Polaris OBark

Anyone have any experience with, or opinions regarding, the Cyc Photon?

2old

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.

Djangomatic82

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.

Moe Zhoost

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.

Polaris OBark

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).

Polaris OBark

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.

2old

Neat, clean conversion.

tds101 

This looks like a solid conversion, despite the massive battery in the mid frame bag.

2old

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?

Polaris OBark

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.

2old

Thanks; they probably failed because bicyclists are too traditional.