CYC Photon Tech Explained: Deep Dive & Teardown of the 750W Mid Drive Conversion eBike System

[@velomatics]

More please. Torque sensor failure troubleshooting, recommended service intervals, and full service instructions would be greatly appreciated.

[@cycmotor]

Noted! Thanks for the feedback. We'll chat to the team and put something together.

[@gordkuhn]

My photon while increasing power going up the hill I had pulsation through the pedals. Now it feels like the torque sensor doesn't work properly it gives greater power with lighter pedaling than original with the settings all being equal to before. No changes on my part

[@AyeAus]

Love these in-depth look & technical videos from you guys. You don’t get too many manufacturers doing this sort of videos for anything (not just in the bike world).

[@cycmotor]

Thanks for the support! Glad to hear it!

[@markostlund]

Nice work Rikus! Unbelievably simple and elegant design. Superb engineering. The two year warranty speaks to its reliability. Very informative video. Thanks!

[@cycmotor]

Thanks Mark! Appreciate the support!

[@kenjiwalter5024]

Thank you CYC! Great to get such a detailed look inside the photon. I’ve got 2 photons and have loved them so far. I’ve got 2400km on my first one and it’s only now just started making an audible click at one particular spot in the crank rotation. I’m hoping to get the chainring removal tool in Australia so I can troubleshoot what is causing the noise. Please keep up the content. You have a bunch of loyal riders who are hungry for more of this content.

[@jbrizz99]

I had an issue with mine screeching as the crank went around. Happened suddenly at about 500km. I had a theory it was either the plastic shield on the bottom backet or the bearing inside the cup slightly rubbing on something. I took the spindle out and put a brass drift into the bottom backet from the drive side and tapped on the plastic/bearing on the non drive side (very lightly, actually just with my palm) and I saw the shield on the outer edge of the cup move slightly. I doubt the bearing moved, probably just the plastic piece. The noise went away and hasn't come back. You might have something similar.

[@kenjiwalter5024]

@@jbrizz99​​⁠thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve just ordered the chainring tool from CYC so hopefully can get into it soon. I have to say the shipping was pretty steep $40 for a $18 tool. I like the idea of being able to service and fix these motors and hopefully the cost of parts is still reasonable.

[@mickp10]

Big thank you for the tear down to assist users to repair their own motors. Loving my CYC Photon.

[@kalef1234]

Can you repair and service it yourself? last I heard (which was a while ago, like 10 mo ago) was that you have to send the motor in. If they provide instructions, like this video, and service info I will 100% buy this motor. I just don't want to support companies that lock it down and make you send in the motor. That sounds like a lot of down time!

[@mickp10]

​@@kalef1234, the video shows the tear down, but you need to be able to buy the parts to repair it though.

[@cycmotor]

It depends on the issue you have. Major parts such as the controller, motor, torque sensor, and chainring, you can replace yourself. CYC or an authorised dealer will help ship the parts to you and send instructions on how to do the replacement.

[@BigBrainParty]

This was an excellent explanation. There arent many people who can talk through the technical details with such clarity. Wonderful job

[@cycmotor]

Thanks man! Appreciate the support.

[@hindesite]

Awesome, thanks so much Rikus. Been waiting for this kind of information. Appreciated. And the final product is a real credit to all those involved. Also, yes - of course I want to know more :-) A video about setting torque sensing parameters would be really interesting. These videos will really help to dispel the often incorrect criticisms or assumptions about the Photon.

[@cycmotor]

Glad to hear it's helpful! We're going to release a video soon about the PAS & throttle settings and how it affects your riding.

[@n3rd66]

I found this accidentally while trying to track down the (defunct) 2016 3000W Cyclone Planetary Gear Mid-drive, which led me to the GNG 3000W PG Mid-drive, but I must say I'm impressed with your design and excellent coverage of its features and maintenance. I think I'll be a customer soon.

[@caraqal]

What a cool solution for the small chainring! And a beautifully integrated system overall! Top notch engineering! And thanks for going in depth about the motor. I've put the Photon on my cargo Bullitt and it is absolutely wonderful, it's as if both the motor and the bike were buit for each oher! But I'd like to take a chance here to voice that I myself and dare I say many other would like to see more trust in the end user and more repair capability! Motor side bearings for example are not available as replacement part in your store, same with any more advanced part, like the torque sensor. You are miles better than your direct competitor Bafang, and yet I feel that if anything happens to the motor I will be left with an expensive paperweight - shipping for repairs is just not a viable solution from Europe to HongKong! Meanwhile one could requild the whole BBS01 with spare parts available. Perhaps I am naive but I do hope you will take into account user opinions such as my own! Thanks for the great presentations and product!

[@lukegn]

Thank you for this video! I have been having issues with my motor and email support said it could be a sprag clutch issue, seeing the teardown really helped me understand that it is in fact the first stage sprag clutch that has broken, as often when I am pedalling with zero pedal assist I hear and see the motor RPMs go up.

[@Ztron35]

A video on recommended service intervals and what that involves would be very helpful. Love the design and quality of the components. Really enjoying my Photon so far!

[@cycmotor]

Shot for the suggestion. We've added it to the "definitely need to do this" video list so watch the space.

[@Todd66]

Awesome video. I built a ebike a couple years ago, BBSHD and after uploading the right profile, it was really nice. That was without a torque sensor, I would LOVE to have one of these if the software is user friendly and customizable. What Voltage is that motor?

[@larrygross1248]

750W

[@cycmotor]

36V to 52V nominal.

[@larrygross1248]

What about the heat dissipation problem? Was this solved? My Photon is running in the 120-degree range.

[@cycmotor]

120Degree fahrenheit is within normal operation temperature of the motor. The motor start limiting at 100C and stop at 120C. The motor is designed primiarly for 750W continuous power use.

[@Searchingforinfo]

Exquisite engineering. I definitely used anti-seize paste (Permatex) when assembling the unit, especially on aluminum to aluminum threads.

[@busterwolfok]

Great stuff. I have been using the CYC Stealth for a few months now and im really enjoying it other than its loud motor noise. Can you do a in-depth explanation of the app settings and what tweaks I can make to suit my riding style. Thanks.

[@cycmotor]

That's on our list of video to do :)

[@Gyllbonus]

In the future would this be belt compatible?

[@cycmotor]

We are looking into solutions with Veer but it's nothing concrete just yet. We'll keep you guys updated.

[@MikeSuding-]

@@cycmotor I prefer to use the Gates Carbon belt drive system.

[@SupraTompan]

Rikus is boss. NO other manufacturer would deliver such an in-depth video of their ebike motor and the end-user serviceability. Awesome.

[@cycmotor]

Rikus says thanks!

[@cycmotor]

Ehhh.... maybe check into that fact a bit more.

[@EBIKESBR]

Thanks!!!

[@cycmotor]

Welcome!

[@ashegam]

awesome video! please do the same for the X1 Pro Gen 4.

[@tonytober]

I agree, more tech videos on the X1 Pro gen 4!

[@hindesite]

Didn't they do one a month ago? I don't really know, X1 Pro is not really anything I'll ever be interested in...

[@cycmotor]

Thanks for the feedback! We've added it to the list.

[@Ostsol]

This is really cool. Would it be possible to adapt this for Gates Carbon Drive sprockets rather than traditional chainrings?

[@keithallen6504]

I'd like to pull the trigger on a Photon but I have a lot of reliability concerns like: why are there not any reviews never than 11-12 months? Reviews in general are sparse for mountain applications. What about parts? It's a major PITA getting Bafang parts and they've been around longer than CYC - what happens when you need gears and hard to get parts?

[@Searchingforinfo]

The KZbin "CYC Owners Group" shows many MTB builds, all the mud on the bikes indicate they are really abused, erm, I mean enjoyed.

[@Ray-dz9fn]

Can statorade be added to assist cooling the motor?

[@jackserna3440]

If the motor heat is trapped inside, can't you just put thermal pads or thermal paste in between the outer shell and motor shell so that the heat can properly transfer to the outer shell and dissipate through the fins? Is CYC doing this going forward?

[@claudefournier4940]

Very appreciated video. Thanks a lot.

[@cycmotor]

Glad to hear it!

[@Mike-nq7fn]

Once the Photon gets reliable, I will be interested. User reports are not good.

[@hindesite]

That's because people with problems post to forums while people without problems are out riding. Photon seems OK to me (so far, but I've only had mine for 12 months).

[@uvwuvw-ol3fg]

Some people always run in to problems with every motor they buy for some reason.

[@hindesite]

@@uvwuvw-ol3fg they also run in to problems with motors they've never bought.

[@cycmotor]

We generally do! Goodness, did we miss yours? Please resend and we'll be sure to reply ASAP.

[@manickbarry]

I’m thinking about getting one of these but I know nothing about bikes, what difference does the chain ring sizes make?

[@MikeSuding-]

A smaller chain ring on the front makes it easier to pedal up hills. Or, you can get a bigger rear sprocket to make it easier. A larger chain ring up front conversely makes it harder to pedal (for flat or downhills).

[@lucmoncourt9337]

Good Work! Photon is black magic! It ll transform you like an upgraded human, if you mix this beauty with real handmade wheels ! But , pls, which grease do you used for gears maintenance?

[@NaClSandwich]

Man I wish mine had this! My chain came off and gouged the engine cover as its an earlier version. Still works great though

[@CamdenWallraff]

If I wanted to just replace the motor itself, what is the actual size of that unit? It looks to be a 6880 i'm guessing?

[@markcovell572]

how do you become a mechanic fixing these motors? I have a photon that has problems and i would like to take it apart and fix it myself. How do you get all the spare parts? In London, there appears to be no service centre or shop able to repair them.

[@cycmotor]

We have a few service centres in the UK. The Cycle MOT is in London and will be able to help you. However., you can reach out to us as well. We will be happy to help you with the tools and parts needed to do it yourself.

[@unknownsom1]

im making a suggestion here cause i feel its easiest but are you able to actually make a screen lock so for example. any kit that you get with the DS103 screen you should add a passcode lock onto that to prevent some potential theft. this is just an idea and i dont know how well this actually would work.

[@cycmotor]

Yes, there is a password function on the display. You can set this up when you get your kit. There is no password by default but just head into the display's main settings page to set it up.

[@evnsdg]

Regarding the gears, you mentioned the steel made gears, how often do we do pms on the motor

[@MikeSuding-]

For those that don't know...PMS = Preventive Maintenance Schedule or to some people Preventative Maintenance Service

[@hindesite]

@cycmotor Hi CYC, is there any weight saving with the new 34T chainring?

[@MsApog]

Hi guys, thanks a lot! I'm your buyer from Ukraine and I passed almost 1000 km on this fantastic motor without any issues. Can you please say a few words about greasing. Is it needed? If yes - how often should we regrease the motor? Official instructions says that it doesn't need regreasing, but I doubt about it. Thanks!

[@cycmotor]

We do have a unit more than 10k km without regreasing. Still runs like brand new. We suggest regreasing only if you hear significantly louder noise, or over 20,000km mark. The motor indeed won't need regreasing frequently.

[@MsApog]

@@cycmotor Thanks a lot!

[@lepokity765]

Hi, I am from Ukraine as well. Would you mind sharing your experience in-depth by providing, for instance, videos you're recording throughout a cycling trip? Thanks

[@MsApog]

@@lepokity765 можешь написать мне в Телеграм, @Andrii_Isaev. Всё сниму и расскажу.

[@MsApog]

@@lepokity765 можешь написать мне в Телеграм, @Andrii_Isaev. Всё сниму и расскажу.

[@fasterbikeseu]

Thanks Rikus.

[@bradarmstrong1656]

This is a great video. Very informative. I really like how simple and clear this video is. It shows the elegant design/construction or the Photon. It all appears rugged, but it still can be repaired if necessary by the owner.

[@tny1smi]

Can the CYC photon be fitted to a carbon fibre frame.?

[@josh573a]

yes it can

[@cycmotor]

Yup, no problem. If you are concerned, you can always consider adding an additional payer between the motor and the frame such as a rubber pad. It can be concealed quite nicely. A lot of carbon builds out there.

[@nobrakes7247]

Cool Thanks Might add a proton one of my bikes then I'll have 1 proton 1 stealth

[@cycmotor]

That will be cool!

[@soekoebicyclecompany]

HI Rikus, how can i make contact with you ?

[@cycmotor]

We've sent you an email

[@lepokity765]

Frankly, I'd love to purchase your product for instance Foton. However, the produce is still raw and I see people complain regarding the power issues and so on. Comparing your product and Bafang I'd prefer the second one due to its reliability. I'm not going to make a complaint from my side because I didn't use it. But the reviews are not in a good light. Maybe quality is good but it is what it is. Sorry guys, it's only my opinion. Whether you could persuade me that it is not true or myth or fiction then I'd love to make a purchase even in two times more than Bafang. Thanks beforehand

[@ataksnajpera]

Photon is dead. Toseven dm02 is 3 times cheaper and more reliable. TSDZ8 is even 4 times cheaper. Photon costs more than Bosch motors if you include shipping, VAT and duty.

[@BH4x0r]

the dm02 is the same weak garbage the TSDZ2 was minus the overheating the DM01 is where it's at, the 500W TSDZ2 and DM02 are literally weaker than the Power Line CX

[@hindesite]

@@BH4x0r I'd like to know more - can you share your experience with all of these motors?

[@nielsbaardseth]

Sounds like somebody drank the cool aide. The feel and power of the Photon is really not comparable to those mentioned.

[@ataksnajpera]

@@BH4x0r Understood. Unfortunately DM01 is way too heavy and too big for me. Besides I really do not need more than 350W of assist. DM01 would be an overkill for my use.

[@GeraldJanelle]

01959 Murphy Trace