For decades, Jim Turner has been engineering electric bikes that push the boundaries of physics. His flagship creation, the R22ET Everest, remains the gold standard for a category he calls “E-Venture”—a machine designed for long-distance exploration and high-altitude performance that effectively eliminates range anxiety.

In a technical discussion in Paonia, Colorado, Turner and Brandon Mason discussed how the R22ET Everest is built to outlast the rider, even in the most demanding conditions in the world.

300 Miles of Freedom: The Dual-Battery System

The defining feature of the R22ET Everest is its industry-leading 300-mile range.

“I don’t want to get in my car,” says Turner. “I want to ride to the trail, ride the trail, and ride home.”

The R22ET Everest achieves this through a 3.3kWh dual-battery system. This “Out and Back” technology features a physical switch, allowing the rider to deplete the first battery and keep the second in reserve for the return journey. With nearly five times the capacity of a standard electric mountain bike, the Everest is a tool for true adventurers.

The MMI “Transformer” Interface

The R22ET Everest is a “chameleon,” capable of adapting to different legal jurisdictions and terrains via the Multi-Mode Interface (MMI). This allows the rider to configure the bike on the fly:

• Class 1, 2, and 3: Limits the bike for legal use on multi-use trails and roads (up to 28 mph).
• Moto Mode: Unlocks the 2500W peak potential of the motor for off-road use on forest service roads, reaching speeds up to 36 mph.

This flexibility ensures that you can commute at high speeds to a trailhead and then switch to a legal trail mode once you arrive.

“True Power” Performance vs. The Industry

Performance on the R22ET Everest is measured by True Power—the ability to maintain 1700W of continuous output without overheating or “conking out” on steep grades.

• Continuous Power: 1700 Watts.
• Peak Power: 2500 Watts.
• Torque: 190 Nm (Nearly double the torque of a top-end Specialized bike).

Billet Aluminum and “Heirloom Quality”

The construction of the R22ET Everest sets it apart from mass-produced ebikes. While the frame is carbon fiber, the battery case is machined from solid billet 6061 aluminum. This racing-motorcycle approach to engineering provides incredible stability at 35 mph and ensures the bike can be serviced and rebuilt for decades.

By utilizing Mass Central Design, Optibike keeps the battery weight low and centered. This design enhances handling, acting like a keel on a boat to stabilize the bike as you navigate technical single-track or high-speed gravel roads.

Custom Built in Paonia, Colorado

Every R22ET Everest is custom-built to the rider’s specifications. When you reserve a bike, the Optibike team works with you to tailor the build to your height, weight, and riding goals. From integrated high-output lighting systems to specialized suspension tuning, each Everest is a bespoke machine.

Are you ready to experience the ultimate E-Venture?

• Explore the full Optibike lineup: Our Bikes Overview
• Visit us in Paonia for a free test ride: Contact Us / Schedule a Test Ride

Losing Strength and Power As We Age

As we age, three main metabolic changes occur. We lose muscle mass, gain weight, and our maximum oxygen uptake decreases (VO2 Max). This all translates into less ability to climb hills and travel longer distances. A rider of 60 years old may have 30% less power ability than when they were 30. Combined with an increase in body mass, this means the 60 year old will need a more powerful E-MTB than someone 30 years old

Muscle Loss with Age

It is estimated that we lose 3-8% of muscle mass per decade after age 30. This trend accelerates after 60. This means a 60 year old rider may have only 30% less muscle mass than when they were 30 years old. On a bike, this means that we cannot climb hills as well when we are older

VO2 Max Decrease with Age

VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen that your body can uptake and be used for exercise. Fit athletes have higher VO2max than sedentary people and can perform exercise at higher sustained levels. VO2 Max typically increase until we are about 30 and then begins to decrease by about 5%, on average, per decade. A person who is 60 may have o VO2 max that has decreased 30% from when they were 30. This means we can not go as fast or as long on a bike.

Increase in Body Mass with Age

It is estimated that the average American gains 1 lbs per year after about 30. A rider of 60 years may be 30-50 lbs heavier than when they were 30. This added weight require more power when climbing hills. With less muscle mass, and lower VO2 max, the rider will need a much higher power E-MTB to keep up with a 30 year old.

Older Riders Need More Power To Climb Hills

As we age we lose muscle mass. It is estimated that we lose 3-8% of muscle mass per decade after age 30. This trend accelerates after 60. This means a 60 year old rider may have only 30% less muscle mass than when they were 30 years old. This means that we cannot climb hills as well. The Optibike RIOT with its 3X the power is the best E-MTB for older rider to keep up with younger riders.

More Weight Requires More Power and Bigger Battery

Weight is also a large factor in E-MTB climbing ability and range. A heavier rider will need more power and a larger battery to keep up with a lighter rider.

Optibike "RIOT" Best E-MTB to Climb Hills

The RIOT is the best E-MTB for heavier riders who are having trouble climbing hills on their current E-MTB. A Heavier rider at 220 lbs will require more power to climb the same hill as a 145 lb rider. The added performance of the Optibike RIOT allows heavier riders to keep up with lighter riders. The higher power of the Optibike RIOT is important for heavier riders as weight is an important factor in climbing hills.

Optibike "RIOT" built for American Riders

Most E-MTBs on the market in America use European Mid Drive motors that have 250 watts of continuous power, based on European laws. The RIOT, with Optibike's US Built, PowerStorm™ Motor offers the full legal US power limit of 750 watts, which is 3 times European brands, which makes it the best E-MTB available in America. The torque on the Powerstorm motor is 190 newton meters which is over twice the 85 Newton meters available on European motors. The added power and torque allow the RIOT to climb steeper hills. This makes it the best E-MTB for older and heavier riders.

Older Riders Need More Power To Climb Hills

As we age we lose muscle mass. It is estimated that we lose 3-8% of muscle mass per decade after age 30. This trend accelerates after 60. This means a 60 year old rider may have only 30% less muscle mass than when they were 30 years old. This means that we cannot climb hills as well. The Optibike RIOT with its 3X the power is the best E-MTB for older riders as they can keep up with younger riders. See what Notebookcheck has to say about the RIOT.

Larger Battery for Longer Range and More Exploring

The Optibike RIOT features a very large 1630 watt hour battery for extended range. Most European based bikes have batteries in the 600-700 watt hour range. The larger battery of the RIOT allows riders to ride over twice the distance of other E-Bikes. The Optibike RIOT is the best E-MTB for long range touring.

Easier Riding with Higher Torque

Higher torque is important as it allows riders to shift less gears and accelerate easier from a stop. There is less chance of getting stopped on a hill. With higher torque the bike will continue to climb, when lower torque bikes have stopped. The RIOT is the best E-MTB for climbing hills.

Powered by American Built E Bike Motor

The Optibike RIOT is powered by Optibike's exclusive PowerStorm motor. The PowerStorm™ is the only E-Bike motor system built in America. The RIOT houses the PowerStorm™ motor, the high performance, American built alternative to European mid drives. The PowerStorm™ has the highest power to size of any e bike motor in the world.

RIOT Features & Options

- Available in Rohloff or Cassette versions (choose at checkout)
- Available in US Class 1 or EU versions
- New Pedelec Torque Sensor, Dual-sided
- Optibike PowerStorm™ MBB with 190Nm Torque, climb hills up to 46%
- 1630Wh 52V Li-ion Removable Battery
- Carbon Fiber Frame and Swingarm
- 170mm Travel Enduro Tuned Rear Linkage
- 170mm Travel Beefy 38mm Fork
- Long Travel Full Suspension, rock solid handling
- Up to 180 Mile Range (With 160lb rider at 15 mph with pedaling)

Designed and Built in Colorado

Designed and hand built in Colorado, USA for riders who crave more power and torque. The RIOT is perfect for tackling steeper hills. The best E-MTB has a powerful motor and large battery which out distances the competition. The RIOT provides an excellent and easy riding experience, whether navigating commuter traffic, or riding bike trails, climbing steep hills across rugged back country. The RIOT is ideal for larger riders who are frustrated by the lack of power and torque in European E-MTBs.

Total climb was around 4,400 feet, and with the power of the R15C we easily managed 224mph on the steep 10%+ grade sections of the climb up.

Optibike R15C

“The Optibike R22 Everest is as impressive as its name implies. This bike is the Lucid Air of e-bikes. If it were a car, it would definitely be on the list of EVs with the longest range. The R22 Everest is built in Colorado, so it meets the criteria of this list. This e-bike can travel approximately 300 miles on a single charge (estimated while using a 160 lb driver traveling at 15 mph with pedal assist), thanks to its humongous 3,260Wh battery.”

We did 14,000 feet of total climbing over the trip.

“It was pulling wheelies going up and I couldn’t believe it!”

“Such perfect control, I expected it to be a little tougher on the downhill, piece of cake!”

“Beautiful suspension, beautiful ride, everything about it was just unbelievable, the best experience I’ve ever had”

We wanted a battery that could do that, so we created the Everest edition that fits on our elite series.

This battery is 3.3 kilowatt hours 52 volts, that’s huge compared to other batteries that are about 500-600 watt hours in most of the e-bikes today.

This is a serious expedition adventure e-bike battery that nobody else has.

Why did we call it the Everest edition? Because it makes the only E-Bike able to climb Mt. Everest if there was a road.

If Everest is 24,000 feet and 75 miles of climbing this battery can do that, and we know because a decade ago we climbed pikes peak which was 25 miles and about 8,000 feet of climbing, on a battery one third the size.

This battery lets you go places that no one else can, and climb mountains like no other bike can do.

We actually have two 1650 watt hour batteries in here and there’s a switch where you can switch between the batteries. We like this because you can ride out, switch batteries and can come back. You don’t have range anxiety anymore.

You might say why not just carry an extra battery in your backpack or on a rack, but it’s not the same as this battery is placed low and in the center of gravity of the bike, so it has outstanding handling, and you don’t have to mess with these extra batteries on your back or in a bag.

This is the pinnacle of adventure e-bikes, it’s a new generation of what an e-bike can do. Climb incredible amounts, ride 50 miles to a trail, and then ride for hours on the trail.

This frame we custom designed and have made for us, it’s all carbon fiber, the swingarm is carbon fiber and the battery case is carbon fiber.

One important aspect is the swing arm, as you’ll notice it is all one piece and there’s a big reason for that. Because the Optibike has 190 newton meters of torque, which is about two and a half times what other ebikes have, this swing arm was necessary so it didn’t flex when you’re accelerating.

And that rigidity the swing arm also translates to superior handling, when you go into a turn at 30 mph the bike isn’t flexing and shimmying, these bikes are rock solid because of that.

The swing arm goes through a linkage system, and the advantage of this is it’s very soft in the beginning and extremely rigid at the end. So it’s soft over small bumps or rocks, but if you go over a jump it absorbs that easily.

The motorized bottom bracket also goes in the bottom of the frame, and that’s our motor we that we designed.  Because of the compact size of the motor the battery can sit very low in the bike, this is critical for good handling.

Our ebikes have far bigger batteries than others, with that size battery you’ve got to have the position of the battery just right.

We’ve been producing ebikes for over 14 years now, and since we design the motor, frame, battery, swing arm, and more.. We can optimize the bike for the performance we demand.