Electric Bicycles Need High Energy Batteries, Not High Power Energy is the amount of power used over time.  An electric bicycle must be more efficient with the use of energy than a gas car. With an electric bike, a battery with high-energy, not high power is preferred. This gives the vehicle the ability to travel long distances.

Some batteries put out a large amount of power, but they don’t have very much energy (they have low watt hrs). That means the vehicle will accelerate very quickly, like a high horsepower Corvette, but will not go very far, because the size of the gas tank is small (low watt-hrs).

Electric Cars and Bikes Have Different Needs In hybrid cars, where the engine is constantly filling the battery, power density is more important than energy density. The high power density lets the gas motor recharge the battery quickly. The gasoline in the hybrid car is providing the energy, not the battery. Even though the electric bike is a hybrid between the human and the electric motor, it is not like a Prius in power needs.

In the electric bike, the person and the battery are both contributing energy and the battery is not re-filled by the rider. This requires a high-energy battery for an electric bike.

All electric bicycles are charged like a laptop, with a wall charger. You could charge the battery by peddling, but that would defeat the purpose of the electric bicycle. If you had to peddle to fill the battery, you’d be using all your energy to fill the battery and you wouldn’t get any boost to your speed or range.

To learn more about electric bikes and the e-bikes Optibike currently offers, contact us at 303-443-0932. And follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and our E Bike Blog, to learn more about the benefits of electric bikes.

Excerpted from “The Electric Bike cBook” by Jim Turner. Available FREE on I Pad and Kindle.

Optibike Velodrome rider, Tim Kyer, will travel to California to pilot the Optibike during the tests. Tim has been using the Optibike to train riders in Boulder since 2011. Training with the Optibike allows athletes to increase their speed and stamina. The electric bike by Optibike has been used in the Velodrome and for motor pacing on streets with major cycling teams.

The Red Bull High Performance Lab is continually seeking ways to improve the performance of athletes. The Optibike will be used to pace riders, to insure they ride at maximum effort during the test. The electric bike, Optibike R11, was  chosen as it is emission free and provides a better environment that a gas scooter can. With the Optibike, it is easy for Tim to set a smooth and consistent pace for  the riders.

Stay tuned to learn more about the Red Bull High Performance Lab and Optibike. If you’re looking for an Optibike electric bike that matches your needs and budget, contact us at 303-848-8385 to learn more.

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.

I have had the Optibike R11 for three years & I feel the time is right to relay my consumer experience so that potential buyers can make informed decisions. I have never made any purchase in my lifetime where all claims by the manufacturer may be easily & readily validated as being factually correct. Until that is, I purchased the Optibike R11.

Whenever I make a consumer purchase, I always validate the claims of the vendor against my expectations of purchase. When I received the Optibike R11, I tested & have validated every claim that you have made on your website; 33(MPH), 40 Mile Range, FAST Mode, ECO Mode, SAFE Mode etc. Much to my great satisfaction, all your claims have been verified.

Ricc with his Optibike R11 Long range electric bike

Again, I have been very impressed by the fact that “what is claimed is actually delivered”. My advice to prospective purchasers is that they can buy an Optibike R11 with complete confidence that what is claimed is factual & real.

My R11 has now traveled 25,000(km) (showing the R11 to be the best long range electric bike) (90% in FAST Mode).

A recent mechanical issue with my Rohloff was repaired without question or dispute by Rohloff in Germany. This has been my experience with Optibike R11 components so far:

Frame = no problem
Chris King components = no problem
FOX components = no problem
DT Swiss components = no problem, not even a broken spoke; no truing of wheel, nothing needed at all
Avid Brake components = no problem; typical consumption of brake pads
Rohloff =  mechanical issue significantly outside the warranty period {occurred @ 25,000(km)}, was fixed under warranty. Rohloff completely replaced all internals; effectively giving me a new Rohloff (only the outer casing was preserved as it is laced into the wheel)

To see Ricc in action on his R11 watch his Video below.

To learn more about Optibike’s electric bike line, click here, or contact us at 303-443-0932. You’ll find the largest selection of e-bikes that will match your needs and budget. Don’t wait, order yours today

Here are 3 real world examples of Optibike customers who have taken advantage of the 90 day love it or return it guarantee

1. Dennis F. in Palm Springs California purchased the R8 All Around Electric Bicycle and returned it for a full refund after 2 weeks because he decided he didn’t want an electric bike and a conventional mountain bike works just fine for him.

2. Andrew R. in Maryland purchased a R8 All Around Electric Bike and noticed it he needed more power for his type of riding. So, Andrew traded in his R8 for an R11 Electric Mountain Bike to better match his needs for speed and power.

3. Sam J. in Maryland purchased an R11 and it was way too fast and powerful for him. So, Sam traded in his R11 for an R8 All Around E-Bike to enjoy more leisure riding around town and still get a great workout with some fun and adventure.

We believe it is important for you to have a full 90 days to ensure the Optibike is the perfect electric bike experience for you and changes your life for the better. We feel giving you 90 days instead of a 15 minute to 1 hour test ride is enough time to decide if it changes your life. If you don’t absolutely love your Optibike after 90 days of riding, return it for a full refund no questions asked.

The 90 day love it or return it guarantee eliminates your risk in making a bad purchasing decision, provides you more peace of mind and confidence to purchase and gives you an opportunity to change your life with an increase in fitness, happiness, joy and overall good times.

We are proud to announce that we have under 10 returns since we have been in business since 2006. Check out what some of our customers are saying about the best electric bike on the market.

            These days, when the topic of battery-powered transportation comes up, the conversation immediately turns to electric cars. But there’s a Boulder-based firm that’s hoping to change all that. Optibike has been building electric bicycles for nearly a decade, and it looks like people are starting to take notice.

Even though e-bike sales remain a fraction of the overall bicycle market, a recent study claims they are growing rapidly, more than doubling in the past few years.

Jim Turner, President and founder of Optibike, says it’s easy to see why. “I think they’re win, win, win. They save fuel, they get people more fit, they reduce traffic and they use less resources to make. They go the equivalent of 2,000 miles per gallon if you figure it on a ‘dollar’ basis compared to a car, so they’re incredibly economical.”

Turner bought his first electric bicycle in 1995, with the thought of riding his kids around town. And while he liked the concept, he says those early versions came up short in the performance department. In particular, they didn’t have a lot of power for climbing hills, and he felt their range left a lot to be desired. So a company was born.

“I decided I wanted to start a business and I thought electric bikes would be a good merging of my talents,” Turner says. Those talents range from a former motocross champion with a design and engineering degree from Stanford to a job in the Advanced Vehicle Controls division of Ford Motor Company.

That was in 2005. Since then, Optibike has focused on delivering power and performance. The firm’s bigger bikes come with a rechargeable 1 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery – at least double the capacity of what you’ll find on most competitive models, according to Turner. But what helps set Optibike’s product apart is the way in which it harnesses that power.

Most e-bikes are propelled by either hub-motors, which drive one of the wheels, or mid-drives, that supply power to the front chain-rings in conjunction with a person’s pedaling. And that makes all the difference, according to Turner. “A mid-drive gives you the mechanical advantage of the drive train as you’re going through the gears, so you can climb hills more efficiently,” whereas a hub-motor is a fixed gear and provides less assistance going uphill. And Optibike’s patented mid-drive, called a Motorized Bottom Bracket, has the highest power-to-volume ratio on the market – in other words, you get more “oomph” from a smaller package.

The firm has traditionally focused on high-end bikes featuring top-quality parts, all handmade in the USA and averaging around $12,000. “Then at the end of last year we released a new bike called our ‘SIMBB’ with a little simpler design and less power, which sells for $5,700,” Turner says. And to broaden their product range even further, they brought in an imported bike, the Pioneer Allroad, with a price tag of $2,800. The addition of the two lines helped boost sales for January by 50% over expectations.

Along with a 90 day return guarantee, Optibike also offers a unique exchange program that allows customers to trade-up their bikes in the first six months, should they decide they want to upgrade to a different model.

But Optibike believes in more than just selling you a set of wheels. The company now sponsors a weight loss challenge, something Turner says was prompted by customer feedback. “We had people calling us saying ‘I just lost 30 pounds riding your bike to work,’ and we though ‘Wow, this is amazing, we should start something more formalized.’ So we hired a person to administer this program where we actually coach people to get them even better results and help them along the process.” Last year’s winner dropped 80 pounds, while picking up a check for $5,000.

Turner admits he was probably ahead of the curve when he first got into the e-bike business. “Everyone said ‘Oh, it’s gonna grow’ but it was always ‘next year.’ And now it’s really starting to happen.” So much so that even the car makers are getting into the game. BMW now makes an e-bike, and Hyundai just introduced one at this year’s auto shows. But Turner welcomes the competition, figuring it spurs overall growth by helping bring electric bicycles to the mainstream.

That fact is becoming more apparent every day. Come football season, Denver Bronco fans might spot the team’s newest addition, linebacker DeMarcus Ware, zipping around the Mile-High City on his Optibike.

Looks like the word is getting out.

Learn more about Optibike electric bikes and contact us today at 303-443-0932. We have the widest range of electric bikes to fit your needs and budget.

These wheels house the motor, battery and controller in the hub of the rear wheel. While easy to install, these wheels have their limitations in the performance area. The SIMBB electric bike by Optibike has more power, more torque, bigger battery an superior hill climbing ability.

Both the Copenhagen Wheel and Optibike SIMBB share the innovative all in one design where the motor, batteries and controllers are all in one unit. While the Copenhagen wheels has all the these components in the wheel, the Optibike SIMBB has everything in the bottom bracket mid drive area. This gives  the Optibike SIMBB  more performance where it counts in climbing hills. The SIMBB requires modifications found on the bicycle frame instead of the wheel.

While the Copenhagen Wheel houses all the components in the rear wheel, the SIMBB replaces the bottom bracket of the bicycle. The  advantages of the SIMBB are several:

1. Low center of gravity in center of bike

2. No added un-sprung weight to wheel which can cause handling problems.

3. Uses bicycle gears to allow for high efficiency hill climbing with an e-bike

4. Larger battery for longer range

5. More Power for faster hill climbing

6. Higher speeds due to gear system.

In Summary, the Copenhagen Wheel is simple to add to a regular bicycle to electrify it, but the SIMBB has overall superior performance, making a better electric bicycle. Now offered at an affordable price of only $5,700. The SIMBB e-bike is a great choice for anyone looking for great made in American quality and award winning design in a super package. Plus, Optibike is offering a 90 day Satisfaction Guarantee on all electric bikes, a 1 year warranty on the entire Optibike electric bike and a 3 year / 30,000 mile warranty on the battery pack. You can’t get that with the Copenhagen Wheel.

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