MNN Review: The Optibike 850R is the best electric bike on the market

Ride Powerful. Ride Silent.

Optibike Whisper Ride Technology represents the next evolution in high-performance e-bike motor refinement, debuting in the Powerstorm Bolt Motor System. Through advanced acoustic engineering, precision machining, and premium materials, Whisper Ride delivers exceptional power with near-silent operation—redefining what riders should expect from a high-torque electric drive system.

At the core of Whisper Ride is a dual-planetary reduction system that distributes torque evenly across multiple gears, eliminating the gear whine and vibration common in high-power mid-drive motors. This balanced load path produces smoother power delivery under all conditions while reducing internal stress and mechanical noise. An oversized, machined Dupont™ Delrin® ring gear—manufactured to micron-level precision—further minimizes backlash and resonance, ensuring quiet operation, long service life, and seamless power transfer.

Every drive gear is finished with a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating to reduce friction, suppress micro-vibrations, and maintain silent operation over thousands of miles. Additional refinement comes from Optibike's vibration-isolated motor mounting, a hand-wrapped carbon rotor for precise balance, and a fully silicone-potted motor core that enhances cooling while absorbing high-frequency sound before it reaches the rider.

Together, these technologies allow the Powerstorm Bolt to deliver 190 Nm of torque and 750 watts of continuous power—sustained across the entire battery charge with no thermal throttling, power fade, or added noise. Whisper Ride Technology reflects the Optibike standard: hand-built in Colorado, engineered without compromise, and designed for riders who demand power that feels as refined as it is relentless.

Bike Riding Stress-Free on Your Knees

Optibike Bio Smooth™ Technology transforms cycling into a smoother, healthier experience—eliminating the knee pain, joint stress, and fatigue riders have long accepted as unavoidable. Traditional bicycles force peak effort at the weakest point of the pedal stroke, creating uneven loads that strain knees, hips, and lower backs. Bio Smooth™ changes this fundamental flaw in how bikes apply power.

At the heart of the system is Optibike's patented Motorized Bottom Bracket (MBB), engineered to deliver continuous, balanced assistance through the full 360° of pedal rotation. Instead of a push-and-coast motion, riders experience a smooth, consistent torque curve that keeps joints in a neutral, low-stress position. The result is a ride that feels effortless—like riding on air—while maintaining natural pedaling mechanics.

Paired with the PowerStorm™ Drive System, Bio Smooth™ delivers unmatched performance without overloading the body. With 190 Nm of torque, PowerStorm™ provides more usable, responsive power than any other Class-1 e-MTB in the U.S., maintaining consistent load so your legs never have to fight resistance or absorb sudden force spikes. Strength and smoothness work together, not against you.

The combined effect is a healthier ride: reduced joint impact, greater endurance, faster recovery, and the ability to ride more often without pain or inflammation. Hand-built and dyno-tested in Colorado, Optibike's system isn't just about performance—it's about preserving mobility, comfort, and independence for years to come. With Bio Smooth™, every mile is easier on your body and stronger for your future.

Celebrating 20 Years of American E-Bike Innovation

The new Optibike G Series — celebrating 20 years of Optibike innovation — introduces a revolutionary approach to electric bike performance: Mass Center Handling™. By centralizing the mass of the motor, battery, and suspension, Optibike engineers have created a bike that feels lighter, more agile, and perfectly
balanced in every riding condition.

Traditional e-bike designs often scatter heavy components across the frame, creating imbalance and sluggish response. The Optibike G Series changes that. With the PowerStorm® Motor,
central-mounted battery, and in-frame rear shock precisely aligned near the bike's center of gravity, the result is handling that feels natural, responsive, and intuitive — like an extension of your body.

Why Mass Center Handling™ Matters
• Instant Rider Feedback: The bike reacts predictably to every input, giving you confidence on technical
terrain.
• Superior Agility: Centralized mass allows quicker transitions, better cornering, and improved traction.
• Reduced Fatigue: Balanced weight distribution makes the bike feel lighter, easier to control, and more stable at speed.
• Enhanced Safety: Predictable, stable handling means more control when it matters most.

At Optibike, every design decision comes back to one goal — the perfect ride. By engineering true mass centralization, the G Series delivers the handling you feel instantly — smooth, controlled, and precise, whether climbing, descending, or carving through turns.

The Power Behind Every Optibike and the PowerStorm® MBB

JET Technology™ — Jim's Endless Thinking — is the vision of Jim Turner, founder of Optibike and the creator of the modern electric bike. Since Jim designed his first electric bike over 30 years ago, he has relentlessly pursued the perfection of the ultimate E-Bike. His first E-Bike in 1998 pioneered the mid-drive motor and battery in the frame — a concept that is now used by almost all E-Bike companies.

Jim's Endless Thinking is more than an idea — it's a design philosophy that focuses on performance, power, and the riding experience. From the first sketches to the final hand-built machine, JET ensures that Optibikes deliver higher torque, more power, longer range, and unmatched durability.

At Optibike, innovation happens faster. Unlike large corporations, where committees and boardrooms dictate design years in advance, Optibike thrives on agility and real-world riding experience.

No Corporate Compromise — Our bikes are designed and built by people who ride them, ensuring performance is never sacrificed for committee approval.

Always the Latest & Best — While big brands lock in designs up to two years before production, every Optibike is hand-built to order, giving you the most advanced bike available today.

Rider-First Innovation — We innovate quickly because we ride, test, and refine every day. That's why Optibike riders experience technology and performance that others are still planning.

Real Power. Real Performance. Real Riding.

When Optibike says power, we mean TRUE POWER™ — the actual continuous output power delivered to the ground. While most e-bike companies advertise peak or input power numbers that sound impressive but don't reflect real-world performance, Optibike tells the truth.

Every Optibike Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bike provides a full 750 watts of continuous output power, measured honestly at the motor's output shaft — not the electrical input or momentary peak. That's the Optibike standard: power you can trust, ride after ride.

Other companies list input power — the electricity going into the motor — or peak power, a brief surge that lasts only seconds. But input power doesn't equal usable power. Inefficiencies, heat, and software limits mean you never feel those inflated numbers on the trail.

Optibike's PowerStorm® Motor System, engineered with precision cooling and high-efficiency design, delivers continuous, sustained output power — the energy you actually feel propelling you forward.

Why TRUE POWER™ Matters

• Continuous Output Power: Full torque and speed available in every condition — not just short bursts.
• Faster Hill Climbing: Climb longer, steeper grades without power fade.
  
• Better Efficiency: Ride farther and stronger with consistent energy delivery.
• Superior Ride Quality: Smooth, predictable, and powerful acceleration you can trust.

When Optibike says 750 watts, that's what you get — 750 watts of continuous output power across all Class 1, 2, and 3 bikes. No inflated marketing, no misleading peaks — just TRUE POWER™, engineered for real riders who demand real performance.