Cytronex system

[veloman]

http://www.cytronex.com/power-assistance.html

What motor is that, and where can I get it? I'd also like to use the same setup with the on/off switch instead of a throttle, since it's only a 180w motor. Is a controller necessary for such a small motor?

 

[jdcburg]

On my first ebuild I used a momentary switch (like a doorbell) from Radio Shack and a 24VDC relay with a 350W motor. I think I got the relay at Electricscooterparts.com. Under $15 for the whole shootin' match. I wouldn't recommend a switch without the relay. It worked fine but you have to be careful not to hit the switch by mistake. I did once at a stop and it snapped the chain -jd

 

[amberwolf]

it looks like a Cute hubmotor, but I dont' know which one. Cell_man carries a few of those; he could probably tell if that's what it is.

But I think they are all brushless motors, and so you would still have to have a cotnroller to commutate even if it doesn't do speed control. So you'd need a controller, but could use a button instead of a throttle, wired up so it either provides no voltage to the throttle line, or full-scale input.

It could be a brushed motor, in which case you could use just a switch to provide power; it just has to be a high-current DC-rated switch, or better yet a sealed contactor like the Kilovac, controlled by a switch.

 

[cell_man]

The Cytronex uses a Tongxin motor. About the same size and weight as the 108 Cute motor. The Tongxin is quite hard to buy and has a reputation for being a bit delicate. You'd need a controller as Amberwolf said.

 

[georgefromvt]

Nice looking bikes but I bet the buyers will quickly tire of the underpowered system? Yes their power is "'invisible assistance" but would rather have adequate power when biking up a hill. They also don't come with a throttle because"throttles are not convenient to use whilst riding a bike. A twist grip throttle needs to be held in position so signaling to turn right or move out is impossible under power." For me having a throttle rather than an off/on switch is much more convenient and gives better control. As I said, nice looking bike but too underpower for me and please,I like the control a throttle gives.

http://www.cytronex.com/power-assistance.html

 

[OneWayTraffic]

It's not aimed at the American market. If you were a Brit with the power limitations and speed limitations that they have, then it would seem a fair bit more inviting. The bike itself is supposed to be like a roadbike with a little extra. I'd love one to supplement a stable of bikes.

 

[veloman]

One needs to understand that it is only an ASSIST. 180watts of assist that only weighs 10lbs extra would be a huge help for any cyclist up hills. For instance when I'm climbing a hill on my road racing bike at 400 watts, if I could go the same speed with only 250watts of input, that would save me a ton of energy and keep my legs fresh since my lactate threshold is around 330watts. It'd keep me aerobic.

I think it's a great system from what I saw, I just wish there was a more affordable way of replicating it. It seems really hard to find a hub motor that has zero motor drag when off.

The typical 1000+watt, 20+lb systems most people are running on this site - it's not really biking, more like riding a scooter with pedals.

 

[sk8norcal]

[youtube]cHU7qBZSsfk[/youtube]

 

[Whiplash]

Ha! Let me at em! I could do 20 up that climb! Lol!

 

[jag]

http://www.cytronex.com/power-assistance.html

What motor is that, and where can I get it? I'd also like to use the same setup with the on/off switch instead of a throttle, since it's only a 180w motor. Is a controller necessary for such a small motor?

Complete e-assistance system on top quality bikes with a total weight of about 12kg! As ready-to-ride fully built system from a company I think it is a first.

Contrast these Cannondale based eBikes to the most common store offerings (in Canada anyway): scooter style ebikes that are so heavy that the average person cannot lift them, and they still don't have much performance.

My daily ride is a Spezialized stumpjumper with a 9C@72V and 8Ah. It weights 32kg total. While it is quick and easy for around town errands and shopping, and I can lift it up the occasional stairs, I don't like the extra weight of the ebike parts. The nice handling of the specialized CrMo frame went away when the ebike components were added. When I ride for fun I take my Bridgestone RB1 instead. No e-assistance, but nearly as fast anyway.

For the past few months I've been experimenting with lightweight builds on Cannondale frames also. (see my other posts). So far my goal has been to reduce weight while keeping power (my lightest project uses an Astro motor at 1.5kg, 3.3kg of A123 2650 cells and a 400g belt drive. Had first planned to use an CC HV110 or 160 RC controller, but for smoothness and reliability it looks like I have to sensor the motor and find a lightweight but high amp bike controller. The other test build has a geared BMC hub motor and is a bit heavier, but the BMC + cell_man A123 pouch batts is still almost half the weight of the 9C + NiCd batts for the same range and power.

Like veloman suggests, going down in power to 180W or any other small motor around 200W will reduce motor and battery weight dramatically, yet if done properly still provide e-assistance when most needed. When I get the current projects finalized I'll probably try a cute or if I'm ambitious at building a kepler style friction RC drive.

 

[veloman]

Oh paper, running the calculations of added weight - it doesn't look like much more power is needed. But when you throw 23lbs on a 19lb road bike (like my TT ebike below), it becomes a tank and loses much of what made it so great in the first place.

It feels like weight has double the effect as it does on paper - for additional power requirements when accelerating and climbing.

Getting a ebike system down to as little as possible is very valuable. 5lbs extra on the bike is something you feel, but 5lbs extra fat on you - you won't notice a difference.

As Ronnie Coleman would say, LIGHTWEIGHT! :lol: