Astro vs LightningRods mid drive kits, opinions?

[Ham]

Apologies if this has been asked before but I can't seem to find it anywhere (mods please feel free to put this somewhere else if this is the wrong place):

I've recently been reading everything I can find about the LR kit and in my search had been directed to look at an astro powered kit but what I am struggling to find is someone who has ridden with both for a fair comparison...anyone here?

I love the mad max look of the LR and the love that has gone in to it but also love the compact nature of the Astro kit and from what I can tell the Astro kit draws pretty low watts allowing for a longer range per battery. I may be off on that as my battery knowledge is in it's foetal stages!

I'd love to see or here a comparison/experiences of the two!

Thanks,

H

 

[Thud]

Lets define your question a little.

since LightningRod's kit is a "kit" & the Astro is just a motor.....we need a better idea of the application.

if your intention is driving the cranks, the a "kit" is the way to go...& options are LR, Tangent, GNG, or the Bafang & like units...

of note are also the Recumpence drives featuring Astro motors...but they are different in driving the rear wheel specifically as opposed to thru the cranks.

efficiency? pick you application & the numbers all start to even out.

 

[Ham]

Thanks Thud,

I was referring to the Tangent kit as the Astro powered kit but didn't think it fair to post another builds name in a LR thread (which this post was originally in).

It'll be 90% offroad with my application and the Tangent kit fits the bill so far...

 

[macribs]

For Astro setup there is also the Davinci drive and the v4 drive from Matt to consider. As many 32xx as you please to fill your power needs.

Matt has done some crazy fasts bike and trikes. The Motoped and the insane lightweight and fast custom mid drive
3 x 3220 astro's and davinci drive.

 

[Ham]

Davinci drives looks as cool as LR

I'll pop them over an email, thanks.

Tangent is still top of my list right now though...just ironing out a few left over questions in my mind

 

[DanGT86]

Davinci drive is generally used as a single speed directly to the wheel. Not to say it cant be setup as a crank drive but I believe that would be entirely custom. The tangent and lightning rods drives are mid drive through the normal rear gear set providing multi speeds. Both look like nice kits and I don't think you would be disappointed with either one.

Without using either one here is what the breakdown looks like to me.
Tangent Pros
light weight
very compact
sealed reduction no exposed belts or chains
Motor and controller are both high end premium proven parts

Lightning Rods pros
substantially cheaper
motor and controller are both common inexpensive parts compared to the astro motor and castle controller from the tangent
Larger motor from the LR kit is likely more tolerant of improper gear selection due to larger thermal mass

I would ask users about the part throttle modulation of the RC controller using the tangent kit. I had an impression that the RC controllers were peaky and didn't like part throttle. After seeing lots of successful builds from really smart people around here who use big amp Castle ESCs, I have really let go of that notion but I would still want to hear first hand from tangent users before spending that much money. I suspect that with the CA3 throttle output they probably run every bit as smooth at part throttle as a sensored infineon style controller. I started with the bulky "infineon" controllers so I am a little biased towards what I know.

Good luck with the decision. Both look like great products with active support on the forum.

 

[Ham]

Thank you, solid reply.

Dave of Tangent assures me throttle response is smooth but I agree, it would be nice to hear from someone that has been riding one for a while.

I see GNG have seriously updated their kit using some of the LR mods...anyone tried the new 2016 LR equivalent GNG kit?