Cyc Photon mid-drive conversion?
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ignominious poltroon
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Cyc Photon mid-drive conversion?
Anyone have any experience with, or opinions regarding, the Cyc Photon?
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There's a multi-multi page thread at endless sphere (non-hub motors section). My two BBS02's (wife and me) at about half the price have been fantastic, so no interest here.
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#3
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There is a YouTube channel, High Voltage, that has a bunch of videos of installing, discussion about and ride alongs of a CYC Photon build they have done within the last two months. Its pretty interesting and may be useful for you.
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I've heard some promising rumors about these motors, but have not talked to anyone with first hand experience. I'd certainly like to hear some more.
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ignominious poltroon
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I went ahead and got one, and installed it. Installation was uneventful (despite minimal instructions) and I got it wired up and took it for a test spin today. I don't really have anything to compare it to except for my limited experience riding my wife's Cannodale/Bosch ebike. The pedal assist seems very natural.
I'm happy to test things if anyone has a suggestion. I just really don't have a good reference point. My goal was to have something that would assist going up hills mainly, rather than something that would make me ride a lot faster. I did put the throttle on, and that gives it a real kick. I climbed some hills, and the motor stayed cool to the touch.
It isn't silent, but the sound is unobtrusive (unlike a Specialized Creo I test-rode a few weeks ago, which had kind of a high-pitched whine).
I think I did a poor job getting an appropriate battery. It is so big it was a real struggle to fit it into the triangle of the frame, and it is too big to hang below. The battery weighs over 9 lbs. (I got it off the vendor's website, but it isn't the Cyc official battery).
I'm happy to test things if anyone has a suggestion. I just really don't have a good reference point. My goal was to have something that would assist going up hills mainly, rather than something that would make me ride a lot faster. I did put the throttle on, and that gives it a real kick. I climbed some hills, and the motor stayed cool to the touch.
It isn't silent, but the sound is unobtrusive (unlike a Specialized Creo I test-rode a few weeks ago, which had kind of a high-pitched whine).
I think I did a poor job getting an appropriate battery. It is so big it was a real struggle to fit it into the triangle of the frame, and it is too big to hang below. The battery weighs over 9 lbs. (I got it off the vendor's website, but it isn't the Cyc official battery).
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ignominious poltroon
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Here is the build, after a few tweaks.
I've hidden the ghastly battery and wiring in a frame bag. It was so huge it almost did not fit. I may never get it out again.
The cockpit. Redshift kitchen sink bars. TRP hydraulic brakes (with Shimano calipers). SLX 11-speed shifter (11-speed long cage XT derailleur). Controller display is small compared to my Garmin 530.
I've hidden the ghastly battery and wiring in a frame bag. It was so huge it almost did not fit. I may never get it out again.
The cockpit. Redshift kitchen sink bars. TRP hydraulic brakes (with Shimano calipers). SLX 11-speed shifter (11-speed long cage XT derailleur). Controller display is small compared to my Garmin 530.
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This looks like a solid conversion, despite the massive battery in the mid frame bag.
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The frame bags are great for hiding wires (as well as batteries, obviously). I got rid of mine on a hardtail because it prevented mounting the bike on the bike rack (plus I couldn't use a "cross bar" because the bike would be too close to the ground. Again, the cleanest conversion I've seen. What steel frame is that?
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#10
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Sorry, I was away. The frame is a drop-bar-specific mountain frame made by Advocate, called the Seldom Seen (a character from Edward Abbey's The Monkey Wrench Gang). The bag came with it. I got it on clearance for $350 (including the bag). The bag is custom in the sense that it is designed specifically for that frame at that size, and is attached with a series of water bottle-like bolts and braze-ons, so no velcro straps. It made everything much more challenging to mount, so much so I may never get it apart again.
The bike was originally designed for bikepacking, and can take up to 2.8" 27.5 tires. It came with a steel fork, but it also allows use of a suspension fork (which is what it has on it at the moment).
The company was based on an anarchosyndicalist business model, but I guess the profit model wasn't sustainable. It morphed into Esker.
The bike was originally designed for bikepacking, and can take up to 2.8" 27.5 tires. It came with a steel fork, but it also allows use of a suspension fork (which is what it has on it at the moment).
The company was based on an anarchosyndicalist business model, but I guess the profit model wasn't sustainable. It morphed into Esker.
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