Another newbee Q: Cytronex Bad Boy, Storck Multi or Emotion Neo Xtrem

[dave905947]

Hi All
Been doing lots of reading and think I am narrowing to these three.
I am a fairly fit rider - average 15 mph on the flat, ride with paniers. But try trying to use the bike for my frequent 24 mile round trip to Taunton Station. Easy on the way there, hard on the way home - hilly and often into a wind. Like technology so thought an e-bike would be a solution. I think my preferred is the Cytronex Bad Boy in terms of value. Also seems to be most like a real bike which is really what I want. The other two, however seem to bee well reviewed.

Not done any road testing...thats next.

What do you folks think? Thanks in advance.

David

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Hi All
Been doing lots of reading and think I am narrowing to these three.
I am a fairly fit rider - average 15 mph on the flat, ride with paniers. But try trying to use the bike for my frequent 24 mile round trip to Taunton Station. Easy on the way there, hard on the way home - hilly and often into a wind. Like technology so thought an e-bike would be a solution. I think my preferred is the Cytronex Bad Boy in terms of value. Also seems to be most like a real bike which is really what I want. The other two, however seem to bee well reviewed.

Not done any road testing...thats next.

What do you folks think? Thanks in advance.

David

There's no way in the world that that Cytronex battery is going to do 24 miles especially if it's windy.
The Emotion looks a lovely bike, but when that battery wears out, it;s going to cost an arm and a leg. Before buying, check the price of the battery, and will a replacement be available when it does expire?
These are all deluxe expensive bikes which might float your boat, but I'd be surprised if they do the job any better than the less costly bikes from Kudos, Juicy, Ezee, Oxygen, Wisper and the rest.When you try some, you'll see what I mean.

 

[eddieo]

Are you going to leave bike at station all day? If yes better read up on security. As leaving it same place every day is a real risk.

Have a look at the Haibike Trekking or XDuro:

HAiBiKE Electric Bikes | HAiBiKE e-bike Sales & Service | Free Delivery

Or KTM Macina 29'er (due in UK soon):

Google Translate

In Germany the Bulls green mover are becoming popular. they use a 36v Swiss drive motor (26v version in stork) There are a lot of different models:

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http://www.ebay.de/itm/Original-36V-8Ah-Akku-BOSCH-E-Bike-System-Pedelec-/260966658201?pt=Sport_Radsport_Fahrr%C3%A4der&hash=item3cc2d33099&act=url

 

[OTH]

The Storck rides nearest to a "real bike" of any of the electric bikes I've tried. It's the only one I've got on and just ridden without being distracted by the assist bit. It handles very well (steep hills with bends near me, too), is beautifully made and has good quality components. And there's a local dealer in Taunton.

The Cytronex looks nice, too. But you can only get them in Winchester, I believe.

As you already cycle on a normal bike and plan to regularly cover significant distances, I'm pretty sure you'll appreciate the benefits of a "deluxe expensive" electric bike.

 

[indalo]

I like your short-list Dave and I'd rather pay money for one of those than pay less and get a Cortina......yes, it does the same job as a Merc but really.....I ask you?

Check out Eddie's suggestions; some quality machinery there!

Indalo

 

[Cyclezee]

I like your short-list Dave and I'd rather pay money for one of those than pay less and get a Cortina......yes, it does the same job as a Merc but really.....I ask you?
Indalo

Got a Merc which I use mainly as tractor for towing stuff and prefer driving my cheap as chips Fiat Doblo.
What does that tell you?

 

[Cyclezee]

OK, back on thread.

Welcome to the forum Dave905947,
Have you considerd converting a bike you already own, just a thought

 

[Alan B]

Hi David,
Have a look at the Kudos King. I do a 22 mile commute, average 15mph, and the battery will last 40 miles. If you want to have a go on one I'm just up the road at Yatton near Weston Super Mare.
cheers,
Alan

 

[indalo]

David,

Given how you have described your cycling ability and your stated preference,

I think my preferred is the Cytronex Bad Boy in terms of value. Also seems to be most like a real bike which is really what I want.

I think you're exactly the kind of customer who'd appreciate the Cytronex method of assistance and the decent quality bikes they use.

Regarding the mileage available from the battery, I doubt you'd use it much so one battery would be sufficient in your case. A spare battery, should you need one, wouldn't break the bank and they are lightweight compared to those typically used in other makers' applications. You could carry a spare in a bag or rucksack quite easily.

The gadget show did a comparison between a Cytronex model ridden by Otis, one of their presenters and a proper road racer whose name I can't remember. In conclusion, the Cytronex seemed rather good and they do a nice range from light to extremely light! I'm sure you can still see that clip on Youtube if you haven't already seen it.

Indalo

 

[Trevor@Storck]

Hi Dave,

No prizes for guessing which one I would suggest

What I would say is that trying them is essential! That’s the only way you will really notice the features and benefits of the bikes.

If you’re commuting to Taunton you may already know of Reaction Electric, If not then here are their contact details.

Reaction Electric
84 Priory Bridge Road, Taunton, Somerset
TA1 1QA
01823 274444
Email: drive@reactionelectric.co.uk
Electric Bikes, Electric Scooters, Electric Vehicles in Somerset

I’m sure Jim would be more than happy to organise a test ride for you.

Just a quick point on the swiss drive motor – This is a licenced version of the Raddar motor designed by Markus Storck in Germany.

If you have any questions for me regarding the Storck Raddar Multitask then please get in touch.

Kind Regards

 

[Kudoscycles]

Dave....so many Daves on this forum!
The bikes you list are all high end machines in the £2k plus end of the market. The problem is finding a local dealer who has stock of such bikes for you to make comparison tests.
We have just taken our opening stock of the BH Emotion bikes,Xenion 650 and 700,Neo Cross and Xtreme-note we will only advertise bikes that we have in stock for sale-we have test bikes of the Xenion 650 and Neo Cross,listening to your requirement I think the Xenion 700 or the Neo Cross are both real bikes with high quality spec-my choice would be towards the 700 because of the Bosch Crank Drive and reliable range.
Of course we have the Kudos Tourer or King,both real bikes to ride-the Tourer is a nice bike to ride without power assist,we have full stocks of all Kudos bikes.
The replacement battery cost in all the BH bikes,that we stock,are £455.00,the Kudos bikes are £208.80.
We have a private test area in front of our warehouse,with a prior appointment we can organise a pleasant seafront ride with some hills for comparison,unfortunately you are some way from us,up here in Kent.
Can I suggest Atmosphere bikes at Bristol,they are BH and Kudos dealers,they have a Kudos Eco in stock,which is a similar ride to the Tourer.
Good luck with your search.
Dave
KudosCycles

 

[eddieo]

Just a quick point on the swiss drive motor – This is a licenced version of the Raddar motor designed by Markus Storck in Germany.

If you have any questions for me regarding the Storck Raddar Multitask then please get in touch.

Kind Regards

Are you absolutely positive on that.....As I thought it was the other way around.

Cube, Green mover and others (including stork I thought) all use this motor and attribute it to Swiss Go drive. why then do you use 26 v version and others 356 v with choice of larger capacity batteries...

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.go-swissdrive.com/

 

[eTim]

A commute I used to do on my Cytronex Synapse was 44 miles round trip, the battery would die anywhere between 18-22 miles, I was average fit then (fitter now) so my input was at least 50% and I carried a spare battery to swap near the end of each journey.

The beauty of the Cytronex is that you can ride it as a normal bike when the power runs out and they are relatively lightweight, my Synapse is just over 17Kg with spare battery (10Kg with no batteries and no front hub motor), so if you're caught out it's not a nightmare. If you have a spare battery then power will not be a prob.

The trick would be to try a couple of dummy runs to decide if you need to carry a spare or just have a charger at work.

As for security, well, same for any other bike and just lock the front wheel also.

I don't need my Synapse for commuting at the moment so the bike is being used with a Turbo trainer in the garage for fitness/Winter/bad weather training, it works well (without electric)! When you want a completely conventional ride, you can just head out without batteries and swap the front wheel for a conventional spare and enjoy!

 

[dave905947]

Hello all. Thanks for so many replies. Lots of input here, including interested parties. I am still swaying in the Cytronex direction due to (i) weight, (ii) looks like a real bike with no big battery, (iii) for my use to commute I will only benefit from assistance for 10 miles or so. Dont need it on the way there as its mostly downhill and with the wind.
At the end of the day I need to go out and do some testing. Yes - know about Reaction Cycles in Taunton. Good prices and a wide range of stock.

Thanks again all. Good forum.

Perhaps I should call myself another Dave