The client wanted to convert the bike so they could commute up to 60km round trip - daily, and a lumpy commute at that.

RANGE is the commonly asked question and it is affected by loaded weight, terrain, wind, tyres AND assistance level used.

It had to carry vast amounts of coffee grinds to compost on the farm, the laptop and change of clothes in inclement weather, have enough power to get up the steep back roads of Arthurs Creek, bright lights for lighting up the gravel roads and unlit bike paths, fenders for year round riding AND not look like the home grown ebike conversions running rampant across the burbs.

I said 'leave it with me', styled it as if it was my own, fired off the quote and once approved, got to work.

For me, there is only one choice when it comes to mid-drive conversions. CYC is the clear winner, and the Photon is the smallest & neatest, that delivers incredible power, has amazing tuning capabilities, great ride feel thanks to it's torque sensor, and a sophisticated finish.

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First thing was to strip the frame to it's barest form, and give it a long overdue cut and polish.

Who know the 'pickled beet' was so dazzling in the sun, and a beautiful shade though you'd never know from the initial state.

The drivetrain was absolutely putrid, the brakes tired and I steered the ship towards a new Shimano CUES 10s groupset.

It is SO good - with ample range, and given the extra wear and use, replacement consumables are much friendlier on the wallet.

The complete CYC Photon Gen 2 kit arrives in ONE box that is wonderfully organised into seperate smaller boxes,

• Motor
• Chainring
• Crankset 160mm ( 170mm option )
• Bottom Bracket 68-83mm ( BB92 / 100 / 120mm options )
• Wiring harness
• Display SW102T ( Intuition Display option includes Apple FindMy and Smart Assist )

There is also a one pager with a QR code to scan for the detailed installation / user manual.

I chose the shorter cranks to avoid pedal strikes off-road, and the smaller SW12 display as it keeps the cockpit as minimalist as possible.

Installation could NOT be easier.

1. Remove the existing crankset, slide the motor in the drive side, bottom bracket fixing plate and non-drive side cup in the other side and tighten.

With the accompanying spacers I got a perfect chainline, with the same chainstay clearance a standard crankset would offer.

2. Install chainring, and locking plate. Tighten with pin spanner supplied.

3. Insert axle, secure with lock nut.

4. Install cranks and tighten bolts.

5. Plug all the necessary cables to the motor using the harness supplied.

6. Connect battery and POWER ON!

Other than a XT90 to XT60 adapter to connect the battery, it's all plug and play.

The speed sensor is also the bluetooth sensor for connecting to the CYC Ride Control app to fine tune the pedal assist modes.

A thumb throttle is included - but for cleanliness and preference, it's not installed.

This is the first ebike conversion where I've used the integrated rack / battery as an option.

It was no only cost effective, but with the dual panniers installed, the battery is hidden, and also features a light.

The front Surly Rack is rated to 32kg, more than enough for a backpack or case of wine.

CYC offers a plug and play solution for lights the plugs inline with the battery connection, includes a bar mounted switch that toggles between OFF / Low Beam / High Beam.

For ease of installation and price, this is no-brain upgrade, though the beam pattern left me wanting. It's sharp and narrow. The lights are designed for a handlebar mounted position, and I've inverted that to mount below the rack.

The 'Low Beam' is a yellow LED, and 'high beam' a white LED that is a few degrees higher (or lower when inverted). Both are bright and easy to operate from the bars.

Never having to worry about then losing power or recharging is a massive win too!

The Photon Gen 2 is 3.5kg without cranks and noticeably neater / sleeker than its predecessor.

3 cables come out of the motor - POWER, wiring harness ( to display / throttle ) and speed / bluetooth sensor.

36t is the maximum chainring clearance the Krampus can accomodate, and the Photon nailed it without compromising chainline.

With the addition of an adjustable mounting plate I was able to utilise the underside mounts for a bidon. King Cage off course!

The Photon is capable of handling 36-72V batteries.

The 48V 13AH battery is equivalent to a 624W battery ( Volts x Amps = Watts ) and in my limited experience I didn't notice a power difference between 48 and 52V systems.

My next build is planned around a 36V battery which I'm confident will be more than enough assistance.

The motor is rated from 250-750W and rolls out the door with a Pedal Assist limit of 25kph.

Peak Torque is 135NM which is wild and enough to get up ridiculously streep grades, heavily loaded.

My only advice is all that power equates to a lot more stress than analog setups which you'll pay for in chains, cassettes, brake pads and tyres.

• Surly Krampus 'Pickled Beat - LARGE
• Custom TURBO Krampus decals
• CYC Photon Gen 2 ( BSA / 165mm / SW12 / 36t )
• CYC lights
• 48V 13ah rack / battery
• SKS Bluemel 75s fenders
• Shimano CUES 11s, 11-48t
• Shimano CUES 4-piston brakes
• Surly Front Rack
• StorEase 30cm x 46cm wire basket
• Surly Moloko Bars
• ERGON Cork Grips
• Thomson X4 stem
• Cane Creek Headset
• Wolf Tooth 360 Remote
• Dropper post
• ZTTO platform pedals
• Teravail Coronado ( now Oxbow 29 x 2.8s)
• Busyman Saddle
• King Ti Cages
• Quad Lock Stem Mount
• Crane Bell

More photos below.