Name: Snelheid Cycles Tyro Review
Item: Snelheid Cycles Tyro
Author: Court Rye

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Snelheid Cycles Tyro Review

Snelheid Cycles Tyro Electric Bike Review

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Snelheid Cycles Tyro Deep Dish V Wheelset

Snelheid Cycles Tyro Voltage Display Twist Throttle

Snelheid Cycles Tyro Custom Battery Box And Controller

Snelheid Cycles Tyro Battery Box From Above

Snelheid Cycles Tyro Plastic Platform Pedals 46t Chainring

Snelheid Cycles Tyro Single Speed Drivetrain

Snelheid Cycles Tyro 1000 Watt Mac Hub Motor Custom Torque Arms

A hand built, aggressive city style electric bike with high power MAC motor and custom Lithium Polymer battery
Efficient narrow tires, rigid steel frame and single speed drivetrain offer simplicity and durability but aren't as comfortable as ebikes with suspension forks and seat posts or those with larger balloon tires
The battery box is wide and may scrape your leg or snag your pants when stepping down if you're not careful, it looks decent for a custom build but isn't as polished as mass produced electric bikes
Two frame sizes to choose from, lots of color options, you get a one year stated warranty but the company is very small and not yet proven in my mind, you may have to rely on your own ability to tinker with this thing long term

Make:

Snelheid Cycles

Model:

Tyro

Price:

$2,299

Body Position:

Forward Aggressive

Suggested Use:

Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Motor, 1 Year Battery

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2016

Rating:

Total Weight:

47 lbs (21.31 kg)

Battery Weight:

11 lbs (4.98 kg)

Motor Weight:

9 lbs (4.08 kg)

Frame Material:

High Tensile Steel

Frame Sizes:

21.3 in (54.1 cm)22.8 in (57.91 cm)

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Black, White, Blue, Red, Yellow, Orange, Silver

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses, Bottle Cage Bosses

Gearing Details:

1 Single Speed

Cranks:

170 mm Aluminum Alloy, 46T Chainring

Pedals:

Plastic Platform, Black

Stem:

5 Degree

Handlebar:

Low Rise, Aluminum Alloy, Black, 51 cm

Brake Details:

Mechanical Style Aluminum Alloy Caliper with Push Style Levers

Grips:

Flat Rubber, Black

Saddle:

Generic Active

Seat Post Length:

300 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

25.4 mm

Rims:

45 mm Deep-V

Spokes:

13 Gauge on Rear, 14 Gauge on Front

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Energizer Plus, 28" x 1.25" (700 x 32c)

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

Performance Line GreenGuard

Tube Details:

Presta

Accessories:

Bell Cycle Computer, Power Cable Key

Other:

High Torque Motor Winding, Steel Dropout Reinforcements (Oversized Torque Arms), Rubberized Cable Channels (Partially Internally Routed)

Motor Brand:

MAC

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts

Motor Peak Output:

1000 watts

Battery Voltage:

37 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

12 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

444 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium Polymer

Charge Time:

3 hours

Estimated Min Range:

20 miles (32 km)

Estimated Max Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Display Type:

Blue LED Console

Readouts:

Voltage

Display Accessories:

On/Off Toggle Switch

Drive Mode:

Twist Throttle

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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The Tyro electric bike is a base level offering from Snelheid Cycles, a one-person operation in Chicago Illinois USA. I met the founder, Tony, in 2015 and got to test his first prototype which was faster and more powerful than most of the purpose-built stuff I see at independent electric bike shops. Tony designed the Tyro (which means beginner in latin) to comply with state laws and be more affordable than the Leider model I saw back then. It’s still a custom made ebike, hand built from existing motor and battery technology to be light weight and fast off the line.

So how does the Snelheid Cycles Tyro actually ride? It’s incredibly powerful and practically jumps when you completely open the throttle. On several occasions my adrenaline spiked and I got the feeling that I could easily wheelie the bike or slide out if I wasn’t being careful. I was able to blast automobiles off the line at stop lights and stop signs and felt in control while riding in traffic. Cars would eventually pass me but the immediacy of my acceleration put me out in front where they could see me and that felt good. The power system is throttle only and the bike offers a single speed drivetrain. It’s pure and simple, you only get one display panel which shows voltage but Tony has added a basic aftermarket cycle computer with speed, range, time etc using a magnet sensor on the front wheel. The throttle is variable speed and very precise, I found myself grasping both grips tightly and being very careful about how quickly and how much I twisted.

Driving the Tyro is a 1,000 watt peak MAC motor that’s wound with thinner copper wire more times to produce high torque output. powering the motor is a 37 volt 11.8 amp hour Lithium Polymer battery pack with a higher C-rating meaning it charges and discharges extra fast. This is why it only takes ~3 hours to charge and why it can jump off the line so quickly. The motor and battery packs work together well but the battery casing is a bit of an eyesore. I like the carbon fiber panels (for weight savings and a cool aesthetic) but the edges are square and protrude much more to each side than almost any other mid-mounted battery I’ve seen. This is not a design you’d see from any major brand, it just looks dangerous. Most companies choose to stack electric bike battery cells vertically to give your legs and knees plenty of clearance.

While I didn’t actually hit my legs during pedaling operation, I was wearing shorts and am not entirely convinced that long pant legs would stay completely clear. I don’t want my pants to snag and I didn’t enjoy putting my foot down at a stop and bonking my thigh. It’s a crude solution that’s clearly hand made, probably not UL certified and definitely not pleasing to the eyes when viewed from the top down… but it’s quite a bit better than I could do on my own without adding a bunch of weight or using a frame bag. There was a bit of rattling during my test rides over bumpy gravel but not as bad as I would have thought and not so much on the higher end Leider model so perhaps the box just wasn’t fastened as well on the Tyro. The battery box is screwed to the downtube at three points for extra strength and leaves enough room to mount a bottle cage on the seat tube. Additionally, the wires are partially run through the downtube and then housed in metal channels along the left chain stay. It’s a nice solution for DIY but a far cry from purpose built.

This ebike is a blast to ride but the body position it delivers is aggressive and there is very little in the way of creature comforts. While I was able to keep up pedaling at top speed I found the braking to be less responsive than v-brakes or disc brakes used on most electric bikes. The rear spokes were oversized at 13 Gauge and upgraded to name brand Sapim for increased strength but neither wheel offered quick release for easier transport and maintenance. The tires are upgraded to Schwalbe Energizer Plus but most of the other components are base level and came with the bike before it was converted. I feel like the type of people who might appreciate this electric bike are also the type who would like to customize and build their own creation to save money. Tony is a nice guy and I admire his dedication but this bike falls far short of the products I am now seeing in the mainstream with the one exception that it accelerates more quickly.

Pros:

One of the zippiest electric bikes I’ve ever tested, it blasts from zero to ~20 mph in just a few seconds (be careful as an accidental jerk on the twist throttle could become destabilizing, especially when cornering)
The frame comes in two sizes and a whole range of colors so you end up with something that fits right and is more unique
Weight is distributed pretty well across the frame thanks to the custom battery box, compared to most other high power ebikes it weighs less because the frame is so minimal
I like the upgraded e-bike specific tires from Schwalbe which use thicker rubber and “GreenGuard” liner technology to reduce the potential for tube puncture and flats
The single speed drivetrain is quiet and durable, you’re less likely to drop the chain or need tuneups and the cadence is set higher so you can actually pedal along at top speed pretty comfortably (as shown in the video review)

Cons:

Very limited display technology, you get a battery voltage readout which could be interpreted as how full the battery is but it will take some practice to feel it out, the traditional cycle computer helps a bit with speed, odometer, timer etc.
The battery box is wider than most and the edges and corners are sharp angles which could rub on pants or scrape your shin and thigh when standing over the bike, I bumped my knee into it when I stopped and put a foot down for stability
The frame, seat and wheelset are all pretty rigid so you definitely feel bumps and this can be uncomfortable over long distances, the aggressive body position got to my arms, back and neck a bit
In my opinion the price tag on this electric bike is a bit high (though what I was told is above what is listed on their website), you can get higher quality mass-produced electric bikes with more drive modes, purpose built frames and accessories for the same price or less
No quick release for either wheel or the seat, I like to bottle cage bosses but the rear rack bosses are partially used for the torque arms so you may need longer custom screws to make it all work and the added weight and force of a rack with gear could impact the torque arms
You cannot easily remove the battery box from the bike frame which makes charging more difficult, you have to bring the bike inside or park near an electrical outlet and that might not work for people who want to commute to work
I admire the spirit behind this ebike but most of the electronic systems are hand built and they probably aren’t UL certified, insured or produced with a high level of quality control like larger manufacturer, even those companies do recalls and damaged cells have been known to cause fires
The battery box rattled a bit when riding over bumpy sections on the street, I didn’t notice this as much with the Leider models so perhaps it was just the mounting done on the demo
Despite there being a stated “one year warranty” on the bike, I have some concerns about the longevity of the company as a whole and feel that this e-bike might be best suited to engineer types who are willing to dive in themselves if need be
Basic accessories including the generic saddle, plastic pedals and rubberized grips, it’s a single speed and wouldn’t be much fun to pedal (especially up hill) if the battery was drained

Resources:

Official Site: http://www.snelheidcycles.com/
More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/57MH3o9gaJTjKMvz9

January 29, 2024 (3 months ago)

Snelheid Cycles Leider Review

MSRP: $2,799
MODEL YEAR: 2016

One of the fastest and lightest weight electric road bikes I've reviewed with a powerful Mac motor and fast discharge Lithium polymer battery. Efficient smooth tires, rigid steel frame and single speed gearing are simple and durability but…...

Read Review

Jeff Schafer

8 years ago

I’ve ridden this exact bike and I can say with 100% certainty that is BOSS! The bike is super fun, powerful, and extremely nimble. I had no issue with battery duration or physical footprint. This is the perfect Ebike for city dwellers who need power, but still require the maneuverability that the city demands. There is no better feeling than blowing the doors off a car at the line. I would highly recommend this Ebike to anyone.

Court Rye

Hi Jeff! I agree, the acceleration is awesome and it gave me a sense of control and confidence when riding in traffic. Thanks for chiming in with your thoughts :)

Andrei

Best e-bike I ever used if you like speed and acceleration. Didn’t have any problems with position of the box even though I was wearing jeans. Minimalism of bike underlines it’s sport heritage. Same as sport motorcycles or vehicles. This bike puts a BIG smile on your face when you jump cars or other bikes. Never experienced anything like that before and highly recommend it for purchase. Perfect for highly conjested streets of Chicago or any other big city!!!

Burak Gezen

I was always afraid to ride in traffic, but with this bike, I have no problems. You’re right on about having a sense of control and confidence with this bike. Knowing that you can move around so quickly and reliably makes me feel like it’s second nature.

Christ

I test rode this bike in Olympia Washington and it has superior acceleration and dominates the streets. I love it when drivers eyes become the size of dinner plates when I start passing them without even pedaling. This is the real deal and could easily be my primary mode of transportation. Can’t wait to see what Snelheid comes up with next!

Jon

6 years ago

I emailed Tony but haven’t heard back. Do you know if there are any similar style electric bikes that I could look into? I’m mostly thinking about semi-affordable, with a fast throttle.

Court

Hi, Jon! I was just in touch with Tony the other day and planning to hopefully look at one of his latest models this Wednesday in Seattle. Is it alright if I share your info with him to try to get him talking? Maybe he was just traveling or something :)

Jonathan

That would be great, Court! I assume you can see my email address in this comment? Thank you!

Awesome, I can indeed see your email, thanks Jonathan! I’ll be in touch.