Trek Cytronex - First Impressions.

[Matt]

Spot on again Matt and as it happens I have just been out testing our second model, which is the Trek 7300 (which has suspension forks and hybrid tyres), will have some pictures soon.

That's great news that you're already trying out different models. I know a lot of people aren't big fans of suspension, but after having it on my bike for years and occasionally using bikes without it, I certainly prefer it. Especially with the state of our roads and having to go over drains all the time.

The motor more then compensates for the added weight and loss in energy anyway. Can't wait to see the photos.

 

[big jus]

help please !

sorry to hijack this thread but im a new member and im trying to start a new thread about the cytronix trek but cant seem to find how to do it ! i basically dont know how to start a new thread and the FAQ page doesnt mention it... am i just thick ?

cheers !

 

[fishingpaul]

At the top or bottom of the forum page just click on the new thread icon.

 

[big jus]

cheers for answering but i just cant see anything on my screen that indicates starting a new thread ! what does the icon look like ?

 

[flecc]

Just above the top of the page listing the threads in this forum there's an oval blue button at the left with New Thread on it.
.

 

[Cyclezee]

Day 4

Went out this evening after work for what is in effect, the 2nd battery conditioning ride i.e. riding until the battery expires.
Weather perfect, 19 degrees, no wind.
Charged the battery yesterday as I didn't want to wait 1.5 hours for it to charge this evening.
Took the same route as yesterday, but this time I did 4 circuits of Willen South and North Lakes, then headed back in the direction of home thinking I might just make 20 miles and I did with power to spare, so I just kept going and headed back up to MK City Centre and back towards home again on the main road rather than the 'Redways' as my rear end was getting mighty tender. 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.
The range was more than I expected as I am not particularly fit.
My average speed after 4 days is 12.3 mph and hit a max on a downhill section on a main road of 29.1 mph.
I kept the power on for all but downhill sections.

Now Mark is adding the Trek 7300 to the range with front suspension, I'm wondering how much that adds to the weight and what the rolling resistance of the hybrid tyres is compared to the smooth ones on the 7.3FX and should I have waited for that model?
Some of the cycle routes I use are quite bumpy and my rear end gets a hammering, so a supension seat pillar and a more comfortable saddle might be in order.

I don't think I will be out again until Friday as I will need a couple of hours to do conditioning ride 3. Next time I will try a just charged warm battery.

J hn

 

[Mark/Cytronex]

John,

I weighed the 7300 last night and it weighs in at 18.9Kg about 2Kg more than the FX. We weren't planning on adding this model so soon, but FX supplies are running short so we decided to expand our options now. As luck would have it the 7300 is also now running short also, I suppose that is record oil prices for you.

The 7300 had actually been sitting in the corner for about ten days because we got it out of the box, thought "that looks difficult" and then got on with more pressing matters. But with Trek supplies starting to run low, we thought we would have a go. The result is a very neat solution which we are rather pleased with. I aim to get a shot done tomorrow.

However you shouldn't worry too much about your choice re: comfy seats as the 7300 has the same seat post and seat as the FX, so you are not gaining in that department. It isn't quite as fast as the FX due to the tyres but does feel very comfortable on the front end.

Regards,

Mark

 

[Chris_Bike]

Went out this evening after work for what is in effect, the 2nd battery conditioning ride i.e. riding until the battery expires.
Weather perfect, 19 degrees, no wind.
Charged the battery yesterday as I didn't want to wait 1.5 hours for it to charge this evening.
Took the same route as yesterday, but this time I did 4 circuits of Willen South and North Lakes, then headed back in the direction of home thinking I might just make 20 miles and I did with power to spare, so I just kept going and headed back up to MK City Centre and back towards home again on the main road rather than the 'Redways' as my rear end was getting mighty tender. 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.
The range was more than I expected as I am not particularly fit.
My average speed after 4 days is 12.3 mph and hit a max on a downhill section on a main road of 29.1 mph.
I kept the power on for all but downhill sections.

Now Mark is adding the Trek 7300 to the range with front suspension, I'm wondering how much that adds to the weight and what the rolling resistance of the hybrid tyres is compared to the smooth ones on the 7.3FX and should I have waited for that model?
Some of the cycle routes I use are quite bumpy and my rear end gets a hammering, so a supension seat pillar and a more comfortable saddle might be in order.

I don't think I will be out again until Friday as I will need a couple of hours to do conditioning ride 3. Next time I will try a just charged warm battery.

J hn

Hi John,

I'm glad that you are now achieving the same sort of ranges as me - it reassures me that I am not a mutant afterall! I went out tonight and did 19 miles (low power on all ride) on my usual hilly circuit on a battery that was last charged a week ago.

On the subject of your rear end, I also found the Bontrager saddle very uncomfortable. Changing to an old favourite (Brooks B17 leather) solved it for me. Do you have a favourite from an old bike to try? If not, try to get hold of an old Rolls leather covered (c 1980s) - they were very comfortable.

ps. I know I owe you photos - I will try to get round to it.

 

[prState]

Not to impose, but if anyone ever decides to video one of these bikes on the move (from another bike, car?) that would be great!

(of course it would be great, for all the curious who don't own one, he says!)



I guess there might be fixed position videos from those race events, but nothing like seeing it in action, like you're riding, or next to it.

 

[Cyclezee]

Do you have a favourite from an old bike to try? If not, try to get hold of an old Rolls leather covered (c 1980s) - they were very comfortable.

ps. I know I owe you photos - I will try to get round to it.

Chris

I have not ridden bikes for over 20 years until a year ago and they have all been electric. These bikes have had relatively comfortable saddles in comparison to the Trek, which I, not being a purist or masochist, consider an instrument of torture. I do find the Selle Bassano saddle on my Agattu very comfortable, so I will give that a try before buying anything else.

I'm wondering if I should have waited for the Trek 7300 with front suspension for more comfort, but I didn't know that was coming.


J hn

 

[Cyclezee]

Not to impose, but if anyone ever decides to video one of these bikes on the move (from another bike, car?) that would be great!

(of course it would be great, for all the curious who don't own one, he says!)



I guess there might be fixed position videos from those race events, but nothing like seeing it in action, like you're riding, or next to it.

Sorry prState, I don't have the technology to make a video. Maybe Mark could do that?

J hn

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi John,

I'm glad that you are now achieving the same sort of ranges as me - it reassures me that I am not a mutant afterall! I went out tonight and did 19 miles (low power on all ride) on my usual hilly circuit on a battery that was last charged a week ago.

I still think you might be a mutant Chris you are certainly fitter than I am.

I would seriously advise anyone considering buying a Cytronex to try before you buy and not buy on impulse, as I did. Sure read all the stuff on here, but there is no substitute for trying a bike yourself.
It will not suit everyone, some will love it, some will hate it.
Personally, it is growing on me.
One word of advice, a 2nd battery would be a sound investment and remove the anxiety of being stranded without juice. However that will cost an extra £150, taking the bike over the £1000 barrier and equaling the cost of a Panasonic battery.

J hn

 

[Chris_Bike]

Chris

I have not ridden bikes for over 20 years until a year ago and they have all been electric. These bikes have had relatively comfortable saddles in comparison to the Trek, which I, not being a purist or masochist, consider an instrument of torture. I do find the Selle Bassano saddle on my Agattu very comfortable, so I will give that a try before buying anything else.

I'm wondering if I should have waited for the Trek 7300 with front suspension for more comfort, but I didn't know that was coming.


J hn

No, I didn't know Mark was experimenting with the 7300 either. Suspension forks would deliver a kinder ride to the hands and wrists (something you probably feel right now), but won't really make a difference to the rear end. Personally, I prefer the lighter, more responsive, feel (and lesser weight) of non-suspension forks but this is a matter of taste. I suspect that the difference in feel will be quite like the Agattu to the Pro Connect. It is true that aluminium forks are about the least forgiving of any material - steel or carbon are better able to soak up bumps, hence my interest in a carbon upgrade.

I think the rear end problem is that Bontrager saddle. I'm actually quite glad you don't like it either because I wondered if it was just me! Yes, the Selle Bassano would probably be a good alternative and, if you like it, I'm sure they will be available on the net.

Just off to take a session in psychotherapy for mutants!

ps. I certainly agree about trying before you buy, but I think that goes for all bikes (not even just Ebikes).

 

[HarryB]

Chris

I have not ridden bikes for over 20 years until a year ago and they have all been electric. These bikes have had relatively comfortable saddles in comparison to the Trek, which I, not being a purist or masochist, consider an instrument of torture. I do find the Selle Bassano saddle on my Agattu very comfortable, so I will give that a try before buying anything else.

I'm wondering if I should have waited for the Trek 7300 with front suspension for more comfort, but I didn't know that was coming.



J hn

John I don't think you have made the wrong choice (although I know it was an impulse buy). I own an Agattu and happen to own a Trek 7300. I think the beauty of your choice is that you have a comfortable bike (agattu) and now a fast cruising bike. I think if you had the 7300 the bikes would be too similar. In fact I am dead jealous of your combination. How do you think the Cytronex compares to the Torq in terms of comfort - I am assuming it must be more comfortable because it has less weight?

I completely agree with you about the comfort of the Trek saddle. I was using it for 10 mile rides and found it uncomfortable to say the least but after one journey I felt severe numbness down my legs, as if the blood supply had been cut off. As in my old age I wanted more blood flowing in that area, I changed the saddle immediately. My own preference is a wide saddle to sit on my bum not the boney bit (I know the is a personal preference).

 

[Mark/Cytronex]

I can assure you John that I didn't know we would be doing the 7300 soon until Saturday. I had intended to stick with one model for now. We got it because of the supply situation on the FX then thought it too difficult to convert. However we found solutions and are pleased with the result, which I attach in photos. The frustrating thing is we were then told it too was out of stock at Trek!

The FX is 2Kg lighter and has the same saddle and seat post. Personally I find the saddle comfortable and the riding position of the FX suits me very well. But as you say, it won't suit everyone.

As Chris said, I would go for a different saddle. But I want everyone to have a great experience on our bikes and if the standard equipment isn’t right for you can I suggest you phone us and speak to Phil who will be very happy to advise you on how to customise the ride to your own requirements.

Regarding the battery, we actually keep the price of our battery artificially low and that is our policy because we want people to use the bikes. It is unique in appearance and size and has a very expensive switching regulator in each one which means you get very bright low energy lights powered direct from the battery - have you tried them on a dark road yet John? This is a feature you do not get with many more expensive bikes which use dynamos!

Also we decided to go for a new modular approach with our battery. Instead of having to cart a very large battery around when you might be doing only a short journey most of the time you can take an extra battery when you need one. We can also supply an extra cage for the battery.

Regards,

Mark

 

[Mark/Cytronex]

Whoops! Can't get the technology to work, file sizes on photos were too big. Hopefully I've got it right this time.

Mark

 

[Cyclezee]

John I don't think you have made the wrong choice (although I know it was an impulse buy). I own an Agattu and happen to own a Trek 7300. I think the beauty of your choice is that you have a comfortable bike (agattu) and now a fast cruising bike. I think if you had the 7300 the bikes would be too similar. In fact I am dead jealous of your combination. How do you think the Cytronex compares to the Torq in terms of comfort - I am assuming it must be more comfortable because it has less weight?

I completely agree with you about the comfort of the Trek saddle. I was using it for 10 mile rides and found it uncomfortable to say the least but after one journey I felt severe numbness down my legs, as if the blood supply had been cut off. As in my old age I wanted more blood flowing in that area, I changed the saddle immediately. My own preference is a wide saddle to sit on my bum not the boney bit (I know the is a personal preference).

Regarding my choice of Agattu and Cytronex, I think you are right, different horses for different courses. Personally I really can't see the point in paying all that extra money for a Pro-Connect.
As for which Cytronex to choose, a Trek 7300 or a 7.3FX, I agree with you and I would not wish to have the heavier 7300 just to have front suspension and hybrid tyres, which is the only real difference between them.
In a comfort comparison to a Torq1, I haven't ridden the Torq2 with suspension, the Trek front end is much lighter and I don't get the same finger numbing vibration experienced on a Torq ridden over anything rougher than a billiard table. The saddle is a different story as you know, but easily remedied.
It is still early days for me to give a comprehensive report on this bike, so I think I should leave it there for a few weeks and see what others have to say.

J hn

 

[flecc]

Personally I really can't see the point in paying all that extra money for a Pro-Connect.

I see A to B have fallen in love with it in the new issue's test.
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[stokepa31_mk2]

I see A to B have fallen in love with it in the new issue's test.
.

The chance of seeing my free A to B would be a welcome sight. I'm missing all the good reviews

How long have others waited for the subscription to arrive

 

[flecc]

I haven't seen the physical issue yet, just the online released today.

I think the subscriptions include the online editions now, so that might permit you to see some previous editions Paul.
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