CYC X1 Pro Gen 3: First Look and Complete Installation Guide

Hey guys, Muj here from Golden Motor. Today, I'm super excited to introduce you to the X1 Pro Gen 3 CYC motor. In this video, I’ll cover the benefits of upgrading to the Gen 3 from the Gen 2, including speed runs and hill climbing tests. The first major upgrade is the brand-new controller designed in-house by CYC. It’s integrated directly into the motor housing, resulting in a much cleaner build with fewer cables. This new controller is pre-tuned right out of the box and delivers instant torque, eliminating the lag experienced on the Gen 2. It’s also more waterproof, with all wires sealed and almost invisible.

The second big upgrade is the torque sensor, which feels very smooth and natural. It detects the amount of force applied on the pedals and adjusts power output accordingly, so the motor assists proportionally to your effort without needing to manually select pedal assist levels. Thirdly, the display options have improved. For 72 volts, there is one display option, while for 52 volts, you can choose between the SW102, DS103, and 750 displays. These are now integrated with the controller, allowing many basic settings to be changed directly from the display.

The fourth upgrade addresses the magnets, which in Gen 2 sometimes demagnetized due to heat. Now, the magnets are beefier and can handle higher temperatures. The motor is also more plug-and-play, making installation easier—you just slide the motor into place and attach the torque sensor on the other side. The fifth upgrade is the move from a square taper crank to an ISIS crankline, which is more robust and lasts longer.

For installation, the first step is removing the pedals, cranks, and bottom bracket, but on this bike, those steps were already completed. If you need help with that, a video link is provided. Next, insert the motor into your bottom bracket. If you have a standard BSA threaded bottom bracket, insert it directly. For press-fit bottom brackets, make sure you have the appropriate adapters installed first. Grease the shaft using the packet provided by CYC before inserting. Depending on your bottom bracket size, use the spacers included in the kit to adjust fit and prevent the chainring from hitting the chainstay. For this bike, two and a half millimeter spacers were needed on the drive side, and a five millimeter spacer on the non-drive side.

Once the motor is in place, check the ground clearance and clearance with any ISCG mounts your bike may have. The CYC motor offers two controller mounting positions; simply unscrew two bolts to lower the controller and fit around most ISCG mounts. For the non-drive side, install the mounting bracket that comes with the kit using the two supplied bolts and a 3mm hex wrench. Then, insert the five-millimeter spacer and engage the non-drive side bottom bracket cup (BB92 in this case) by hand, tightening it securely using the appropriate socket tool. Your motor and controller should now fit nicely and securely.

Next, install the spindle on the drive side, ensuring the spline properly engages with the torque-sensing bottom bracket. Once seated, gently tap it in with a mallet. Now, install the chain using a chain breaker to remove the quick link and mount it onto the narrow-wide chainring, making sure it sits flush. Check your chainline by placing the chain on the middle cog and adjusting spacers as needed to avoid the chainring hitting the chainstay.

After that, install the lockring, which secures the spindle to the bottom bracket threads, tightening it down with a 3mm hex. Then, install the motor mount bracket using the provided long bolts and a rubber piece to prevent frame scratches. Attach it to the pre-installed mounts on your frame and tighten with a 3mm hex.

From the controller, connect the speed sensor’s 8-pin female plug, the main wiring harness, and the battery connection with an XT90 plug. Secure the speed sensor to the chainstay with the provided zip ties, then attach the magnet to your spokes. Tighten it and align the magnet closely to the sensor without letting them touch.

Plug the main wiring harness into the controller. The harness includes plugs for the throttle (yellow) and display (green). There’s also an option for a four-plug harness that adds brake connections. For throttle installation, you can choose between a thumb throttle, half-twist, or full-twist throttle; here, a thumb throttle is used and tightened with a 3mm hex.

For display installation on the X1 Pro running a 72-volt system, use the 750c display. For 52 volts, either the SW102 or DS103 can be used; here, the DS103 is installed in the center console, with the keypad mounted on the right side, secured using 2mm and 1.5mm hex bolts.

Finally, mount the battery, plug it in, and tidy up wiring. The setup is ready for a ride. A speed run on this X1 Pro using an X6 controller rated at around 3000 watts with a 52V battery (60A discharge) is demonstrated. For maximum top speed, a 72V battery is recommended. Afterward, a hill climb test is performed on a steep, challenging hill known for breaking chains, with the bike performing impressively despite muddy conditions.