Hi guys,

 

I'm slowly narrowing my search down for the perfect ebike, I'm just wondering if anyone has purchased a bike from Cytronex?

 

I've had a long chat on the phone with them and they were very helpful, hoping to go for a test ride on one at the weekend - a long drive though.

 

I also asked them if they would be prepared to convert my virtually new Trek FX7.5 - they said this is something they would be prepared to do, very tempted to go this route. A little concerned about the low power battery, but I guess I can always get a second.

 

Any comments, good and bad would be much appreciated.

 

Cheers,

Jay

The new Daahub kit from wisper is looking very interesting and due here May? Powerful and neat Dapu motor, and 9 Ah battery, with choice of a smaller one if you wish, so no concerns with range.... Plus the excellent wisper reputation as well... I am in 2 minds whether to go for this and a lighter bike or stick with a integrated e bike:)

 

D a a H u b By Wisper Wisper Electrifies Cycling

 

E Tim on here has 2 cytronex bikes...probably worth a PM

Edited March 21, 201115 yr by eddieo

We have some keen Cytronex owners in here, but it's not an e-bike for everyone. On the plus side it's by far the most free running of e-bikes since it's Tongxin Nano hub motor uses roller drive rather than internal gears. With the motor off it's very close to being a normal bike, so by treating it as one and using the battery sparingly the range can be quite good. For most good cyclists it's about 20 miles, but if the motor is used full time it can drop well below that. Powerful cyclists can get quite close to 40 miles, but that's exceptional.

 

The downside is that the Nano motor has given some trouble and it does seem to be on the fragile side. It's essential to pedal off the mark without power and then cut in the motor to help, rather than expecting the motor to pull from a standstill.

.

Thanks for the replies, I might drop E Tim a PM to see what he thinks.

 

I would definitely be interested in the Daa hub, but would rather be up and running in the next couple of weeks.

 

I've also had a bit of a chat with Banbury Frank, I've yet to come across the Nine Continent motor and can't really find too much info on them. Any experience of them?

 

This is what he's offered me:

 

48 volt Lithium -ion 15 AH rack mounted rear motor kit including rack

Battery weight 5.5 Kilos

Nine Continent motor with 7 speed or 8 speed cog

18 mosfet controller low power setting 15 MPH high power 24 MPH

4 amp charger

 

Will do your Journey but will need to recharge at work - 4 Hours

 

Should fit your Trek. £995 + delivery we can fit in Banbury £100

 

Cheers again for the replies,

Jay

You can read more about 9C motors here on their web site:

 

ÎÂÁëÊоÅÖÞµç»úÖÆÔìÓÐÏÞ¹«Ë¾

 

These motors are direct drive types and are larger and heavier than the geared Bafang type motors. 9C seem to be very popular in North America and Australia and over on the Endless-Sphere forum there's a lot of discussion. Being a direct drive motor there's no freewheel so without power they are not something you would want to ride on for very long.

 

IMHO at £995 I would seek out an Ezee kit, the motor is lighter and easier to ride without power plus Ezee have a wide choice on motor and battery combinations, member Aldby is currently setting up an Ezee distribution and installation company so maybe drop him a PM.

 

Edit: Link eZee electric bicycles: kit

Edited March 21, 201115 yr by NRG

You can read more about 9C motors here on their web site:

 

ÎÂÁëÊоÅÖÞµç»úÖÆÔìÓÐÏÞ¹«Ë¾

 

These motors are direct drive types and are larger and heavier than the geared Bafang type motors. 9C seem to be very popular in North America and Australia and over on the Endless-Sphere forum there's a lot of discussion. Being a direct drive motor there's no freewheel so without power they are not something you would want to ride on for very long.

 

IMHO at £995 I would seek out an Ezee kit, the motor is lighter and easier to ride without power plus Ezee have a wide choice on motor and battery combinations, member Aldby is currently setting up an Ezee distribution and installation company so maybe drop him a PM.

 

Edit: Link eZee electric bicycles: kit

 

Many thanks for the reply, having read several posts about conversion kits this one has come up multiple times, and seems well regarded.

 

I did a few searches for them and struggled to find a complete kit for sale in the UK. Looks like it would do what I want it to and it's cheaper than a lot of the other kits I've found online.

 

Cheers,

Jay

 

EDIT: Found one from your link - eZee Electric Bike kit

Edited March 21, 201115 yr by Spornofthedevil

If you didn't want to spend as much as that and could get by with a limited range of options then the Alien Bafang kit is worth considering (they also have the MagicPie kits) or for even less the Sunlova kits...

 

alienocean.co.uk

 

Electric Scooter, Electric Bike, Electric Cycle from Sunlova

If you didn't want to spend as much as that and could get by with a limited range of options then the Alien Bafang kit is worth considering (they also have the MagicPie kits) or for even less the Sunlova kits...

 

alienocean.co.uk

 

Electric Scooter, Electric Bike, Electric Cycle from Sunlova

 

Those kits looks very good value for money, thanks for the link! I like the idea of the 1000w motor, but a little worried about the legalities. What are the penalties for using a bike with one of these kits fitted? To be honest, I very much doubt I'd be comfortable travelling to work anywhere close to 30mph on a bike anyway - it would just be nice to have the extra power available if I'm not on a public road.

 

Do you know of many people who have fitted them?

No, sorry, I should have made it clear I meant the legal kits..... for obvious reasons!

Numerous posts on here if you do a search about exceeding the legal requirements.

 

Why not start with one of the cheaper legal kits NRG linked to, especially if you want to use it to commute too and from work. I started with one of these kits and have not looked back. It transforms your daily commute by car, if that is what you are doing.

 

Ps here is a link to my first kit, one of the Alien ones listed.

 

Regards

 

Jerry

Edited March 21, 201115 yr by jerrysimon

 

What are the penalties for using a bike with one of these kits fitted?

 

Although the chances of being stopped are very small, the consequences could be serious. You'd basically using an unregistered, unlicenced and uninsured vehicle on the road. Among the penalties for that can be confiscation and destruction of the bike and a driving ban, enforced on any current or future licence.

 

If the stop was in connection with your colliding with someone and seriously injuring or killing them, the seriousness could escalate, even to the point of a prison sentence.

 

As said, the chances of any of these happening are miniscule, but it's as well be aware of how bad things could get.

.

Flecc admit it you have that typed up somewhere and just cut and paste right

 

Just to add when I first got into ebikes, I was initially looking at little petrol motors to go on a push bike, again highly illegal and way more obvious that I would be breaking the law. I am glad I never went down that route.

 

Regards

 

Jerry

We have some keen Cytronex owners in here, but it's not an e-bike for everyone. On the plus side it's by far the most free running of e-bikes since it's Tongxin Nano hub motor uses roller drive rather than internal gears. With the motor off it's very close to being a normal bike, so by treating it as one and using the battery sparingly the range can be quite good. For most good cyclists it's about 20 miles, but if the motor is used full time it can drop well below that. Powerful cyclists can get quite close to 40 miles, but that's exceptional.

 

The downside is that the Nano motor has given some trouble and it does seem to be on the fragile side. It's essential to pedal off the mark without power and then cut in the motor to help, rather than expecting the motor to pull from a standstill.

.

 

As an ex cytronex rider I can agree with what Flecc says. I am a bit confused that you would even be considering a 1000w system at the same time as the cytronex. The two are so far apart - the cytronex being the nearest thing to a unpowered bicycle as you can get - even more so than the panasonic bikes in my opinion. In comparison to the 10aH panasonics the range is not as far as the raw figures suggest.

 

Flecc admit it you have that typed up somewhere and just cut and paste right

 

Not this time Jerry! I've just checked and I don't have a file on this item so had to type it anyway as I've done each time previously. I will file it this time under illegal use now that you've prompted me, thanks.

 

E-bike file number 874.

.

Edited March 21, 201115 yr by flecc

Hi Flecc

 

ILLEGAL Bikes our bike/ kits have a low powered switch if you unplug the high power setting Yes you have more than 250 watts but some heavy persons or very steep hills make smaller motors unusable

 

It is then 15 mph

 

that is as near legal as a lot off ebikes on sale most are over 250 watts

 

some peak at 600 watts

 

Everything you said about ILLEGAL motors applies if you buy a BMW 155MPH Or most cars on the road today

 

and go over 70 MPH

 

Quote a driving ban, enforced on any current or future license.

 

If the stop was in connection with your colliding with someone and seriously injuring or killing them, the seriousness could escalate, even to the point of a prison sentence.

 

If you where braking the speed limit the above applies

 

 

So by your reasoning all cars will be limited to 70 MPH

 

Frank

Not so Frank. I explained this five days ago, but here's the explanation again, showing that the two cases of cars and e-bikes are totally different:

 

Car drivers have to learn to drive, pass a test of competence including highway code questions to show they understand the law, they have to be insured to protect other's interests and they have to drive traceable registered vehicles, taxed to cover some of their costs to the community.

 

E-bike riders are a completely unknown, untested and untraceable group with nothing known or tested about their mental and physical competence. They are not insured to protect others interests and in the UK they can be as young as 14 years. Elsewhere there is no lower age limit. As such they cannot be let loose on unrestricted vehicles. Since bicycles are accepted to be safe for anyone, restricting to bicycle like performance makes sense and is consistent.

.

I am sure there is an echo in here

 

Regards

 

Jerry

No, sorry, I should have made it clear I meant the legal kits..... for obvious reasons!

 

Lol! Is it something that's actively policed? Would it be legal to have something whereby you can switch it to off-road mode? I've tried an Ultra Motor A2B, I like the idea of the turbo button. How is this bike legal if it can do 20mph?

Lol! Is it something that's actively policed? Would it be legal to have something whereby you can switch it to off-road mode? I've tried an Ultra Motor A2B, I like the idea of the turbo button. How is this bike legal if it can do 20mph?

 

It isn't. It's one of a few bikes that are obviously illegal in use but still sold here, relying on the lax administration of the law.

 

The crucial words there are "in use". It's not illegal to sell them, just as it's not illegal to sell shotguns. It's the usage and licencing that counts.

 

If a switch under rider control is available for the rider to break the law, they are riding an illegal bike which can be confiscated and destroyed.

.

Edited March 21, 201115 yr by flecc

I am sure there is an echo in here

 

Regards

 

Jerry

 

As you see from the ongoing request for clarification, it was worth repeating, and I'm sure it will be necessary in the future, ad nauseum.

.

'E-bike riders are a completely unknown, untested and untraceable group with nothing known or tested about their mental and physical competence. They are not insured to protect others interests and in the UK they can be as young as 14 years. Elsewhere there is no lower age limit. As such they cannot be let loose on unrestricted vehicles. Since bicycles are accepted to be safe for anyone, restricting to bicycle like performance makes sense and is consistent.'

 

All of the above .

However it is ILLEGAL to use any ebike with a a top end speed of 17.5 mph on public highways.

It is LEGAL to drive a motor vehicle capable of 70 + mph----it is ILLEGAL to use this capability.

Should the ROAD ILLEGAL[legal in every other sense] ebike be enabled for registration / tax / insurance etc it can be ridden LEGALLY -providing a motorcycle type crash helmet is worn.

Edited March 21, 201115 yr by Xcytronex

Numerous posts on here if you do a search about exceeding the legal requirements.

 

Why not start with one of the cheaper legal kits NRG linked to, especially if you want to use it to commute too and from work. I started with one of these kits and have not looked back. It transforms your daily commute by car, if that is what you are doing.

 

Ps here is a link to my first kit, one of the Alien ones listed.

 

Regards

 

Jerry

 

Hi Jerry,

 

I see you're from Cambridge - hello! That's where I am, well in Papworth now but I grew up in Waterbeach and Fen Ditton.

 

I've just finished reading your bike build post, a great read - definitely glad I read it before purchasing anything. I've already measured the forks, but didn't even think to check that they are tapered. I've just taken a quick look at my bike with a tape measure, it's about 101mm - very close. I'll try to attach a few pics to this post...

 

[ATTACH]1893.vB[/ATTACH]

Forks with the wheel in place

 

[ATTACH]1894.vB[/ATTACH]

Forks measured

 

[ATTACH]1895.vB[/ATTACH]

The bike

 

Definitely very close, but looking at yours I think it should be OK. Any thoughts? The other thing I've not really considered, the forks are carbon fibre - do you or anyone else think that might be an issue?

 

I've just spotted the Heinzmann kit, I like the ruck sack option for storing the battery as I'll be carrying a laptop every day anyway - £1400 for the kit. Is it really worth the premium over some of the other kits I've been looking at? I don't think I can justify the money at this stage.

 

After talking with you guys, I'm more tempted to go with one of the more economical kits.

 

How have you found yours, as I guess you've had it over a year now?

 

How far will it realistically go with a reasonable amount of input?

 

I'm going to be travelling 22miles each way to work! I don't mind buying a second battery if needed and can charge at work.

 

Do the more economical kits last well? Do the batteries hold their charge as long as something like the Heinzmann?

 

Cheers,

Jay

As an ex cytronex rider I can agree with what Flecc says. I am a bit confused that you would even be considering a 1000w system at the same time as the cytronex. The two are so far apart - the cytronex being the nearest thing to a unpowered bicycle as you can get - even more so than the panasonic bikes in my opinion. In comparison to the 10aH panasonics the range is not as far as the raw figures suggest.

 

I'm not seriously considering the 1000w system, I think it was just the petrol head in me thinking it would be a lot of fun. Having sat and seriously considered it, I don't need the extra weight and blatant illegality of something like that. I don't doubt that it would be a lot of fun though and if I ever get back into mountain biking I think it might be something I'd consider for off-road.

 

Cheers,

Jay

Although the chances of being stopped are very small, the consequences could be serious. You'd basically using an unregistered, unlicenced and uninsured vehicle on the road. Among the penalties for that can be confiscation and destruction of the bike and a driving ban, enforced on any current or future licence.

 

If the stop was in connection with your colliding with someone and seriously injuring or killing them, the seriousness could escalate, even to the point of a prison sentence.

 

As said, the chances of any of these happening are miniscule, but it's as well be aware of how bad things could get.

.

 

Many thanks for you input, I guess it's a bit of a grey area with bikes like the A2B. I'm definitely going to try and stick to something fairly sensible, but I would like the option of a go faster button like the A2B has.

 

Cheers,

Jay

 

Edit: Ah, I should have read your newer post before posting this! thanks for clearing the issue up. I guess the go faster button is out of the question if I want to keep legal - which I would definitely prefer to do.

Edited March 21, 201115 yr by Spornofthedevil

I'm not seriously considering the 1000w system, I think it was just the petrol head in me thinking it would be a lot of fun. Having sat and seriously considered it, I don't need the extra weight and blatant illegality of something like that. I don't doubt that it would be a lot of fun though and if I ever get back into mountain biking I think it might be something I'd consider for off-road.

 

Cheers,

Jay

 

It is not the illegality of it so much as the difference in function. The cytronex is a fantastic bike but so far removed from most hub powered ebikes with peak powers of 600-800 watts. It is a delicate little thing that rewards you with a great sporting ride - but you have to put the effort in. It is not without its problems - neither the motor or the controller are particularily robust but still a great bike. Sounds like the new wisper or current ezee would suit you - I don't think the battery position is as good though.