CYC PHOTON
- Thread starter pxl666
- Start date
Gruesome
1 kW
Even the Fazuas? You'd think the motor axle pointing downwards would prevent rainwater intrusion. But then, having the removable battery right in the spray zone behind the front wheel might be not so smart. You'd definitely want mud/rain guards.
On the other hand, the developers are in Bavaria, where it probably rains as much as in Switzerland. Just the mountains are lower.
But are those bikes allowed on dedicated bike infrastructure and shared paths, or do they have to use the road?
lisalis
1 mW
I think it's a bias. There ebike are used in city center most of the time and it's pretty crowded also it seems that way more people ride ebikes in switzerland compared to the US but i may be wrong. In % it would totally make sense we have way more interactions. Like when i go out with my bike in the city i see tons of ebike everywhere. Also because it's so small and the gov subsidize it's pretty common to have ebikes.
No an electric motorcycle isnt a same as an ebike. They often cost way more, have shitty range and cannot be used as a bike if needed.
I've been to the US many times and i have friend in multiple states and it's pretty hard to compare legislation in different country with different infrastructure and way of life.
I would be scared to death to ride a bike in many US cities my friend lives in because people don't seem to know how to behave near bikes.
Yeah idk on the fb groups and emtb forums plenty of people have v3 motor failing.
And it's kinda obvious that car have less fatality they are easier to manipulate so to stop, heavier, more shielded and people need a license to drive one.
I think we should get a license for ebike TBH you would be surprised how bad ppl drive their ebike. No sense of space or speed or legislation it's kinda crazy. This topped with cars going at work or back and both party tired is a disaster. Someone i know worked in the ER in one of the biggest hospital 2 years ago and told me there was tons of ebiker all the time from incident with cars.
No an electric motorcycle isnt a same as an ebike. They often cost way more, have shitty range and cannot be used as a bike if needed.
I've been to the US many times and i have friend in multiple states and it's pretty hard to compare legislation in different country with different infrastructure and way of life.
I would be scared to death to ride a bike in many US cities my friend lives in because people don't seem to know how to behave near bikes.
Yeah idk on the fb groups and emtb forums plenty of people have v3 motor failing.
And it's kinda obvious that car have less fatality they are easier to manipulate so to stop, heavier, more shielded and people need a license to drive one.
I think we should get a license for ebike TBH you would be surprised how bad ppl drive their ebike. No sense of space or speed or legislation it's kinda crazy. This topped with cars going at work or back and both party tired is a disaster. Someone i know worked in the ER in one of the biggest hospital 2 years ago and told me there was tons of ebiker all the time from incident with cars.
nervagon
10 kW
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2020
- Messages
- 576
You are being way too gracious. Americans are insane, hateful and violent. As an American, it's OK to say it, because it is the truth. Every damn thing is political here, and ebikes and regular bikes have somehow been added to the "woke mind virus" extermination list (along with all EVs, and renewable energy). So motorists don't see a cyclist or commuter, they see a communist groomer that wants to take away their lifestyle.
I wish I was being hyperbolic. 2 more decades. I give this country 2 more decades until complete collapse, and that's me being gracious.
Edit: This post upset people, but will remain here as an example of what not to post on this forum. This is nervagon's epitaph. I've decided to go on permanent vacation from ES.
Last edited:
lisalis
1 mW
Gruesome
1 kW
I think we are drifting a bit here.
Gruesome
1 kW
Don't be condescending.
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,296
The thread is a discussion regarding a specific Ebike motor, related motors, their pros and cons, performance, ect. A little bit of drift is fine, but let's keep it on topic. Users are welcome to start new threads or move to PM for off-topic discussions.
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,296
Anybody is welcome to open a new thread, we do have an off-topic section.
I suppose I should one day do a "how it started/how it is going" post. This is a bike I bought for not very much back in the good old days immediately before Covid; since then the frame and groupset were changed under warranty by the manufacturer, and I've changed the seatpost, brakes, fitted oversize rotors,, repaired the rear hub and replaced those bearings, stem, handlebars, grips, seat, forks, short cranks, pedals, added mudguards and converted to tubeless with new tires. And of course a Photon. Other than that it is the same bike, and I love it...
And, oh yes - that is Pencarrow Light - NZ's oldest permanent lighthouse the bike is leaning against.
Pencarrow Lighthouse
An isolated landmark, light from the 1859 lighthouse on Wellington Harbour's Pencarrow Head can be seen as far as Marlborough’s Cloudy Bay.
visitheritage.co.nz
Last edited:
Ecyclist
1 kW
Do you live with your parents and every day they tell you to get a job? Just wonder.
Ecyclist
1 kW
My parents are dead, but tell me, did they tell you do get a job?
Gruesome
1 kW
Ok, now that's an overreaction. By the way, no pepper from me. But stating all Americans are idiots, or something like that, just does not belong here. Ditto for ad hominem attacks. My vote is still for a bunch of posts being summarily deleted, or moved over to the basement, or whatever the reject/relegation thread is called here. No loss for this thread, and no loss for posterity either. I know it's extra work for the mods, but so is watching this thread.I have opinions. These ooze out through my disintegrating gaskets from time to time. Clearly feathers have been ruffled. But I am not a basement dwelling troglodyte here to troll. So rather than devolving into nonsensical jabs, simply reply to this post with aif you find me to be too spicy for ES. I'll bail on ES if I collect just 5. It seems I can already count on at least 2. Please don't further derail this this thread by coming at me with silliness. Just vote with your pepper without adding any more bloat to this discussion on the CYC Photon. @Ecyclist and anyone else is free to direct any complaints at me via DM. But lets not continue polluting this thread. It's my responsibility to put this back on course.
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,296
Alrighty, locking this thread for a few days, way too much off-topic.
gotboostedvr6
1 mW
Is this thread still locked?
Is there a new functional CYC thread?
Is there a new functional CYC thread?
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,296
Thread isn't locked, you're welcome to continue to use it
Recent back country ride with Photon
Time to re-animate this thread for another year I think. After all, it supposed to be summer down here now.
This is a seriously capable setup. I've recently upgraded the chain, pedals, brakes, tires and forks. If I were to do the brakes again I would not fit Shimano but the much nicer and insanely low priced Onirii IIIPro IV4R 4 piston brakes - I have these on my carbon Stumpy (but that is a whole other story). The original stock wheels are Sunringle and apart from rear hub issues seem really strong and able to deal with ebike demands - unlike other OTS bikes like for example the Trek Powerfly HT which breaks spokes. The frame is one of the higher end Silverback frames, roughly equivalent to something like the Nukeproof Scout I think.
In December as part of a longer South Island trip I was able to do a quick spontaneous trip over Mt Kyeburn. The area can be geolocated easily - the day previously when approaching the area from Dunedin via the back way (Ramrock Rd and Butter and Egg Rd - this area is very rural) there was a spectacular view of the Taieri Pet, a static cloud that has been photographed from space. Google it for the location
Stayed overnight at a crib (sorry US readers, this has a totally different meaning in NZ). This area has a big history from the gold mining days, yet is almost deserted now. Forestry, irrigation and farming are really starting to change the area now though, which is quite disturbing to see.
Had breakfast then headed off early. The track up Mt Kyeburn from Timber Creek is a very bad 4WD track, with deep ruts, huge drop offs and slabs and loose chunks of schist. It is a quite difficult ride - definitely "technical" generally and "rock garden" in places. Add to that the sheer elevation gain in a few kilometers, and I've previously described it as brutal. Especially as I only have a 520Wh (rated, not actual) battery so really had to conserve power the entire ride; this was extremely physically demanding, even on an ebike. My front forks didn't particularly enjoy this either, the right seal blew and started leaking oil after this ride. Cadence sensor fell off after 5km. Oops.
The track bypasses about 100m below the summit of Mt Kyeburn by a saddle then descends from there. The descent is almost as challenging as the climb, this is generally an extremely rough track. This is not ride you'd want to do in adverse weather, you'd be battling mountain exposure as well as slippery wet track. It might be nice in winter in heavy snow on a fat e-bike though, but you'd really have to know what you were doing and there are no track markers.
However - the views are definitely worth it; absolutely spectacular.
(The following photo was even published on NZ TV weather )
My Photon has only done a little under 2000km, and it is still far exceeding my expectations. It allows me to go places I'd never go without assistance, yet still requires physical input, so you know you've been somewhere (and at my age this is becoming increasingly important). This was a very long and steep (although low power) climb for the motor, and at no time did I see any temps above 60°C. For much of this ride, more power would have been useless, the main challenge was picking around the largest rocks and ruts and trying to maintain traction elsewhere. So while there might be times when complaining about the Photon throttling due to high temps might be justified, they just never happen to me with the type of riding I do (or, I suspect the majority of less vocal riders).
I have the Photon set up for relatively low assist, but with the throttle able to add more instantaneously. This worked really well for this ride. The last half of the ride was on relatively flat gravel (with wind) so the low pedal assist was necessary to eke out the last of the battery to get home. Riding Photon with no power is not fun.
Strava shows this ride as being the 8th fastest for this segment; but shows only 14 trips over the past 8 or so years. Highly recommended, would do this again (but with a bigger battery).
The bike is also well suited to easier and faster rides - and there is no shortage of them around Wanaka
Yeah, its 2025 and I'm still a very happy Photon customer. Ticks all the boxes and I'd really struggle to justify the cost and restrictions of any comparable OTS ebike (not that there are many comparable e-hardtails in any case).
Anyway - best wishes for 2025 everybody.
Time to re-animate this thread for another year I think. After all, it supposed to be summer down here now.
This is a seriously capable setup. I've recently upgraded the chain, pedals, brakes, tires and forks. If I were to do the brakes again I would not fit Shimano but the much nicer and insanely low priced Onirii IIIPro IV4R 4 piston brakes - I have these on my carbon Stumpy (but that is a whole other story). The original stock wheels are Sunringle and apart from rear hub issues seem really strong and able to deal with ebike demands - unlike other OTS bikes like for example the Trek Powerfly HT which breaks spokes. The frame is one of the higher end Silverback frames, roughly equivalent to something like the Nukeproof Scout I think.
In December as part of a longer South Island trip I was able to do a quick spontaneous trip over Mt Kyeburn. The area can be geolocated easily - the day previously when approaching the area from Dunedin via the back way (Ramrock Rd and Butter and Egg Rd - this area is very rural) there was a spectacular view of the Taieri Pet, a static cloud that has been photographed from space. Google it for the location
Stayed overnight at a crib (sorry US readers, this has a totally different meaning in NZ). This area has a big history from the gold mining days, yet is almost deserted now. Forestry, irrigation and farming are really starting to change the area now though, which is quite disturbing to see.
Had breakfast then headed off early. The track up Mt Kyeburn from Timber Creek is a very bad 4WD track, with deep ruts, huge drop offs and slabs and loose chunks of schist. It is a quite difficult ride - definitely "technical" generally and "rock garden" in places. Add to that the sheer elevation gain in a few kilometers, and I've previously described it as brutal. Especially as I only have a 520Wh (rated, not actual) battery so really had to conserve power the entire ride; this was extremely physically demanding, even on an ebike. My front forks didn't particularly enjoy this either, the right seal blew and started leaking oil after this ride. Cadence sensor fell off after 5km. Oops.
The track bypasses about 100m below the summit of Mt Kyeburn by a saddle then descends from there. The descent is almost as challenging as the climb, this is generally an extremely rough track. This is not ride you'd want to do in adverse weather, you'd be battling mountain exposure as well as slippery wet track. It might be nice in winter in heavy snow on a fat e-bike though, but you'd really have to know what you were doing and there are no track markers.
However - the views are definitely worth it; absolutely spectacular.
(The following photo was even published on NZ TV weather
)My Photon has only done a little under 2000km, and it is still far exceeding my expectations. It allows me to go places I'd never go without assistance, yet still requires physical input, so you know you've been somewhere (and at my age this is becoming increasingly important). This was a very long and steep (although low power) climb for the motor, and at no time did I see any temps above 60°C. For much of this ride, more power would have been useless, the main challenge was picking around the largest rocks and ruts and trying to maintain traction elsewhere. So while there might be times when complaining about the Photon throttling due to high temps might be justified, they just never happen to me with the type of riding I do (or, I suspect the majority of less vocal riders).
I have the Photon set up for relatively low assist, but with the throttle able to add more instantaneously. This worked really well for this ride. The last half of the ride was on relatively flat gravel (with wind) so the low pedal assist was necessary to eke out the last of the battery to get home. Riding Photon with no power is not fun.
Strava shows this ride as being the 8th fastest for this segment; but shows only 14 trips over the past 8 or so years. Highly recommended, would do this again (but with a bigger battery).
The bike is also well suited to easier and faster rides - and there is no shortage of them around Wanaka
Yeah, its 2025 and I'm still a very happy Photon customer. Ticks all the boxes and I'd really struggle to justify the cost and restrictions of any comparable OTS ebike (not that there are many comparable e-hardtails in any case).
Anyway - best wishes for 2025 everybody.
