Trek Cytronex - First Impressions.

[Chris_Bike]

Pictures

I went on my last ride for a week today because I have to go away for work tomorrow. I'm going to miss it....... Anyway, I promised John some photos of the various upgrades I have done. so here goes.......

If they appear in the order intended, the first shoes Lynne's rear carrier. Note the SJS extra long stays that you will need if you ever fit a carrier to a frame this small (15 ins). You should also be able to see how I have re-routed the cable to the rear light (now fixed to the back of the carrier).

The second shows my bike with carrier, old faithful Brooks saddle, toe-clips and the Continental 4 seasons (28mm) tyres that I substituted for the Bontragers. The third just shows the detail of my carrier (where the supplied stays were JUST long enough to fit to the 50 cm/20 in franme - see past posts).


John, I'm struggling to get these pictures up...... They are (just) too big and I haven't got photoshop or equivalent on this computer. if you send me your email by a private message, I will email them to you and maybe you could put them up?

Anyway, have a great week cycling everyone.

 

[Cyclezee]

Check your PM's Chris. (That's private messages, not Prime Ministers )

J hn

 

[flecc]

John, I'm struggling to get these pictures up...... They are (just) too big and I haven't got photoshop or equivalent on this computer.

Chris, if you download Irfanview, it's tiny (under 1 mb) and installs instantly, it's resize facility is considered superior to Photoshop's by many, and it's simplicity itself. It's also a very good lightning fast photo viewer. You won't need the plug ins for the basic functions:

Irfanview download
.

 

[Cyclezee]

Photos of Chris Bike's Bikes

Chris's favourite Brooks B17 saddle, Deore pedals + clips, rear carrier and Continental tyres​

Full view​

Chris's wife's bike showing rear carrier​

 

[keithhazel]

although this bike looks lovely and will be fabulous on a summers day what about in the wet ?..this and others without mudguards..they might not be a fashion add-on but you dont get to the other end in wet weather with the back of you splattered along with your front....do you want style and wet or plain and dry ?...............call me a fuddy duddy but the latter for me...

 

[Cyclezee]

although this bike looks lovely and will be fabulous on a summers day what about in the wet ?..this and others without mudguards..they might not be a fashion add-on but you dont get to the other end in wet weather with the back of you splattered along with your front....do you want style and wet or plain and dry ?...............call me a fuddy duddy but the latter for me...

OK Keith, you asked for it, you are a Fuddy Duddy
Mudguards are only for wet weather, and, believe it or not, it doesn't rain every day.
A cheap set of waterproofs give better protection than mudguards and you only need to wear them when it's raining.

J hn

 

[Matt]

I'm probably going to jinx myself now, but touch wood (taps one's head) I haven't been caught in the rain either in the morning going to work or coming home from work since the end of February! I would probably still ruin the looks of the bike though by fitting some very classic looking guards that are currently on my Raleigh, as I'm not a big fan of waterproofs.

I like the fact that the bike comes as it is and we have the choice to add our own bits and pieces without being lumbered with cheap generic accessories that make it look tacky. The lighting system is a different matter though and it certainly doesn't look like it has been skimped on.

The saddle in the picture looks like a piece of furniture. Quality!

The only possible downside I can think of for this bike is reliability issues, but I'm sure they have ironed out any problems that might have happened on the electric side of things. Fingers crossed as it ticks all the right boxes for me, and then some.

 

[Chris_Bike]

Thanks for getting those up John.

Actually, I may add guards in the winter although the rear carrier more or less does the job of a back one. You're right about the saddle Matt, but man is is comfortable!

 

[keithhazel]

OK Keith, you asked for it, you are a Fuddy Duddy
Mudguards are only for wet weather, and, believe it or not, it doesn't rain every day.
A cheap set of waterproofs give better protection than mudguards and you only need to wear them when it's raining.

J hn

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true it doesnt rain every day, just the days you want to ride yer bike.. ..
however its not just about rainy days its about time after with standing water or even slighty off townie routes where occasional muddy slicks...
all that said yes a cheap set of waterproofs.........................however they dont breath so you end up laced in sweat so you might as well just settle for no mudguards and feel wet and not sweaty....lol...

fuddy out

 

[keithhazel]

I like the fact that the bike comes as it is and we have the choice to add our own bits and pieces without being lumbered with cheap generic accessories that make it look tacky. .

QUOTE]

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i agree 100% here that a beauty is it comes as it is and we have the choice to add or not to add, so much better then some top priced vehicle that has everything when we want to choose ourselves

 

[bode]

OK Keith, you asked for it, you are a Fuddy Duddy
Mudguards are only for wet weather, and, believe it or not, it doesn't rain every day.
A cheap set of waterproofs give better protection than mudguards and you only need to wear them when it's raining.

J hn

And they take up space when you remember to pack them, whereas mudguards just sit there ready to stop you looking like all the other prannies with mud streaks right up their backs.

 

[Cyclezee]

I have ridden this bike in the rain and with the standard fit Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tyres there is very little spray. This is probably due to the fact that they have no tread to pickup water. Adding mudguards would not prevent getting wet in the rain, but waterproof clothing would.

J hn

 

[Mark/Cytronex]

Add Ons

Just one small point to add.

We do now sell SKS mudguards, Tubus and Blackburn racks, Madison comfy saddles, etc. and we will fit them for those ordering a bike, if they order the accessories at the same time.

This will very shortly be much easier because it will be possible to order online (should be quite a few things up later today) and anyone ordering the above items with the bikes will get them fitted within the retail price of the product.

Regards,

Mark

 

[Cyclezee]

Conditioning Ride No. 3

This morning I went out for the 3rd and final battery conditioning ride i.e. riding continuously until the battery expires.
Weather cloudy and overcast, 20 degrees, wind 14 mph from the west.
Charged the battery this morning just prior to my ride.
I took the same route as previously so that I could make an accurate comparison with the range acheived on previous rides. This time, the power expired after 23.9 miles, so it would seem that this is the maximum I personally will be able expect.
The range is adequate for my needs, as I would not normally ride 20+ miles non stop. As previously, I kept the power on for all but downhill sections.
From now on I will just charge the battery after or before each ride.

This morning I tried an old Velo saddle to see if it would improve comfort compared to the Bontrager, but unfortunately, that one wasn't much better. For me that is the worst thing about the bike, so I need to get a comfortable replacement.
Otherwise I am happy with the bike and not bothered about mudguards, carriers or panniers. I want to keep this bike as minimal as possible and can carry anything I need in a small backpack.


J hn

 

[stokepa31_mk2]

This morning I went out for the 3rd and final battery conditioning ride i.e. riding continuously until the battery expires.
Weather cloudy and overcast, 20 degrees, wind 14 mph from the west.
Charged the battery this morning just prior to my ride.
I took the same route as previously so that I could make an accurate comparison with the range acheived on previous rides. This time, the power expired after 23.9 miles, so it would seem that this is the maximum I personally will be able expect.
The range is adequate for my needs, as I would not normally ride 20+ miles non stop. As previously, I kept the power on for all but downhill sections.
From now on I will just charge the battery after or before each ride.

This morning I tried an old Velo saddle to see if it would improve comfort compared to the Bontrager, but unfortunately, that one wasn't much better. For me that is the worst thing about the bike, so I need to get a comfortable replacement.
Otherwise I am happy with the bike and not bothered about mudguards, carriers or panniers. I want to keep this bike as minimal as possible and can carry anything I need in a small backpack.


J hn

John

Is that with the power on low constantly or a mixture of both. I'm thinking about this bike but need to be reassured on battery performance. If it was all low then as I understand it, that only assists to 9mph which is easily exceeded my human effort.

 

[flecc]

This is what John posted on the previous trip:

"When I got to 21 miles of countinuous riding, all on low power, I decided just to finish the battery off by not pedalling, using battery power only, switching between low and high. Power finally expired at 22.7 miles."
.

 

[Cyclezee]

Paul

I was on low power all the time taday, as I was conditioning the battery and also wanted find my maximum range. My average speed has been 12.5 mph and the terrain included several long if not particularly steep climbs.
Now battery conditioning is complete, I will start using the full power setting occasionally.

As I have said before Paul, you really need to try one before you buy. You are welcome to try mine if you are anywhere near MK.

J hn

 

[stokepa31_mk2]

Paul

I was on low power all the time taday, as I was conditioning the battery and also wanted find my maximum range. My average speed has been 12.5 mph and the terrain included several long if not particularly steep climbs.
Now battery conditioning is complete, I will start using the full power setting occasionally.

As I have said before Paul, you really need to try one before you buy. You are welcome to try mine if you are anywhere near MK.

J hn

Thanks John

I think I can now safely rule it out as my usage requirement would involve the high power more often than not. Perhaps when i'm fitter and thinner

 

[Cyclezee]

Thanks John

I think I can now safely rule it out as my usage requirement would involve the high power more often than not. Perhaps when i'm fitter and thinner

I don't know how fit or thin you are Paul, but I do not consider myself to be either for or thin. All these things are relative of course.

J hn

 

[stokepa31_mk2]

I don't know how fit or thin you are Paul, but I do not consider myself to be either for or thin. All these things are relative of course.

J hn

im working it on the basis that I would want to travel at say 15mph which would mean the motor is effectively redundent when on low power and the range (guessing here) on high would not be enough for me to use it for non commute purposes like a run out to the country which is where id like the lower weight in comparison to my Agattu and Torq. I will watch with interest for when someone can give high power test data.