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Why Optibike

Custom-built high-performance e-bikes in Colorado for over 20 years.

Colorado-Built E-Bikes with a Racing Heritage

Hand-built in Colorado since 2007, Optibike combines world-class engineering, media-recognized design, and real-world durability.

Since 2007, Optibike has been designing and building premium electric bikes in Colorado. Often called the “Ferrari of electric bikes,” Optibike has been featured on ESPN, The Today Show, Forbes, Business Week, USA Today, The New York Times, and CNN for its innovative design and technology. Every Optibike is engineered, manufactured, assembled, and tested in Colorado as we develop the next generation of high-performance electric bikes. Whether you ride for weight loss, fitness, commuting, or pure adventure with friends, an Optibike can change your life.

Optibike was founded by Jim Turner, a two-time Motocross National Champion and author of The Electric Bike Book. After earning an advanced engineering degree from Stanford, Jim began his career in the Advanced Vehicle Controls Division at Ford Motor Company. Frustrated with the slow pace of innovation in big corporate environments, he looked for a way to make a more direct, positive impact on people’s lives. When he discovered electric bikes, he knew he had found it.

Jim started developing the first Optibike in 1998. After nine years of trials, testing, and refinement, the first Optibike was sold in 2007. Since then, Optibikes have been sold in more than 33 countries, earning a reputation for performance and durability that is unmatched in the industry. Optibike is where old-world craftsmanship meets modern technology.

“I love that e-bikes are good for your health and the environment. With Optibike, I get a chance to directly impact the lives of others.”
— Jim Turner, Founder of Optibike

Built to Solve Real Riding Challenges

PowerStorm™ MBB Motor

Most e-bikes fade on steep terrain. Optibike delivers sustained TRUE POWER™ that conquers any climb without overheating or lagging.

Long Range Touring

Engineered for extended rides without compromise. Advanced battery architecture and efficiency-focused design deliver dependable range for all-day exploration.

Climb any hill

Built for real elevation, not flat terrain marketing. Optimized torque delivery and thermal management maintain consistent performance on long, sustained climbs.

Design & Technology

Purpose-built engineering from the ground up. Every Optibike integrates proprietary systems, premium components, and rider-first design for unmatched reliability and control.

Explore More From Optibike

Pictures

Our Flickr page has high-resolution downloadable images available.

Videos

Our Youtube channel has video sthat can be embedded or linked to.

E-Bike Benefits

Discover key benefits of riding an Optibike e-bike.

Latest News

Get the latest Optibike news, updates, and stories.

Our Journey Through Innovation

1998

Jim Turner finishes his 1st Optibike prototype

After first investigating hub motors in 1996, Optibike developed this first mid drive unit in 1997.

This unit featured 24 volts with a 15 amp-hr lead acid battery and about 350 watts of power.

2006

First Production Optibike Built

After almost a decade of development the first production Optibike was finished in late 2006 for shipment to South Africa.

2007

First Optibike being Loaded for Shipment to South Africa

After 10 years of development, we were finally in production!

The Model 400 had 400 watts of continuous power, 90 Newton Meters of torque and a 37 volt 13 Amp Hour Nickel Metal Hydride battery that weighed 17 pounds.

Jeff Baum buys an Optibike R8 to ride his breathtaking 10 mile commute through the snow from Frisco to Breckenridge, CO

He goes up and down snow covered winding roads in the Rockies – to his job as the executive director of the Breckenridge Music Festival.

For most of his 10 years at the Festival, he had driven a standard gasoline -powered sport utility vehicle. Then he found the freedom of the Optibike.

It takes him a little longer to get to work, but the bike is more dependable, more nimble, more invigorating and just more fun than the S.U.V., he said. (and yes, he does take his skis with him).

The New York Times names Optibike – 'The Ferrari of Electric Bikes'

The New York Times wrote an article on electric bikes featuring Jeff Baum and sales took off. In a matter of a few weeks, Optibike sold out its next 15 months of production. In the article, the Optibike was referred to as the Ferrari of Electric Bikes.

Jim Turner awarded 'Inventor of the Year'

At the Colorado Inventor Showcase – In recognition of exceptional ingenuity, creative genius, and product development skills, Jim Turner and the Optibike were awarded the “Inventor of the Year”.

The DaVinci Institute sponsored the Colorado Inventor Showcase.

2008

In 2008, the Optibike OB1 was featured in the “Future of Transportation Display” at the brand new California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Originally scheduled for one year, it was kept for over 2 years as one of the most popular attractions.

Optibike Releases the First Lithium Ion Battery in an E-Bike

Optibike pioneered the use of Lithium Ion batteries in E bikes. Back in 2008 we released the first 37 volt 20 Amp Hour Lithium Ion battery. This is the technology that Tesla uses today. Many of these batteries are still running strong today.

2009

DeMarcus Ware of the Denver Broncos (then of the Dallas Cowboys) buys an Optibike to use as of part of his training as a lineman

“I’ve been riding my Optibike OB1 for over a month, and I can’t stay away – I absolutely love the bike. I ride it every single day as part of my training regimen. In the suburbs or on the hills at training camp, this bike will be with me. It is the perfect cross-training tool for me because it allows me to get a great workout yet still enjoy what I’m doing. I would recommend an Optibike to anyone who has those same goals.”

— DeMarcus Ware

2011

Optibike Wins Pikes Peak Hill Climbing Event

In 2011 a group of Optibikes took 1st to 7th places in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Event, climbing over 7,500 feet in 24.5 miles from Manitou Springs to the 14,100-foot summit.

1st place was John Sagebiel with a time of 1:06.45. The 1st ‘other’ brand of e-bike took over 3 times as long as John. As of this date, no one has beaten Johns time.

Velodrome Pacer uses an Optibike to lead the packs

Optibike, the world’s leading high performance electric bike, is circling Boulder’s velodrome and stirring much excitement.

Optibike has found its place as a coaching and pacing tool in Boulder’s renowned velodrome.

The Optibike is the first electric bike powerful enough to lead a pack of very powerful cyclists and replace the scooter/motorcycle derny.

Optibikes sold to customers in 28 countries

By 2011 Optibike had delivered bikes to riders in 28 countries. The riders were from all walks of life, with a common interest to have a high performance bike that changed their lives. They all ordered their bikes direct from Optibike and each one was hand built one at a time, just like today.

2012

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Steve Winwood (Traffic, Blind Faith) invites Jim Turner to a Denver concert after buying an Optibike for his band manager James in England

Band Manager, James, received his Optibike as a birthday present from Steve and uses it to commute the 16 miles to the studio each day with 2000 feet of climbing. Lots of days of rain and drizzle as it is England.

Jim Turner resumes motocross racing again after a 25-year retirement

Jim decides to race again when his son Austen takes up racing.

Racing motocross again reaffirmed Jim’s belief in how the excitement of riding an Optibike is an exhilarating and simple alternative to racing.

2013

The Boulder B Cycle Bike Share Program teams up with Optibike

The Optibike will be used with a special trailer to re position the B cycles from one station to another during the day.

The Optibike has the power required to carry up to three B Cycles from one station to another and eliminate the use of a pickup truck.

Previously, a regular bike was tried with the trailer, but this proved too difficult to pedal. The B Cycles must be continuously moved from one station to another as riders drop them off. One station may become full, while the other becomes empty.

The Optibike Patented Motorized Bottom Bracket drive system lets the Optibike easily pull large loads up hills, an ability unmatched by other electric bikes.

The Electric Bike Book published by Jim Turner

Jim Turner completed and published “The Electric Bike Book”, the first book dedicated to helping people understand the technology and ability of electric bikes to change their lives. The book is a bestseller on Amazon.

2014

Optibike sponsors BERT – Bicycle Emergency Response Team

BERT is an Optibike sponsored Denver University project where students developed a bike trailer using an Optibike for emergency response.

The BERT trailer is designed to by pulled by an Optibike R series bike. The power of the Optibike allows the trailer to be pulled with weights up to 250 pounds for up to 100 miles at speeds of 25MPH.

The Optibike R series are the only electric bikes with the power and durability to be able to accomplish this. The R series Optibike makes the concept of BERT a reality.

Revolutionary SIMBB (Super Integrated Motorized Bottom Bracket) released

Optibike releases the new SIMBB which has the motor, controller, and battery packaged together to make the smallest E-Bike drive system in the world. It is so small that when one competitor saw it, they said, “But where is the battery?”

Second Generation of Turners Join Optibike

Jim’s sons Nicholas and Austen grew up breathing electric bikes, and in 2014 began working in the business full time, contributing their unique knowledge and skills to develop the next generation of Optibikes.

2015

Wooden SIMBB

The National Hand-Built Bicycle Show features a wooden-framed SIMBB developed by Professor Jay Kinsinger at Cederville University.

This beautiful hand-built frame was made from hardwood and sanded and polished by hand.

2016

R15 Released

All Optibikes are fun to ride and have their own personality, but none put a bigger smile on a riders face than the R15. The acceleration and high climbing ability of this bike is unmatched and has amazed all the customers who have upgraded from their R11.

The R15 has industry leading performance with 1500 watts of continuous power, 175 Newton Meters of torque and a 48 volt 22 Amp Hour (1056 watt hour) battery that weighs only 11 pounds.

Compare these specifications to the original Model 400, 10 years ago, and it is clear Optibike has evolved by leaps and bounds.

2017

Mini SIMBB Released

Optibike releases the Mini SIMBB. The first high performance electric bike built for smaller people. (And we found loved by every rider). This bike has 750 watts of continuous power and a 37 volt 21 amp hour battery! The unique SIMBB design makes the small frame size with big performance possible. No other bike can come close in this small package.