Cytronex : will I get sweaty?

[Pedalo]

Hi,

I'm new here and while waiting for my account to be activated I've been reading with much interest about the different types of electric bikes with a view to getting one for my every day commute to work.

My commute is about 7.5 miles each way and there are a few moderate hills but nothing too scary but if I cycle in to work I arrive very red faced and smelly and need a shower. I'd like to have the option to ride in most days in work clothes and skip the shower to save time but have the option to pedal harder when I have time to change and want some excersise.

I love the look/concept of the Cytronex system but am concerned it might not have the range/power to get me in unassisted. Reports I've read is that it's mostly for people who would actually like to put in a bit of an effort. Is this true? What kind of effort is actually required? I guess if it can be kept going at reasonable speed with just gentle turning of the pedals I shouldn't get too whiffy but I'm not that fit and it doesn't take much to make me sweat...

I'm guessing the safer bet is to go for one of the meatier beasts like a Wisper or an Ezee but the inner cyclist in me is pushing me towards the cytronex. I wonder if a Wisper might just make me a bit lazy where as a Cytronex might encourage me to work at it at least just a little. I don't have room in the shed for more than one bike so this would be my one and only.

I'd be interested in views on the above in particular from people who had similar requirements as me and with experience of both types of machine.

Many Thanks

 

[eddieo]

Hang one on the wall in the hall (cytronex) and keep the wisper in the shed bolted to the floor.

Man + E Bike = no sweat

 

[themutiny]

I have both an Ezee and a Cytronex. I think the Cytronex would do what you want. If you want to be sure, get an extra battery which can be installed on a second bottle cage. It is harder work than an Ezee, but it is more rewarding as it persuades you to contribute more.

 

[carima]

Hi Pedalo,

I can't comment with authority at the moment, but having just gone through the same decision making process I have very recently ordered a Cytronex, which I am collecting on Saturday. I have a similar requirement to you, namely looking for a bit of help on a journey I was managing to cycle anyway but which left me a little unpleasent thanks to some hills (Not really fair on my fellow train passengers during second leg of commute). As with you, I am relying on this being my only bike so wanted something 'normal' as well.

I'll let you know how things go once I have had a chance to try it out. Fingers crossed it will fit the bill! Of course I can't really compare it to other e-bikes as I have only had short-term test rides of these.

John

 

[Mike63]

I shouldn't think you would need an extra battery for the Cytronex.
I doubt it would be necessary but could you not charge it at work?
In any event would you be bothered if you got sweaty on the return leg ?

....Mike

 

[Pedalo]

I shouldn't think you would need an extra battery for the Cytronex.
I doubt it would be necessary but could you not charge it at work?
In any event would you be bothered if you got sweaty on the return leg ?

....Mike

Yes, charging the battery at work would be fine - I'd probably buy an additional charger just for that.

My question is more about what effort is required. For example will one of these bikes do this range with a few hills with no pedalling at all? (except to get the bike up to the speed required for the motor to kick in).

In reality I'd probably do a minimal amount of pedalling but I wouldn't be able to do much on the way in to meet my 'no sweat' target.

 

[Mike63]

....you'll be fine....go for it.

It's the things you don't do that you regret...not the things you do.

....Mike

 

[matt-derby]

Cytronex CB (my 1st puncture today for 17 years!)

Hi Pedalo,

I have one of the Claud Butler Cytronex bikes using it mainly for commuting with some leisure at weekends.

I charge the battery at work. I'm also lucky that the ride in is predominately downhill, with the weather getting cooler I don't find sweating on the bike is an issue, it would be more the recovery in a warm office where you may find it a bit sticky. Gaining in fitness would reduce this effect over a few weeks.

The Cytronex requires you to be pedalling constantly for the motor to be assisting. You can trick this by rotating the crank, this however, will only work on the flat. On any hills you would need to pedal as you cannot drop below about 5/6mph.

The Cytronex range are nice road bikes and easy to ride fast and very easy to get carried away with the moment, racing after the lycra clad when you see them. So I have to be mindful of this on my way into work to avoid potential sweating.

I would say most of my miles are above 15mph with probably only a little help from the motor as it scales down it's assistance.

Because the system only kicks in at 5/6mph and is so quiet you can forget it's working and take the assistance for granted. However, when the battery runs out or you forget to press the button again after breaking you really can feel the difference. Unlike the crank drive units where you can feel the reassuring help through the pedals, or the throttle options which feel more like a scooter.

I think most of the ebikes will get you into work without a red face, some however will trick you into racing there! how strong are you in fighting that urge for speed?

Matt

P.s I forgot my repair kit, £1.99!! Having to thumb a lift into work with your bike in the boot of your clients car..priceless!!

 

[Pedalo]

....you'll be fine....go for it.

It's the things you don't do that you regret...not the things you do.

....Mike

I have no doubt I'll be going for something. Unfortunately I feel compelled to read all the internet before I make a decision which one to go for...

Like most of these decisions I'll choose one, wish I'd chosen the other, then buy that to replace the first, then realise I was right all along... etc.

It's all good fun though!

 

[HarryB]

I am a Cytronex owner with a 10 mile (not that hilly) each way commute. I would say that even if you put a fair amount of effort you won't get that sweaty compared to a normal bicycle (I do both). If you let the bike do a little more work you won't get sweaty at all but the range won't be any more than 10 miles under these conditions. I charge at work and bought an extra charger and have used the Cytronex for about a year and before that a Torq 1 (and briefly an Agattu). The Cytronex has been the best so far me but that is a personal preference. The Agattu was pretty good but does not suit everybody due to the low cadences.

ps go for the 190 rpm wheel option.

 

[Barnowl]

The Cytronex will manage that journey with no problems at all. Just charge it up to full for about an hour each morning at home while you're getting ready. Sweating shouldn't be much of a problem especially for the next 9 months. Also don't use a backpack.
I'm betting you've already decided what you really want and are just looking to justify it

PS Had mine 12 months this Saturday and no regrets.

 

[dimmer]

I went down to cytronex in winchester last week and tryed out the ridgeback cyclone and the claud butler urban 500.

There is a hill outside which is a good test for the assistance going uphill.

They both gave about the same assistance although the claud butler felt easier going up the hill(proberly because it was lighter).
A bit tricky at first trying to switch from high to low remembering which is which and making sure the boost light was on.

You have to push of and get up to about 4 to 6 mph before the motor kicks in which on a steep hill and rememering to check the red light to the right of the handle bars (which i kept forgetting)is glowing otherwise no assistance.
you cannot turn it on and get assistance as required without resetting the boost button as when you touch the rear brake power is cut and you need to reset it by pressing the button again,this is proberly just me getting used to it.
out of the 2 bikes my preference was the ridgeback but they are both very good quality bikes.

George.

 

[Patrick]

I'm not a Cytronex owner, but I do commute over hills on a Powabyke X6 which has some similarities. I have to pedal quite hard to get up the killer hill on my route but I don't get particularly sweaty. I get changed at work if I need to wear a suit, otherwise I just wander up to my desk.

Cyclists are air cooled, so the faster speeds you manage going uphill on an e-bike help keep you from sweating even if you do have to help it along.

 

[Pedalo]

To answer my own question - I actually get as sweaty as I want.

Matt-Derby made the following comment that sums it up really well:

"I think most of the ebikes will get you into work without a red face, some however will trick you into racing there! how strong are you in fighting that urge for speed?"

It is spot on - the Cytronex does actually make you want to pedal but you can get away with pedalling really gently. I expect you get better fitness benefits than with some of the other bikes.

My journey today took 32 minutes with gentle pedalling. I arrived envigorated with a bit of a glow but not at all sweaty.

I did the same journey Monday morning on a normal bike. It took 37 minutes with strenuous pedalling. I arrived sweating buckets.

I'm not particularly fit but I'm sure I could get the time well below 30 mins on the Cytronex with harder pedalling.

It's only my first electrtic bike so I've nothing to compare it to, but I'm chuffed to bits with it. It's just what I hoped it would be.

 

[Barnowl]

Yeah, Matt was spot on Fighting the urge to get stuck in is hard especially on cold mornings. Having a speedo doesn't help and neither do other sporty looking cyclists. Having a small USB fan that plugs into your PC does though

 

[themutiny]

And for me, thatnicely sums up the joy of e-biking. The choice of whether to "go for it" and get sweaty is largely up to the rider, and not the vagaries of nature (eg terrain, headwinds etc)