Cytronex Electric Bike Showroom

I have fitted Cytronex C1kits to two of my bikes – a Raleigh titanium-framed model from circa 2000, and a Colnago Master X-light from the mid-1980s. The kit components appear high quality - the only exception is possibly the power switch which appears to be a little flimsy. The fitting instructions are generally excellent. I had one issue with fitting of both kits: the tab washers supplied to fit forks with safety lips did not fit flush with the fork blades, and needed a few minutes attention with a file to allow them to seat properly. Be aware that with rim brakes, the calipers will need adjusting if the replacement wheel is a different rim width to the original. Another adjustment, which puzzled me at first and is less obvious, is the brake block height may need lowering. This is because the replacement wheel sits slightly lower in the forks than a standard wheel. I recall seeing mention of this in the instructions for Brompton bike kits, but not in the instructions for ‘conventional’ kits.
In use, I was impressed by the performance. I didn’t notice the extra weight at all – bike handling seemed unchanged (I’m a 78kg rider). I generally ride with the power permanently on its lowest setting, using an occasional boost to mid-setting for steep hills (+6% or more for me), and according to the battery bottle colour code, I’m using 50% capacity for around 25 miles. One issue I’ve noticed is with the power switch, which I find is too easy to switch off instead of changing power levels - disconcerting when you are struggling up a hill and attempt to increase power and switch off instead! If the ‘power off’ command was set to require a 'long' push - as is common with similar electronic devices - this issue would be resolved.
I’ve contacted Cytronex twice with queries, and I’m very impressed with their speed of response. Bear this in mind if you’re considering a purchase of a similar system from another supplier…

I bought my C1 kit in October 2018 after reading a very positive test in AtoB magazine. It was easy to fit to my Ridgeback hybrid, although care had be taken setting up the speed sensor and getting the wiring routing correct. Apart from one occasion when the sensor was moved out of position it has been completely reliable and has allowed me to keep cycling into my seventies. In fact I probably do more because I know if I run out of steam I have the power to help me home! Highly recommended especially if you have dicky knees!

The new Cytronex C1 is a wonderful piece of kit and inside 1 hour converts your bicycle into a very light, manageable electric bike. Best of all it upgrades your favourite bike.
In 2012 my wife purchased a Cytronex Legacy bike. The following year I also purchased a Cannondale fitted with their system. Between us we have ridden over 15,000 miles.
Sadly in late April 2022 my system died altogether and I was faced with cycling the Coast 2 Coast without assistance. A call to Jake at Cytronex and he assured me all will be well. The new kit arrived in three days, which is remarkable given supply issues in the rest of the industry. Within an hour it was fitted to my very dear Cannondale.
8 days later the four of us were in Whitehaven ready to start our journey across the United Kingdom to Tynemouth. A total of 140 miles and many thousands of feet of climb.
The C1 performed very well and I managed to keep up with my wife on her Legacy bike and our two friends on their Raleigh Motus bikes.
If you have one of the original Cytronex systems then I can thoroughly recommend the upgrade. It is:
> easy to fit (adjusting the speed sensor is awkward)
>the power rating has 5 settings so power usage can be conserved
>the LED on the battery tells you how much energy you have left
>the bluetooth app gives you detailed information about the condition of the battery
>it comes with its own battery carrier with a provision for a padlock so one can leave the battery in situ and it is safe
>it is a much simpler system without all the wiring and magnets of the old system
>the new charger is smaller, lighter, simpler and it has a colour coding to inform you of the state of the charge
Next year we are planning to cycle from Dieppe to Paris and I will be riding the Cannondale with the C1 again. What I will invest in before then is a Fast Charger to take on the road with me, just to boost the battery every time we stop for coffee and cake.
Well worth the money and especially the satisfaction that serious bike users do not believe you own an Electric Bike! The system is very well crafted and unobtrusive.

Struggling with a new knee and a 26 mile each way commuter journey to Canary Wharf, I bought the Cytronex kit for my wonderful Thorn Raven Tour bicycle in 2018 and love it now as much as I did on my first commute. Having cycled to work for 33 years, my misplaced dignity prevented me from buying a traditional electric bike and Cytronex was the solution - a battery cleverly disguised as a water bottle! A single charge managed the 26 mile mostly flat journey and I bought an additional charger to recharge at work. Undoubtedly, without Cytronex, I would have resorted to public transport. It does not provide the exercise of an unassisted bike, but it nevertheless provides exercise and, critically, it has allowed me to continue the joy of cycling. The Cytronex powered lights are brilliant and very necessary to avoid the deer cycling home through Richmond and Bushy Parks on dark winter nights. I look forward to many further years of Cytronex assisted cycling. Winchester shop service is excellent - where else would someone reply to you at 2220 confirming that your bike was booked in?

I have had my Cytronex c1 kit since 2019. Was posted to me in Spain and it was very easy to fit to my Genesis hybrid cycle.I use my cycle 3-4 times every week. It’s not let me down once in 3 years. I would recommend the kit to anyone who needs help on hills and is great when you got the wind against you. On average I cycle 50 to 80 kms and I never loose all the battery power.

The Cytronex electric bike conversion kit is absolutely brilliant. I converted my Dawes Galaxy and it has transformed my cycling. The comprehensive instructions made fitting the kit easy and enjoyable. When switched off, the bike handles exactly as before, but at the touch of the button I have power when I need it to climb hills, cycle against the wind or just take things a little easy. The whole process from ordering to fitting was very efficient and the Cytronex team are friendly and helpful.
In short Cytronex is a first rate company with an excellent product that I have no hesitation in strongly recommending.

I ordered and had delivered a kit to Bermuda which I fitted to my Trek Domane in about 2 hours including tyre and tube. I was having problems keeping up with my Pal on steep hills so decided to take the plunge and after reviewing all kits online this seemed the best. It was easy to install and I am really pleased with it. I have only done about 400 miles since it was fitted but I would definitely not go back. I recommend for serious cyclists who need some assistance because of age or ill health as well as others who want to keep cycling and use an existing bike eg. For commuting or to keep up with spouse.

First-class product and service

I took the leap to buy a C1 kit encouraged by the excellent reviews Cytronex has gathered over years. I’m very happy to write a glowing review myself now, which might help someone else weighing up their decision. This is a big investment to most people, after all, and you want to know you’re getting it right.

I bought a self-install C1 kit, having visited the Winchester showroom to double-check it could be fitted to my commuter bike, and to take a test ride of one of their stock bikes. The instructions were very clear to follow. I took my time—I like to have things neat—but nothing was particularly difficult (and my bike mechanic skills are not advanced). The trickiest thing was changing the tyre over to the new wheel, really. The gear sensor took some trial and error over 10 minutes to set it just so, but that wasn’t very difficult, and having set it, it hasn’t budged.

I’ve used the kit on my daily commute (10km each way) for a couple of weeks. It’s fun. It does everything you think it should do, in the most natural way possible. The best analogy I can come up with is that it’s like a travelator at an airport: only when you step off the moving walkway do you realize how much you were moved along your way without thinking about it. For me, commuting across town, the two big wins are: (1) pulling away from stops that bit more promptly—which (a) feels safer and (b) reduces repeat pressure on my middle-aged knees—and then (2) gliding up hills like never before, thirty years younger or not (I just don’t like cycling up hills). There’s nothing to learn after the first few rides. The mechanics have all been refined by the designer to make the kit practically invisible in everyday use, and that’s exactly what you want.

My contact with the company has also been handled very well: team members have been interested, responsive, knowledgeable. We had one snag with delivery to sort out, and that was taken up immediately and effectively. It’s only when something goes a bit awry that you can see whether the other person can recover and carry on—they managed all of that in a very human and professional way.

So that’s my 10/10 review. I fully expect to be quietly chuckling to myself as I go about my commute for years to come, with luck. It’s a considerable small pleasure, and the company fully deserve their success.

On the photos, you'll see a lot of cables on my front bars—but only one of those is for the Cytronex button; the other four are the cables for my brakes and gear shifts.