CYC motors - high end e-bike motors
The X1 Motor Kits from CYC have been on the market for a long time, but there are constantly new versions of them that are (mostly) small improvements differ from each other.
In addition to the X1 series, the manufacturer CYC also has other motor kits in the Offer, such as the stealth series (slightly smaller motors with a little less power) and the Photon series (primarily for PAS use). CYC offers e-bike conversion kits for almost every taste. The motors are a little more expensive than offers from comparable suppliers, but in most cases they are also of better quality. So we are in the slightly higher price range here, but you also get a lot for the price you pay.
Here’s how you can save some money:
If you decide to buy a motor from CYC, you can use the code DIRTEBIKES05 when ordering at https://www.cycmotor.com/ and get 5% discount on your order.
Which one is the best?
Of course, this depends on what you want to use your e-bike for.
For electric freeriding, only one motor comes into question: the X1-Pro Series.
This one delivers the most power ( 2000-5000 watts ) and is still very light with a weight of 5 to 5.6 kg .
The Stealth series is a little smaller and lighter (4.8 kg) and therefore has less power (max. 1500 watts) , but otherwise offers the same functionality as the X1-Pro series. This means that this motor can be used well for a powerful everyday E-Bike or a touring E-Bike.
The Photon series is characterized by its integrated drivetrain, with all motor parts inside the housing (gearbox and electronics). Since the drive does not go to the bottom bracket of the bike by a chain (as with the X1 Pro and Stealth series), this motor is very quiet . It is also less delicate to dirt and is currently the most stealth motor available. With 750 watts of power, it is also the weakest of the CYC motors and is primarily designed for PAS. If you are looking for a quiet, inconspicuous high-end motor and the price does not put you off, then this could be the right motor for your e-bike.
Depending on the frame geometry, the X1 Pro motor can also be installed inside the frame
X1-Pro - maximum power
So much power with little weight, the case is clear - that means a lot of fun and super off-road suitability.
The power is (as is unfortunately common) usually given as the absolute maximum that is theoretically possible (5000 Watt in this case). However, we recommend staying within a reasonable range, because the bike components of a high-quality and stable bike will not withstand more than around 2000 watts (high-quality MTB) to 3500 watts (high-quality heavy DH bike) in the medium to long term.
Massive DH bike with stable rear wheel suspension that can handle more than 3500 watts.
Therefore, in our opinion, it does not matter much if such motors are advertised with power of 5000 watts +, since most bicycle components will not be able to cope with this for long and will break apart sooner or later (usually sooner).
However, with a stable bike, you can certainly ride with a motor like this at 2000 watts continuously. Short-term peak loads of 3000 to 3500 watts are possible and can be great fun, but you have to be aware that some parts of the bike cannot withstand such loads for long.
So if you buy this motor because you want 5000 watts of power, then you also need a very stable (and therefore correspondingly heavy) bike for it.
On this relatively light bike (Specialised Epic Elite) the power was limited to 2500 watts
The advantage of such (too) powerful motors is that they offer more headroom, meaning they overheat less quickly and have a longer lifespan at lower power then others.
We have a lot of experience with this motor and would estimate the maximum power to be around 3500 watts. - Yes, more is possible, but in most cases it doesn't make sense.
Design and function
The motor is high quality and transfers the power to a metal planetary gear (1:5 reduction) . From the planetary gear there is then a second reduction via a 219 chain (used in go-karts) to the chainring of the crank. This second reduction is typical for most stronger e-bike conversion kits. It has the advantage that a lot of power can be transferred through the strong 219 chain, but has the disadvantage that with such an "open" reduction, dirt can easily get into the chain. This type of reduction also makes more noise than integrated systems. We wouldn't describe the X1-Pro as loud, but at higher speeds - i.e. when the chain is moving quickly - the motor is not exactly quiet .
No matter how quiet the mid-engine is, it ultimately drives the bicycle chain, which also makes "noise" as the speed increases.
Nevertheless, this system with the open 2nd reduction remains one of the best when it comes to high performance in mid-engines and is therefore a good choice and a necessity if you want an e-bike with (very) much power .
A hub motor is generally quieter, but less suitable for long uphill rides and absolutely unsuitable for off-road and freeride use.
The controller is of very high quality in the latest generation, which was not the case with earlier versions. Back then, you had to deal with a lot of teething issues, such as a noticeable delay in engine performance when using the throttle (see X1-Pro video). However, such defects were gradually eliminated with each new version of the engine and are fortunately no longer present today.
First generation controllers still had teething issues, but these have now been resolved.
The parts for attaching the motor kit include high-quality aluminum and carbon parts (depending on the version). Installation is comparatively simple and requires few special tools.
simple and functional in high-quality design - we like it very much
volume
As already mentioned, the X1-Pro, like the Stealth series of CYC engines, is not really stealth when it comes to noise under full load. The noise and volume of mid-engines always come from the type of reduction of the engine.
Mid-engines can be very quiet if, for example, nylon gears or toothed belts are used for the reduction - i.e. for converting speed into power. Choosing a metal planetary gear (1st reduction) offers much more stability than a nylon gear, but results in a noise similar to an idling drill. This bothers some more than others - it is barely audible at low speeds (up to about 20 km/h), but becomes increasingly louder as the engine speed increases.
With each new version of the X1-Pro, the volume of the planetary gear could be gradually reduced. In the video at the end of the article, at minute xx, you can see/hear how the motor sounds at maximum speed. By the way, this was a beta version before the first official generation 1 of this motor.
The second reduction (219 chain) also focused on stability, which we think is the right choice, as the motor should have a lot of power. These gear ratios with 219 chains are less susceptible and can withstand greater loads for a long time, but again at the expense of the noise level. At speeds of around 20 km/h, the chain is already a little louder than a normal bicycle chain (so it is still pretty quiet). As the speed increases, the noise of the 219 chain also gets louder and can attract attention under full load, but it cannot be compared to a scooter or small motorcycle, it is simply a slightly louder e-bike.
A larger gear on the motor (e.g. with 13 or 14 teeth instead of 12) and a 219 chainring made of Kevlar can further reduce the noise.
The X1-Pro is not the most inconspicuous e-bike motor due to its noise, but among the powerful e-bike motors it is still the quietest there is. It is a little louder than a BBSHD (1500 watts max.), but offers twice as much power and is also designed to be able to transfer just as much power.
Pros and Cons
+ highest possible performance for electric freeriding
+ low weight
+ visually unobtrusive, slim design
+ Solid construction and high quality
+ good price/performance ratio
+ very good PAS thanks to torque sensor
+/- requires a very stable bike as a base
- slightly louder than a "normal" e-bike
- higher price range, not an "entry-level model"
A lot of power with little weight, that requires high quality which has its price.
Conclusion
The X1-Pro is our top recommendation if you are committed to electric freeriding. One of the few mid-engines available that has the power needed to go uphill and over difficult terrain like a motocross bike, but at a fraction of the weight. That means a lot of fun and unlimited possibilities. Unless you are a motocross pro, your riding skills will limit you more than the engine's performance will limit you.
If you are looking for an e-bike for everyday use and do not need so much power, a Stealth or Photon motor from CYC or the BBSHD from Bafang might be more suitable. But if you are looking for maximum power with minimal weight, this motor is practically the only alternative, as it does so many things really well that other motor kits have been trying to achieve for a long time. There is also no other mid-engine over 1500 watts that is equipped with a "torque sensor" . This means that the X1 Pro is also ideal for pedaling, which makes it a good all-rounder that can also perform very well at 500 to 1500 watts. However, the main selling point is the high performance, because if you don't need more than 1500 watts of power to be happy, you could also buy something cheaper and/or quieter.
Tip
You can save 5% if you use the discount code DIRTEBIKES05 when ordering at https://www.cycmotor.com/ This applies to all motor kits offered by CYC, including the Stealth and Photon series.
video
Here is a short video of the X1-Pro Motor Kit. As I said, this is the version before Gen1. Bugs have since been fixed and many small things have been improved in the newer versions. The "basic structure" has remained largely the same.
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