What do you know about Cyclone?

[phil]

I'm new to this site, an electric bike novice but have been eyeing up Electric bicycle DIY kits kit e-bike DIY kits kit Electric bicycle DIY kits kit e-bike DIY kits kit Electric bicycle DIY kits kit e-bike DIY kits kit for a while now as what seems like a sensible (if not always legal) approach to electrically assisting an existing bike. Previously their prices put me off but with the weak dollar they're looking better at present (and I suspect Ern who sells them from Devon would have problems matching). I was considering just 180 or 250W version (348dollars delivered to UK) and presume I could find or assemble an appropriate battery pack over here. Could someone experienced confirm whether I'm thinking along the right lines - I do a fair amount of cycling but just want to get places a tad quicker and ease off pedalling at end of ride so I don't arrive sweaty. Phil

 

[flecc]

Not good news in my opinion Phil.

The 180 and 250 watt versions are rather weak, and the 360 is a practical minimum for good assistance. However, they have a bad name in the USA for both reliability problems and particularly corrosion and waterproofing problems. One US dealer has openly published that he will no longer deal with them due to the technical problems.

I personally don't like the small nylon idler that guides the chain, since it runs the chain at a sharp radius and being so small, spins far too fast for nylon in this sort of application. It will certainly need lots of lubrication attention.

One member did go ahead and buy a kit, but it arrived with completely inadequate instructions, wrongly colour coded wires, and wires and connections not referred to anywhere. The last we heard was that he was having trouble getting any sort of an answer from Cyclone.

They did not accept credit cards when I checked, PayPal only, so there's no credit card protection to cover you against an unsatisfactory transaction. That always makes me suspicious, reliable traders have nothing to fear from credit card trading. Add to that the fact that the UK webpage has no way of completing a purchase, meaning the UK consumer protection laws are circumvented if buying direct from them.
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[phil]

maybe I need a Torq...

Many thanks Flecc for your incredibly prompt reply and appologies for my delay in thanking. You've done a pretty good job in putting me off Cyclone!!! ...however I'm surprised the smaller motors are so weedy, as you'd have thought utilising the bike's own adjustable gearing would help you get a lot more out of a motor (especially for someone like me who's a reasonably strong cyclist already)?? So now I have to consider where I go from here. Are there any add on motors that you would recommend (as I have a few semi-retired bikes I could convert) or should I be going for everyones favourite the Ezee Torq (maybe derestricted and with some clipless pedals to help me help it up hills)? I may well post a wanted ad for one of these (near Congleton, Cheshire / Staffs border). Phil.

 

[prState]

The thing that bugs me about the cyclone, is that I believe that there is definitely a strong market for such a set-up were there to be a reliable set up like this out there..

Because basically, it get's by the speed limiters, plus you can add it to practically anything you can afford.

There may be a few who wouldn't buy it, for fear of going too fast. (but I doubt there are many)

 

[flecc]

Are there any add on motors that you would recommend (as I have a few semi-retired bikes I could convert) or should I be going for everyones favourite the Ezee Torq (maybe derestricted and with some clipless pedals to help me help it up hills)? I may well post a wanted ad for one of these (near Congleton, Cheshire / Staffs border). Phil.

The safest bets in kits Phil are hub motors of course, but not driving through the gears means only a high powered motor if you have steep hills to contend with and you want some speed as well.

Team Hybrid do the Crystalite and Puma high powered hub motors, slightly illegal, the latter with an insane performance.

For legal speeds and quite good hill climbing, the Heinzmann motors are good, very good quality but old technology. Team Hybrid can supply those as well.

I always prefer complete e-bikes, and with the Torq, you should consider the fact that the new Torq Trekking model has had it's motor's hill climbing boosted a bit. With hill climbing on the previous model, it depends n the hill steepness and rider fitness. With hills up to 12% and a fit rider there's no problem, and that's true of hills up to 18% with a very fit rider, especially of the rider gears are lowered from standard a bit. But if the rider is very unfit, even 10% can be a pain, as the Torq can only make 6% unaided.
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[flecc]

The thing that bugs me about the cyclone, is that I believe that there is definitely a strong market for such a set-up were there to be a reliable set up like this out there..

Because basically, it get's by the speed limiters, plus you can add it to practically anything you can afford.

There may be a few who wouldn't buy it, for fear of going too fast. (but I doubt there are many)

I fully agree, the potential is huge, but the technical problems are really physically insurmountable.

The minimal space between bottom bracket and wheel imposes severe restrictions, made worse by the width problems. These mean the best motor types and designs are ruled out at the start. As it is, the Cyclone kits include a lengthened pedal shaft, meaning the legs are splayed wider while pedalling, not good physiologically.

Then there's the nylon idler for the chain after the motor sprocket. This has to be far too small and both it and the motor sprocket too close to the chainwheel, the reason being derailleur requirements. The motor sprocket and idler shorten the chain run, so the angle the chain has to run out of line to span a full range of derailleur sprockets becomes more extreme. With small wheel folders this verges on critical, adding to the already difficult situation of getting a good enough gear range on a small wheel bike.

Not a design problem to take to bed if sleep is desirable!
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[allotmenteer]

As it is, the Cyclone kits include a lengthened pedal shaft, meaning the legs are splayed wider while pedalling, not good physiologically.
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I see people riding like this all the time on cheap full-sus halfords bikes. They look so funny
I usually hear them before I see them due to the clicks, squeaks and clanks coming from the poor quality parts they are built from.
They must be expending so much energy to do all of 8 mph on the flat, no wonder most people don't cycle.