Cytronex Trek reliability

[frank9755]

I believe that for a strong cyclist, the Cytronex would be a lot better on hills than the Wisper and for a weaker cyclist it may be slightly better.

There are two key factors: motor gearing, as Phil mentions above, and also lower gears - the Cytronex probably has a bottom gear of around 20" vs 39" on the Wisper - enabling the rider (if willing and able) to do a lot more.

These factors would have more effect than any weight difference between the two, and I don't think the rolling resistance would be a factor in hill climbing situations (unless you go above 15mph!).

Obviously the benefit of the rider gearing advantage varies according to how much input the rider wants to make. It's a lot of help to a rider who could climb the hill without a motor but just wants to stay a bit cooler, and of no value to someone who wants to be pulled up without pedalling!

 

[flecc]

I agree with both Phil and Frank on those differences, but I was replying to Poppy following extensive private correspondence over a long period in which I know of his abilities and terrain. He not only has difficulty on the hills with his Wisper clone, but also with his new BH which uses the Panasonic unit driving through the gears, hence his dissatisfaction and looking elsewhere.

Since I do not believe the Cytronex will outperform the Panasonic drive-through-gears unit on his steeper hills, I still think it unsuitable for him.

It's also relevant that his hub motor bike isn't actually a clone, though visually similar to the older Wisper 905e, and doesn't use the high geared 905se motor. Importantly as he has said above, he needs power from a standstill, and the Cytronex is definitely unsuitable for that.

Here's one of Poppy's routes, the terrain exaggerated but showing it's far from easy territory:

 

[frank9755]

And I agree with that, Flecc - based on what I've read I think you are right to recommend a Panasonic as the best option for Poppy.

As I hope was clear from my post, I think a less strong cyclist should not expect a Cytronex to give them as much benefit as stronger cyclists would experience.

 

[flecc]

And I agree with that, Flecc - based on what I've read I think you are right to recommend a Panasonic as the best option for Poppy.

As I hope was clear from my post, I think a less strong cyclist should not expect a Cytronex to give them as much benefit as stronger cyclists would experience.

Poppy's problem is a two part one Frank. He needs good steep hill ability, but his fitness level means he also suffers on average hills that are very long where endurance is needed for the moderate rider input required. In other words he needs something like a Panasonic unit that only requires a low level of rider input, but there's no such thing unfortunately.

The only alternative I can think of is one of the most powerful eZee models like the Torq 2 or F series, but I'm reluctant to advise that with no importer or service backup in Spain, and even then I'm not confident on the fitness aspect.
.

 

[poppy]

Poppy´s needs, ha ha!

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time and have the patience to address my byking problems dealing with my less than adequate technical English. I want that "impossible"- A more helpful Panasonic. But as Ive told Flecc I´m enjoying the one I have much more than the clone. In a few months and being somewhat fitter I´ll try for the Pro C. because I have a gut feeling that it would be more powerful and a better free wheeler. But as I´ll give myself a few months.... We are talking big bucks and I don´t want to make another mistake.....
I´ve got to admit that reading your posts I am ashamed of my fitness. But for a guy that´s pushing 60, smokes a pack, started cycling a year ago after 40 plus years and never done any exercise.....
Regards to you all.

 

[tagray]

Cytronex reliability

I have had one for several months. It has now totally displaced my Giant Twist (advert in next A to B if anyone interested) as it is lighter, faster and a great ride with or without power. The electrics have gone through several torrential downpours of monsoon proportions without the slightest twitch. The only thing I have had to adjust is the brakes to counter excessive wear on the pads. I thoroughly recommend the bike. It is what an electric bike should be - a helping hand on hills, a great ride without power, and generally faster point to point. I have managed the daily commute at an average of 17 mph over 8 miles including 500 feet of climbing. That's considerably better than I usually manage by car in the early rush hour.

 

[Phil the drill]

I have managed the daily commute at an average of 17 mph over 8 miles including 500 feet of climbing. That's considerably better than I usually manage by car in the early rush hour.

That sounds great.

At the moment, on my shortest commuter route I travel 8.1 miles. It has about 1100ft of climbing and 650ft. of steep downhills. On my Wisper I average about 16mph on this (takes me almost exactly 30mins), the reverse direction takes about 26min, so about 18.7mph. It is hardest near the end, because at this point there is a real pig of a steep hill. Not as long as some of the others but a real leg killer, especially as it follows 3.5 miles of a steepish 650ft. climb! I'd love to try the Cytronex on something like this to see just how it copes. From what I've heard it could be good.....I'd like to think so.

Cheers, Phil

 

[Cyclezee]

I thoroughly recommend the bike. It is what an electric bike should be - a helping hand on hills, a great ride without power, and generally faster point to point. I have managed the daily commute at an average of 17 mph over 8 miles including 500 feet of climbing. That's considerably better than I usually manage by car in the early rush hour.

That's great Tagray, the Cytronex is obviously well suited to your needs and you are clearly the type of rider this bike is aimed at.

J hn

 

[Wisper Bikes]

The Wisper though is both a over geared and supplied with a 'high speed' motor, which I guess is actually intended to work in a 22" or 24" wheel (i.e. 235+ rpm). The Cytronex although a 28" inch wheel is supplied with the correctly geared 175 rpm motor and since it is in the front hub has a full, wide range of gears for the hills. The hub is also of lower rolling resistance, which will be of increasing importance on the hills. .

Phil

Hi Phil

You are absolutely correct the Wisper motor is a high speed brushless motor, however it has internal radial gears that are changed depending on the wheel size so the motor on the 905 and 705 is geared to the 26" wheel.

The rolling resistance on a Wisper motor should be completely free as if there was no motor on the wheel at all. If yours is not completely free wheeling there may be a problem with the motor.

All the best David

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Wisper 905 and 705

Hi Phil

I saw your post asking for confirmation of the speed of the 905 motor on another thread.

I double checked with Bafang last night, the 905 and 705 motors are 250w and 215RPM.

All the best David

 

[HarryB]

I now have the Cytronex and can report that it has been 100% reliable - early days I know but in comparison with my previous electric bikes it has been remarkable. The Torq needed lots of tightening of bolts, adjusting to get rid of the fork judder, not to mention water ingress cutting the power. It even went back to the dealer to have an electrical gremlin sorted. Even the well made Agattu needed a new gear hub (not Kalkhoffs fault I know), the chain kept falling off until I oiled the tensioner, the handlbars always needed tightening so not exactly perfect.

The key to the Cytronex is that it is a well sorted simple bike with relatively simple electric bits added so should be very reliable - that is what I am hoping anyway and I haven't had to get my spanners out to tighten anything yet.

OK up to now it was 100% reliable but I have to report that the bottle cage holding the battery came loose today and had to be tightened. Now who put the cage on Trek or Cytronex? From this picture Trek Bikes | Bikes | Bike Path | 7.3 FX it looks like Cytronex. I do find that there is always something that needs tightening up on a new bike and this Trek has been very good apart from the cage.

 

[flecc]

OK up to now it was 100% reliable but I have to report that the bottle cage holding the battery came loose today and had to be tightened. Now who put the cage on Trek or Cytronex? From this picture Trek Bikes | Bikes | Bike Path | 7.3 FX it looks like Cytronex. I do find that there is always something that needs tightening up on a new bike and this Trek has been very good apart from the cage.

I think that's possibly to be expected Hal, mountings designed for a drinks bottle holding a battery which is volumetrically much heavier. Probably a good idea for it to be routinely checked for security from time to time.

If that's all that ever troubles you on it, it will be fairly unique among e-bikes.
.

 

[Mussels]

OK up to now it was 100% reliable but I have to report that the bottle cage holding the battery came loose today and had to be tightened.

Now it has started you need to calculate the mean time between failures, on riding time alone mine is about 1.5 hours but improving quite quickly.

 

[Barnowl]

OK up to now it was 100% reliable but I have to report that the bottle cage holding the battery came loose today and had to be tightened. Now who put the cage on Trek or Cytronex? From this picture Trek Bikes | Bikes | Bike Path | 7.3 FX it looks like Cytronex. I do find that there is always something that needs tightening up on a new bike and this Trek has been very good apart from the cage.

Thanks for the reminder. I've been meaning to check mine over. Surprisingly I found them all nice and tight - even the mudguards.

 

[wotwozere]

Hi

Sorry I meant Cytronex

thx

Bob