CYC PHOTON

[raylo32]

So, does Photon do a power-up calibration like the OSF TSDZ2? If so you might be onto something for the poster with a problem. If you have weight on the pedal that is the new zero torque and he would need to exceed it to get any motor boost.

Did you by accident start system while standing on pedals?

 

[hardpebbles]

Did you by accident start system while standing on pedals?

I may have once, but after many restarts it was still not working. It has started working again now but I expect the issue to return, as it did before.

If you have any insight in to a startup calibration that would be great - eg. if it’s only at certain intervals it does the calibration that might explain it not working for 12 hours.

 

[Atak_Snajpera]

All I can say that my cyc stealth with Asi controller did calibrate torque sensor on every power on cycle. Once I started my motor while pedaling and torque sensor wasn't working correctly after that. Problem was solved after another power on cycle without standing on pedals.

Maybe new controller in photon does calibration only if current temperature is noticeable different than during last check.

 

[hardpebbles]

All I can say that my cyc stealth with Asi controller did calibrate torque sensor on every power on cycle. Once I started my motor while pedaling and torque sensor wasn't working correctly after that. Problem was solved after another power on cycle without standing on pedals.

Maybe new controller in photon does calibration only if current temperature is noticeable different than during last check.

That’s an interesting suggestion as it started working again after leaving it in direct sunlight for a few hours… is there a reason why it would be temperature based? Is the torque calibration affected by temperature?

 

[Atak_Snajpera]

Most likely

 

[sysrq]

Ordered the CYC Photon on 9th of May. After 6 weeks recieved clearance sale email asking me to think about buying my next motor from them. Is that a sign of 5 week handling time ending?

 

[sysrq]

That’s an interesting suggestion as it started working again after leaving it in direct sunlight for a few hours… is there a reason why it would be temperature based? Is the torque calibration affected by temperature?

Might not be the right answer in this context but I think it's just because every passive and active electronic components is always affected by temperature. That's one of the reasons why they use Phase Locked Loop circuit in oscillators for radio transmitters for example.

 

[hardpebbles]

The Photon started working, and then died again after a minute. Very strange. The app registers cadence input, but not human watts. Speaking with CYC, initially their support suggests it's a faulty torque sensor. This has occurred since the first time it was switched on.

Aside from that, when it works, it's great – almost totally silent, excellent power, smooth torque assist. Nicer to use than the Bosch Performance CX on my other bike.

 

[Ianane]

A general question to the CYC Photon community.
My scenerio -
I have a couple of TSDZ2s with various issues and two other motors I bought for AU$100, one with a busted sprag clutch and the other with a mashed main gear. So in theory I have at least one good TSDZ2 motor after Xn hours of fiddling.
I can do a bit of fiddling but with two young kids and working fulltime I'm a bit on the time poor side so often start a project and then not get back to it for weeks and lose track of time.
The Question.
For those with the CYC Photon, who have moved over from TSDZ2 - OSF flashed motors, would you persevere with the TSDZ2 and use up the parts and your time or count your losses and go straight to the CYC Photon?

 

[hindesite]

Aside from that, when it works, it's great – almost totally silent, excellent power, smooth torque assist. Nicer to use than the Bosch Performance CX on my other bibike.

I agree, having ridden a Trek Powerfly with Bosch CX. That seemed sluggish and slow to respond, more like a slow cadence system. And the bike felt like a tank compared to mine, even though the Trek is only a few kgs heavier and has a steeper head angle. Having the throttle gives a kind of turbo setting to add to any of the 3 assist levels. Very happy with my Photon.

 

[pxl666]

A general question to the CYC Photon community.
My scenerio -
I have a couple of TSDZ2s with various issues and two other motors I bought for AU$100, one with a busted sprag clutch and the other with a mashed main gear. So in theory I have at least one good TSDZ2 motor after Xn hours of fiddling.
I can do a bit of fiddling but with two young kids and working fulltime I'm a bit on the time poor side so often start a project and then not get back to it for weeks and lose track of time.
The Question.
For those with the CYC Photon, who have moved over from TSDZ2 - OSF flashed motors, would you persevere with the TSDZ2 and use up the parts and your time or count your losses and go straight to the CYC Photon?

it only depends on your pocket depth ...

 

[raylo32]

Get a Photon or another TSDZ2 to use now, then fiddle with the broken ones at your leisure and repurpose the good one that comes from that to your wife or kids.

A general question to the CYC Photon community.
My scenerio -
I have a couple of TSDZ2s with various issues and two other motors I bought for AU$100, one with a busted sprag clutch and the other with a mashed main gear. So in theory I have at least one good TSDZ2 motor after Xn hours of fiddling.
I can do a bit of fiddling but with two young kids and working fulltime I'm a bit on the time poor side so often start a project and then not get back to it for weeks and lose track of time.
The Question.
For those with the CYC Photon, who have moved over from TSDZ2 - OSF flashed motors, would you persevere with the TSDZ2 and use up the parts and your time or count your losses and go straight to the CYC Photon?

 

[raylo32]

Not here, or at least for me. I ordered a Photon May 3 from a US vendor and still have not received it. I did get an update last week that it should be coming soon but it wasn't very specific so I am still skeptical. I suspect they are just trying to keep folks from canceling their orders and keep us on the hook for a little longer. But my patience is almost up.

Ordered the CYC Photon on 9th of May. After 6 weeks recieved clearance sale email asking me to think about buying my next motor from them. Is that a sign of 5 week handling time ending?

 

[Atak_Snajpera]

Not here, or at least for me. I ordered a Photon May 3 from a US vendor and still have not received it. I did get an update last week that it should be coming soon but it wasn't very specific so I am still skeptical. I suspect they are just trying to keep folks from canceling their orders and keep us on the hook for a little longer. But my patience is almost up.

Yeah. I know that feeling. For example I ordered CYC X6 controller for my STEALTH GEN1 in 2023-03-01 and I got it just few days ago.
Probably you will get your unit in August. It is funny that new motor DM01 from ToSeven is available without any issues while CYC still is in the woods with production.

 

[raylo32]

In the USA? Or just EU?

It is funny that new motor DM01 from ToSeven is available without any issues ...

 

[Atak_Snajpera]

Here TOSEVEN Mid Drive Motor Kit

In case if you are interested

 

[Mongo]

A general question to the CYC Photon community.
My scenerio -
I have a couple of TSDZ2s with various issues and two other motors I bought for AU$100, one with a busted sprag clutch and the other with a mashed main gear. So in theory I have at least one good TSDZ2 motor after Xn hours of fiddling.
I can do a bit of fiddling but with two young kids and working fulltime I'm a bit on the time poor side so often start a project and then not get back to it for weeks and lose track of time.
The Question.
For those with the CYC Photon, who have moved over from TSDZ2 - OSF flashed motors, would you persevere with the TSDZ2 and use up the parts and your time or count your losses and go straight to the CYC Photon?

I've not owned or ridden a Tongsheng TSDZ2 of any variant, but as a one-installed, one-on-the-way CYC Photon motor owner my thoughts are there are not enough installs and highish mileage builds out there to gauge the longevity of the Photon. Currently, It's a bit of a gamble, pricey, hard to get, and there are no internal replacement components available for sale at this time, AFAIK.

I very much like the one I currently have, but one out of one isn't enough to judge by. There's only a handful of owners posting in this thread and ~2 out of ~5 with issues?

You didn't write, "torque sensing required". So, with their pricing fairly stable (if not dropping), how about considering the workhorse Bafang BBS02? Upload the BBS-FS firmware to it and you'll have more useful power, temperature monitoring, and other added features - but sorry, no torque sensing.

 

[Mongo]

Not here, or at least for me. I ordered a Photon May 3 from a US vendor and still have not received it. I did get an update last week that it should be coming soon but it wasn't very specific so I am still skeptical. I suspect they are just trying to keep folks from canceling their orders and keep us on the hook for a little longer. But my patience is almost up.

My second motor order date is about a week after yours - the first was a preorder, and then a two-month wait.

 

[Ianane]

I've not owned or ridden a Tongsheng TSDZ2 of any variant, but as a one-installed, one-on-the-way CYC Photon motor owner my thoughts are there are not enough installs and highish mileage builds out there to gauge the longevity of the Photon. Currently, It's a bit of a gamble, pricey, hard to get, and there are no internal replacement components available for sale at this time, AFAIK.

I very much like the one I currently have, but one out of one isn't enough to judge by. There's only a handful of owners posting in this thread and ~2 out of ~5 with issues?

You didn't write, "torque sensing required". So, with their pricing fairly stable (if not dropping), how about considering the workhorse Bafang BBS02? Upload the BBS-FS firmware to it and you'll have more useful power, temperature monitoring, and other added features - but sorry, no torque sensing.

All good points... I have a hub drive, bafang-ish, and it gets me from A to B reliably but yes, I want the torque sensor, I love the waay the TSDZ2 feels

it only depends on your pocket depth ...

While pocket depth is an issue, time is a greater one, especially as I need to teach myself as I go, so the question is more what would you do after having a photon but were transported into my situation?

 

[Ianane]

I've not owned or ridden a Tongsheng TSDZ2 of any variant, but as a one-installed, one-on-the-way CYC Photon motor owner my thoughts are there are not enough installs and highish mileage builds out there to gauge the longevity of the Photon. Currently, It's a bit of a gamble, pricey, hard to get, and there are no internal replacement components available for sale at this time, AFAIK.

I very much like the one I currently have, but one out of one isn't enough to judge by. There's only a handful of owners posting in this thread and ~2 out of ~5 with issues?

You didn't write, "torque sensing required". So, with their pricing fairly stable (if not dropping), how about considering the workhorse Bafang BBS02? Upload the BBS-FS firmware to it and you'll have more useful power, temperature monitoring, and other added features - but sorry, no torque sensing.

All good points. I have a hub drive that works and is reliable but I love the torque sensing of the TSDZ2 and the ride feel and the easy switching between street and off-road mode with the OSF. As I have a reliable motor for my commuting I'll watch this thread and also the ToSeven reviews.

 

[pxl666]

All good points... I have a hub drive, bafang-ish, and it gets me from A to B reliably but yes, I want the torque sensor, I love the waay the TSDZ2 feels

While pocket depth is an issue, time is a greater one, especially as I need to teach myself as I go, so the question is more what would you do after having a photon but were transported into my situation?

i started this thread being photon fan , but after they released it's price i gave it up . for this kind of money it has to be made of adamantium and has have endless beer tap... sorry
and still, this thing has issues like going dead after power plugging ... wtf ??

 

[hindesite]

i started this thread being photon fan , but after they released it's price i gave it up . for this kind of money it has to be made of adamantium and has have endless beer tap... sorry
and still, this thing has issues like going dead after power plugging ... wtf ??

You missed the 3rd thing. Sure, it would be nice if it was made of adamantium and have an endless beer tap, but I'm happy that this fits my frame (148 Boost, 1x), and AFAIK is the only chainless option* that does this. At any price.

Sure technically a gBoost or similar tire driven system might fit but let's be serious here.

I'm really impressed and happy with my Photon, thanks for starting the thread

 

[raylo32]

Not sure what you are seeing at PSW Power but none of the options of "ship from" work for me with the 1000W version. The only combination I can create that seems to populate something that can be added to a cart is a 750W from Germany. What a messed up ordering web page.

Here TOSEVEN Mid Drive Motor Kit

 

[Mongo]

i started this thread being photon fan , but after they released it's price i gave it up . for this kind of money it has to be made of adamantium and has have endless beer tap... sorry
and still, this thing has issues like going dead after power plugging ... wtf ??

Apologies if I've misinterpreted, but I thought you had decided to go with/to the frame-integrated Bafang motor version(s)?

On the Photon "going dead after power plugging", is that issues or issue - as in how many examples? Longevity over time and a feel for N out of N failure types, we don't yet have for the Photon. We've got pretty good (though I suspect exaggerated) indicators for the Tongsheng and Bafang BBS failure types - and despite them, plenty of perfectly happy owners too, for both brands.

My money is "in" on the Photon: as a supported, quality, and refined torque sensing motor - based on hope and hunch. And I'm in on the Bafang BBS motors for other needs. I'm probably never going to be "in" on any of the frame-integrated motors and batteries.

On the TOSEVEN, I'm passing for now - too many doubts and concerns, currently.

P.S. Thanks for starting the Photon thread.

 

[Atak_Snajpera]

If CYC only unlocked their VESC controller for VESC TOOL... Let's by honest oficial CYC RIDE CONTROL app sucks.
Mine does not even calculate HUMAN POWER.

Not to mention about not working ODO,Time and unreastically low Wh/km
Also Motor Temp is synchronized with Controller Temp for some reason