November 11, 200916 yr I'm still learning about these machines and that's worth knowing, thanks. Another point in favour of the Panasonic/Yamaha crank motors then, they sound like they'd be more pleasant to ride unassisted than hub bikes? Having just read through this thread I'd be interested to hear whether you have come to a decision about whether to opt for the Alien kit / bike / or other option? The bikes do look quite decent for the money. Have other members had direct experience of the aftersales service provided through Alien?
November 11, 200916 yr I'm still learning about these machines and that's worth knowing, thanks. Another point in favour of the Panasonic/Yamaha crank motors then, they sound like they'd be more pleasant to ride unassisted than hub bikes? They are Davall. I used to own a Lafree with the Panasonic unit and never bothered to switch on the power until the first hill, which was between a quarter mile of up to three miles from home, depending on the route. Although my present hub motor bike is far more powerful and demands less from me, there's no way I could set off with power switched off without exhausting myself within a couple of hundred yards. There are exceptions though. The Tongin Nano hub motor powered Cytronex and others using that motor can run very freely due to it's roller drive, and the all-component freewheeling in the Powabyke hub motor also results in no motor drag. .
November 11, 200916 yr They are Davall. I used to own a Lafree with the Panasonic unit and never bothered to switch on the power until the first hill, which was between a quarter mile of up to three miles from home, depending on the route. Although my present hub motor bike is far more powerful and demands less from me, there's no way I could set off with power switched off without exhausting myself within a couple of hundred yards. There are exceptions though. The Tongin Nano hub motor powered Cytronex and others using that motor can run very freely due to it's roller drive, and the all-component freewheeling in the Powabyke hub motor also results in no motor drag. . Hi Flecc, Am I right in thinking that the Cytronex models are all pedelecs which will add optional power through the rider pedalling the bike, but will ride similar to a regular bike when the 'no boost' option is chosen, whereas the Alien bikes / kits do provide a 'throttle only' option, but will demand more from the rider when riden with no power assist? Thanks, Rus.
November 11, 200916 yr Hi Flecc, Am I right in thinking that the Cytronex models are all pedelecs which will add optional power through the rider pedalling the bike, but will ride similar to a regular bike when the 'no boost' option is chosen, whereas the Alien bikes / kits do provide a 'throttle only' option, but will demand more from the rider when riden with no power assist? Thanks, Rus. That's it exactly. The Nano motor in the Cytronex has a friction free internal roller drive, but most hub motors including that on the Alien have internal nylon gear drive gears. Since the gear rack is fixed in the hub shell, the orbital gears have to be turning all the time the wheel turns, and when switched off the rider has to provide that extra bit of effort to turn them. Here's the gears and hubshell toothed rack in a typical Bafang motor: http://users.tinyworld.co.uk/flecc/images/motorgears.jpghttp://users.tinyworld.co.uk/flecc/images/motordrum.jpg
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