CyberQuad
| CyberQuad | |
|---|---|
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| Built By | Alex Shakespeare |
| Theme | CyberPunk Small Quad |
| First Race | Fully Charged Live 2021 |
| Current Status | Retired - Functional |
| Motor | MY1020 2000W Brushless Scooter Motor |
| ESC | 2000W Unbranded Brushless E-Bike ESC |
| Battery | 12S 12Ah LiPo (2x6S Series) |
| Transmission | Single Stage T8F Chain Reduction |
| Contact | |
| View all Racer Profiles | |
Background
CyberQuad is the second Hacky built by Alex after Trikemare. Trikemare was a reverse trike that was incredibly unstable during cornering with a tendency to roll during races. Cyberquad was built with the aim of being a much more stable, safer Hacky with the aim to also be able to fit in the boot of a hatchback car without being disassembled. The Hacky as built in 2021, first competing at the Fully Charged Live event of the same year.
The theme is loosely based on a cyberpunk look though was never fully realised before becoming inactive in 2024. Despite the name there is no relation to the announced Tesla CyberQuad.
Construction
Intended to be a quick build to produce a stop-gap racer between Trikemare and an eventual more competitive one a children's 50cc quad bike was chosen as a base. This was chosen as it would result in a very low BOM cost for the majority of the components and an already completed front end with steering and suspension. Due to this CyberQuad shares many common components with low cost mini-quad and mini-moto machines giving ready access to cheap spare parts.
The chassis was stripped of the petrol engine and top (seat) supports. The lower frame was then strengthened and extended with the rear frame being built utilising elements of the original rear frame. CyberQuad is nearly all steel and HDPE in construction. Over time additional strengthening has been added to the Hacky to combat wear.
The steering on a children's quad is mechanically limited by the steering arms hitting their mounting, in order to be able to corner more aggressively the steering axle mounts were extended to allow a higher steering angle.
CyberQuad runs a single motor with a single stage reduction using T8F chain to a solid rear axle, understeer is reduced by lifting the inside rear wheel during cornering. The front suspension noticeably helps cornering and runs softer springs than is typically found on even a 50cc quad. The rear wheels often had to be run over-pressure as the demand on them was far greater in CyberQuad than their intended use as a children's 50cc quad leading to them occasionally bursting during races. These were replaced with Go-Kart Wheels to resolve the problem. A single brake is used on the rear axle after the original front brakes were removed as they were not found to be effective.
CyberQuad is notable in being one of the smallest racers during it's time on the track measuring approximately 130cm Length and 60cm Width with a weight of ~35kg.
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Powertrain
CyberQuad utilises a MY1020 2000W brushless scooter motor (Similar to the common VEVOR motors though pre-dating them). Transmission is through a single stage T8F reduction onto the stock mini-quad rear axle, geared for speed is approximately 20MPH.
The ESC is a generic unbranded 2000W E-Bike ESC running on 12S LiPo 12Ah (2x 6S packs in series).
During racing the power usage typically peaks at 36A.
Race Results
A running-gag with CyberQuad was it's notable tendency to place 3rd during it's active racing.
BOM
| Item | Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Donor Mini-Quad | £80 | £354.5 |
| ESC | £18 | |
| Motor | £80 | |
| Go-Kart Wheels | £35 | |
| Water jet cut parts | £25 | |
| HDPE | £65 | |
| Additional Steel | £35 | |
| Seat | £2.50 | |
| Sprocket | £10 | |
| Threaded Rod | £4 |
CyberQuad is a particularly low cost hacky due to being based on an existing 50cc quad-bike meaning most of it's parts fall under the 'Donor Mini-Quad' line.
Limitations
CyberQuad is a proven racer with excellent reliability though it's smaller size does impact it's competitiveness. On the plus side it's size makes it able to navigate tight twisting tracks well and can often attempt overtakes in gaps other racers are not able to, however the narrower track width requires it to slow more for sharp corners. In addition the slower geared speed while providing good acceleration and recovery out of the slower corners does lose time on large tracks with long straights. In comparison to newer dual-motor racers it is unable to compete, though is at home in the mid-pack.
It is also less comfortable to drive than many other racers and demands more effort from the driver when racing particularly the where the driver is placing their weight. Compared to other racers a more relaxed driving style is not capable while still retaining performance.
Though DNF's were rare, the mini-quad parts do suffer from the more intense use. The tyres wear quickly and will typically use up a set on the front over a weekends racing and multiple rear sets before the switch to Go-Kart wheels. The mini-quad wheels on the rear occasionally bursting during racing as they reached end of life. While still using the original parts the steering arms are a weak point and any impacts can result in them twisting.
The small size leaves it difficult to add significant Moxie to.
Resources
TBA
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