding power at these times would make my life a deal more pleasant.

 

The thought of having a bike that's fine to use conventionally, but with the addition of a water bottle (!) gives me a helping hand is something I'd pay for.

 

And there's the rub. Non mass produced prices, youzza. Very understandable and worth it for the work gone into - if you have it. Which leaves me buying one in my head in, say, 6 months (Mark, make note!). In the meantime, I suppose it's back to the possibilities of putting some parts together. More reading. Gulp.

 

Well Sopht, my wife has certifiably lousy cycling proficiency! At least, when I was fit, I used to hate riding with her and the kids because the kids could keep up and she couldn’t. Then the kids could beat me easily but she still couldn’t keep up. Then I got unfit (and over-weight) and she could keep up. Now, she can cycle faster up hills on her Cytronex than I can because she only weighs about 60% of me!

 

So she is getting on fine with the bike. In Wales she always gets a bigger range than I (weight and hills again). I don’t know if this helps, but don’t tell her I posted it!

So, anybody with certifiably lousy cycling proficiency bought the Cytronex yet? .

 

Yes, as described above.

Towbar bracket

 

My only problem is trying to fine a bike rack that fits on a Honda CRV, which has a spare wheel on the rear door (right side) and the rear window opens vertically whilst the door opens sideways. I have a tow bar but the ones that seem to fit there go straight up and the wheel is in the way. I wanted to avoid using the roof but it may be the only solution. Anyone know of any other options?

 

Hi Steve take a look at this website http://www.towingandleisure.co.uk/Frames/Main.htm click on the our products page, and then the Cycle safe Twin Cycle Carrier link they are based in Tividale, Oldbury, West Midlands. I have had mine for about 3 years and have had 3 bikes on the back of my car with no problems. They do them for both 4x4's and normal cars. The most expensive one that carry's 4 bikes for 4x4's is £66.95 + p&p and bolt directly on to your towbar with a supplied bracket. Hope this is of some help.

Regards

Andy

PS sorry I couldn't put a direct link to the page but its set in frames on the website..

Thanks Andy. I will give them a ring.

 

Steve

A to B Magazine have a review of the Cytronex in their September edition - just published digitally. They were clearly extremely impressed with it!

How do you get the A to B digital- Ive recently re-subscribed but I cant see anything on their website about the digital version?

 

John

You need to register with Exact Editions John, since they publish it online. Your A to B subscription should include the online one free now, but I'm not sure how you'll authorise that. Check on the site as there may be provision to access without paying again, but if not, a mail to A to B will get an answer.

.