2023 CYC Photon Mid-drive

[PedalUma]

This new motor looks great. It is coming out mid-January of 2023. It is pricy for now but is is so sweet. Someone will jump to the head of the learning curve on this topic and be an early adaptor.

Photon | cycmotor

The Photon is designed with subtlety to ensure low noise and smooth performance in a compact body. Refined for adventure, you can experience torque sensing like never before.

www.cycmotor.com

 

[Kayakguy]

This new motor looks great. It is coming out mid-January of 2023. It is pricy for now but is is so sweet. Someone will jump to the head of the learning curve on this topic and be an early adaptor.

Photon | cycmotor

The Photon is designed with subtlety to ensure low noise and smooth performance in a compact body. Refined for adventure, you can experience torque sensing like never before.

www.cycmotor.com

Sounds great, until you realize that every descriptor is no more than a glittering generality. "Designed with subtlety"? WTF does that mean?

 

[fooferdoggie]

only three chainring sizes it seems?

 

[PedalUma]

It requires pairing with a cell phone and costs $900. If someone brought me one, I would install it. But I personally would put my money elsewhere.

 

[m@Robertson]

Its a well known company in the DIY community. Its also building on what they learned from their previous two motors. As to the cell phone pairing, wasn't that the X1 Pro when you used the Eggrider program? If its the VESC-based controller they have now, that pairing is only a good thing as they allow considerable customization. Not like the Eggrider that phones home and has never risen past the stage of 'buggy'. From what I understand, the Photon has a default 1200w peak mode for the USA and you can leave it at that and stay away from the app.

If I had a use for one, I wouldn't hesitate. I have an X1 Pro and it is a little beast. But its not for the general public who just wants an 'on' switch. I suspect this one - and its more powerful follow-on ( ) are both in that category.

 

[Cuz Vinny]

No more CYC motors for me. Had version 1 and 2 of the Pro and they ended up being expensive paper weights.

 

[m@Robertson]

No more CYC motors for me. Had version 1 and 2 of the Pro and they ended up being expensive paper weights.

I think I had better luck because I never even tried to install their controller at the time and went straight to an aftermarket. I think this many years later, with what is - finally - their VESC-based controller, they have it down pat. But all of the public beta testers who came before them had to suffer while they got there.

 

[Cuz Vinny]

I think I had better luck because I never even tried to install their controller at the time and went straight to an aftermarket. I think this many years later, with what is - finally - their VESC-based controller, they have it down pat. But all of the public beta testers who came before them had to suffer while they got there.

The controller was the main source of the pain but other issues like speed sensor breaking regularly, bolts shearing off on the chain ring, and display failure.

 

[m@Robertson]

The controller was the main source of the pain but other issues like speed sensor breaking regularly, bolts shearing off on the chain ring, and display failure.

Yeah my controller came with an Eggrider v2 so I sort of sidestepped that one - and learned why an Eggrider is not perfect, either.

 

[m@Robertson]

Cyc is having a Zoom meeting Tuesday with the president of Cyc, Jon Chan. The subject being the Photon. I'm trying to attend despite being out of town on a business trip. Does anyone have any questions they want answered about the motor, that I can posit when I am on?

One thing I am planning on is asking about whether an alternate cable exit is on the table for a future release. The way it sticks up as it does is not ideal I think. Something that is angled and that can be reset would be a plus.