Building an eMTB with the CYC Photon: A DIY Dream Come True

Robert Neal recently completed his first DIY eMTB build, powered by the Photon. Read on to learn about his experience and why the Photon is becoming a favorite among DIY enthusiasts.

Robert's first DIY build, using the Banshee Prime V3 frame with the CYC Photon

I've been wanting to build an electric mountain bike ever since I rode a Trek eMTB at the store. They're just so incredibly expensive new and I also wanted the ability to fix the bike electronics if something went wrong, hence buying a brand-name bike was not in the cards for me.

With the CYC Photon release a year ago, I realized that the Photon was exactly the motor I wanted to use and that it was finally time to try to build something if I could find the parts used.

I've been collecting used parts for a few months and finally had everything ready to build. I just finished it up this weekend and the result is insane - the bike rides better than the best store bikes I've tried, and I'm so completely stocked that this build came together as well as it did. Seriously, the CYC Photon is great and has really good torque sensing. It's smoother than both of my other commecial electric bike's sensors. It's torque-massive and fast as hell while somehow also being extremely quiet, like the tire noise of my bike is louder than the sounds from motor itself.

Equipped with the 52V 12.8Ah Slim Shark Battery from Golden Motors

My experience so far has been great, really no issues with installation or set up. I've got about 150 miles ridden on it so far and it is fantastic. The power is massive in race mode 3 from th edefault power settings, and I'm really happy with how smooth the torque sensing is.

I would say I was worried about how strong this motor would be, especially when compared to other CYC motor offerings, but after using the Photon, I wouldn't want anything faster. In my fastest gearing (38T front 11T rear) pedaling hard I can hit above 30 miles an hour, which is plenty for my use and I really wouldn't want to go faster than that.

Overview:

Weight	52 LBS (23.5 KG)
Power	750W CYC Photon
Battery	52V 12.8Ah 665Wh
Gearing	11-50 10 Speed + 38T Chainring

Parts used:

• Banshee Prime V3 Frame

• Fox DPX2 Rear Shock

• CYC Photon w/ 38T chainring

• 52V 12.8Ah Slim Shark Battery from Golden Motors

• 10 speed cassette, deraileur, shifter, and chain

• Entity 29" Boost Wheels with 180mm brake discs

• Fox Float Performance Grip 160mm Fork

• Dropper Post with Lever

• Shimano XTR Brakes

• Maxxis Recon Tires 29 x 2.6

• Wortkop Seat

• RXL Carbon Handlebars

• PNW Composite Pedals

• PNW Grips

• Random Amazon Stem

• Tubolito MTB Tubes

  
  

Photon Mid Drive Conversion Kit

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